NEWS Pages 2-19
ARTS & EVENTS
Page 20-22 HISTORY Page 23
Page 24
& FAMILY
protesters held a sit-in last week to demand offiCials rehouse two families
By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter
Protesters Are holding a sit-in at Lewisham Council’s offices to demand officials rehouse two families they claim are living in unsuitable temporary accommodation.
Around 80 demonstrators, some dressed as witches, have gathered inside Laurence House in Catford, South London today (October 31) in support of the families.
Mum Anabel, 23, whose name has been changed to protect her privacy, has been living in a one-room hostel where she and her young son for over two years. Her son, who is two years old, has spent almost his entire life in the cramped council-managed accommodation, where the family must share the bathroom and toilet with other families
Since 2003, it has been against the law for families with kids to be kept in bed and breakfasts and hostels for over six weeks. But a loophole in the law means that the rules don’t apply when a property is owned or run by a local authority.
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The second family spent over a year living in a council managed hostel before being moved to what they claim is overcrowded temporary accommodation outside of the borough and far from their support network.
Housing Action Southwark and Lambeth (HASL), who have been supporting both families, claim that instead of helping them, the council is exploiting legal loopholes and creating long delays to avoid providing them with suitable housing.
HASL wrote to the council earlier in October calling for local social housing for both families. According to HASL, the council responded insisting that both families’ temporary accommodation was suitable.
Anabel said: “I am worried that the lack of space is affecting his development. There is not enough room to play. The council do not really help you and the staff can be rude and do not care. I have been trying to get moved for two years but it has never felt like the council has listened to me. I think they have
just forgotten about me.”
Demonstrators chanted ‘too long in temporary’, ‘que pasa que no tenemos pasa [what’s happening, we don’t have a reason]’ and ‘Lewisham Council hear us say: homelessness must end today’, despite council officials’ pleas for them to quieten down. Protesters had come from across London and as far as Dartford in Kent to support the families.
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Elizabeth Wyatt, a HASL member, said:
“It’s unbelievable that Lewisham Council is justifying these harmful living conditions. It has now been over two years that Anabel’s family have been stuck in these hazardous and stressful conditions. We’re here to say that this is definitely not okay for our members or for anyone.
“As well as the devastating impact on these families, Lewisham Council’s refusal to respect
the six week limit for hostel accommodation for families undermines everyone’s homeless rights. This law is there to provide minimum standards and very basic protections for vulnerable homeless families, but Lewisham Council wants to lower these standards even further. It is a dystopian vision that the council appears to be fighting for.”
Lewisham Council has been contacted for comment.
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Anabel and her son have a small room and must share a toilet and bathroom with other families. Her son has lived in the b&b almost his entire life.
© Robert Firth
the history behind the strange 'bermondsey' souvenirs being sold on ebay right now
By Isabel Ramirez
in the week we reported that an old Dandy comic was reunited with its Bermondsey author, we discovered there were other interesting items on sale from the area.
Here are some of the bits we found and the history behind them...
Price: £13.99
Bermondsey Station, 1988
Price: £1.50
1 - 100 Millwall stickers
a bargaIn for LIonS fanS WantIng to LEaVE thEIr mark on aWay DayS.
With staunch loyalty and a history of hooliganism, Millwall supporters are known for leaving their mark wherever they go. Their hearts lie at The Den, but whilst on tour they will make sure everyone knew they were there.
Just like tattoos and flags, putting stickers up at stadiums with tongue-incheek messages, like 'Taking the P*** since 1885', is somewhat of a tradition for fans.
And this tradition is reciprocated. After entering Millwall FC's stadium via 'Cowards Way', away fans indulge in the same practice before the match begins.
2 - A Platform Ticket for South
a tICkEt JUSt to gEt on thE pLatform that DoESn't Work on thE traIn; Who WoULD Want that - yoU aSk?
Well, it's not as useless as you might think.
If customers are not travelling by train but wish to access the station platform they may need to buy a platform ticket.
Say someone wishes to assist someone onto the train, or they are a trainspotter, they would use this where ticket barriers are in operation.
Despite this one being from the late '80s, they're still in use today at certain stations and can only be bought at the ticket office.
3 - Antique Western & Wolland Salt Glaze Ginger Beer Bottle
Price: £15.99
bottLES LIkE thESE arE SomE of thE onLy rEmnantS of a SUCCESSfUL 19thCEntUry gIngEr bEEr bUSInESS, baSED In bErmonDSEy.
The company, Western and Wolland (W&W), a ginger beer and lemonade enterprise, was based in a factory on Grange Walk in 1865.
The ginger root needed for the drink was easily at hand with the spice trade
so close to Shad Thames, making it a perfect spot for the industry. The firm successfully traded for 40 years and just disappeared without a trace, except for these odd excavated bottles.
In the earliest years, the ginger beer was bottled in these stoneware containers, with the W&W logo (horse’s heads enclosed in a horseshoe) impressed on the side.
However, the stone bottles were porous so they struggled to hold in the fizz. In 1875, a new design was born: glass bottles with a cork to lock in the bubbles - also available to buy.
4 - Tax Demand from a Bermondsey resident, 1878
Price: £1.50
a VICtorIan taX SLIp aDDrESSED to a LanDoWnEr.
Almost every working adult in the UK today pays income tax, a form of direct tax. However, in the 18th century, things were very different.
The first and, for a long time, only form of direct taxation in Britain was land tax.
Levied from 1692 to 1963, only people with land, property or wealth would be ordered to pay it and the amount varied according to the size of a person's landholdings.
The rate of tax was set by Parliament
each year in a 'Land Tax Act' and was usually between two and four shillings in the pound, based on the value of each individual's land or property.
It lasted longer - over 250 yearsthan any other form of direct taxation, from its inception in 1693 to its final abolition by the Finance Act of 1963.
This slip, also requesting income tax and inhabited house duty, totals £7.84 for the year.
Before boroughs were formed, Bermondsey was once part of Surrey County before it became part of Southwark - which explains why the slip reads 'Bermondsey, County: Surrey.'
5 - McDougall's Practical Arithmetical Questions, 1923
Price: £6.00
a book of yEar 6 mathS QUEStIonS from bErmonDSEy CEntraL SChooL In 1923.
The school was opened in 1874 as the Monnow Road School - renamed in 1915.
It took in students from 35 primary schools in Bermondsey - who had either failed to pass the exam needed to win a scholarship for the local grammar schools or were too poor to afford to pay the fees. The students remained at the school for four years before venturing into the world of work
where they would earn money for their families.
Now in its place is Spa Bermondsey, a secondary students aged 11-19 with Autism.
McDougall's Educational Company Ltd, which published this maths book, was a well-known British educational publisher active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Based in London and Edinburgh, it specialised in producing a variety of educational resources for schoolchildren, including textbooks, workbooks, and exam question books across multiple subjects, such as maths, English, and history.
This book is from a time before the British education system became standardised, and way before the national curriculum came in 1989. The questions are also very 'of the time'. For instance, before decimalisation arrived in 1971, money was separated into pounds, shillings and pence.
Shillings were usually abbreviated to 's': which stands for 'sesterius' or 'solidos', coins used by the Romans. Pennies were, confusingly, abbreviated to 'd': because the Latin word for this coin was 'denarius'.
teen jailed for killing woman in laughing gas-fuelled argument on Christmas e ve
By court reporter
A teenAge mobile phone thief who stabbed a young woman to death 'in a fit of anger' after inhaling laughing gas with her on Christmas Eve has been jailed for six and a half years.
Kacey Clarke, 22, was knifed at her home in Bermondsey, southeast London, on December 24 last year.
Police officers attended along with paramedics who provided emergency first aid but Ms Clarke died at the scene.
The killer, who is now 17 but cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested a short time later.
He denied and was cleared of murder but was convicted by an Old Bailey jury of manslaughter after over 13 hours of deliberation.
Jailing him for six years and six months years, Judge Simon Mayo, KC, said: "I am sure that Kacey did not have a knife.
‘I am sure that in a fit of anger you picked up a hunting knife, removed it from the sheath and stabbed her inside of the chest.
‘Suggesting Kacey had a knife was something you made up.
‘I am sure that when you stabbed her you intended to hurt her badly, even if you did not intend to cause her really serious harm.
‘I accept that you regret killing Kacey. It would be very worrying if you did not."
The judge said he accepted that Ms Clarke was also being aggressive and had pulled out a clump of the teenager’s hair.
The judge also sentenced him for a series of thefts by snatching mobile
telephones between July and September last year and six offences of dangerous driving on an e-bike.
The teenager had ridden up to members of the public and snatched their phones with a friend before riding off, stealing more than 30 phones.
He was arrested for the offences but when released on bail stole another 16 phones.
The judge said he had thought carefully about how the teenager’s ADHD may have affected his ability to understand the nature and consequences of his actions.
"I accept that you were less able to think about your choices and the consequences of your actions," he said.
The judge unusually announced the six year sentence at the start of his sentencing remarks rather than the end due to his age.
After announcing the sentence he gave the teenager a written copy of his remarks to follow while he spoke.
The teenager had been arrested multiple times before for a number of different offences including robbery and possession of a bladed article, the court heard.
When arrested for murder, the court was told that the 16-year-old broke down and said "For What? You’re lying, you’re lying….”.
And that he later laughed at police officers saying the charges against him would "go nowhere".
The knife was recovered a month later by a nearby railway arch.
In a victim impact statement on behalf of the family, Kacey Clarke’s uncle said:
"We cannot explain the sadness and devastation that this tragic event has had.
"We are all so close, and her death has left a fracture in our family and a gap that cannot be filled."
Ms Clarke had been taking 'balloons', slang for inhaling nitrous oxide, before she was attacked.
Police later found a 'large collection' of canisters containing the gas in the killer's bedroom.
Jane Osborne, KC, prosecuting, earlier told jurors: "Unfortunately, Kacey Clarke was never to see Christmas day, because on Christmas Eve, she was stabbed by this defendant and died."
A relative had suspected Ms Clarke been taking 'intoxicating substances' earlier that day as she had been in contact with her by phone.
The phone messages showed she had been taking 'balloons', the court heard.
Ms Osborne said the relative had challenged Ms Clarke about taking laughing gas and said she "shouldn’t be boring because it was Christmas."
Police and paramedics were later called to an 'incident' at Ms Clarke's home at 22:02pm.
The first medic to enter the flat found Ms Clarke lying on the kitchen floor and unresponsive.
"There was a single stab wound that was to the right-hand side of her chest wall, around the 4th/5th rib which was 3-4cm long," said the prosecutor.
"At the time that the paramedics arrived Kacey Clarke was in cardiac arrest.
"In order to facilitate the necessary medical treatment, a space was cleared
in the living room, so that Kacey could be moved from the kitchen, where she was lying when the paramedics arrived, into the lounge.
"Whilst she was there the medical team did everything they could to try and save Kacey Clarke.
"They performed surgery on her in the living room to ensure that the heart was undamaged and capable of functioning – they found no damage to the heart but there was substantial bleeding to the right lung which was significantly damaged.
"Despite inserting breathing tubes to ensure that oxygen was entering the body and carrying out blood transfusions to replace the blood that was being lost, Kacey never regained consciousness. Her life was pronounced extinct at 22:42."
When the teenager was arrested he made no reply to caution.
"The arresting officer noticed that he had a scratch to his neck and also an injury to his left arm," said Ms Osborne.
The court heard he also had a rip to the rear of his T-shirt.
Police later found a 'large collection' of nitrous oxide cannisters in his bedroom along with a sheath to a knife on the floor, but with no blade, the court was told.
Photographs were then taken of the defendant's injuries and a blood stain on the defendant’s right foot between his big toe and the next one.
"The blood, when later analysed, was found to match that of Kacey Clarke," said Ms Osborne.
"Once at the police station and having recovered from the initial shock, the defendant remained entirely calm, and
at times was laughing and joking with officers saying that the charges would go nowhere. He didn’t ask about Kacey Clarke at any point.
"When the flat was searched clumps of his hair were found which appeared to have been ripped from his head.
"There were clumps of hair that were seized from near the door of the kitchen. Those clumps of hair, when later analysed, had the appearance of having been ripped from the scalp and they were found to belong to the defendant."
Police later analysed footage from a CCTV camera belonging to the occupants of a neighbouring flat.
The prosecutor added: "A clip which shows no people on the footage but contains audio which consists of a male saying 'I’m gonna ching you up yeah' and a female voice saying 'Just f--king stop' and the male finally saying 'I’m going to kill you'.
"This clip lasted only 11 seconds, and was recorded shortly before 22:00."
The defendant, of south London, denied but was convicted of manslaughter. He denied and was cleared of murder.
Detective Inspector Adam Clifton said: "Through a thorough investigation we were able to disprove many assertions made about Kacey, leading to the jury rejecting the defendant’s claim to have been acting in self-defence. I am pleased that we have been able to secure justice for her.
"Reducing violence against women and girls remains a key priority for the Met and I would urge anyone who is suffering abuse to reach out for help."
By Isabel Ramirez
A MAn and two teenage boys were sentenced for their involvement in a spate of phone theft incidents in Bermondsey and Greenwich.
The trio were brought to justice for their part in snatching phones in 35 separate incidents. Following the actions of Met officers, 32 mobile phones were recovered, with 30 of them successfully returned to their rightful owners.
Police said the total estimated value of the stolen phones amounts to over £20,000.
Footage shared by the Met Police, shows thieves in Bermondsey and Greenwich snatching phones before being apprehended in a branch of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
The Met investigation was launched in 2023 and focused on the three individuals who used electric motorbikes to steal phones from
three sentenCed as poliCe CraCk down on mobile phone thefts in bermondsey and greenwiCh
unsuspecting victims.
The police said they targeted individuals by aggressively riding their bikes on pavements and approaching people at high speeds, creating an intimidating environment that made it difficult for victims to react or escape.
Kie Joyce, 21, from Bermondsey was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment on Thursday, 19 September at Inner London Crown Court for conspiracy to steal and eight counts of dangerous driving offences.
A 16-year-old boy – who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to six months on Friday, 1 November at the Old Bailey for conspiracy to steal and eight counts of dangerous driving.
A second 16-year-old boy – who also cannot be named for legal reasons – was sentenced to a nine-month supervision requirement on Friday, 26 February at South London Magistrates' Court for conspiracy to commit theft and handling stolen goods. He was also subjected to a youth rehabilitation
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order, and curfew requirement and is required to pay compensation of £425.
As part of the A New Met for London plan, the Met is focusing on improving community policing, with officers patrolling busy areas and town centres to help deter offenders and ensure they are present to act on anything suspicious. Local residents have fed back the increased presence has provided a sense of safety to residents and visitors.
The Met is employing CCTV in busy
areas to monitor and identify people involved in mobile phone thefts, allowing them to capture real-time footage for analysis and evidence gathering.
PC Alex Earley, who led the investigation, said: “I am pleased our investigation has brought three offenders to justice for their part to play in a spate of phone thefts in our local area. This demonstrates our commitment to addressing the concerns of those living and working here.
“Our top priority is to drive down crime that impacts our communities the most, creating neighbourhoods where everyone feels safe.”
Commander Owain Richards, the lead for mobile phone thefts in London, added: “We understand the impact mobile phone theft can have on victims, it’s an invasive and sometimes violent crime- and we’re committed to protecting Londoners and tackling this issue as we make the capital safer.
“We continue to use data and technology to build intelligence and track stolen items to target offenders. We are also working with phone firms to ‘design out’ the ability for phones to be reused and sold on as we seek to dismantle the criminal market that fuels robbery and theft.
“We encourage people to report as soon as they can whenever they have been a victim of mobile phone theft, so officers can investigate swiftly”. If you witness or are a victim of a crime, it is crucial to report it promptly by calling 999 in case of an emergency. For non-emergency situations, you can call 101 or report online.
For advice on how to stay safe from mobile phone theft visit the Met Police website.
Apply for a UK visa including new visa changes
The UK Home Office has announced several key changes that will come into effect post 01 January 2025. It will also change how we apply for a UK visa
• Stay connected with all our latest changes here - https://icslegal.com/blog/
The changes Let us run through some changes that will impact both individuals and businesses:
1. The new e-visa program will be enforced post January 2025 and those who have not applied yet, will need to do so. Find more details at https://icslegal.com/Getting-an-online immigration-status-evisas.
2. ETA visas will be available from April 2025, to allow quicker entry and exit from the UK, in order to boost the UK’s travel economy.
3. Global Talent visa program, the introduction on additional categories which includes AI, cyber security and also fintech, will allow exceptional promise or talent to apply for the immigration program.
4. 3-years settlement route on the Innovator visa, easier application process.
UK Gov statistics related to UK visas
315,018
Skilled worker visas, around 55% granted on the Health & Care work visa programs.
446,924
Student visas granted
79,298
Family visas including dependants coming to join their sponsors.
Value creation: achieving success through the meaningful value we create in every direction.
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Apply for a UK visa
The following details will help you understand how to make a visa application using the digital platform:
• Create a UKVI account. This will help you set-up current and future visa application. Be sure to use an email you will always have access to.
• Once created, generate the visa application by answering questions related to the intention of your entry to the UK. For example, you intend to open a business in the UK or wish to be employed.
• Choosing the correct immigration program will ensure you are completing the correct visa form.
• When answering the questions, please pay attention to the visa guidance. This will help you understand what details are required and how to respond to each question.
• Once you have submitted the visa application, you will not be able to make any changes.
• The visa fees are paid online and then you will need to book a visa appointment, to submit the biometric data and also submit documents.
Find more details on how to apply for a UK visa to come to the UKhttps://icslegal.com/apply-uk-visa.
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Take advice as early as possible to ensure you prepare for the legal challenge.
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Ensure you submit both information and documents relevant to the visa program.
Take immigration advice
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About the author
ICS Legal have been helping clients on immigration and nationality matters for 18 years. Our work involves us assisting individuals, entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses on both strategy and applications to the UK Home Office.
One of the phone thefts taking place
Kie Joyce, 21
Collisions
have almost tripled on l ower r oad sinC e C yC le lane was installed, data suggests
EXCLUSIVE
By Herbie Russell
CoLLisions on Lower Road have almost tripled since a controversial cycle lane was officially unveiled, data suggests.
The £2.8 million Cycleway 4 project by Transport for London (TfL) and Southwark Council saw a motor traffic lane removed to accommodate cyclists in spring.
Locals, who had branded the redesign "crazy" and "absolute chaos", appear to have been vindicated by the latest statistics.
Neil Coyle MP has now urged both TfL and Southwark Council to “get out of bed and acknowledge” the problem.
Between January 2017 and March 2024, there was an average of 0.7 collisions per month, according to Transport for London (TfL) data.
We have learned this skyrocketed to roughly two collisions per month in the three months after Cycleway 4 was installed.
While data seen by us shows collision statistics until May 2024, more up-to-date statistics are not available and were not provided by TfL.
Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, said: “TfL and Southwark Council need to get out of bed and acknowledge that the changes have had a negative impact.”
The Labour MP also said that the authorities had failed to keep him updated on collision and air pollution data since the scheme was installed.
TfL responded saying data monitoring is Southwark Council's responsibility.
Although TfL funded and helped design the road layout, it is "now part of the borough road network," it said.
On a visit to Lower Road in May, Mr
Coyle said it was “shocking” that neither TfL nor Southwark Council were working with police or ambulance services to track dangerous incidents.
“It’s ridiculous that they are telling local people to email in if they get run over,” he said.
Among the Lower Road collisions reported in recent months was an incident in which a fifteen-year-old girl suffered a head injury, on Thursday, April 18.
On Tuesday, March 26, a cyclist was hospitalised after a collision with a car at the junction of Lower Road and Ann Moss Way.
A TfL spokesperson said: "Our continued work with councils in expanding the Cycleway network throughout the capital is unlocking access to cycling for many more thousands of Londoners and the final section of Cycleway 4 on Lower Road is a vital part of this.
"The proposals on Lower Road were led through design and construction by London Borough of Southwark and are now part of the borough road network.
"We work closely with Southwark and other councils to support them in monitoring collisions, air quality and congestion on their schemes, to ensure they are working as intended and that all of their legal obligations for monitoring are met.
"Collision, air quality and congestion data along any corridor can be affected by a number of factors, including overall increases in cycling, seasonal variations in road use and planned and unplanned events impacting the road network.
"This is why it is important to carefully analyse data across an appropriate time period to ensure that valid conclusions can be drawn about how schemes are working."
Transport for London (TfL) has previously claimed that the controversial Lower Road cycleway design was a
'e
C o-friendly' ltn using 'indian stones quarried
5,000 miles away'
By Herbie Russell
A Low Traffic Neighbourhood
hailed as eco-friendly is reportedly using stones quarried 5,000 miles away in India.
Furious local campaigners have now slammed Southwark Council for “contributing to the climate crisis” with its £2 million “vanity project”.
‘temporary fix’ due to cutbacks and that it had considered other options.
The original plans, consulted on by Southwark Council in 2019, were paused during the pandemic because of funding issues. They would have reportedly cost over £10m.
That scheme would have used some of the pavement for cycle lanes and removed traffic islands meaning the road would have been wider in places.
Mr Coyle believes that diverting the cycleway through Southwark Park would have been a better option.
Cycleway 4 is a continuous cycle route between Tower Bridge and Greenwich measuring 5km.
Last week, the News revealed the council’s most lucrative bus lane, also on Lower Road, was not valid.
Drivers received 4,478 fines worth over £500,000 last year which could now be refunded.
Neil Coyle described the situation as ‘absurd’ and pledged to help locals challenging the fines.
Cllr James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets and Waste, said: "We’re committed to improving air quality in Southwark and promoting sustainable travel by creating safer, more accessible routes for walking and cycling. This is a long-term vision that will take time to fully realise.
“I understand residents' concerns, and I want to reassure them that we’re closely monitoring the situation with TfL and making adjustments as needed. Recently, we responded to concerns by adjusting traffic signals to improve flow and implementing technology to make signals more responsive to traffic levels.
“In the long term, we’re tracking the Cycleway through a series of monitoring sites that capture network changes. This data will guide future upgrades to the scheme."
Eagle-eyed locals spotted a notice on the building site suggesting Hawks View Sandstone, sourced from Rajasthan in India, was being used to pave the controversial junction.
This is unusual. Scoutmoor Yorkstone, from Lancashire, is “conventionally used” in heritage areas, according to Metis Consultants, the company working on the redesign.
The Indian material was reportedly chosen over Yorkstone for its ‘strength, ‘thickness’ and ‘slip resistance’.
A spokesperson for One Dulwich, an LTN-skeptic campaign group, said this made “a mockery” of Southwark
Council’s supposed climate change concerns.
According to landscaping supplier Marshalls, the carbon footprint of York stone is between 25 kg and 37.5 kg per square metre.
In contrast, the Indian stone which is shipped roughly 5,000 miles to the UK, has a carbon footprint of at least 101.5 kg per square metre, One Dulwich said. “In other words, the carbon footprint of the Indian stone is three or four times greater than the York stone,” the group said.
A Southwark Council spokesperson said: "Sustainability is at the core of the Streets for People delivery plan. Even with transport included the materials we have used have a comparable carbon impact.
"We selected materials based on a whole-life carbon assessment to ensure both environmental responsibility and long-term durability. Hawks View Sandstone from India was chosen for its strength and density, reducing future maintenance needs."
“While Yorkstone from the UK was considered, it posed higher costs, longer lead times, and greater carbon impact in thicker applications. We will continue to undertake carbon assessment throughout the process to ensure we are doing all that we can to reduce our carbon footprint."
New Cross Gate among first to get toilets
By Herbie Russell
new Cross Gate station will be among the first seven stations chosen to get new public toilets in Transport or London's £3 million rollout.
other overground stations
selected are Camden Road, Clapton, South Tottenham and White Hart Lane, with Morden and Hammersmith on the underground TfL is aiming to eventually install enough toilets that customers are always within twenty minutes of their closest one.
The latest news follows Mayor Sadiq Khan's announcing a toilet review last year. Stations were then chosen based on numerous factors including whether they were terminus stations, step-free access, footfall and proximity to other toilets.
Lower Road pictured a month after Cycleway 4 was unveiled
The Dulwich Village junction LTN
Rajasthan in West India
By Joe Coughlan
Local
Democracy Reporter
resiDents in a south London village where Superloop buses teasingly drive past without stopping are calling for an extra stop to be added to the TfL route.
Commuters in Bexley Village say their current bus journeys are a ‘nightmare’ and a petition has been started by local Conservative politicians to have the SL3 express bus service stop there.
The campaign has attracted 1,947 signatures and requests Transport for London (TfL) to add a stop for the SL3 at Bexley War Memorial. The route currently runs from Bromley North to Thamesmead, but the bus passes through the village without stopping due to a complication at the Arbuthnot Lane junction preventing the service from using its preferred route of Penhill Road.
Sue Pridmore, 62, has lived in Bexley her entire life and uses the town centre every day. The resident said people currently wait up to 20 minutes if they have missed the 229 and 269 buses, which she heavily relies on as she does not have a car.
Ms Pridmore told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “[Transport here] is all right. But if that bus, the SL3, stops at the memorial it would be so much better. You can wait there for the 229 or 269 but if you’ve just missed it and that comes, it just goes straight past. It doesn’t stop there.”
The local added that she felt the additional stop could provide a useful link to the Abbey Wood Elizabeth line station. She also said it could boost trade for the local businesses in Bexley Village, who ‘need all the support they can get’. Carol Bowden, 67, has lived in Bexley for nearly 40 years and said she would also like to see more customers being attracted to the village.
She told the LDRS: “We need it because, as you can see, there are a lot of empty units now.”
She added: “In the future, it would be great to be able to go over to Bromley and areas like that with the Superloop because it’s faster… I think it’s a really good idea and I can’t understand why they don’t stop here because you see it go through.”
Davina Jones, 73, lives in Plumstead but comes to Bexley Village every week for a fitness class. She said she currently has to use two buses each way to get to her class, switching buses at Blackfen.
The local told the LDRS: “It depends on buses. This morning I did it in 40 minutes, sometimes it’s an hour.”
She added: “The 51 bus route is a nightmare. You have to wait 20 odd minutes and then three come along together. There used to be a nice service every ten minutes or so but not anymore.”
While the SL3 route does not run through Plumstead and an additional stop would not benefit her commute, Ms Jones said she would still like to see transport in South East London improved. The petition was started by London Assembly member Thomas Turrell as well as Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup Louie French. Mr French told the LDRS: “Adding a Superloop bus stop in Bexley Village is a no-brainer. Residents and local businesses in the area want access to the service, and the Superloop needs more passengers to succeed. Transport for London must listen to local people.”
Bexley councillors Cameron Smith
petition to add a new superloop stop in beXley village has attraCted nearly 2,000 signatures
and Kurtis Christoforides also worked to introduce the campaign. Cllr Christoforides told the LDRS that there was a clear demand for the service in Bexley Village, and urged TfL to consider the proposal.
Cllr Smith added: “Transport for London’s reasoning for skipping Bexley Village is flawed. They hugely underestimate how many people want to use the Superloop here. They’ve got their calculations wrong, and the
benefits far outweigh the two-minute delay an extra stop would cause. I urge them to think again.”
Superloop, a series of newly launched bus routes connecting up the outer boroughs where traditionally transport links have gone towards Central London, was designed to link places like Bexley Village to neighbouring areas. It was launched as ULEZ was expanded, ensuring improved bus services for areas where
people were being urged to ditch their cars.
A TfL spokesperson told the LDRS that buses are a central part of the city’s transport system. They said the transport authority is always looking at ways to improve and adapt the bus network to make it better for everyone.
The spokesperson said: “We have carefully considered potential changes to the SL3, yet the number of passengers it would delay would
significantly outweigh those who would use it to and from Bexley Village.”
They added: “While it has not been possible to include a stop in Bexley on the Superloop network so far, we will continue to monitor and review all Superloop routes to get a full understanding of how customers are using the network, working with local councils, including Bexley Council, to improve the bus network across the
The Bexley War Memorial is a short walk from the train station in the village.
Davina Jones said her current bus route to Bexley Village is a ‘nightmare’.
Sue Pridmore said she thinks the Superloop would boost the local economy.
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why has this pub in dulwiCh been vaCant for twelve years?
By Isabel Ramirez
tweLve yeArs after Lordship Lane’s old harvester closed down after a fire in the kitchen, the Dulwich Estateowned building and land remain derelict. Why has the pub been left to rot? And will it ever be redeveloped?
What happEnED to thE groVE taVErn?
The Grove Tavern Pub closed
following a fire in August 2012 after Stonegate, who leased the building from freeholder Dulwich Estate, chose not to refurbish it.
Before 2011, it was a relatively popular Harvester. But after Stonegate took it on, they failed to make a success of it, leading some to speculate the moderate kitchen fire had been a 'good excuse' to pack it in.
Since then the decaying, boardedup ‘eyesore’ - which has 24-hour security to fend off squatters - has become a bone of contention with frustrated residents.
The 54,000-square-foot site, the
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them
Southwark Remembers
The Worshipful Mayor of Southwark, Southwark Council and the Royal British Legion, invite you to attend the borough’s Remembrance Service on Sunday 10 November 2024 at St Saviour’s War Memorial, Borough High Street, SE1.
This service will be led by a member of the clergy from of Southwark Cathedral. Please gather by 10:45am.
Contact mayoral.events@southwark.gov.uk for further details of the borough events.
The official borough service is traditionally attended by the First Citizen of the borough, past Mayors, Free Citizens, Honorary Aldermen, Southwark’s three MPs, the Leader of the Council and opposition parties, Southwark’s London Assembly Member, representatives from The Royal
equivalent of 19 tennis courts, remains leased to Stonegate until September 2025.
The pub company, currently in debt for more than £3bn, has been continuously paying rent to the Dulwich Estate, despite not having occupied the space for well over a decade.
UnLoVED anD UnUSED, a groUp of SkatErS SaW potEntIaL…
During lockdown, a big empty car park presented some local skaters with an opportunity.
In 2020, whilst on furlough, an imaginative group decided to build a DIY skatepark in the pub’s empty grounds.
The group of regulars were soon joined by more fans, who set to work building skate equipment and even setting up a communal garden.
Tilly Yoyo, 52, from West Dulwich, first got involved by donating materials for the makeshift park.
After seeing what the new meeting place meant to people she quickly became its honorary caretaker.
The group were threatened with
An Armistice Service will be held will be held at West Lane War Memorial, SE16 (off Jamaica Road), on Monday 11 November 2024. Please gather at 10.45am. The Annual Remembrance Sunday Service will take place on Sunday 10 November 2024 for 10:45 at West Lane Memorial. Please contact either mayoral.events@southwark.gov.uk or Gary Magold.gary.magold@btinternet.com for more information.
Other services are being held on Remembrance Sunday, November 10 from 10.40am at: Southwark Cathedral SE1, London Bridge Station SE1, IWM HMS Belfast SE1, West Lane SE16, St Giles Church SE5, St Peters Church SE17, Kennington RBL / Branganza Street SE17, IWM London (bugler on steps only no wreath laying) SE1, Dulwich War Memorial SE21. Please check online for more details.
Members of the public are most welcome to attend these services.
British Legion, members of HM Armed Forces, members of the Emergency Services and the Representative Deputy Lieutenant.
The Royal British Legion is the national custodian of Remembrance, a role which ensures that those
who gave their lives for peace and freedom are duly remembered. With this in mind, The Worshipful the Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Naima Ali urges the citizens of Southwark to buy a poppy and wear it in support of the continued good work being carried out by the Royal British Legion.
The old Harvester, taken in 2008
eviction but managed to win the council, Stonegate and Dulwich Estate around. It was clear they were looking after the site more than anyone had for years.
The skatepark was given indefinite permission to stay and although many of its founders have moved on, Tilly says the park is still loved and well-used by local kids and families. “Some come in just to chill out,” she added.
Tilly added that the 24/7 security - paid for by Stonegate to prevent squatters - doesn’t bother the skaters. As for whether the skatepark could ever become permanent, that would depend on whatever happens to the site.
What IS DULWICh EStatE anD What poWErS DoES It haVE?
The Dulwich Estate is a registered charity covering around 5,000 homes and 80 shops, restaurants and pubs in Dulwich Village, West Dulwich, East Dulwich, and the Southwark half of Herne Hill. Founded in 1619, it sets out rules governing what can and can't be built in these areas.
Barbara Richardson, who lives within the Estate, said: "When you want to do anything to the outside of your house you need a licence, and you have to pay for it."
Across the 653,400 square foot area where the Estate is freeholder, you can expect to pay a £210 fee just to request permission to cut down a tree and £328 for a licence to replace a window.
There's also a tollgate, costing £1.20 each time, aimed at limiting vehicles and environmental damage to the area. And under the Estate rules, you are not allowed to have solar panels where they can be seen from the road.
"So, on one hand, they’re saying they will preserve the beauty of Dulwich and they pursue homeowners rigorously," Barbara continued "yet they leave the Grove looking like this."
This is all whilst Estate residents have
to pay a management fee of between £67-£200 a year on top of council tax.
She said when it came to the Estate, it felt like an 'unsaid rule' was in place: “Do as we say, not as we do.”
LoCaLS arE fED Up WIth WaItIng for anSWErS
Barbara told us: “When people walk up and down Lordship Lane, it’s a horrendous image of Dulwich.”
“The Estate is completely silent on it," she added, claiming that last year, she wrote to the new CEO of the Estate asking about plans for The Grove but received no response.
Ian McInnes has lived in the area since the ‘80s and said he ‘could not understand’ why the Estate would leave it and do nothing.
He said in his role as chair of Dulwich Society, they were always asking the Dulwich Estate for answers, to no avail.
“I just don’t think they care,” he commented.
Whilst they are still receiving the rent, the Estate does not have to be responsible for the space and what happens to it. However, under the terms of the lease, Stonegate must maintain the building and surrounding area.
This has led to the obvious question of why the Estate doesn’t forfeit the lease entirely.
Well, they might not want to.
hoW mUCh IS StonEgatE payIng thE EStatE to LEaSE thE VaCant SpaCE?
Unfortunately, no one is entirely sure.
But past suggestions have been in the region of £100,000 a year, or as much as £250,000, although neither the Dulwich Estate nor Stonegate would answer this question when asked.
In May, when we asked the Dulwich Estate (DE) why it hadn’t forfeited the lease, we were told: “For the last 36 months the Estate has been trying to open a dialogue with the company and
a possible lease surrender.
“The MP and Southwark Council have likewise made representations.”
Their spokesperson vaguely added: “They have not come forward with an adequate response and so will continue to review what options we have.”
SoUthWark CoUnCIL anD thE EStatE Can’t agrEE on What thE SItE ShoULD bE.
The area has two planning authorities: the Estate and Southwark Council.
At one stage, it did appear as though the council and estate were working together to redevelop the site, but these ‘informal conversations’ failed to reach any concrete decisions.
The Estate favoured residential and commercial development on the site, whilst the council still wanted a pub.
Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes & Sustainable Development, made the council’s last statement on the matter: “Having any building sat empty for so many years is far from ideal.
“We would be very happy to see the pub return to use and would also welcome plans from the owner that delivered benefit for the local community.”
CoULD hoUSIng bE bUILt on thE SItE?
In 2017, as part of its landmark document the Southwark Plan, the council highlighted that 63 flats could be built on the site of the former pub.
Resident Ian McInnes believes this to be the best option going forward, given the 17,700 people on the social housing waiting list.
"Personally, I see it as an opportunity to build social housing,” he said. “We need that."
Since they own the land, the council would need permission from Dulwich Estate to do this.
thE bUILDIng SItS on a ConSErVatIon
arEa.
The pub sits within the Dulwich Wood conservation area, meaning anything that is built there must enhance and preserve aspects of the local area.
It also means plans are scrutinised more closely, which explains why it may be so hard for them to agree.
However, the council does have the power to make whoever has allowed the area to get into disrepair to fix it i.e. Dulwich Estate (as the landowner) and Stonegate (as the tenant).
It CoULD haVE bEEn a mCDonaLD'S
In 2013, with the site vacant, McDonald's put in an offer to occupy it.
The big space was perfect for a drivethru restaurant.
But this offer was turned down by the Dulwich Estate, due to concerns over the image this would portray of the area.
What DoES thE CommUnIty Want It to bE?
In 2017, the Dulwich Society held a public meeting attended by 40 residents, who were all asked for their views on the space.
"There was a small majority that said they wanted a pub," former chair, Ian, told us, "but there was no overall consensus."
However, all unanimously agreed the site should be better taken care of.
IS It EVEn a VIabLE pLaCE for a pUb?
Before Stonegate first took it over in 2011, it was a reasonably popular Harvester. Cheap food and spacious parking worked in its favour for families.
But what it became after didn’t seem to work as well. Reviews online suggested food standards had dropped but prices had risen. When the main attraction slipped, the location didn’t look so good anymore.
It’s well known that it’s a tough market for pubs right now. According
to data from the British Beer and Pub Association, 509 UK pubs closed last year.
A few doors down at 481 Lordship Lane, there is a failed restaurant spot. It went from being a Spanish tapas joint called Barcelona which ‘was never very busy’, to a bar (Dulwich Beer Dispensary) in 2019: neither was very successful. The bar closed in 2022. Since January 2024, it has been up for lease via estate agents Hindwoods.
As the end of the Grove’s lease draws nearer, a business recently expressed interest in bringing a pub restaurant back to the site.
But by now, the needs of the community might have changed.
Barcelona Tapas, 483 Lordship Lane, 2017 (photo: Google Maps)
What haS StonEgatE SaID?
A spokesperson from Stonegate told us they would maintain the security of the site until their lease is up in September 2025.
From then on, they said: “The Dulwich Estate will determine the future of the site.”
anD thE EStatE?
The Estate did say they were ‘concerned about the poor state of the land and building’ and were working to ‘bring about improvement.’
But in terms of the future of the site - the Estate is as mysterious as ever. Residents told us the Estate used to hold regular meetings where anyone living within their boundaries could air their frustrations - but Barbara said there 'hadn't been one in years.'
Barbara commented: "If the lease is up next summer, they must be making these plans now. We just want answers.”
The boarded-up pub today
© Joel Taylor
bakerloo line eXtension shunned in budget
By Herbie Russell
ChAnCeLLor rACheL Reeves’ first budget has left no cash for the Bakerloo Line extension.
The Docklands Light Railway link to Thamesmead was also ignored although funding has been set aside for the HS2 terminus in Euston.
Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, had said he was "hoping for good news" on the longawaited brown line extension before the announcement.
Mayor Sadiq Khan received £485 million from the Labour government for work including new trains for the Piccadilly and Elizabeth Line.
The former has rolling stock among the oldest in Britain and the Elizabeth Line needs carriages to serve the Old Oak Common HS2 station.
There was more bad news for rail commuters as it was revealed that fares would rise by 4.6 per cent from March, with most railcards also going up by £5.
This applies to travellers using Southeastern and Thameslink trains in South East London.
What happens with TfL fares, which are set to unfreeze at the end of this year, is Khan’s decision.
London’s £1.75 bus fare will also come under scrutiny after the government increased the cap on fares in the rest of England from £2 to £3.
Plans to extend the Bakerloo from
the Elephant & Castle to the Old Kent Road, New Cross Gate and Lewisham, expected to cost £8 billion, have been on hold since 2021.
A further extension to Hayes and and
Beckenham Junction along existing rail lines now looks even more unlikely in the short to medium term.
Khan has pledged to run a fast Bakerloop bus between the Elephant
F A ALBIN & SONS
budget shows that we finally have a government that understands the problems and opportunities London faces and is working with us here in the capital, not against us.
“Substantial additional funding for TfL is fantastic news and will help to support the crucial maintenance, renewal and growth of London’s transport system. And after all the dither and delay from the previous government, confirming that HS2 will terminate at Euston will mean the capital can finally realise the full economic benefits of the project.
and Lewisham. Earlier this month, Southwark Council heard the buses could be designed to look like Tube trains inside.
Khan said: “Today’s historic
“I am under no illusion about the extent of the economic difficulties inherited by the new government. This budget is about fixing our economy and public services after more than a decade of mismanagement and decline, and beginning the process of national renewal.”
A map of the proposed Bakerloo Line extension to Lewisham
A new station box at Elephant and Castle London Underground station
your loCal pharmaCists – here to help! think southwark pharmacy first plus
Shree Patel, Rehan Ahmed, Atul Patel, Community Pharmacists at Bonamy Pharmacy, 355 Rotherhithe New Road SE16 3HF (Old Kent Road ward)
“As the days get shorter and temperatures start to drop, it’s important we look after our health, especially if we have existing health conditions that might make us more vulnerable to seasonal viruses. Your local pharmacy is here to make this easier than ever before. Pharmacists like us are highly trained and expert in medicines. Here are our top tips for making the most of your local pharmacist as the weather turns colder.
appoIntmEnt-frEE SUpport
Community pharmacies offer a convenient way to get clinical advice on minor health concerns. You
don't need an appointment, and we can see you in a separate consultation room for privacy. We can also signpost you to other local services if needed.
QUICk anD EffECtIVE trEatmEnt
Your pharmacist can prescribe medication for some of the most common health conditions. This includes earaches in children, sore throat, shingles, impetigo, sinusitis, and urinary tract infections in women aged 16-64. No need to wait for a GP appointment!
fLU anD CoVID-19 VaCCInatIonS
Many local pharmacies will be offering free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to those most at risk of serious illness this autumn. As protection against these viruses can fade over time, it's
important to top it up before winter comes to help you stay well. The NHS will contact you if your NHS record suggests you’re eligible for a seasonal vaccination. We recommend you book without delay for maximum protection against these viral infections.
bLooD prESSUrE ChECkS
If you’re aged 40 or above, free blood pressure checks are available. It's a proactive way to monitor your health and find potential issues early on, helping you to stay in control of your health.
"Don't wait for minor health concerns to get worse – think Southwark Pharmacy First Plus and get seen by your local community pharmacy team. We’re here to help!"
Find your local pharmacy: https://www.nhs.uk/ service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy/
how the battle for dulwiCh shaped the new tory leader kemi badenoCh
At a hustings in early September local activist Jane Lyons backing her number one Conservative leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch. They first met when Kemi stood as the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Dulwich and West Norwood in 2010
By Herbie Russell
in the months leading up to the 2010 General Election, a young Tory parliamentary candidate was treading the streets of Dulwich, charming voters on the doorstep, and impressing audiences at local hustings. On Saturday (November 2), Kemi Badenoch became the Conservative leader.
Today’s electorate will know Badenoch as a hard-nosed debater and firm right-winger. She campaigned for Brexit, recently described maternity pay as ‘excessive’ and has said she ‘doesn’t care about colonialism’.
In 2018, she even admitted to hacking into Labour MP Harriet Harman’s website in an attempt at sabotage ten years earlier. Political columnists had speculated that a tendency to rub people up the wrong way could damage her leadership prospects.
But the picture sometimes painted today is a far cry from the “lovely” and “polite” woman locals remember.
“There was never any of this rudeness you see now on TV which is exaggerated, I think,” one 2010 campaigner remembers.
Badenoch’s first-ever election campaign was full of intrigue despite Dulwich and West Norwood being a safe Labour seat. On the campaign trail, she would establish herself as one of the party’s bright young things, blow audiences away at a local hustings and even meet her future husband.
Jane Lyons, a former Conservative
councillor, said: “Kemi was only thirty in 2010. But every now and then you meet somebody where you think: ‘This person is going places. This person has something about her.’”
Having joined the party in 2005, Badenoch was working in the City as a director at the private bank Coutts at the time of the election.
Despite Dulwich and West Norwood’s Conservative roots - all six Dulwich ward councillors were Tory at the time - the precocious young politician faced an uphill battle. The Labour incumbent was Blair-era stalwart Tessa Jowell, who commanded respect across the House.
Alex Hamilton, who campaigned alongside Badenoch, remembers: “We did have hustings, and she was seen to be the only one of the candidates who was really equal to Tessa Jowell.”
She was raised in Nigeria but moved to Morden aged sixteen. Despite her South London connection, Badenoch was not familiar with Dulwich. Party insiders sometimes talk of Dulwich and West Norwood as a training ground for young candidates tipped for greatness - although the unimpressive careers many candidates have gone on to have might suggest otherwise. There has also been the suggestion that she was chosen to contest the seat as part of Cameron’s efforts to get more female MPs elected. The tabloid press named Badenoch among a group dubbed ‘Cameron’s Cuties’, a title which probably wouldn’t go down well today.
Regardless, Badenoch knew little about the area but was keen to learn
everything she could. “When Kemi came to Dulwich to stand as the Conservative party candidate, I would drive her around because parts of the constituency were so far-flung,” one volunteer recalled. “She was curious and professional, and she wanted to find out what the issues in Dulwich were.”
They say politics is cyclical, and party members remember many of the same issues gripping the area as do today. There was hand-wringing over traffic, particularly the question of speed bumps on Court Lane. There were also worries about safety for the thousands of students walking to and from school.
“She was very sensible about coming somewhere she didn’t know,” her volunteer driver said. “She made an impression on people, so it’s not a surprise to me she’s ended up where she is now.”
Another activist who regularly campaigned with Badenoch said: “I got on with her… she was the same as all of us… we talked and chatted like mates.”
Alex Hamilton, now 83, speaks glowingly about her, remembering a “very honest and straightforward” person. One night, after a long day leafleting, he drove her back to her home in Brixton, and they bonded over their shared love of computers.
Badenoch’s computer wizardry almost landed her in hot water. Two years earlier, the Computer Systems graduate had hacked into Labour MP Harriet Harman’s official website. Correctly guessing her username and
password - ‘harriet’ and ‘harman’she falsely made a post saying the Peckham MP would be supporting Boris Johnson’s Mayoral campaign.
“I wasn’t aware at the time, and she certainly shouldn’t have done that, but she was certainly using her computer skills,” he says. Asked in a 2018 interview what the naughtiest thing she had ever done was, she admitted to the cyber assault on Harman’s webpage. “I think the fact she did come out with it is a sign she’s an honest person,” Alex said, who now hopes she goes on to win the party leadership race.
Ms Lyons, who stood for the Conservatives in the 2019 General Election, said: “She was extraordinarily clever and had very strong principles and values. She says what she thinks even if occasionally it’s not what the world wants to hear.”
In 2010, Badenoch was already displaying astute political instincts. National political discourse was whirling with accusations regarding the 2008 financial crisis. Tories were peddling the narrative that Labour was to blame, while Gordon Brown’s team was fear-mongering over David Cameron’s inexperience.
But in an interview with The Times in 2010, a round table of six female Tory candidates were asked, “What was the last issue that made you shout at the TV?”. Replies ranged from unaffordable childcare to NHS red tape. But Kemi replied, “I hate identity politics”. This was long before the phrase had entered common parlance. She also met her future husband
Hamish Badenoch on the trail. A former Ampleforth head boy and Cambridge graduate, he worked at Deutsche Bank. Though initially skeptical, she appreciated his consistent support and friendship, which eventually brought them closer together despite their very different backgrounds. “It wasn’t love at first sight,” she says. “I was already the candidate, and he’d just moved into the area and, as it turned out, lived at the end of my road. It was amusing because the association members didn’t warm to this public school boy who turned up and had opinions. And I thought, ‘Oh, this guy thinks he should be doing my job,’” she told The Times.
In the end, Badenoch finished third. She gained a respectable 22 per cent vote share but was easily beaten by Tessa Jowell, who got 47 per cent. She was also pipped by the Liberal Democrats’ Jonathan Mitchell. Although she was never expected to win, one activist remembers: “She wasn’t really pleased with the result.” In 2010, as she crisscrossed Dulwich, Kemi Badenoch was building more than campaign experience; she was sharpening her political edge. Her success ultimately came down to securing the votes of Conservative party members. She did so by tapping into the thoughts and fears of the party's typically rightwing membership. While Dulwich Conservatives tend to be of a more liberal ilk, it certainly has those elements. Maybe those long weeks traipsing around Dulwich and West Norwood proved worthwhile after all.
how one Croydon resident turned his life around after surviving homelessness and the tram Crash
By Harrison Gulliven Local Democracy Reporter
A sUrvivor of the Croydon tram crash gambled away all the compensation money he was given as he battled survivors’ guilt and PTSD from the trauma of what he saw that day.
Hugo, who has asked to keep his surname anonymous, was one of the 62 passengers who survived when a tram derailed in November 2016 near Sandilands, killing a further seven.
But the trauma of what he witnessed that day sent the now 50-year-old into a spiral, with addiction issues he was already battling taking on a new ferocity and the compensation he received coming at the worst possible time. At the time of the tram crash, Hugo was already homeless, sleeping at what’s known as a ‘floating shelter’ – a group of churches across Croydon that alternate in providing somewhere for homeless people to stay.
He said: “I was staying in a church just a few stops from New Addington and I had a temporary job I needed to go to on the day. I actually ran for that tram that morning, and then it happened. It was horrific.
“After it derailed there was electrical smoke inside the tram, so me and another passenger managed to grab a fire extinguisher and went to the driver’s
door because he was unconscious. We managed to wake him up and then we smashed a hole in the window of the tram so people could start coming out.
“We were trapped in. The doors weren’t functioning. We eventually managed to escape but the whole thing was madness.
There were so many injuries that we were taken to hospital by buses – big red TfL buses.”
While Hugo is lucky to have survived, it did not feel like that to him for a long time. He ultimately tried to take his own life and still has to live with the memory of what he saw. He said: “The things I saw were the most impactful thing; people cut in half, people caught under the tram, people without skin on their faces. One guy had his head chopped off, it was the kind of scene you could not unsee.”
Hugo received extensive therapy while living at his new home in Lower Addiscombe, having moved there in the aftermath. While he admits this place was good for him, the problems did not go away.
“I had to go through the processes of getting better because it was difficult,” he said. “I had survivor guilt, PTSD and depression. I kept asking myself why I survived and all those other people died.
All of that accumulated until May 1, 2017, after my birthday when I made my first attempt on my life.
“That was after I said I would accept this
amount for compensation for the crash, but I asked myself why I did that when my mental health was not in the right place.
The psychiatrist said I was okay, but I knew I wasn’t.
“Suddenly I had all this money in my account and I didn’t know what to do with it, so I grabbed all these pills and alcohol and took that. In the middle of the night, someone called the ambulance and saved me.”
Hugo spoke about how this first suicide attempt meant access to see his now 19-year-old son was restricted for five years. “That created a massive issue for
him, it was hard for him to understand,” added Hugo.
“The night I attempted suicide I was with him. That night I felt like I wanted to say goodbye to him. In the end though, he was the one that called the ambulance when he found me.
“After that, I became homeless again, I was in self-destruction mode. I didn’t want to stay in the Lower Addiscombe place anymore so I stopped paying rent. I had an addiction to drugs and gambling. I managed to spend £10,000 in one night, I blew it all.” Hugo resorted to sleeping rough again
Hugo says addiction is “like a cage, you can go back inside very quickly. You just need the trigger.
on the steps of Croydon Library, before making another attempt on his life. After surviving this attempt, he was put in touch with the homeless charity Thames Reach.
With their help, Hugo eventually moved out of Croydon to a one-bedroom flat in Fulham. He said: “I was away from the bad influences there, gambling and drugs were still on and off but I started working again and my life got better.”
Hugo, who was born in Angola and first came to London 24 years ago, suffered addiction issues for many years before the tram crash. After settling into
It was the discovery of the a community kitchen in South Norwood that saved Hugo
a comfortable life in Croydon around the year 2000 he later became street homeless and fought addiction issues. So when the tram accident happened he was already in a vulnerable place and a downward spiral was inevitable.
Even now, after getting his life back on track he’s wary of how easily those problems can resurface. He explained: “You can still relapse, you’re never free from it. You could be thinking ‘I haven’t been doing this for five years’ but it can always happen again. It’s like a cage you can go back inside very quickly, you just need the trigger.”
After moving into his Fulham flat Hugo spent a few years moving around South London, and it was during this time he experienced another relapse, though thankfully it was short-lived. But it was his discovery of South Norwood Community Kitchen (SNCK) that really got him on the straight and narrow.
At the time, the volunteer-run cafe and food bank was operating out of a Methodist church in the area every Saturday. After initially coming to the kitchen to access their food services, Hugo became drawn to the cafe’s community ethos and a distinct lack of judgment he had previously felt while
using local authority housing services.
Speaking at the SNCK, Hugo said: “It was six years ago I started coming here, I knew there was a place you could get free food near the clocktower in Norwood Junction. I started going there on Saturday for my lunch, it was a beautiful environment.
“I got food and I could take it home even if I was homeless and sleeping in a staircase for three months. Then at some point, I started feeling the love for the place and thought I could cook some African and Portuguese dishes for them.”
Hugo’s passion for the SNCK encouraged him to move to the area, so he could provide support in the kitchen and cafe throughout the week. He, along with many of the more than 100 volunteers at the SNCK, now uses his personal experience of homelessness to help those who come through the cafe’s doors looking for support.
He added: “I hold on very heavily to my SNCK family. They are my therapists, I can tell them everything and I feel comfortable telling them everything. Having the foundation you need to get out of homelessness is so hard, so many of the people I knew when I was homeless are still out there.”
By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter
roUgh sLeePing in London has reached a record high in the first few months of the Labour Government, it was revealed last Thursday week.
A total of 4,780 people were recorded as street homeless in the capital between July and September this year, a rise of 18 per cent compared with the same period last year. It is the latest in a series of records set in the statistics over the last couple of years.
The new data, published by London’s Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), found that of that number, almost half – 2,343 – were sleeping rough for the first time. However, many of those people – a total of 1,796 –spent only one night sleeping rough.
It comes after mayor Sadiq Khan on Tuesday hosted an emergency summit on the topic at City Hall, at which he announced a £4.8m investment to provide advice and support to previous rough sleepers, in the hope of keeping them off the streets.
Mr Khan promised in his re-election manifesto earlier this year to “set London on a course to end rough sleeping by 2030”, by “working closely with a new Labour government to tackle the root causes of homelessness”.
But despite the mayor’s party having been in power in Westminster for almost four months now, City Hall warned that “the scale of the challenge and the legacy of years of underinvestment from the previous Government in housing and
support” means that the situation this winter could “get worse before it gets better”.
According to the latest figures, just under half of those sleeping rough in London (49.4 per cent) were UK nationals. The second most common nationality were Romanians, making up 8.1 per cent of the total, followed by Polish people, who comprised 5.2 per cent.
Approached for comment, a spokesman at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “This Government has inherited devastating levels of rough sleeping, and we are taking action to get back on track to end homelessness for good.
“As announced in the Budget, we are providing an additional £233m of funding to help prevent rough sleeping and future rises of families in temporary accommodation. This takes total spending on reducing homelessness to nearly £1bn in 2025-26.”
Matt Downie, chief executive at the charity Crisis, said: “It’s shameful that so many people are being forced to sleep rough, taking refuge in doorways and seeking safety on night buses. No one should be forced to live permanently on the streets, or to spend even one night in such a desperate, dangerous situation.
“Ministers have made some really promising commitments, including more money for councils and funding for new social and affordable homes. Yet this latest data is a stark reminder that we also need a coherent, long-term plan.
“The UK government should consult as soon as possible on its promised strategy for ending all forms of homelessness and
london rough sleeping has reaChed a reCord high
demonstrate the political will that can fix this awful, broken system.”
John Glenton, an executive director at the social housing provider Riverside, meanwhile urged ministers to learn the lessons of Tony Blair’s Government, which cut rough sleeping across the country by over two thirds in its first few years in office.
“There is much to learn from the first Blair administration which cut the number of sleeping rough nationally across England from 1,850 in 1998 to 532 people by 2001,” said Mr Glenton.
“To achieve a rapid reduction in rough sleeping, additional money was invested in providing extra bed spaces and hostels.
“There has now been no significant investment in hostels in England since 2011 and nationally, the number of bed spaces in England has fallen by almost a
quarter (24 per cent) between 2010 and 2022.
“We believe increased investment in supported housing would provide more spaces to help get more people out of temporary accommodation into a dedicated space where they can receive the support they need. These services provide a route out of homelessness, help to reduce spending on very expensive, and often inadequate, temporary housing.”
Glass Door Homeless Charity announced following the latest data release that it would be opening its own emergency winter night shelters next week, on Monday, November 4. The shelters, which will stay open until April, are the largest network of their kind in London, with the charity saying they will provide a safe place for up to 105 people to sleep each night during the coldest months
of the year.
A spokeswoman for the Mayor of London said: “No one should have to sleep rough on our streets and it’s shameful that numbers are rising across the country and in London.
“The mayor is doing everything in his power to help as many Londoners off the streets and into more secure accommodation, which is why he’s delivered record funding to homelessness charities in the capital and quadrupled City Hall’s rough sleeping budget since 2016, supporting over 17,600 people off the streets to date.”
She added that the mayor “remains committed to ending rough sleeping in the capital by 2030” and is working with other politicians and leaders from London’s homelessness sector “to establish a plan to achieve this”.
the South norwood Community kitchen has over 100 volunteers, many of whom have previous experience of being homeless
what’s on
40th o pen f or s outhwark p ark g alleries
Art in Bermondsey has gone through many changes since the Bermondsey Artists’ Group took over the derelict café in Southwark Park in 1984 and held the first open exhibition for all artists of all levels of skill. That old bunker-like building became the magnificent purpose-built gallery we enjoy today and where we can also enjoy the 40th Annual Open, writes Michael Holland.
Once again the walls are filled with drawing, painting, photography and print; display cases show sculpture, and the whole show champions the diversity of the submitting artists as well as the diversity in artistic practise.
Over 400 artworks are exhibited, and this was made possible by having no judging panel deciding what was good enough but, instead, a size limit. Hence, no huge pieces taking up a space where twenty smaller pieces
everyone wAs given a warm welcome by the Pub Landlord, the genial host who wanted to chat with all his customers - Or at least the first four rows of Bromley’s Churchill Theatre, writes Michael Holland.
Me and Ms Aitch were there for Al Murray’s Guv Island tour that has the same routine as his previous tours in his guise as the ebullient-cum-belligerent innkeeper who wants to know anything and everything about his clientele, returning their cheerfulness with warm ale for the men, white wine or fruit-based drinks for the ladies - as long as they have ‘normal’ names, good British names; the couple called Kath and Barry went down well,
could go.
I quite enjoyed Anna Walsh’s pair of photomontages showing small sections of named streets in Peckham and Deptford, focussing on a piece of litter in each. The images could have, in reality, been taken anywhere as there were no identifying features, but by naming each photo I had something to relate to: where I went to school, where a friend lived. But do we have to know why we like a piece of art and have to explain our reasons? Or do we just have to be moved by it?
I just have to like a piece without having to wonder why, so I was quite taken by Sally Spinks’ Random Acts of Kindness, an old print up-cycled with an elaborate frame, wool and a pink zip! The title never made sensate me, I wasn’t sure if the act of kindness was dressing up a mundane image or it had, in fact, been listed incorrectly…
My favourite was Cécile Emmanuelle Barra’s Voyeuse, and, to be honest,
I don’t want to know why I like that one.
The Annual Open has something for everyone. I saw young children getting excited about different pieces; artists fervently discussing another artist’s work; couples discussing which one to buy to go with the new settee, and people like me who go along every year because they enjoy seeing one of the best open exhibitions carry on doing what it does best - provide the opportunity for any artist to be part of London’s longest-running open. This year, sound artist Paul Purgas and painter Joy Labinjo will award a £500 prize and a solo exhibition in the gallery’s Salter Space to a worthy winner.
Southwark Park Gallery, The Lake Gallery, Southwark Park, SE16 until 14th December.
Admission: Free.
No Comment at Koestler Arts
ThE KOESTLER Arts exhibition is open to all inmates of prisons and secure hospitals and this year it is curated by Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller and John Costi, who has the advantage over Deller because he has actually been to jail and won a Koestler prize for his art, writes Michael Holland.
Theirs is a good story. They became friends when John was given a scholarship to visit Deller’s exhibition at the Venice Biennale, where they developed a rapport. And to stay true to their own collaborative approach, the curators invited six other artists to help select the art for the exhibition.
Who curates the show subconsciously leaves their mark on the show because there will be some inevitable bias when choosing the work. It doesn’t make the art any less or more worthy, but it does put their own personal stamp of approval on it. When Grayson Perry curated the show it was an explosion of colour. This year I feel there is more humour connected to a lot of the work.
while the parents of Neo and Milo were interrogated about their decision.
Al wants to know what line of work people do and loves a good, solid job title.
Nurses got a clap (“Like the Pandemic Thursdays”), builders were generously honoured, while modern job titles elicited derision and looks that could kill. Last night we had Pastoral Lead, Education Wrap Cover and Events Manager that the Landlord boiled down to Breakfast Club Lady, Piss-Up Organiser or, as was the case of the majority of the women asked, a secretary. And they had to admit it through a microphone like an addict at a meeting: ‘My name is Vanessa and I’m a secretary’. It sounds harsh, even close to bullying,
but the ‘victims’ loved it and we loved watching it - Mainly because we were far enough back to not be in any danger…
The first half is an hour of the awardwinning comedian getting to know his customers, seemingly having a chat rather than doing a comedy act. But Al Murray has a rehearsed response to any job that can be thrown at him, there is not a job in the world he does not have a funny retort to. For the whole show he remembers the names of the people he has induced into his game, he remembers their job, he uses them all has running gags until.
The second half does have a bit of a plan about it but the earlier audience participation continues with the jokes
Having some experience of the Koestler Exhibition (I was one of the non-fiction writing judges this year), I went along hoping to see art that was not a dark reflection of the artist’s current situation, a ‘these four grey walls that surround me’ syndrome. I wanted to see art that the artist had used to escape the walls and bars and locks. And it was there in abundance.
A pair of slippers created from tea leaves and glue made me smile. Its title? Feet Up Cuppa Tea Ready.
A Coat of Cards was perhaps a metaphor for the ever-changing styles that have no real foundation in life’s real needs.
I liked the security camera called See, concocted from acrylic, cardboard, painting, string and wood, and which looked very real.
The buffoon Johnson was displayed nicely in a PartyGate hat, and there was a splendid play on words for a camp Putin in a KGBTQ+ sash: Tsars in Their Eyes.
There was the very creative; one inmate
carved animals from his Jenga set, while another made the most saddest eyes in their sculpture of a mother and baby.
But my favourite was Great British Seaside by a Young Offender. It depicted a gull closing in on fish and chips, an artwork that evoked days out at the coast, the noise and smell of the sea, a walk along the prom. Unnoticed by many viewers, I would guess, is that the fish and chips is wrapped in the prison newspaper, The Inside Times.
The Koestler Arts exhibition gives hopeand sometimes help - to those who only find their hidden talent when locked up. Costi himself is a prime example of what can be achieved. He is quoted as saying: ‘I was told art wasn’t for me. It took me going to prison to realise it was.’
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Toad, SE1 8XX until 12th December. Mon: 10am – 5.30pm; Tue & Wed: 10am – 8pm; Thu: 10am – 5pm; Fri – Sun: 10am – 8pm.
Admission: Free.
he had set up with each person _ The Alpha Male, the Crisp Lover, the D Day veteran… In a quick-fire delivery he gave us every aspect of the Second World War, from its very beginnings to its bitter end, culminating our victory the reason why we got the NHS.
He argued the benefits of the ridiculed Rwanda Programme but with the proposal that we keep those brave migrants that cross the Channel and send cyclists to Rwanda instead, and people who don’t have their ticket ready at the barrier, people who play their music too loud on public transport, each new sub-section of society feeling his wrath evoking loud cheers every time as he banished each group to Rwanda.
And this was an audience who look like they think Murray’s Conservative, Europehating persona is real and would quote his catchphrases on anti-Muslim marches. And therein lies the genius of Al Murray. He is not that person. He is intelligent. He has a history degree from Oxford. As Pub Landlord he stood against Farage in the 2015 general election and rejoiced in him not winning a seat in the House of Commons.
We laughed for two hours.
The Guv Island Tour continues and can be seen in places not too far from London.
Details and Booking: https://www.eventim. co.uk/artist/al-murray/
t he truth about harry be Ck...
hARRy BECK was a draughtsman in the Signalling Department at London Transport whose job it was to create diagrams that simplified electrical circuits, but it was his curiosity in the confusion caused by the map of the Underground system that made him famous. Eventually, writes Michael Holland.
Harry was one of a long line of draughtsmen and designers who had a go at improving or simplifying the map and it was in 1931 that he submitted his version, a version that ignored geography but was more diagrammatical. Alas, Frank Pick, London Transport’s CEO, thought it was ‘too radical’.
Nora, his long-suffering wife, who Harry had met in work, told him to try again and in 1933 his design, which was more technical than creative, had more success.
Harry’s map was not about geographical accuracy but more to do with getting from one station to another; London Transport printed 500 folding pocket maps for passengers and waited for feedback. It became an instant hit for its simplification of the previous maps
UNBELIEvABLy, IN over twenty years of reviewing this is my first visit to the iconic Donmar Warehouse, and I am very pleased that I am reviewing Lindsey Ferrentino’s The Fear of 13, a play based on the Netflix hit documentary of the same name that highlighted the plight of Nick yarris, a petty crook who spent 22 year behind bars for something he didn’t do - a review that took an unexpected turn, writes Michael holland.
As I sat watching the auditorium fill up a man sat in the next seat and also began soaking up the atmosphere; Oscarwinning Adrien Brody was starring and had attracted a lot of attention.
’This is just like prison,’ said the stranger unexpectedly, leaving me lost for words. ’Those railings and that balcony are just like the landings on the wings in Wandsworth.’
‘Okay,’ was all I was able to muster up.
‘Look at those doors.’ He pointed at the stage and waited until he had my full attention. ‘Just like cell doors.’
I checked out the sturdy doors. ‘Right.’
Without any invitation to engage in conversation the man listed a catalogue of coincidences: ‘Let me tell you about the fear of thirteen - I was nicked on Friday 13th… my trial was in Court 13 and lasted 13 days… I then had to go back for sentencing on Halloween, that’s the 31st, 13 backwards!’
‘Don’t tell me,’ I ventured, ‘You got 13 years.’
‘I would have cut my own eyes out for 13 years,’ he whispered while staring at me with the eyes he didn’t have to cut out.
Just then men began running around the landing, alarms were sounding and a prison guard came through the sturdy door barking orders. ‘That’s exactly like the screws used to shout at me,’ he added before staying silent for the duration of
so London Transport printed another 750,000. Harry was given five guineas as a bonus.
As London grew and stations were added on and lines got extended, Harry Beck’s design was always in need of an update, but always followed the format he laid down in the early 30s. Sadly, other designers were credited.
The Truth About Harry Beck is Andy Burden’s play that gives Harry his proper recognition for creating one of the most iconic, most used and most recognised designs of the 20th century, because Harry was largely ignored during his lifetime and his contribution to London being seen as one of the best cities in the world was not acknowledged until after his death. Since then, however, his name has become known by almost everyone who uses London Underground and by people all around the world.
Simon Snashall(Harry) and Ashley Christmas (Nora) play out the Becks’ lives together and paint a picture of how Harry never stopped working on his diagram (‘It’s not a map,’ he would say).
Their tale is told here in a whimsical fashion even though their story is a serious one. There is a wonderful scene
where Harry wants to demonstrate his colour scheme to Nora so uses ribbons to designate the various lines and their directions; Walthamstow ends up at the top of the living room door while a teapot becomes the Elephant & Castle on the floor. This section of the play involves some audience participation and draws out all the London Underground enthusiasts in the crowd.
The actors give excellent
performances that keep us attentive at all times. We come to know Harry and the sort of man he is, while Ashley Christmas plays everyone else that touches on his life. And there is great direction from the author of the play, Andy Burden, who developed his own passion for the London Underground map as a young boy.
The theatre is in the middle of the London Transport Museum so you get the added bonus of seeing some of the
n ever f ear 13
the play.
The prison is in the Quaker state of Pennsylvania, so talking was not allowed except when talking to staff or visitors, and that’s how Nick Yarris (Adrien Brody) met Jackie Schaffer(Nana Mensah), a dogooder volunteer who visited prisoners who had nobody to visit them.
Over the specified hour they were allowed each time they would make small talk but she knew she could never get to the crux of Nick’s crime; his silence on the topic, she felt, was a barrier to their
friendship. Yes, he had lots of tales about jail and other inmates’ offences but never his own. It was rape and murder.
As their relationship developed over the months and years they become closer until they fell in love. It was a then that Jackie demanded to know what he was inside for, and it was then that he told her that he was not guilty of those heinous crimes.
As time moved on, so did forensic science and DNA testing became a way of proving whether a suspect was guilty
or innocent. Nick told Jackie that the evidence in his case could be tested to prove that it was not him that raped the woman and, consequently, killed her as a witness. Alas, the penal system moves slowly in the USA so it was another eight agonising years before the innocent man saw freedom.
Brody commands the stage with ease just as his eyebrows demand sympathy from all those that are mesmerised by them. Mensah holds her own here and the pair are well supported by a cast who play
old tube carriages as you make your way through.
London Transport Museum, Cubic Theatre, Covent Garden, WC2E
until 10th November.
Times: Friday – 8.00pm, Saturday – 1.30pm, 5.30pm, 8pm, Sunday –1.30pm and 3.30pm. Admission: £24.50, £35.
Booking: https://www.ltmuseum. co.uk/theatre
just about everyone in their back-stories. The Fear of 13 is ultimately a feel-good tale, but there are also heavy tinges of sadness. Plus, it crammed too much in, each life event became a tick-box list. Yes, it helped us get a better understanding of Nick and Jackie as people but the action never seemed to slow down enough for us to see feelings develop; we just had to take it for granted. Nevertheless, it is a powerful piece of work that needs a bigger stage and a longer run.
At the end, as the players took their bows, the screens showed a clip of Nick Yarris thanking everyone who had come together to make the play happen. As it finished a spotlight went up on a man in the audience - It was Nick Yarris, who then reiterated his joy at The Fear of 13 being received so well and added that since his release he has not dwelt on all those lost and wasted years but concentrated on being happy in his days of freedom - A motivational lesson we could all learn from. He got an ovation as exuberant as the applause for the actors.
Leaving the theatre, Yarris ran past me on the stairs and out into Covent Garden where he whooped and jumped around in the street and showed his elation for the play’s warm reception like no one was watching. He then ran off into the night. Further along I saw him again, but now with the man who had sat next to me. Yarris was saying, ’Twenty years, man! That’s a lotta years,’ before he fervently shook his hand and headed off again. The man walked towards me and I acknowledged him with a nod. As we passed he said, ‘I’ll never fear 13 again.’
Donmar Warehouse, 41 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LX until 30th November.
Booking: www.donmarwarehouse.com
7BB
Photo by Mark Douet
Photo by Manuel Harlan
Heading south - our pick of upcoming autumnal events
Audrey Powne at The Albany
Melbourne-based trumpeter, singer and producer Audrey Powne performs an intimate gig, featuring music from her debut album “From the Fire”, at The Albany this November as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.Powne released her debut album in April. In addition to songwriting and playing trumpet, vocals and keys, Powne also composed, arranged the strings and produced the album. For the gig, Powne will be accompanied by a band and see support from Daudi Matsiko, a Nottingham-based British-Ugandan singer-songwriter whose debut album is titled “The King Of Misery” and explores themes of depression, bipolar disorder and finding hope in that experience.
Dates: Friday 15 November 2024
Tickets: £15 to £18 Douglas Way, SE8 4AG www.thealbany.org.uk/shows/audrey-powne
Greenwich Market Christmas lights
The annual Lantern Parade and Christmas lights switch-on will take place at Greenwich Market on 20 November this year, between 4pm and 6pm. Welcome the start of the Christmas season with the traditional event in the borough. The afternoon will see children from local primary schools parade handmade lanterns around the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, through the Cutty Sark Gardens and to the heritage-listed Georgian Market. And then, the Christmas lights will be switched on amid the hustle and bustle of the market, where you can enjoy a bite to eat as a family, a tipple with friends and perhaps even pick up an early gift from one of the stalls.
Dates: Wednesday 20 November 2024. Tickets: Free Greenwich Market, SE10 9HZ www.greenwichmarket.london/events/detail/lantern-parade-christmas-lights-2024
Salons in the Queen’s House
The term “salon” was used historically to describe social gatherings in the domestic sphere. Participation was open to a range of individuals, and women often acted as hosts. Salons were alternative spaces for learning, debate and the exchange of ideas. Royal Museums Greenwich continues to explore this tradition with a series of free lunchtime talks at the Queen’s House, hosted on alternate Wednesdays. Speakers at the Salons series include artists, researchers, curators and creative practitioners. Taking inspiration from the history of the Queen’s House and its collections, their talks bring to light new insights and share different perspectives. The next Salon will be on Wednesday 13 November with artist Victoria Burgher, who will talk about the colonial legacies materialised in ceramics.
Date: Alternate Wednesdays
Tickets: Free Romney Road, SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/queens-house/salons-queens-house
All that jazz
For November, the Fox and Firkin is hosting the Deptford Dub Club Jazz Festival Special, featuring reggae, rocksteady and ska, and jazzy beats of course. Founder of the Specials Jerry Dammers will be spinning during the early evening and promises a “personal Jazz-inclined selection”. But before that, the afternoon will start with a warm-up selection from Mr. Wax, and see acts such as Vandorta, Annabelle and DJ Riot Girl throughout the eve. There will also be live instrumentation from the new Horn Section, led by Tombone and featuring special guests. Get your dancing shoes on and surrender to the rhythm.
Date: Sunday 17 November 2024
Tickets: £3 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ foxfirkin.com/events/ddc-jazz-festival-special
Daliso Chaponda at Blackheath Halls
First performing his show “Feed This Black Man” 20 years ago, Daliso Chaponda is bringing “Feed This Black Man Again” to Blackheath Halls for a revamped do-over. In “Feed This Black Man Again”, the comic will revisit the themes of his ancient debut show with new eyes that two decades of experience brings you. Along the way, he’ll examine the huge differences between the way you think life will be at age 20, and the reality. Over the last two decades, Daliso has been on the Royal Variety Performance, written and performed four series of Citizen of Nowhere on BBC Radio 4, been a Britain’s Got Talent finalist and toured worldwide.
Date: Saturday 23 November 2024
Tickets: £16 23 Lee Road, Blackheath, SE3 9RQ www.blackheathhalls.com/whats-on/dalisochaponda-feed-this-black-man-again
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Escape to a world of pure imagination with an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and The Chocolate Factory – The Musical at Churchill Theatre. When Charlie Bucket finds one of the five golden tickets to the Wonka Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the other winners can’t wait to feast on the sweets of their dreams. But beyond the gates, they discover more than just remarkable edible delights. As they embark on an extraordinary journey through Willy Wonka’s marvellous mind, they soon learn that nobody leaves the same way that they arrived… Company WWOS Musical Theatre Productions returns to Churchill Theatre with this chocotastic stage show, which follows West End and Broadway productions, to combine songs from the original 1970s motion picture (tunes such as “The Candy Man” and “Pure Imagination”) with all new numbers.
Dates: Wednesday 13 to Saturday 16 November 2024
Tickets: £16.50 to £29.50
High Street, Bromley, BR1 1HA
trafalgartickets.com/churchill-theatre-bromley/en-GB/event/ musical/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-wwos-tickets
bermondsey boy reunited with 60-year-old dandy comic he starred in
By Herbie Russell
BerMonDsey Boy Tom Burton has been reunited with a 1963 Dandy edition featuring his love letter about his local area.
Writing for the comic's My Home Town page, a nine-year-old Tom mentions all of Bermondsey's local favourites including Brunel, Tommy Steele, Max Bygraves, Turner’s Fighting Temeraire, Surrey Docks, the leather industry, Tower Bridge and early railway lines.
The reunion came about when Southwark News Arts Correspondent Micky Holland, an avid collector of Bermondsey memorabilia, received a new purchase.
"I bought the comic on eBay for £10 because it was said to have a Bermondsey connection and I was buying it for a friend’s son who likes reading old comics," he said.
"When I saw the My Home Town page and Tom’s name as the contributor in there I knew that there was a good chance of tracking him down on the internet and giving him my copy if he didn’t have one himself."
Micky put out a request on Facebook for anyone who might know Tom and how to get in touch with him. He said: "It didn’t take long before Ann Palmer got back to me and said she went to school with Tom and was in contact with his brother Rob, so I asked her to put us in touch."
A few weeks went by and Micky thought that his mission had failed. "I gave Ann a reminder and last week Rob Burton messaged me saying Tom doesn’t do Facebook but he’d spoken to him and he was pleased to accept the offer of my copy."
Tom now lives in Mottingham and made a date for Micky to deliver the Dandy. When our arts man arrived he saw that Tom was really pleased to see his page on Bermondsey and his name in there, but didn’t actually recall writing in. He said: “I was always writing off to comics.”
Reading through his contribution Tom saw the prizes he could have won: Complete Cowboy
Outfit; Nurse’s Outfit, Ball-Bearing Roller Skates; £1 Postal Order.
This jogged Tom’s memory: “I remember taking the postal order now, 'cos a pound was a lot of money to a 9-year-old back then - about eight weeks’ pocket money! I was only getting half-a-crown a week, which would buy me three Superman comics, so a pound was a small fortune!"
Tom, who has no family left in SE16 now, reminisced about schools and work. He went to the small, two-class St Mary’s near the tunnel, then on to Bacons, before training to be a dealer in stockbroking.
“Me and the stock exchange parted company under dubious circumstances,” he said. “The people I worked with see me as someone from an alien place who didn’t fit in socially so I left to join the fire brigade,” where he still works today.
Tom Burton ended by saying he had a wonderful childhood and looks back on Bermondsey with fondness and might even frame his My Home Town page and hang it proudly on a wall in his house.
Tom Burton with his 1963 Dandy edition
The 'My Home Town' page that Tom Burton wrote to as a boy
The 1963 Dandy edition
26 PUBLIC NOTICES
Notice of application for a Premises Licence.
Notice is hereby given that Mondo Beer Ltd has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at Mondo Brewing Company, 86-92 Stewarts Road, London, SW8 4UG for Sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises - Monday to Sunday 10.00hrs to 23.00hrs
Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 28th November 2024 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Merton 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 Merton 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.merton.gov.uk
It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application, punishable upon conviction by an unlimited fine.
Notice of application for a Premises Licence.
Notice is hereby given that Stassen Leisure Ltd has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at Brew and Barrel, 124 Northcote Road, London, SW11 6QU for Sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises.
Sunday -Thursday 11.00hrs to Midnight. Friday & Saturday 11.00hrs to 02.00hrs Live Music Indoors. Sunday -Thursday 08.00hrs to 23.00hrs. Friday & Saturday 08.00hrs to Midnight.
Recorded Music Indoors. Sunday -Thursday 08.00hrs to 23.00hrs. Friday & Saturday 08.00hrs to Midnight.
Late Night Refreshment both Indoors & Outdoors. Sunday -Thursday 23.00hrs to 23.30hrs. Friday & Saturday 23.00hrs to 00.30 hrs.
Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 2nd December 2024 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Merton 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 Merton 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.merton.gov.uk
It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application, punishable upon conviction by an unlimited fine.
Notice of Application to apply for a Premises Licence made under the Licensing Act 2003
Please take notice that we, Oy Bar
Have made application to the London Borough Of Merton to apply for a Premises Licence in respect of: 66 The Broadway, London, SW19 1RQ
The application is as follows: For a premises licence in order to serve late night refreshments, play recorded music and suppl alcohol.
A register of all applications made with the London Borough Of Merton is maintained by: LICENSING SECTION, LONDON BOROUGH OF MERTON, 2ND FLOOR, CIVIC CENTRE, LONDON ROAD, MORDEN, SURREY, SM4 5DX
A record of this application may be inspected by appointment at Merton Civic Centre. Please email licensing@merton.gov.uk or telephone 020 8545 3969.
It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Section at the office or email address above and be received by the Merton’s Licensing Section within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below.
Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine.
Date application given to the Council: 31st October 2024
Notice of Application to apply for a Premises Licence made under the Licensing Act 2003
Please take notice that we, AS Pub Group Ltd
Have made application to the London Borough Of Merton to apply for a Premises Licence in respect of: The William Morris, 20 Watermill Way, Colliers Wood. SW19 2RD
For:
• The sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises
• The provision of Late Night Refreshment
• The provision of Regulated Entertainment (Fri/Sat only)
Proposed hours of Operation:
• 1100hrs – 0000hrs Monday to Saturday
• 1100hrs – 2300hrs Sunday
A register of all applications made with the London Borough Of Merton is maintained by: LICENSING SECTION, LONDON BOROUGH OF MERTON, 2ND FLOOR, CIVIC CENTRE, LONDON ROAD, MORDEN, SURREY, SM4 5DX
A record of this application may be inspected by appointment at Merton Civic Centre. Please email licensing@merton.gov.uk or telephone 020 8545 3969.
It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Section at the office or email address above and be received by the Merton’s Licensing Section within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below.
Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine.
Date application given to the Council: 31st October 2024
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LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 16A
TEMPORARY RESTRICTION OF PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FOR FILMING – CORNWALL ROAD, ROUPELL STREET, EXTON STREET, ALASKA STREET, BRAD STREET, SANDELL STREET, AND WOOTON STREET
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable filming to take place in Cornwall Road, Roupell Street, Exton Street, Alaska Street, Brad Street, Sandell Street and Wooton Street, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth have made an Order the effect of which will be to temporarily ban vehicles and pedestrians from entering:(a) Alaska Street, the whole length; (b) Brad Street, between Cornwall Road and Greet Street; (c) Cornwall Road, between Whittlesey Street and The Cut; (d) Exton Street, between Secker Street and Cornwall Road; (e) Roupell Street between Theed Street and Cornwall Road; (f) Sandell Street, the whole length; (g) Windmill Walk, between Roupell Street and of Brad Street; (h) Wooton Street, between Cornwall Road and Windmill Walk.
2. Alternative routes for vehicles and pedestrians affected by the road closures described above will be available via (a) The Cut, Waterloo Road, Exton Street, Secker Street and Cornwall Road, (b) Cornwall Road, Stamford Street, Waterloo Road, Road, Stamford Street and (c) Roupell Street, Hatfields, Stamford Street and Waterloo Road. Access will be maintained for residents and business as directed by the appropriate advanced signage.
3. Whenever the ban referred to in paragraph 1(b) applies, the one-way systems for vehicles in Roupell Street will be suspended
4. The bans will only have effect at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing and covering of the appropriate traffic signs and they would not apply to any vehicle or person connected with the filming.
5. The Order will come into force on 16th November 2024 and will continue in force for a maximum duration of 1 day or until the filming is completed whichever is the sooner. In practice it is anticipated that the filming will take place between 8 pm and Midnight on 16th November 2024 but if it is deemed necessary the filming may also take place at other times during that day.
Dated 8th November 2024 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 16A
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE FOR FILMING IN AQUINAS STREET, COIN STREET AND DUCHY STREET.
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable filming to take place in Aquinas Street, Coin Street and Duchy Street, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth, with the agreement of Transport for London, have made an Order the effect of which will be to temporarily ban vehicles and pedestrians from entering Aquinas Street, Coin Street, and Duchy Street.
2. Access will be maintained for residents and business as directed by the appropriate advanced signage.
3. The bans 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 vehicle or person connected with the filming.
4. The Order will come in to force on 16th November 2024 and continue for a maximum duration of 1 day or until the filming is completed whichever is the sooner. In practice it is anticipated that the Order will only have effect from 8 am on 16th November 2024 until 10 am on 17th November 2024 but if the filming cannot be carried out or completed during that time the Order may have also affect at other times within the maximum period of 1 day.
Dated 8th November 2024 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager
Notice of Application to apply for a Premises Licence made under the Licensing Act 2003
Name of applicant Tolworth Associates Ltd Postal address of premises 41 Tolworth Broadway Surbiton KT6 7DJ
Application Details: The application seeks a new premises licence to authorise the sale by retail of alcohol (on & off sales) every day from 12:00 to 23:00 hours, the provision of recorded music every day from 06:00 to 23:00 hours, the provision of live music and performances of dance on Saturdays from 19:00 to 23:00 hours.
Full details of the application can be inspected on the licensing register, online at www.kingston.gov.uk or in person at the address given below.
Deadline for representations 3 December 2024 (a date 28 consecutive days starting on the day after the day on which the application was given to the Authority)
Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Authority by post: Licensing Team, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Guildhall 2, High Street, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1EU or by email: licensing@kingston.gov.uk
It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. The maximum penalty on conviction of such an offence is an unlimited fine.
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A3205 GLA ROAD (BATTERSEA PARK ROAD, LONDON BOROUGH OF WANDSWORTH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF STOPPING) (NO.2) ORDER 2024
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.
2. The purpose of the Order is to enable electric vehicle installation works to take place on A3205 Battersea Park Road.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from stopping in the Parking and Disabled Persons Bay opposite Nos. 202 – 210 Battersea Park Road.
The Order will be effective at certain times between from 7:00 AM on 18th November 2024 until 7:00 PM on 18th December 2024 or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibitions will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.
4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:
(1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes;
(2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.
Dated this 8th day of November 2024
Paul Matthews Co-ordination and Permitting Area Manager Transport for London
To place a notice in this paper and online, please email em@ cm‐media .co.uk or call us on 020 7232 1639 Deadline is 3pm on Wednesday
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A3212 GLA ROAD (CHELSEA EMBANKMENT, ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) (NO. 2) ORDER 2024
To place a notice in this paper and online, please email em@ cm‐media .co.uk or call us on 020 7232 1639 Deadline is 3pm on Wednesday
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it intends to make the abovenamed Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.
2. The purpose of the Order is to enable Water mains maintenance works to take place at A3212 Chelsea Embankment.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from entering, exiting or proceeding on A3212 Chelsea Embankment between its junctions with Chelsea Bridge Road and Embankment Gardens
The Order will be effective at certain times from 19th November 2024 until 26th November 2024 every night from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibition will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.
4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:
(1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes;
(2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.
5. At such times as the prohibitions are in force alternative routes will be indicated by trafc signs via Chelsea Bridge Road, Royal Hospital Road, Beaufort Street, King’s Road, Sloane Square, Lower Sloane Street, Chelsea Bridge Road and vice versa to normal route of travel.
Dated this 8th day of November 2024
Paul Matthews Co-ordination and Permitting Area Manager Transport for London
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE – LAMBETH ROAD AND SAIL STREET
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable bridge investigation 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:-
(a) from entering that length of Lambeth Road which lies between Sail Street and No. 204 Lambeth Road; (b) from entering that length of Sail Street which lies between Lambeth Road and No. 174 Sail Street. Access for cyclists would be maintained; (c) proceeding in Hercules Road from turning right into Lambeth Road; (d) proceeding in Lambeth Road from turning left into Sail Street.
2. The bans detailed in Paragraph 1 would only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.
3. An alternative route for affected vehicles would be available via Kennington Road, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth Palace Road and Lambeth Road roundabout.
4. The restrictions would only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.
5. The order would come into force on 18th November 2024 and would continue for a maximum duration of 1 month (to allow for contingencies). In practice it is anticipated that the order would only have effect nightly between 18th November 2024 and 20th November 2024 from 9 pm to 5 am but if the works cannot be carried out or completed between these dates then the Order may have effect on subsequent days within the maximum duration of 1 month.
Dated 8th November 2024 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE – BRAILSFORD ROAD
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable new water service connection 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 that length of Brailsford Road which lies between Tulse Hill and a point 5 metres south-west of Arlingford Road.
2. Alternative routes for vehicles would be available via Tulse Hill, Brailsford Road and Arlington Road and vice versa.
3. The restrictions 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 25th November 2024 and would continue for a maximum duration of 1 month (to allow for contingencies). In practice it is anticipated that the order would only have effect between 25th November 2024 and 28th November 2024 but if the works cannot be carried out or completed between these dates then the Order may have effect on subsequent days within the maximum duration of 1 month.
Dated 8th November 2024 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE – HINTON ROAD
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable bridge inspection 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 that length of Hinton Road which lies between the junction of Wellfit Street, travelling south-eastward for a distance of approximately 70 metres.
2. An alternative route for vehicles would be available via Wanless Road, Herne Hill Road and Coldharbour Lane and vice versa.
3. The restrictions 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 26th November 2024 and would continue for a maximum duration of 1 month (to allow for contingencies). In practice it is anticipated that the works would take place between 10 pm on 26th November 2024 and 6 am on 27th November 2024, but if the works cannot be completed or carried out during that time the Order may also have effect at a subsequent time within the maximum period of 1 month.
Dated 8th November 2024
Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager
intend to make an Order the effect of which would be to temporarily suspend that length of the southbound bus lane on Kennington Road which lies between Reedworth Street and Bishop’s Terrace.
2. The suspensions of the bus lane would only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing and/or covering of the appropriate traffic signs.
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 21st November 2024 and continue in force for a maximum duration of 2 months (to allow for contingencies) or until the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. In practice, it is anticipated that the works would take place between 21st November 2024 and 4th December 2024, but if the works cannot be carried out or completed during that time then the Order may have effect at subsequent times within the maximum period of 2 months.
Dated 8th November 2024
Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager
Local media reaches you in huge numbers.
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lynn’s johnson is national Champ
‘Saviour’ Mills strikes late
By John Kelly
DULwiCh hAMLet manager hakan hayrettin didn’t hold back his praise of Danny Mills after the striker’s 97th-minute winner against Wingate & Finchley in their Isthmian League Premier Division clash last weekend.
Mills capped a brilliant comeback after Jerome Binnom-Williams equalised in the 56th minute following Ogo Obi’s seventeenthminute opener in front of an attendance of 2,750 at Champion Hill.
“I cannot say enough good words about Danny Mills’ personality, about his character, about what he’s done for the football club,” Hayrettin said.
“Two-hundred-and-one appearances and he was the saviour.”
opponent's corner throw in towel
By John Kelly
Lynn ABC’s Damario Johnson won the Alliance england
Junior National Championship at hayes Working Men’s Club last weekend.
Johnson defeated Freddie Bell from Eltham and District ABC.
Lynn coach Terry Pearson was pleased by how Johnson dominated from the start.
“Damario came flying out of the blocks in round one and was on the front foot for the whole round
By John Kelly
Bryony sMith said it was the “stuff of dreams” to have the honour of leading Surrey’s firstever women’s professional side ahead of the 2025 season.
The new team were welcomed at an event at the Kia Oval last weekend. Smith, 26, was skipper of South East Stars, who were beaten finalists in both the Charlotte Edwards Trophy and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy last season.
That team has effectively been replaced by Surrey after a restructuring of the women’s game.
Smith joined the Surrey girls’ pathway at the age of nine to play under-11s cricket.
“We’d been looking forward to this day to kick-start this new era of domestic cricket. Everyone in the group is really pumped up to begin our journey in the Three Feathers,” Smith said.
“The welcome we received from the club was very warm and heartening. We can feel that Surrey and everyone here are ready to embrace their new team with open arms.
“Coming through the ranks at Surrey and being a fan of the club since when I was a kid, it is the stuff of dreams to
pushing his opponent back with combination punches,” Pearson said.
“Round two started much the same with Damario on the front foot. He got his opponent in his own corner and unleashed some hurtful body-shot. Bell's corner through the towel in to save their fighter.
“This is a great win for Damario and he continues to go from strength to strength after success in last season’s international belt competition.”
’stuff
of dreams’ for skipper in new surrey era
Hayrettin also praised “colossus” Michael Chambers - whose partner has recently given birth - and for the first goal-scorer.
Hayrettin said: “I thought Jerome Binnom-Williams was outstanding, absolutely outstanding. And I keep telling the boys, we haven’t got one captain, we haven’t got two - we’ve got eleven. And if we perform like that we’re going to be good.
“I’ve got a connection with JB, I had a good chat with him on Monday and said we’ve got to be aligned in what we want to do here. He knows how much it means to me and to him to do well for this football club. He’s a person and a character that I want him to get the accolades. I want the whole team to get the accolades - but you only get the accolades if you do well. It’s all well and good getting the pats on the back but when we’re not doing well we have to accept there is going to be a firm finger given our way.”
have the honour and responsibility of leading my home club into this new and exciting chapter of women’s cricket.”
Surrey CEO Steve Elworthy added:
“We waited a long time to welcome our women’s professional team and now we’re thrilled to finally get started with what is the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle for us at Surrey.
“Everyone at the club worked really hard to ensure Surrey got a Tier 1
team and we’re incredibly proud to open our doors for them today.
“We’re also ready to redouble our efforts and deliver on our commitments so that the team has everything they need to perform on the pitch and the fans get the front seat to witness their journey.
“Our ambition as a club remains to set the standards for women’s domestic cricket in England and Wales.”
Fisher no match for Addicks'
youngsters
By John Kelly
Fisher were beaten 6-1 by Charlton Athletic under21s in the second round of the London Senior Cup on Tuesday night.
Henry Rylah and Toby Bower had the Addicks 2-0 ahead by half-time at St Paul’s.
Kesna Clarke gave the Fish fans in the 310 attendance hope when he scored a penalty a minute into the second half.
But Charlton responded with further goals from Bower, Ethan Brown, Bradley Tagoe and Ibrahim Fullah.
Ajay Ashanike’s side continued their excellent SCEFL Premier Division form with a 1-0 win at Bearsted last weekend.
Clarke’s goal in the 31st minute was enough to clinch the points.
Fisher are third in the table and host Rusthall in Rotherhithe this Saturday at 3pm.
Hayrettin added: “The most important thing for me, I said it to the lads, since I’ve been at this club we haven’t lost three games backto-back whatever competition it is or whoever we’re playing, it makes no difference. And we showed what this team are capable of doing if were consistent.
“I thought we were better than them throughout the 90 minute and deserved our victory.
“That’s true spirit we showed out there and we need to continue that.”
Hayrettin also defended Dulwich fans.
He said: “I get angry when I hear comments like people come here and don’t watch the game, people come here and don’t support the team. I think we’ve got some amazing supporters here. If you were on the other side of the water you’d have heard that noise when we scored.”
Dulwich continued their inconsistent form this season when they couldn’t follow up that positive result on their travels as they were beaten 3-0 by Hendon on Tuesday night.
It was goalless until seventeen minutes left when Lonit Talla opened the scoring. Dave Diedhiou added the second in the 79th minute and Niko Muir got the third two minutes into stoppage-time.
The Hamlet are two points outside the play-offs in sixth and host Potters Bar Town this Saturday at 3pm.
Damario Johnson with his coach Elwin Ollivierre
Bryony Smith captained South East Stars
Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images for Surrey CCC
Saints strike late at Valley
By Georgia Garnett at The Valley
ChArLton went down to a 1-0 defeat at home to southampton in the women’s Championship last Sunday afternoon on their return from the international break.
Tara Bourne scored the winner ten minutes from time for Southampton, the first time they had scored against Charlton since being promoted to the Championship for the 2022-2023 season.
The loss means Charlton remain winless since their 2-0 victory at Blackburn on September 29.
Jodie Hutton had the first chance in the tenth minute, but the Southampton defence cleared.
Kayleigh Barton set up Ellie Brazil on the half-hour mark, but Fran Stenson made the first of many saves for Southampton.
In the final moments of the first half, Katie Bradley crossed to Charlotte Newsham, but Stenson got her fingertips to the ball to deny the Addicks.
The hosts almost made the breakthrough at the start of the second half but Kiera Skeels put her effort over the crossbar following a corner.
Sophie Whitehouse made a crucial save six minutes later from Jemma Purfield's shot.
Hutton’s corner nearly broke the deadlock but Stenson was able to punch the ball up and away from the net.
Hutton and Mel Filis had opportunities before Whitehouse made another key save for the Addicks to deny Aimee Palmer.
Purfield had a shot for Southampton three minutes later that was headed away by a Charlton defender.
Saints finally broke the deadlock as Bourne pounced on Freya Gregory's shot to finish.
Substitute Gracie Pearse shot from close to midfield, but Stenson made another save.
Stenson denied Bradley and Pearse in added-time to ensure her side secured the points.
Charlton have fourteen points with eight games played, and dropped down to fifth place in the Championship standings.
Charlton return to action on November 17 at home against Bristol City, with kick-off at 2pm.
only guehi is up
Captain nets point as Palace finally hit stride
By John Kelly
MArC gUehi joked about his “ridiculous” goal record - as he said he was “proud of everyone” after Crystal Palace’s 2-2 drew at Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.
Guehi rescued a point for Oliver Glasner’s side in the 77th minute, his second Premier League goal in six games - as many as in his previous 91.
Trevoh Chalobah scored his first Palace goal in the 60th minute before Jorgen
Strand Larsen levelled seven minutes later and Joao Gomes gave Gary O’Neil’s side the lead in the 72nd minute.
Palace have won two and drawn one of their last three games - including reaching the last eight of the EFL Cup - as they have finally hit their stride following a poor start to the season.
“I am really proud of everyone,” Guehi said. “We put in a good shift today.
“It is always difficult at the start,
we have had a few new boys coming into the side and not really had a preseason with the team. We can't use that too much as an excuse, and now it's important we use the momentum that we have and try and get as many wins as possible.
"Wolves are a really good side. Especially in the last fifteen minutes of games or so, they are really strong. The mentality and character of our team is just to keep going, that never-say-die attitude. We showed that today and it is important we carry that on for the rest of the season.
“We have a lot of leaders in the team. It's difficult in this league, but the attitude and application from every single person has been spot on, going into training every day with a winning mentality, wanting to improve, wanting to get better...
"Credit to the lads and the staff. We just want to carry this momentum on."
On his goal record, Guehi added: “Two
in 91 is ridiculous!.
“I am grateful. We do a lot of set-piece work in training and it’s important for defenders to try and help the team where they can, that you try and pop up with goals. Today I’m glad I could help the team get back level.
“Even the young lads on the bench today, the quality they possess, and their enthusiasm to come to training and work hard...” the captain reflected. “We have to get on with it and keep trying to improve as a team.
“I am really proud of the team's character and mentality. I am just grateful to be paying with such great players.”
On-loan Chelsea defender Chalobah described his goal.
“I saw that the gap was there, and I knew that the ‘keeper was on the far side, so I just had to keep it as low as possible and get good contact,” he said.
“The Tottenham game helped boost our confidence going into [Aston] Villa
away, always a place to go. We got a win there and we should’ve done a bit better today, but it’s better than a loss.
“We had plenty of chances to kill the game and obviously in these type of games, when you don’t kill the game, they’ll have chances. We let them in –my mistake, which I’ll learn from myself – and we’ll take the draw and go again next week.
“It’s been a tough start for us. I felt that we’ve played well in most of the games that we’ve played this season, we just haven’t had that end product in goals, but I think that’s starting to come and we’re starting to believe.
“We’ve got a few injuries as well, but the boys are digging in well and the players who are coming are doing well to gel in.
“I think we all know the idea of the manager and the way he wants to play, and we’re all on the same path.”
Palace host Fulham this Saturday at 3pm.
Addicks have just enough Gas to finish the job
By John Kelly
NAThAN JONES joked Charlton
Athletic’s last-gasp extra-time 4-3 win over Southend United in the first round to the FA Cup had him questioning why he got into management.
The Addicks appeared to be cruising at Roots Hall against a side that are fourteenth in the fifth tier when Miles Leaburn and Zach Mitchell put them two goals ahead in the first half.
But the League One side were rocked
after Jack Bridge’s penalty in first-half added-time and Oliver Coker’s 52ndminute equaliser.
Matty Godden restored Charlton’s lead in the 66th minute but the hosts fought back again and made it 3-3 when Josh Edwards put the ball into his own net in the third minute off added-time.
There was one more twist in an epic cup tie as Gassan Ahadme scored in the 121st minute to finally settle it.
“Sometimes in life you wonder why you go into management,” Jones said.
“This is one of those moments, I have to be honest.
“It doesn’t matter what you do or how you train, it's unfathomable how we have got to 4-3, winning in injurytime. It should have been out of sight, 3-0 at half-time - the game should have been dead.
“We haven’t done the basics again today. We said to not give them anything, don’t give free-kicks away and defend properly, we don’t do the basics right.
“You can train movements, patterns,
work and diet - every single thing - but if you don’t do the basics right you won’t be the side you want to be and at the moment we are not.”
Jones added: “If you go into the break 3-0 up, the game is dead. They come out having to gamble and if you do things right you should win the game. They didn’t have to work hard for the penalty and that's when the complexion changes.”
Charlton drew League Two Walsall away in the second round, which takes place on the last weekend of this
month.
Jones watched the draw and added “it's a wonderful competition.
“There is romance in this cup, and it showed today. I’ll go to bed and have a glass of wine and I’ll be content that we are in the next round. I’d rather that than we played brilliantly and lost.
“There are certain things we need to do better if we want to be the side we want to be.”
Charlton travel to Exeter in League One this Saturday for a 3pm kick-off.
Marc Guehi (second from left) and Trevoh Chalobah (second from right) were Palace's scorers
© Action Plus
lions overpower burnley at the den'
Date: Sunday 3 November 2024 man of the match: Jake Cooper attendance: 14,245 referee: Gavin Ward
By Will Scott
JAKE COOPER scored a thumping header to secure Millwall their third win in a row against Burnley at The Den on Sunday.
The Lions restricted one of the Championships' best teams to only one shot on target, despite the Clarets having 64.5 per cent of the ball. Millwall pressed high, defended well, and rarely let Burnley sustain pressure in dangerous areas.
It was a statement performance against a side targeting automatic promotion, and the Lions ran out deserved winners. Millwall created plenty of chances, and conceded few of their own.
Burnley came into Sunday’s game with an imposing defensive record. They had only conceded five goals in 12 league games, the fewest in the league, and were on a nine game unbeaten streak, although they had only won one out of their last four games.
The Clarets were the Lions toughest opponent yet, although they headed into Sunday's game brimming with confidence after winning two games on the bounce. Millwall had only conceded five goals in the past ten league games, only two of which had been from open play.
The Den was crackling with energy at the start of the game, but Burnley were not dissuaded and started on the front foot. They had the majority of possession in the opening stages, but did not create any clear cut chances.
They had their first opportunity in the fourth minute after a nicely worked move involving Bashir Humphries and Josh Laurent came to Luca Koleosho in the box, but his shot from a tight angle hit the post.
The Lions soon bounced back. In the eleventh minute, Macaulay Langstaff got
to a cross first, flicked it up with his head but then poked his volley past the post from inside the six-yard-box.
After that, the game struggled to get going. Millwall pressed well and disrupted the Clarets’ attacking moves, but were not able to get anything going themselves. Between the two sides, they only had six shots in the first 45 minutes, only one of which was on target. The tempo of the game was not helped by a lengthy stoppage after one of the assistant
Cooper's thumping header seals third straight win for millwall
plenty of momentum after an excellent end to the half.
The Den was buzzing as the second half commenced, and the Lions matched their fans' energy. They swarmed the Burnley players, and soon were rewarded for their effort.
In the 52nd minute, Azeez skipped past his defender before floating in a lovely cross. Cooper rose up and powerfully headed the ball into the corner of the goal to put the Lions ahead. It was the defender's second goal of the season, and it was a very well taken finish.
For the next fifteen minutes, Millwall restricted Burnley from getting a foothold in the game, although Scott Parker's triple substitution in the 64th minute did turn the tides somewhat. The Clarets started to sustain pressure around the Lions' box, especially through left winger Jeremy Sarmiento, who was proving to be a handful.
Harris brought on reinforcements soon after with an eye for seeing out the game, and they relieved some of the pressure. Striker Josh Coburn, who was making his first appearance after a two-month injury layoff, won a succession of fouls, while Ryan Wintle and Duncan Watmore added energy to the press.
The substitutions worked, and Millwall restricted a dangerous Burnley team to opportunistic shots from outside the box. The Lions left the Den deserved winners, and looked ready to start contending for the playoffs.
referees twisted their ankle, and had to be replaced.
The pace of the game picked up as it headed into the seven minutes of injury time. Millwall started to threaten Burnley both in transition and through set pieces, and they nearly scored on two separate occasions.
In the sixth minute of injury time, George Honeyman and Casper De Norre exchanged passes on the edge of the penalty box, before De Norre whipped in
a cross that Langstaff got on the end of. Langstaff's header was heading towards the top-right corner of the goal, and James Trafford in the Burnley net had to scramble over to put it out for a corner.
A minute later, a Millwall corner was deflected into the path of Joe Bryan, who crossed the ball into the Femi Azeez. Azeez was unmarked near the penalty spot, but put his effort over.
Despite having less possession, the Lions headed into the dressing room with
Millwall: 4-2-3-1 – Jensen; Leonard, Cooper, Tanganga, Bryan (McNamara 73); Saville, De Norre; Esse (Watmore 77), Honeyman (Hutchinson 93), Azeez (Wintle 77); Langstaff (Coburn 77) Subs not used: Roberts, Kelly, Emakhu, Ivanovic
Burnley: 4-2-3-1 – Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Humphreys (Sarmiento 64); Cullen, Brownhill; Koleosho, Laurent (Mejbri 64), Anthony; Hountondji (Rodriguez 64) Subs not used: Hladky, Sambo, Egan, Pires, Dodgson, Agyei
Fulham show Will-power to snatch points Rematch for Ravens
By John Kelly
hArry wiLson revealed he had specific instructions to get into the box to try to get on the end of crosses after he scored twice in stoppagetime in Fulham’s thrilling 2-1 win over Brentford at Craven Cottage on Monday night.
Marco Silva’s side trailed to Vitaly Janelt’s brilliant 25-yard strike in the 24th minute before Wilson’s dramatics.
In the 92nd minute, Wilson leapt at the near post to meet Adama Traore’s cross and flick the ball with the outside of his left foot to send it looping over goalkeeper Mark Flekken and inside the far post.
Five minutes later, Wilson was in the box again at the near post to stoop and head Antonee Robinson’s cross home to spark wild scenes among the home suppoprt.
"When the gaffer put me on he said you are going to play in that pocket and when the ball goes wide try to get into the box," Wilson said.
"When the ball went wide to Adama for the first one I just tried to get across
the front man and get a flick on it and if it didn't go in off me, hopefully it would find someone else.
"On the second one, when the ball goes wide to Jed the space opened up for me and I was just hoping he saw me.
"It was kind of at an awkward height - whether to use my chest then hit it or go with my head. I decided to go with my head but in the end it came off my shoulder but ended up in the back of the net."
Wilson had only come on for Reiss Nelson in the 82nd minute.
Wilson has scored a goal on each of his last three Wales appearances, but his two against Thomas Frank’s side were his first for the Cottagers this season.
"We set Harry in a different position to normal, he normally comes from the lefthand side," Silva said.
"He smells the goal and has the capacity to arrive in different areas. He deserved it. It's been a tough season for him in terms of minutes, probably not playing as much as what he wanted.
"With his goals, he's been on fire with
the national team but tonight he was able to help us.
"He really deserved the moment and I hope there will be much more to come from him."
Frank praised Wilson’s “unbelievable touch”.
“Of course, it’s brutal,” Frank said. “The better team won, but when leading 1-0 away from home in the 93rd minute, and we don’t see the two goals and big chance to us that happened [afterwards], we see out the last four or five minutes winning 1-0 then everyone praises us for the defending which I still think was fantastic.
“The principles, the character, the mentality was unbelievable. Sometimes when you can’t hit your level you need to work hard, and I think the boys did that when they were throwing everything at us.
“It was an unbelievable touch from Wilson that 100 times out of 100 I would take again and it wouldn’t go in the back of the net from that position and that angle.”
By John Kelly
BroMLey wiLL face
Solihull Moors in the second round of the FA Cup - a repeat of the National League play-off final last May that the Ravens won on penalties.
Bromley captain Byron Wester scored the now-iconic winning spot-kick to secure the Ravens’ first-ever promotion to the Football League.
Bromley scored twice in added-time to defeat Rochdale 4-3 at Spotland in the first round last weekend.
Solihull scored twice in the last three minutes to beat National League South Maidstone United 3-0 at Damson Park.
Charlton Athletic will travel to League Two Walsall after another 4-3 away win also at a National League side, Southend United.
AFC Wimbledon will be at home against Dagenham & Redbridge after beating Milton Keynes 2-0 at Stadium MK. The ties will take place the weekend starting November 30.
Solihull Moors vs. Bromley
Jake Cooper heads the Lions in front against Burnley
By John Kelly
MArti CiFUentes said he was “100 per cent confident” he could turn things around after Queens Park Rangers slumped to a 4-1 defeat against Middlesbrough at Loftus Road on Tuesday night. Goals from Riley McGree and Tommy Conway and brilliant saves by Seny Dieng helped Michael Carrick’s visitors into a 2-0 lead at half-time.
Anfernee Dijksteel’s own goal in the 69th minute gave the Hoops some hope, before Boro killed that off with late goals from substitutes Emmanuel
Latte Lath and Dan Barlaser.
QPR are second-bottom of the Championship table with just one win in fourteen games this season, 2-1 at Luton Town in August.
Cifuentes saved the side from relegation when he took over from Gareth Ainsworth in October 2023, and he believes he can do it again.
"I'm always confident, 100 per cent confident,” Cifuentes said.
"I think that I've been in situations like this in my career and I always succeed, so if someone expected that this would be an easy season, I think it was wrong.”
QPR fans showed their frustration
hoops boos as boro Cruise
Marti Cifuentes
‘confident’ he can turn things
around
millwall get injury boost
By John Kelly
BiLLy MitCheLL and tom Bradshaw made their competitive comebacks from injury in Millwall under-21s' 3-1 Professional Development League defeat to Brentford at Wheatsheaf Park on Monday afternoon.
Midfielder Mitchell hasn’t played for Neil Harris’ senior side in this campaign after picking up a quad injury in preseason.
Striker Bradshaw - who wore the captain’s armband for Kevin Nugent’s side - has been out with a hamstring injury he sustained in the 1-0 EFL Cup defeat to Leyton Orient at The Den in August.
Mitchell and Bradshaw played the first 45 minutes.
Bradshaw had the chance to equalise from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Julian Eyestone, but the goalkeeper made up for that by making the save.
Another senior player, winger Adam Mayor, played 70 minutes after being out since January with a hamstring injury that he also aggravated over the summer.
after the final whistle.
"Hopefully they see a team that is trying their best," Cifuentes said.
"Unfortunately so far it has not been enough, so I think it is fair that they are not happy in this moment. No-one is. I'm not a happy manager, the players are not happy to get the results that we are getting at the moment.
"But the only solution is to stay together. Because that was, I think, the main key of our success last season in a very difficult situation. "And this season will probably be the same in a sense that we need everyone, so hopefully we can start to
get the results that we want and pick up the points that we need."
QPR are missing a number of important players including topscorer Michael Frey, defenders Kenneth Paal and Jake Clarke-Salter, and influential attacker Ilias Chair.
Cifuentes said: “The reality is we have a lot of injuries, unfortunately, and this is punishing us a lot because we are missing important players.
"No doubt all teams in the league when they have an injury crisis we have, of eight or nine players off, will suffer."
QPR face Leeds United at Elland Road this Saturday at 3pm.
Kyle Smith scored a 90th-minute consolation for the Lions after Ashley Hay’s brace and Ryan Trevitt’s goal had given the Bees a 3-0 lead at half-time.
“It’s a real positive for the club, they’re two fantastic lads, really good players as well,” Nugent told Millwall TV when asked about the returns of Mitchell and Bradshaw. “The first team got a great win last night [against Burnley]. For those boys to be back and getting minutes is really good.”
Nugent added: “We went a goal down early on and came back from that, in terms of our performance. We’re trying to develop players, we’re trying to get on the ball more so now ad certainly the lads did that.
“We thought we’d clawed our way back into it and got a well-earned penalty but unfortunately that was saved.
“And then shorty after that they get another two goals where we’ve got to be critical of ourselves in terms of those goals, we didn’t defend a couple of crosses properly.”
Qpr boss marti Cifuentes has a number of key players out