South London Weekly - May 3rd 2024

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West London veterans have resolved to ‘set the record straight’ after their local Conservative MP claimed he had been ‘continually’ fighting for them to be rehoused amid potential evictions.

Greg Hands, the MP for Chelsea and Fulham, has been accused of going ‘missing in action’ while residents at Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions feared they were to lose their homes.

Others however have refuted the claims made about Mr Hands’ involvement, with one resident describing the MP as being “very involved with the veterans” during their time living in the Mansions.

The charity which owns the site, Stoll, recently announced it would ensure no veteran will be made homeless following the sale of the complex to neighbouring Chelsea FC. This followed months of wrangling between residents and Stoll, with some fearing they were going to end up on the streets due to the deal.

Mr Hands, who has been the MP for the area since 2005, distributed a letter dated April 16 to residents at the Mansions in which he wrote he has ‘continually sought

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Veterans rail against local er claiM s of suPP ort V iction threat

assurances’ from Stoll that they will be rehoused locally. He added he is ‘very pleased that a solution has been found’, before noting towards the end of the letter that ‘my priority is, and always has been, the wellbeing of veterans at Stoll’.

Mr Hands’ letter has, however, evoked a strong response from some of those living in the Mansions. An email sent to the MP, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), expresses ‘profound disappointment and distress regarding some of the claims made therein, which do not accurately reflect the reality of our situation’.

The email continues to note that for over two years, the author, who wishes to remain anonymous, does not recall any instance when Mr Hands met with residents to discuss their efforts. “While you may have ambled around distributing party political flyers within SOSM (Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions), it is essential to note that many residents, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, felt they lacked meaningful engagement from you during a critical time.”

The resident added they have reached out to Mr Hands on numerous occasions, with more than 15 emails sent, receiving ‘no

substantive feedback’.

“Although I don’t want to hear from you again, I hope your future communications will more accurately reflect the realities of your interactions with our community.”

Another veteran living at Stoll, Rod Hood, told the LDRS he was ‘shocked’ to receive the letter from Mr Hands. He said: “As the Vice Chair of the Stoll Residents’ Association, (at the time) Mr Hands visited us on one occasion, then his interaction with us was very limited. For him to send this letter is a disgrace to people who have worked tirelessly for a good outcome for the residents of Stoll at the Fulham site.”

Not all residents however agree with the claims about Mr Hands’ involvement. One veteran said: “Mr Hands has been involved in this property in all the 22 years I’ve lived here. He’s been very involved with the veterans. He actually, nine years ago, got us Grade-II listing to protect the front of the building and he did it as quickly as he could possibly get it through. He’s constantly in touch with some of the residents here, and he’s constantly available.”

Mr Hands told the LDRS: “I have been the MP for the Stoll veterans in Fulham since 2005. Over the years I have not only met with the charity’s Chief Executives, I have

also taken up many, sometimes complex, cases for Stoll residents. I have met with the MoD and Defence Ministers, including with Stoll management and veterans at my side.

“When I was told by Stoll’s Chief Executive that all veterans, who wish to stay local, will now be offered housing in Fulham, I was delighted. This is a very good solution for my constituents after a long period of uncertainty.

“Especially over the last few years, I have engaged regularly with the changing management of the Stoll Foundation on the sale of their land to neighbouring Chelsea FC. The veterans’ wellbeing has always been my priority and I am genuinely pleased to see this outcome.

“This should be an outcome to be celebrated, not turned into political pointscoring.”

Also included in the email sent to the Tory MP was a wish to ‘set the record straight’. The veteran wrote that rather than Mr Hands, it was Cllr Ben Coleman, Deputy Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council and Labour parliamentary candidate for Chelsea and Fulham, who provided ‘the most consistent and effective support’ during the campaign.

Cllr Coleman said: “I’m honoured to have championed the vets during several meetings with Stoll and Chelsea’s senior teams. I asked Chelsea to suspend the deal until Stoll agreed not to make any veterans homeless and to keep the community together at a new site in Fulham where they belong.

“I’m grateful for Chelsea’s support and delighted to have helped achieve this concrete result. I’m now focusing on ensuring the promises to the veterans are delivered.”

The sale of the majority of the site to Chelsea FC was completed earlier this month. Stoll also confirmed it was in the final stages of purchasing 128 affordable homes in the Kings Road Park estate, with the hope residents can start moving between January and June next year.

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By Ben Lynch Local Democracy Reporter

Greg Hands is the Conservative MP for Chelsea and Fulham. Credit UK Parliament

© UK Parliament

We asked Black dog PuBs around the World if taylor sWift song Was aBout theM

By Isabel Ramirez

does tAYLor swift mention a Vauxhall pub in her new song, or could it be a different ‘Black dog’? Here’s what we found out when we searched the globe.

Since the American pop star released her new album, The Tortured Poets Department, one song has been causing quite a fuss across the pond.

In ‘The Black Dog’ she sings about tracking her ex-boyfriend’s location as he walks into ‘some bar called the Black Dog’ which her fans are convinced is about her London-based ex Joe Alwyn.

As a result, The Black Dog in Vauxhall has been ‘overwhelmed’ with customers, with staff claiming they were ‘100 per cent certain’ she was talking about this venue.

But we thought we would fact-check this, by asking every bar named ‘The Black Dog’ around the world if Taylor could be talking about them.

This is what they said.

1. BLack DoG PuB, Pennsylvania, United States

Whilst being Taylor’s state of birth, it turns out this is just a bar in someone’s

The Black Dog, Vauxhall

basement, named after their beloved pet Labrador.

But the owner did say: “If Taylor was in the Harrisburg area she would be welcome to one of our finest drinks.”

2. The BLack DoG, Cork, Ireland

Now here’s where it gets interesting.

When asked if Taylor could have been referring to their pub, they said the lead singer of British band The 1975, Matty Healy, whom Taylor briefly dated in 2023, was in Cork last summer. So he could well have gone to this bar.

Staff member, Conor added: “We know he’s a man who likes a few pints and is a fan of great rock music.”

Although they couldn’t say for certain, it’s not far-fetched to think Taylor would write a song about him.

Two other songs on the album, Fortnight (feat. Post Malone) and The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, could be references to him and how Taylor felt when their romance ended.

3. BLack DoG BaR aND GRiLL, Oregon, United States

4. The BLack DoG PuB, Indiana, United States

Both of these pubs said they could

‘confidently say’ Taylor was not talking about them, so we can cross them off the list.

5. BLack DoG BeeR houSe, Brentford, UK Owner, Pete Brew, said when the song was released he got a message from someone ‘adamant’ that it was about their pub. “The reason they gave was they were ‘in the know’ that Taylor had a connection with nearby Richmond,” he told us.

We couldn’t verify that. But it’s just as well, as this pub said they didn’t want to be caught up in the ‘whirlwind.’

They did say that the media frenzy for the Vauxhall pub has affected them being the first ‘Black Dog Pub’ to appear on Google.

Pete joked that as the other Black Dog was a ‘haven for her exes’ Taylor would be welcome to theirs, adding, “Her secret will be safe with us!”

We also asked Le Black Dog in Paris and The Black Dog Tavern in Massachusetts, but neither responded at the time of going to press.

6. Le BLack DoG, Paris, France

7. The BLack DoG TaveRN, Massachusetts, United States

Taylor Swift

elePhant & castle MeMorial With tfl infrastructure hidden inside ‘needs care and conserVation’ says caMPaign

By Herbie Russell

A LArGe elephant and Castle monument with transport for London (tfL) infrastructure hidden inside ‘needs care and conservation’, according to campaigners.

The Michael Faraday Memorial, a tribute to the famous Victorian scientist, was built in 1961.

Centered on the roundabout, passersby may not know it houses an electric substation that powers the Bakerloo and Northern Lines.

Despite being Grade-II listed, and heralded for its “architectural quality and panache” by experts, campaigners fears it is deteriorating.

TfL has now said it will clean the monument “in the next few weeks” and consider whether it needs more regular care.

The C20 Society, a group protecting modern architecture, wrote on X that the memorial was “looking in need of some care and conservation.”

A C20 spokesperson added: “We’d urge TfL to consult with specialists to ensure the correct approaches are taken to ongoing conservation and maintenance.”

Architect Rodney Gordon, who also masterminded the futuristic Target House near Green Park, designed the memorial in 1959.

The memorial is dedicated to Michael Faraday who grew up in nearby Newington Butts in the early 19th century and became one of the world’s greatest experimental physicists.

His pioneering research into electromagnetism led to him being the first to produce an electric current from a magnetic field.

Faraday also invented the first electric

rotherhithe park going from jumpers to goalposts with £20,000 investment

By Herbie Russell

An UnderUsed rotherhithe park is set for a new football pitch thanks to a £20,000 grant from southwark Council.

Local dad Anver Imam started casual football sessions on Mayflower Park roughly three years ago and it has snowballed into a regular fixture.

The humble kick-about is now hoping to swap out its bags and jumpers for actual goalposts and get a pitch outlined in the grass.

motor and dynamo so it’s fitting that his memorial contains an electrical substation.

The architect originally hoped to build the structure out of glass so people could see the substation encased within.

But he opted against it over vandalism fears, instead choosing stainless steel dished panels.

In 2016, TfL gave the structure a muchneeded paint job after local residents complained about its ‘shabby’ appearance.

Anver said: “Basically, I was taking my kids out on a Sunday to play football and it just grew from there.

“It’s grown to like 22 players. People who walked by and watched us play have become regular faces. You’ll even get older people walking by who will show us their touch!

“I thought I should apply for some funding to get some goals put in and Southwark Council thought it was a great idea.”

Anver, an ex-Aeronautical Engineer who now runs his own company, hopes to get local businesses involved.

Local community project The Paper Garden, based in Canada Water’s former Daily Mail print works, has discussed building wooden goalposts.

Surrey Docks Farm has also been in talks about planting special-coloured grass for the pitch lines instead of using chalk.

“We want to keep it natural to its surroundings,” Anver explained.

Southwark Council would have to approve whichever contractors are selected.

The 52-year-old dad and his son Adam, aged eleven, are looking forward to working with them.

The new pitch would be free for anyone to use but could also potentially provide training facilities for a local team.

If there is money spare, Anver would also like to install an outdoor gym or table tennis table in the park. Despite only starting up three years ago, one big business already backs the causal football sessions.

Hardware supplier Screwfix has got the kids playing in sponsored bibs saying ‘the choice of champions’.

By Herbie Russell

A doCUMentArY following a year in the life of rotherhithe artist and ‘tortured soul’ ed Gray will be screened next month.

Ed’s battles with constant back pain, allergic reactions to paint, and the “joy” of self-expression all feature in ‘One Year with Ed Gray’.

Michael Holland, arts editor at Southwark News, decided to make the documentary after becoming friends with the artist.

“I first became aware of Ed Gray’s art when I covered an exhibition he had at the Sun & Doves in Camberwell,” he said.

“I knew straight away that I could relate to his work. He painted the

streets of London I knew, these were people I was surrounded by and in places that I frequented: pubs, betting offices, night clubs.

“But, for me, it was the small detail, the irrelevant minutiae of life you find in his paintings, such as discarded cigarette packets, crisp bags, water bottles and pigeons everywhere, that made his art become real.”

Michael wrote a review of one Ed’s exhibitions and “thought nothing more of it” but a year later Ed invited him to another exhibition at Camberwell’s GX Gallery.

“It was here that I met Ed for the first time and discovered that not only did I like his art but also him as a person. We soon became firm friends,” Michael said.

‘Tortured Soul’: Documentary tells story of Rotherhithe artist Ed Gray

In 2010, Ed agreed to be filmed for a year. Looking back, he said: “So much has changed but the constants are my studio and my intention to paint my experience of city life.

“I’m not represented by a gallery but somehow it all seems to work. My work has become more recognised thanks to my online profile, and longevity.

“2010, the year that Michael made the film, was a big year for me. It was the first time I began to exhibit in public spaces.”

‘One Year with Ed Gray’ will be screened at The Art of Isolation, upstairs at the Surrey Quays shopping centre, on Thursday, May 16. Doors open from 6pm with the screening set to start at 6.30pm.

The Michael Faraday Memorial, designed by Rodney Gordon

A photo of the memorial when it was undergoing graffi ti removal

Boys have been playing casual football sessions on Mayfl ower Park for the last three years

Ed Gray with the documentary ‘One Year with Ed Gray’

giving them a purpose that has a lasting effect.

Postcode Wars force PeckhaM BoXing cluB to MoVe Back hoMe

By Herbie Russell

YoUnG PeCkHAM boxers need a gym closer to home because postcode wars mean some won’t stray far from the area.

Peckham Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) trains at a small venue in Elephant and Castle but wants to return to its spiritual heartland.

The new venue must accommodate the 45 young people who train weekly and be in Peckham so it can attract more people from the area.

Head Coach Iain Perriss said: “While we appreciate the place at Elephant and Castle, we are the Peckham Amateur Boxing Club and so should have a home in Peckham!”

Now Peckham ABC has joined forces

with Fighting Futures - a charity empowering disadvantaged young people through the power of boxing.

The charity was founded by boxingmad father and son duo Mark and Max Woodward-Smith.

Fighting Futures has invested heavily in Peckham ABC meaning it can now turn its attention to finding a new home.

The kids at Peckham ABC aren’t involved

in gangs but are aware of the landscape of postcode warfare.

“Some kids living in Peckham won’t go into Elephant and Castle because they might be identified,” Iain said.

He added: “We want to help as many kids as we can whether they’re in gangs or have lost their parents or are struggling financially.”

Iain says it’s all about prevention and

He wants ABC to be more than a boxing club. The new venue would not only host boxing classes but also have meal nights, educational programs, and communitybuilding initiatives.

“We’re not running a twelve-week programme. It’s not a revolving door,” Iain said. “Once you come through our door, you’re part of a family where you can learn to box, take part in tournaments, and become a coach. Some of our kids have gone on to university.”

Iain has always been clear that the kids are “good as gold” and believes they just need “a bit of structure” to get ahead in life.

Despite receiving support from Southwark Council, and a recent partnership with Fighting Futures charity, finding a permanent home has been difficult. Young people have trained at Peckham Pulse, a local school, and even been forced to practice in a car park behind Peckham Rye.

ABC said venue costs had proved “exorbitant” and it now needs an affordable 2,000sq ft base after raising £12,000 through fundraising efforts. Iain, who grew up around south London, fought in amateur bouts himself.

One saw him sustain a brain injury from an accidental headbutt which took him two years to fully recover from.

Iain said: “It’s a young person’s sport and it’s important it’s used as a pathway. It’s not all about national champions and not all about winning. It’s about preparing kids for the rest of their lives. I’m trying to build something that goes on for 100 years.”

If you can help email peckhama.b.c@ gmail.com

An ABC boxer competing at an event

What’s on for the early May Bank holiday?

By Isabel Ramirez

FroM F ree film festivals to a eurovision party - here are some things to do over the early May Bank Holiday this weekend (4 May-6 May).

Jazz coNceRT iN SouThWaRk

Head down to this Southwark pub for an afternoon of jazz this Sunday.

Since 2018, the Unity Music Arts Team has offered free concerts in Bermondsey Square. But one of their musicians, Christian Vaughn is ‘critically ill’ in hospital so they are dedicating an event to him.

A well-respected musician in the London area, he studied at The Royal Academy of Music and taught music at the London College of Contemporary Music.

This gig will be a jazz and jam-style session featuring many of Christian’s longstanding musician friends, students and graduates.

It will be a free entry event with donations being taken to support him and his family.

Where? The UJ, Union Street, Southwark SE1 0LR

When? Sunday 5 May, 3pm-6pm

Admission: Free

See commuNiTy TheaTRe aT Peckham FRiNGe

A festival of comedy, writing and

By Isabel Ramirez

music is coming to Peckham for a thrilling third year this summer.

Peckham Fringe will mainly take place at Theatre Peckham from May till June, with extra shows at Camberwell’s Golden Goose pub.

There will be laughs from disabled comedian ‘Variety D’, a production that won a VAULT Festival award and immersive poetry from Two Brown Owls. The Windrush Warriors, to be showcased in late May, will be a dramatic comedy about the Windrush Scandal.

Audiences can also saddle up for a wild cowboy clown romp in BANGTAIL which tells the story of a man in search of his manhood, being performed on May 31 and June 1.

These are just some of the many shows audiences can enjoy with the full line-up available online at theatrepeckham.co.uk

Where? Theatre Peckham and Golden Goose Pub, Camberwell

When? Wednesday 1 May - Saturday 8 June

Admission: Check individual shows

FoLLoW a ScaNDaL iN BoRouGh

See a play about an American professor who gets cancelled.

All hell breaks loose when Charles Nichols, who works at Harvard, invites a contentious white nationalist to his annual conference.

Written by Paul Grellong, Power of

Sail is described as a moral thriller that investigates the thin line between hate and freedom of speech.

Dominic Dromgoole directs Julian Ovenden, Tanya Franks, Giles Terera, Michael Benz, Katie Bernstein, Georgia Landers & Paul Rider.

Where? Menier Chocolate Factory, 53 Southwark St, SE1 1RU

When? Until 12 May

Admission: £47.50-£55

For tickets, go to menierchocolatefactory.com

FRee FiLm FeSTivaLS

- New Cross aNd deptford

There will be a varied bill with old school classics, indie flicks, shorts and local documentaries, including familyfriendly films like ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and ‘Bugsy Malone’, newer releases like ‘Rye Lane’ and ‘Wonka’, hard-hitting foreign films like ‘No’ and ‘Smile Orange’, plus docs like ‘Grace Jones: Bloodlight & Bambi’. Look out for discos, DJ nights and talks after many of the screenings. See the programme online at freefilmfestivals.

org

Where? Venues across New Cross and Deptford

When? Until Saturday 4 May

Admission: Free

- HerNe Hill

Meanwhile, the Herne Hill Free Film

Festival begins with a screening of the documentary Scala!!! on Thursday, and continues throughout May with 10 feature films, two short film nights, and a 48-Hour Film Challenge.

Where: Venues around Herne Hill

When: Thursday 2 - Friday 24 May

Admission: Free

euRoSmaSh FeSTivaL, WooLWich

One day, two stages, a whole host of Europop favourites.

The EuroSmash Festival is a warmup act for this year’s Eurovision - a day of fan favourites and cult classics from across the continent.

Irish duo Jedward, the Norwegian 1997 Eurovision winner and a RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant who impersonates Geri Halliwell, are just a few of the acts performing.

If that doesn’t sound entertaining enough, the programme also features comedy, games, food stalls and merchandise pop-ups.

Where: The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 St, Royal Arsenal, SE18 6HD

When: Saturday 4 May, 1:30pm10:30pm

Admission: £49.50

For tickets go to feverup.com

See The WoRLD’S BeST PReSS PhoToGRaPhS

Top photographers will display their spellbinding photos of war, disasters and climate change at an exhibition in

Borough.

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. See the winning and shortlisted images from over 60,000 submitted, each one telling a story, at Borough Yards.

Where: Borough Yards, Clink St, SE1 9AD

When: Friday 3- Monday 27 May

Admission: £10

Be TRaNSPoRTeD To SouTh koRea’S caPiTaL

Get to know Seoul without leaving London in this immersive exhibition. Delight might only be in Borough, but you’ll feel thousands of miles away at this experience. Immerse yourself in twelve unique zones with over 25 stunning media installations as you see the Korean city come to life.

Where: Borough Yards 219-221, Clink St, SE1 9AD

When: Throughout May

Admission: £9-£14.90 (check times and dates)

Greenwich summer artisan market

Delight, Borough Yards

Christian Vaughn, The Jazz Collective

caMBerWell church Built to celeBrate naPoleon’s defeat turns 200

By Herbie Russell

A CAMBerWeLL church built to celebrate napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo has celebrated its 200th birthday.

The original St George’s Church, on Wells Way through Burgess Park, has enjoyed a colourful history featuring fires and breakins.

The daughter church of a St Giles, St George’s was established in 1824 to support the area’s growing population.

Construction began in 1822, seven years after the battle of Waterloo, and took two years to complete costing £16,700.

Parliament had voted to build dozens

of churches across London to celebrate the historic victory including St James, Bermondsey and Holy Trinity in Rotherhithe.

The architect, Francis Bedford, used ‘Greek Revival’ designs like at St John’s Waterloo, Holy Trinity Church in Borough, and St Luke’s in West Norwood.

It had a Doric portico and a tower, with a flat, panelled ceiling and an apse was added in 1893

Local population expansion meant the graveyard filled up by 1856 and was turned into a small garden in 1887.

In 1977, vandals reportedly broke into the crypt, desecrated coffins and graffitied walls

St George’s Church is now part of the Trinity College Centre on Newent Close

The church was closed as a centre of Anglican worship in 1970 due to structural problems.

The parish continued and services were held in the assembly hall of St. George’s Primary School.

By 1982, it was part of the Trinity College Centre and based in a building on Newent Close where it remains.

After a successful eighteen-month, £2m conversion, the original St George’s Church re-opened in 1994 as a housing co-operative.

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Deptford man accused of smuggling migrants arrested

By Herbie Russell

A dePtFord man accused of helping to smuggle migrants into the Uk has been arrested.

The 64-year-old is one of four Vietnamese nationals taken into custody as National Crime Agency (NCA) officers swooped on Monday, April 22, The man, who was arrested in Abinger Grove, is believed to have been the driver who collected migrants arriving on small boats on at least one occasion.

NCA officers also arrested a 23-yearold woman and 25-year-old man in Croydon and a 34-year-old in Leicester.

Investigators allege the group were involved in advertising illegal migration into the UK in social media posts aimed at the Vietnamese community.

The NCA believes migrants were charged thousands of pounds to make “the extremely dangerous” channel crossing.

The 25-year-old from Croydon was arrested on a warrant issued by the French authorities, on suspicion of people smuggling and drug offences, and faces extradition.

In France, twelve people suspected of links to the same people smuggling network have been arrested in the Paris area.

NCA Director of Threat Leadership Chris Farrimond said: “People smuggling via small boats is extremely dangerous and the safety of those making the journey is of no concern for criminal

groups who are exploiting them for profit.

“As well the high-risk method of transport, entering under these clandestine means automatically puts these people under increased risk of being forced into exploitation and debt bondage by these groups. Migrants are often sold a dream of a better life and access to well-paid employment in the UK but this is not the reality.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “We are using every possible lever at our disposal to crack down on people smugglers and break their supply chains. Just last week, we signed a new agreement with Vietnam, strengthening our cooperation on illegal migration.

“Together with law enforcement agencies such as the NCA, our French partners, and other countries like Vietnam, we are committed to dismantling the criminal gangs who are trying to turn a profit by abusing our borders.

Applied insights, strategy and apply for a Sponsor Licence

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This is why ICS Legal have embarked on a wider study, understanding the impact of these changes and what is needed to ensure we create a balance.

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application, you can apply for a Sponsor Licence https://icslegal.co/request-quote

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Becoming a British nationality and apply for naturalisation

Once you are able to secure indefinite leave

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Speaking to ICS Legal Immigration Lawyers

Speak to us on 020 7237 3388 and find more information on www.icslegal.com

Stay connected with us with all the latest legal changes on immigration, nationality and human rights policies.

The original St George’s Church, Camberwell.

The man was arrested on Abinger Grove, Deptford

‘eV eryone kne W Me in the area - noW i’M

hoMeless’ says Peckha M B usiness oW ner

By Isabel Ramirez

A PeCkHAM business owner, who has lived and worked in the area for seventeen years, is now homeless after claiming he has been pushed out by ‘gentrification.’

Up until a few months ago, Richard Bliss, or ‘Rich’ as he is widely known in the area, ran K-Ink, a tattoo parlour in Copeland Park.

In 2019, he was even featured as a success story in the local magazine, Community Bridges, for how far he had come amidst a difficult start in life.

At just fifteen years old, Rich found himself homeless after his dad died of an overdose. He said he came to Peckham in search of a better life - and found it.

But now Rich feels he has been pushed out of where he called home - and is homeless again.

In January, he was forced to shut his business in Copeland Park and leave his shared house of twelve years on Bellenden Road after the cost of living got ‘too much.’

The 37-year-old told us: “My landlord kept putting up the rent and it got to a point where none of us could afford to live there.”

This coincided with the loss of his oncesuccessful business in Copeland Park.

“It was going really well at the start,” he explained. “We managed to create a community around the studio and there was a lot of stuff happening. It was a vibe.”

However, he said when the ‘demographic’ changed, so did the footfall.

“The same culture isn’t there,” he commented.

“It was more working professionals, not people looking for tattoos so much anymore.”

Rich said having to give up his business eventually led him to a breakdown: “I ended up being put in a psychiatric home.

“It has affected me in every essence of being. From my mental health to my physical health.”

Before owning K-Ink, he spent ten years managing the Bussey Building nightclub (which closed after a fire in 2020.)

He described himself as someone who ‘helped form’ the community in Peckham and was a character ‘everyone knew.’

“This is happening all around London,”

he said, “The areas which used to be affordable, where people used to be able to access culture, a sense of community, have been suffocated by the corporate sense of money.”

In 2019 it was revealed that house prices in Peckham over the 25 years prior rose faster than ‘any other UK district.’

Once known for poverty, crime and high unemployment, it looks very different today.

On a visit to his old stomping ground, Rich bumped into friend and restaurateur, Bash Redford - owner of Forza Wine and

Forza Win - who was shocked to learn about his situation.

Visibly taken aback, he pointed to the car park and asked Rich: “What? You’re not here now?”

Talking to the News, Bash said: “The issue with gentrification is that the people from the area are not included in the meteoric rise - as we’ve seen in Peckham.”

“It can feel inaccessible to the people that have grown up here.”

After being saved in 2008, by a campaign spearheaded by Peckham Vision, Copeland Park currently houses nearly

creative businesses, emerging artists and the broader community.”

“Copeland Park is a hub of activity, with nearly 100 businesses on-site employing over 700 people.”

They added that 30 per cent of their tenants were on discounted rents. However, they could not say how tenants were chosen for discounted rates.

Commenting on his situation, Copeland Park said whilst they were ‘very sad’ to see Rich go, they believed they had ‘provided various types of support’ to him over the years.

Rich is currently living in temporary accommodation in New Cross.

“It’s horrible,” he shared. “I can’t sleep because there’s constant noise and fights outside. And there are rats.”

His brand, K-Ink is still going, despite not having a premises.

100 businesses - including art studios, galleries and restaurants.

For the last 25 years, the Wilson family have run it.

Lorelie Wilson said ‘they too’ had observed much change over those years.

She explained: “As custodians of iconic heritage buildings such as the Bussey Building, we are committed to ensuring the site is not simply turned into more high-rise apartment buildings. Rather, we’re endeavouring to cultivate a sustainable creative community asset, with place and space available for use by

Having picked himself ‘out of the gutter,’ Rich has set his sights on building a platform for artists - something he had started before having to close K-Ink.

Rich said: “I want to give opportunities to artists from poorer backgrounds and help to champion them across the creative arts.”

He is in the process of setting up a crowd funder to make this dream a reality.

For now, you can follow his movements via Instagram @kinkpeckham

Southwark Council was approached for comment.

Animal rights protestors ‘disgust’

passersby by pretending to cook

‘human baby dolls’ last weekend

By Isabel Ramirez

passersby iN Bankside were disgusted to see a group of protestors pretending to ‘cook human baby dolls’ last weekend.

Activists representing the group

Radically Kind conducted the provocative street performance outside the Tate Modern on Saturday (27 April.)

They were seen ‘cooking’ bloodsoaked human baby dolls, before cutting them up and displaying them on food dishes amongst vegetables.

Their aim is to promote a plantbased diet i.e. one that does not involve consuming any animal products.

Claudia, organiser and founder of Radically Kind said the demonstration was designed to be shocking and provoke conversation.

“Drawing a comparison with human babies helps us realise that what we do to animals and their babies is wrong,” she added.

Another protestor Ross claimed:

“Every year, tens of billions of young animals are slaughtered for food,

typically mere weeks or months after birth.

“The demonstration, witnessed by thousands of pedestrians, elicited strong emotional responses, including shock, concern, curiosity and disgust.

“By confronting these harsh realities, we hope to inspire a broader conversation about compassion, ethical consistency and the moral considerations we owe to all sentient beings, regardless of species.”

Tate Modern was approached for comment

Taken outside his tattoo shop in 2019

Rich Bliss, 37

BerMondsey church’s first feM ale V icar delighted to Be Back in toW n

By Michael Holland

Katie w ilK iNs was a Leap Year baby born in the nun-run st theresa’s Hospital, Wimbledon.

‘i’m just about to turn 13, she says chuckling heartily, which became the soundtrack to the interview.

Her father was a mechanic in the motor trade who worked hard into an executive position. Mum was a secretary before children came along but found time in the child-rearing to train as a cordon bleu chef. ‘We ate really well,’ laughs Katie, recalling coming home from school to duck a l’orange.

Katie’s growing up years were in ‘leafy’ Surrey.‘I went to Linton Preparatory School where we wore boaters - Really eccentric!’ Katie explained a set-up of sisters and brothers-in-laws, living in a big house, who divided up the tasks: ‘One sister was secretary and dinner lady, the other was the headteacher… I was so bossy they made me Head GirlTwice! I ran their playground with such an iron rod no one else had to provide discipline, so they made me Head Girl again.’

Did the bossiness continue into adult life? ‘No, but I am a leader.’

Katie enjoyed ‘English, History, Drama, French… I love anything to do with reading.’ She studied Government and Politics at A Level and ‘loved learning how politics work’.

She smiles and shows off scars from roller-skating and rejoices in days spent playing with friends in the woods at the back of their Tadworth home where trees were climbed and bonfires lit.

Oxford University was the next step to study French and Italian. She spent a summer with a family in Italy before the term began, and a year in Rome as part of the studies. ‘That was phenomenal,’ she remembers. ‘I had a whale of a time!’

Katie says she can pretty much hold a conversation in Italian but not French: ‘Here is my pencil case’ is the extent of it these days.

On the French course with Katie was Julian Kelly, her future husband, but with

an embarrassed laugh explains that they never really knew each other ‘because neither of us were good at going to lectures…’ Plus, they moved in different circles. Julian was in the Christian Union and Katie came from a non-Christian upbringing - ‘I was quite hostile to religion,’ she admits.

During Italian studies in Rome, the ‘whale of a time’ led to a low point. She found herself praying and on her return to Oxford asked a Christian friend to take her to church. An inspirational sermon was the catalyst for Katie’s change. ‘But I thought my journey to finding Jesus would be to go out with the Christian Union rep!’

And it was. She attended church with the rep and his family and decided that this was the time to make huge changes.

Aged 21, Katie read the Bible, became a Christian, joined their union and, once the union rep was history, got to know Julian on better terms. ‘Julian first knew me as “The woman who led the Christian Union rep astray.”’ Cue another joyous laugh.

This was no easy decision after living a life without religion. She had to tell her ‘cool’ friends and her family: ‘It did not go down well,’ she recalls. Katie stresses how supportive her parents have been since the shock: ‘They could not bring themselves to come to my baptism into the church… Although they have since come to all our kids’ baptisms!’

Katie’s parents are more comfortable now. ‘I understood their fears. It was a difficult decision to make, but not for one single second have I regretted making it.’

After graduating, Katie joined the NHS Management Scheme in Barnsley then finished it off in London.

By now, Katie and Julian were married, had moved to Bermondsey and had a daughter, Hannah. ‘I took a career break in 1996 and went back in 2012’. In that time three more daughters were born.

The Kellys joined a local church where they were very active. Over time Katie set up a parent-toddler group on Bonamy Estate, became the Sure Start Chair in Peckham and spent many hours doing community work in Bermondsey through the church: helping domestic

abuse victims and working with women in prison until realising she wanted to do church work full time now the children had grown.

Alas, there was a glass ceiling at that church for women, so to be a leader Katie had to leave and find another church where she could achieve her ‘calling’ - the Church of England. Julian supported his wife’s ambitions and the couple left amicably.

Training for the priesthood meant returning to university. On graduating she was assigned to St Edward’s Church in Mottingham as a Pioneer Curateone that would plan and test new ways of delivering the ‘message’. It is in the middle of a large housing estate on the edge of Elmstead Woods, so it did not take long for Katie and her small team to devise ‘Together Outside’.

They would arrange picnics and services amongst the trees in fine weather; she had grown up by woods and could relive those halcyon days. She soon led church services, weddings, christenings and funerals; organised litter-picking mornings. Katie became part of the community.

She gave an example of a typical day: Morning prayer, sitting with a dying person, meeting a recently bereaved

family, emails about hall hire, heating being left on overnight, organising services and writing sermons. ‘You have to be very good at pivoting from the pastoral to the practical and back again but bringing up a large family was good preparation.’

Now, after three years away, Katie Kelly is returning to her beloved Bermondsey as the new Vicar of St James and St Anne’s Church - the first female to take charge there.

‘The post was advertised, and I applied and wrote a very long application and was invited to interview,’ she says. From a strong field of applicants, she got the job.

St James’s is a big church, off Jamaica Road on Thurland Road, plus Katie will also take charge of the smaller St Anne’s Church, off Southwark Park Road on Thorburn Square. ‘There are two communities with their own characters and their own ideas of what they want from their vicar… It is daunting because I will have the responsibility of the care of souls in a parish of thousands. Anyone taking on a job that big would have concerns.’

And the first female vicar: ‘It’s challenging being in places where some people might think you shouldn’t be

doing that job, plus thinking that you are being disobedient to what the Bible says.’ She pauses. ‘If that does apply to anyone in this place I hope we can work through it together as I have wrestled with it and believe I have come to a place where I am confident that, actually, there’s another way of reading it.’ Her hopes are that those in the congregation who feel that way will hang on long enough to give her a try.

Katie has already thought of new ideas but will be saving them until she has got to know the people and had a good look at her new parish: ‘It will be an exercise in listening and watching and praying… The question I will be asking is “What are the needs of this community now?”’

Katie has met the Bermondsey team and says, ‘They’re great, they’ve been there a long time and know the community - They’re faithful folk and have been really welcoming.’

This heartens Katie. ‘They sensed my enthusiasm for Bermondsey.’

I sensed it too. The Reverend Katie Kelly’s special places in Bermondsey are Southwark Park, the river and the Salter Statues, but most of all the Bermondsey people. ‘I want to serve the community for a long as I can,’ she says reverently. Amen to that.

Katie Kelly (left) graduating

Joshua Jacques' girlfriend Samantha Drummond Katie Kelly ‘all rev’d up’

Katie and Julian getting married

Cost of Living

Many residents are struggling with increases in the cost of living. You may be eligible for support that you are not claiming. Below are things you can do to help reduce your costs and increase your income. You can find more on our website: www.lambeth.gov.uk/costofliving

Cost of living support available now

Check to make sure you’re not missing out on benefits

Up to 7 million people in the UK are eligible for benefits but not claiming them. Use a benefits calculator to see whether you are one of them: https://www.gov.uk/benefitscalculators

Get help with food costs

There are many places in Lambeth where you can access food in a crisis or a sit-down meal at a community centre. The Lambeth Larder website has a directory of the support available: https://www.lambethlarder.org/

Lambeth Council and local charities are here to help during the cost of living crisis.

Get

There are also local benefits that can help you with paying council tax and housing costs. You can find out whether you are eligible on our website: www.lambeth.gov.uk/ extra-support

For further information visit our website lambeth.gov.uk/ costofliving

Improve the energy efficiency of your home and apply for discounts

You can register for an appointment with Groundwork, who work in partnership with the council. They can provide advice on decreasing your energy bills and improving the energy efficiency of your home: https://london.greendoctors.org. uk/

Seek debt advice

Lambeth Council has agreed a £10 million package of vital support for those hit hardest by the cost of living crisis.

We can help you with:

If you’re currently in debt, we’d recommend you speak with one of the boroughs advice agencies: www.lambeth.gov.uk/getbenefits-advice

• Council tax support and rebates

• Access to benefits and grants

help with health costs

The NHS provides support for those on a low income who require health treatments that are usually paid for, including prescriptions, dental and eye treatments as well as transport to appointments. More details: bit.ly/low-income-scheme

You can also contact StepChange on 0800 138 1111.

• Making your home energy efficient, reducing your bills

• Access to Foodbanks and low-cost food

• Emergency Support Scheme - support for residents in an emergency, crisis or disaster

• Job and business start-up support

• Holiday activities

The Pharmacy First scheme also supports residents in receipt of means tested benefits with free, over the counter treatments for minor ailments in 33 pharmacies in the borough. More details can be found: bit.ly/pharmacy-first

Emergency Support

Financial pressures can cause many residents anxiety, stress or depression. If you are concerned about your mental health, please speak to your local GP or health service. You can also contact Mind’s Information Line for details on support available near you by calling 0300 123 3393

The Emergency Support Scheme helps Lambeth residents that are facing hardship, a crisis, emergency, or disaster. This includes struggling to pay bills or afford food.

Visit www.lambeth.gov.uk/ESS for more information

Move to a social tariff

Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming some benefits. Find information about the tariffs available to you on the Ofgem website: bit.ly/cheaper-packages

The council also has a range of support available to residents struggling with the cost of living. You can find out about support you might be entitled to and other information on our website: www.lambeth.gov.uk/costofliving

Merton residents Plead for historic Burn Bullock PuB to Be saVed after fire

By Harrison Galliven Local Democracy Reporter

MitCHaM resideNts have called for Merton Council to purchase the Burn Bullock from owners following last weekend’s devastating fire.

Local activists have also warned the nearby cricket club is at risk of a similar fate unless action is taken.

The fire ripped through the grade 2 listed pub last Friday evening (April 19).

Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters fought back the blaze, but not before it caused extensive damage to the building, some of which dates back to the 16th century.

The Burn Bullock, named after the famous cricketer associated with the nearby Mitcham Cricket Club (MCC), became a local landmark thanks to its proximity to the historic cricket green opposite. However, the pub has sat unused for the last decade and has attracted squatters, graffiti, and flytipping in the intervening years.

In a statement published on X, the MCC said: “We are horrified by the tragic destruction of the Burn Bullock pub in last night’s fire, although extremely relieved that no one was hurt. Fortunately, our historic cricket pavilion has not been damaged. It does, however, seem like the upstairs function room in the Burn Bullock where the Cricket Scorers and Umpires’ Association was formed has now been lost.”

On the day of the incident, the club posted pictures of the blaze accompanied by the caption: “A black day for Mitcham… Disgracefully neglected for years.”

The pub was purchased by Phoenix Investments Group Limited in 2009 for the reported sum of £450,000. The company, listed in Mitcham, own a number of other historical assets in the area including the nearby Windmill pub. Mitcham residents have suggested that the owners have neglected the pub in recent years, and have accused them of not working hard enough to secure its safety as a listed building. This concern has led to some calling for Merton Council to take control of the pub via compulsory purchase.

The local democracy reporting service (LDRS) contacted Kam Baig, of Phoenix Investments Group Limited regarding the incident. He responded by saying: “I’m shocked but there is an investigation going on so I cannot comment anymore.”

The call for action from the Council has been led by the Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage Group (MCGCH), who aim to protect the historic character of the area. Its chair, Tony Burton, spoke to the following the fire.

Burton said: “After years of neglect the tragedy of the Burn Bullock fire needs to mark a turning point for this historic site. The future of the much loved coaching inn and the tradition of cricket on Cricket Green are both at stake.

“We can no longer leave the future of the Burn Bullock and Mitcham cricket pavilion to the site owners and Merton Council should step in and take the lead. The Council has extensive powers to require the listed coaching inn to be restored and compulsorily purchase the whole site when this does not happen.

“It is imperative that future plans include securing the future of Mitcham cricket pavilion in community hands. Cricket has been played in Mitcham longer than anywhere else in the world and we need to guarantee its future.”

In addition to calling for compulsory purchase, the MCGCH has also called

for Merton Council to issue the owners with a “repairs notice” to ‘put right the “damage” caused by the fire. The MCGCH also fears for the future of the neighbouring cricket pavilion, which sits under the same ownership as the pub

The MCGCH told the LDRS how the cricket club has no security over the continuing use of the pavilion, which could threaten the future of cricket on a site that has seen it being played there continuously since 1685. It also called for it to be “put into community hands” to ensure its future.

In a statement published yesterday (April 23), Merton stated they were “determined to explore all options available to us to help preserve the building once the investigation by the emergency services has been concluded.”

Hannah Doody, Chief Executive of Merton Council, said: “Merton Council

recognises the huge community impact caused by the devastating fire at the historic and much-loved, Grade II listed Burn Bullock pub in London Road, Mitcham.

“The Council wants to thank the 80 firefighters who fought for three hours to bring the fire under control. We are relieved that nobody was injured.

“The cause of the fire is being investigated by the fire brigade, and we are all anxious to find out what happened. Council officers worked with the emergency services throughout the evening to help make the area safe.

“Our immediate priority was supporting the occupants of the building with emergency accommodation, food and clothing. The Council is now helping these residents to access longer-term support.

“Our other priority is site safety. This

is the responsibility of the landowners, and we have issued a notice requiring them to make the building and site permanently safe. However, we have undertaken urgent initial safety work in the meantime.

“We will be meeting Historic England this week to begin assessing the extent of the damage and seeking their advice on how to prevent the building from deteriorating further. We recognise how much this building means to the borough and the community.

“The Council has acted many times with partner agencies to try to ensure the safety of the building and those living in it, including as recently as last year. But the council has very limited powers to further intervene because the building and land is privately owned."

Pat Sollis, the long-serving landlady of the Windmill due to retire in October, told the LDRS of the Burn Bullock’s importance to Mitcham residents. She said: “The whole of Mitcham, Wimbledon and Tooting were shocked by it, somebody even messaged me from Australia saying I’m sitting here watching it on the news and it’s absolutely appalling.”

She added: “I have to drive past it to come to the Windmill to come to work, but I told my other half I have to change direction now and go a different route because I’ll go to work annoyed, angry, and upset when I look at the state of it.”

The Burn Bullock has sat unoccupied for the past decade, and has since attracted squatters and flytipping

The Burn Bullock caught fire around 6pm on Friday 19 April. Photo from Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage

The pub and car park are being used as housing and for businesses without permission

There has been a pub on the site of the Windmill since 1847 Photo from Harrison Galliven LDRS

Passengers Brand cutty sark dlr a total 'Mess’

By Joe Coughlan

Local Democracy Reporter

GreeNwiCH CoMMuters have branded their local dLr station a ‘mess’, claiming the space has been left in a ‘shameful’ state in recent years. Cutty sark dLr station sits in Greenwich town centre and connects the area directly to stations such as Canary Wharf, Bank and stratford.

Marcus Roberts, 23, uses Cutty Sark DLR station four times a week to get to university and has rarely seen escalators available for passengers to get to the platforms from the station entrance, while the ascending escalators have been fully operational. He said that while he is happy to use the stairs, he often sees people queuing to use the small lift for the station.

Mr Roberts told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “You see everything here; bikes, scooters, wheelchairs. There’s an elevator but you see lines of people queuing for a long time.”

Simon Fagerstorm, 29, said he uses Cutty Sark station three times a week to get to work in Canary Wharf. He said that he has at times considered going to Greenwich station instead given how unreliable the descending escalators in Cutty Sark are.

Mr Fagerstorm told the LDRS: “It’s definitely a concern of mine. I have somewhat of a disability, so it’s problematic. I moved to the UK four and a half years ago and throughout that time, the escalators have barely worked at all. It’s been a problem for sure.”

He added: “Seeing how the elevator

is also the size of one person basically, it’s problematic. Especially if there’s trolleys or if there’s other people that need to use the elevator. You might have to stand down there for quite some time… It’s a mess.”

Labour Councillor Calum O’Byrne Mulligan said at a Greenwich Council meeting on March 27 that Cutty Sark DLR station had been left in a ‘shameful’ state by CGL Rail, who previously operated the service until 2021. The station is now run by KeolisAmey Docklands on behalf of Transport for London (TfL), with the transport authority claiming work was undertaken at this time to determine the extent of repairs required for the station’s escalators.

A TfL spokesperson told the LDRS that refurbishment of three of the four escalators in the station had now been completed. They added that plans for the refurbishment of the final escalator are being drawn up at present but there is no current timeline for these works.

Council documents from a meeting on February 29 added that TfL previously intended on completing the final stage of its refurbishment programme for Cutty Sark station by the end of 2024. The transport authority added that its contractor had procured parts for the repair of the final escalator in the station and engineers were being sourced for the work.

John Delaney, 73, uses the DLR every day. He said he has nerve damage in his leg from a blood clot he had years ago and he now relies on a crutch to walk, but has trouble getting to the platforms in Cutty Sark due to the escalators

Mr Delaney told the LDRS: “It’s been

Knife and gun crime up by 20 per cent

By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter

KNife aNd gun crime in London both rose last year by about 20 per cent, official statistics revealed on thursday.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 14,626 knife offences were recorded by police in the capital in the 12 months to December 2023. That was 22 per cent higher than the 2022 total of 12,034 offences, and meant that an average of 40 blade offences were committed each day in London last year.

A 20 per cent rise was seen in gun crimes with 1,208 such offences during 2023, up by nearly 200 on the 1,010 recorded by police a year earlier.

Commenting on the figures, before Thursday election Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall said: “Knife crime is out of control in Sadiq Khan’s London and he is just not listening.

“I am listening to Londoners, which is why I will recruit 1,500 more police,

going on for two years. Either one is broken or two are broken… You can get along but most of the time you have to wait to get the lift for some 10 or 15 minutes. You see people down there with kids and wheelchairs.”

He added: “There’s not much you can do. It’s nothing to do with the guys in the station, it’s not their fault. It’s the company looking after the escalators.”

A TfL spokesperson said that custom parts needed to repair the escalators were required from worldwide manufacturing plants, with these deliveries being delayed due to the

Covid-19 pandemic. They added that a lift refurbishment programme was being undertaken in the station but limited space meant a larger lift could not be added.

Tom Page, TfL’s general manager for the DLR, told the LDRS: “We are sorry for the continuing issues with the escalators at Cutty Sark station as we know this isn’t delivering a good enough service. We understand this must be especially frustrating for customers given these escalators have only recently undergone an extensive refurbishment programme but reliability continues to be an issue.”

Transport for London said one of the station's descending escalators would be brought back into use at the start of April.

He added: “We are working with the operator, KeolisAmey Docklands, and the contractors Kone to get all escalators back in service as quickly as possible and ensure reliability is maintained.”

bring back borough-based policing and give every frontline officer knife detection wands so we can get more knives off our streets.”

Some 9,694 knife crimes were recorded in the capital in the year to the end of March 2016, just before Mr Khan took office. The latest figure of 14,626 in 2023 is a 51 per cent rise since the start of his mayoralty.

Asked on Thursday if he takes any responsibility for the most recent rise in these crimes, Mr Khan said: “It’s really important that we do what we can to address the complex causes of crime, as well as crime itself.

“That’s why for some time we’ve been investing in the police but also investing in young people as well. I spend too much time, both as an MP and now as mayor, speaking to bereaved families and victims of crime.

“The causes of crime are complex, but actually straightforward –deprivation, poverty, alienation, lack of opportunity. You’ve got to deal with those. That’s why we’re investing in

youth clubs.

“At the same time, you’ve got to be tough on crime, you’ve got to invest in the police.

He said that if he is re-elected, and if Labour form the next Government, he looks forward to making “more progress”.

He added: “We’ve increased by more

“We’ve made some progress. So according to the ONS, you’re less likely to be a victim of violence in London than the rest of the country. According to the ONS, you’re less likely to be injured in London, than the rest of the country.”

than double the amount of investment in the police – £1.148billion. We now contribute 27 per cent towards the police, it used to be 19 per cent when I became mayor.

“We can’t carry on doing this, with one hand tied behind my back. We need Government support.”

Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall

London mayor Sadiq Khan

Simon Fagerstorm, 29, said he uses Cutty Sark station three times a week to get to work in Canary Wharf.

hazardous skin-lightening Products flogged froM caMBerWell hoMe and sold on eBay

By Herbie Russell

A CAMBerWeLL eBay seller who flogged hazardous skin-lightening products has received a suspended prison sentence.

Mr Musiliu Olatunji Badejo sold cosmetics worth £340,000 to UK customers even though they contained illegal levels of banned chemicals.

The products, like ‘Pure White Dark Spot Corrector Serum’, contained high levels of hydroquinone - which increase the risk of skin cancer, kidney and liver damage.

The 56-year-old received a six-week prison sentence suspended for fifteen months, following a Southwark Council Trading Standards investigation.

The family man was also ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £4,750.

The judge said the offences were serious but took Badejo’s early guilty plea and previous good character into account.

Badejo imported the products from Ghana, Nigeria and Thailand and sold them via several eBay accounts.

Southwark Trading Standards made seven test purchases. Analysis showed five items contained either hydroquinone or corticosteroids, which are prohibited in cosmetic products.

‘Pure White Dark Spot Corrector Serum’ contained both but did not list them as ingredients.

The serum contained 10 percent hydroquinone - five times the limit that was allowed in cosmetics before a complete European ban in 2001 and an American ban in 2020.

When Trading Standards searched his home in October 2022, they seized 1,700 cosmetic products.

eBay suspended two accounts and would later suspend two more.

Anyone importing cosmetics into the UK to sell must carry out a safety assessment and keep detailed records of the products.

During an interview under caution, Badejo admitted he had not carried out any of the checks as he was not aware of the requirements.

Councillor Natasha Ennin, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Southwark Council, said: “The sale of illegal and dangerous skin lighteners is abhorrent. Southwark Council is committed to keep people safe and our trading standards team is one of the most proactive in the country in tackling this toxic trade.

“We will not hesitate to take action against irresponsible traders who put profit over the health of their customers.

“People cannot hide away selling illegal goods from home online. I hope this court outcome serves as a deterrent to others who think they can import cosmetics without any regard to the vital safety laws

that protect people from harm.”

To report the sale of illegal cosmetics use the London Trading Standards report consumer crime tool www. londontradingstandards.org.uk/reportconsumer-crime/

‘Pure White Cosmetics Gold’ was among the products being flogged

1,700 cosmetic products were seized from Badejo’s home

eXcLuSive

By Herbie Russell

a 300-year-old rotherhithe pub has wrongly had its ground floor converted into flats, southwark Council has said.

Locals, who want The China Hall to reopen as a pub, say losing the “lovely” establishment would be a huge blow to the community.

Southwark Council has ordered the freeholder Hamna Wakaf to restore the pub’s original interior - including the bar, toilets and kitchen.

But having already divided the pub area into two flats, the developer is challenging the council’s ruling, with an inquiry set for Tuesday, May 14.

The slow demise of The China Hall, run by much-loved publicans Linda and the late Micky Norris, began in 2016, after Punch Taverns sold the site to Hamna Wakaf.

The landlords received a letter saying their lease would not be renewed unless they signed a ten-year-lease worth £75,000 annually - almost double what they were already paying.

The landlords of 35 years launched a long-running legal battle, racking up £22,000 in bills, before eventually facing eviction on Christmas Eve 2018.

They narrowly avoided being turfed out on December 24 and secured alternative accommodation in January.

Landlord Micky Norris had his leg amputated in 2019 and his health further deteriorated after the eviction.

Tributes poured in for the “very brave and respected” guv’nor after his passing on June 22, 2023, aged 74.

Since the family’s eviction, The China Hall has been closed to punters.

300-year-old rotherhithe PuB is gutted for flats - But council says conVersion is ‘unauthorised’

Hamna Wakaf has consistently claimed it’s tried to lease the pub to new landlords but Southwark Council has questioned whether it’s been properly marketed.

In May 2021, the off-shore developer got planning permission to extend the pub floorspace downstairs and build new flats in a first-floor side extension.

But when a case officer visited the site in April, they found the pub had started an “unauthorised” stripping of

the pub’s interior, according to planning documents.

The once bustling bar area was being subdivided into two flats, the case officer claimed.

One month after works began, Hamna Wakaf submitted a planning application to convert the downstairs pub into two flats.

But Southwark Council rejected the application. The local authority said the

Rare unseen photos of Tower Bridge’s opening to go on show

By Isabel Ramirez

tHe Great-GraNdsoN of someone who built tower Bridge has found a collection of neverbefore-seen photos from the week it opened 130 years ago.

On 22 June, Tower Bridge will unveil the fascinating photographs in a free exhibition - Launching A Landmark: The Unseen Opening Weeks.

The previously unseen and undocumented photos were found by Patrick Molineux, the great-grandson of one of the Victorian engineers who built Tower Bridge, Edward Cruttwell. Cruttwell led its construction until completion in 1894, and for the next twelve years, he worked directly for the

Bridge House Estates as the Resident Engineer overseeing the working Bridge.

Patrick Molineux, who discovered the photographs, said: “My mother had stored the photos for decades in an archive box, and we were pleasantly shocked to discover that they’d never been seen publicly.

“It’s always been a source of pride for our family to have such a connection to an icon like Tower Bridge so we couldn’t quite believe that we’d discovered such a piece of history.

The images focus on the workers in the final weeks of its creation, and the ordinary Londoners and members of the public who came to use the new Bridge for the first time.

Along with the exhibition on and around Tower Bridge, the photographs will be brought to life through augmented reality and additional stories in digital content online.

Chris Earlie, Tower Bridge Director, added that the exhibition is ‘nothing like’ anything they have staged at the Bridge before’, commenting: “We’re proud to be celebrating the workers who helped build Tower Bridge and the Londoners who were the first to cross it with local communities at a free, openair exhibition this summer.”

Launching A Landmark: The Unseen Opening Weeks will open on Saturday 22 June and will run until September.

For more information, please visit towerbridge.org.uk.

conversion would mean the loss of the drinking establishment and wouldn’t provide enough social rent flats.

It has now ordered the developer to demolish the rear extensions and restore the pub.

Hamna Wakaf is challenging the enforcement notice, saying the pub is not a viable business venture for prospective landlords.

The developer claims it has already

Peckham

been marketed by two separate agents over five years without interest.

In planning documents, it also said “the pub has no heritage, cultural, economic or social value”.

An inquiry will be heard at Southwark Council’s offices, 160 Tooley Street, SE1, at 10am on Tuesday, May 14.

Hamna Wakaf has been approached for comment via its agent Coldrife Planning Services Ltd.

man who ‘showed no remorse’ after battering mother to death jailed for 21 years

By Herbie Russell

A PeCkHAM man who battered his mother to death and tried to cover his tracks has been jailed for 21 years.

Steffon Hewitt battered dementiasuffering Vanita Nowell, 68, in a “vicious attack” before claiming the injuries weren’t his fault.

The 51-year-old was sentenced on April 16 after being convicted of murder in February.

Vanita moved from Barbados to the UK in 2019 to live with her son.

In March 2020, Hewitt inflicted “significant and extensive” injuries on his mother in what would have been a “painful death”, police said.

Vanita suffered 28 rib fractures, six spinal fractures, bruising to her face, head and body and a traumatic brain injury.

Hewitt called emergency services claiming he’d found her unresponsive on the bathroom floor but she was

dead when paramedics arrived.

He said he’d attempted CPR on his mother and that he ‘may have broken a few ribs’.

Medical enquiries showed that the extent of the fractures could not have been caused by CPR.

Detective Constable Nick Stocking, part of the team that led the murder investigation, said: “Hewitt showed no remorse when killing his mother by inflicting significant and extensive injuries, resulting in what would have been a painful death.

“Vanita suffered from 28 fresh rib fractures and six fractures of her spine alongside extensive bruising to her face, head and body. She also sustained a traumatic brain injury.

“This was a vicious attack but Hewitt attempted to blame it on his mother’s constant falling due to her dementia. A combination of forensic and medical evidence proved this was not true and it is reflected in today’s sentencing.”

One of the photos from 1894

The China Hall pub on Lower Road

Steffon Hewitt

© Met Police

folaJiMi day naMed for the BerMondsey Man Who died saVing a droWning WoMan

By Isabel Ramirez

A BerMondseY man who died trying to rescue a woman who was drowning in the thames now has an official day named in his honour.

Folajimi Olubumni-Adewole, or Jimi as he was known, jumped into the Thames on April 24, 2021, after a woman who ‘couldn’t swim’ fell from London Bridge.

Jimi, who did not know the woman, disappeared and his body was discovered six hours later. The woman survived.

Now three years later, his family and friends have named 24 April ‘Folajimi Day’ - an annual way to celebrate the bravery of this young man.

Following the tragedy, anyone who knew Jimi said these heroics were completely in character for the young

By Herbie Russell

a fifteeN-year-old girl has been arrested after an altercation on a train from Canada Water.

British Transport Police is still appealing for witnesses after the incident left a female with double vision and facial bruising.

Shortly before 8pm on Wednesday, April 3, a female was on a train when two girls and a man boarded.

According to police, one of the girls “started an unprovoked altercation with the victim” and punched her in the face.

The three individuals left the train at Green Park. The arrested teen has been released under investigation.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “Did you witness an assault on a train from Canada

man: selfless, kind and ‘his own person.’

Last Wednesday, April 24, his loved ones gathered at Cathedral Square, where a plaque now sits to mark the place Jimi jumped into the river.

Local charity, Living Bankside told us they have plans ‘within the next year or so’ to improve the area to make it a nice place to sit and remember Jimi.

A spokesperson added: “In his memory,

Dulwich preparatory school basking in high praise after ISI report

By Herbie Russell

roseMeAd PrePArAtorY school and nursery is basking in high praise following a recent review by the independent schools inspectorate (isi).

Described as the ‘one to watch,’ Rosemead earned accolades for its academic approach, personalised learning approach, and pastoral care.

The ISI inspection, conducted in November 2023, highlighted Rosemead’s tailored academic programs in subjects including Maths and English.

Graeme McCafferty, Head of Rosemead, said the recognition reaffirmed the school’s “commitment to providing the best possible education for every child”.

we are asking young people to volunteer and give their time to help others.

“There will be a campaign going out soon to local schools to encourage this.”

Mr Olubumni-Adewole’s brother Bolajj said: “We hope people will be inspired by his story and encouraged to volunteer and be selfless in his name. Helping others is the best way we can honour Folajimi.”

“On Wednesday 3 April shortly before 8pm the victim was on a train when two girls and a man boarded the service together.

“One of the girls started an unprovoked altercation with the victim before punching her in the face.

“All three left the service at Green Park.

“The victim sustained double vision and bruising to her face from the attack.

“A 15 year old girl has been arrested and released under investigation.”

Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to get in touch quoting reference 230 of 03/04/24. Alternatively people can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

By Herbie Russell

poliCe are appealing for information after reports of a sexual assault at oval underground station.

Shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, March 27, the victim was on an escalator leaving the station when they were sexually assaulted.

Officers believe the man pictured could have information that would help their investigation.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “Officers investigating a sexual assault that took

place at Oval underground station in March have today released this image in connection.

“Just after 4pm on Wednesday, March 27, the victim was on the escalator on the way out of the station when they were sexually assaulted.

“Officers believe the man in the image may have information that could help with their investigation.”

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 422 of 27 March 2024. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The report commended Rosemead’s early years provision, noting effective leadership and positive relationships between staff and children.

Alongside academic success, it praised the ‘positive’ Roots of Rosemead - the school’s values system.

“The curriculum and communication of school values, known as the ‘Roots of Rosemead’ encourage respect and strengthen pupils’ appreciation of the diversity of the school and wider community,” the report said.

The findings come at a key juncture for the school following last year’s merger with St Dunstan’s College and addition to the St Dunstan’s Community of Schools.

The report said governors’ vision had a positive influence “on every area of the school” including the strategic decision to merge.

St Dunstan’s Group Head, Nick Hewlett, said: ‘The whole community is delighted with the ISI inspection for Rosemead. The report rightly recognises the outstanding education Rosemead is offering as one of south London’s leading prep schools.

Graeme McCafferty said: ‘I am absolutely thrilled to share our outstanding recent inspection report with our community.

“One standout strength that truly shines through is our highly customised approach to every child’s academic progress.”

With the next open morning scheduled for Thursday, April 25, 2024, Rosemead invites prospective families to experience its exceptional educational ethos firsthand. For further details and to access the full ISI inspection report and Good Schools Guide review, visit Rosemead’s website at www.rosemeadprep.org.uk.

Water to Green Park?

Folajimi OlubumniAdewole.

His plaque at Cathedral Square.

elthaM residents say area has coMe

'a long Way' since stePhen laWrence's

Murder 31 years ago

By Joe Coughlan Local Democracy Reporter

eltHaM resideNts have reflected on how culture has changed in the 31 years since stephen lawrence’s murder, claiming the area has come ‘a long way’. stephen Lawrence was stabbed on april 22 1993 by a group of up to six racist attackers on Well Hall road.

Over 30 years later, locals are considering the ways in which a feeling of safety has been restored in the area. Monique Oshadi, 40, moved to Eltham seven years ago and said the community has become much more accepting of ethnic minority groups.

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “When we first moved into Eltham it wasn’t quite diverse. But lately, I have seen a whole lot of different people from different backgrounds and ethnicities. So that’s quite good to see. Initially, to be honest, when I first moved to Eltham I didn’t like it and I wanted to move out. Now I’m OK with it because it’s changed a lot. It’s come a long way in the last six years.”

Ms Oshadi said police often patrol the town centre but she has noticed less officers on foot since the police station on Well Hall Road closed in 2017. She said she didn’t feel that the crime rate in Eltham was as high as neighbouring areas such as Woolwich or Lewisham.

The mum said: “I feel safe. But I’m not going to lie to you, I don’t like it when my daughter walks home by herself, she’s 18. I don’t like her walking because sometimes there is a group of young boys walking up and down. I think they play football and we have grounds near here. I personally don’t feel safe for her. If she’s running late, I go and pick her up.”

Data from the Met Police stated 687 racist crime offences occurred in Greenwich borough in 2023. The data also showed that 502 offences relating to knife crime had taken place in the borough during the same time frame.

Black Majority Ethnicity Volunteers is a group focused on working with individuals with disabilities and other challenges from various ethnic minority groups. A spokesperson for the group told the LDRS that poverty and lack of education were the underlying causes

in challenges faced by minority groups in Greenwich and other boroughs. They said the group believed in fostering more discussions that promote awareness of solutions and forward-thinking ideas to combat the issue.

A teenager who lived off Well Hall Road said he had moved to the area nearly five years ago and that he had noticed police had started patrolling the area in cars more frequently. He said locals were aware of crimes but he did not feel they were racially motivated.

He told the LDRS: “Recently, it’s getting a bit rowdy but generally it’s a nice place. At the end of the day there has to be a certain awareness, not only because there’s a rise in gangs and stuff like that in this area. I’ve heard about racism also which I don’t really pay attention to, but that’s what you have to keep your head up for.”

A Greenwich Council spokesperson told the LDRS that the authority liaised closely with schools about the dangers of knife crime through its Let’s Live #KnifeFree campaign, developed through work with community leaders, young people and families. They added that the McDonald’s on Eltham High Street also functioned

as a safe space for people to go to in an emergency, and that the council worked with Charlton Athletic F.C. to engage with young people on the high street twice a week.

The spokesperson said: “It’s Our Greenwich mission to make sure everyone is and feels safe and we’re proud to be investing in new resources to support this. We have invested £1.3million in proactive measures to improve community safety as part of our Serious Violence Strategy and we work closely with the police, and other key partners, to keep the borough safe.”

Brian Nottle, 69, has lived on Well Hall Road for 19 years and said he had noticed a greater sense of diversity on the road over the years. He added that the area felt safe overall but locals would appreciate more police officers on foot to be able to raise local concerns.

He told the LDRS: “We used to see them, but I haven’t seen a foot policeman for years… They got dropped off in a van by Greenwich [Police Station] and picked up by them and taken back when the shift was up. But now we don’t see foot patrols and that’s exactly what is needed.”

Inspector Jo Chapman, responsible for policing the Eltham area, told the LDRS: “One of the priorities in the New Met for London plan is a focus on listening to the concerns of our communities and working together to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.”

She added: “In Eltham, we have increased the number of neighbourhood officers assigned to the area, and have increased our presence in the high street and surrounding streets.”

Inspector Chapman said a new police base in Kidbrooke was scheduled to open later this year and the Met had been working alongside Greenwich Council to address safety concerns such as street lighting and to target anti-social behaviour. She added that work had been done with local businesses to reduce shoplifting and resources had been directed into uniformed and plain clothes officers tackling emerging issues such as robberies amongst school children.

A Greenwich Council spokesperson told the LDRS: “The murder of Stephen Lawrence in a vile racist attack 31 years ago is still felt deeply across our community. We honour his life and legacy to inspire a fairer and just society and as a reminder to stand up to discrimination.”

They added: “We’re proud that residents in Eltham are rightly so passionate and positive about their beautiful neighbourhood. Eltham is a thriving centre, with a vibrant high street, mix of shops and award-winning green spaces which have greatly benefited from significant council investment over recent years including upgrading street lighting.”

The authority advised residents to report any hate crimes they had experienced or witnessed to the police by calling 101. The council has also commissioned charity Stop Hate UK who offer a 24-hour support helpline to report hate crime incidents.

Local residents said Eltham feels like a generally safe area

Residents said they had noticed less police officers patrolling on foot in Eltham. Permission for use by all LDRS partners

Video: Over 30 years on from Stephen Lawrence'’s murder, Eltham locals reflect on how the area has changed culturally

April 22 2024 marks the 31 year anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s murder © Joe Coughlan

The incident occurred on Well Hall Road on April 22 1993

Primary set to close amid falling pupil numbers - despite 3,216 signing petition

By Charlotte Lillywhite Local Democracy Reporter

A soUtH London primary school is set to close due to falling pupil numbers, despite more than 3,200 people signing a petition against the plans. Christ Church C of e Primary school, which opened in Battersea in 1866, is due to close in august after Wandsworth Council green-lit the proposals.

Governors at Christ Church proposed in November to close the school at the end of the academic year after a sharp decline in pupils since 2018 led to reduced funding. Only 12 pupils joined reception in September, compared to nine pupils in the previous year, despite the school being able to admit 30 reception-aged kids annually. The school had 115 empty places as of November, out of a total capacity of 210 across all year groups.

A petition against the proposals, launched in December, has gained 3,216 signatures. But a new report by council officers said the petition contained ‘many inaccuracies’ as it was created before preconsultation documents on the proposals were published. It added: “Governors appreciate that any proposal for school closure is a difficult one which may not be supported by the wider community, however it was also noted that many of the responses to the petition were from people not affected by the closure of the school.”

The council’s children’s committee discussed the proposed closure on April 18. Rosemarie Davidson-Gotobed, chair of governors at Christ Church, said the school was not able to balance its budget in the 2023/24 financial year for the first time in its history. It faces a deficit of £90,564 in 2023/24 due to cuts in funding squeezing its budget, which will be covered by

Mum 'unable to have carpets in two of the bedrooms for 30 years' due to damp

spending most of its reserves. It predicts its overall deficit will grow to £446,508 by 2025/26 if it remains open.

Ms Davidson-Gotobed said: “No one is here because they wanted to close the school and we’re not here because there is an issue with the school’s leadership. We’ve been blessed with sterling leadership above and beyond but the

By Robert Firth

Local Democracy Reporter

A soUtH London mum’s council flat has damp so bad she has been unable to have carpets in two of the bedrooms for 30 years. Jennifer davy, 62, first reported issues with damp and mould in the three-bed flat to her landlord lewisham Council in 1988 shortly after she moved into the property.

A council report dated November

1988 notes two of the bedrooms have mould and a high level of moisture and that the problems constitute a ‘statutory nuisance’ under public health law. Over the years council staff have tried treating the mould countless times. In between 2011 and 2020 alone, workers washed down the walls in her flat nine times. But three decades on the mum-of-four says the underlying problem is no closer to being solved and fears long-term exposure to damp and mould is making her and her family ill.

Ms Davy said: “We can’t have carpet in two of the rooms because it’s so wet. I don’t even want to be at home. I spend a lot of time outside. It’s not fair that my kids only see mould as their home. We’re paying the rent for somewhere. We just want to live in a decent home.”

“I cough a lot. I don’t want to become a statistic. I want to live to be able to see my grandchildren and spend many more years with them. I need to be well to support my 92-year-old mum.

In the worst affected rooms of the

that children will thrive in their new schools who will be able to adequately provide the support and the educational development they deserve and indeed must have.”

Pia Longman, assistant director at Southwark Diocesan Board of Education, which supports the school, said the board has seen a drop of almost 2,500 pupils in the schools it supports in 12 London boroughs. She said: “I think it’s important to take that into context when governors are talking about the decision they made – there didn’t seem to be a chance that numbers would increase. It wasn’t about the school and improving the school and therefore attracting greater numbers, it is obviously a Wandsworth issue, a London issue.”

basic fact is that the impact of falling school rolls has made a huge dent in our school this year and governors weren’t able to set a balanced budget, with fewer pupils joining the school in reception than there were leaving at the end of year six.”

She added: “Our vision is to ensure that the pupils receive the highest-quality education and the governors and I feel

family’s house in Deptford, the mould has even found its way in between window panes in the bedrooms. Two of Ms Davy’s four daughters who grew up in the house now suffer from asthma. Ms Davy herself has to take allergy tablets for a persistent cough that she blames on living conditions in the flat.

A couple of years ago, fed up with the council’s lack of progress in dealing with the problem, Ms Davy submitted a complaint to the Housing Ombudsman.

At the time her landlord was Lewisham Homes, a company the council set-up to manage properties which it has since brought back in house.

But the Ombudsman’s investigation was thwarted after Lewisham Homes failed to provide key information, including proof it had ruled out structural causes of damp in the property. Despite this, in 2023 the Ombudsman upheld Ms Davy’s complaint and said Lewisham Homes had ‘failed to address severe damp and mould… within an acceptable time.’

It ordered Lewisham Homes to apologise to Ms Davy for delays in repairs, pay £750 compensation and commit to carrying out works within

The committee unanimously approved the proposed closure of Christ Church at the end of the meeting. Conservative councillor Matthew Corner said: “No one wants to close schools around this table – we want the opposite, we want thriving schools. But the rationale in this paper and as set out so eloquently by the governors is clear that this difficult decision does seem reasonable given the falling pupil numbers and funding challenges.”

The council’s executive will make a final decision on the proposed closure on April 22. If it approves the plans, the council’s pupil services team will carry out a separate admissions process to allow families of affected pupils to apply for other local schools.

four weeks. But over a year since the Ombudsman’s decision the problems are still ongoing, according to Ms Davy. She claims the only solution the council has offered her is for a plug-in ventilation system to be fitted in their hallway. The family has rejected this as they are unconvinced it will deal with the root cause of the damp, which they believe is structural.

Ms Davy’s daughter Leah Grant, 33, said: “Our argument [is] if you’re putting that in the hallway how does that treat the black mould that comes up through my mum’s room, the black mould that comes in my wardrobe, all the mould around my windowpane and my sister’s room and the bathroom?

“They’re focusing on the condensation which is fine but it doesn’t treat the root of the problem. We could have the heating on every single day at the highest. The mould is still going to come back.”

A Lewisham Council spokesperson said: “We fully accepted the Housing Ombudsman’s findings in this case, and have been working with Ms Davy to address the issues in her home. Our inspections have not identified structural problems. However, we do acknowledge that certain buildings, due to their construction and location, are more prone to condensation build-up which can lead to mould growth.

“Our qualified surveyors have recommended a course of action including the installation of a ventilation system to address this problem. We are happy to commit to visit this property again with an independent surveyor and discuss the findings with Ms Davy.“

Christ Church C Of E Primary School, Batten Street, Battersea

Council inspection report from 1988 detailing mould problems in the flat

Mould in Jennifer Davy's home in Deptford, South East London

Jennifer Davy has been suffering from a 30 year damp and mould problem in her home in Deptford, South East London

what’s on

BerMondsey tales World PreMiere

BerMondseY tALes: Fall of the roman empire has been written and directed by Michael Head, who also plays a part in it. the tales told are loosely based on the stories he heard from and around his granddad, writes Michael Holland...

The writer remembers growing up in pubs where adults were, perhaps, ‘on the wrong side of the law’ and spoke about being in prison and how they got there, ‘but the stories would always be funny,’ he recalls. ‘That aspect that world is rarely depicted in gangster films, which are mainly violent and macho,’ he explains.

Now, all those stories overheard when out with granddad and his mates have all been gathered up and woven into a narrative about a fictitious family. ‘I wanted to make a gangster film that people will watch and say, “That was really funny”.’

Michael goes on to list films and filmmakers that have inspired him: Love, Honour, Obey; Guy Ritchie, Quentin Tarantino, Scorsese, The Sopranos… His previous film, The Last Heist, was written in eight hours, and Bermondsey Tales in fifteen, ‘but then there’s the tweaking over a couple of months with a final rewrite when it’s cast.’ He revealed that when John Hannah was cast as The Postman a lot of the dialogue was changed

to fit the actor.

‘More change comes with actors who suggest ideas or want to improvise - Look, I always say there’s the film you write, the film you shoot, and the film you edit.

If you end up with a film that is strictly to script you have lost a trick cos it’s about collaborating with the actors having a bit of creative freedom.’

The film has been funded by Seraphim Films who Michael has a lot of praise for. ‘They were going to fund half but when the other funder dropped out, Rohit Nathaniel, the Seraphim CEO and Executive Producer, came through and gave us the rest - We were very, very lucky.’

He goes on to say how Seraphim did not question creativity, the script or casting, and how, with the budget they had to

work with, between them they’ve made a good film. Rohit also appears in the film as Tom.

A lot of the film was shot in Bermondsey, which is what Michael wanted. ‘We shot up by The Den, down The Blue, in Long Lane and in the Ancient Foresters, which is where me granddad got married - and got nicked on the night of his wedding!’ Michael was keen to talk about the cast he has put together and as he listed the names it was a who’s who of British actors from TV and cinema with years of experience: Frank Harper, Maisie Smith, Gary Webster, Daniel O’Reilly, Adam Deacon, Alan Ford, Linda Robson, Vas Blackwood, Vicki Michelle…

This is Michael’s first go at directing film, having developed his skills in

halfway into the stormy Atlantic before I’d abandoned ship myself, promising to reboard one day, so I was initially perturbed that this might be a long evening for our young reviewers. However, this talented multi- instrumental ensemble cast kept the pace up throughout and sea shanties aplenty were soon flowing.

Ishmael, a Manhattan schoolteacher craving adventure on the high seas, is our narrator newly arrived in Nantucket. Mark Arends’ performance successfully conveys the sense of innocence and wideeyed wonder at the mysterious forces of nature soon to confront him in the form of Captain Ahab and his imagined nemesis personified by Moby Dick.

theatre, but he wasn’t fazed by the task. In fact he felt ‘blessed’, because with such an experienced ensemble of actors he literally told them to ‘do what you do’.

I asked how the directing role came about: ‘I blagged it!’ Was his immediate answer, explaining that the director he had suddenly cancelled, so, with Rohit Nathaniel’s blessing, he took the job on. ‘“How hard could it be?” I asked meself, then watched a few StudioBinder videos on YouTube to get the basics.’ Really? ‘Well, I knew that the Director of Photography and cast and crew were all brilliant so I’d have to be really bad to cock it up, wouldn’t I?’

Being so close to shooting, Michael reckoned that as a lot of money had already been spent on getting Bermondsey Tales

industry that could boil a sperm whale down to 2000 barrels of oil - fuel for an industrial revolution and the pursuit of empire and global capitalism.

The play skims over the more overt references to whiteness, slavery and racism that Melville explores in a book that contains so much of America then and now - a paranoid, deluded white man pursuing an imagined foe to give meaning to his life while destroying everything in his path as a result. Dramatic seafaring ensemble scenes and charming musical interludes are more in keeping the spirit of this production.

up and running ‘it was a case of being hundred grand down or blag it - And blag it won.’ He laughs loudly at the memory. He has since been asked to direct another film off the back of his first, so ‘blagging it’ was the right choice.

After this, Michael, Frank Harper and others will be setting up SE1 Films to make well-scripted, well-cast, well-made working-class stories that people want to see.

These are films I definitely want to see.

Tickets for the May 9th World Premiere at O2: https://seraphimfilms.co.uk/ In selected cinemas from May 17th. Streaming from June 10th. @seraphimlondon @RohitNathaniel a trip to Wilton’s Music Hall is a promise of adventure and tonight even more so as we breezed along Cable street with a fair wind behind us to review a new production of Moby dick by award winning ensemble simple8. our young reviewers were eager to enjoy a pre-show pizza in the bar there and a moment or two to marvel at this beautiful old theatre, writes Frida, Woody and Ed Gray

‘Dad why are we the only children here?’ whispered Frida as the house lights went down over the excited audience. I had no answer. Melville’s nautical novel, written in 1851, had once transported me

The tension ramps up as we hear Ahab’s wooden leg pacing on the minimal set before we see him. Guy Rhys crams as much of Ahab’s brooding menace and mania that he can muster into the comparably short duration of the play. The ingenuity of the scene Ishmael delivers on the industrialisation of cetacean carcasses was delivered with the wit and precision of Melville’s words, exposing the savage brutality and butchery of the whaling

Reviewer Woody turns to me during a rendition of the Greenland Whale Fisheries and pipes up: ‘It’s a Pogues song!’ And indeed they did record a version of it forty years ago, just a few streets away in Wapping Wall. And that’s the beauty of seeing this production here at Wilton’s.

We are in the heart of the old Pool of London where all of this really happened.

Greenland Dock lies due south east across the river, Cable Street itself started off as a straight path, precisely the length of hemp rope which, when twisted into a cable, was used to supply the ships in

the nearby docks. There’s even an old whalebone revealed in the mud at low tide in Rotherhithe - a vestige of an ingenious repair to a whaling ship out at sea.

Director Jesse Jones and Kate Bunce’s innovative minimalism transports us aboard the Pequod whaling ship. The lighting at times turns industrial rigging poles and ropes into misty, shadowy masts in the watery light of a latter day Thames crowded with ships eager for commercial cargo, whether agricultural, animal or human. ‘All that for a poor whale!’ declared Frida as we left Wilton’s. There’s much to delight in this revisiting of Melville’s classic and we journeyed home, southbound underneath the Thames, discussing the business of whaling. Ishmael harpoons it best, -‘Death is the business of it!’

Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1 8JB until 11th May. Mon - Sat 7:30PM; Thu & Sat matinees 2:30PM; BSL performance: Thursday 9 May 2:30PM - Signer will be positioned stage right. £15 - £30 full price | £12.50 - £27.50 concessions.

Booking: https://wiltons.org.uk/ whatson/848-moby-dick

Bermondsey Tales Michael Head

Whale of a t i Me at Wilton’s

Wiltons Moby

Heading south - our pick of the upcoming events in May

Bridgerton afternoon tea

The talk of the ton: transport back to Regency-era London with an affair fit for Lady Whistledown herself. Step into the world of Bridgerton and indulge in an al fresco afternoon tea experience amid the grandeur of the historic colonnades, where many scenes from the Netflix show were filmed. You’ll find delicate finger sandwiches and homemade scones with clotted cream and jam, plus cakes and sweet treats with a Bridgerton twist. With loose leaf teas, prosecco or champagne to finish the affair. Delightful.

Dates: Last Sunday of the month (May to September), 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm

Tickets: £60

Colonnades, Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN ornc.org/whats-on/bridgerton-afternoon-tea-on-the-colonnades

He’s behind you

Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage as the beloved Who’s in Your Book? series makes its debut as a brand-new musical show.

A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun, too. With an invitation to his friends, Dragon, Alien and Unicorn to join him, you can expect comedy and chaos as they help to create a magical show, learning about the joy of books and friendship along the way.

Dates: Saturday 25 May to Sunday 26 May 2024, 11am, 2pm and 4pm

Tickets: £16, under-14s £14 Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ www.blackheathhalls.com/whats-on/ theres-a-monster-in-your-show-2

Greenwich Summer Artisan Market

Each weekend this summer, you can explore a treasure trove of makers at the Greenwich Summer Artisan Market on the King Charles Lawns. From the first May bank holiday weekend and through August, spend your weekends browsing 40 skilled artisans, curated by Travelling Artisan Popup, located by the scenic riverside grounds of the Old Royal Naval College. Discover a variety of unique handmade items and contemporary crafts among the offerings from the broad selection of talented creatives.

Dates: Weekends from Saturday 4 May to Monday 26 August 2024

King Charles Lawns, Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN ornc.org/whats-on/greenwich-summerartisan-market

My Fair Lady

Ferrier Operatic Society presents a performance of My Fair Lady, adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabriel Pascal’s motion picture Pygmalion. It tells the tale of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl, who takes lessons from a phonetician, Professor Henry Higgins, who has made a bet with his friend Colonel Pickering that he can turn her into a refined lady within six months. Now say it with us, the rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain…

Dates: Thursday 23 May to Saturday 25 May 2024, 2:30pm and 7:30pm Tickets: £17

Bob Hope Theatre, SE9 5TG www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk/ myfairlady.html

Caribbean takeover

The Caribbean Social Forum is back at the National Maritime Museum with a family-friendly celebration of Caribbean culture, featuring music, games, talks, Caribbean food, history, workshops and dancing. Expect a curated day of activities across the grounds outside the Queen’s House and the National Maritime

London Craft Week

NOW Gallery is hosting a craft making workshop, Table Tapestries by Jaixia Blue, to mark London Craft Work. Embroidery practice has been embedded into Caribbean communities since the 19th century and this event intends to bring women together through textiles as a network for social and economic change. In this workshop, participants are encouraged to embrace any mistakes that may occur and steer away from perfection. Each person will be given their own square of material and will be guided through a brief meditation and visualisation exercise to connect with a joyful memory or personal motto that they would like to leave behind.

Date: Sunday 19 May 2024, 12pm and 3:30pm. Tickets: Free NOW Gallery, The Gateway Pavillions, SE10 0SQ nowgallery.co.uk/events/london-craft-week-table-tapestries-by-jaixia-blue

Museum, with a small number of talks and activities taking place inside.

Date: Saturday 18 May 2024, 11am to 5pm.

Tickets: Free National Maritime Museum Gardens, Romney Road, SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/nationalmaritime-museum/caribbean-takeover

History

southWark Blue Plaques: zdenka Pokorná, fierce anti-nazi caMPaigner

By Isabel Ramirez

a dulwiCH-based woman, who stood up against tyrannical regimes that dominated her homeland, has been nominated for a Blue Plaque.

Originally from Czechoslovakia, Zdenka Pokorná was born in Moravia in 1905 and lived until she was 101.

Whilst working as a schoolteacher, she was also an active member of the anti-Nazi Czech movement.

After the Nazi invasion of Czech lands in 1939, she bravely guided Czech men across the border to exile abroad. Some went on to fight Nazism as part of the Czech contingent of the RAF.

This led to her being arrested by the Gestapo - secret Nazi police - and imprisoned in Poland. Ms Pokorná was sent to a death march and survived.

Liberated by the Americans, she helped hundreds of stranded to be sent back home before finding her own way.

When she returned to her family, she was so gaunt from the suffering she had endured, that only her dog recognised her.

Fiercely believing in freedom and democracy, Ms Pokorná also challenged the Soviet Communist rule domination that followed.

Her heroic actions meant her title as Headmistress being stripped away and she was forced into exile in 1948.

Her wartime credentials won her immediate entry into England and she

retrained as a psychiatric nurse in the NHS.

Although she lived over half of her life in Dulwich, on Desenfans Road, Ms Pokorná never forgot her roots and continued her campaigning from afar.

She was hailed on her 90th birthday as the ‘living conscience of the century’ by the Czech government.

Ms Pokorná had a slightly bent nose - which she would later explain to neighbours was caused by ‘successfully fighting off a Nazi officer.’

Whilst in England, she worked tirelessly in ex-patriot organisations - and was even awarded the Czech Order of Merit, First Class for her outstanding work for her nation and for upholding the ideals of freedom.

The end of communist rule in Czech came as a welcome victory for Ms Pokorná, who celebrated from the UK despite never going back.

A neighbour who lived next to her in Desenfans Road, before she moved to a care home in Peckham, described Ms Pokorná as ‘a force to be reckoned with.’

She commented: “She was an incredible and remarkable character who had seen and experienced so much in her long life.

“She lived by her principles to the end.”

This also rang true in her personal life.

Despite her fiancé tragically dying a month before their wedding in 1924, Ms Pokorná ‘remained true’ to him her whole life. She continued to wear the engagement ring she gave her until she died in 2007.

zdenka Pokorná.

zdenka with czech ambassador Dr. Jan Winkler at the Greenhive Residential care home

Perfected Lien Security Interest –

Stephen William Rudman

I, a man, Stephen William Rudman, hold a perfected Lien Security Interest in and over the public indemnity insurance policy(s) and all real and moveable property of the following:

NICHOLAS STUART SLAPE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK PLC, 1 Balloon Street, Manchester, M60 4EP; and

THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK PLC, 1 Balloon Street, Manchester, M60 4EP. Lien Debtors are jointly and severally liable for the total sum certain of £51,953,600.00. Interested parties should contact Stephen William Rudman, privately, via email swr@tidc1.com

Perfected Lien Security Interest –

Stephen William Rudman

I, a man, Stephen William Rudman, hold a perfected Lien Security Interest in and over the public indemnity insurance policy(s) and all real and moveable property of the following:

JULIE-ANN HAINES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PRINCIPALITY BUILDING SOCIETY, Principality House, The Friary, Cardiff, CF10 3FA; and

PRINCIPALITY BUILDING SOCIETY, Principality House, The Friary, Cardiff, CF10 3FA.

Lien Debtors are jointly and severally liable for the total sum certain of £50,628,800.00. Interested parties should contact Stephen William Rudman, privately, via email swr@tidc1.com

Perfected Lien Security Interest –

Stephen William Rudman

I, a man, Stephen William Rudman, hold a perfected Lien Security Interest in and over the public indemnity insurance policy(s) and all real and moveable property of the following:

JOHN DAVID STUART, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, HSBC UK BANK PLC, 1 Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 1HQ; and HSBC UK BANK PLC, 1 Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 1HQ; and

ANDREW HALLIDAY, EXECUTIVE COMPLAINTS MANAGER, EXECUTIVE COMPLAINTS, RISK OPERATIONS AND COMPLAINT HANDLING UK DISTRIBUTION, WEALTH AND PERSONAL BANKING UK, HSBC UK BANK PLC, Coventry, CV3 9GW.

Lien Debtors are jointly and severally liable for the total sum certain of £121,913,600.00. Interested parties should contact Stephen William Rudman, privately, via email swr@tidc1.com

LICENSING ACT 2003

PUBLIC NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR PREMISES LICENCE

Application has today been made to the council for the above licence by: Name of applicant: Gashi Bujar Address of premises: Sofra Grill, Ground Floor, 63 London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5HT Reference Number: WK/202431031

Date: 24.04.2024

For: The sale of alcohol on and off the premises

Proposed hours of operation: 06:00 to 24:00 from Monday to Sunday Live music on premises from 18:00 to 23:00 from Monday to Sunday Recorded music on and off premises from 06:00 to 24:00 from Monday to Sunday Late night refreshment from 23:00 to 24:00 from Monday to Sunday

Representation should be made in writing within 28 days of the above date to: London Borough of Merton, 14th Floor Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5DX or by email to licensing@merton.gov.uk

Persons wishing to inspect the licensing register may do so by appointment at the above address between thehours of 09:00 - 17:00 Monday to Thursday and 09:00 to 16L:30 on a Friday

It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make false statement in connection with an application which carries a maximum fine of £5000.

Notice of application to vary a Premises Licence.

Notice is hereby given that Fons Catering Ltd. has applied to Wandsworth Council to vary the premises licence at Mezzanine, Unit 4, 20 Totterdown Street, London, SW17 8TA as follows.

The variation seeks to add licensable activities of Live Music on Friday & Saturday night 1100 - 02.00 Late Night Refreshment on Friday & Saturday night 2300 - 02.30

The variation also seeks to extend the hours for current authorised licensable activity of Recorded music on Friday & Saturdays 1100 - 02.00 Sale/supply of alcohol on Friday & Saturdays 1100 - 02.00

The variation also seeks to extend the closing time on Friday & Saturday night 1100 - 0230

Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 28th 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.

An Inspector will hold an Inquiry opening on the above date to decide the appeal.

Documents relating to the appeal can be viewed on the Council website (ref 20/03539/FUL).

Information about the appeal will be available and kept updated on the website at: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/westminster-bridge-road

Anyone wishing to attend the inquiry must make that interest known to the Planning Inspectorate as soon as possible prior to the Inquiry, either by email or telephone.

Alison Bell (alison.bell@planninginspectorate.gov.uk), tel: 0303 444 5279. Planning Inspectorate Reference: ‘APP/N5660/W/23/3335892’.

LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

Notice Under The Town and Country Planning Acts

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

VOC – Variation of Condition FUL – Full Planning Permission LB – Listed Building Consent SPF – Shop Front

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.

154-166 Clapham High Street And 162 Stonhouse Street London SW4 Removal of Condition 19 (windows) of planning permission 21/00200/VOC (Variation of Condition 2 (approved plans) of planning permission 18/01832/FUL (Retention of ground floor commercial units, part change of use from Use Class A1 (shops) to use Class C3 (residential) on upper floors and part of ground floor (rear part), and alterations including excavation to form a basement to Nos. 156-158 Clapham High Street, the demolition of existing 1-3 storey rear extensions and erection of replacement part 3 part 4 rear and side extensions to provide 28 residential units (Use Class C3) with shared amenity space, landscaping and associated works)) granted 10.11.2021.

Existing condition reads: Prior to the occupation of any of the new residential units hereby permitted, all windows located on the northeast elevation of the building block fronting onto Stonhouse Street shall be non-opening and permanently fixed shut and shall be retained as such for the duration of the development.

Amendment sought: Removal of condition 19 as there is another condition which controls the noise reduction to be achieved within the flats (condition 23). 24/01184/VOC

Royal National Theatre South Bank London Lambeth SE1 9PX Temporary installation for the erection of a river stage with associated sound lighting/sound box, food and drink kiosks, an ice cream trike, three trader vehicles, seating, a circular tiered stage, branded hoarding, back of house food and drink storage area and attachment of festoon lightning on the northern elevation of the Royal National Theatre.

(Please note: The reference number for this Listed Building Consent application is 24/01126/LB but there is also an associated application for Full Planning Permission related to these works with reference number: 24/01125/FUL). 24/01126/LB

Ryan Court Baldry Gardens London Lambeth SW16 3NP Installation of new vehicular swing access gates, pedestrian access gate and fence to the rear car parking area off Baldry Gardens and installation of new pedestrian access gate and fence to the main front access off Streatham High Road. 24/01145/FUL

14 Fieldhouse Road London SW12 0HJ Replacement of windows (to Flat A). 24/01144/FUL

7 Cleaver Square London Lambeth SE11 4DW Removal of existing shed and erection of outbuilding to rear garden. 24/00931/FUL Arches 176 - 177 And 202 Lambeth Road London SE1 Change of use of railway arches from Coach Parking use (Sui Generis) to ancillary amenity and back of house space for adjacent student accommodation development (Sui Generis), minor external alterations to the arches, internal works to the main student accommodation and infill extension to western elevation to create new student beds, a new terrace at roof level, landscaping and other associated works. 24/00932/FUL

38 Downton Avenue London SW2 3TR Formation of a roof terrace to the rear outrigger including a metal railing balustrade, along with other associated works. (Flat A). 24/01209/FUL

107 Clapham High Street London SW4 7TB Replacement of shopfront. 24/00983/SPF

34 Cleaver Square London Lambeth SE11 4EA Replacement of existing fibre cement roof slates with natural slates; replacement of lead lining to central drainage gutter; replacement of existing roof access hatch with a new access hatch in the form of a conservation hatch (to match size of existing hatch).

(Please note: The reference number for this Listed Building Consent application is 24/00970/LB but there is also an associated application for Full Planning Permission related to these works with reference number: 24/00969/FUL) 24/00970/LB

126 Kennington Park Road London Lambeth SE11 4DJ Raise existing brick garden wall and replace existing timber gates.

(Please note: The reference number for this Listed Building Consent application is 24/01029/LB but there is also an associated application for Full Planning Permission related to these works with reference number: 24/01028/FUL) 24/01029/LB

Clapham Congregational Church 55 Grafton Square London Lambeth SW4 0DE Erection of a ground floor side/rear extension, a first floor side/rear extension, an extension to the roof, together with the replacement of existing single glazed windows with double glazed ones to match existing; replacement of roof; and other associated works of refurbishment. (partially retrospective).

(Reconsultation due to amended plans and supporting documents) 23/02872/FUL

1 St Alphonsus Road London SW4 7BA Enlargement of an existing lightwell and lowering of the floor to the existing basement service and plant area. 24/01104/FUL

225 Streatham High Road London Lambeth SW16 6EN Refurbishment of the building, involving the reconfiguration of the existing residential units, including infill extension to the internal courtyard and erection of a roof top to provide 4 additional residential units (making a total of 18 units), together with facade enhancements, incorporating rear balconies to the rear, the provision of refuse /cycle stores and other associated works. (Retaining Use Class E at lower and part ground floor).

[RE-CONSULTATION DUE TO AMENDED PLANS] 23/02505/FUL

Dated 03.05.2024

Rob Bristow

Director - Planning, Transport & Sustainability Climate and Inclusive Growth Directorate

Notice of application for a Premises Licence

Notice is hereby given that VACAL Limited has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at Picanha Steakhouse, 219 Tooting High Street, London, SW17 0SZ for Sale of Alcohol - On and Off the premises

Monday to Sunday 10:00 to 00:00

Late Night Refreshment - On and Off the premises Monday to Sunday 23:00 to 00:00

Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 29th 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.

LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 16A

TEMPORARY CLOSURE – ALBERT EMBANKMENT RIVER SIDE WALK

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable filming to take place along the Albert Embankment River Side Walk, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth have made an Order the effect of which will be to temporarily ban pedestrians from entering that length of the Albert Embankment River Side 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 will be available via Lambeth Palace Road, Westminster Bridge Road and Westminster Bridge and vice versa.

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

4. The Order will come into force on 15th May 2024 and will continue in force for a maximum duration of 2 days. In practice it is anticipated that filming will 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 3rd May 2024

LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE SOUTH OAK ROAD

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable BT ducting works to be carried out, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth intend to make an Order, the effect of which would be to temporarily ban vehicles from entering in that length of South Oak Road which lies between Valley Road and a point 40 metres south-east of Valley Road.

2. Alternative routes for affected vehicles would be available via: Valley Road, Curtis Field Road and South Oak Road and vice versa.

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 Order would come into force on 28th May 2024 for a maximum duration of 1 month (to allow for contingencies) or until the works have been completed, whichever is the sooner. In practice, it is anticipated that the Order would only have effect on 28th and 29th May 2024 between the hours of 9:30am and 3.30pm, but if the works cannot be carried out or completed during that time then the Order may have effect at other times or on subsequent days within the maximum duration of 1 month.

Dated 3rd May 2024 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager

LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE – LEIGHAM VALE

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable bridge examination Works to be carried out safely, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth intend to make an Order the effect of which would be to temporarily ban vehicles from entering that length of Leigham Vale which lies between the south side of the southernmost railway bridge over Leigham Vale and the northwest side of the north-westernmost railway bridge over Leigham Vale.

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

3. Alternative routes for affected vehicles would be available via Norwood Road, York Hill and Knollys Road and vice versa.

4. The Order would come into force on 20th May 2024 and would continue in force for a maximum duration of 1 month (to allow for contingences) or until the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. In practice it is anticipated that the works would be carried out between 10 pm on 20th May 2024 and 6 am on 21st May 2024 but if the works cannot be carried out or completed during in that time then the Order may have effect on subsequent days up to the maximum period of 1 month.

Dated 3rd May 2024 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager

LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS – UPPER GROUND

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable works involving the operation of a crane to be carried out safely, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth have made an Order the effect of which will be to temporarily ban vehicles from entering in that length of Upper Ground which lies between Cornwall Road and the common boundary of No. 58 and Nos. 60 to 72 Upper Ground (Television Centre).

2. Alternative routes for affected vehicles will be available via: (a) Cornwall Road, Stamford Street and Hatfields; and (b) Broadwall, Stamford Street and Cornwall Road.

3. Whenever the ban referred to in paragraph 1 above applies, the order that imposes the one-way system in the length of Upper Ground, which lies between Barge House Street and Duchy Street, will be suspended, and the cycle lane in that stretch of road will also be suspended.

4. The ban and suspensions will only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing and covering of the appropriate traffic signs.

5. The Order will come into force on 12th May 2024 for a maximum duration of 3 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the sooner. In practice, it is anticipated that the crane operation works will be carried out between 12th and 14th May 2024 with backup dates of 19th and 21st May 2024, but if the works cannot be carried out or completed during these times, then the Order may also have effect at subsequent times within the maximum period of 3 months.

Dated 3rd May 2024 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager

LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS – STONHOUSE STREET

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable works involving the operation of a crane to be carried out safely, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth, subject to the agreement of Transport for London intend to make an Order the effect of which would be to temporarily ban vehicles from entering in that length of Stonhouse Street which lies between Clapham High Street and the north-western kerb-line of the service road at the rear of Nos. 154 to 188 Clapham High Street.

2. Alternative routes for affected vehicles would be available via: (a) Clapham High Street, Clapham Manor Street and Cresset Street and vice versa; and (b) Clapham High Street, Clapham Common South Side, Long Road, Rookery Road, Clapham Common North Side, Old Town, Rectory Grove, Clapham Manor Street and Cresset Street.

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

4. The Order would come into force on 21st May 2024 for a maximum duration of 3 months (to allow for contingencies) or until the works have been completed, whichever is the sooner. In practice, it is anticipated that the crane operation works would be carried out on 21st May with backup dates of 18th and 25th June 2024, but if the works cannot be carried out or completed during these times, then the Order may also have effect at subsequent times within the maximum period of 3 months.

Dated 3rd May 2024 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager

in a direction towards Dulwich Road; (b) ban waiting by vehicles in the streets and parts of streets specified in the Schedule to this Notice; (c) ban vehicles from entering or waiting in that length of Railton Road which lies between Rymer Street and its southern extremity (its junction with Dulwich Road and Norwood Road); (d) ban vehicles from entering :(i) Arlingford Road; (ii) Brailsford Road; (iii) Brockwell Park Gardens; (e) ban vehicles (except buses) from entering :(i) Brixton Water Lane, between the junction of Dalberg Road and Dulwich Road and its junction with Effra Road and Tulse Hill; (ii) Dulwich Road, between its junction with Norwood Road, Railton Road and Half Moon Lane and Regent Road; (iii) Morval Road; (iv) Norwood Road, between Croxted Road and its junction with Dulwich Road, Half Moon Lane and Herne Hill; (f) ban vehicles proceeding in:-

(i). a southerly direction in Effra Road from turning right into Brixton Water Lane; (ii) that length of Brixton Water Lane which lies between Brixton Hill and Effra Road from turning left into Effra Road; (iii). a south-westerly direction in that length of Shardcroft Avenue, which lies between Gubyon Avenue and Kestrel Avenue from turning right into Gubyon Avenue; (iv). a south-westerly direction in that length of Shardcroft Avenue, which lies between Gubyon Avenue and Milkwood Road from turning left into Milkwood Road; (v). a north-easterly direction in that length of Shardcroft Avenue, which lies between Gubyon Avenue and Milkwood Road from turning left into Gubyon Avenue; (vi). a north-easterly direction in Oborne Close from turning left into Gubyon Avenue; (vii). a south-westerly direction in Woodquest Avenue from turning right into Gubyon Avenue; (viii). a south-easterly direction in Railton Road from turning right into Milton Road; (ix). a south-westerly direction in the south-eastern arm of Mayall Road from turning right into Railton Road; (x). a north-easterly direction in Mumford Road from turning left into Railton Road; (xi). a south-westerly direction in Fawnbrake Avenue from turning right into Gubyon Avenue; (g) ban vehicles proceeding in Dulwich Road from entering Regent Road; (h) ban vehicles proceeding in Herne Hill from entering Gubyon Avenue; (i) ban vehicles exiting the vehicular entrance to the Car Park situated at the rear of Brockwell Lido (Dulwich Road entrance) from turning right into Dulwich Road; (j) ban vehicles proceeding in that length of Brixton Water Lane which lies between Brixton Hill and Effra Road from turning left into Effra Road; (k) ban vehicles proceeding in Rymer Street from turning left into Dulwich Road; (l) ban vehicles from entering the slip road which lies immediately outside Brockwell Park on the south-west side of the triangular island site situated at the junction of Norwood Road and Dulwich Road (the banned left turn from the main carriageway of Norwood Road into the main carriageway of Dulwich Road would be suspended so as to provide an alternative route for affected vehicles).

3. The order would come into force on 13th May 2024 and would continue in force until 16th June 2024 (inclusive).

4. The above-mentioned one-way traffic systems, bans, suspensions and ban on parking, waiting and loading would only apply at such times as shall be indicated by the placing or covering of traffic signs and ‘no parking cones’. They are necessary because of the likelihood of danger to the public caused by an increase in traffic and parking in the vicinity of Brockwell Park, while the Brockwell Live Events Series and the Lambeth Country Show are taking place in Brockwell Park.

Note: if it is deemed necessary in the interest of public safety there may also be traffic lane closures on Brixton Water Lane and Effra Road to enable the safe flow of pedestrians, traffic on those roads may be filtered into one lane.

5. Alternative routes would be available for vehicles affected by the one-way traffic systems and bans referred to in paragraph 1 above, via adjacent roads as indicated by traffic signs.

Dated 3rd May 2024 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager

SCHEDULE

BRIXTON WATER LANE, both sides, (a) between Effra Road/Tulse Hill and its junction with Dalberg Road, Effra Parade and Dulwich Road; and (b) between Effra Road/Tulse Hill and Crownstone Road. BROCKWELL PARK GARDENS, between Norwood Road and the common boundary of Nos. 42 and 43 Brockwell Park Gardens. CROXTED ROAD, the south side, between Norwood Road and the common boundary of Nos. 347a and 349 Croxted Road. DALBERG ROAD, both sides, between Morval Road and Dulwich Road/Brixton Water Lane. DULWICH ROAD, both sides, between Norwood Road and Spenser Road. EFFRA ROAD, both sides, between St Matthews Road and Brixton Water Lane. HERNE HILL, (a) the west and north-west sides, between Milkwood Road and Gubyon Avenue; and (b) the east and south-east sides, between Half Moon Lane and the south-western arm of Denesmead. HURST STREET, the whole road. MILKWOOD ROAD, both sides, between Herne Hill/Half Moon Lane and Gubyon Avenue. MILTON ROAD, the whole road. NORWOOD ROAD, (a) the west side, between Dulwich Road and Trinity Rise, except in the designated loading bay on Saturday 8th June 2024 and Sunday 9th June 2024 between the hours of 7am and 7pm; and (b) the east and south-east sides, between Half Moon Lane and Trinity Rise. RAILTON ROAD, both sides, between Shakespeare

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

CONTROLLED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AND ACCOMMODATING MEASURES

The London Borough of Southwark (Charged-for parking places) (Southwark Park Road) Order 202*

The London Borough of Southwark (Free parking places, Loading places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping restrictions) (Accommodating measures for crossings) 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 (Charged-for parking places) Order the purpose of which would be to accommodate a new raised zebra pedestrian crossing, in SOUTHWARK PARK ROAD (within Controlled Parking Zone ‘G’) would be:-

(a) north-east side (south of the southernmost vehicular access road to Kirby Estate) reduce in length by 36m existing ‘permit’ parking (34.5m remain), (b) south-west side (i) o/s No. 483c remove entirely 30.5m of existing ‘permit’ parking, and (ii) o/s No. 483a reduce in length by 4m existing ‘shared-use’ parking (52m remain) in which holders of a valid permit for the CPZ listed are permitted to park (between 08:30 am and 11 pm every day of the week) or free parking is permitted for a max stay of 20 minutes with no return within 1 hour.

3. The effect of the (Free parking places, Loading places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping restrictions) Order would be:-

(a) in KIMBERLEY AVENUE south-west side (side of No. 88 Evelina Road) add a new loading bay 13m in length for the purpose of loading and unloading only to operate every day of the week between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm (max stay 1 hour, no return within 2 hours); (b) in EVELINA ROAD north-west side o/s Nos. 90 to 98, reduce in length existing free ‘short stay’ parking by 29.5m (15m remain); (c) (i) in EVELINA ROAD south-east side (o/s Nos. 99 to 107) remove 26m of existing SYLs, (ii) convert 8.5m of existing SYLs to DYLs in SOUTHWARK PARK ROAD (south of the southernmost vehicular access road to Kirby Estate), and (iii) add 4m new SYLs in SOUTHWARK PARK ROAD south-west side (o/s No. 483a); (d) (i) remove existing DYLs in EVELINA ROAD 7m north-west side (o/s No. 88) and 4m south-east side (o/s No. 109), and in SOUTHAMPTON WAY 25m north-east side (south-east of its junction with Charles Coveney Road) and 35m south-west side (opposite junction with Charles Coveney Road), (ii) add new DYLs in KIMBERLEY AVENUE 5m north-east side (north-west of its junction with Evelina Road) and in SOUTHWARK PARK ROAD 1m north-east side (south of the southernmost vehicular access road to Kirby Estate), and (iii) amend existing DYLs to accommodate slight kerb-line widening in CHARLES COVENEY ROAD on both sides at its junction with Southampton Way, in EVELINA ROAD south-east-side o/s No. 109 and north-west side across the northwesternmost junction with Kimberley Avenue, and KIMBERLEY AVENUE on both sides at its north-westernmost junction with Evelina Road; (e) extend existing DYLs with contiguous DKBs in EVELINA ROAD by 12.5m south-east side o/s No. 99 and amend existing DYLs with contiguous DKBs in EVELINA ROAD (south-east side) and KIMBERLEY AVENUE (on both sides) at their south-easternmost junction; and (f) formalise 7.5m existing DYLs in SOUTHAMPTON WAY north-east side opposite Nos. 300 and 302 so as to match more closely what is in the street.

NOTES: (1) ‘permit-holders only’ parking refers to parking places for holders of valid parking permits within the Controlled Parking Zone ‘G’. (2) ‘SYLs’ refer to timed waiting restrictions, ‘DYLs’ refer to 'at any time' waiting restrictions, and ‘DKBs’ refer to 'at any time' loading restrictions. (3) All measurements are in metres ‘m’ and are approximate. (4) The Council will take the opportunity to remove entirely a 33.5m length of existing ‘School Keep Clear’ markings in Southampton Way that are no longer needed. (5) Parking charges are listed on www.southwark.gov.uk/parking

4. Southwark Council hereby GIVES FURTHER NOTICE that it has approved under section 23 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the provision of raised ‘zebra’ pedestrian crossings in the following locations (‘zig-zag’ markings, on which vehicles would be prohibited from stopping at all times, would be laid on both sides of the main carriageway for a minimum distance of 8m and a maximum of 18m either side of each crossing): (a) in EVELINA ROAD the centre of which would be located at the common boundary of Nos. 101 and 103 Evelina Road, (b) in SOUTHAMPTON WAY the centre of which would be located at a point 10.5m south-east of the south-easternmost wall of No. 302 Southampton Way, and (c) in SOUTHWARK PARK ROAD the centre of which would be located at a point 4m north of the northern-most wall of No. 483c Southwark Park Road.

5. 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 (Traffic calming) Regulations 1999, propose to construct a speed tables of flat-top construction having a maximum height level with the surrounding kerb covering the entire width of the carriageway at the sites of the ‘zebra’ pedestrian crossings described in item 3 above, (a) in EVELINA ROAD extending from a point 6m south-west of the common boundary of Nos. 101 and 103 Evelina Road northeastward for a distance of 50m and extending into KIMBERLEY AVENUE across its junction with Evelina Road (10m per side of its junction with Evelina Road), (b) in SOUTHAMPTON WAY extending from a point 10.5m northwest of the south-easternmost wall of No. 302 Southampton Way south-eastward for a distance of 27m and extending north-eastward into CHARLES COVENEY ROAD for a distance of 6.5m, and (c) in SOUTHWARK PARK ROAD extending from a point 5m north of the common boundary of Nos. 483b and 483c Southwark Park Road northward for a distance of 8m.

The measurements above include the ramps and any existing traffic calming measures at the exact locations above will be refreshed and replaced.

6. For more information about these proposals please contact George Mellish of the Council's Highways –Transport Projects team Highways@southwark.gov.uk

7. 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.

8. 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 ‘TMO2425-005 Crossings and measures’ by 24 May 2024. Please note that if you wish to object to this proposal you must state the grounds on which your objection is made.

9. 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 2 May 2024

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

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (ALBERTA STREET, AMELIA STREET, NIGEL ROAD, WESTON STREET, DEKKER ROAD, MONTAGUE CLOSE, WOOD VALE, DRUID STREET) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

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

2.Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in:

(a) Alberta Street, between Braganza Street and No’s 97 (b) Amelia Street, between Penton Place and No’s 212

(c) Nigel Road, between Rye Passage and Peckham Rye (d) Weston Street, between Melior Street and St Thomas Street

(e) Dekker Road, between Court Lane and Woodwarde Road south side and north side closure (f) Montague Close, between No’s 3 and No’s 6 (g) Wood Vale, between No’s 21 – No’s 8 and No’s 1 – No’s 15 Branfoot Court ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced outside and opposite on both sides of the carriageway (north and south side) (h) Druid Street, between Tanner Street and Pheonix Wharf Road

3.The alternative routes for affected traffic for (a) Braganza Street, Manor Place, Penton Place, Alberta Street. Penton Place, Kennington Park Road, Braganza Street (for non-motorised vehicles) as indicated (2b) Iliffe Street, Crampton Street (2c) Anstey Road, Fenwick Road, East Dulwich Road, Peckham Rye ( 2d) as indicated by the signs displayed (2e) Dekker Road, Desenfans Road, Woodwarde Road (2f) as indicated by the signs displayed (2g) not applicable (2h) as indicated by the signs displayed

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

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

6.The works will be in operation for (2a) 13th May – 22nd June (2b) 13th May- 15th June (2c) 13th – 15th May (2d) 4th – 5th May (2e) 15th May – 26th June, south side and north side closure carried out in phases (2f) 12th – 13th May (2g) 10th – 18th May (2h) 11th – 19th May

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

Dated this 2nd May 2024

Ian Law

Traffic Manager

London Borough of Southwark Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth

By Mark Baldwin

CHaMpioNs surrey needed only 30.2 overs on the final morning on Monday to wrap up victory by an innings and eleven runs against an overwhelmed Hampshire at the kia oval.

Dan Worrall finished with an impressive 5-47 as Hampshire, dismissed first time around for 151 on day one, were bowled out again for 197.

Ollie Pope equalled the Surrey record for the most outfield catches in a first-class match, pouching three more at second slip to give himself six in the innings and eight in the game.

Surrey’s thumping win, their second of the new Division One season, would surely have been completed well inside three days had a total of 84 overs not been lost to bad weather on the second and third days. Hampshire, resuming their second innings still 92 runs behind at 116-5, had added just Ben Brown’s single to their overnight score when Liam Dawson fell for eighteen – edging Worrall to Pope in the cordon in the third over of the morning. It was Pope’s fourth catch of the innings in the position, and sixth of the match, and the England batsman then went to seven when Worrall returned for his second spell of the morning session and Pope accepted a straightforward nick to second slip as Kyle Abbott departed for eight to the fast bowler’s second ball back.

Pope’s eighth and final catch of the match equalled Tony Lock’s record for Surrey from 1957 against Warwickshire at the Oval, although five of Lock’s catches in that game were off his own bowling. It also wrapped up the contest and gave Worrall his fifth wicket of the innings, Brad Wheal (9) obligingly edging for Pope to complete a spectacular tumbling take to his right.

James Fuller had earlier hung around 23 balls for his four, before fending a Gus Atkinson lifter to gully where Dan Lawrence took the catch at the second attempt to leave Hampshire 139-7.

Atkinson then greeted Abbott with a vicious first-ball lifter that the tailender did well to fend away from in front of his face, with both feet off the ground, and

Abbott continued to bat bravely as he helped Brown to add 26 for the eighth wicket.

But Worrall’s return did for him and legspinner Cameron Steel, brought on for his first bowl of the match for the 71st over of Hampshire’s second innings, had Brown well-held on the deep mid wicket ropes by Ryan Patel one ball after being slog-swept for six in his third over.

Brown’s 45 was a creditable effort but it was also a mark of Surrey’s dominance, and bowling power, that Steel – the early season’s leading championship wickettaker with 20 from the first three rounds – had not been needed until the game was all but over.

Surrey, who also beat Kent at Canterbury last week, took 22 points to Hampshire’s

ruthless surrey finish off haMPshire

Photo by Mark Sandom

Hayrettin: We’ll go again and be better

By John Kelly

HaKaN HayrettiN believes dulwich Hamlet is in “safe hands” as he praised the players, supporters and staff despite a disappointing end to the season after a 6-2 defeat to Cray Wanderers at a sold-out Champion Hill last weekend.

Anthony Cook and Gary Lockyer put the visitors 2-1 up after 31 minutes before Roarie Deacon pulled a goal back in the 41st minute.

Lockyer added three more before Kaya Hansson’s goal four minutes from time. Tom Beere completed the rout in the last minute.

The Hamlet finished twelfth in their first season back in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

kia oval side get second win of the season

three and have begun the campaign strongly in their bid for three successive championship titles.

“We have played really well over the four days,” Surrey captain Rory Burns said. “Obviously we got an early foothold in the game by bowling them out for 151 on the first day and getting ourselves into a good position from there.

“It was important for us when Ryan Patel came in to join me in our first innings and played really well [to score 41]. He has opened the batting for us a lot in the past and so was very good against the moving ball. The partnership we were able to put on together was a big moment in the game.

“I was very pleased to contribute my own hundred to the team cause in our

first innings and, yes, I think it was one of my best innings for the club. And then Jordan Clark came in and hit a brilliant hundred late on in our innings which gave us what was a match-winning lead.

“But I think the way our bowling attack has performed in this game, and especially in the second innings because of the relentless nature of it, is very much a blueprint for us as we go further into the season. It is very pleasing that we have started the season so well.”

Burns added: “Ollie has always been a very good catcher of the ball, and he moves very well on his feet so he is able to take a lot of difficult chances because of the good positions he gets himself in.”

Surrey host Warwickshire in Division One starting this Friday.

CoLA Southwark Pride claim fourth WNBL Division One play-off

title

By Sport Reporter

CoLA soUtHWArk Pride beat their rivals endeavour ipswich Basketball 72-56 to win the 2023-24 women’s National Basketball League play-off title in Manchester last weekend.

After an even first half in which neither team led by more than nine, a 20-7 third frame, when CoLA cranked up their defensive effort, made all the difference. Pride also dominated the rebounding battle 70-47, racking up 24 second-chance points in the process.

MVP Felicia Jacobs used timely baskets and a strong presence on the glass to keep CoLA ticking over in the low-scoring contest, finishing with twelve points and thirteen reboundsfive on offence - as well as three steals and an assist.

“Defence wins championships,” CoLA

head coach Jackson Gibbons said. “Brian Nguru runs our defence. He’s an incredible young coach - he’s going to be phenomenal.

“I’m so proud of that group of kids. It hasn’t been a straightforward season at all. We’ve had so many bumps in the road, whether it be the culture, the results, and they just seemed to figure it out in the last six to seven weeks.

“Half-time seemed bleak, but no one seemed worried. We’ve had some great teams at CoLA and I would never put one team above another team, but they just wrote their name into history.

“Credit to Ipswich. What a tough team. They should hold their heads high, and they should be proud. We’ve got nothing but respect for them.”

On the performances from his forwards Jacobs, Esther Kursite and Adaora Dioramma, Gibbons said: “We know that’s our advantage against [Ipswich] and the role of coach is to empower and help young people realise how great they can be and that’s how great that group can be. They came to the party and really showed [how great they are]. They’re an incredible group of young ladies.”

An emotional Gibbons revealed he would be stepping back from coaching CoLA’s D1 and WEABL side going forward, moving into a different role with the programme as he hands the reins over to Nguru on a high.

Gibbons said: ”I’m a lifer at CoLA. I have an incredible assistant coach that now needs to be a head coach and I’m going to let him go and cook. He needs his opportunity.

“It’s been a long road. It’s been eleven years and it’s time to give it somebody else - and he’s an absolutely phenomenal coach.”

“It’s been a long season, we played some good stuff in the middle third,” boss Hayrettin said. “It was the start and back end of it that really hampered us. I think the injuries took their toll towards the end.

“The people at this football club behind the scenes, that no one gets to see, all the hard work they do - the club is in safe hands. Unbelievable group of people, great chairman. We’ve got to make sure now that next season we do a lot better than what we did this season.

“My message to the supporters is that, without them, this club is not the same. Even to the death they are here supporting in their thousands. Long may that continue.

“We’ve had hundreds turn up when we’re away, thousands at home win, lose or draw. They’ve been absolutely brilliant.”

Hayrettin added:

“It’s a great place to be. You go to a place of work, I love coming here, smile on my face, it’s not all the time you find that.

“We’re going to go again and do better.

“Twelve months ago it was doom and gloom. We set out to rebuild, we want to build from the bottom up. That was one of my tasks, unity within everybody. We’ve got a group working tirelessly hard, showing the supporters that we care, that’s very important to me.”

Riakporhe like ‘salivating hyena’

By John Kelly

riCHard riaKporHe and Chris Billam-smith faced off for the first time since their wbo world cruiserweight contest was confirmed - with the walworth fighter saying his opponent is getting into the ring with “a salivating hyena”.

Riakporhe and Billam-Smith will meet for a second time in their careers at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park on June 15. Unbeaten Riakporhe has handed Bournemouth’s Billam-Smith his only professional defeat.

“I’m really happy, finally my dream has come true, not just to fight for a world title but to fight at Selhurst Park,” Riakporhe said.

“It’s unbelievable, I’m looking forward to putting on a show for the fans and keeping the title in south London. The only thing that’s going to be derailed is Chris BillamSmith.

He’s got experience, he’s world champion, he has the title but I’ve got hunger, will and he’s fighting a salivating hyena that hasn’t eaten for a week. It’s going to be a tough fight for Chris BillamSmith.”

Surrey’s Ollie Pope

Surrey 359 beat hampshire 151 & 197 by an innings and eleven runs

Head coach Jackson

The victorious squad © Basketball England

By John Kelly

QPR stun Leeds to pull off ‘Great Escape’ s ilVa lining

QU

eens PA rk rangers secured their Championship status for next season by hammering Leeds United 4-0 at Loftus road last Friday night - a result that confirmed Leicester City's promotion to the Premier League.

First-half goals from Ilias Chair and Lucas Andersen were followed in the second half by headers from Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field as the R's moved up to sixteenth in the table with 53 points.

Leeds stayed second but will finish in the play-offs if Ipswich Town get four points from their last two games to seal a second successive promotion.

QPR had lost six consecutive league games when Marti Cifuentes replaced the sacked Gareth Ainsworth last October and only exited the relegation zone in February.

After a difficult Christmas and New Year when they didn't win in seven games, they have lost just four times in their last eighteen, winning nine.

"Definitely it has been a fantastic evening," Cifuentes said. "We worked really hard to get this kind of performance and result.

"I'm very happy for all the players, for the fans that have been amazing helping us all the way. And for the club because it was a difficult task. We managed to get the Great Escape.

“[Friday] it was almost everything perfect, last game at home this season and in front of our supporters, to get this kind of performance against a fantastic football team as is Leeds, that takes a lot of credit for the guys."

Legendary defender confirms exit - but vows to make Stamford Bridge return

By John Kelly

t H iaG o silVa has confirmed he is leaving Chelsea after the end of the season - but says he wants to “come back one day”.

Silva, 39, has made 151 appearances for the Blues since joining the club on a free transfer from Paris SaintGermain in the summer of 2020.

Brazil international Silva paid tribute to then Chelsea manager Frank Lampard for helping him settle at the club.

Silva won the Champions League, European Super Cup and FIFIA Club World Cup under Thomas Tuchel. He also has two runners-up medals in both the FA Cup and EFL Cup, one in the latter this season.

Silva, who initially joined on a oneyear deal, said his association the the club was “an indescribable love”.

“Chelsea means a lot to me. I came here with the intention of only staying for a year and it ended up being four years. Not just for me but for my family, too,” Silva said on Chelsea’s website.

“My sons play for Chelsea so it’s a source of great pride to be a part of the Chelsea family – literally because my sons are here. I hope they can continue their careers here at this victorious club that many players wish to be part of.

“I think in everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all. But, unfortunately, everything has a start, a middle and an end. That

doesn’t mean that this is a definitive end. I hope to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here.

“But…it’s an indescribable love. I can only say thank you.”

Silva added: “Obviously, when I started here, it was during the pandemic so there wasn’t any fans in the stadium. But through social media, it became something very special to me and then when the fans started coming back to the stadium and life was getting back to normal, I started to feel a lot of affection and respect for my story and for my start here.

“It is already hard saying goodbye in the most normal of circumstances but when there is a mutual love, it’s even harder. But once a Blue, always a Blue.

“The way in which I came to the club, with the support of the club, I got to the club as a leader even though I didn’t feel like it having arrived as the new guy. It’s always difficult to integrate but bit by bit I became part of the group and Lampard played a big part in that. I am grateful to him for that.

“[It’s been a] dream, definitely a dream. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I could achieve such great things and win one of the best professional titles, the Champions League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“Goodbyes are for those that leave and don’t come back. I intend on coming back one day…”

Poch says players affected by FA Cup loss - but praises character

By John Kelly

M auriCio poCHettiNo

admitted Chelsea’s FA Cup semifinal defeat against Manchester City has effected them - but the Blues boss was pleased with his side’s “character” as they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Aston Villa last weekend.

Chelsea lost 5-0 at Arsenal after their defeat to City and were then 2-0 down at half-time at Villa park after Marc Cucurella’s own goal and Morgan Rogers’ strike.

The visitors responded well after

the break and claimed a point after goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher.

"We were so affected by the semi-final of the FA Cup against Manchester City. We were so disappointed,” Pochettino said. “We struggled a little bit to recover from there and Arsenal, who are doing well, they punished us so much. But [against Villa] the team showed good character and good performance.

"If we analyse the game, we were the better side. I can say we deserved to win but I think it makes me very happy and pleased that we were able to perform against a team in a very good

position, doing a fantastic season and to show that we can compete in this way."

Chelsea thought they had won it in the 95th minute when Axel Disasi headed in Benoit Badiashile's cross. But the video assistant referee recommended referee Craig Pawson to look at the lead-up to the goal, and he judged that Badiashile had fouled a Villa defender and disallowed it.

Pochettino said: "We were talking a little bit. The referee didn't see the action on the field. What he saw wasn't a foul for him but then the VAR changed the decision. If the referee had said, 'it

was a foul', and then stuck with the decision, then okay no problem.

"The referee saw the action, he didn't see a foul and then go check on the VAR. It was a challenge that happens so many times in football. Disappointed because in this moment, it was massive for us, to have success and believe we can get in the European competition for next season. That is why it is painful.

"I will put myself in trouble if I say anything but I think everyone saw that it wasn't a foul. To be honest, it's a push from behind – not with the power to say it's a foul.

“One of the most important things

after Arsenal is about the team showing great character."

Pochettino was asked if some players had staked a claim to be at the club beyond the summer with the way they fought back.

He replied: “Yes, of course. We need to assess the players and to project for the future. That is a thing, of course, the owners, sporting director and in this case, us, we need to talk. We are open to talk and then we will see when we talk."

Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday (May 2) before another Stamford Bridge London derby against West Ham United on Sunday.

Thiago Silva’s heart was captured by the club

harris Weighs uP loan stars’ futures

crop of Lions youngsters are returning from moves away

eXcLuSive

By Kiro Evans

Neil H arris will spend the next few weeks mulling over the futures of his young loan players as they complete their spells at other clubs.

The Lions boss has been keeping an eye on the progress of the club’s youthful stars who have been looking to make a name for themselves away from The Den.

Alex Mitchell has impressed at Lincoln City where he just missed out on a

League One play-off place while Niino Adom-Malaki enjoyed regular football for Sutton United before their season ended with relegation out of League Two.

Meanwhile, Kamarl Grant has a Wembley trip to look forward to after his Bromley side progressed to the National League final this Sunday. They will play Solihull Moors.

Harris said he will be weighing up what’s important for the players as well as Millwall when he plans out their next steps.

He told our paper: “Niino is back in with us at the moment to train. Alex is someone who trained with us originally when I was head coach here and I’ve seen quite a lot of over the last couple of years.

“And Kamarl’s down at Bromley, Chin [Okoli] has been at Bromley and Kyle Smith has been at Wealdstone and done well.

“So I’m aware of the young lads that have been out and I’d probably put Alex in there to a certain degree even though he’s not an under-21 player, he’s a first-

team player, but he’s still at a younger age.

“Discussions will be had over the course of the summer as to what’s best for them. We have to consider it’s not just what’s best for Millwall but what’s best for them as well.

“It’s very difficult for any player that’s played in the lower leagues, ie conference level or League Two, to come back and expect to play in the Championship next year. So how do we bridge that gap between them and the Championship?

Schlupp uses anger issue to fire stunner in Fulham draw

By John Kelly

J effrey sCH lupp’s late wonder goal to salvage a point at Fulham was inspired by being on the losing side among group of oldies in training on Friday, e agles boss o liver Glasner reckoned. Schlupp, 31, received a pass from midfielder Adam Wharton before firing into the top corner past Cottagers goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Marco Silva’s hosts had gone ahead in the 52nd minute through Rodrigo Muniz's header. Schlupp came on for Jordan

Ayew in the 76th minute before scoring his second league goal of the season.

"The finish is amazing," Glasner said. "All of the substitutes brought a great energy at the end of a very tough week and we had an amazing goal from Jeffrey so

I'm pleased with the performance.

"We started from the right with Adam Wharton, who played a pass to Jeffrey and with his second touch, he had a great finish.

“He was a little bit angry because yesterday we had a finishing exercise with old players against young players and the old players lost, so I think that's why he

wanted to score.

"It was fully deserved. We had an excellent start. We put a lot of pressure on Fulham who did not come out of their half. We had chances to take the lead but we missed those chances and we were then 1-0 down.

"I'm really pleased with the performance, especially with the willingness to get the point and the effort not to lose here."

Meanwhile, Silva was asked about defender Tosin Adarabioyo who was left out of the squad and has been linked with a free transfer away from Craven Cottage in the summer.

“He can still play. We have three more games left and if I decide he can play and be on the pitch than he will. It’s not the case that he won’t play anymore for Fulham,” Silva said.

“I want us to be as competitive as can be, but at the same time I have to look to the future of the football club.”

Silva added: “I am not happy with the result but have to say it was a fair result.

“Our first half was not the level we should be and Palace were more aggressive on the ball than us. Off the ball we were not good enough.”

“Alex is slightly different. He’s played in League One and has certainly done well over the last few months. Is he going to be ready for Championship football next year? Those are discussions that have to take place.

“We have to be respectful to the player. Do they want to be here? Forget who the head coach is - do they see their futures here or somewhere else? So we have to consider all of that and make a decision on what’s best for a) the player and b) the football club and that’s what will happen over the coming weeks.”

By John Kelly

Veter An deFender Alex Pearce is among the players released by AFC Wimbledon. Vice-captain Pearce, 35, made 39 appearances after joining on a free transfer from Millwall in 2022.

Midfielder Harry Pell, 32, is also leaving the club for the second time after a total of 131 appearances. Wimbledon have taken up an option to extend Jack Currie’s contract, while talks are ongoing with Ronan Curtis.

The club have offered new deals to Huseyin Biler, Lee Brown, Armani Little and Ethan Sutcliffe. Dons manager Johnnie Jackson said: “I would like to thank the outgoing players for all their hard work and dedication shown in their AFC Wimbledon careers and we as a club wish them every success in their next chapter.”

Alex Mitchell (central), Kamarl Grant (left) and Niino Adom-Malaki have all been out on loan

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29

aMoriM or out?

Chelsea forced to deny they had talks with Sporting boss to replace Poch

By John Kelly

CHeLseA HAVe been forced to deny that they paid for a flight for sporting Lisbon manager ruben Amorim after he was spotted in London last week.

Reports said that Amorim was in the capital to hold talks with West Ham United over replacing David Moyes.

But Portuguese journalist Pedro Sepúlveda, who has almost 90,000 followers on X, posted that Amorim was on his way to talk to the Blues about taking over from underpressure Mauricio Pochettino after rejecting an offer from Liverpool. The Reds have since moved on and are set to appoint Feyenoord’s Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp’s successor.

Telegraph football reporter Matt Law

reported posted that Chelsea were “absolutely adamant that the club did not pay for a flight for Ruben Amorim to visit London last week and did not hold any meetings or talks with him”.

Amorim was forced to apologise for the trip, which took place days before Sporting’s 2-2 draw at rivals FC Porto last Saturday.

“Let’s get the elephant out of the room. I’ll talk about this once,” Amorim said last weekend. “The first thing is that the club was aware of my trip. It’s important and changes the context.

“The second situation, talking about the cloak of secrecy surrounding the trip. I secretly parked the car outside, passed around fifteen people, took photos with people and got on the plane.

No quick fix for Lions

by Kiro Evans

Neil Harris does not believe one transfer window can "fix everything" at Millwall as he played down expectations the Lions will automatically return to challenging for the play-offs.

The 46-year-old has engineered a stunning turnaround in form at The Den and his side can end the campaign with five straight victories if they beat Swansea City in their final league game this weekend.

The form over the last twelve games may have left some fans hoping Millwall can return to challenging for the play-offs as they did in most of the recent seasons under Gary Rowett. But Harris has warned there is still plenty of work to do to get the Lions back on track.

"The club have had a difficult season. We can look at last summer and losing out to Blackburn on the final day would've hit the squad, and it would have hit any squad or football club,” Harris said.

"Losing John [Berylson] was the biggest loss this football club has had in a long time. Jimmy coming in has been phenomenal - what a brilliant family. "And it's difficult for the football club to then just gather stability and move forward. And to have three head coaches in the same year is really tough.

"To be where we are today I wouldn't say is expected or acceptable off the back of the last eight or nine seasons. However, it's happened for a reason and we have to appreciate that, understand that and move forward.

"You can't just go into one transfer window and expect to fix everything and say next year we'll be fighting for a top ten finish again. No, we have to be respectful to the league and where we've been this season and we have to take those steps again.

“Therefore, remove a little bit of that thing that was done behind our backs, mainly from the club.

“The most important point – my trip was a mistake. The timing was completely off, it didn’t seem right to me at the time.

“It was inappropriate, even more so when I am so demanding with my players, I am always the first to say that each one’s individual problems cannot be overcome by the team and, therefore, it was my fault.

“I have to accept it and live with it. Thinking coldly afterwards, it is very clear.

“It’s also not true that I didn’t explain to the players. I gave it to the players and the staff.

“Now it’s time to move forward, also using the public part to apologise to

Sporting fans, the staff and especially, publicly, to my players.”

Amorim is set to be one of the most highly sought-after coaches in England and Europe this summer with a number of jobs potentially becoming available, including at the Hammers, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and AC Milan.

Pochettino led the Blues to the final of the EFL Cup and semi-finals of the FA Cup but ultimately the club will endure another trophy-less season.

Chelsea are also struggling to qualify for Europe through the Premier League. They are ninth, six points behind Manchester United in the UEFA Conference League spot before their game in hand against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Thursday (May 2).

“The football club has always been at its best with an underdog status and when it's built through transfer windows.

"From a club perspective, we have to make sure we compete the best we can in the transfer window, we have to make sure we try and get the turnover of players right to make sure we have a squad that want to be here next year.”

Mauricio Pochettino has had a diffi cult season

Ruben Amorim, , boarding a flight to London