South London Weekly - July 14th 2023

malakai bayoh: kennington’s 14-yeaR-old opeRa sensation who Reduced bRitain’s got talent Judges to teaRs

EXCLUSIVE

By Herbie Russell

bathed in golden light, malakai reached down and pocketed handfuls of the ticker tape that, moments ago, were falling around him. the fourteen-year-old from kennington had just received the infamous golden buzzer on britain’s got talent- and this was a moment he wanted to savour.

It was the sort of thing every budding performer dreams of. Malakai’s “flawless”

rendition of Pie Jesu had just stunned the audience - even prompting the normally stoney-faced Simon Cowell to get on stage and embrace the young singer.

“One of the best voices I think I’ve ever heard,” Simon said.

Reflecting on that perfect moment, Malakai said: “I looked at my mum and my sister and they were jumping around so it was just really cool.”

In the three months since, Malakai’s rise has been breathtaking. He is releasing a debut album, has received gushing endorsements from the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and even caught Hollywood’s eye.

But Malakai admits that his mum remains his “biggest fan”. She was the first to see Malakai’s potential, encouraging him to audition for the choir at St George’s Cathedral, opposite the Imperial War Museum, after hearing him sing around the house.

“That was where we went to church so I would have gone there every Sunday anyway,” said Malakai.

The young tenor got his first taste of the big time aged twelve, when he was cast as Oberto in a production of Handel’s Alcina at the Royal Opera House. Sadly on the opening night, an audience member shouted “rubbish” as he sang his lines and booed him.

But Malakai has a confidence that belies his age. Asked if he ever gets nervous,

Malakai said: “Not really because you can’t really see people in the audience because it’s all pitch black. It’s kind of like you’re singing to an empty theatre.” He added: “It was a really nice place to perform.”

But nothing could have prepared him for the reaction to his performance on Britain’s Got Talent in April, when judge Alesha Dixon told him: “Whatever is pouring out of you was so heavenly and beautiful I actually went into a trance.” The YouTube clip has over 8.6 million views.

Malakai made it to the final where he sang Lucio Dalla’s 1986 song Caruso - an extraordinarily difficult song for even the most experienced of singers. Although he missed out on the top prize, the tenor received rave reviews again.

Was he disappointed not to win? In short, no. “Not really because I knew I tried my best and it was fun anyways,” said Malakai, beaming his now-trademark smile.

Malakai’s extraordinary talent has caught the attention of the world’s biggest music moguls. Universal Music, the record

company home of Pavarotti, has signed him and his debut album Golden is out this month.

One of Britain’s most celebrated living composers Sir Karl Jenkins offered to especially rearrange the song Benedictus for the album. “I met Karl Jenkins and that was really cool because he was really nice and he just looks really cool,” said Malakai. He also got to meet Andrew Lloyd Webber who he said “had a lot of wisdom”.

Setting his sights on the film world, Malakai will also sing on the soundtrack of the upcoming movie Maestro, directed by and starring Bradley Cooper and produced by Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg.

Despite the plaudits, Malakai’s feet remain firmly on the ground and he still attends Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School in west London. Unsurprisingly, his classmates have been amazed by the last few months.

“They were all really happy for me and were like ‘you’re famous now’,” Malakai

said. But he added: “It’s just kind of normal. I still go to school. It’s not like a lot of change.”

Asked if he gets spotted in the street, he said: “Yeah sometimes. But they just say well done or have a picture… it’s quite nice.”

As he gets older, Malakai’s voice will change - and there were signs of that when his voice broke while singing in the Britain’s Got Talent final. But Malakai is confident he will adapt. “I’ll just sing in lower parts,” he said. Malakai has plenty of interests outside of opera. He’s a huge Liverpool fan, and plays table tennis, rugby, football and basketball. But he still sees his future in the music industry: “I want to travel the world and sing and do concerts… Either that or I’d like to be a host for different types of shows.”

Whatever the future holds, Kennington can be proud of a homegrown talent whose voice is already reverberating around the world

Malakai Bayoh

© Craig Gibson

'pRo-ltn' academic who toRe down anti-ltn posteR comes undeR fiRe

Aylesbury Estate resident's High Court battle with the council edges closer

By Herbie Russell

southwaRk counciL’s 'impartial' report on the dulwich village low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) used research by an academic who tore down an anti-Ltn poster.

Dr Anna Goodman, a scholar at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), made headlines this month when CCTV footage emerged of her removing a ‘Stop the West Dulwich LTN’ poster in a local shop.

The video has fuelled accusations that academics paid to peer review LTN schemes are secretly biased towards them.

Anti-LTN campaigners in Dulwich have now highlighted that Goodman’s research helped inform the council’s equality impact assessment for the Dulwich LTN, introduced in March 2020.

The report concluded that some residents’ concerns about the LTNincluding its impact on air quality and increased traffic on boundary roads“were not evidenced”.

Following the report, the Dulwich LTN was retained and attempts to expand it were only scuppered following a local outcry in May.

The report referenced four studies coauthored by Goodman, who specialises in 'evaluating sustainable transport interventions', and works with the University of Westminster.

Goodman’s research was used to show that LTNs could lead to “reduced car ownership, lower road injury risk, and reduced street crime”.

At a Southwark Council cabinet meeting on Monday, July 10, Dulwich-based anti-LTN campaigner Bridget Furst asked: “Going forward will research and reports created by Dr Anna Goodman be considered unbiased by Southwark Council?”

In response, Cllr James McAsh, cabinet member for streets, said Goodman’s actions were “a very silly thing to do” and that “in a democracy, we want a free and fair exchange of ideas”.

However, he added that her behaviour “doesn’t affect the rigour of her research”

which was “ultimately to be decided by the peer review process”.

In a statement, Anna Goodman said: “I really regret taking down that poster from a local shop. Later that same day I returned the poster and apologised both to the person who made the poster and to the shopkeeper. I’d like to reiterate my apology to all local people involved in creating the poster who I’m sure, even if we hold opposing views, genuinely care every bit as much as me about doing what’s best for their local area.

"I’m engaged in a personal capacity with various campaigns in my local area, including around LTNs. This is separate from my professional role and my research, most of which is published in peer-reviewed journals."

It is understood that her employer the LSHTM has not launched a formal investigation following the incident. But a spokesperson for the LSHTM did say: “We are following our procedure for reviewing allegations involving LSHTM academics and so cannot comment further at this time.”

Mystery 1961 letter discovered in Dulwich Village

By Herbie Russell

a duLwich teaching assistant has stumbled across a letter written in 1961 - and wants to return it to its rightful owner.

Michelle Coare, 49, from West Norwood, spotted the letter on the road outside Dulwich Hamlet School, where she works, on Monday morning, July 10.

The vintage envelope, addressed to a Miss E Goodwin in Cheltenham, is in pristine condition - meaning it could be of sentimental value.

“I was walking on my way to school with a colleague who spotted the letter and I risked my life crossing the road,” Michelle joked.

She assumed somebody had dropped it on their way to a post box that day before realising it was dated February 6, 1961.

On that date ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’ by The Shirelles was number 1 in the charts, while a little

known Liverpool outfit The Beatles played their first gig at Cavern Club and the Angolan War of Independence had just started.

The envelope had been cut open when they found it. The letter inside appears to be between two school pupils and mentions upcoming O-Levels.

Michelle said: It’s a beautifully written letter… it’s clearly been looked after all this time.”

The envelope is stuck with a vintage stamp featuring a youthful Queen

By Herbie Russell

a southwaRk resident’s high court battle against the council is a step closer - after a judge gave her legal arguments the nod.

Aysen Dennis, 64, is battling to stay in her Aylesbury Estate home, which Southwark Council and developer Notting Hill Genesis plan to demolishbuilding a 25-storey all-private tower in its place.

Describing the council’s £1.5 billion redevelopment as “social cleansing” due to an alleged lack of affordable housing, Aysen hopes the high court battle will halt or delay the scheme.

Aysen said: “It’s brilliant. We have been waiting for our papers to be accepted and now we’ve been given the go-ahead.”

Outline planning permission to redevelop the Aylesbury Estate was granted in 2015.

Aysen’s legal argument against Southwark Council and the developer is highly technical and hinges on a single word that was inserted in the original planning permission.

Outline planning permission establishes the main principles of a development, but allows the developer to hammer out the finer details in subsequent planning applications.

But in July 2022, Notting Hill Genesis inserted the word ‘severable’ into the outline planning permission.

According to Aysen’s lawyers, the insertion of ‘severable’ would allow the developer to build “something different from the approved scheme”.

amendment merely clarified that fact. Aysen says, even if she does not win, she hopes her case will delay the development. “Even if it prolongs their plans for a few months, that is something for us,” she said.

“The more they have to wait, the more construction prices go up and Notting Hill’s profits go down.”

The 2,758-flat Aylesbury Estate was completed in 1977 but, in 2015, Southwark Council approved Notting Hill Genesis’ plans to redevelop the estate.

Campaigners had long argued that refurbishment was preferable and, in a 2001 ballot, 70 per cent of residents voted against demolition.

But Southwark Council argued the estate was in such disrepair that refurbishment wasn’t viable. In 2002 the head of Southwark’s housing and regeneration department said it would cost the council a whopping £200 million to refurbish the sprawling estate.

The estate is being demolished in phases. Phase 2B, where Aysen lives, is particularly controversial because it involves slashing the number of social rent homes by almost 50 per cent.

Across the entire Aylesbury Estate, the New Southwark Plan envisages building 4,200 new homes with at least 2,249 social rent homes - less than the 2,758 social rent flats it once hosted.

Elizabeth, saying ‘Postage Revenue 3D’.

The ‘d’ refers to the British predecimal penny, meaning the stamp would have cost three pence.

Michelle’s friend Alison Green, 45, also a teaching assistant, posted a photo of the letter on Twitter in the hopes of tracking down the owner. She said they’d had “no response as of yet”.

If you know who the letter belongs to, contact herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

But when Notting Hill inserted this change, it did so as a nonmaterial amendment. Non-material amendments are very minor changes and don’t require approval from elected councillors.

Aysen claims that the amendment was not minor, so should have been a material amendment.

“Southwark Council turned a blind eye to the amendment but, thankfully, we were watching,” Aysen said.

She says the council should now submit an entirely new outline planning application.

Southwark Council and Notting Hill Genesis are expected to argue the outline planning permission was “always severable” and that the

In April, Aysen held a popular anti-gentrification exhibition in her flat, documenting her decades-long campaigning against redevelopment. A Notting Hill Genesis spokesperson said: “We accept the High Court’s decision to allow the judicial review to proceed regarding the s96a decision to the Outline Planning Permission. We look forward to the matter being resolved.

“We are very proud of our plans for the Aylesbury Estate regeneration which will deliver high-quality, safe and warm homes to replace those which are no longer fit for purpose. We are committed to creating a fantastic, thriving mixed community with quality public space, top-class facilities and improved play and sport areas.”

Southwark Council was approached for comment

Aysen Dennis in her Aylesbury Estate flat

The Dulwich Village LTN

The letter found outside Dulwich Hamlet School

paRking spaces could be tuRned into miniatuRe paRks

By Robert Firth

Local Democracy Reporter

PaRking sPaces could be turned into miniature parks under plan's to slash the number of cars on the road.

Southwark Council wants to cut the number of cars owned in the borough by ten percent over the next seven years as part of its plan to improve air quality and reduce traffic, revealed in its new transport strategy.

To encourage residents to ditch their cars, the Labour-run council is promising people they will live within 200 metres of a safe walking route and get a space in a cycle hangar within six months of applying for one.

It also plans to ban cars from streets outside all schools where it is possible to do so during pick-up and drop-off times by 2030. New safety measures will be introduced near schools on streets where this is not possible, such as those sitting on busy main roads.

Councillor James McAsh said: “Streets for People is a transport strategy but it also goes beyond that. It’s really looking at how we use our street space in all the different ways it can be used.

“In some places it will be possible to turn the equivalent of three parking spaces into a small linear park with some benches and trees. In some cases where there’s a cul-de-sac or there’s no through traffic, you could expand into the carriageway as a whole or turn it into something bigger.”

Cllr McAsh, who said he usually cycles

to work at Southwark Council’s Tooley Street headquarters, added that officials would focus on reaching out to “under heard” groups including local traders and disabled people while developing measures to encourage people to make the switch from cars.

But he said some traders’ fears about

the consequences of discouraging cars were “unfounded”, pointing to statistics that showed pedestrians on average spent more than drivers at local businesses, but over multiple trips.

He said: “If you drive to a shop, you are more likely to spend more money on that journey than you would if you walked to

Advertorial

the shop. However if you’re someone who walks, you’re more likely to spend more money in the local economy full stop but you’ll do it in lots of smaller journeys.”

Southwark Council has previously come under criticism from residents for its introduction of low traffic neighbourhoods [LTN], where streets are

© Southwark Council

closed off to traffic.

In May, officials scrapped plans to expand LTN in Dulwich Village after a backlash from disabled groups and blue badge holders.

The new 31 page transport strategy contains no mention of LTNs but commits the council to creating “nine new Streetspace schemes by 2030,” which are effectively the same thing.

Cllr McAsh said that all Streetspace schemes would be on internal roads that were not “through routes for most traffic”. The new strategy also commits the council to exploring “options to pedestrianise areas in town centres”.

But Cllr McAsh ruled out the council pedestrianising Rye Lane in Peckham. The street was temporarily closed to all vehicles during the Covid-19 pandemic but reopened to buses and taxis afterwards, despite some residents wanting all vehicles to remain banned.

Cllr McAsh said it was “simply not possible to work out a route for buses to get near enough to the train station whilst keeping Rye Lane closed to buses.”

He added: “Buses are an absolutely key part of the transport infrastructure. There are a lot of people who can’t walk or cycle for those kind of distances who do rely on the buses. In that instance, we took the decision to allow buses to go through along with taxis and bikes and so on.

“My personal view as someone who cycles but isn’t the most experienced cyclist, I find Rye Lane relatively a good place to cycle. Without buses it would be safer still, but I think it’s a relatively good compromise.”

Hybrid Legal CRM, the changing world through machine learning

We see today how artificial intelligence is changing on how publishers and marketers transact with their audiences. The world is changing. Our reliance on technology is evolving through times and we become dependent on the need to have the right tool to ensure both our personal and business life is being managed.

It’s no different to the enterprise world, technology is needed to understand customer behaviour and deliver what is needed, whether that may be a service or a product. Hybrid Legal CRM is now evolving in the way in which law firms operates. Our data driven platform is helping law firms today to understand the customer trend, how a lead turns into a transactional process and the service management of a client’s legal matter.

Why CRM is important to a law firm?

Whether you are a small enterprise or firm of a 100, it’s all about managing your data that the firm receives. For example, if your business is receiving leads whereby you are not providing a particular legal service that your customer wants, without actual data, you would not be able to go before key decision makers to consider this approach.

Further to this, CRM allows you to ensure your enterprise is compliant with the regulatory requirements from client care letters to transaction records to matter management, all done through the Hybrid Legal CRM platform. We love to use the word “efficiency”

and it can be said that Hybrid Legal CRM does that in a simple, intuitive way Take a free trial with automated logins by clicking here: https://hybrid.techics.com/Free-Trial.

Keeping your data safe

We know how important brand management is, that is why we apply the highest security on all our servers. You can read details of our security features of the platform by clicking here: https://hybrid.techics.com/BlogDetails/7/keeping-your-data-safe-with-us-onour-hybrid-legal-crm.

What are the key reasons & benefits to use a CRM?

In simple words, a CRM helps a business to manage its customer data flow, to serving the customer and allowing your team to work together, regardless of their locations.

Some of the key benefits of using Hybrid Legal CRM:

1. Email management. Hybrid Legal CRM will automatically identify the client’s email with the matter and will

save both the email & documents if sent, without the need for the user to do anything. A simple reply to the email, allowing you to bill this to your client and save the email in less than 1 minute.

2. Document management. Your clients can upload documents to the platform and the ability to interact digitally will save an average 15 minutes.

3. Task management. A critical function to ensure all legal matters which comes with deadlines are managed.

4. Workflows and automations. This helps both the sales team and Lawyers the ability to automate tasks, working in set workflows, to ensure the enterprise is managed as efficiently as possible.

5. Billable tasks and transactions. A simple, intuitive platform to ensure your financial aspect of the business is being managed.

Hybrid Legal CRM is designed to drive growth and increase profitability for your enterprise. The platform allows you to integrate into any financial or third-party tool, helping you manage your enterprise. It is the solution preferred by law firms to improve performance and connect all critical areas of law firm operations.

Need more information, speak to us today on 020 7237 3388 or email us at info@techics.com.

Councillor James McAsh

wimbledon is left devastated by the death of two eight-yeaR-olds afteR school caR cRash

By Kevin Quinn

seLena Lau and nuria sajjadboth eight-years-old - died after a Land Rover crashed into an endof-term tea party at study Prep school.

Tributes have poured all week after the tragic event last Thursday morning July 6 made headline news. Selena Lau died that day and Nuria Sajjad on Sunday, July 9.

Nuria’s family paid tribute to her as 'the light of our lives'. They said: “She embodied joy, kindness and generosity and she was loved by all around her.

“We would like to thank the efforts of the emergency services, all the extraordinary staff at St George's Hospital, the parents of Nuria's class fellows and staff of the Study Prep for all they have done to ease Nuria's journey.”

In a statement released for Selena, who was pictured for the first time on Friday in her school uniform, her family said: “Selena was an intelligent and cheeky girl adored and loved by everyone.”

In total 35 police vehicles were deployed to the scene on Camp Road and officers worked with paramedics to give first aid. A total of twelve people were taken to hospital and a woman aged in her 40s remains in a serious condition. Others, including a sevenmonth-old girl, were also taken to hospital with injuries later assessed as non-life threatening.

The driver of the car, a 46-year-old woman from Wimbledon, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. She was taken to hospital but her condition was assessed as non-life threatening. She has been bailed to a date in late July pending further enquiries.

The school sits on a quiet 20mph road by Wimbledon Common and teaches girls aged four to eleven.

On Friday afternoon members of the Wimbledon Common Golf Club, opposite the school, held a minute's

silence outside the school gates. Over the weekend mourners were pictured laying floral tributes . Families wept and embraced one another as they tried to process the events that unfolded on the last day of term.

Pupils and staff at the prep school are being offered counselling to help them to cope.

Detective Chief Superintendent Clair

Kelland, local policing commander for south-west London, said: “It is difficult to imagine the pain and upset the families of those involved are going through and we will do all we can to support them as our investigation continues.

“I know the impact of this tragic incident is also being felt in the wider community and we are working with our partners to ensure the appropriate

lambeth council to be inspected by watchdog

By Robert Firth

Local Democracy

Reporter

a south London council will be the first in the country to be inspected in-person by the housing ombudsman because it is failing to deal properly with complaints from residents.

The Housing Ombudsman, which deals with complaints about local authority landlords, will swoop on Lambeth Council to inspect how it handles complaints after it found a “concerning” recurrence of one case, as councillors point to widespread problems and residents facing mice infestations, collapsed ceilings and mouldy properties.

Residents in one case who previously complained to the Ombudsman about housing problems and had their case investigated and resolved reported the same problems returning.

The Ombudsman found the Labourled council again failed to properly deal with the issues the second time

they arose.

The watchdog said the council hadn’t followed its own policies, had failed to fully investigate issues and hadn’t offered appropriate remedies in the recurring case.

It is the first time the Housing Ombudsman has used its powers to carry out an in-person inspection of a council or housing association landlord.

Donna Harris, leader of the council’s Liberal Democrat opposition, said the Labour leadership was “overseeing a litany of catastrophic housing failures”.

She said: “We’ve met residents who have suffered for months on end with mice infestations, unimaginable damp and mould, and even their ceilings caving in, but it’s almost impossible to get any urgent repairs completed.

"It’s absolutely disgraceful that residents in modern Britain are forced to live in Dickensian conditions. The cabinet member for housing and homelessness needs to immediately and radically overhaul the housing

repair and complaints process.”

The council’s Green Party group said the involvement of the Housing Ombudsman was “long overdue”.

Co-leaders Cllr Nicole Griffiths and Cllr Scott Ainslie said: “Lambeth Council has continually failed residents through horrendous and poor treatment. We hope the investigation goes beyond this one case, as the issues are both widespread and endemic in Lambeth.”

The Housing Ombudsman also announced it will hold an open meeting with Lambeth residents in September to hear about issues facing tenants and the council.

Lambeth Council apologised for the failings and said it had recently implemented a number of improvements to how it deals with complaints, including dedicated complaints officers, better communication with contractors and increased monitoring of agreed solutions.

A council spokesperson said: “We are

support is in place.

“This was the largest local policing deployment in south-west London since 2017 and our officers, along with members of the other emergency services, were met with a challenging and traumatic scene.

“I would like to praise them for doing all they could to help those injured. I have no doubt this incident would have

also had a significant impact on them, and we will ensure their welfare is looked after.

“I understand many people will want answers about how this happened and there is a team of detectives working to establish the circumstances. I would ask the community to avoid speculating on a possible cause whilst these enquiries are carried out.”.

extremely disappointed that, on this occasion, we fell below our standards, and apologise for failings experienced by this resident and acknowledge that our response to the resident’s complaint was not as helpful, considerate or timely as it should have been.

"Lambeth has worked intensively with the Housing Ombudsman and

with residents to improve the way we respond to complaints and tackle any issues raised, to ensure we provide the best possible service to all our tenants. “The council recognises the importance of addressing complaints received efficiently and effectively with a view to providing viable resolutions for our residents when things go wrong.”.

Selena Lau

Lambeth Council town hall

Selena was an intelligent and cheeky girl adored and loved by everyone.

Nuria embodied joy, kindness and generosity and she was loved by all around her.

Nuria Sajjad

By Isabel Ramirez

sunset soiRée in duLwich

A photo exhibition to celebrate a leading elderly charity is being launched this weekend at Dulwich Picture Gallery.

Link Age Southwark is celebrating 30 years of alleviating loneliness for local older people and those living with a dementia diagnosis.

Showcasing the breadth of their work, the exhibition will be launched on 15 July as part of the charity’s annual Sunset Soirée fundraising event. The photos were taken by award-winning international photographer Nick Dolding, who is also a befriending volunteer.

As well as the exhibition, there will be live music, a bar and canapés.

where? Dulwich Picture Gallery, SE21 7AD when? Saturday, July 15 from 7:30 pm - 10 pm admission: Tickets cost £55 - go to linkagesouthwark.org to buy.

ghanaian festivaL in cambeRweLL

Southwark’s first Ghanaian Akwasidae festival, which honours heroes of the past, is coming to Camberwell, with traditional food, entertainment and Afrobeats.

Southwark Black Parents Forum is hosting the Akwasidae Festival at Camberwell Green Park. This historic festival is celebrated by those of the Ashanti region – in the southern part of Ghana.

It is a religious celebration to remember past leaders and heroes, the Ashanti royal lineage and Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.

Traditional rites will be performed - relating to honouring personal and

what's on this

community ancestors. They involve drumming, dancing and singing, as well as food offerings.

Other entertainment will include acrobats and music from Afrobeats artist, Article Wan. For children, there will be free face painters, arts and crafts and Busybee will provide free interactive tech sessions to keep them entertained.

where? Camberwell Green Park & Garden, SE5 7AA

when? Sunday, July 16 from 12 pm –

6 pm

admission: Free (Reserve a ticket on Eventbrite: 'Akwasidae Festival 2023')

outdooR cinema

scReening of gRease in duLwich PaRk

With longer nights and rising temperatures, you can enjoy an outdoor screening of a 70s classic at Dulwich Park this weekend.

The Luna Cinema will be showing

Grease as part of their summer line-up of outdoor showings.

Take a picnic, or try the onsite food and drinks – 'perfect for alfresco feasting with friends or date night delights.'

Two types of tickets are available for each screening meaning attendees can opt for a premium director seat (limited availability) or bring their own blanket and seats for easy, comfortable lounging. where? Dulwich Park, College Rd, SE21 7EB

when? Saturday, July 15 at 9:15 pm

admission: Tickets start from £17.50go to thelunacinema.com to buy

feminist PoetRy

sLam in bRixton

Head down to Brixton on Saturday for some poetry, music and art - all performed and created by women.

Brave Poets - a platform staging live poetry and curated jams - is taking over POP Brixton for an afternoon of female

empowerment. They will be raising money for Women for Women International and Rape Crisis UK - two charities that help women in moments of extreme vulnerability.

The diverse line-up includes up-andcoming female artists ready to leave you feeling inspired. An art exhibition, a craft market and workshops for the kidseverything on the day has been created and will be led by women. where? 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ

when? Saturday, July 15 from 12 pm - 7 pm

admission: By donation (all funds raised will go to the selected charities)

kennington PaRk festivaL

Take the kids on a free day out in Kennington - with samba, craft workshops and Punch and Judy.

Kennington Park Festival promises to bring families a fun day to top off the

weekend - with a whole host of free activities.

Hear music from Brixton Chamber Orchestra and DJ Soul Provyder; take a walk through the park to learn about trees; and watch some ballet or samba. Get involved in workshops, play some games and sports, and giggle at a Punch and Judy show. where? Kennington Park, Kennington Park Rd, SE11 4BE when? Sunday, July 16 from 1 pm6 pm admission: Free

weLLness festivaL in eLePhant and castLe

Castle Square is hosting a free family event for health and wellness, including a cycling challenge and Bollywood dance classes.

Elefit Wellness Festival is a free community event to promises 'one of the most feel-good days in the local community event calendar.'

For the ones with energy, there will be Bollywood and Afrobeats dance classes and a cycling challenge. Those looking for a reset can get involved in chair yoga, tai chi and a meditation class. Or for a chance to connect with nature, visitors will have the opportunity to take part in a Plant Bomb workshop where they can create their own gifts to take away.

Guests will be able to enjoy a DJ throughout the day and enjoy delicious eats from a variety of food stands from Castle Square. where? Castle Square, 40 Elephant Rd, London SE17 1EU when? Saturday 15th July 11 am - 5 pm admission: Free

huge new wateRpaRk could open at chessington woRld of adventuRes to Rival disney

By Charlotte Lillywhite

Local Democracy Reporter

a huge new waterpark with themed water slides, an infinity pool and safari ‘beach’ could open at chessington world of adventures under new plans.

The famous theme park in South West London has revealed proposals to expand in a bid to rival the likes of Disney and Universal Studios.

Owner Merlin Entertainments wants to expand the safari hotel at Chessington to build the waterpark.

The attraction would include wave, infinity and spa pools, along with lazy and rapid rivers, themed water slides, an aqua play area, splash pad, safari ‘beach’, cabanas, snack bar and café.

Planning documents submitted to

Kingston Council warned visitor numbers will drop at Chessington without investment and the scheme is ‘critical’ to its future.

They said the resort must improve its attractions to continue drawing in guests as it deals with the impact of Covid-19 and ongoing economic uncertainties.

They continued: “By not doing so it becomes more likely that it will lose ground on the competition, affecting its share of the market and its ability to continuing delivering local economic benefits to the borough.”

The documents said a waterpark at Chessington would ‘diversify its offer, differentiate it from its competitors’ and help it become a ‘multiday short break destination’.

They added: “The ability to encourage visitors to spend more time at the resort is

central to its success.

"Overseas resorts such as Disney and Universal Studios are highly successful at this by providing guests the opportunities to fully immerse themselves in the

By Joe Coughlan Local Democracy Reporter

southeasteRn RaiLway has revealed a list of 40 stations in south London that could have their ticket offices closed.

The rail company announced on July 5 that it was holding a consultation on the future of ticket offices across its network.

The proposals seek to close ticket offices at stations that reportedly sell fewer than 50 tickets at their windows daily and already have Pay As You Go services available.

The changes would also add ‘travel centres’ to the fourteen busiest stations on Southeastern’s network, providing travel information and ticketing solutions to commuters.

A Southeastern spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that within the list of 40 stations at risk, sixteen had sold ten or less tickets daily at their windows.

Sundridge Park station in Bromley sold no tickets, while Brixton, St Johns, New Beckenham and Lower Sydenham stations reportedly sold one ticket a day.

The data was based on a four week period of ticket sales in May this year.

The statement said the change had been made to make staff more available to assist customers face-to-face and to continue the roll out of self-service

experience.”

Further documents said: “The vision of the project is to offer a unique and immersive water park experience where guests can encounter live creatures and

technology.

They also said the initiative had been drawn up to save money, with the company seeing a reduction of 63 million journeys between 2019 and 2023.

They said: “We’ve been open that there is a cost saving element to this. We want to make sure our railway is sustainable for the future and reduce the costs associated with running the railway noting that we are a public sector organisation dependent upon a taxpayer subsidy of over £1 million a day.”

The rail company said the change would also lead to fewer staff working at its medium and larger sized stations, but that ‘enhanced training’ will allow better support for customers overall.

They added that eighteen stations that are currently unstaffed due to vacancies will have staff added to them, including Belvedere, Eden Park and Lower Sydenham.

The statement also said that the company plans to eventually close all ticket offices in South London, with a further 90 offices being addressed in a later consultation in autumn.

Consultations will be held with the public, unions and staff and will consider ‘all the potential options’, with proposed closures taking place over the next two years.

The London stations that would benefit from the new travel centres include St

animals throughout their visit.

“This project aspires to create an unparalleled water park adventure in the UK, while also respectfully and sensitively integrating into the Green Belt environment and the wider context of the resort.

"The goal is to provide an unforgettable and memorable experience for all visitors.”

Chessington first opened to the public as a zoo in 1931. It was later transformed into a theme park and now has more than 1,000 animals in its zoo and sealife centre, over 40 rides and attractions, two themed hotels, a glamping site and Go Ape course.

Building works for the scheme could be completed as soon as 2025 if it is approved, according to the planning documents. Kingston Council will make a decision on the application in due course.

Pancras International, Charing Cross, Victoria, London Bridge, Bromley South and Dartford.

The news came the same day as the Rail Delivery Group announced proposals to move staff out of ticket offices onto station platforms to support “better, faceto-face interactions”.

They said train operators will be launching a number of consultations, facilitated by Transport Focus and London TravelWatch, on the plans.

Steve White, Southeastern’s Managing Director, told the LDRS: “The world has changed and Southeastern wants to change with it by offering a better, more reliable, and sustainable railway.

"An overhaul of the way we operate our stations is long overdue.”

He added: “Customers love our people, not our ticket offices. This consultation proposes making more of our people available to help customers face-to-face providing a wider range of support, including accessibility assistance and deterring anti-social behaviour.

"It proposes introducing fourteen travel centres at our busiest stations and restaffing eighteen stations, currently unstaffed due to vacancies.”

The full list of stations with ticket offices at risk of closing, as well as those proposed to have a travel centre added, can be found on the Southeastern website.

CGI of the waterpark proposals. Chessington World Of Adventures Resort FaulknerBrowns Architects, provided in Kingston Council documents

© Joe Coughlan

A Southeastern Rail train shown at Victoria station in London

Southeastern reveal which train station ticket offices are at risk of closing in south London

council will now 'pay' people to walk, cycle and Run with new app

Woman and a child hospitalised with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning

By Herbie Russell

a woman and a child have been hospitalised with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning after an incident in sydenham.

Firefighters, who were called to a property on Sydenham Road at 4.15pm on Monday, July 3, believe there was a leak.

Four people from a neighbouring flat left the building and a man later went to hospital.

Firefighters had brought the situation under control by 7.05pm and ensured there were no elevated carbon monoxide levels before leaving.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “You can't taste, see or smell CO fumes, but it can kill in minutes.

"It's really important to fit a CO alarm in all rooms containing fuelburning appliances, ensuring that the alarm is able to be heard throughout the property. When sleeping, it's important that your alarm can wake

you if it sounds.

"It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning and learn what to do if you suspect someone may be affected.”

Two fire engines and two fire rescue units from Forest Hill, Beckenham, Lewisham and Bethnal Green fire stations attended the scene.

carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms:

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• Nausea or vomiting

• Breathlessness

• Collapse

• Loss of consciousness

These symptoms also apply to your pets – so keep an eye on them too. Poisoning symptoms can easily be confused with just feeling unwell, which is why CO poisoning is so dangerous, and so often missed.

By Herbie Russell

southwaRk counciL is ‘paying’ residents to walk, cycle and run with its new betterPoints app.

Residents who opt for sustainable modes of travel, including public transport, can collect points and spend them at local businesses or donate them to charity.

The new app is part of Southwark Council’s ‘Streets for People’ initiative which could also see parking spaces become mini-parks (see page 5).

Councillor James McAsh, Cabinet

Member for the Climate Emergency, Clean Air and Streets, said: “This is a great new app that will incentivise us all to walk, cycle or use public transport more.

“It’s just one of a number of things we’re doing through our ambitious Streets for People strategy which sets out how we will make Southwark a clean, green and safe borough.”

The app, which works by automatically tracking users’ journeys, has already been used in other UK cities.

In Brighton, it reportedly encouraged users to replace 622,000 car trips, saving 392 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions

Anyone who signs up before the end of August can opt into the draw to win a folding electric bike or £100. There are also daily prize draws in July to win extra points.

In March, the council launched an online app allowing residents to report graffiti, potholes and fly-tipping.

Southwark Council hasn't decided which local businesses will participate yet and has asked local retailers to contact dave.ebbrell@betterpoints.uk to get involved.

You can download the app at southwark. betterpoints.uk

peckham man has been chaRged with muRdeR of Rohan tRotman

By Herbie Russell

PoLice have charged a man with murder following the fatal stabbing of Rohan trotman in nunhead.

Nineteen-year-old Yusuf Kallon, of Marmont Road, Peckham, appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, July 8.

He was also charged with two counts of robbery, possession of a bladed article and possession of cannabis.

Police were called to the incident on Nunhead Green, near the junction with Gordon Road, at around 9.20pm on Sunday, June 25.

Rohan had suffered stab wounds and was taken to hospital by a member of the public.

But tragically, he died in hospital the next morning at 9.30am, despite the best efforts of medical staff.

Kallon was arrested on Thursday, July 6.

Rohan’s family is being supported by specially trained officers.

By Herbie Russell

PoLice have released a photo of someone they want to speak to after a man was punched unconscious on a train travelling through London bridge.

At around 2.40pm, on Saturday, June 24, the victim, who was with his friends, boarded a train travelling from Blackfriars to Brighton.

He then sat next to a stranger.

British Transport Police (BTP) say the stranger became verbally aggressive before punching the victim in the head.

The alleged assailant then disembarked at London Bridge station. The victim lost consciousness and suffered bruising and a perforated eardrum as a result of the incident.

Officers believe the man pictured in the CCTV image may have information that could assist their investigation. Those who recognise him, or have any information, are asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 370 of 24/06/2023. Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police

Victim: Rohan Trotman

© British Transport Police

© Met Police

© Creative Commons

kennington block go ahead despite Residents' angeR

By Robert Firth

Local Democracy Reporter

a nuRsing home will be bulldozed to make way for a fourteen storey tower block despite furious residents saying the area deserves better.

Plans to demolish Woodlands Nursing Home in Kennington and build 126 homes across six blocks in its place were approved narrowly by Lambeth councillors at a heated meeting on June 27.

Residents living nearby had urged councillors to vote down the proposals, saying they included too little affordable housing, would block light to their properties and were too close to a Victorian water tower that once supplied water to comedian Charlie Chaplain’s childhood home.

Previous plans to plonk a 29-storey tower with 258 homes on the nursing home site were thrown out by Lambeth Council in 2021 over fears the development was too big for the area and would block light to existing residents’ homes.

But this time around councillors voted by a majority of four to three to approve the development even though it contained just 20 affordable homes. The proposals rejected in 2021 promised that half of the total 258 homes would be affordable.

Mum-of-two Kim Loddo, a business owner who has lived in Kennington for 20 years, said the new plans were unacceptable. She told councillors: “I’m here because we deserve better than this.

“This site was part of the old NHS Lambeth Hospital. The council said it was suitable for 90 units and it was sold on the condition that 50 per cent of these would be affordable housing, affordable housing for us the people of Lambeth. […] It’s not good enough.”

Local resident James Hamer added: “In many ways this is worse than the appeal scheme.

"The main block is now just less than ten metres from the water tower.

"When compared to the public benefits which… are limited in terms of affordable housing, overbearing and overlooking and the distinct lack of housing compared to last time, the developer should have to do better and Lambeth deserves better so I urge you to refuse this scheme.”

Over 800 written objections to the planned development on the former nursing home site that has been empty

for a decade were received by Lambeth Council.

The nearby Grade-II listed Master’s House building, which has been home to the Cinema Museum since 1998, will be unaffected by the proposals.

Labour councillor Rebecca Spencer, who went on to vote against the plans, quizzed council officers how the developer had been able to get away with providing so little affordable housing in the scheme.

In response, a representative from the council’s planning advisor Avison Young, hinted the viability of the development had been harmed by having to reduce its height.

He said: “The gross development value, the value of completed units, we’ve benchmarked that against some schemes in the wider Elephant and Castle area which we accept [are] significantly higher than the proposed scheme that as you’re aware has reduced the number of storey heights over a number of iterations over previous years.”

Neil Sams, from developer Lifestory Group, told councillors that the

redevelopment of the nursing home would benefit the local community.

He said: “The former nursing home on the site has been vacant and derelict for ten years, offering no benefit to the wider Kennington community.

“We wish to work in partnership with the council in order to deliver a range of

public benefits to the area, particularly at a time when there is such an acute need for affordable and private homes.”

Four Labour councillors: Jessica Leigh, Malcolm Clarke, Martin Bailey and Saleha Jaffer voted to approve the development.

Less than 20 minutes before casting her vote in favour, Cllr Jaffer, member for

St. Martin’s Ward, said she was going to reject the plans.

Scott Ainslie, Green councillor for Streatham St Leonards, Rebecca Spencer, Labour councillor for Gipsy Hill and Ibrahim Dogus, Labour councillor for Waterloo and Southbank voted against the plans.

Longest-serving hospital security guard makes 'incredible recovery' after stroke

By Herbie Russell

a hosPitaL security guard who suffered a stroke has returned to work at king’s college hospitalmarking an “incredible recovery”.

Colleagues feared Carlos Moonsam, 62, from Greenwich, might never return to work. They say it’s “fantastic” to have the hospital’s longest-serving security guard back in the fold.

Ian Taylor, Head of Security and Helideck Operations at King’s College Hospital, said: “It is fantastic that Carlos was treated so well and has returned so quickly to the fold, as he has to be one of the kindest and most committed individuals I have known.”

Carlos first became unwell during a shift in May last year. He said: “Out of the blue I suddenly lost my balance, and

that’s all I really remember. One moment I was focussing on protecting the staff and patients in the hospital, and the next I was a patient myself in a hospital bed.

“It came as a huge shock to hear I’d had a stroke. Physical fitness is a big part of my job as a security officer, and I train every day. Stroke was not on my radar.”

Doctors carrying out a brain scan noticed a blood clot and Carlos underwent an emergency thrombectomy to surgically remove the blockage and restore blood flow to the brain. Dr Naga Kandasamy, Consultant Neuroradiologist at King’s College Hospital, said: “Thrombectomy is an incredible treatment that can save patients’ lives and alleviate the devastating effects a stroke can have.

“Stroke is a medical emergency, and this treatment needs to be given as quickly as possible. The incredible recovery Carlos

has made shows the difference it can make. It’s wonderful to see him back at work again.”

The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST: face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped. arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm. speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you're saying to them.

time – it's time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms

CGI of how the development would look next to the Victorian water tower.

CGI of planned 14-storey tower block for Kennington nursing home site.

CGI of planned Kennington flats

Carlos Moonsam (front) with the stroke team

Some say it is too close to a Victorian water tower that once supplied Charlie Chaplin’s childhood home at the Lambeth workhouse

By Herbie Russell

whiLe most eighteen-year-olds do their a-level exams in a school hall, Kenny Imafidon did his in a wing of feltham Prison - accused of a murder he didn’t commit.

Twelve years later, aged 30, he runs a multi-million-pound business and is about to publish his memoir That Peckham Boy with Penguin.

Asked why he’s decided to tell his story, he said: “I don’t want people to ever feel like I can’t do this, or can’t do that. because of where I’m from or because this happened to me.”

Kenny grew up in Peckham, with his mum and brother, near the Clifton Estate in the late 90s and early 00s, and attended Kingsdale School in nearby Dulwich.

Looking back, Kenny said: “Peckham was considered a very rough area. There was definitely a lot of crime going on.

“It was very vibrant - a lot of very diverse people from all different kinds of communities so I very much felt at home. But at the same time, it was notoriously known for all the wrong things.”

As a thirteen-year-old, Kenny found himself drawn into Peckham’s murky underworld and sold cannabis. “It was always a temporary thing. I knew there was much more for me in life but, at the same time, I wanted to earn money - do things and have stuff,” he said.

While some of his friends stayed in that world, Kenny chose a different path and started studying philosophy, politics, economics and history at Richmond upon Thames College. He looked set for a normal adolescence until his friend, seventeen-year-old Sylvester Akapalara, was shot dead in the Pelican Estate in December 2010.

To his utter shock, Kenny found himself arrested and charged for the murder. He was prosecuted under ‘joint enterprise’ - a legal mechanism that enables people to be charged with a crime even if they only encouraged or assisted it. Kenny had done neither of these things.

In the book, he writes: “Later I learned that the prosecution’s evidence against me was data from my mobile phone – so called cell-site evidence – which put me in the vicinity of the scene of the crime at the time of murder, even though it couldn’t prove what exact location.

“It also picked up that I’d been in communication with some of the others that day. I’d been at [one of the suspects] Sodiq’s place, after all.

“But I lived in Peckham. And we were friends. And I also hung out near the area where Sylvester’s murder took place, which also wasn’t too far from my own home.

“Surely, cell-site evidence alone couldn’t be enough to send me to prison?”

Tragically, it was. Kenny was denied bail and spent six months in Feltham Prison in south west London, facing a life

the p eckham authoR who did a-levels in p R isonaccused of a muRdeR he didn't commit

and reputational damage that came from association with such a terrible crime.

“You’re searching online and you see this name and this is what it’s connected to,” he said. “You try to get a job, find a partner do normal things, this is there now [connected to] your name.”

really was the key thing... being mature and being able to look back.”

Today, Kenny runs a research company with a £1.1million turnover and twenty staff members. He also does work in prison with Lord Hastings to help prisoners with personal development.

sentence at the upcoming trial. “This is your life on the line and you’re potentially looking at a sentence longer than the life you lived,” Kenny said.

“It just feels like the world is on your shoulders at that moment in time… [you’re thinking] wow I could actually be

spending the rest of my life here.”

At the trial, the judge found he had no case to answer meaning there was not enough evidence for a conviction. Eventually, two men were jailed for the murder.

Kenny struggled to shake the trauma

He was able to overcome these struggles, aided by a relationship with God which Kenny says strengthened while he was in prison. He later got a scholarship to study Law at a private university.

Kenny started writing his book in 2017. He said: “Time had passed and I’d had time to mature and reflect and felt like it was an important story to share and that

Kenny says, for the time being, his goal is to help young men fulfill their potential, to help them realise that an ordinary boy in Pecham can achieve great things: “Seeing is believing. I’m trying to show people that you can live the life you want to live, trying to get people to dream big.”

'That Peckham Boy: Growing Up, Getting Out and Giving Back' by Kenny Imafidon is being published today

Huge new food market and music venue coming to Peckham Rye Lane next week

By Herbie Russell

a tR endy new food market is coming to Peckham’s Rye Lane - offering tasty grub and a jampacked calendar of live dJ sets.

The new hang-out, named Market Place, will open inside the Aylesham Shopping Centre on Saturday, July 15.

The 250-capacity venue will host street food vendors selling cuisine from around the world. This includes Nigerian grub from Deptford-based Suya

& Lobster, melt-in-the-mouth meat from Argentinian Grill, and much more.

The opening two weeks will also see sets from reggae-mixing legend Sir David Rodigan, YouTuber Harry Pinero and Kurupt FM’s Danny Rankin.

Customers can expect five indoor seating areas, served by a vibrant bar, and decked out with exposed industrial ceilings, foliage and neon signage.

The venue has free wifi, is disabledaccessible, family-friendly and dogfriendly.

Blake Henderson, managing director of Market Place, said: “Spotlighting new and innovative street food brands is central to our ethos as a company. We’re hugely excited to be welcoming ten incredible new vendors to Market Place Peckham this July, and bringing the hottest small businesses on London’s street food scene to the people of Peckham.”

Market Place Peckham will open on Saturday, July 15. To find out more about the venue and the events on offer go tomarketplaceuk.com

Kenny Imafidon

That Peckham Boy: Growing Up, Getting Out and Giving Back' by Kenny Imafidon

Time had passed and I’d had time to mature and reflect and felt like it was an important story to share and that really was the key thing... being mature and being able to look back.

tooting is veRy populaR with its maRkets and 'fRiendly' atmospheRe, but could council plans make it haRdeR foR locals?

Residents and businesses are split over plans to pedestrianise Totterdown Street, as Wandsworth Council continues its consultation

By Charlotte Lillywhite

Local

Democracy Reporter

a buzzing neighbourhood around two of south London’s oldest indoor markets feels like a ‘soap’ as it has so much going on and locals love its friendliness, but is that all about to change?

Locals have said living in the busy area around Tooting Market and Broadway Market, sandwiched between two Northern line Tube stations, can be a ‘nightmare’ for ‘stressed’ residents struggling to park outside their homes.

Local residents and businesses are split over plans to pedestrianise Totterdown Street, outside one of Tooting Market’s entrances, from Tooting High Street to Blakenham Road.

Wandsworth Council is consulting on the proposals, which include adding more greenery and space for outdoor market stalls, before making a final decision.

Joanna Kedzierska lives in Tooting and works as a barista at Broadway Market, which opened in 1936. The 44-yearold said the market is “beautiful” and “everyone knows everybody, they always try to be friendly and help you”.

She added: “Everyone protects everyone else because we need to run the businesses here and it’s good to look out for each other.”

Ms Kedzierska grew up in Italy before moving to France, then London. The singer-songwriter said Tooting is the “best” place in the city and very creative, with great music and food to enjoy after work.

She said the area has “everything” so

locals do not have to travel elsewhere to “go out, get food, have good fun”.

Local Claire Jones, 40, also said she likes the area as she knows everyone. “There’s always something going on,” she said, and the market is like a “family unit”. But the mum described living on her street as a “nightmare” and said she is sometimes forced to park 40 minutes away. She said “everyone” parks there, with the markets and Tooting Broadway Underground Station nearby.

The mum even emailed the council to say: “I’m not happy and, to make us less stressed, how about you give us free parking on our road and no one else can park there apart from residents?”

Ms Jones moved to Tooting seventeen years ago thinking it would be quiet, before realising that was not the case just a few months later.

“When I viewed the house, I thought it was quiet. I couldn’t hear a thing. I thought: ‘Oh my God, it’s heaven.'”

The area has got busier, the resident said, and the traffic means drivers have to travel at 20mph regardless of the speed limit. She even installed a dashcam on her car because of the way people use local roads.

She said: “I’ve been taken out by bikes. They don’t stop at the lights because you can’t identify them. It’s like everyone makes their own rules.”

She also slammed the proposals for Totterdown Street. If the partpedestrianisation goes ahead, she said, it could lead to “people getting stuck”.

But Ms Jones’ friend Ali Reed welcomed the proposals. The 58-year-old runs retro sweet shop The Candy Cane Lounge in

Tooting Market, near the Totterdown Street entrance, and said: “As a business, I think it would bring more people. It would be just a nicer area.

“Traffic doesn’t pay attention to it being a one-way street, they whizz down the wrong way, so how there’s not been an accident I don’t know.”

Ms Reed lives in Morden and opened her shop in the market around seven years ago. The market itself opened in 1930. She loves the area and compared it to a “soap, it’s like there’s always something, and there’s some nice people – we had a £500 record go missing, accidentally put in a guy’s bag, and he brought it back”.

She thinks locals love the vibrant markets and described them as “quite a unique feature to a town”. She added: “It’s a friendly area. In here, it’s a proper community.”

“I don’t know any of my neighbours," She continued. "You know everybody in here.”

Ms Reed said Tooting has become “more trendy” and wealthier people are moving in, adding: “There’s more money in the area. I hate to say it, but it’s getting gentrified.”

Shamin Begum, 49, has just moved out of Tooting after living in the area for 12 years because rent has become too expensive. She said: “A three-bedroom house is £3,000 [a month] and we can’t afford it… with electricity and council tax, that is a lot.”

She added: “When you own a house that is better. But for people living like me, and the rent, it’s not possible.”

Ms Begum thinks rents have spiralled as Tooting has grown in popularity. She said:

“There are lots of different shops, the high street, the station, St George’s Hospital, the University, it’s the basic things, and there are lots of students and doctors that live here… everything is available.”

Ms Begum runs the fashion shop GB Collections in Tooting Market and said: “Now it’s better because there are lots of food and different shops. But before it was very quiet, there was nothing.”

She praised the busy market for being “nice, clean and friendly”, with good management and cheaper prices than Tooting High Street. But parking spaces can be “very expensive” or hard to find as the area is residential, she warned, meaning some people can’t visit.

Neil Smallwood has been working at furniture shop Mad Max on Totterdown Street for three years. The 46-year-old,

who lives in Croydon, said Tooting is a “lovely place” with particularly friendly people and two Underground stations “right on top of each other” – Tooting Broadway and Tooting Bec.

About the markets and surrounding streets, he said: “This section is like a little community itself.”

“I’ve only worked here a short time, only been three years, and I’ve made some nice friends in that three years,” he added.

But Mr Smallwood believes the proposals for Totterdown Street would cause difficulties for local businesses and carry the “potential for causing havoc”.

“It’s going to impact a lot of people because there’s nowhere to park on the main roads," he said.

"These small, little roads are going to get clogged up with delivery vehicles and…

Ali Reed and Claire Jones at The Candy Cane Lounge, Tooting Market

some of the vehicles that come down here are quite big, so if they can’t come in there they’re going to try and go down the smaller roads.”

Traders spoke of other challenges facing the markets. Mark Twine, 54, has been working at a fruit and veg stall at Broadway Market for 42 years. He said it has been tough since the Covid-19 pandemic and the market “will never get back the same way” as it was before.

Mr Twine added: “The first couple of months of Covid it was very busy, it’s rubbish now.”

He said the market was “fantastic” when he began working there, and the business even had 15 members of staff – now there are three.

The market has been negatively affected by the opening of big supermarkets locally, he said, such as Aldi on Tooting High Street.

A Wandsworth Council spokesperson said: “Tooting is one of Wandsworth’s most vibrant town centres with two thriving indoor markets, a wealth of independent specialist businesses and an array of authentic and award-winning bars and restaurants –attracting visitors from across London.

“We are consulting on the pedestrianisation of Totterdown Street to make it healthier and safer local people and businesses.

"The changes would include pedestrianising the street from Tooting High Street to Blakenham Road, as well as more greenery, space for outdoor market stalls and a community event space with tables and chairs.

“There is also potential that Tooting Market could also manage part of the space to facilitate more market stalls, outdoor seating and dining at certain times in the year.”

b exley c ouncil slams plans to build in the gaRden of listed 19th centuRy house

By Joe Coughlan Local Democracy Reporter

bexLey counciL has blasted “nonsense” plans to build a new home behind a listed 19th century house, saying it has the potential to “destroy” the area’s history.

It has refused the plans to build a new two-storey home in the back garden of the historic house in Bexleyheath.

The site on Woolwich Road, known as Orchard House, includes a two bedroom detached home, and reportedly dates back to the early to mid 19th century.

The property was Grade II listed in 1980 and is included on the National Heritage List for England.

Planning documents from Sean Payne Arch Design, on behalf of Maxx Join Ltd, show the plans sought to “improve” the listed building by removing the non-original back extension.

They also said the inside of the home would be refurbished, as well as adding another home in the garden of the property.

The topic was discussed at a planning meeting for Bexley Council on June 29.

Conservative Councillor June Slaughter said she felt building a new home so close to the current house would have a detrimental effect on the listed building.

The councillor said the extra dwelling would lead to a “cramped” setting and limited parking options on the site.

Cllr Slaughter said at the meeting: “I think there is a proposed condition

to prevent the occupiers having a parking permit. I think to provide two properties like this without parking is a nonsense.”

Council officers said in response that those living at both properties would be denied on-street parking permits to limit stress on nearby roads.

Regarding the new home to be built, Conservative Councillor John Davey said he felt the space surrounding

the listed building was too small for another property to be added.

Cllr Davey said at the meeting: “This is a relatively modest area, and anything you build there will detract from this Grade II listed building. And I don’t want to be seen by future generations as one of the philistines that have destroyed our history.”

The new home would reportedly have been as close as four and a half

metres to the current listed building.

Planning officers said that the layout of rooms in the new building had been carefully designed to make sure there was no potential for overlooking between the two homes.

They said: “The buildings are cited such that there is a close relationship, but officers feel that’s acceptable and would be less than substantial harm given the site, the orientation and the separation between those two.”

At the meeting, the planning committee for Bexley Council voted to reject the plans in a 6-5 vote. Reasons for refusal included the proposed house being too close to the current 19th century home, causing “substantial harm” to the setting of the historic building.

Plans to transform Twickenham park are making progress

Charlotte Lillywhite Local Democracy Reporter

PRogR ess has been made on plans to transform a south west London park by knocking down a dilapidated building and replacing it with new facilities, but a local councillor has warned there are “many hurdles yet to overcome”.

More than 1,000 Richmond residents threw their support behind plans for Moormead Park in St Margarets, Twickenham, after they were submitted in late 2020.

Richmond Council granted planning permission for the scheme, from trust Moormead Community and Sports Pavilion, in January 2022.

The plans include replacing the pavilion in the park with a singlestorey building housing a café, kiosk, community space, storage space and public toilets.

A total of 1,139 locals wrote to the council in support of the plans.

One supporter wrote: “Moormead Park is the social and recreational hub of our neighbourhood comprising schools, sports teams, tennis, athletics, fitness classes, dog walking, the outdoor gym, the kids’ play area, the annual St

Margarets Fair enjoyed by the whole community, and of course, just being outdoors in a park.

“The pavilion revived could be the centre of the park – with a café and facilities for the local users and visitors.”

Another added: “Thousands of our community members benefit from the park despite sub-standard facilities.

"The new pavilion will safeguard future generations and their commitment to wellbeing, healthier lifestyle, leisure and recreation.”

Kevin Power, deputy director of environment at the council, read out an update from the director of the trust at the council’s environment committee on Monday, July 3.

The update revealed the trust is about to sign off on a contract setting out how responsibilities will be shared between the group and the council, along with the planning agreement.

The update added: “We’re looking to have a meeting soon with the consultants to agree costs from the council side and from those from the trust, and there’s going to be a further general meeting with the council officers and the trustees in about a month from now.”

Overall, Mr Power said “it’s a

cautious progress”.

Lib Dem councillor Julia NedenWatts said: “It’s taken quite a while to get to this stage but that’s my sense as well… that there is good communication between the council and community group but there are many hurdles yet to overcome.”

A planning statement on behalf of Moormead Community and Sports Pavilion, in November 2020, said the development would “result in

the provision of new high-quality replacement building that would enhance the overall quality of Moormead Park”.

The statement continued: “It would replace the existing dilapidated and partly derelict pavilion with a new building that would be materially no larger that would accommodate multiple community uses through its flexible, adaptable and inclusive design.”

Moormead Community and Sports Pavilion

Joanna Kedzierska, Broadway Market, Tooting

Orchard House on Woolwich Road in Bexleyheath, which reportedly dates back to the 19th century

The pavilion in Moormead Park

I think there is a proposed condition to prevent the occupiers having a parking permit. I think to provide two properties like this without parking is a nonsense

s adiq k han says he will campaign with l abouR ulez c R itic foR Johnson’s seat

By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter

the mayoR of London has suggested he will still campaign in the uxbridge and south Ruislip by-election, despite the Labour candidate criticising his ultra low emission zone (Ulez) expansion plan.

Sadiq Khan told a City Hall meeting on Thursday that despite there being a difference of opinion between himself and candidate Danny Beales on the Ulez, he will still try to visit the area before the by-election, “diary permitting”. The parliamentary by-election, triggered by the resignation of Boris Johnson, is one of three taking place across the UK on July 20 – and is thought to be the least difficult for Labour to win.

But the Conservatives have made Mr Khan’s Ulez expansion a key focus for their campaign, arguing that the £12.50 daily charge for non-compliant vehicles will hit people’s pockets during a cost of living crisis.

At a hustings event earlier this week, Labour’s Mr Beales (pictured below) said he had heard “heart-wrenching

stories” from those who would not be able to afford to upgrade their cars or pay the daily charge when the Ulez is extended to outer London on August 29.

He said: “It’s not the right time to extend the Ulez scheme to outer London, it’s just not.”

He added that he had written to Mr Khan to voice his concerns about the scheme.

At Thursday’s meeting, Conservative assembly member Andrew Boff raised questions about Mr Khan’s involvement in the by-election campaign so far, and whether his presence in the constituency could in fact be a hindrance to Mr Beales.

Asked by Mr Boff when he was last in Uxbridge, Mr Khan said he was not sure.

Asked whether he would be visiting the constituency over the next couple of weeks, he said: “Oh definitely. Before the [by-]election, but also for the celebration party for Danny Beales, the next MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.”

Pressed by Mr Boff on whether he will be visiting, the mayor added: “Diary permitting.”

Mr Boff later asked him: “Do you think your going to Uxbridge is going to

benefit that gentleman, or not?”

Mr Khan said: “I think you’ll find that although on this issue of Ulez expansion, the brilliant Danny Beales and I disagree, in relation to a whole host of issues – the Government’s incompetence with the NHS, with inflation, with interest rates, the Government’s incompetence when it comes to the mortgage tax bombshell – he and I agree completely.”

In a reference to the constituency’s previous MP, the mayor added: “That’s why the people of Uxbridge and Ruislip should vote for the Labour local champion that is Danny Beales, instead of another lying charlatan.”

Speaking with the BBC later on Thursday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer refused to be drawn on whether he agreed with Mr Beales or Mr Khan when it came to the Ulez expansion. He said Mr Khan was trying to fulfil his legal obligations to reduce emissions, whilst Mr Beales was trying to fight for his future constituents. “Both of those things have to be accommodated,” Sir Keir said.

The Labour leader has previously said that Mr Khan was “right” to expand the zone, arguing last month it was part of the fight to curb lung cancer.

tory mayoral frontrunner sparks row with pledge on 20mph speed limits

By Noah Vickers

Local Democracy Reporter

the toRy mayoral frontrunner has sparked a row over road safety after pledging to lift 20mph speed limits on some main roads in central London.

Susan Hall vowed to axe traffic measures introduced by Sadiq Khan, such as the 20mph limit on main “Red Route” thoroughfares such as Finchley Road, which she believes have unfairly penalised Londoners who need to use a car.

But Seb Dance, Mr Khan’s deputy mayor for transport, warned such a move would not speed up journey times and could be dangerous. He said: “City streets are not motorways, they are shared spaces. They are shared with other road users such as cyclists [and] pedestrians.

“All of the research shows that the average speed in cities is well below 20mph, so you’re not going to get to your destination any [faster]. But the chances of being killed if you are struck by a vehicle at 20mph is significantly less than if you’re struck at 30mph.”

Ms Hall, a London Assembly member, is competing against criminal barrister Moz Hossain KC for the Tory nomination following the withdrawal of Dan Korski.

Transport for London aims to convert almost 90 miles of main roads to 20mph by next May to improve

road safety.

Ms Hall said she would retain 20mph limits in residential areas and added: “Around schools, I applaud them.”

In May it was revealed that

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby had been caught speeding on the Albert Embankment as he headed towards Lambeth Palace last October.

He had been travelling at 25mph in a 20mph area.

The number of people being killed

like Susan' says Mayor Sadiq Khan as Tories look for next mayoral candidate

Video shot of Sadiq Khan says he would prefer to go up against Susan Hall in the mayoral election

or seriously injured on London roads last year increased by 11 per cent, from 3,580 to 3,974.

TfL says that speed “remains the biggest risk to road users”, with about half of the fatal collisions last year (48 out of 99) reporting speed as a contributory factor.

It said cutting the speed limit to 20mph inside the central London congestion charge zone had helped reduce road collisions by a quarter.

By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter

sadiq k han told a city hall meeting on thursday that he would prefer to go up against tory mayoral hopeful susan hall, rather than her rival moz hossain.

The mayor weighed into the Tory candidate selection process at a meeting of the London Assembly, where he repeatedly asked Conservative group leader Neil Garratt whether he would be voting for Ms Hall.

The party’s London members are currently voting to decide who should be their candidate in next year’s mayoral election.

Following Daniel Korski’s exit from the race, the field of candidates narrowed to just two: Ms Hall, an assembly member and former council leader, and Mr Hossain, a criminal barrister and King’s Counsel.

The chosen candidate will be announced on July 19 but at Thursday’s meeting, Mr Khan gave his own opinion on the race, saying: “I’d like Susan”. Moments before, Tory group leader Mr Garratt chose to ignore the mayor’s repeated question to him about whether he would be voting for Ms Hall.

The mayoral election, along with elections to the Assembly, is scheduled to be held on May 2, 2024.

Labour candidate Danny Beale

'I’d

council ends uk’s fiRst ‘zeRo emissions stReet’

By Adrian Zorzut

Local Democracy Reporter

a London council has agreed to end the UK’s first ‘zero emissions’ road despite it being backed by 51 per cent of people. Beech Street became the UK’s first ‘zero emissions street’ in March 2020 when the City banned all petrol and diesel vehicles from using it for an eighteen-month period.

But The City of London scrapped plans to reintroduce the Beech Street Zero Emission Scheme during a meeting Tuesday, July 4.

Citing reasons to ditch the scheme, a City officer said the level of the pollutant known as Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) had only ‘marginally’ gone above the legal threshold since the programme ended in September 2021.

The officer said: “All traffic that was there in 2019 has returned to Beech Street. Two-thirds of this traffic is through traffic that doesn’t stop for any reason along Beech Street and Chiswell Street.

“All that traffic being back means all that air quality has been measured for twelve months across 2022 and it shows a marginal breach of the legal limits [of 40 micrograms of NO2]. The value is now 41 micrograms of NO2.”

He added: “[This] is a significant improvement from the 2019 levels which were over 60.”

He also claimed most streets in the area had seen a significant drop in traffic.

Backing its removal, Councillor Shravan Jashvantrai Joshi said: “I think we need to put this into context of what Beech Street is for us in the City and what it actually impacts in the wider context of London and us looking at it from just the City perspective puts it in the wrong context.”

He added: “Taking this sort of micro-project perspective doesn’t actually serve anyone’s purposes.”

Instead, he supports a proposal to work with Islington Council on a joint-project to tackle pollution and traffic known as the Bunhill, Barbican and Golden Lane Healthy Neighbourhoods programme.

According to the City’s website, Healthy Neighbourhoods will prioritise street spaces for people walking, cycling and accessing public transport.

Cllr Joshi said: “If we can get the Healthy Street project right with Islington then there’s a far greater benefit for the area. You’ve got to get rid of borough lines with air pollution because it doesn’t care. “

But the move did rile up opposition with one councillor, who claimed most of the City’s dirty air was ‘congested’ near social housing.

Councillor Marianne Bernadette Fredericks said: “Pollution is incredibly damaging to young children and their brain development. When asked at lunch whether I agree with this and I said it doesn’t go far enough.

“Unfortunately, [like] a lot of our schemes, we’re not really pushing back and really rolling out that agenda. We know what we need to do, we know what’s right, we just keep settling for mediocre.

“I will support what we got but I don’t think

it goes far enough. I think that if we accept mediocre, we’ll always accept mediocre.

“If you push back, you’ll be surprised how suddenly barriers come down and we achieve what we want to achieve… We shouldn’t be settling for middle-of-the-road.”

City of London documents revealed 51 per cent of people – including residents and commuters – consulted about the scheme supported it. However, residents who live in the area opposed it by 54 per cent.

Some 49 per cent of respondents who opposed the plans said it did not go far enough to reduce traffic while 41 per cent said it did not do enough to improve air quality.

Only 34 per cent said they did not support any traffic restrictions on Beech Street.

It comes as the City’s Operational Property and Project Sub-Committee voted in favour of a budget amendment to the project on Monday, July 3.

During the meeting, a City officer wondered whether scrapping the scheme, which ended in September 2021 but was slated to return, was an example of the council ‘shooting itself in the foot’.

The officer said: “The reason why residents are not supporting [the Zero Emissions scheme] currently is because it is not going far enough and I just wonder if we are kind of shooting ourselves in the foot by not implementing the project as it is.”

Council officers also said a solid strategy for implementing the Healthy Neighbourhood project with Islington Council was still eight to 12 months away. They claimed it could take up to five years to implement.

During the scheme in 2020, the Corporation issued 34,000 fines, according to council documents.

The scheme was credited with slashing pollution levels by 61 percent. At its peak, an average of 87 fines were levied against London drivers per day.

It comes as environment campaigners say NO2 levels reached 41 – breaching the maximum by exceeding 40 ug/m3. The City of London’s own reports show “an increase in NO2 levels since the conclusion of the experiment, which would be expected with the return of traffic”.

The City of London has ended the UK's first 'zero emissions street' on Beech Street, where it earnt a suspected £2.2m in fines

Documents reveal 51% of people consulted about the scheme supported it, however residents who live in the area opposed it by 54%

what’s on

Get off to see The Wizard

PRobabLy the most famous theatre in the world is hosting one of the most famous stories in the world and that combination attracted just about everyone who fills our TV screens to the London Palladium for the opening of the wizard of oz, writes Michael Holland.

This is a big Lloyd Webber show with big songs - the originals known around the world - so there is little room for error. And there was little error because this has been fine-tuned over many months before its arrival in the West End.

beneatha’s place in the young vic

KWAME KWEI-ARMAH’S play, ‘beneatha’s Place’, inspired by the modern classic ‘a Raisin in the sun’ and written as a response to ‘clybourne Park’, is an intensely powerful satire that explores the complexities of both race and relationships, writes Bella Christy. Written and first performed in 2013, this new production reacts to the culture wars ongoing in Britain and the United States. Kwei-Armah discusses how his play addresses the closing down of Black and African studies, the perception that the subject has lost its position as progressive, as well as the fatigue experienced by some in the back community regarding issues around race. Act one and two are vastly different. The first, sees Beneatha (Cherrelle Skeete) and her husband Joseph (Zackary Momoh) moving into their new home in Lagos, Nigeria in 1959. With a backdrop of political unrest and the escalating violence for independence, this act brings dramatic action in a series of intimate scenes. The shifts of energy in this act are incredible, captivating the audience as the characters navigate their emotions. They transition both seamlessly and jarringly from moments of love and security to moments of sombreness and anxiety,

from laughter and dancing to mania and grief. Each shift surprising and deeply evocative.

The relationship between Beneatha and Joseph is one full of love, and I feel their connection immediately. Often times romance grows on you throughout the course of a play, but in this case, the chemistry on stage felt so authentic as I relaxed into their portrayal of marriage. This sense of ease, however, is short-lived. While the main concern of the play is race, gender cannot be overlooked.

The dynamics between Beneatha and Joseph depict a traditional patriarchal relationship. In a pivotal moment, Joseph shouts ’I am your husband and you will listen to me’, stunning both Beneatha and the audience. Yet despite the prevailing patriarchal norms, Beneatha, a woman studying medicine, demonstrates a progressive mindset that surpasses expectations of women at the time.

50 or so years later, Beneatha, now a Dean at an Ivy League University, returns to her house in Nigeria for what unfolds to be an intense and argumentative faculty meeting. The same cast returns, multirolling as professors, each character so unique and skilfully constructed, there was nothing lacking as the actors’ talents were showcased, their characters

completely in contrast with their earlier portrayals.

I found Act 2 to be surprisingly witty, which was paired and juxtaposed with the weighty discussions about the place and significance of Black and African studies. It was a profound experience to be laughing one moment and in the next deeply reflecting on my perspective on race.

The one long scene grappled with notions such as white privilege, Black experience, racial quotas, power and guilt. I was particularly captivated by the anecdote of ‘straight white male’ being described as the lowest difficulty setting of life. What is more is that the audience felt part of the conversation occurring onstage: shock, laughter, agreement and discord rippled through the theatre as a way of people sharing their own opinions.

I think this was a brilliant play and production, the best I have seen in a while. I would certainly recommend going to The Young Vic and watching Beneatha’s Place.

Young Vic, The Cut, SE1 until August 5th. Times: Mon - Sat, 7.30pm; Wed & Sat matinees, 2.30pm. Booking: www.youngvic.org

We start in dust-bowl destitution with the poor folk of Kansas battening down the hatches before the storm comes to blow away their houses and corn crop. Dorothy (Georgina Onuorah), however, and her dog Toto get caught up in the whirlwind and finds herself crash-landing on a wicked witch in Munchkinland, killing her stone dead. The Munchkins are overjoyed but the deceased has a sister witch (Diana Pilkington) who is not happy and wants Dorothy’s glittering red shoes that give magical powers. A trip to see the Wizard of Oz (Gary Wilmot) is advised so off Dorothy goes, picking up a motley crew on the way.

Of course, the journey is no easy ride but they eventually get there with the brainless, heartless and the cowardly in the troupe firmly tested on the way.

On arrival, the Wizard tells Dorothy she has to get the Wicked Witch’s broom, which leads us into the second part of the story, entailing more wicked

witch problems, more songs and more adventures at supersonic speed.

Who knew Jason Manford (Cowardly Lion) could sing? Not me. Who guessed dance man Ashley Banjo couldn’t? Yeh, probably, but as the Tin Man he had ample opportunity to show off his impressive robot moves, much to the pleasure of all those whooping every body-popping jerk in the audience.

This production of The Wizard of Oz has had a good run at The Curve, Leicester before this run, so we were getting its best version, and it showed. It is a slick extravaganza of pinball machine bright lights, music and movement that takes you on a journey of joy.

We were all bouncing along the Yellow Brick Road, all eager to see Over The Rainbow, and extremely happy to hear that the witch is dead. And all the happiness was created by everyone on and off the stage.

But, as well as Nikolai Foster’s direction, and a set by Colin Richmond, quietly bounding around the sometimes overwhelming sight and sounds was Toto, magically brought to life by Puppeteer Ben Thompson; and even Musical Director George Dyer was a star as he energetically brought his orchestra up to sizzling point and beyond.

London Palladium, Argyll street, W1F 7TF until September 3rd. Times: Wed - Sat 7pm; Thur & Sat matinees 2pm; Sunday 1pm & 5pm.

Admission: £25 - £154.50.

Booking: www.lwtheatre.co.uk

Photos by Johan Persson

Photos by Marc Brenner

Contact us on 020 7708 4556 or info@southwarkpensioners.org.uk

Or pop into 305 -307 Camberwell rd, Camberwell Green, SE5 0HQ

Elim House Day Centre

Contact us on 020 7358 9502 or elimhouseoutreachworker@gmail.com

Or pop into 86-88 Bellenden Road, Peckham, SE15 4RQ Website: elimhousedaycentre.com

ScotsCare is here to help and support Scots and their families in Greater London

Our services include: Financial Support | Advocacy | Counselling | Sheltered Housing | Homelessness | Job Coaching | Social Events | Volunteering

To find out more, visit www.scotscare.com or call 0800 652 2989 to speak with a case worker to see how we can assist you.

Receptionist & Administration Assistant

Responsible to: Administration Manager

Start date: ASAP

Salary: Grade 3 - £24,954 - £26,625 (FTE) pro rata

Status: Permanent Days and Hours: 25 hours per week: Monday to Thursday (12:30 – 17:30) Friday (12:00 – 17:00 Term time (plus two weeks)

Deadline: 13th July 2023

Role summary:

We are seeking to appoint a part time Receptionist to support a busy administrative team and to act as the first point of contact for students, parents and visitors. The receptionist will be an enthusiastic ambassador for Compass School Southwark, participating fully in the life of the school community.

The Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitable candidate before the closing date.

For further information about the school and the Trust, please go to www.compass-schools.com.

Please visit https://compass-schools.com/recruitment/vacancies/ to download the information pack and application form to apply.

If you have any questions, contact us at recruitment@compass-schools.com or 0203 542 6506.

Compass Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding children and all appointments will require an enhanced DBS check.

WANTED CARS + VANS ANY CONDITION ANY AREA PROMPT & POLITE SERVICE ANY DAY, ANY TIME, 7 DAYS CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH CLASSIC & UNSUAL CARS ALSO WANTED 020 8659 8988 TELEPHONE 07850 323 508 MOBILE Making life better: • Learning Disabilities Service • Youth Adventure Project • Starfish, Domestic Abuse Project www.bedehouse.org Tel: 0207 237 3881 A local charity supporting our neighbours in Southwark since 1938 Registered charity number: 303199 Registered company number: 420386

Recruitment

Elimhouse

Peckham, London SE15

in

Part-time Lunchtime Supervisors/Exam Invigilator

Responsible to: Senior Leadership Team

Start date: ASAP

Salary: Salary range £24.771 - £24,954 (FTE) £12.70 per hour

Days and Hours: 1 hour per day, five days per week, 13:00 - 14:00 Term time only

Deadline: 21st July 2023.

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, motivated and committed individual with excellent communication skills to join our team working in a friendly, lively environment to ensure the security, safety and good conduct of our students at lunchtimes and where appropriate, during examinations*.

The successful candidates will be responsible for supervising students in an area of the school during the lunch break and will need to have a confident and positive approach when working with our young people.

*There may be exam invigilation opportunities available for the right candidate during examination periods.

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview and to experience lunchtimes first hand.

The Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitable candidate before the closing date.

For further information about the school and the Trust, please go to www.compass-schools.com.

Please visit https://compass-schools.com/recruitment/vacancies/ to download the information pack and application form to apply.

If you have any questions, contact us at recruitment@compass-schools.com or 0203 542 6506.

Compass Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding children and all appointments will require an enhanced DBS check.

clay kiln craft

Pottery classes, courses & open access studio

We are a small independent pottery teaching school offering one-off classes, courses & open access membership studio for beginners, enthusiasts, amateurs and semi-professionals in a friendly and relaxed environment.

Check out our website for a full list of all classes & courses plus dates & times: claykilncraft.com

facebook: Clay Kiln Craft at Do and Play twitter: @ClayKilnCraft

instagram: @claykilncraft phone: 07976 290735 web: claykilncraft.com

email: claykilncraftpottery@gmail.com

20 Church Road, Crystal Palace, London SE19 2ET

Pottery Teaching School + Open Access Membership + Commissions

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1)

(ASHBOURNE GROVE, LORDSHIP LANE, BLAKES ROAD, EMBA STREET, VARCOE ROAD, NIGEL ROAD, PARK STREET, TRANTON ROAD, UPLAND ROAD, WESTON STREET, FOREST HILL ROAD)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

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

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

(a) Ashbourne Grove, at it’s junction with Lordship Lane

(b) Lordship Lane, bus lane suspension in the north bound lane of carriageway between Chesterfield Grove and Ashbourne Grove

(c) Blakes Road, between Innes Street and Ferdinand Drive

(d) Emba Street, between Wilson Grove to it’s blocked end

(e) Varcoe Road, between Verney Road to the side of No’s 45 Batwa House

(f) Nigel Road, between Relf Road and Rye Lane

(g) Park Street, between No’s 59 and Bank End

(h) Tranton Road, between Keetons Road and Drummond Road

(i) Upland Road, between No’s 283 and No’s 313

(j) Weston Street, between St Thomas Street and Melior Street

(k) Weston Street, between St Thomas Street and Melior Street

(l) Forest Hill Road, between Canonbie Road for approximately 25m

(m) Lordship Lane, between Townley Road and Heber Road ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be imposed on both sides of the carriageway

3.The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) Lordship Lane, East Dulwich Grove, Melbourne Grove. Lordship Lane, Chesterfield Grove, Melbourne Grove. (2b) not applicable. (2c) Diamond Street, Southampton Way, Peckham Grove, Blakes Road. Innes Street, Chandler Street, Diamond Street. (2d) Janeway Street (2e) Bramcote Grove (2f) Peckham Rye, East Dulwich Road, Fenwick Road and Anstey Road. (2g) not applicable (2h) as indicated by the signs displayed (2i) Dunstans Road, Goodrich Road (2g) Wyneham Road, Beckwith Road, Elfindale Road, Herne Hill, Danecroft Road (2j) as indicated by the signs displayed (2k) as indicated by the signs displayed (2l) Forest Hill Road – Honor Oak Road, London Road, Lordship Lane, Barry Road, Peckham Rye (2m) not applicable

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

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

6.The works will be in operation for (2a) & (2b) 24th July (2c) 26th July (2d) 24th July – 21st September (2e) 21st – 22nd July (2f) 21st July (2g) 22nd – 23rd July (2h) 24th July – 31st August (2i) 24th July (2j) 22nd – 23rd July (2k) 24th – 26th July (2l) 24th July – 17th August (2m) 20th July – 30th August

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

Dated this 13th July 2023

Ian Law Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark

Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth

160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529

London SE1 5LX

Ref: (2a)&(2b) 00063019-000000582 (2c) ROADCLOSURE/BLAKES (2d) BER2-EMST120-01(2e) crane (2f) LPPAT2122/0454/ELN (2g) LBSCR12980 (2h) BER5-TRAN85-01 (2i) LPPAT2122/0290/JS (2j) LBSCR13031 (2k) LO00000500329329902 (2l) 00204255-00000006 (2m) 5515-02

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (NORTH CROSS ROAD)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC, TEMPORARY PARKING RESTRICTION)

1. The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable works to be carried out, it intends to make an order the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering part of the above named road, and to restrict parking in the same area of road.

2. Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, park, load or unload in: North Cross Road, between Lordship Lane and Archdale Road.

3. The alternative route for affected traffic: Adjacent roads as applicable.

4. Parking will be restricted between Lordship Lane and Archdale Road during the road closure. Vehicles parked on North Cross Road between Lordship Lane and Archdale Road may be relocated if they are within the works area.

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

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

7. The closure will be in operation from 08:00 on the 24th of July 2023 until approximately 16:00 on the same day.

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

Dated this 13th July 2023

Ian Law

Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark Network Management

160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1)

(MARSHALSEA ROAD, REDCROSS WAY, UNDERHILL ROAD, UPLAND ROAD, VERNEY ROAD, STONEY STREET)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

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

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

(a) Marshalsea Road, between Southwark Bridge Road and Borough High Street

(b)Redcross Way, at it’s junction with Union Street

(c) Redcross way at it’s junction with Southwark Street

(d) Underhill Road, at it’s junction with Upland Road

(e) Upland Road, at it’s junction with Underhill Road

(f) Verney Road, at it’d junctions with Bramcote Grove

(g) Stoney Street, at it’s junction with Park Street for 54m north

3.The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) Borough High Street, Borough High Street slip road, Southwark Street, Southwark Bridge Road. Southwark Bridge Road, Southwark Street, Blackfriars Road, Borough Road. Borough High Street, St Georges Road, Westminster Bridge Road, Borough Road, Southwark Bridge Road. (2b) Southwark Street, Omeara Street, Union Street. (2c) Park Street, Great Guildford Street. (2d) & (2e) Barry Road, Dunstans Road. Barry Road, Goodrich Road, Dunstans Road. (2f) as indicated by the signs displayed (2g) as indicated by the signs displayed

4.The existing ‘one-way’ working in Redcross Way, between Marshalsea Road and Union Street will be made ‘two-way’ for access and egress purposes for (2a)

5.The existing ‘one-way’ working in Ayres Street, between Clenman Street and Union Street will be made ‘two-way’ for access and egress purposes for (2a)

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

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

8.The works will be in operation for (2a) 31st July – 5th August, the works will be carried out between 20:00hrs and 05:00hrs (2b) & (2c) 31st July (2d) & (2e) 31st July (2f) 1st – 21st August (2g) 29th July

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

Dated this 13th July 2023

Ian Law Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark Network Management

Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 ondon SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 38537371 (2b) S171/REDCROSSWAY23 & (2c) S171/REDCROSSWAY23 (2d) 26422159 (2e) 53577853 (2f) 61608019 (2g) LBSCR13020

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended) PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT 1990 (as amended)

The planning applications listed below can be viewed on the planning register at https://planning.southwark.gov.uk/online-applications/ You can use facilities at your local library or 'My Southwark Service Points' to access the website.

How to comment on this application: You should submit your comments via the above link. Comments received will be made available for public viewing on the website. All personal information will be removed except your postal address. Online comments submitted without an email address will not be acknowledged and those marked 'confidential' will not be considered. Written comments can be submitted to; Southwark Council, Chief executive's department, Planning division, Development Management, PO Box 64529, London SE1 5LX.

Reason for publicity. The applications are advertised for the reasons identified by the following codes: AFFECT - development affecting character or appearance of a nearby conservation area; OR development affecting setting of a nearby listed building(s); DEP - departure from the development plan; EIA - environmental impact assessment (these applications are accompanied by an environmental statement a copy of which may be obtained from the Council - there will be a charge for the copy); MAJ - major planning application; STDCA - development within a conservation area; STDLB - works to or within the site of a listed building;

37 SUTHERLAND SQUARE LONDON

SOUTHWARK SE17 3EE (Ref: 23/AP/1811)

Demolition and reconstruction of the existing boundary wall. (Within: Sutherland Square CA)

Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Sean Gomes 020 7525 0666)

747-759 & 765-775 OLD KENT ROAD AND LAND AT DEVONSHIRE GROVE LONDON SE15 1NZ (Ref: 23/AP/1862)

Phased mixed-use redevelopment of the site, comprising: - Demolition of all existing buildings/structures, site clearance and excavation; - Construction of buildings to provide residential dwellings (Class C3) and flexible commercial, business and service space (Class E); - Construction of buildings to provide purpose built student accommodation including associated amenity and ancillary space, flexible commercial, business, service and community spaces within Classes E/F2(b) (Sui Generis); and - Provision of associated car and cycle parking, open space and landscaping, means of access and highway alterations, installation of plant and utilities and all other associated ancillary works incidental to the development.

For information: - Building A would be 33 storeys (maximum height of +116.05 metres AOD), plus basement, and comprise 641 purpose-built student accommodation units together with associated amenity and ancillary facilities (Sui Generis), and a 95.4 square metre GIA community hub (Class F2(b)) located at ground floor level; - Building B would be 19 storeys (maximum height of +71.88 metres AOD) and comprise 300 purpose-built student accommodation units together with associated amenity and ancillary facilities (Sui Generis), and a 86 square metre GIA cafe unit (Class E) located at ground floor level; - Building C would be 15 storeys (maximum height of +57.62 metres AOD) and comprise 75 shared ownership affordable homes (Class C3) together with associated amenity and ancillary facilities, and a 249 square metre GIA commercial unit (flexible Class E) located at ground floor level;

To

and - Building D would be 20 storeys (maximum height of +73.62 metres AOD), plus basement, and comprise 125 social rent affordable homes (Class C3) together with associated amenity and ancillary facilities, and a 478 square metre GIA commercial unit (flexible Class E) located at ground floor level.The application is accompanied by an Environmental Statement (ES) in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (as amended). This can be viewed on Southwark Council's Public Access for Planning Register. Hard copies of the ES are available for inspection at the Council's offices at 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm). Hard copies can also be purchased from Temple Group Ltd, The Clove Building, 4 Maguire Street, London, SE1 2NQ (for further details contact Temple on +44 (0)20 7394 3700). Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ EIA AFFECT (Contact: Patrick Cronin 020 7525 5535)

33 TRAFALGAR AVENUE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 6NP (Ref: 23/AP/1846)

Removal of Condition 1-Approved plans and documents as required by planning permission 23/AP/0940 dated 05/06/2023 for Listed Building Consent: Replacement of cracked concrete front steps up to front door with sand stone as the original steps would have been. Replacement of a cracked path stone at the bottom of the steps with a new piece of reclaimed riven York stone or by reorganising the original path stones if a piece of the correct size is not available. The original balustrades will be removed and put back in the new steps. Water-proofing of the cellar under the steps. Conditions(s) Removal: The stone identified in the stone sample is no longer available from the quarry. A new sample of available York stone which can be supplied has been submitted and identified as acceptable by Southwark Planning as a reasonable substitute. (Within: Trafalgar Avenue CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Eleanor Heagney 020 7525 5403)

ARCHES 31 TO 33 73 TANNER STREET

LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 3PL (Ref: 23/AP/1817)

Change of use to Arches 32-33 for open Class E (Commercial, Business and Services), and drinking establishment and drinking establishments with expanded food provision, along with external and internal refurbishments, front and rear facade treatments Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Michèle Sterry 020 7525 5453)

FLAT A 2 BERMONDSEY SQUARE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 3UN (Ref: 23/AP/1721)

Listed Building Consent: Re-conversion of the building to a single family dwellinghouse from two flats, and light refurbishment. Works to comprise: replacement of 2 internal door at ground floor; removal of hob from the kitchen at ground floor. (Within: Bermondsey Street CA)

Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Eleanor Heagney 020 7525 5403)

PAVEMENT OUTSIDE 147 PECKHAM HILL STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 5JZ (Ref: 23/AP/1879)

Installation of 1 Smart Communications Hub with 2 inset digital advertising screens (Within: Rye Lane Peckham CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Sean Gomes 020 7525 0666)

2 LYNDHURST SQUARE LONDON

SOUTHWARK SE15 5AR (Ref: 23/AP/1654)

Demolition of chimney breast in lower ground floor kitchen. (Within: Holly Grove CA)

Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Eleanor Heagney 020 7525 5403)

24 DULWICH VILLAGE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7AL (Ref: 23/AP/1830)

Variation of Condition 4 'Existing Trees' for planning permission reference number 22/AP/1099: Part demolition of existing structure including garage, single and double storey side and rear extensions, front and rear garden reconfiguration including works to trees,

provision of air conditioning condenser. Variation to include: T1 to be felled to ground level (Yew) T1A - proposed 20-25cm Magnolia Grandiflora Gallissionnere T2A - Proposed 3m Tall Amelanchier Tree. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465)

Dated: 11 Jul 2023 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date.

STEPHEN PLATTS - Director of Planning and Growth

place a public notice, please email em@cm-media.co.uk Our weekly deadline is 4pm on Tuesdays

By John Kelly

John RydeR has become the first recipient of the steve hiser award for bravery as fisher abc continue to honour the legacy of their legendary coach.

Ryder accepted an honorary Fisher vest from Hiser’s wife, Sandra, and daughters, Natalie and Karen, at the Queen Victoria pub in Bermondsey last Saturday night.

Hiser passed away in May at the age of 82.

Islington’s Ryder, who turns 35 this month, challenged 32-year-old Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez - regarded as the best current pound-for-pound fighter on the planet - for his super-middleweight world titles in May. Fighting in Canelo’s home country of Mexico, Ryder took the champion all the way before losing the decision 118-109, 118-109 and 120-107 after the twelve rounds.

Ryder, who fought as an amateur for Angel Amateur Boxing Club, went the distance despite suffering a broken nose in the second round and being dropped in the fifth in front of more than 50,000 fans.

Ryder had called Hiser for advice three days before his fight with Canelo. Hiser’s response was typical. If it got tough, Ryder was to “stick the nut in, son”.

The idea for the award came from George Wadman, a coach at Fisher alongside his brother Andrew.

Ryder never boxed for Fisher but has a long association with the club. He is considered an ‘honorary’ Fisher fighter having first sparred there fourteen years ago. ‘The Gorilla’ often uses Fisher as an out-of-camp base and is known as a popular fighter who makes himself available to spar with anyone, including kids.

Andrew Wadman said: “This is so inspirational for the fighters and a class thing to do.”

After breaking his nose in the bout, Ryder was swallowing large amounts of blood and his bravery was recognised as it brought cheers from the home fans.

Wadman added: “That bravery shown by Ryder is what brought the idea together with consent from Steve’s family. He is an honorary Fisher boy, and the award was presented in the Queen Victoria - whose landlord is former Fisher fighter Mark Thirlwall - by Natalie Hiser, Karen Hiser, Sandra Hiser and George Wadman for exceptional bravery against the odds.”

Presenting the award, Karen Hiser paid

RydeR given steve hiseR awaRd

Fighter with Fisher links receives bravery honour

tribute to her father. “Dad was brave, really brave,” she said. “In the last weeks and days of his life he basically lived his last moments the way he lived his life. He never gave up, he never stopped trying. He just dug in and kept going as long as he could.

“But this is a celebration. I want to tell you a little story that illustrates that dad was brave and he showed grit and determination all the way through his life. There was one story and I just kept thinking about it when I knew we were going to present this to John.

“He told me once that when he was a

bit younger he went to the beach and swam out into the sea. He turned around and he was way, way further out than he should have been. He thought, ‘oh shit, this is really bad, I better start swimming in’.

“So he started swimming and he was getting nowhere. He was getting knackered. He’d obviously got caught in a rip-tide. They’re really dangerous, you don’t get out of a rip-tide, you’re supposed to swim sideways. You don’t swim back in, nobody does that. No one swims back into the beach directly from a rip-tide…apart from dad.

“So he tried and he tried and he swam and he bloody well did it. He got onto that beach and he was absolutely knackered and absolutely exhausted. Nobody around him had the faintest idea of what he’d just done. He’d basically just saved his own life through grit and determination and just bloodymindedness and not giving up.

“That’s what bravery is, isn’t it, just digging deep and it’s not giving up and finding the strength from somewhere.”

Turning to Ryder, Karen said: “Which is why this is awarded to you. I’d just like to say I heard somewhere this week

that bravery is infectious and I don’t know whether that’s true or not but I’d like to think that dad’s bravery inspired you, and your bravery is going to inspire others.”

Accepting the award, Ryder said: “Last year my amateur club closed down, so I’ve got a club now, which is good. I spent a lot of time at Fisher throughout my amateur days, sparring. It’s been like a second home throughout my career and still now as a pro I get down there a few times.

“Thank you, it’s been a pleasure - and long may it continue.”

Surrey book Blast Finals Day with thrilling Lightning win

By Graham Hardcastle

inauguRaL vitaLity blast champions surrey are through to finals day a week on saturday having just about defended a 188 target to win a high-scoring thriller against Lancashire by thirteen runs at old trafford last weekend.

The 2003 winners inflicted a first home T20 defeat upon the Lightning in 22 games dating back to late 2020, and they did it as the hosts slipped from 124 for two in the 14th over of their chase to finish on 174 for six.

Captain and England white ball seamer Chris Jordan excelled with two for 27 from four overs, leaving Australian seamer Sean Abbott defending 19 off the last over to seal a semi-final meeting with Somerset at Edgbaston. Surrey’s 187 for five having elected to

bat was underpinned by 70 off 41 balls for opener Laurie Evans and 50 off 34 for Jason Roy from number three. But they didn’t get as many as they should have on a used pitch, opening the door for England white ball captain Jos Buttler to put the game in Lightning’s favour with an opening 42. Veteran Steven Croft also made 55, but it wasn’t enough. At 119 for two after thirteen overs, 200 was likely for Surrey. However, Lancashire squeezed well, and wicketless Luke Wells conceded only 26 from four overs of leg-spin.

Sunil Narine only facing two balls from number seven and fellow overseas bowler Abbott not batting at all for Surrey was a surprise. The latter, for example, crashed a 34-ball century earlier in the competition.

Evans hit three sixes as 58 for one came off the powerplay, two of them

scooped over fine-leg in the same over from two-wicket seamer Tom Bailey and the other smashed over midwicket. Evans reached his fifty off 28 balls shortly afterwards and helped his side to 93 for one after ten overs, by which stage Roy was settling.

Phil Salt and Croft both let boundaries slip through their legs in the outfield, though the latter ironically led to the wicket of Evans, who was bowled by Liam Livingstone as the score fell to 104 for two in the twelfth over.

Had Croft not misfielded, it would have only been one and Roy on strike. Roy pulled Livingstone for a big six on the way to a 33-ball fifty. But he fell to a smart catch from Croft at cover off Luke Wood - 140 for three after fifteen overs. Despite their ground fielding been sketchy - Surrey’s was worseLancashire caught well. Dane Vilas took a superb low catch at long-off to help

Bailey remove Sam Curran late on.

Buttler started Lancashire’s pursuit by lofting his second ball for six over long-on off Will Jacks’ off-spin, and they got going well at 31 without loss after three overs.

Salt holed out to mid-off against Abbott as Lancashire, like Surrey had done, reached 50 for one after five overs.

Salt’s wicket brought Croft to the crease, and he hit four of his first ten balls to the boundary, outshining Buttler.

Having that said, the England captain then launched Narine’s first two balls for six over long-on to blow that theory to pieces, more importantly taking Lightning to 69 for one in the seventh over.

That became 94 for one after ten with Buttler 41.

That Buttler only added one more run

before slicing Dan Moriarty’s left-arm spin to gully - 97 for two in the eleventh over - boosted Surrey’s chances of a revival. And it proved a big moment.

Having shared 62 with Buttler, Croft remained but Jordan led a squeeze in the rate just as the home bowlers had done earlier.

Narine had Livingstone miscuing cheaply to deep midwicket, and Lancashire needed 64 off six overs at 124 for three.

Croft reached 50 off 32 balls shortly afterwards and while Daryl Mitchell was dropped on four in the deep, the target became 47 off four overs and later 29 off two.

Jordan yorked Croft and had Vilas caught at long-leg in the penultimate, also running out Wells - 168 for six - leaving Abbott with room for manoeuvre. He finished with one for 22 from four overs.

John Ryder, far right, with, from left, George Wadman, Andrew Wadman, and Tony Sims (coach of Ted Cheeseman)

© Fisher ABC

Decision time for Wilfried

By John Kelly

wiLfR ied zaha will make a decision on his crystal Palace future this week, according to a report.

Zaha, 30, is out of contract and has been offered a new deal that would make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history.

There are a string of clubs who want to sign Zaha, including Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. A number of Premier League players have joined the Saudi Pro League this summer as the country flexes its financial muscle in the European football market.

The Evening Standard have reported that Zaha has been on honeymoon and will make a decision upon his return.

Napoli, Lazio and Paris SaintGerman have also been linked with the Ivory Coast forward.

However, the report claims that Palace are confident that Zaha will sign a new deal with them.

Zaha has yet to have a conversation with manager Roy Hodgson, who signed a new one-year contract this month.

Zaha has made 455 appearances for Palace, scoring 90 goals. He made one permanent move away from the club when he joined Manchester United for £15million in January 2013.

But the switch didn’t work out as Zaha made just four appearances in all competitions, two of them starts. Zaha returned permanently to Selhurst Park in February 2015.

p och plans l evi talks

Defender will return to pre-season next week after Euros triumph

By John Kelly

che L sea boss mauricio Pochettino will have conversations with Levi colwill before deciding on the future of the defender ahead of this season.

Colwill, 20, will be given extra time off after he played for Engand under21s in their dramatic 1-0 European Championship final win over Spain last weekend, their first victory in the competition since 1984. Colwill, 20, was a key part of a side that didn’t concede a goal in any of their six games at the tournament.

Colwill spent last season on loan at Brighton, where he made 22 appearances in all competitions.

“He is a Chelsea player and in the last few months at Brighton he was playing really well,” Pochettino said. “He is one of our players and I need to talk with him when he arrives next week.

“I need to get a feel for him. I need to hear what he has in his mind, what he expects. And then, of course, for him to listen to what I expect from him.”

Pochettino’s Argentinian compatriot, Enzo Fernandez, also has extra time off this summer.

Fernandez, 22, who won the World Cup with Argentina last year, joined the Blues for a British record £106.8million in January.

“It’s been important now to rest a little bit because he was a year-and-ahalf playing, playing, playing because of the circumstances,” Pochettino said. “He arrived from Argentina to Portugal, from Portugal to the World Cup, and from the World Cup to England. He never stopped.

“He’s young and energetic but the young also need to rest, clean the mind. Also, he arrived at Chelsea not in the best circumstances. It’s difficult.

“He is still young and still needs to learn about the Premier League, it’s a really, really tough competition. He changed everything – the culture, the

By John Kelly

antonee Robinson has signed a new long-term contract with fulham.

Left-back ‘Jedi’ Robinson, 25, has agreed terms until the summer of 2028.

The former Everton, Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic defender made 38 appearances in all competitions last season and helped the Cottagers to a tenth-place finish in the Premier League.

“To the fans who have stuck by me, supported me ever since I've been at this club, it's been one hell of a ride,” Robinson said.

“Some ups, some downs, especially off the back of last season, I just want to thank you for your massive support.

“I’m going to repay that support with a lot of hard work to improve myself, and continue to grow as a team.”

Vice-chairman Tony Khan added: “I’m so glad to announce that Antonee Robinson has extended his contract with Fulham. Following one of the best Premier League seasons in the history of Fulham Football Club, it's very exciting to confirm that Jedi will be with us for years to come.

“Since his arrival in 2020, he's been a very important part of the Fulham

squad. He's a tenacious defender and a remarkable athlete, with great pace that serves us well up and down the pitch, through his hard work in defence and the great service he provides to our attack.

“Jedi's also a remarkable person, both on and off the pitch. He's a great friend and a great team-mate, beloved by his squad and the staff with whom he works, both here at Fulham as well as the USMNT [United States international side] where he's also a very important player.

“It's great news for all of us at Fulham, and for all of the club's supporters, that we've extended his contract.”

language – and it’s not always easy to adapt.

“But I think now he knows what it is to be a Chelsea player, knows London, and is communicating better. We are going to help in all these aspects for him to grow and provide the team with his best.”

Mykhailo Mudryk was also at the European Championships, reaching the semi-finals with Ukraine before a 5-1 defeat to Spain.

Pochettino added: “It is to understand the circumstances how he also arrived. I think it’s not the same mindset and everything is different in the life of Mudryk than Enzo. That is why for us it is really important to spend time to talk.

“We were talking with Mudryk, I’m going to meet him before he comes to start pre-season, because he was in the Under-21 Euros and will join us when we fly to America. I really like to see and to know him to try to decide with the staff the best strategy to help him to be at the level that I think Chelsea when they signed him expected him to be.”

Meanwhile, Pochettino is looking forward to moving on from the problems of last season as he prepares his new side for the start of the Premier League campaign in a month.

“After the last season, now is a new start, a fresh start, and I think they need to show their real quality,” Pochettino said. “But we need to create this platform for them to feel comfortable and breathing space for them to perform and improve. We are really focused on that.

“I think it is also one of the challenges to help this type of player, the players who arrived in very difficult circumstances to join this football club and I think it is a nice challenge for us, because we love to work in this way, but of course we need to give them the opportunity to show they are able to cope with the pressure of playing with Chelsea and performing their best.”

Meanwhile, Neeskens Kebano has left the club following the expiration of his contract and has joined Al Jazira in Saudi Arabia.

Attacking midfielder Kebano joined the Cottagers from Belgian side Genk in the summer of 2016 and scored 24 goals in 160 games in all competitions.

“My time has come to an end,” Kebano said. “It doesn’t feel like it’s been seven years. I enjoyed every single bit of my journey as a Fulham player. Even in the bad moments, there were always positives.

“For the fans, honestly, thank you for the love that you showed me during my time here. I’ll never forget you.”

Khan added: “Neeskens Kebano has been an important part of the Fulham family since he arrived in 2016. He's made great contributions to our club, both in the Championship and in the Premier League.

“Neeskens is adored by the Fulham supporters and is beloved at our training ground. He's been a great friend to so many people at this club, including his team-mates, virtually our entire staff, and me personally.

“I know that he desires to play regularly, and we all wish him well on his next adventure, and we thank him for his great time at Fulham.

“He'll always be welcome at the Cottage.”

Levi Colwill in action for Huddersfield Town Fulham secure key man ‘Jedi’ on long-term contract

Wilfried Zaha

EXCLUSIVE

by Kiro Evans

muRRay waLLace is fit and raring to go ahead of the new season - and is not worried about new players competing for his spot in the lineup.

The defender missed the final four games of the campaign after suffering a hamstring injury in a 2-0 win over Preston in April.

It brought his season to a premature end in the thick of Millwall's unsuccessful play-off pursuit.

But the 30-year-old has recovered over the off-season and took part in Millwall's rigorous training camp in Spain.

Wallace told our paper: "I was in over the summer doing a lot of work making sure I was back fit, ready and available for pre-season.

"The physios have done great work over the summer so I could join back up at the start of pre-season and go to the training camp and get my fitness up with the lads. It's been great for me."

With Scott Malone released at the end of the last season, Wallace now has new competition on the left side of the defence after the Lions signed Joe Bryan.

The 29-year-old joined on a free deal after he was released by Fulham. He was the club's second signing of the summer after striker Kevin Nisbet arrived from Hibernian.

Wallace welcomes the fight for positions and believes the new boys have integrated well since joining.

He said: "I think it's very healthy to bring in players to get competition. With the likes of Scott Malone leaving we were looking a bit light in those defensive areas.

"So I'm delighted we've managed to bring in Joe. He's hit the ground running and he's a great addition to the squad.

"[Bryan and Nisbet] have been brilliant and I think a key thing was bringing them in from the start and getting them on the training camp. Because when you go on these away trips you're literally rooming with them all and seeing the lads 24/7 so it's the perfect time to bond and get to know each other.

"It's brilliant for them that they managed to join us for the whole trip and they'll be delighted that they managed to get that full trip to ease themselves in."

Wallace was also impressed with the efforts of the young players who joined Gary Rowett's squad in Alicante.

bRy and stop me

Millwall defender unfazed by new competition

He added: "They've been brilliant. We know we've got a good group of young lads all pushing to break into the first team. We saw how well the under-21s did last year in their league and a lot of them have been pushing to train with us in the second part of last season and that's credit to them for how well they've been doing.

"They've been brilliant in the off-season looking after themselves and they're looking fit and ready to go."

Millwall will take to the pitch in front of fans for the first time since May when they play Gillingham on Saturday.

The Gills are managed by Lions legend Neil Harris who signed Wallace from

Dulwich retain midfielder Kresh

By John Kelly

duLwich hamLet have retained midfielder Kreshnic krasniqi for the 2023-24 season.

kosovo international krasniqi joined dulwich a year ago from Ebbsfleet United and made 31 appearances last season. he was also sent off three times and missed twelve games through suspension.

krasniqi, 28, had been training with the club and played 45 minutes in their first pre-season friendly of the summer last weekend against altona ’93, who ran out 2-1 winners.

“kresh wanted to be here for the upcoming season which, as i've said before, is important to me,” manager hakan hayrettin said.

"terry [harris, assistant manager] and i thought long and hard about the situation, and ultimately we felt he could be a good part of our squad this year. if we can get the best of out kresh, and i don't think anyone did last season, he will be a good asset.

“he's paid the price for last year, but he wants to work hard to rectify those mistakes. there is an element of redemption required, and he wants to redeem himself to the fans.

“most players from last year turned their noses up at being here, he was not one of them, he wants to put the wrongs right.”

the hamlet have also signed midfielder Alfie Allen from millwall. allen, 20, played in 25 out of the Lions’ 28 Professional development league games last

season. he played 120 minutes in both the play-off semi-final and final as Kevin Nugent’s side won the national title. allen was released at the end of last season.

allen said: “i’m looking forward to taking the next step in my career into men’s football, which i have not experienced before, and seeing how things pan out.

“the fact that dulwich are also a big club at this level and should be playing higher also helped me make the decision to come here and the passion of the coaches.”

And a fourth midfielder of the summer, ademola shokunbi, has arrived from south shields. shokunbi, 24, came through Reading’s academy and has experience in the national League south with billericay town.

Scunthorpe in 2018.

The full-back is looking forward to seeing his former boss again in the opposition dugout at Priestfield.

He said: "I've got a good relationship with Neil. He brought me to the club and I will always be thankful to him for that.

"I enjoyed my time working under

him and he's a Millwall legend so a lot of players will be looking forward to seeing him again."

Gillingham will be returning from a preseason trip to Italy where they played Como.

The Serie B side's president is former Millwall midfielder Dennis Wise.

Dons appoint new physio

By John Kelly

afc wimbLedon have added former millwall physio bobby bacic to their medical department. bacic has taken up the role of head physiotherapist after his most recent position at Portsmouth.

former Preston north end physio bacic spent almost a decade with the Lions, working with managers including kenny Jackett and neil harris before joining Pompey in 2017.

bacic is a graduate of bath spa university and earned a masters at curtin university in Perth, australia.

head of football operations craig hope said: “we’re all really happy to welcome someone of bobby’s calibre to the club. he has settled in very well and we look forward to progressing the medical practice at the club.”

meanwhile, dons staff visited the scene of the tragic incident in wimbledon last week that claimed the lives of two eight-year-old girls. sixteen people were treated at the scene and twelve were taken to hospital last thursday after a car crashed into the study Preparatory school.

selena Lau and nuria sajjad tragically lost their lives as investigations continue to find the cause of the crash.

the club said: “on behalf of all at afc wimbledon, a wreath was laid at the scene with wimbledon shirts in memory of the children that passed away.

“the club sends its deepest condolences to the families and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the incident that occurred last thursday.”

Murray Wallace in action against Rotherham

© Brian Tonks

Southwark Sport SouthLondonWeekly.

page 29

alfie waits foR may day

SURREY BOOK FINALS DAY SPOT

Fernandes steps away from QPR

By John Kelly

tony feRnandes has stepped away from queens Park Rangers after selling his entire shareholding.

Fernandes acquired the club with Ruben Gnanalingam and Kamarudin Meranun in 2011.

The Rs have twice been relegated from the Premier League since then.

“My involvement with QPR has been an incredible period of highs and lows,” Fernandes said.

“Outside of family, I have experienced some of the most enjoyable moments of my life thanks to QPR.

“On the pitch, there have been special victories and it was an honour to be there and see us win promotion to the Premier League at Wembley Stadium.

“Off the pitch, QPR’s reputation as a true community club is something I have always been very proud of.

“I am a passionate person and that means the good times have meant so much but, equally, the tough times have hurt.

“This decision to step away is made with a heavy heart. I would like to thank the supporters who I have experienced the last decade of adventures with. “I will continue to look out for QPR’s results and wish the board nothing but success for the future.”

Meanwhile, QPR started their preseason friendly campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Slavia Prague in Austria.

Gareth Ainsworth started new signing Ziyad Larkeche in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Boss explains new striker’s absence from friendly win

By John Kelly

new signing Alfie May wasn’t involved as charlton athletic continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 win at dartford last weekend.

May, 30, joined the Addicks from Cheltenham Town for an undisclosed fee last week. He agreed a two-year deal and was the club’s third signing of the summer after Harry Isted and Lloyd Jones.

May scored 67 goals in 165 appearances for Cheltenham and was the club’s player of the year for two seasons in a row after he signed for them from Doncaster Rovers.

Nathan Asiimwe scored twice after

the break at Princes Park before Lewis Manor pulled a goal back.

Former Millwall player Paul Rooney was shown a straight red card after appearing to lash out at Conor McGrandles.

Charlton boss Dean Holden provided an update on May after the game.

“Alfie has had a couple of weeks [training] with Cheltenham," Holden said. "We’ve got an understanding of what he’s been doing, but we still need to get to understand him physically, so he’s been with the coaches [Friday] and Saturday].”

Holden was pleased with his side’s performance against the Darts.

“We knew we were going to be coming up against a team that’s full of height,

full of physicality and really direct. It was very much what you might find in certain games in League One,” Holden said.

"They gave us problems with long throws and direct balls into the box, and we had to keep our head a couple of times with some tasty tackles.

“There was plenty of learning in there and that’s what you’re looking for at this stage of pre-season. It was a really, really good afternoon for us in terms of what we came up against and how we handled it."

Asiimewe, playing as a wing-back, came through Charlton’s academy.

“I was really pleased in particular with the kind of goals we scored," Holden said. "You almost want to see that type of

goal more so than a 25-yarder from the edge of the box because it was certain things that we’ve been working on."

There was little time for rest for the players and staff as they flew to Malaga in Spain on Sunday for their training camp.

There is less than a month to go before the Addicks kick off their League One campaign against Leyton Orient at The Valley on August 5.

The players are being put through a rigorous schedule in Spain.

Holden said: “They’re going to be up at quarter to seven every morning for a run. It’s going to be a physically demanding week again with a good game against Leyton Orient on the Friday.

I’m pleased with the first two weeks.”

The Czech side went ahead when Lukas Provod's free-kick deflected past former Millwall goalkeeper Jordan Archer.

Slavia doubled their lead just three minutes later when Oscar Dorley finished a cross past Archer.

Ainsworth made nine changes at the break and one of them, Chris Willock, thought he had pulled a goal back only to be denied by the linesman’s offside flag.

QPR went 3-0 down in the 67th minute when Mick van Buren beat the offside trap to finish beyond substitute Joe Walsh.

Ainsworth’s squad finish their camp in Austria with a game against Vorwarts Steyr this Saturday.

Charlton Athletic manager Dean Holden