South London Weekly - April 26th 2024

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councillor calls for more cctv on Busy street after almost Being PickPocketedand claims tHat gang is targeting mums

after almost being pickpocketed herself – and claims that thieves are targeting mums with their children.

Westminster City councillor Laila Cunningham has also called on the Met Police to step up patrols in Queensway, where she claims businesses and tourists are being targeted by a group of pickpockets.

The Conservative cllr said: “I am calling on the police to take our safety seriously. The community wants answers.”

Deputy council leader and member for public protection Aicha Less said the council has been working with local police to tackle the issue but as a local authority, it had limited powers for enforcement. The Met said it has recently carried out regular and plain-clothed operations in the area.

It comes as cllr Cunningham has said that she was confronted by one pickpocket last week who she claimed had targeted a female tourist.

The Lancaster Gate ward cllr said she recorded the man, who then allegedly became aggressive.

The mum-of-six said she was also targeted in Westbourne Grove a month ago while

out on a stroll with her baby. She said: “I felt someone come by from behind. I was walking my baby when I caught him. I stopped and, in what was probably a stupid idea, confronted him and chased him away.”

She claims mothers are being targeted and recalled how one resident refuses to leave the house with her child unless her husband is around.

Cllr Cunningham said: “These are opportunities who walk around with impunity targeting vulnerable groups.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) visited several concerned businesses in Queensway last week and was told a group of five to six men and women target the street “every day”.

Ed, a restaurant manager at Bella Italia, said they try stealing customers’ belongings by sitting close enough to them to access their bags and purses. He claims they’ve been operating on the street for at least the two years he’s been at the restaurant.

He said: “Sometimes we are able to prevent it by warning our customers to keep their bags close.”

Iryna, 21, is a manager at the Bayswater Arms pub and said she sees the group, which she claims operates “like a family”, almost daily.

She claimed they often come in asking to use the toilet and walk by customers, before items

are stolen from customers. Iryna recalled seeing one thief lean back on a chair to grab a woman’s belongings and says customers have lost passports, wallets, phones and sometimes entire bags.

Superintendent Beth Pirie, responsible for neighbourhood policing in Westminster, said: “We are aware that pickpockets are an issue in the Queensway area and understand the concern this causes for those who live and work nearby.

"We have a dedicated PC (Police Constable) and PCSO (Police Community Support Officers) attached to the Bayswater area who regularly carry out patrols in order to deter criminals and provide community reassurance.

“In recent months we have also carried out two plain clothes operations as part of our work to tackle this issue. We would urge anyone subject to a theft to contact police by calling 101 or 999 as soon as possible, in order to ensure officers have the best chance of identifying those responsible.”

Callum Kirwin, 21, a supervisor at the Prince Alfred, said the members who target his pub always work in pairs. He said one keeps an eye out while another targets unsuspecting victims at their tables.

He said this happens “every single day” and has become so bad staff have had to intervene.

He said: “ Rather than confronting them, we

tell them to order at the bar. That’s when they know we’ve seen them and then they leave.”

Rafi Hauqe has worked at Boots for 20 years and said Queensway is an easy target for thieves because of the sheer number of unsuspecting tourists who visit the area. He recalled seeing a phone being snatched in broad daylight nearby.

Tesco duty manager Ala Remiszewsky, 34, said thieves operate during busy times of day. She said it is difficult to tell if the pickpocketing takes place in store as staff can’t access the CCTV but said it is a regular occurrence.

She said: “Every single day someone comes in saying their phone has been stolen.”

Cllr Aicha Less said: “At a council level, our neighbourhood coordinators work closely with our elected members, stakeholders and the local police neighbourhood teams to ensure that crime matters are raised with the police directly. As you can appreciate, we as a local authority have limited powers for enforcement for crime and would therefore advise anyone that is a victim/witness to contact the police as a matter of urgency.

“In turn, this raises a hot spot area on their system, which may/can warrant additional resources. As ever, we as a local authority have a zero tolerance to any sort of crime and want everyone that lives, works and visits our city to have an enjoyable experience.”

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A picture of Queensway on April 11

Councillor Laila Cunningham

Tesco duty manager Ala Remiszewsky, 34, said thieves operate during busy times of day.

Callum Kirwin, 21, a supervisor at the Prince Alfred, said the members who target his pub always work in pairs

PeckHam fatHer and son’s famous Beef Patty sells out in aldi after 48 Hours...

By Isabel Ramirez

A pecKhAm father and son whose beef patties sold out at Aldi stores in just 48 hours say the phone ‘hasn’t stopped ringing’ as everyone - including a premier league football club - wants to try them.

For the last twelve years, Mike, 33, and Paul Williams, 54, have run Flake Bake - a wholesale bakery specialising in handmade Jamaican patties.

In that time they have sold over six million patties and have earned a reputation in southeast Londonalongside First Choice in Brixton which closed down not long ago.

Recently, the pair were launched into the spotlight - after they won the Channel 4 show Aldi’s Next Big Thing - a hunt for a brand new product to stock in its stores. As a result, their patty was stocked at

1,000 of Aldi’s stores across the UK. However, after Flake Bake’s beef patty sold out everywhere in two days - the fastest-selling product from the show - it looks like Aldi will have to make a bigger order (and fast.)

To reflect on their overnight success, we went down to see Mike and Paul at the bakery, based on an unassuming industrial site on Penarth Street.

Mike told us: “Since winning the show it’s just been non-stop.

“Everyone was talking about this patty. UB40, Loose Women - even Man City Football Club reached out to us.”

In 2018, Mike tragically lost his mum, a nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’ - to whom they dedicate their success.

“When we won it was a win for her as well,” he said.

Mike explained that when they knew the show was airing - he set up a video with London-based food influencer, ‘Eating with Tod’ (Toby Inskip) - which got two million views.

“So when the show came out and people learned they could buy it in an Aldi near them, that demand had already been created.”

Paul, who ran a little bakery on Bellenden Road before Flake Bake, said: “It feels like we’ve put patties on the map in the UK.”

Originally from Bog Walk, a little town in Saint Catherine - he said the perfect Jamaican patty is ‘all in the flake and the crust.’ “When you eat one, it should get all over your clothes,” Paul said.

From L) son, Mike 33 and Paul, 54

The 54-year-old added that when they entered the contest, he ‘knew’ they would win.

“You have to speak positively - I know our patties are the best.

“We never had a doubt.”

But Mike said they were up against some other products that had won major awards - and he wondered whether the product would be accepted in the mainstream.

“Patties are always in the World Food section at stores - we want it next to the pasties and bread, as an alternative.”

They are currently in talks with other major retailers to get their patties into other stores - another win for Flake Bake, which according to Mike, ‘had never been on their radar’ before.

Given the rise of this humble productwill they be moving out of their kitchen in Peckham?

“We don’t want to,” Mike replied, “we still want to keep this place for the community who have always bought our patties.”

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arica House: Bermondsey Block

refurBisHment

£1.3m over Budget and two years over scHedule amid latest claims of ‘sHamBolic’ major works

EXCLUSIVE

By Herbie Russell

A mAjor refurbishment of a Bermondsey block went £1.3 million over budget and two years over schedule amid claims some of the work was unnecessary.

Furious Arica House residents say Southwark Council has ignored calls for an independent inquiry and treated concerned residents “like children”.

Southwark’s Liberal Democrat opposition said it was “appalling” to see another major works debaclehighlighting the cases of the Canada and Devon Mansions estates - and demanded “real accountability” for residents.

The project, named Arica House Phase 2, was a landmark revamp of the 1960s Slippers Estate block.

But after estimating it would cost £1,438,771 council spending sky-rocketed to £2,822,387.

Meanwhile, residents say the scheduled November 2019 completion date was delayed until November 2021.

They have claimed perfectly good tiles and floors were replaced with inferior versions while “shambolic” paint jobs, and hard-to-clean flooring had left corridors looking like “a bomb site”.

John Dickson, an Arica House resident, said: “The internal painting of the block is a complete shambles…The brickwork was time-consuming and an absolute nightmare.”

He added: “They treated residents like we were children.”

Another leaseholder said: “There was a feeling that Southwark lost control of the project.”

Residents have said the delayed works left them encased in a “prison of scaffolding” for around six years while heritage Crittall windows were replaced with poor alternatives.

Louvre vents installed above the windows - used so smoke can escape during a fire - have quickly gathered dust and dirt whereas previous iterations had been clean, residents said.

Contractors also painted external balconies before inexplicably painting

them again, they claimed.

Mr Dickson, a leaseholder, said his estimated bill of £7,500 had already soared to £17,500 with further increases expected.

He said: “I’ve been paying £355 a month for four years. It’s tantamount to a small mortgage. I’m exhausted.”

Delays and overspends on the Devon Mansions and Canada estates have already forced the council to conduct fraud investigations and apologise for a “litany of mistakes”.

The works went a combined £6 million over budget and more than three years

over schedule. Internal audits are ongoing to establish what went wrong.

In 2021, Arica House residents wrote to Southwark Council demanding an independent inquiry into the works.

But in a response sent to residents, seen by this paper, Southwark Council admitted some things had gone wrong but stopped short of agreeing to investigate.

In a response to residents, a council officer admitted that starting the works before a design solution had been found to ‘known’ structural problems ‘contributed to delays’. They also said balconies shouldn’t have been repainted twice.

But the officer’s response also said the team did ‘not believe the works were poorly executed’.

They added that windows were due for renewal, that tile replacement was necessary and that Covid-19 had caused delays.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Rachel Bentley said: “It is appalling but unsurprising to see yet another major works scandal in Southwark. Kirby Estate, Canada Estate, Devon Mansions and now Arica House.

“It seems, after years of chronic mismanagement, Southwark Labour’s chickens are coming home to roost. The

Bermondsey sta BB ing: Police say ‘sus

on motor B ike’

By Isabel Ramirez

A suspect is said to have ‘escaped on a motorbike’ following a ‘stabbing’ in Bermondsey, police said.

A man in his 30s was rushed to hospital suffering from a chest injury after he was reportedly stabbed on Camilla Road at the junction of Lynton Road, on Tuesday April 23.

Police said he is reported to have been chased by another man from Southwark Park Road.

His condition is said to be non-life threatening.

No arrests have been made but enquiries are ongoing.

A Met Police spokesperson said:

“Police were called to Camilla Road, SE16 at around 13:42hrs on Tuesday, 23 April following reports a man had been stabbed after he was chased by another man from Southwark Park Road.

“The London Ambulance Service and the Air Ambulance also attended and the victim, a man in his 30s, was taken to hospital. His injuries have been assessed as non-life threatening.

“No arrests have been made but enquiries are ongoing. The suspect is reported to have escaped on a motorbike.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called today at 1:43 pm (23 April) to reports

council will no doubt be forced into yet more apologies, but residents deserve real accountability not empty words. These are people’s homes and money that the council seems to have had no regard for.”

Contractor UK Gunite was on site for Phase 1 of the works in spring 2016.

But soon after works began, a structural survey found brickwork repairs were needed before windows could be replaced.

Residents claim they warned Southwark Council about the structural problem at meetings before the works began but were ignored.

A resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “We were treated like we were irritating and we should leave it to our ‘betters’ that ‘know more’.”

Southwark Council employed Saltash to undertake Phase 2 works which included brickwork repairs and window replacements and began in February 2019.

Calfordseaden was the lead design and cost management quantity surveyor employed by Southwark Council.

Southwark Council did not respond to requests for comment.

Saltash, UK Gunite and Calfordseaden were also approached for comment.

of a stabbing on Camilla Road, SE16.

“We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, a paramedic in a fast response car, an incident response officer and members of our tactical response unit. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.

“Our first paramedics arrived on the scene in less than a minute.

“We treated a man at the scene for a chest injury and took him to a major trauma centre as a priority.”

Anyone who has any information is encouraged to call police on 101 quoting CAD 3772/23Apr.

To remain 100 per cent anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.

The scene on Camilla Road

Arica House leaseholder John Dickson has described Southwark Council’s project management as ‘shambolic’

Arica House was built in the 1960s as part of the Slippers Estate

Poorly painted railings have already begun to peel, residents claim

Residents have claimed hard-to-fix flooring has quickly accumulated marks

Vents quickly gathered dust and dirt whereas previous iterations had been clean, residents said

By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter

A Former south london baths is set to get a new lease of life as offices for a skateboarding brand.

Manor Place Baths in Walworth could become home to Palace – a skateboarding and clothing company based in the capital, plans submitted to Southwark Council reveal.

Palace’s offices would be based in the front of the Grade-II listed building and would include refurbished retail space for product launches and other promotions under the proposals being brought forward by the skateboarding brand, alongside

old walwortH swimming Pool could Become skateBoarding Brand offices

Newmark Properties and Shoreditch design studio Whitepaper.

Documents submitted to the council read:

“The scheme will comprise the following works: the provision of commercial floorspace, including ancillary retail space envisioned to facilitate independent product launches, brick cleaning works, the replacement of the existing ground and first floor level skylight [and] the installation of a new metal door at the site’s western elevation.”

A non-original office toilet and shower will also be bulldozed under the plans, as well as internal partition walls and doors. The development will be car-free, but include a total of 38 cycle spaces (24 inside

and 14 outside).

Notting Hill Genesis previously submitted plans to turn the front of the former baths into flats in 2021 as part of its Manor Place Depot housing development. While hundreds of these homes are now complete, the bath house aspect of the scheme never came to anything.

Manor Place Baths was built in 1898 and originally included three swimming pools, showers, changing rooms and even an area to do laundry. The baths served

the Walworth community until the 1970s when the opening of modern facilities at the nearby Elephant and Castle Leisure Centre sounded the death knell for the Victorian baths. After the closure of Manor Place Baths, Southwark Council paved over the main swimming pool and demolished part of the rear of the complex. In the following years, the baths were used as offices for the council and at one point rented out by a Buddhist organisation for meditation.

CGI of how Manor Place Baths in Walworth, South London could look once refurbished Manor Place Baths in Walworth, South London

By Eliza Frost

urBAn villAge Fete returns to its thames-side destination at greenwich peninsula next month and it is free.

It promises “everything you would expect from a traditional summer fete, but with an urban twist”.

International DJs Gilles Peterson and Jamz Supernova are headlining the day, which boasts a timetable of workshops, exclusive talks and music.

The Fete on Sunday May 19 is located in London’s only Peninsula neighbourhood. With the river on three sides, it takes over Peninsula Square, winding its way through the Design District and finishing with fanfare in Central Park.

This year’s line-up includes: ‘Creative Conversations’, a series of discussions with some of London’s compelling minds, hosted by BBC London’s Robert Elms in the Design District and the return of The Incredibly Clever Canine Circus – proving that every dog (and their owner!) can learn new tricks.

The Charity Shop DJ collective brings their democratic dance vibe down with the People’s Party – where the audience chooses the tunes and there’s an unmissable carnival workshop and procession with Kinetika Bloco.

This summer’s alternative Olympics, the Allympics, promises everyone a chance to get on the podium with events for all – from showjumping and relay to the egg and spoon race and, the less expected, hurl the pineapple.

The Design District will become the Urban Village Hall offering interactive workshops, including the Doodle Apartment and Wonky Veg Sculpture competition.

Plus there will be an origami

village fete witH a twist

model village with A Line’s Fold Your Town, independent traders with everything from baked goods to handmade crafts, free face-painting, a puppet show and enough eats to fill your boots.

By Isabel Ramirez

An old elephant boozer, which recently closed after ninety years of service, has just reopened as a new lgBtQ pub.

The Rising Sun on the Rockingham Estate has been serving the community since 1937 - but in February it was forced to shut its doors after the landlady retired.

Now it has been taken over and is being re-launched as an inclusive

Laura Flanagan, Director of Greenwich Peninsula, said: “We love putting on Urban Village Fete for both residents and visitors alike. It is a hallmark in Greenwich Peninsula’s year-round events programme.

“Culture and creativity are in our DNA here. The Fete is a way for us to celebrate that, to show it off and invite everyone to discover Greenwich Peninsula for themselves. This year, with Gilles Peterson and Jamz Supernova heading

the staggering line-up of artists, creatives and makers, it’s going to be the best free party London has seen for a long time.”

Date: Sunday 19 May 2024, 11am til late Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0SQ urbanvillagefete.london

elePHant estate PuB reoPens as swanky new lgBt Q venue

LGBTQ+ Pub with Cabaret Stage - to be known as The Rising SE1.

This makes it the only permanent LGBTQ+ venue in the area - rare news of an opening amongst the sea of closures.

Since 2006, the number of such venues in London has fallen dramatically - going from 125 to 50.

As two members of the community, Piers Greenlees and Simon Burke decided to take over the lease to create this swanky venue - despite

never having owned a pub before. “We wanted to create somewhere we would go ourselves,” Piers told us. “A place to let your hair down at the end of the week or to enjoy our midweek offerings of our quiz, games night and pop-up events.”

From May there will be live music and performances four nights per week (Thursday, Friday & Saturday plus a Sunday Jazz session) as well as a regular Pub Quiz.

Simon Burke commented: “Having a

safe space is really important for the LGBTQ+ community.

“I think what we’re trying to create here is not just somewhere to go and drink or somewhere to go and danceit’s for people to be part of something.

“A lot of people yearn for a place like that.”

Just a few years ago there was a planning application turned down after a campaign led by the Walworth Society to keep this space open and prevent it from being turned into flats.

The co-founders added: “Our pubs are crucial to our communities and we must protect and support them. We look forward to welcoming all to The Rising SE1.”

The Rising SE1 is open now at 98 Harper Rd, Elephant and Castle, SE1 6AQ.

Mon - Wed: 12pm-11pm; Thur: 12pm-12am; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 1am; Sun: 12pm - 10pm

© Kris Humphreys Photography

Founder Simon Burke and Piers Greenlees Son of a Tutu crowd Stage and bar

NORTH GREENWICH

By Isabel Ramirez

A pecKhAm electrician, who runs his own company at just 23, talks about how much he earns, being searched by police, and how he is inspiring the youth to get into trades.

Joshua King made headlines just weeks ago after a video circulated online that showed him and his colleagues being stopped by officers, on the way home from a job in Clapham.

The video showed two Met Police searching Josh - who was in uniform branded with his company name KK Electrical.

“I’ve never been stopped by police before,” Josh said, “I was driving the car, I stopped instantly.”

“We carry various tools for work and I tried to explain that to them.

“But they weren’t having any of it and said we didn’t look like electricians.”

Josh continued: “What does an electrician look like? What does a lawyer look like? What does a builder look like?”

“You know - it was a very traumatising experience.”

Commenting after the incident, a Met spokesperson told The Standard: “The men were searched after a passenger in the car was seen attempting to hide a lock knife in a door compartment following a traffic stop.

“Possession of a lock knife is illegal and officers thought the man’s attempt to hide it was suspicious. He was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of an offensive weapon.

“The man claimed he was using the knife for work, however, the group’s other tools were found in the boot, rather than the passenger compartment.

“Ultimately the Crown Prosecution Service decided the man should face no further action, but we regularly see the devastation knives cause and officers will do all they can to remove them from the streets of London.”

Josh continued: “It did make me want to quit - because I can face these problems even when I’m doing everything by the book.”

On leaving school, he did an apprenticeship and was a qualified electrician by 20.

The 23-year-old explained: “I was on site for over a year.

“Because of the work I put in, I was very knowledgeable in my trade. So I just took the risk and said you know what - let me make my own company.

“Before I knew it I had about ten to fifteen people working for me.”

Despite the experience with the police, Josh said he is not giving up on his goal

to get young people into employment.

“I get so many messages asking me how to get into a trade.

“So I really want to set up a charity where I show people how to get into various trades - you know plumbing, heating, electrical.

Asked about how much someone can earn in a job like this, Josh replied: “Anyone in the sector can expect to earn between £40,000-50,000.

But if you’re self-employed like him - ‘the sky is the limit.’ “You can earn £80,000 and up - it’s a stable career.”

His current workforce ranges from aged 17 to 45.

“People always say to me how come you’re so young and you’ve got all these people who are older than you what do they say - but it just comes down to work.

“At the end of the day, I do everything by the book, I pay everyone on time, and I build good relationships with everyone.

“With my company, you’re more than just a number you’re part of the family.”

“We’re not the typical man in a van - we do big contracts” - the most recent being the Canada Water Masterplan.

Josh is looking to collaborate with Community Southwark to start doing

workshops for people.

PeckHam electrician sParking a generation into work after Police searcH was tik tok

“There are a lot of things people get wrong. So I feel like by doing this it would help a lot of peopleyoung and old.”

Bizarre optical phenomenon spotted in Brixton and Camberwell sky

By Herbie Russell

stunned south londoners reported seeing a bizarre optical phenomenon in the sky on sunday (April 14).

‘Sun halos’ were snapped by gawping passers-by in Camberwell and Brixton.

The rare event is caused by light interacting with ice crystals contained in high-flying cirrus clouds.

Steve Von Heartel, amazed by the 2pm sighting on Camberwell Grove, said: “It’s real. I stopped a woman in

the street and asked her if she could see what I was looking at.

“Oddly, at first she said no. I showed her my photo and then looked up again. She did see it.”

The 61-year-old added: “My advice is to look up at the sky we miss so much.”

The phenomenon happens when clouds are very high in the sky so create ice crystals. Sunlight, or moonlight, hits them to create a halo, the Met Office says.

If the sunlight hits the ice crystals at a particular angle, some light can be

refracted causing “faint colouration” and a noticeable rainbow.

A commenter on the social media site NextDoor said: “Great photos! I saw the sun halo but noticed it was easier to see if you were wearing sunglasses.”

Another said: “That is beautiful well done on capturing it.”

The Met Office says: ”Halos happen when we have cloud really high up in the atmosphere - it’s ice crystals and the sun is reflected on them,” said a spokesperson for the Met Office. The majority of ice crystals are hexagonal.”

© Southwark Council Josh and some of his team

The lunar halo was spotted in Camberwell on Sunday, April 14.

this it would help a lot of people -

© Steve Von Heartel

© TikTok: @josh_sparks9

foster carer

wHo looked after 14 cHildren says sHe Has ‘no regrets’ and would do it all

again

By Adrian Zorzut Local Democracy Reporter

shAron telFer, 56, isn’t your regular mum. this gregarious west londoner has fostered 14 children and, if given the chance, she said she would do it all over again.

Sharon lives in a busy three bedroom flat in Earl’s Court with a 15-year-old foster child, three pet dogs (two Jack Russells and a German Shepherd cross Malamute and Husky), a pack of sugar gliders and a Bearded Dragon.

When she’s not doting over her 17-year-old Jack Russell Milo, who is completely blind but loves to wander around the flat, or teaching her sugar gliders tricks or is busy on work calls, she’s thinking about her own two adult daughters, her grandchildren and the incredible array of foster children she has cared for since 2006.

“The ups are forever,” Sharon explains, saying she got into fostering around the time a bout of depression left her wanting to help others. She said: “I saw how people were treated when they were ill and that’s when I realised I wanted to help people who weren’t supported; to advocate for them. In a way [depression] kinda helped me to understand and help others.”

Advocating Sharon did. Over her 18 years as a foster parent, she has

cared for teenagers from all sorts of backgrounds, challenged social workers, provided shelter to toddlers and become a mother figure to all of them, all the while raising her own family and keeping up work.

“I will advocate for a child regardless of your job title,” she reminds me.

‘THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO’

Sharon came to fostering after a foster parent friend suggested she sign up. This friend noticed how Sharon’s place had become a ‘safe haven’ for her kids’ friends whenever they got in trouble with their parents. She was told fostering would be similar.

In 2006, Sharon attended her first meeting with recruiters and immediately felt a pull. She said: “I heard the recruiters talk and I thought, this is what I want to do. Kids and animals are my passion.” Over six months later, Sharon had her first placement: a teenage girl.

To describe Sharon as nervous at the time was an understatement, she said, adding: “When I found out she was coming, I panicked. I called my friend, who is a foster carer, and asked her what I should do. She told me to take her shopping, so we could get to know each other, to show her how things are done but also give her a chance to ask questions.”

From there, their relationship blossomed and the pair are still in

touch today. In fact, Sharon is still in contact with many of her former foster children.

She said: “One of them texted me saying there was a woman on the bus who really got her angry and that instead of responding, she just smiled at her. I taught her whenever someone makes you angry, to smile at them and walk away. She texted me joking that I should be proud of her.”

But it’s not all rainbows and butterflies, Sharon, who is support officer for Kensington and Chelsea Council’s social services, said.

She said: “It’s so important to have a support network. You can get to a point with difficult placements where you don’t know what to do and easily let your mental health slip. Having someone to talk to about what is happening and expressing yourself is very important. Talk to professionals but also outside of the fostering network. I have my girls and my friends.”

Sharon’s network includes her next door neighbour, who teaches the kids to cook while she is at work and her daughters, who she said aren’t afraid to get involved.

She recounted how her current placement texted her daughters after Sharon refused to let her leave the house because of the way she was dressed. Sharon said: “I said, no way you’re wearing that. I can see

everything. So, she went back into her room and texted my daughters, who told her that mum was ‘having one’. Then they texted me saying I was being old and to let her dress how she wanted. So, we hopped on a family chat and did a video call.

“I asked her to get dressed in what she wanted so I could show the girls. When she came out, she turned her head so her hair twirled and the girls immediately shouted: ‘YOU ARE NOT GOING OUT IN THAT!’ I always say that I’m not a foster carer, I’m a foster family”.

‘EVERY CHILD IS DIFFERENT’

No two children are the same, Sharon said, adding: “Don’t come into fostering thinking it’s all fairytales. You need to come with a blank slate. Every child is different. You can’t think any one child is the same. You’re setting yourself up for failure if you do that.”

Sharon has had her spare bedroom trashed, been shouted at and sworn at, spent countless hours worrying after one placement tried to run away, had toddlers screaming in her ears and experienced a belligerent seven-yearold who refused to sleep. But through it all, Sharon said she kept her cool and engaged the kids through speaking.

She said: “Talking to them and finding out what the issue is is important. Talking is very important. Don’t think

that Child A is the same as Child B.”

For Sharon, it’s the bonds she forms with her placements, who are mostly girls, that keeps the warm 56-yearold in the trade. She has been invited to birthdays, births, receives sweet messages, photo albums, and is called mum. She has previously said the fulfilment she gets in helping shape a child’s future is “unparalleled”. Of the teen that tried to run away, she said: “In a [later] meeting she told me she didn’t want to run away from here. She said she had never had a mum like me and didn’t want to break that.”

Sharon does have some basic ground rules, however. No phones or internet devices after 8pm and placements have to be at least 13-year-old so they can get themselves to and from school while Sharon works. But there are two non-negotiable rules she tells every placement that walks through her door: be honest and always be happy.

When asked if she could be a foster parent all over again, she replied: “Without a doubt. Without a shadow of a doubt”.

According to The Fostering Network, there were more than 57,000 children living with foster families on March 31, 2022 in England. This is 70per cent of the more than 82,000 children in care look after away from home. The fostering charity says that every year thousands of new foster families are needed in England.

Sharon Telfer

Sharon Telfer with her 15-year-old Jack Russell Mia in the kitchen

© Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon

© Sharon Telfer

london elections 2024: How do they work?

By Herbie Russell

the mAYor of london plays a key role in running the capital, making decisions that affect 6.2 million voters.

With help from London Assembly members, the mayor oversees a £20billion budget funding transport, policing, housing and more.

The job, currently held by Sadiq Khan, and those of GLA members, are up for grabs on May 2, 2024.

But what does the mayor do, who are GLA members, and how does voting work?

WHAT ARE WE VOTING FOR ON MAY 2?

Three elections are taking place on May 2. These are for the:

• Mayor of London

• Fourteen Members of the London Assembly representing fourteen areas

• Eleven Assembly Members representing the whole of London (London-wide Members)

Fourteen of these members represent different areas of London called constituencies.

The other eleven are London-wide Members who represent the capital as a whole.

Voters will now decide who holds these important positions for the next four years. The results will be announced at City Hall on Saturday, May 4.

WHAT DO THE MAYOR AND LONDON ASSEMBLY MEMBERS DO?

The mayor has the top job, setting the vision for London, and deciding how the budget should be spent. They have numerous powers including:

• Transport; responsibility for Transport for London (TfL) and sets fares.

• Roads; powers over London roads, congestion charges and Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ).

• Policing; setting how London is policed and appointing the Met Police Commissioner.

• Housing; deciding affordable housing targets and working towards them with local councils.

The mayor doesn’t have control over day-to-day services like social services, schools and rubbish collection which are run by local councils.

The NHS, the welfare state and national tax rates are controlled by central government.

The 25 London Assembly members exist to keep the mayor in check, scrutinising his decisions and suggesting changes to his policies. Their main power lies in approving or rejecting the mayor’s £20bn budget

plans. They also work on committees which assess the mayor’s policies and check if they are working.

The Mayor earns £154,963 per year. Assembly Members get a £60,416 base salary but can earn more if they take on more responsibilities.

WHAT IS THE VOTING SYSTEM?

When voters head to the polls, they’ll see the different voting cardsone for each job role.

For the Mayor, the election will take place using a first-past-the-post system for the first time.

First-past-the-post is simple. Whichever Mayoral candidate gets the most votes, wins. Constituency assembly members

use a first-past-the-post system.

For the London-wide members, it will be a proportional representation system.

Previous mayoral elections were decided by the ‘supplementary vote’ where voters chose a first and second preference.

If no candidate got a majority (over 50 per cent) the top two candidates progressed to a second round where second-choice votes were included in the count.

Whoever got the most votes after those two rounds was declared the winner.

The government changed it to firstpast-the-post in 2021 saying it would make it “easier for voters to express a clear choice”.

WHO IS RUNNING?

Candidates from all the main parties are running for the Mayor’s seat - plus some independents.

These include Labour’s Sadiq Khan, the Conservatives’ Susan Hall, Rob Blackie for the Lib Dems, Zoe Garbett for the Greens, and Howard Cox from Reform UK.

A host of independents and candidates from lesser known parties are running too.

The parties and independents are also standing in the different consistency seats and as London-wide members.

Find out who your local candidates are by visiting https://whocanivotefor. co.uk/elections and clicking ‘London Assembly elections’.

By Isabel Ramirez

iF the thought of the mayoral elections is driving you to drink, you could do worse than grab a can of Brixton Brewery’s bestselling beer.

The popular South London Brewery has put a QR Code on cans of its Reliance Pale Ale, in a bid to get voters to understand the election process.

This followed a new YouGov poll of 4,103 adults across the UK, which discovered a lack of knowledge about how elections work and people’s eligibility to vote, as the London mayoral elections approach on the 2nd May.

It showed a quarter of people (26%) remain unclear about what form of voter ID is required - meaning they

risk being turned away at the polling station.

Having a correct ID is just the tip of the iceberg, with the research finding almost three-quarters (72%) in mayoral regions either don’t know what electoral system is used in mayoral elections or gave an incorrect answer.

This is significant as the upcoming mayoral elections mark the first since the voting changed from the supplementary vote to the first past the post system to select the winning Mayor.

Speaking about the findings, Xochitl Benjamin, co-founder of Brixton Brewery, commented, “It’s clear that many voters are frustrated and disillusioned in mayoral regions - our research found two in five think that their vote doesn’t matter, which

is really shocking.

“Brixton has a long history of sparking change, and our Yes We Cans! campaign, is our way of putting the power to as many people as possible and saying cheers to making a difference, one vote at a time.”

Each can has a QR code which directs people to a website where they can find out more about changes to the election process.

“Informational coasters have also been created for pubs to help educate the electorate.

The cans will be available for free at the pop-up events and sent via Brixton Brewery’s website in place of Reliance Pale Ale to drinkers across the country between now and the elections on 2nd May.

For more information go to brixtonbrewery.com/vote

© Thype (Creative Commons)

Aerial view of London

mayoral rivals clasH over a record low numBer of new Homes started

By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter

sAdiQ KhAn and his tory rival susan hall have clashed over the fact that a record low number of new homes got started in london in the last months of 2023.

The latest Government data shows that between October and December last year, work began on just 580 new homes –the lowest number since quarterly data started in 1990.

Greater London’s figure is the lowest for any region in England and was an 86 per cent reduction compared with the equivalent quarter of 2022.

Although every region was hit by a national downturn in house-building in the latter half of 2023, the only other region to have hit a record low in that last quarter was the South East. But at 2,720 homes started, the South East still managed to begin construction on almost five times as many homes as London.

Despite the fact that the statistics are “provisional” at this stage and “subject to scheduled revisions”, it illustrates the scale of the challenges facing the sector.

In London, Conservative mayoral candidate Susan Hall suggested that Labour mayor Sadiq Khan had contributed to the low number of starts.

She pointed out that according to City Hall’s figures, work has only started on a tiny percentage of the homes he promised under his latest affordable homes programme.

As of September last year, the percentage of completed homes under that scheme stood at just 2.8 per cent. The mayor’s team blamed the Government for delays in signing off funding for the programme, and

promised that the delivery of homes would “ramp up” over the coming months.

Ms Hall said: “It’s a complete shambles, and he won’t listen. I am listening to Londoners, which is why I will build more family homes that people can afford, by cutting the bureaucracy in Sadiq Khan’s failing London Plan.”

Asked whether he accepted any responsibility for the low number of homes started in the last quarter of 2023, Mr Khan said: “The Home Builders Federation (HBF) have said across the country, [we could see] the lowest number of homes being started since the Second World War.

“We know in London, only at the end of March, did [Housing Secretary] Michael Gove finally give the guidance for those buildings with a second staircase requirement above 18 metres.

“A lot of our buildings – the new starts –are the taller buildings, and that certainty from the Government only came in weeks ago, so it’s hardly surprising there have been so few starts.

“What we need though is not just my re-election on May 2, but a change in Government, so we can have certainty and stability and more homes built in London.”

The HBF’s warning about a post-war low for housebuilding was issued by the organisation in February 2023, and was a prediction concerning housing supply over the next few years if certain potential policy changes occur.

House-building in the 2022/23 financial year, which does not include the latest ‘provisional’ data, was high by recent standards – standing at about 174,000 new homes started across England. This compares with an average of roughly 153,000 new homes begun each year over the last decade.

New Government regulations requiring buildings taller than 18m to have second staircases were announced last year, but were only set out in detail on March 29 this year.

Mr Khan had previously accused the Government of “dither and delay” over those details, arguing that uncertainty over how the new regulations would be applied was causing housing projects in the capital to stall.

Among the 580 homes started in London at the end of last year were just 60 housing association homes. A further 90 were being built by local authorities, and the remaining 430 by private developers.

Andy Hulme, chief executive of the housing association Hyde, said: “We currently have record numbers of homeless children and households living in temporary accommodation.

“The evidence is clear that London is in the grips of an appalling housing crisis which is paralysing millions of people and forcing them to put their lives on

hold because they cannot find a suitable, affordable home.

“Sadly, this situation is set to get worse and not better in the short-term. As a social housing charity that is working hard to build homes, things are harder without a long-term plan from Government for affordable homes.

“High inflation, high interest rates and global economic headwinds of the last few years means we are seeing big falls in the supply of affordable housing at precisely the time when we need the number of affordable housing starts to increase to help meet demand.”

In a call for action, Mr Hulme added: “In the next settlement for social housing rents, it is vitally important the Government delivers long-term certainty to help us unlock additional private sector investment with a ten-year, index linked settlement. Investors making long-term investment decisions need assurances and funding commitments from national government.

By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter

sAdiQ KhAn has confirmed that he will create a city hall-owned housing developer if he is re-elected for an historic third term.

The aim would be to ensure that housing schemes are brought forward on plots of land where private developers and local authorities have been unable to get homes started.

The mayor had already promised to “pilot” such a developer in his current term.

In his 2021 re-election manifesto, Mr Khan wrote: “Because I’m determined to do everything in my power to tackle the shortfall in genuinely affordable homes in London, I’ll take action not seen for a generation in London and pilot a new City Hall developer to start directly building the low-cost homes Londoners need.”

However, a review commissioned by Mr Khan and carried out by the late Lord Kerslake in 2022, suggested

that the mayor establish the ‘City Hall developer’ in the next mayoral term.

Lord Kerslake said the new body could be created in two phases, with the first phase being the expansion and strengthening of City Hall’s existing housing delivery mechanisms.

Mr Khan confirmed that the second phase – creating of the new developer – will take place if he is re-elected in May.

The Labour mayor said that his deputy for housing, Tom Copley, has been “obsessed” with bringing the plans to life.

“The sorts of things we’re looking at is where there’s a gap, where a council or a housing association or a developer may not take forward a scheme that maybe City Hall can take forward,” said Mr Khan.

“What we don’t want to do is become a developer for the sake of doing it – it’s about adding value, and if we can add value, we’ll definitely do it [intervene at key housing sites].”

He added: “Imagine if there’s a piece

of land that’s owned by one GLA [Greater London Authority] functional body [such as Transport for London], another owned by another part [of the GLA], or the local authority, or a private developer.

“Working together, we can make some real progress – where at the moment there might be sort of a ‘turf war’ taking place. We’re a trusted friend, a trusted ally, who can rise above some of the potential tensions that can exist.”

Similar plans were proposed last week by Mr Khan’s Liberal Democrat rival Rob Blackie, who said such a body would “fill in the gaps” left by the private market, with a particular focus on publicly-owned land and setting conditions to prioritise homes for key workers.

Tory candidate Susan Hall has not made her position clear on whether she would take forward Lord Kerslake’s recommendation. Her campaign team was approached for comment.

Ms Hall has said on housing that

“We need Government funding to work smarter to create a stable environment so we can maximise investment to deliver more of the homes this country desperately needs.”

Responding to Mr Hulme’s comments, a spokesman at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: “Through our long-term plan for housing, we are investing £11.5 billion in the Affordable Homes Programme and remain on track to build one million over this Parliament.

“Last year saw the highest year on record for affordable housing delivery, with a 12 per cent increase in starts to the previous year and since 2010, we have delivered over 696,100 new affordable homes, including over 172,600 homes for social rent.

“We’re working closely with house builders and the wider sector on our longterm plan for housing to deliver more affordable homes to rent and buy across the country.”

Where do mayoral candidates stand on creating a City Hall-owned housing developer?

she wants to “stop Sadiq Khan’s inappropriate tower blocks” and instead “build family homes”. She has promised to relaunch the London Land Commission, to identify brownfield sites where more homes can be built. Green candidate Zoe Garbett said she would also follow Lord Kerslake’s recommendation, but would have certain conditions set in relation

to affordability and environmental impact.

she wants to “stop Sadiq Khan’s to affordability and environmental

She said: “This is using public money, so the homes must benefit Londoners and I would want to see at least half of what this developer builds being genuinely affordable homes. And these new homes must be built to the highest environmental standards which will mean energy bills are affordable for residents in the future.”

© Noah Vickers/Local Democracy Reporting Service

Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall

London mayor Sadiq Khan

© Liberal Democrats

Rob Blackie is the Liberal Democrats’ 2024 London mayoral candidate.

sadiQ kHan Has unveiled Plans for a second suPerlooP, as Part of His re-election Bid

By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter

sA diQ Kh A n has unveiled plans for a second superloop, as part of his re-election bid

Sadiq Khan has unveiled plans for a second Superloop network of express bus services as part of his re-election bid. If granted a third term at City Hall, the capital’s Labour mayor is proposing to double the number of Superloop services from 10 to 20.

The new collection of routes, dubbed ‘Superloop 2’, will include the recently announced ‘Bakerloop’ service, designed to provide an alternative to the unfunded £10billion Bakerloo line Tube extension.

The proposed Superloop 2 routes, all subject to consultation, are:

• Harrow to Barnet, via Edgware

• Barnet to Stratford, via Enfield and Chingford

• Leytonstone to South Havering, via Gants Hill and Romford

• North Greenwich to Thamesmead, via Woolwich

• ‘Bakerloop line’: Elephant and Castle

to Lewisham, via Old Kent Road and New Cross

• Streatham to Eltham, via Tulse Hill and Lee

• Richmond to Wimbledon, via Roehampton

• Ealing Broadway to Kingston, via Great West Road and Richmond

• Hounslow to Hammersmith, via Great West Road

• Hendon to Ealing Broadway, via Brent Cross and Hanger Lane

Mr Khan said: “The success of the Superloop is one of my proudest achievements as mayor, connecting Londoners to key locations in outer London and getting more people onto public transport. It has been nothing short of a game changer – making journeys quicker and more convenient…

“The proposed new routes will all be subject to consultation with Londoners, but I’ve asked Transport for London to start looking at how they could best serve key locations – whether popular town centres, other transport hubs or public services like hospitals.”

By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter

the promise of more toilets on london’s tube and bus network is proving “an absolute vote-winner” in the race for city hall, the green party has said.

The party has campaigned over the lack of public loos in the capital over several years, and Green mayoral candidate Zoe Garbett promises to hire a ‘Loo Czar’ and create a Toilet Commission for London if she is elected on May 2. The Czar would lead the Commission and ensure their recommendations for boosting the number of public

toilets are implemented.

Ms Garbett’s campaign team said the Loo Czar’s role would have a “much smaller” scope than Sadiq Khan’s Night Czar or deputy mayors, suggesting that the job would not command a six-figure salary like they have.

Caroline Russell, Green group leader on the London Assembly, said the party’s promise to install more toilets across the Transport for London (TfL) network is proving popular.

“I think it’s absolutely a votewinner,” she said. “Everybody cares about this, everybody knows what it’s like to be worried about where you’re

The mayor has meanwhile promised to continue lobbying the Government to fund the Bakerloo line Tube extension, among other Tube and rail projects.

When the Superloop was first announced by the mayor last year, backed by £6million of funding, it was attacked by his Tory critics as “nothing more than a repackaging of existing routes and vague promises” and “a microscopic level of investment”.

On the Superloop 2 plans, Conservative mayoral candidate Susan Hall said: “Sadiq Khan’s last attempt at an orbital bus service turned out to be a Superflop, and there is no reason why this would be any different.

“I have long called for more investment in outer London buses and I will deliver this without hammering motorists with Sadiq Khan’s Ulez expansion or bringing in his pay-per-mile plans. On May 2, you have the chance to vote for a mayor who listens.”

Mr Khan denies he plans to bring in ‘pay-per-mile’ road user charging, having explicitly ruled it out in his manifesto on Thursday.

Four of the original 10 Superloop routes

were ‘re-badged’ existing services, albeit with increased frequencies.

It is not yet clear whether any of the Superloop 2 routes will use existing services, but the mayor’s campaign team pointed out that even the re-badged

routes have seen increased ridership. For example, the SL7 – which runs from Heathrow to West Croydon – saw a 56 per cent ridership rise between June and November following its rebrand and frequency boost.

going to be able to have a wee.

“For people having prostate cancer treatment, or people who use a colostomy bag, or have Crohn’s Disease, or just pregnant or travelling with small children – those are times in your life when you really need to find a toilet urgently.

“It’s not right that people are curtailing their travel around our city because they’re worrying about finding a loo.”

In August 2023, Ms Russell published a ‘London Loo League Table’ report which exposed the number of ‘loo deserts’ across the Tube network. It found that less than a quarter of stations in zones 1-3

have toilets and that their availability can vary wildly between different Tube lines.

Labour mayor Sadiq Khan last year commissioned a feasibility study to explore how best to improve toilet provision on the transport network, expected to be published in the summer this year.

Mr Khan’s latest budget “commits £3million per annum [recurring] to provide additional public toilets on TfL estates, as well as modernise existing facilities where required, funded from business rates income”.

He said last month: “This is the first time money’s been ring-fenced in TfL’s budget for public toilets.

“This means that as soon as the feasibility study is complete, TfL can look to start work on priority locations – they won’t have to wait until the next budget round to secure funding.”

He added: “In the meantime, improvement works have been completed at over 35 London Underground stations and work continues on several major station enhancements, including Colindale and Leyton – which include improvements to toilet facilities.”

But Ms Russell argued that, while welcome, the mayor’s planned investment will fall short of what is needed and she said Mr Khan had “dithered and delayed” in addressing the issue.

“You can’t have a wee in a feasibility

study. He really needs to just get on with investing in this really serious public health issue,” she said.

Explaining the Greens’ proposals, she said: “We’ll keep the £3million a year obviously for the team that works at TfL, on toilets. We will invest at least £20million a year [to boost toilet provision].

“We will obviously use the mayor’s feasibility study that’s being published quite soon – which was prompted by my campaigning – and we will use that to determine where the toilets go. But we’ll do things like concentrate on Night Tube stations, [and] interchanges, where the most people are going to be able to get the benefit of those new toilets.

“And also think about the Overground, where it may be quite easy to put toilets in, and that may well be able to fill in some of the gaps on the map.”

Speaking at a London Assembly meeting in February, Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall said that providing more public toilets will “certainly” be “on the agenda” if she is elected in May.

Lib Dem candidate Rob Blackie said: “This is a big accessibility issue for the London transport network. It’s hard for many people to use public transport if we don’t have enough toilets. We would aim to increase the budget for toilets year on year – and we have supported calls for this at City Hall.”

© London Labour

Left; Green mayoral candidate Zoe Garbett asking Londoners about improvements to public toilet provision

Above; Caroline Russell, Green member of the London Assembly

Are you ready?

Voter ID is here!

The Mayor of London and London Assembly Elections take place on Thursday 2 May 2024. You must be registered to vote by Tuesday 16 April and show an accepted form of photo ID if you are voting at a polling station.

To find out what forms of ID are accepted and how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, go to: Lambeth.gov.uk/vote

world’s Best Press PHotograPHs to sHowcase in BorougH

By Herbie Russell

the world’s best press photographers will display their spellbinding photos of war, disasters and climate change at an exhibition in Borough next month.

The World Press Photo Exhibition is being hosted at Borough Yards from Friday, May 3 until Monday, May 27.

Heart-wrenching images of a devastated Gaza, the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, and blackened forests following Canada’s wildfires all feature.

This year’s winner was Mohammed Salem whose photo of a Palestinian woman cradling the body of her five-year-old niece Saly, grabbed the world’s attention.

Taken on October 17 in Khan Younis, Gaza, it shows Inas Abu Maamar, 36, mourning after losing her niece and four other family members.

Mohamed Salem, a Reuters photojournalist, described it as a “powerful and sad moment that sums up the broader sense of what was happening in the Gaza Strip”.

The world-renowned exhibition, which returns to London after a sevenyear hiatus, will travel to 80 cities globally drawing over 3 million visitors.

Leon Neal’s photo shows the Supernova music festival site where hundreds were killed and dozens taken hostage by Hamas militants on October 7.

The Getty Images photographer snapped security forces walking among bodies trying to identify victims. Charles-Frederick Ouellet’s photo shows a firefighter scanning the horizon after wildfires devastated Quebec in July last year.

Published in The Globe and Mail, it encapsulates the world’s collective shock after witnessing how high temperatures fuelled the recordbreaking fire season.

‘The Two Walls’ by Alejandro Cegarra shows asylum seekers waiting at the

gates of the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid in Tapachula - 25 miles from the Mexican border. Published by The New York Times and Bloomberg, the photo helps convey Mexico’s attempts to stem the flow of immigration.

The World Press Photo Exhibition is taking place at Borough Yards, Dirty Lane, London, SE1 9AD between Friday 3rd May and Monday 27th May 2024. Buy tickets at ents24.com/london-events/ borough-yards/world-press-photoexhibition-2024/7046982

Mohammed Salem/ReutersWorld Press Photo 2024

Leon Neal - World Press Photo 2024

Alejandro-Cegarra World Press Photo 2024

matHs geniuses from Bermondsey get to go to toP Private scHool

By Isabel Ramirez

Two 11-year-olds from Bermondsey, who have been learning A-level maths, are getting support to go to a £22k-a-year private school.

Hriday Doshi, 11, and Finley Doran, 11, have both been offered places at the City of London Boys School - where Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe attended years ago.

The pair attend Galleywall Primary, City of London Academy, in Bermondsey where they are given A-level questions to stretch their learning.

The maths masterclass was devised by headteacher Martin Blain – himself a Cambridge graduate and maths teacher. “It’s there to stretch and challenge our very brightest students and it’s been a big hit,” he said.

Hriday said he was happy that all his hard work had paid off, commenting: “I studied hard since last year. I even had to miss a trip back to India to see my family in the summer. But it was all worth it.”

Both students came through a rigorous selection process which included an entrance exam and interviews to be offered a place.

Since Martin Blain assumed the role of head last September, he has made it his mission to rise the aspiration in the school so every child who wants to prosper, can.

By Herbie Russell

detectives A re investigating after vandals reportedly burned down part of a peckham playground.

Police said “antisocial behaviour” meant “misery” for the local community amid an appeal for information.

The London Fire Brigade was called to the fire at Sumner Road Park shortly after 3pm on Sunday, April 14.

A two-metre-tall wooden play structure was partially destroyed and has since been dismantled.

Nearby Peckham Rye Park was hit with a spate of vandalism last month when rude words were scrawled on rat bait boxes.

Plants in the park’s American Garden were also hacked to stumps with its 81-year-old founder saying the mindless damage made her ‘sick’. There is no suggestion the incidents are related to the fire in Sumner Road Park.

In Bermondsey, three playgrounds plagued with sinkholes, rust and broken swings were recently named among London’s ‘saddest’.

“At my previous school, we helped around 50 per cent of students win places at grammar and private schools. I want to continue that success here so that those who work hard reap the rewards.”

He told us: “We want every child to aspire to get into the best schoolsregardless of money.

“We don’t want that to be a barrier,” adding that the City of London Academies Trust offer means-tested bursaries for bright pupils who can’t afford the high fees.

On his achievement, Finley said: “It is an incredible opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get started in September.

“I have to say a big thank you to Galleywall for pushing me with the maths masterclass and extra challenges such as creative writing.

Elephant and Castle Railway Station cordons raised after man found injured

By Herbie Russell

p olice cordons were raised outside elephant and castle railway station after a man was found injured.

“It helped prepare me really well for the application process to City of London. The interview was tough but I felt I was on the front foot.”

This is the second year pupils from Galleywall have earned places at City –last year, student Tommy Burridge was the first to pass the test.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “We will continue to work with our borough partners to formulate a long-term solutions to the issues that local people have raised while taking enforcement action where crimes are committed.

“As that work progresses, we would urge anyone with information relating to crime in the area to get in touch with their local policing team, dial 101 or post on X @MetCC.”

Brigade warning after Fire damages in Walworth Playground misery amid ‘antisocial behaviour’ fears

By Herbie Russell

accidental and caused by an unattended candle.

There have been no arrests and enquiries are ongoing.

A Met Police spokesperson said:

Officers were called to the station shortly after 6am on Saturday, April 13. They found a man who’d been injured and was then taken to a nearby hospital. His condition was not considered life-threatening.

“Police were called at 06:03hrs on Saturday 13 April to reports of an injured man at Elephant and Castle Railway Station.

“Police attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service and a man was found injured.

“The man was taken to a near-by hospital where his condition was confirmed as non –life threatening/ changing.

“At this early stage there have been no arrests, enquiries are on-going.”

A Fire has damaged a residential block in walworth with firefighters warning about the dangers of candles.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called the blaze on Massinger Street at 1.58pm on Wednesday, April 17.

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters had brought it under control by 2.43pm.

LFB said the fire, which destroyed half of a ground-floor flat, was likely

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Candles are one of the most common causes of fire. It’s really important that you never leave a candle unattended and keep them away from anything else that can easily catch alight.

“Consider using battery-powered, flameless LED candles instead, which are safe even if you fall asleep. Whilst they may cost more upfront than traditional candles, they will last considerably longer, giving you better value for money.”

rio ferdinand ‘deligHted’

By millwall PartnersHiP

By Herbie Russell

rio FerdinAnd has welcomed his charity’s partnership with millwall after they co-hosted a football tournament on Burgess park.

The former Manchester United and West Ham defender said was ‘delighted’ to see the Rio Ferdinand Foundation (RFF) join forces with Millwall Community Trust.

Boys and girls from across Southwark kicked off at Burgess Park, signaling “a new chapter” of collaboration for the two organisations, on Thursday, April 11.

The former England centre-back said: “Having grown up in Peckham I’ve always been aware of the good work Millwall do in the area, particularly engaging and creating opportunities for local young people.

“I know they do a lot. I’m therefore

City Splash Festival returns to Brockwell Park

By Herbie Russell

A FestivAl celebrating caribbean and African culture is returning to Brockwell park.

City Splash Festival will host artists performing reggae, dancehall, dub, amapiano and more across its seven stages on Bank Holiday Monday, May 27.

This year the festival welcomes the Grammy-nominated Jamaican reggae musician Capleton, plus legends Beenie Man and Busy Signal.

Jungle mainstay Shy FX and “dancehall sensation” Shenseea are also expected to put on a show.

Former Chase & Status frontman Rage MC will make an appearance as will Afrobeats and Amapiano selector DJ Neptizzle.

delighted to see my Foundation and the Millwall Community Trust working together and really excited to see our partnership move forwards.”

Born at King’s College Hospital in Camberwell, Rio was raised in Peckham. He went on to have a distinguished career making 504 Premier League appearances and 81 for England.

His foundation, which aims to empower young people, now plans

to host a careers event at Millwall in October.

Students will meet music industry figures including Warner Music and Kiss FM and discover social inclusion projects on offer.

Joubin Sarrami, Community Manager at Millwall Community Trust, added: “The Co-Hosted tournament over the school holidays was a great opportunity for local boys and girls to take part in some competitive football games.

“It gave them a safe space to showcase their talent but to also meet other local young people and learn more about the wide variety of different opportunities that both RFF and MCT offer young people in the area.

“We are looking forward to developing our partnership with RFF and the Co-hosted tournament will set the foundations for more to come in the future”

KCL university develops gadgets that ‘decode’ moody teenagers’ emotions

Mystic Marley’s unique blend of reggae, hip-hop, soul, R&B, and pop will grace the stage.

Joining her is Jah Izrehl, whose tunes are influenced by his legendary uncle, Little Twitch.

Then there’s Tamo J, whose viral hit ‘Level Up’ has taken the scene by storm with 3.1 million views and rising dancehall star Mehka Don.

In celebration of Amapiano, City Splash has lined-up Nicky Summers, Rosey Gold and Larizzle.

Alongside its music, City Splash Festival will have food and drink from more than 45 Black-owned food traders in partnership with Black Eats LDN.

Festival-goers can also expect a creative market, as well as panel discussions.

Last month, organisers announced the latest line-up drop with tonnes of new names added to the bill.

By Herbie Russell

teenAgers’ unpredictABle moods are being deciphered thanks to wearable technology developed by a local university.

The new gadgets can decode the meanings behind scowls, smirks and eye rolls, say researchers from King’s College London.

Their research has been published in the journal Frontiers amid hopes it could foster better relationships between parents and teens.

The study saw a team from

Manchester Met University give the head-worn devices to youths aged fourteen to sixteen to wear at home.

Cameras tracked family members’ facial movements as teens interacted with parents at home while algorithms deciphered their emotions. Using AI, software pinpointed whether participants were ’20 per cent’ worried or ‘5 per cent happy’.

According to researchers, the technology may even spot when teenagers are “masking their true feelings”.

The protocols could soon be used in

therapy sessions and help to reduce mental health problems.

Dr Nicky Wright, Psychology Lecturer at Manchester Met and lead researcher, said: “With the current mental health crisis in adolescence it is crucial we understand potential sources of resilience for young people.

She added: “Human interaction is highly complex and multi-faceted. Our facial expressions serve as critical nonverbal social cues, communicating our emotions, intentions and support our social intentions.”

The head-worn cameras track family members’ facial movements Young players competed in a football tournament in Burgess Park organised by the two charities

City Splash Festival will return to Brockwell Park this May

croydon remains resilient desPite tHe murder of rijkaard salu siafa

By Harrison Galliven Local Democracy Reporter

on A cold and bright morning, you cannot avoid the hustle and bustle at the busy corner of church street and surrey street in croydon town centre. this spot, home to one of south london’s most historic markets, hums with activity like it would on any other of the six days a week it is open.

All seems normal, save for a few market spaces near the top of the street. However, the harrowing sight of memorial flowers on the ground outside Fellmongers Yard is a stark reminder of what happened just days earlier.

The fatal stabbing of 22-year-old Rijkaard Salu Siafa just after 6pm last Friday (April 12) shook the local community and forced the market into a two-day lockdown while police scoured the crime scene.

While tributes have been paid to ‘what a lovely boy’ Rijkaard was, market regulars feel security needs to be tightened up to stop tragedies like this from recurring. While crime is not new in the market, regulars feel the current security arrangement is not enough and does not suit their needs.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), market trader and community activist Jose Joseph said: “We’re not happy about these things, we’re scared about these things. We all have children.

“There is fear because of what happened, people think this a bad place. There are mostly ladies and children here, they need protection.”

Mr Joseph has had his stall on the market for over the last 15 years and is an important part of the Surrey Street community. He told the LDRS that despite his respect for Met Police officers working in Croydon, he felt officers could have better communicated with residents following the incident.

He told the LDRS: “Three times I asked the police when can I move my boxes from the scene, and they said they will let me know. When they eventually left here they didn’t say anything and people started taking my stuff.”

“They did not inform any resident that the police cordon had ended. They could have at least let people know that.

“There were people with small children who couldn’t get out to buy anything during the cordon. If they had any humanity they would have come to tell people they could leave.”

Fairfield ward councillor Ria Patel is a regular visitor to the market and told the LDRS this isn’t the first time the market regulars have felt their concerns have been ignored.

Speaking to the LRDS, she said: “People felt quite scared over the weekend, but because it’s Croydon people jump back to it.

“We have two CCTV cameras on the road but they rotate around to focus on Church Street half the time.

“I know some traders really wanted one in the middle so it could rotate around and see everything but that hasn’t happened so far.”

Outside of police controls, the responsibility of securing the market largely falls on the local BID rangers who walk up and down the street in pairs. BID rangers are un-uniformed officers trained in de-escalation who act as the eyes and ears on the ground for the police.

However, Cllr Patel, who is also a Green Party candidate for the London Assembly, highlighted to a number of flaws that she believes allow crime to thrive on the street. She told the LDRS that the walkway rising above the market was often used as a drug stash spot and getaway for would-be criminals.

She added: “We also only have one toilet for women but the door keeps breaking. There’s no toilet for men, which means they often have to go into the Whitgift Centre or urinate in the street.”

Surrey Street regular Kelly Gater believes the causes of crime in the area go beyond policing and lack of facilities on the street. She told the LDRS: “What went down doesn’t represent Croydon, it just breaks my heart.”

Kelly, a resident of the nearby Tamworth Road estate, felt that a lack of community support has let down Croydon’s youth and has turned to crime as a result.

She told the LDRS: “Croydon has the youth and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t get what they need. We can keep relying on churches to do the community work.

“Imagine if we opened one big place for the youth in the town centre. You would actually have a place where you could keep an eye on them.

“You’re not going to stop everything, we know that. The enemy moves in mysterious ways but I feel for the parents who are getting the phone call.

“It’s the parents who are hearing that their son has been murdered, but also those that are hearing their son is

going to be going to prison. People are using poverty as an excuse, it’s all about community. It’s all about love.”

Just before leaving the market, we bumped into Fiona Woodcock, Surrey Street’s official market inspector. She told the LDRS: “My role is to ensure it’s a happy place to shop but it can be a big ask sometimes.

“The traders are so resilient. Things were so uncertain and nobody could make plans for the weekend.

“They kept hoping that the police would be finished but it was obviously a very serious incident and they had to do more searches, so in the end, people just went home.

“This is the fourth time it’s been shut on a Saturday, the busiest trading day, in the last couple of years. They take it on the chin really well, they get knock after knock.

“Everyone tried to help on the day, even one of the sweepers gave first aid and was first on the scene. Others had to go the police and give evidence till late.”

In a statement published on Saturday (April 13), Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lee from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command leads the investigation and said: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Rijkaard’s family

Jose Joseph outside his fruit and veg stall on Surrey Street Market

Market traders say criminals use the walkway above Surrey Street as a drugs stash and getaway spot

© Harrison Galliven

tHe Head wHo took on Her neigHBourHood scHool and made it outstanding

and friends who are coming to terms with his death following this shocking incident. This loss has ripped an irreparable hole in their family and I would ask their privacy is respected at this difficult time.

“I would also like to thank those members of the public who rushed to help Rijkaard in the immediate aftermath. I would urge anyone who saw events unfold and has yet to contact police to do immediately.

“Local residents will continue to see an increased police presence around the area of Fellmongers Yard – if you have any concerns, please speak to one of them.”

Superintendent Mitch Carr, who leads for community policing in Croydon said: “First and foremost our thoughts are with the family and friends of Rijkaard who has lost his life in tragic circumstances.

“The local teams in Croydon will be working to ensure a visible police presence across the Town Centre to offer reassurance to the community. Please do speak to officers about any concerns you may have.

“I would also like to pass on my thanks to the community for their assistance and cooperation to officers

responded to this extremely challenging incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD6022/12Apr. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Croydon Council was approached for comment but failed to respond in time for publication.

By Joel Davis

A south london primary, where pupils attend book restaurants, grow and sell their own produce at Borough market and go out and paint bollards on the street has gone from good to outstanding.

Streatham Wells is part of only four percent of schools in the UK to rise from ‘Good’ to ‘Outstanding’ between 2022 and 2023.

Much of this rise in excellence has come under the leadership of the school’s new head Sarah Wordlaw.

It is an apt surname for a teacher who has already made a name for herself in challenging and transforming the primary school curriculum, having penned a book last year that showed how overlooked some communities are in education.

‘Time to Shake Up the Primary Curriculum’ was published with rave reviews; people proclaimed that “this book has really given me hope that there is a change coming” and that it is essential reading for “anyone who cares about real inclusion”.

The author come head teacher is now on a mission to get pupils reading more. While the amount of young people reading continues to fall, the school has launched an event every half-term that engages its pupils with literature.

“We create a restaurant, and instead of taking food, students take books,” she said. “We make sure that we’ve got a wide range of texts, so every student knows what they are interested in.”

Another project highlighted by Ofsted inspectors stemmed from a request from a parent to help restore a local spot near the school that had become grotty. At Streatham’s Huggins Corner, Sarah said that pupils “worked with a local artist to create space-related designs and they went and each painted a bollard.”

Getting out and about appears to be part of the school’s new mantra s ‘Pledge to grown Hearts and Minds’ of its pupils.

Recently they were part of a number of schools to head down to the word-

famous Borough Market and sell produce they had grown a Streatham Wells. They raised over £100, but Sarah said the main object of the exercise was for the “children to find out where food comes from, and what a healthy sustainable diet can be”.

Sarah also relayed how a large proportion of her children use extended services at school, including their breakfast club and after-school club, with such generous facilities undoubtedly contributing to the schools’ exceptionally high 96.8% attendance rate.

Her appointment in September 2022, came after four years as Deputy head a Comber Grove Primary school in Camberwell and as assistant head at Forest Academy in Croydon, while starting her career at Christ Church Primary School in Brixton.

A Streatham native Sarah says she is determined to realise her “own vision for the future of education” at Streatham Wells.

“My lived experience of education as a student was one of not feeling like I belonged and never seeing myself in the

curriculum,” she told us.

With a curriculum entrenched in the belief in the value of diversity and inclusion, Sarah said that at Streatham Wells “pupils are represented in their classrooms and in our library”, “every child can see themselves or their family in a text and it really does help with children being engaged,” she said.

Considering the ‘Outstanding’ status bestowed upon the school, you could be forgiven for thinking Sarah believed her work was done. But, keeping in her conquest for improvement she argues that “you can’t take your eye off the ball, oh people are represented now, now leave it for five years.”

Following on from her first book, she has a future ambition to publish more on “how schools can tackle misogyny,” evidence of Sarah’s continued desire to contribute to the restructuring of schools nationwide.

Regarding her foray into educational literature, Sarah articulated that she finds writing “deeply exciting and it complements my job, and vice versa.”

who

© Jenny Houghton

Flowers left for 22-year-old Rij kaard Salu Siafa, who was murdered over the weekend

Head Teacher Sarah Wordlaw with pupils

Councillor

Streatham Wells Pupils

Bid Rangers regularly patrol Surrey Street market

what’s on

wHen love and Hate collide

lAst night i was banged up in a top security prison with killers, rapists, robbers and those who describe themselves as monsters, and they all had something in common - they are all able to love, writes Michael

Holland

Nobody knows what goes on in the minds of those who commit serious crime, unless, of course, you sit down and talk with them, get to know them, become one of them for a couple of hours.

Which is why I spent an evening immersed in jail, surrounded by cons and screws and claustrophobic prison beds, tormented by jangling keys and slamming doors as the inmates went about their tedious daily routine, punctuated only by banter and the occasional brawl.

This was the world of Kiss Marry Kill,

co-written by Daphna Attias, Terry O’Donovan and James Baldwin who had done deep research on LBGT issues and rights in prisons after they had read a story about two Category A prisoners getting married in jail. Between them they fictionalised a play that tells that story. Through movement, choreographed riots, dialogue and rap, Kiss Marry Kill begins with Jay (Dauda Ladejobi) just about to be tempted into a homosexual encounter when a friend enters the toilet and sees what it going on. Jay murders the man and explains it away by saying he was being sexually assaulted. He is jailed, leaving behind a pregnant girlfriend, who he plans to marry. In a high security prison he has to fight for his place in the pecking order there, and after a few personality clashes he

A Superb Sensory Overload

the clAustrophoBic, bright yellow triangular space soon became over-populated with commuters crushed into a train carriage and then a lift ascending an office block before miraculously transitioning into a busy office. a young woman arrives late for work. she is the star of sophie treadwell’s machinal and she is rosie sheehy who gives a phenomenal performance, writes Michael Holland.

Machinal is based around the 1928 trial and execution of Ruth Snyder, a story that Treadwell, a journalist, had followed. Like most of her plays and writings , it positions the woman as front and centre of the tale.

The action is pretty much non-stop as we are quickly shown a dysfunctional home life with her mother, her tardiness for work, and a boss who falls so much in love with her ‘lovely hands’ that he proposes marriage. A proposal she ponders and stresses over before saying yes.

Cut straight to the honeymoon hotel and the awkward scene of approaches by a man ‘with fat hands’ she doesn’t love, followed by jumping to the maternity ward where she does not bond with her baby girl.

The ‘young woman’ is next seen in a speakeasy being wooed by a petty criminal who takes her back to his place.

It is here that the action slows down for their love-making but the Old Vic’s lights

becomes close to Paul (Graham Mackay Bruce), the wing hard man and getter of contraband. - at a price.

After a time their relationship becomes very close until the Governor (Frank Skully) steps in to warn Jay that he needs to think of his young family and keep his head down so that he can get out of the Cat. A system and move to a prison nearer his home. Love, however, is a powerful emotion.

Complaints are made about the couple’s intimacy and when the Governor tries to come down hard on them they retaliate with prison rules and the rights of inmates to get married. Yes, this is meant to mean marry someone of the opposite sex who is not in prison, but when those rules were drawn up nobody foresee what could happen. They demand to be married in

are all switched off to leave us drenched in total blackness and their sex noises.

By the time our eyes became accustomed to the lack of light the couple were post-coitus. In the dark she declares her love for him and plans a life together, which quite rightly scares him off.

Next, she is on trial for murdering her husband and sent to the electric chair. All the men in her life are depicted in a chain connected to the switch and being the both the blame for her predicament and her executioners.

The nightmarish style of delivering Machinal in a confined and contorted set, where huge shadows are thrown on to the walls, reminiscent of the darker depths of The Third Man but in bright colour rather than monochrome, is not an easy watch but you become transfixed by Sheehy’s performance as she is constantly trying to figure out her

jail and the Governor has no option other than to agree.

The story flies through time at an electrifying speed and you have to fill in a lot yourself, which means you never really get to know the characters, but still a tale is told here.

Weaving in and out of this complex situation is Lady Lykez who plays a prison officer and Jay’s girlfriend, plus, periodically enters the action with raps that accentuates and throws light on the stripped down, succinct dialogue.

Kiss Marry Kill is a fast-paced, highenergy, hard-hitting production that depicts some of the realities of jail time: cancelled visits, loneliness, the constant threat of danger… But with several exoffenders on the team as a resource for detail, I expected that.

world - a world that she has to negotiate on stage through smartly choreographed movement.

The scenes where she is spitting out a stream of consciousness are mesmerising; and when she is finally caged you feel her anxiety.

By focussing on the woman in this story you get a clear picture of how men have created her throughout an intense production that leaves you rather battered.

My companion, who registers quite high on the spectrum, immediately said, ‘She was definitely autistic.’ ‘Not just a bi-polar woman, quick to threaten her own mother and nice-guy husband before deciding to kill him and run off with bad boy boyfriend?’ I asked.

I then got her own stream of consciousness explanation about signs of the neurodivergent: social ineptness,

There was a Q&A after and Frank Skully spoke about there being no LBGT rights in prison in the 80s and 90s, so the play’s highlight for me was him as the Governor officiating at the wedding and having the pleasure of pronouncing Jay and Paul ‘Husband and Husband’.

Kiss Marry Kill goes a long way in explaining the hardships of the LBGT community who find themselves locked up, but no one has yet found any answers. In this production it is love that wins over the hate, but this is just one story and there is still a long way to go.

Stone Nest, 136 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 5EZ Mon to Sat at 7.30pm.

Until 27th April.

Booking via www.danteordie.com

constantly figuring out the world and how it works, a focus on details, feeling incredibly vulnerable, struggle to interpret social situations…

This production of Machinal about the woman’s struggle with sensory overload and the closeness of others then made a lot more sense, which it already had to my fellow theatre-goer. It also highlighted how women would be cast off as mentally unwell for the slightest showing of not letting a patriarchal society force women into corners.

I had wanted Machinal to be a straightforward telling of the Ruth Snyder story, which was - to me - much more interesting, but it would not have been as exciting as this.Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB until June 1st. Mon - Sat 7.30pm; Wed & Sat matinees 2.30pm. Admission: £13 - £90.

Booking: www.oldvictheatre.com

Photo by Greta Zabulyte

Heading south - our pick of the upcoming events in May

The Laugh Bath

Fancy a night of free stand-up comedy? The Laugh Bath offers a laugh a minute at Deptford’s Endeavour every Wednesday evening. Grab your mates, grab a pint, and grab a giggle at this weekly comedy event.

Every Wednesday (1 May, 8 May, 15 May), 7:30pm

Tickets: Free

Endeavour, 39 Deptford Broadway, SE8 4PQ www.eventbrite.com/e/the-laugh-bath-free-stand-up-comedy-in-deptford-tickets-790181773957

Feeling Blue

In this 45-minute tour, assistant curator Maya Wassell-Smith will unpack the rich narratives in Alberta Whittle’s work, which speaks to a global history of migration, melancholy and mythology. Feeling Blue is a site-specific commission, made by Alberta Whittle and Dovecot Studios. When designing the tapestry, Whittle visited Royal Museums Greenwich, delving into the collections at the National Maritime Museum and exploring the tapestry at the Queen’s House.

Weaving together sailor traditions, Windrush stories, ocean ecologies and musical themes, the piece speaks to the multiple histories represented at the Museum, and imbalances of power evoked by the Queen’s House.

Tuesday 14 May 2024, 3:30pm

Tickets: £5 Park Row, Greenwich, SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/queens-house/ feeling-blue-curator-tour

Yoga in Greenwich Park

Calling all yogis, join in a restorative session of yoga in Greenwich Park. Whatever your experience – whether you’re new to yoga or perhaps you’re an experienced yogi looking to get out of the studio – this is the class for you. Everyone is welcome; all you need is a mat, a bottle of water and an open mind.

Sundays (5 May, 19 May, 26 May, 2 June, 9 June), 5pm

Tickets: £5 Greenwich Park, SE10 8QY www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ park-yoga-greenwich-park-everybody-iswelcome-tickets-865348439477

Live music

Greenwich’s Trafalgar Tavern hosts evenings of free live music every week (Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm, Sundays from 7pm).

Enjoy the sweet serenades of some fantastic artists from across London as the pub is joined by performers who keep the party going. Listen to some classics while taking in views of the river, pub garden season has just begun after all.

Every weekend

Tickets: Free The Trafalgar Tavern, Park Row, SE10 9NW www.trafalgartavern.co.uk/ event/live-music

Community dance session

Tarot Nice to Meet You

Want to know your future? Because comedians Carly Smallman and Sarah Iles already do. The duo will be joined by a special guest for a real – and hilarious – tarot reading. There will also be card readings for the audience, too, in this fully interactive hit show, which won the ‘Best Audience Interaction’ Award at the 2022 and 2023 Brighton Fringe Festivals. So, what do the cards have in store for you…

Thursday, 2 May 2024, 8:15pm

Tickets: £9.50–£11.50, 16+ event Churchill Theatre, High Street, BR1 1HA trafalgartickets.com/churchill-theatre-bromley/en-GB/event/other/ tarot-nice-to-meet-you-02-may-tickets

Bulgarian-born, Woolwich-based choreographer and dance artist, Stephanie Handjiiska, is hosting community dance sessions at Woolwich Works this spring. The sessions cater to individuals from all backgrounds; no prior dance experience is needed. Stephanie guides participants through a free dance session, offering thoughtfully structured instructions that build upon each other to inspire movement. Revel in the music’s rhythm and let it drive your emotions and transformations. There’s no set choreography to memorise, no specific

movements to repeat. Dance in unison, fully present in the moment, connecting with the music, joy, and the sense of community. The session is for those 18+, or 15+ with a parent present and dancing. It can also be conducted seated and is accessible for wheelchair users.

Sunday 12 May and Sunday 16 June 2024

Tickets: £8, concession £6.50

Coopers Studio, The Fireworks Factory, 11 No. 1 Street, SE18 6HD www.woolwich.works/events/dancer-in-the-community-2024

© National Maritime Museum

History

By Isabel Ramirez

A cA mBerwell man, who is said to have ‘revolutionised the world of weightlifting, has been nominated for a Blue plaque.

William Albert Pullum was born in Camberwell on April 8, 1887.

As a child, he suffered several serious illnesses – including meningitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, peritonitis and tubercular disease of the lower jaw. He even wrote in his 1926 book, Weightlifting Made Easy and Interesting, that an early grave was on the cards for him.

With that in mind, it makes what he went on to achieve even more impressive.

The beginning of his entry into the sport can be dated back to 1904 after he saw the Arthur Saxon Trio perform their act of extreme strength at the Camberwell Palace of Varieties. They would get audience members to compete for cash prizes and on the night he was watching, a local strongman called William Slade won the competition.

Shortly after, Mr Pullum ended up sharing a house with Slade and his brothers - when his family moved out of London.

A sickly-looking teenager at the time, Slade created a training programme for him - and slowly Mr Pullum built up his strength.

Getting well into Mr Pullum noticed that whilst many traditional strongmen could lift weights with ease, they did not

have a proper technique. It was this that drove him to devise a set of rules - selftried and tested - that would become the ones the sport still abides by to this day. By nineteen years old, Mr Pullum had set up a school of physical culture in Camberwell named the Lothian Club. In 1907, this world-famous gym was relocated to number 5 Church Street, Camberwell (now a Cheeky Burger.)

It became a hub for aspiring weight trainers from around the countryincluding the world’s richest man John Paul Getty was once trained by him.

Not only did he work behind the scenes - going on to help set up the British Amateur Weightlifting Association in 1910 - he was also a famous athlete in his own right.

Between the years 1911 and 1915, he won 192 British and world weightlifting records, fifteen British championships and 53 gold medals.

He would later coach the 1948 British Olympic Team, long after having retired from competing himself - proving how integral he was to the sport.

In 1920, Pullum even patented a new design for barbells. While he took his competitive weightlifting seriously, he was not above performing more theatrical displays of strength.

One famous stunt involved him supporting nine men sitting on a wooden plank and three more seated on a barbell. He was under nine stone at the time and was supporting over 2000 lbs.

During the First World War, Pullum’s request to enlist was refused but rather he was employed as a physical training

soutHwark Blue PlaQues: william Pullum, weigHtlifter wHo trained olymPians

instructor, tasked with bringing those who failed the physical tests up to the required standard. Even throughout the war, he continued to break records but saw no active military service.

After hostilities ended, Pullum’s gym continued to flourish and attracted many weightlifters, boxers, wrestlers, and the occasional millionaire, all eager to be trained by him.

He had married Alice Sophia Howe in 1910 and went on to have one son, William Stanley Pullum who went on to be a professional boxer, trainer and promoter.

William Pullum died on August 29, 1960, aged 73 and was buried at Camberwell New Cemetery.

The inscription on his gravestone reads: “During his lifetime a pillar of strength and an inspiration to his many friends throughout the world.”

We spoke to Geoff Platt, a lifelong friend of the Pullum family who knew him personally in the weightlifting world.

Mr Platt told us: “I was the auditor of the International Weightlifting Federation number three in the world in charge of weightlifting 1991-1995.”

“William Pullum was a very intelligent man who was treated very well.

“His rules and techniques have stood the test of time.”

William Pullum

Courtesy of Nicky Hughes

LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD HUMPS (“SPEED TABLES”) IN BROCKWELL PARK GARDENS, HIGH TREES, NORWOOD ROAD AND ROYCROFT CLOSE.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE ZEBRA PEDESTRIAN CROSSING IN NORWOOD ROAD (ADJACENT TO BROCKWELL PARK GARDENS) AND WAITING RESTRICTIONS (DOUBLE YELLOW LINES) IN HIGH TREES AND UPPER TULSE HILL

[NOTE: This Notice is about proposals to introduce “at any time” waiting restrictions (double yellow lines) in the roads speci fied in this notice. It is also about proposals to remove an existing sinusoidal road hump in Brockwell Park Gardens and provide new flat-top road h umps (known as a “speed table” ” or “entry treatment”) in Brockwell Park Gardens, High Trees and Roycroft Close and also to convert an existing raised zebra pedestrian crossing on Norwood Road to a raised parallel zebra pedestrian and cycle Crossing. Objections or other comments may be made – see paragraph 8.)

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth propose to make the Lambeth (Free Parking Places, Loading Places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping Restrictions) (Amendment No. *) Order 202* under sections 6 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2. The general effect of the Order would be to ban waiting by vehicles at any time (to be indicated by double yellow lines) in the locations referred to in the Schedule to this Notice.

3. FURTHER NOTICE IS ALSO HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth propose, under section 90A of the Highways Act 1980, to:-

(1) remove an existing sinusoidal road hump in Brockwell Park Gardens outside No. 53 and construct a Copenhagen style crossing on the type of flat top road hump known as a “speed table” or “entry treatment” in Brockwell Park Gardens at its junction with Norwood Road. The “speed table” would be an elevated section of carriageway, having a maximum height of 100 millimetres above the existing carriageway, with a flat top that extends across the full width of the carriageway from kerb to kerb, so that the flat top of the speed table and the adjoining footways form a continuous surface and having an overall length of 12.7 metres including the gradients measured on the north-east side;

(2) construct a Copenhagen style crossing on the type of flat-top road hump known as a “speed table” or “entry treatment” in High Trees at its junction with Upper Tulse Hill, The “speed table” would be an elevated section of carriageway, having a maximum height of 100 millimetres above the existing carriageway, with a flat top that extends across the full width of the carriageway from kerb to kerb, so that the flat top of the speed table and the adjoining footways form a continuous surface and having an overall length of 8.6 metres including the gradients measured on the south-west side;

(3) construct a Copenhagen style crossing on the type of flat-top road hump known as a “speed table” or “entry treatment” in Roycroft Close at its junction with High Trees, The “speed table” would be an elevated section of carriageway, having a maximum height of 100 millimetres above the existing carriageway, with a flat top that extends across the full width of the carriageway from kerb to kerb, so that the flat top of the speed table and the adjoining footways form a continuous

4. FURTHER NOTICE IS ALSO HEREBY GIVEN that the Council intends, under section 23 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, to convert the existing raised “zebra” pedestrian crossing situated outside Nos. 205 and 207 Norwood Road to a raised parallel pedestrian and cycle lane crossing outside Nos. 205 and 207 Norwood Road.

5. The proposals are intended to improve road safety and create better conditions for walking,and cycling as part of the Council’s Healthy Route Network.

6. For further information about the changes or the healthy route programme in general please email: healthyroutes@lambeth.gov.uk.

7. A copy of the proposed Order and other documents giving detailed particulars about it, the road humps (speed tables”) and changes to the zebra pedestrian crossing (including maps) are available for inspection online at: https://consultation.appyway.com/lambeth or www.lambeth.gov.uk/traffic-management-orders and at the offices of Lambeth Council’s Parking and Enforcement Group (Parking, Network Management & Fleet), 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 an inspection please telephone 020 7926 0209 or email: Trafficorders@lambeth.gov.uk

8. All objections and other representations relating to the proposed Order and the road humps (“speed tables”) and the changes to the zebra pedestrian crossing described in this notice, must be made in writing and all objections must specify the grounds on which they are made (quoting reference Ref 72), and can be made using our consultation portal at https://consultation.appyway.com/lambeth or sent by post to Barbara Poulter, Parking and Enforcement Group (Parking, Network Management & Fleet), London Borough of Lambeth, PO Box 80771, London, SW2 9QQ or by email TMOReps@lambeth.gov.uk by 20th May 2024. Any objection may be communicated to, or be seen by, other persons who may have an interest in this matter.

Dated 26th April 2024

Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager SCHEDULE

1. High Trees (i) all sides, between Upper Tulse Hill and a point 0.8 metres south-east of the north-western boundary wall of No. 2 High Trees;

(ii) the north-west side, extend the existing double yellow lines which lie on the north-west side of the north-western kerb-line of the north-western arm of High Trees, north-westward for so much as is public highway and across the landscaped built-up area situated outside Edwards House and a point 1.6 metres south-east of the common boundary of Nos. 10 and 12 High Trees; and

(iii) the south-west side,

(a) between a point 1.6 metres south-east of the common boundary of Nos. 10 and 12 High Trees and a point opposite the south-eastern wall of No. 16 High Trees; and

(b) extend the existing double yellow lines either side of Roycroft Close in High Trees, across the entrance to Roycroft Close.

2. Upper Tulse Hill the south side, extend the existing double yellow lines either side of High Trees across the entrance to High Trees.

Notice of application for a Premises Licence.

Notice is hereby given that Mr. Sayed Awila Seddiqi has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at LDN Pizza, 313 Garratt Lane, London, SW18 4DX for Late Night Refreshment - On and Off the premises Monday to Sunday 23:00 to 02:00

Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 16TH May 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.

In practice it is anticipated that filming will take place between 9 am and 7 pm on 29th April 2024, but if the filming cannot be completed during that time, the order may also have effect at other times on that day. Dated 26th April 2024 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager

Walk, which lies between the north side of the entrance to Lambeth Pier and the walkway leading to the north side of Westminster Bridge.

2. Alternative routes for pedestrians would be available via Lambeth Palace Road, Westminster Bridge Road and Westminster Bridge and vice versa.

3. The ban would only have effect at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs and they would not apply to any person connected with the filming.

4. The Order would come into force on 15th May 2024 and would continue in force for a maximum duration of 2 days. In practice it is anticipated that filming would take place between 8 pm and 5 am on the 15th and 16th May 2024, but if the filming cannot be completed during that time, the order may also have effect at other times on those days.

Dated 26th April 2024

Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager

1.

2. Alternative routes for pedestrians and cyclists would be available via footpaths on Clapham Common. No alternative route is available for motor vehicles as this section of Windmill Drive is a no through road for motor vehicles.

3. The ban would only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.

4. The ban on vehicles entering the length of Windmill Drive referred to in paragraph 1 above would not apply to any vehicle requiring access to or egress from premises accessible only from that length of Windmill Drive, providing that vehicle does not interfere with or disrupt the works.

5. The Order would come into force on 29th April 2024 and would continue for a maximum duration of 6 months (to allow for contingencies) or until the works have been completed, whichever is the sooner. In practice it is anticipated that the works would take place from 29th April 2024 for 20 weeks but if the works cannot be carried out or completed during that time then the Order may have effect at subsequent times within the maximum period of 6 months.

Dated 26th April 2024

Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth with the agreement of Transport for London, have made an Order, the effect of which would be:-

(A) in the vicinity of Lambeth Town Hall and the Lambeth Civic Centre to temporarily:

(i) ban vehicles from entering:

(a) Buckner Road;

(b) Porden Road, provided that the ban on vehicles entering Buckner Road and Porden Road would not affect vehicles collecting or delivering ballot boxes to or from Lambeth Town Hall or the Civic Centre or vehicles requiring access or egress to properties only accessible from those roads, as directed by a traffic marshall or a police constable in uniform.

(ii) ban parking, waiting and loading, including waiting for the purpose of loading or unloading a vehicle in:-

(a) Porden Road (including the parking places);

(b) that length of Acre Lane which lies on the north-west side, between a point 20 metres south-west of Trinity Gardens and Brixton Road;

(iii) impose a one-way system in Porden Road, in a south-easterly direction (towards Buckner Road);

(iv) suspend the Order that imposes the one-way system in Buckner Road in so far as that Order bans permitted vehicles proceeding in that length of road from travelling in a direction other than towards Porden Road. The Council would impose one-way working for vehicles in Buckner Road in a direction towards Acre Lane instead;

(v) suspend that length of the north-eastbound bus lane on Acre Lane which lies between a point 20 metres south-west of Trinity Gardens and Nos. 4 and 6 Acre Lane;

(B) in the vicinity of the Kia Oval Cricket Ground, Kennington to temporarily:-

(i) ban vehicles from entering or waiting (including the parking places) in that length of the north-eastern to north-western arm of Kennington Oval which lies between the northern kerb-line of Harleyford Road and the north-eastern kerb-line of Harleyford Street;

(ii) ban vehicles from entering the entire lengths of:

(a) Bowling Green Street; (b) Clayton Street; and (c) Vauxhall Street, provided that the bans would not affect vehicles delivering ballot boxes to The Kia Oval Cricket ground or vehicles requiring access or egress to properties only accessible from those roads, as directed by a traffic marshall or a police constable in uniform.

(iii) impose a one-way system for vehicles in that length of Kennington Oval which lies between:-

(a) Harleyford Road and Clayton Street, in a direction towards Harleyford Road;

(b) Bowling Green Street and Clayton Street, in a direction towards Clayton Street; and (c) Bowling Green Street and Harleyford Street in a direction towards Harleyford Street;

(iv) impose a one-way system in Clayton Street, in a direction towards Kennington Oval;

(v) ban vehicles proceeding in:-

(a) Vauxhall Street from turning left into Kennington Oval;

(b) Clayton Street from turning left into Kennington Oval;

(c) Bowling Green Street from turning right into Kennington Oval;

(C) in Streatham Common South to temporarily:-

(i) impose a one-way system in the entire length of Streatham Common South in a north-easterly direction (towards the Rookery Car Park);

(ii) ban vehicles entering or exiting Braxted Park at its junction with Streatham Common South;

(iii) ban vehicles entering or exiting Copley Park at its junction with Streatham Common South;

(iv) ban vehicles entering or exiting Covington Way at its junction with Streatham Common South.

2. The one-way systems, banned turns, road closures and waiting and loading restrictions are necessary because of the likelihood of danger to the public caused by an increase in pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the vicinity as a result of the safe transit and unloading of ballot boxes for the GLA elections.

3. Alternative routes would be available for vehicles affected by the bans described in paragraph 1 above via adjacent roads as indicated by traffic signs.

4. The one-way systems, road closures and waiting and loading restrictions would only apply at such time and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing and covering of the appropriate traffic signs.

5. The Order would come into force on 29th April 2024 and would continue in force until 3rd May 2024. In practice it is anticipated that the restrictions referred to in paragraph 1(A) above would have effect at certain times between the 29th April and 2nd May 2024, the bans referred to in paragraph 1(B) above would have effect on 2nd May from 4 pm until 1 am on 3rd May 2024 and that the restrictions referred to in paragraph 1(C) above would have effect on 2nd May from 4 pm until 1 am 3rd May 2024 but if it is deemed necessary in the interest of public safety, the Order may also have effect at other times between 29th April and 3rd May 2024.

Dated 26th April 2024

Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager

LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

SCHOOL STREETS SCHEME – EXPERIMENTAL ROAD CLOSURES AND PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE ZONES - BELMONT CLOSE, BELMONT ROAD, BOWLING GREEN STREET, CAWNPORE STREET, CRESSET STREET, KENNINGTON OVAL, MAGEE STREET, STONHOUSE STREET, WOODLAND HILL, WOODLAND ROAD AND WYVIL ROAD

(NOTE: This notice is about creating school streets schemes for Clapham Manor, Henry Fawcett, Paxton, St. Mark’s, and Wyvil schools by closing part of the

[Note: This Notice is about the consolidation of the provisions of all existing moving traffic Orders in the London Borough of Lambeth into a new ‘parent Order’ with new Articles and ‘map-based’ schedule. There is no change to the existing layout, or extent of existing restrictions which will remain unchanged.]

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth on 19th April 2024 made The Lambeth (Moving Traffic) (Map-Based) (No. 1) Order 2024 under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended).

2. The general effect of the Orders which comes into effect on 27th April 2024 is:

(a) to consolidate the provisions of all existing Orders designating compulsory and prohibited movements, bus lanes and bus-only routes, cycle lanes and cycle routes and speed limits in the London Borough of Lambeth;

(b) to modernise and update the Articles and any applicable exemptions; and

(c) to provide for the use of a ‘map-based’ schedule, forming part of, and to be read in conjunction with the Articles of the Orders, setting out the location and extent of moving traffic restrictions in 2(a) above.

3. Any trial schemes enacted through ongoing Experimental Traffic Orders would continue to progress through to the appropriate evaluation and completion of each scheme.

4. A copy of the Order and other documents giving detailed particulars about them are available for inspection online at: www.lambeth.gov.uk/traffic-management-orders and at the offices of Lambeth Council’s Parking Network Management and Fleet team, 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. If you have an enquiry or wish to arrange an inspection of the documents, please telephone 020 7926 0209 or email: trafficorders@lambeth.gov.uk

5. If any person wishes to question the validity of the Orders or of any of their provisions on the grounds that they are not within the powers conferred by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, or that any requirement of that Act or of any instrument made under that Act has not been complied with, that person may, within 6 weeks from the date on which the Orders are made, apply for the purpose to the High Court.

Dated 26th April 2024

LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

Notice Under The Town and Country Planning Acts

Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council is considering applications as set out below under the following categories;

FUL – PLANNING PERMSSION

LB - LISTED BUILDING

VOC - VARIATION OF CONDITIONS

ADV – ADVERTISEMENT CONSENT

RG4 – DEVELOPMENT ON COUNCIL OWNED LAND

Written representations should be made within three weeks of the date of this advertisement to the Director of Planning, PO Box 734, Winchester SO23 5DG. Any comments made are open to inspection by the public and in the event of an appeal may be referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Confidential comments cannot be taken into account in determining an application.

Application plans can be viewed online at www.lambeth.gov.uk/searchplanningapps – search using the reference number at the end of each application listing.

256A Brixton Hill London SW2 1HF Rear single storey extension and alterations to front section to provide improved first floor mezzanine accommodation to restaurant (flat A). 23/04070/FUL

Royal National Theatre South Bank London Lambeth SE1 9PX Temporary erection for a period from 2nd May to 28th September 2024 for the erection (including installation and de-installation) of a series of branded hoardings and signage in conjunction with the Spring / Summer Event at the Royal National Theatre. 24/01097/ADV

61 Kennington Oval London SE11 5SW Formation of a roof terrace over existing second floor rear closet roof including conversion of a window to a door - First Floor And Second Floor Flat. 24/01022/FUL

3 Bondway London SW8 1SJ Installation of 7no. antennas, 4no. 300mm dishes, 1no. steel cabinet enclosure and ancillary developments thereto at roof level. 24/01023/FUL

Land Rear Of 20 - 22 Beardell Street London SE19 Variation of Condition 2 (Drawings) of planning permission 19/04232/FUL

(Erection of 3no. dwellings (2x three bedroom semi-detached properties and 1x four bedroom detached property) along with the provision of 1x disabled persons car parking space, refuse and recycling store together with hard and soft landscaping.) granted on 21/12/2020 24/01045/VOC

35 Roupell Street London Lambeth SE1 8TB Refurbishment of the property, involving the excavation of the existing basement, the replacement of the ground floor side extension with a side glazed mono-pitch roof, alteration to the lean-to with replacement of windows and a flat roof including a roof light, addition of a roof light to the outrigger at first floor level, restoration of the panelled walls, the removal of 1x chimney breast at ground and first floor levels, and the installation of roof lights plus photovoltaic panels to main roof, along with other internal alterations and the installation of a vehicle gate to the rear of the garden.

(Please note: The reference number for this Listed Building Consent application is 24/00888/LB but there is also an associated application for Full Planning Permission related to these works with reference number: 24/00887/FUL). 24/00888/LB

78 Bromfelde Road London Lambeth SW4 6PR Erection of a single storey ground floor rear extension. 24/00950/FUL

Newquay House Black Prince Road London Replacement of the existing single glazed timber framed windows to all flats at 1-73 Newquay House with double glazed timber framed windows, together with other decorative works including painting of external doors, meter boxes and railings.

(Please note: The reference number for this Listed Building Consent application is 24/01057/LB, but there is also an associated application for Full Planning Permission related to these works with reference number: 24/01056/FUL) 24/01057/LB 51 Lillieshall Road London SW4 0LW Works to the front garden area to include the erection of a bin store, alterations to front boundary treatment to include new railings, gate and brickwork, and other associated hard and soft landscaping works. 24/01067/FUL

63 Barrington Road London Lambeth SW9 7JH Erection of a 2 storey

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 Orders cease to have effect. To arrange an inspection please email: Trafficorders@lambeth.gov.uk

6. The Council will consider in due course whether the provisions of the Order should be continued in force indefinitely by means of a permanent Order made under section 6 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Any person may object to the making of the permanent Order within a period of 6 months beginning with the date on which the experimental Order comes into force or, if the Order is varied by another Order or modified pursuant to section 10(2) of the 1984 Act, beginning with the date on which the variation or modification or the latest variation or modification comes into force. Any such objection or any representation must be made in writing and all objections

Any objection or representation received may be communicated to, or be seen by, other persons who may have an interest in this matter.

7. If any person wishes to question the validity of the Order or of any of its provisions on the grounds that it or they are not within the powers conferred by the

The London Borough of Southwark (Charged-for parking places) (MTS 2324-Q2) Order 202*

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK MINOR TRAFFIC SCHEMES – 23/24 Q2

The London Borough of Southwark (Free parking places, Loading places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping restrictions) (MTS 2324-Q2) Order 202*

1. Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that it proposes to make the above orders under sections 6, 45, 46, 49 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2. The effect of the orders would be:-

(a) in BUSHEY HILL ROAD in CPZ 'PR' south-west side o/s No. 76 (i) reduce existing 'permit' by 2m in length (20m remain), and (ii) add 2m new DYLs;

(b) in CHADWICK ROAD in CPZ 'Q' north-west side o/s No. 60 (i) reduce existing 'shared-use' by 8m in length (34.5m remain), and (ii) install 8m free cycle parking facility;

(c) in CHAMPION PARK in CPZ 'L' north-west side o/s Denmark Hill Station (i) remove 8m existing 'pay' parking (4.5m of one bay remains), and (ii) install 8m free cycle parking facility;

(d) in DE CRESPIGNY PARK in CPZ 'L' (i) north-west side opposite No. 34 reduce existing 'pay' by 6m in length (35m remain) and formally add an existing cycle hangar and 1m DYLs, (ii) relocate an existing cycle hangar (from southeast side opposite No. 25) to a location north-west side opposite No. 34 (next to the formalised cycle hangar), and (iii) south-east side opposite No. 25 extend existing SYLs by 2.55m to accommodate the relocated cycle hangar; (e) in EMPRESS STREET in CPZ 'J' south-west side, south of its junction with Fielding Street (i) reduce existing 'permit' by 6m (13.5m remain), and (ii) install new electric vehicle only re-charging point 6m in length, which may be used by electric vehicles for re-charging only either for a max stay of 4hrs, no return within 2hrs between the hours of 7 am to 10 pm Mondays – Saturdays, or without time limit for the remaining hours in the week;

(f) in GREAT SUFFOLK STREET in CPZ 'C2' north-east side o/s Nos. 133 to 135 (i) remove a total of 12.5m existing SYLs, (ii) add 5.5m new 'permit' parking, and (iii) add 7m new DYLs;

(g) in GREEN HUNDRED ROAD in CPZ 'T' south-west side, south-east of a point opposite its junction with Ethnard Road (i) remove 9m existing 'shared-use', and (ii) add 9m of new DYLs to accommodate;

(h) n HATFIELDS in CPZ 'C1' north-east side o/s Nos. 19 to 21 (i) remove 16m existing 'permit', (ii) install 8m free cycle parking facility, and (iii) add 16m new SYLs to accommodate;

(i) in MELBOURNE GROVE in CPZ 'ED' south-west side, side of No. 68 East Dulwich Grove (i) split and reduce by 7m in length existing 'permit' (a total of 46m remain), and (ii) add a total of 4m new DYLs;

(j) in RED POST HILL in CPZ 'P' (i) reduce existing 'permit' north-east side by 2m in length each o/s No. 86 (31.5m remain) and o/s No. 100 (23.5m remain), and south-west side o/s No. 65 by 6m in length (40m remain) and o/s No. 61 by 2m in length (33.5m remain), and (ii) add a total of 12m new DYLs to accommodate;

(k) in ROBERTS CLOSE north-west side, relocate an existing 6m car club only parking place south-westward by 15m, and amend the existing 'pay' parking to accommodate;

(l) in RUSHWORTH STREET in CPZ 'C2' south-west side o/s No. 14 (i) remove 10m existing 'permit', (ii) add 2m new DYLs, and (iii) install 8m free cycle parking facility; (m) in WREN ROAD in CPZ 'L' (i) south-west side remove existing 12.5m 'permit' (side of No. 25 Camberwell Green) and 39m 'pay' (o/s Nos. 1 to 6 Wren Road) and replace with 6.6m 'limited stay' DPPP operating every day and 'at any time' (max stay 4hrs, no return 2hrs), 9.5m of 'stop and shop' parking in which either:- vehicles may be left free of charge for up to 30mins, or vehicles which have paid the parking charge may be left for up to 2hrs, the first 30mins of which parking session would be free of charge, provided no vehicle may return to a parking place within 2hrs, between the hours of 8:30 am and 6:30 pm on Monday to Saturday inclusive, and 35.5m of new DYLs, (ii) north-east side o/s. Nos. 13 and 14 reduce existing 'permit' by a total of 5.5m (22.5m remain) and add new cycle hangar (2.55m in length) and a total of 5m new DYLs, (iii) south-east sides of the south-easternmost extremity o/s Nos. 8 and 9 convert 4 existing 'pay' parking bays to 'permit' which are lined so as vehicles stand at an 90° to the kerb-line (each bay is 4.5m in length and 2m in width), and add a total of 14m new DYLs on the remaining kerb-line, and (iv) north-west side of the southeasternmost extremity side of No 10 formally amend the size and shape of existing 'permit' which are lined so as vehicles stand at an 90° to the kerb-line (each bay is 4.5m in length and 2m in width) and existing DYLs;

(n) in CRAWTHEW GROVE north-east side (i) add new DYLs o/s Nos. 46 and 48 (3.5m) and o/s No. 58 (2m), and (ii) relocate an existing 'at any time' DPPP 3m north-westward to a location o/s Nos. 58 and 60;

(o) in HOLLYDALE ROAD south-west side, (i) o/s No. 57 extend the length of an existing 'at any time' DPPP by 1.5m (new length is 8.1m), and (ii) add 1m new DYLs o/s No. 59;

(p) in ST MARYCHURCH STREET relocate an existing cycle hangar (from south-west side, side of Nos. 22 to 38 St Mary's Estate) to a location south-east side opposite the south-easternmost vehicular access to St Mary's Estate, and add a total of 7.3m new DYLs either side of relocated cycle hangar;

(q) in WARNER ROAD south-east side (i) relocate an existing 'at any time' DPPP 2.5m south-westward to a location o/s Nos. 63 and 65, and (ii) add 2.5m new SYLs o/s No. 63;

(r) in WYNDHAM ROAD north-west side o/s No. 16 (Caine Apartments) extend existing loading bay (for the purpose of loading only) to operate every day of the week between the hours of 10 am - 4 pm and between 7 pm - 7 am (max stay 40mins, no return 2hrs);

(s) remove existing lengths of ‘School Keep Clear’ markings in (i) LARCOM STREET (30m) south-east side o/s Nos. 12 and 14 and St John's C of E Primary School and convert 33.5m of existing SYLs to new DYLs, and (ii) ROTHERHITHE NEW ROAD (25.5m) north-west side o/s Rotherhithe Primary School and replace with 25.5m new DYLs;

(t) convert existing SYLs to new DYLs in (i) MARMONT ROAD north of its junction with Peckham High Street north-west side 16m and south-east side total of 13.5m, and (ii) MCDOWALL ROAD north-west side 10.5m o/s No. 19 and south-east side 9.5m o/s No. 17b, and 19.5m o/s Nos. 10 to 13;

(u) add new DYLs (i) 3m in CARLTON GROVE west side, between Nos. 51/53 and No. 61, and (ii) 8m in LIMESFORD ROAD south-east side, south-west of its junction with Ivydale Road; and (v) add new DKBs on existing DYLs in (i) BOSS STREET on both sides at its junction with Queen Elizabeth Street (14m total), (ii) CURLEW STREET across both of its junctions with Gainsford Street (12m total) and across both its junctions with Queen Elizabeth Street (10m total), (iii) GAINSFORD STREET both sides across both its junctions with Curlew Street (14m total), both sides at its junction with Horselydown Lane (9m total), both sides across both its junctions with Lafone Street (16m total), north-east side across its junction with Maguire Street (12.5m total), and both sides at its junction with Shad Thames (6m total), (iv) HORSELYDOWN LANE south-east side across its junction with Gainsford Street (11m total), (v) LAFONE STREET across both of its junctions with Gainsford Street (19m total) and across both of its junctions with Queen Elizabeth Street (20.5m total), (vi) MAGUIRE STREET on both sides at its junction with Gainsford Street (8m total), (vii) QUEEN ELIZABETH STREET south-west side across its junction with Boss Street (14m total), north-east side across its junction with Curlew Street (14m total), both sides across both its junctions with Lafone Street (14m total), both sides at its junction with Shad Thames (34.5m total), and south-west side across its junction with Three Oak Lane (10m total), (viii) SHAD THAMES across its junction with Gainsford Street (9.5m total) and across its junction with Queen Elizabeth Street (16m total), and (ix) THREE OAK LANE on both sides at its junction with Queen Elizabeth Street (18.5m total).

NOTES: (1) ‘DPPP’ refers to disabled persons parking places which may only be used by vehicles displaying a valid disabled persons 'blue badge'. (2) ‘permit’ refers to parking places for holders of valid parking permits within the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) listed; ‘shared-use’ refers to parking places in which holders of a valid permit for the CPZ listed or ‘pay’ paid ticket holders are permitted to park within the permitted hours. (3) In reference to 'stop and shop' pay parking mentioned in item 2(m), a parking session must be registered with the Council’s ‘Pay by Phone’ provider to obtain the 30 minutes free of charge parking in addition to a longer charged-for stay. The ‘Pay by Phone’ provider will calculate the total parking charge for the parking session payable automatically upon registering. (4) ‘SYLs’ refer to timed waiting restrictions, ‘DYLs’ refer to 'at any time' waiting restrictions, and ‘DKBs’ refer to 'at any time' loading restrictions. (5) All measurements are in metres ‘m’ and are approximate. (6) Parking charges are listed on www.southwark.gov.uk/parking

3. Southwark Council hereby GIVES FURTHER NOTICE under sections 90A to 90I of the Highways Act 1980 and in accordance with the provisions of the Highways (Road humps) Regulations 1999 and the Highways (Traffic calming) Regulations 1999, propose to construct road humps of sinusoidal cross-section construction, approx. 3.7 metres in length, having a maximum height of 100 millimetres and covering the greater width of the carriageway (any existing speed bumps in the exact locations listed below will be removed and refreshed with road humps):-

(a) in BLUE ANCHOR LANE (i) centred 11m north-west of the common boundary of Nos. 15 and 17 Blue Anchor Lane, (ii) centred 11.5m south-east of the common boundary of Nos. 25 and 27 Blue Anchor Lane (Bridgestone House), (iii) centred 3.5m north-west of the north-western kerb-line of Bombay Street, and (iv) centred 4m north-west of the common boundary of Nos. 47a and 49 Blue Anchor Lane, (b) in LUCEY ROAD centred 37.5m south-west of the southwestern kerb-line of Rouel Road, (c) in MCDOWALL ROAD (i) centred 2.5m south-west of the common boundary of Nos. 8 and 9 McDowall Road, and (ii) centred 30.5m north-east of the north-eastern kerb-line of Denmark Road, (d) in SARTOR ROAD centred at the common boundary of Nos. 3 and 5 Sartor Road, and (e) in YALDING ROAD (i) centred the common boundary of Nos. 9 and 11 Yalding Road, (ii) centred the common boundary of Nos. 31 and 33 Yalding Road, and (iii) centred 19m south-east of the south-eastern kerb-line of Cadbury Way.

4. Southwark Council hereby GIVES FURTHER NOTICE to: (i) introduce a ‘shared pedestrian and cycle only’ route in the entirety of CHURCHYARD PASSAGE (between its junction with Camberwell Church Road and its junction with Camberwell Grove) for the use of pedestrians and pedal cycles only ‘at any time’ every day of the week, and (ii) formally convert an existing ‘cycle only’ path to a ‘shared pedestrian and cycle only’ path on the footway which lies in the area south-west of the south-western kerb-line of College Road and north-west of the north-western kerb-line of Dulwich Common (the north-westernmost side of this junction), to clarify and make safer this space for pedestrians and cyclists.

5. For more information about these proposals please contact Katie Reeves of the Council's Highways – Transport Projects team Highways@southwark.gov.uk

6. Copies of the supporting documents (this Notice, the proposed Orders, and a statement of the Council's reasons for making the Orders) may be found online at www.southwark.gov.uk/trafficorders; paper or digital copies of plans showing the location and effect of the Orders 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 Orders are made. Email traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk (or call 077 3132 4742) for booking details.

7. Anyone wishing to make any representations either for or to object to the proposals, may use our consultation portal at https://consultation.appyway.com/southwark; or send a statement in writing to: Traffic Order Consultations, Highways, Southwark Council, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth, P.O. Box 64529, London SE1P 5LX or traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk quoting reference ‘TMO2425-004 MTS 2324-Q2’ by 17 May 2024. Please note that if you wish to object to this proposal you must state the grounds on which your objection is made.

8. Under requirements of current access to information legislation, any letter, form or e-mail sent to the Council in response to this Notice may be subject to publication or disclosure, or both, including communication to other persons affected.

Dated 25 April 2024

Steven Grayer Head of Service - Highways, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth

surrey see off defiant kent

Dom Sibley, left, and Rory Burns

Hamlet squander three-goal lead

By John Kelly

dulwich hAmlet blew a threegoal lead they had built up inside 26 minutes as they drew 3-3 against Folkestone invicta in their isthmian league premier division game at cheriton road last weekend.

Josh Shonibare, Danny Mills and Ryley Scott put Hakan Hayrettin’s side into a commanding position.

Seidou Sanogo pulled one back before the break and the hosts claimed a point after goals from Edward Allsopp and David Smith in the last sixteen minutes.

“We’ve got so many players out injured, ten to twelve out,” Hayrettin said. “The way we held on there in the end to get the point, I think we were good value for money in the second half. We haven’t got a recognised centre-back, we haven’t got a recognised left-back. Harrison’s [Hatfull] just come back and he’s not 100 per cent fit.

“But the boys put in a shift like they always do, that’s the most important thing but obviously the injuries are hampering us at the moment so we’ve just got to get over the line.”

By Fred Atkins

Reigning Division One champs get first win of season

surreY clAimed their first win of the season after defeating Kent by an innings and 37 runs despite some dogged final-day batting from the home side in the vitality county championship at canterbury.

The reigning champions dismissed the hosts for 262 in their second innings, with Dan Worrall taking 4-31 and Cameron Steel claiming 3-38.

Steel remains the leading wicket-taker in the country this season, with 20 after three matches.

Joey Evison made 53 and Matt Parkinson hit his highest first-class score of 39, but after a dogged rearguard action that saw them through the morning session, Kent subsided midway through the afternoon.

The hosts were 120-5 overnight, still 179 runs in arrears, and their slim hopes of batting out the day were dealt a near fatal blow when Ben Compton was out in the fifth over of the morning.

Compton, unbeaten on eight overnight, chased a Worrall delivery that veered away and was caught behind.

The home crowd, however, were pleasantly surprised by the way Evison and Parkinson survived the rest of the morning. Parkinson, promoted up the order to number eight, had spent the winter working on his batting as part of a concerted effort to shore up Kent’s lower order and although there were a few alarms by lunch Kent had reached 203-6 and the impossible now seemed merely improbable.

Evison, however, fell to Tom Lawes in the afternoon’s third over. He cut Lawes for fours off successive boundaries to reach his half-century but then edged him behind.

With Evison gone, Kent crumbled. George Garrett was lbw to Steel for four and Jas Singh went for a duck when Jamie Smith took a brilliant catch at short leg off the same bowler.

Number 11 Arafat Bhuiyan had some fun with the new ball, flicking three

Tash Farrant makes

RACHAEL HEYHOE FLINT TROPHY RESULT SE Stars: 274-6 Southern Vipers: 273-9

By Jon Batham

tAsh FArrAnt made a fairytale return to cricket as south east stars beat reigning champions southern vipers by four wickets in a thriller on the opening day of the 2024 rachael heyhoe Flint trophy at Beckenham last weekend.

The Greek-born England star, after missing almost two years of cricket with stress fractures of the back, struck a careerbest 94, sharing a stand of 165 with skipper Bryony Smith – a record for any wicket for Stars as the hosts got home with three balls to spare.

Australian Charli Knott kept Vipers in

consecutive balls from Kemar Roach for a six and two fours on his way to his highest championship score of 22 not out, making him the fourth Kent tailender to reach that personal landmark in this match, after Garrett and Singh hit their career-best scores in the first innings.

This merely delayed Surrey’s celebrations however and an emphatic victory was sealed when Smith took another exceptional close catch to snare Parkinson off Kemar Roach.

Surrey took 24 points and Kent two.

“It’s a max win and one that we’re pretty pleased with on a pretty flat surface,” Surrey’s Rory Burns said. “It’s difficult with the wind and rain and some of the conditions we were presented with early to stay together as a team out there but I think the guys and they way they led with the ball, some of the partnerships we put together in that first innings in particular, to bowl them out for under 250 was a really good effort.”

Burns added: “It’s brilliant, isn’t it. People put their hands up at various opportunities at various different points. We’ve very happy with a win on a very flat surface.”

Kent’s display on day four didn’t surprise Burns.

He said: “We always knew that was going to be the way, we knew there was still a lot of hard work to do. The fact that we had them five down overnight was probably a very good thing because we knew it was a pretty benign surface so we knew that period was going to be a little bit tricky and we’ve given ourselves a second bite of the cherry with that new ball there just to finish it off.”

“It’s nice to see [Dom] Sibley in some really good form and I’ve been in decent touch myself so as a partnership we’re popping off each other quite nicely at the minute. We obviously can take confidence from this.”

Surrey play Hampshire in Division One starting on Friday (April 26).

The Hamlet’s last game of the season is against Cray Wanderers at Champion Hill this Saturday at 3pm.

Brittany Sayls into sunset with victory

By John Kelly

dulwich hAmlet women are three points clear at the top of the l&serwFl premier division with two games to go after their 3-0 win against enfield Town at Champion hill last week.

Summer Roberts scored in each half either side of Tia Searle’s second-half goal as Mark Dempsey’s side won a thirteenth league game in a row.

It was skipper Brittany Saylor’s lastever game in East Dulwich before she retires at the end of the season.

There was an attendance of 1,142 at Champion Hill - a record for the side. Dulwich travel to Crawley AFC this Sunday. With their goal difference of plus-seventeen better than second-place Dartford, a win will virtually secure promotion to the Women’s National League Division 1 South East with a game to go.

Kick-off is at 1pm.

sensational Stars return after two years out as Vipers feel bite

it until the final over with a tidy spell of 2-35, but England Star Sophia Dunkley’s composed unbeaten 48 saw Stars home amid rising tension.

Earlier, Freya Kemp, a day short of her nineteenth birthday made a maiden list-A 50 with Georgia Elwiss 44 and Knott 41 propelling the visitors to a competitive total, Ryana MacDonald-Gay returning figures of 3-46

Ella McCaughan and Knott survived some early fishing outside off-stump to post an 80-run opening stand after Vipers were put in.

Knott impressively drove MacDonaldGay for successive fours, one square of the wicket and another straight. However, Macdonald-Gay would have her revenge, thanks to a stunning catch by Phoebe Franklin, diving full length to grab a ball dropping over her shoulder.

McCaughan soon followed trapped lbw by Stars’ spinner Danielle Gregory, but it proved the high point for the Stars’ spinner, later banished from the attack for a second head-high full toss, the first despatched by Vipers’ skipper Georgia Adams for the day’s first six.

Adams became the first of two lbw victims for slow left-armer Bethan Miles just as she looked set to dominate but the visitors were well placed at 190-3 with thirteen overs remaining.

Miles though struck again, ending Georgia Elwiss’s polished innings after which wickets fell at regular intervals, Dunkley picking up two with her leg-breaks.

That Vipers posted 273 was down to Kemp, mixing aggression with good running to reach 50 at better than a run a ball. Alice Monaghan also hoisted MacDonald-Gay for a huge six before

falling to another wonderful catch from wicketkeeper Chloe Hill.

Farrant was promoted to open with skipper Bryony Smith and gave the hosts early impetus with five boundaries in the powerplay. Smith then clicked through the gears, taking two fours in an over off Mary Taylor.

Farrant won the race to 50 from 56 balls while Smith took 13 balls longer, before upping the pace, drilling Linsey Smith for two fours in an over to take Stars to 131-0 at the halfway mark.

History was made when the stand reached 156, eclipsing the 154 posted by Dunkley and Alice-Davidson Richards against Western Storm at the Oval in 2021 before the fun ended when Smith struck Adams into the hands of Monaghan at cover.

Knott quickly removed Paige Scholfield,

but Farrant responded by lifting Freya Davies for a straight six as she moved into the 90s.

There would though be no maiden hundred as the excellent Knott struck again to pin the all-rounder in front for 94 with 78 needed.

As the tension mounted, Adam damaged her left hand failing to cling onto a caught and bowled chance offered by Alice Davidson-Richards, but the drop wasn’t costly as the England all-rounder was castled by Linsey Smith for just eight.

Franklin struck three fours in a rapid 19 before being run out with fourteen needed from fifteen but Stars got home with a scrambled leg-bye in the last over.

South East Stars were in action against The Blaze in Leicester on Wednesday and host Central Sparks in Beckenham this Saturday at 10.30am.

© Mark Samdon

Eagles’ Hammer blow

By John Kelly

oliver glAsner praised his “amazing” players after crystal palace’s half-hour blitz against west ham united - before immediately setting his players the challenge of winning a third game in a row against newcastle united in midweek.

Palace were 4-0 up inside 31 minutes with goals from Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, Emerson Palmieri’s own goal and JeanPhilippe Mateta’s finish.

Michail Antonio pulled a goal back but Mateta added a fifth after the break before Palace stopper Dean Henderson’s own goal a minute from time.

“The players, how they started the game in the first 30 minutes, were really amazing,” Glasner said. “It was nice to watch for a manager. It was an excellent performance, but now the game is played. The game is played, we have the three points, and it’s our first back-to-back wins of the season.

“Now it’s the third one in a row against Newcastle, and this will be a big challenge. They will be fresh, so we have maybe the same situation as West Ham today [having played in midweek], a little bit tired legs.

“Of course, we take a lot of positive things from the game today, but stay focused for the next challenges.”

Key midfielder Adam Wharton went off in the 61st minute.

“I don't know, of course it hurts, so we will see,” Glasner said. “I don't think it's serious, it's painful, but he's a young guy so he can deal with the pain.”

Blues need History lesson

Poch: Chelsea not matching past - but unfair to compare

By John Kelly

mAuricio pochettino has admitted chelsea are not “matching the history” of the club - but he says it is unfair to compare this current Blues side to previous ones.

Chelsea will end the season without a trophy after their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley last weekend, with Bernardo Silva’s goal six minutes from time settling the tie.

The FA Cup was one of seven major trophies Chelsea won in the last decade but despite an outlay of more than £1billion this team have suffered cup disappointment and will miss out on the Champions League places.

However, Pochettino was far from

downbeat after the loss against Pep Guardiola’s double-double chasers.

“Now we are going to play on Tuesday against another very good team in Arsenal. We need to be ready. With the circumstances that have happened, maybe we cannot change too much but I think like Manchester City, they had no time to recover and feel 100 per cent, and the same for us on Tuesday,” Pochettino said. “But I feel happy with the way we are evolving. Of course I feel disappointed because we need to split two things, we think only in the history of Chelsea and the team are not matching the history of the club. We need to accept the team in a different way, not to compare it with Chelsea’s history.

“The evolution is good with all the circumstances. We need to be ambitious

and think how we can be better next season. We need to finish well and strong this season.”

Chelsea were arguably shading the tie before Silva’s goal.

"Tactically, it is not a problem,” Pochettino said. “You cannot today be good and then the last eight months you didn't know how to manage the tactical situation. It's about the whole things. We need time to improve as a team. We need to assess after nearly ten months, in the way we are going to assess the group, the squad and then make the decision on how we can improve in different areas to be strong and compete better and better and better. And then we need to reduce the gap to Manchester City because it is clear they are one of the best teams in the world.”

Mauricio Pochettino was on the losing side again at Wembley

There was one main moment of controversy when Palmer’s free-kick hit Jack Grealish’s hand, but the video assistant referee ruled out an offence.

“From the touchline, it was difficult to see if it was a penalty,” Pochettino said. “I was talking [to referee Michael Oliver] because after Jesus [Perez] and my staff said it was a penalty. I only said to him, ‘Why not go and check the penalty on the TV?’. I think from what I saw, [nods his head to indicate it was a penalty], but move on.”

Meanwhile, Guardiola has backed Pochettino as Chelsea boss. He said: "There are so many top managers in England right now and Mauricio is definitely one of them. "Chelsea will become a far better team with him as manager. I have no doubts about that."

QPR's Marti: Get the job done

By John Kelly

mArti ciFuentes warned it’s not job done just yet after after Queens park rangers hit the 50-point mark in the championship with their 1-0 won over preston north end at loftus road.

Lyndon Dykes scored the only goal after keeper Freddie Woodman spilled a cross into the forward’s path.

The R’s are four points above the relegation zone with two games left.

“Right now it looks like a big step forward. But whatever happens in the next games, I think the kind of mindset – the winning culture we need in this club – means that we are going to try to keep winning until the end of the season,” Cifuentes said.

“My mindset is that of course today we took a big step forward in the right direction but until the job is done it’s not done, so we need to

make sure that we go into the last two games all-in.

“I’m going to sleep pretty well, that’s for sure. But until the job is done, it’s not done.

“I’m very happy for the guys. It was a difficult game with a lot of pressure and we responded.

“We had to win this game. The focus was excellent and I’m very proud of the guys.”

It was only Dykes’ fifth league goal of the season and first in sixteen

games.

Cifuentes said: “I’m very happy for Lyndon. Today he had one of his best games of the season, if not the best.

“He showed character and personality. Sometimes football is about passion and I think all the guys showed a lot of passion.

“We’ve been talking about the need for ugly goals and he was in the right place at the right time.”

QPR host Leeds United on Friday.

Oliver Glasner

Heading tHe rigHt way

Bryan sidelined with scan due

Norton-Cuffy pleased with development as loan move nears closure

EXCLUSIVE

by Kiro Evans

BrooKe NorToN-CUFFy believes he has grown as a player despite millwall enduring a turbulent season.

The 20-year-old is entering the home straight of his loan move from Arsenal where he has managed to get another campaign of Championship football under his belt.

His move has coincided with Millwall having one of their more challenging seasons of recent years with three permanent managers in charge and their Championship status only being secured in the final weeks of the season amid a frantic relegation scrap.

Regardless of the topsy-turvy nature of the season - that included the defender picking up injuries in the second half

of the campaign - Norton-Cuffy is convinced that this has been a useful year of development for him.

He told our paper: “There’s been a few ups-and-downs. I’ve played a lot of minutes and had a lot of starts and that’s been good. But I’ve had a few injuries and that’s slowed down my season a little bit. Overall it’s been a decent season personally and most games I’ve been fit, I’ve played some part in.

“Before every single season I set certain personal objectives. I feel like I’ve hit a few of them, not every single one, but I’ve been close to hitting most of them to be fair.”

With two goals and four assists, Norton-Cuffy has managed four more goal contributions than he did last season when he was on loan at both Rotherham United and Coventry City.

He believes that playing games against the unusually strong teams that occupy

Norton-Cuffy

the top spaces in the Championship has been particularly helpful for his development.

The defender said: “I feel like those teams are more of a challenge because those teams, the way they play, most games they have about 65 per cent of possession and you can’t switch off. You have to be alert at all times, even when you feel like you’re not involved in the game you have to be alert and have an open body shape, especially in the position I play.

“Balls coming in at the back post and quick players running in off the back of you, your positioning is key and you have to get your shape right. Just little things like that I feel like I’ve improved on.

“I feel like in the final third my decisionmaking and my final ball has been a lot better. Me personally I’m also demanding of myself - I should be getting more [goal involvements]. But it hasn’t been a bad

Palace Injury setback for luckless defender Holding

By John Kelly

roB holding has been ruled out of crystal palace’s games against Fulham at the weekend after only just returning from injury.

Holding, 26, was back in the Eagles’ squad for their 5-2 win over West Ham United at the weekend.

Former Arsenal defender Holding, 26, has played only once this season, in Palace’s 3-0 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford last September.

Joe Bryan has had to deal with injury problems this

By Kiro Evans

joe BrYAn is set for a scan on his latest injury after missing saturday’s win at sunderland. The full-back has a calf issue and groin pain in what is his latest setback during an injury-hit debut season at The Den.

Bryan, 30, could return in time for the clash against Plymouth Argyle on the weekend but first needs to be assessed.

Millwall boss Neil Harris said: “Joe Bryan missed out on Sunderland due to a calf injury and groin pain. We’re waiting for Joe to be scanned and see a specialist this week on both. Joe could easily be involved on Saturday or he’ll need an intervention for the calf or groin or both to be ready for preseason. That’s something I’ll know later in the week.”

season in the final third.

Neil Harris’ arrival in February came just as Norton-Cuffy was overcoming a hamstring issue and the full-back has made just one start in the eleven games under his new boss, having been a regular name on the team-sheet during the first half of the season. But he says he understands the situation.

Norton-Cuffy said: “I’m a team player first always, so it’s not hard for me to do that. At the end of the day, the team comes first and whatever you have going on comes second to that.

“Sometimes you have to put yourself aside for the benefit of the team. So every single day in training, no matter if I’m starting or not starting, I’m still going to train properly and give 100 per cent.

“I spoke to the manager about it as well and he said my attitude was good and to just keep doing what I’m doing.”

George Honeyman and Duncan Watmore both managed minutes on Saturday as they faced their former club Sunderland despite their recent injuries.

Watmore replaced Honeyman in the second half and minutes later pounced in the box for a goal that is still being credited as his but may have possibly been an own goal.

Harris said: “We were forced to split Dunc and G minutes wise because of ongoing injury issues with calf and shoulder respectively. So I’m delighted in the way it fell that G did brilliantly for us for an hour and then Dunc came on and got us over the line for the important touch leading to the goal.”

Billy Mitchell is also set return after missing the game at the Stadium of Light with illness.

Ravens face Altrincham in semis in 'biggest home game' for club

By John Kelly

“Unfortunately Rob Holding is injured again,” Palace boss Oliver Glasner said. “It is tough because he is just back from injury. We don’t know the degree but it is something with his hamstring, so we don’t know how long it will take.

“That is the bad news, but the other players are fit.”

Glasner wasn’t fully happy with his side’s display despite thumping the Hammers.

The Eagles were 4-0 up inside 31 minutes.

Holding was absent for Palace’s game against Newcastle United on Wednesday night.

Glasner said: "We analysed the game on Monday. We showed the players some clips, they did really well.

"We have to be focussed and concentrated all of the time. We defended really well, but in the first half we gave the goal and chances too easily.

"It's important that we could see in the evening Man United were 3-0 up after 70 minutes [against Championship Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final] but it went back to 3-3. We saw this can happen in football."

BromleY hAve been pitted against Altrincham in their play-off semi-final after a shambolic end to the national league season. The Ravens finished third in the regular campaign to book their last-four spot. Altrincham, who finished fourth, were due to face Halifax Town in midweek in their quarter-final, while Solihull Moors and Gateshead were in the other tie. However, Gateshead were banned from the play-offs after failing to secure a ten-year lease on their ground, the council-owned International Stadium.

The EFL announced last Saturday, the day the regular season ended, that the Tynesiders were ineligible for promotion.

That led to a play-off reshuffle, with Altrincham given a bye into the last four based on league position.

Halifax had to change their plans, in order to travel to Solihull on Wednesday evening.

Bromley chairman Robin StantonGleaves said it is ”the biggest home game in the football club’s history” as he urged fans to pack Hayes Lane this Sunday at 4pm. He added: “I need you all to be there to cheer the team on one more time at home.

“We now know following league statements over the weekend that we will be facing Altrincham in the play-off semi-final on Sunday afternoon, and I ask you all to join us and be there.

“Let’s make the difference and give Andy [Woodman] and the boys our full support on the day.”

Brooke

has enjoyed a strong loan season at Millwall

season

Hutch talks held EXCLUSIVE

PocH: ‘we gave uP’

Chelsea conceded four in second half at Arsenal

by Kiro Evans

neil hArris said he has spoken to shaun hutchinson regarding his contract situation as he paid tribute to the “hugely important” defender.

Hutchinson’s deal expires at the end of the season and it is not yet clear what his future may hold.

The 33-year-old, who is club captain and Millwall’s longest-serving player, has only featured twelve times this season largely due to injury issues. He has made 255 appearances for the club since signing from Fulham in 2016.

Tom Bradshaw, Ryan Leonard and George Saville have all recently seen their contracts extended after appearance-based clauses were triggered in their deal.

By John Kelly

admitted his team “gave up” as they were hammered 5-0 by Arsenal at the emirates stadium on tuesday night.

Just three days after pushing Manchester City all the way in their FA Cup semi-final, the Blues fell apart after half-time as Mikel Arteta’s side scored four times.

Leandro Trossard scored in the fourth minute, before Ben White and Kai Havertz each scored twice in the second half.

"I feel disappointed, I feel really bad.

I don't feel great,” Pochettino said.

“The performance was not good. We started the game not in the way we were supposed to start. We conceded

a goal so easily, we made things easy for Arsenal.

"I think after ten or fifteen minutes, after we concede, in this moment we started to play a little bit, we started to create some chances. We were talking at half-time, it is not possible to start the game like this, but we started in a bad way again, conceding two goals in this moment. I think the team gave up and we were not in the game."

"It's difficult to talk because we are talking after nearly one season in the same way. It's impossible to see after Saturday at Wembley, a fantastic performance, competed really well against a very good team like Manchester City, and then today.

"You can lose against Arsenal, they are fighting for the Premier League, but in the way we competed. Why one

day, three days ago, and then today in this way? For the circumstances, we needed to make some changes for different reasons but that is the inconsistency we are showing the whole season.

"Three days ago, fantastic game, great performance and we deserved to go to the final. And then today, we cannot use any words to describe this performance. It was not great, it was not good."

Chelsea were without the ill Cole Palmer.

"Maybe with him, maybe it could be the same situation,” Pochettino said. “But of course, Palmer is doing well for us. He is the only player we have, a playmaker who links all the lines in the team. When you miss a player like this, it is not easy to replace.

"But I think it was a great opportunity to step up for different players. It's true, we didn't compete. I cannot blame the players. We are showing this inconsistency, that is why we are where we are.

"When we have bad days, we are so bad. When we are good, we are capable of everything. That is another thing we need to be aware of, that we need to increase for the future."

Pochettino added: “I think we cannot blame the players. I am not going to blame the players. The circumstances are bigger than the performance of the players.

"We cannot blame young guys that came here and after suffering some circumstances, the team, you need to come here and fight against a team fighting for the Premier League.”

Asked about the club captain, Harris said: “I’m fully aware of Hutch’s contract situation, he’s out of contract in the summer and I’ve spoken to him about it. I’ve had initial conversations with Shaun and he knows my thoughts and I know where he’s at as well. We’ll be speaking every week without fail and it’s a big summer for Shaun and his family and for us at the club.

“He’s a leader by example, a very good organiser and a great link for the football club between the changing room and the other departments. He’s been hugely important for me in the last few weeks but also for the club over seven or eight seasons now.

“He’s been a hugely consistent centre-half in the Championship but also he’s an unbelievable professional and man as well. He’s not featured a lot for me but you can’t underestimate the importance of his impact on a day-today basis at the training ground.

“He’s a player I’ve been privileged to work with for numerous years.”

mAuricio pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino was lost

Shaun Hutchinson has made 255 appearances for Millwall