Southwark News - September 21st 2023

will ginny be named nurse oF the year?

Issue 1652

Established: 1987

50p

September 21st 2023

southwarknews.co.uk

120 council repair workers to strike as southwark hit

by Further criticism lions to Fight back

aFter leeds loss See sport

the snapchat predator kennington man

1000s oF Jobs coming to se16

See page 11

protest See held outside page peckham shop 13

exclusive See page 2

posed as model agency scout to trick children into sending explicit photos

See page 4

See page 9

2 NEWS Contents NEWS Pages 2-13 opinion Pages 14-15 Education feature Pages 17-23 arts Page 16 classified & Public notices Pages 25-27 SPORT Pages 29-32

Contact us if you have a story on 07973175511 or email

editor@southwarknews .co.uk

Fears of disrepair 'chaos' with 120 council repair workers set to strike

Exclusive

By Herbie Russell Southwark Council housing repair workers will conduct a series of strikes after rejecting the government’s national pay offer prompting fears of "chaos" for tenants and leaseholders.

120 employees, responsible for tackling issues like mould, damp and leaks, will down tools for 24 hours on September 25 and October 2, 9 and 16.

The strikes are another blow to Southwark’s housing department, which was today singled out by the Housing Ombudsman for failing to handle residents’ complaints.

The Tenants' and Residents' Association (TRA) chair of one of Southwark's biggest housing estates warned the disruption could mean "chaos" for residents.

In a bid to restore tenants’ faith in the housing system, Southwark Council recently announced plans to revamp its housing repairs system, including a pledge to answer complaints within ten days.

Speaking ahead of the strikes, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members provide critical frontline council services.

Despite the essential roles they undertake, their employer thinks it is acceptable to propose what amounts to yet another real terms pay cut, at a time when they increasingly can’t make ends meet.”

Southwark Council's housing repair workers

Do you have a story

for our news team?

Call 0207 231 5258 You can WhatsApp us on 07494 070 863.

Cllr Stephanie Cryan

in are going to be delayed which is going to impact people's mental health."

She expressed disappointment that she hadn't received any communication from the council about the strikes.

Cllr Stephanie Cryan said: "We expect some disruption to services, but will do everything we can to limit the impact on residents."

Earlier this year, some families’ homes became so severely riddled with damp and mould that schoolchildren marched on the council’s offices to demand improvements to the repairs system.

On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, a damning Ombudsman report found that Southwark Council was failing properly to handle resident’s complaints.

“The landlord often… disputed timescales responding to complaints, despite evidence showing its position was incorrect,” the report said.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove recently said he was “appalled” by Southwark Council’s complaints handling.

Southwark Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain said: “Southwark has been singled out as one of, if not the, worst landlords for responding to residents’ complaints.

“People coming to the council with very

serious housing issues are being treated with utter contempt. Criticism of Labour’s record on housing in Southwark is getting louder every month.”

Responding to the Ombudsman’s latest findings, Council Leader Kieron Williams said: “We take full responsibility for the things that went wrong and will continue to work with residents to improve our services.

“That job would be greatly helped if the government stopped reducing the money we have to spend on our housing services.

“Decisions made by government ministers have taken hundreds of millions of pounds out of the funds councils have to maintain our tenants’ homes.

“Yes we need to get things right, and we are working hard to do that, but the government need to play their part too.”

On September 12, Southwark Council pledged to improve its housing repairs service.

The action plan included promises to answer calls within five minutes, give vulnerable residents priority support and recruit dedicated neighbourhood repair managers.

Southwark Council brought its repairs service in-house in 2018 and has admitted centralising the service hadn’t resulted in “as much progress as we wanted”.

Parents left shaken after knife-wielding man reportedly spotted by school

By Herbie Russell

We are a London Living Wage employer

are being offered a flat increase of £1,925.

With inflation currently at 6.8 per cent, that's a below-inflation pay rise for those earning more than £28,308.82.

Salaries for council workers are recommended by the Local Government Association, the national membership body for local authorities in England and Wales.

However, local councils are not legally bound by the recommendation and can choose to pay employees more if they wish.

Cllr Stephanie Cryan, the council’s cabinet member for finance said Southwark had “respect” for the strikes but did not indicate the council would improve workers' pay.

Instead, she said the council hoped pay negotiations between the LGA and union members could be resolved.

She said: “We recognise the impact that the cost of living crisis has had on many of our staff and respect their right to strike action.

“Strike action is very often the action of last resort and is seen as the only way forward for some. We hope negotiations can be resolved swiftly and positively for our staff in these services.”

Tenants and leaseholders, many of whom already say Southwark’s repair service is inadequate, will fear that 96 hours of strikes will only make things worse.

Lara Daniel, TRA Chair on Dulwich's Kingswood Estate, which contains 733 households, said: "It’s going to cause more anguish for people. It will be chaos, more despair.

"The jobs which have already been booked

Mould on the Kingswood Estate in Dulwich

Rotherhithe parents were left shaken this week after reports that a knife-wielding man was spotted in woodland near Redriff Primary School.

Police officers were called to the school at around 1.05pm on Tuesday, September 19, following reports that a man holding a knife was in Russia Dock Woodland.

Minutes later, Redriff Primary School

sent a group message to parents warning of a “police situation” but added that “all children are safe inside the school”.

The Met Police has told the News officers carried out a “thorough search of the area” but “no individual was located”.

Speaking to the News from outside the school gates, a parent who gave her name as Crystal said: “I've just picked up my daughter. It’s her first week here and we’re not taking any risks.”

MILLWALL

INSIDE

Issue 1651

Editor: Kevin Quinn Reporters: Herbie Russell; Isabel Ramirez Sports Editor: John Kelly Sports reporter: Kiro Evans Arts Correspondent: Michael Holland Digital Transformation Editor: Katherine Johnston Media Partnerships: Anthony Phillips Advertising: Clarry Frewin, Sophie Ali Design: Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen Finance: Em Zeki - Tel: 0779 883 3758 Subscriptions/Announcements: Katie Boyd Managing & Commercial Director: Chris Mullany Managing & Editorial Director: Kevin Quinn Published weekly on a Thursday at: Community Matters Media Ltd Unit A202, The Biscuit Factory, Drummond Road, Bermondsey, London SE16 4DG. News and Sport: 020 7231 5258 Advertising: 020 7232 1639 News: news@southwarknews.co.uk Advertising: hello@cm-media.co.uk Finance: em@cm-media.co.uk Printed by Iliffe Print. Tel: 01223 656500 www.iliffeprint.co.uk

See sport

Established: 1987

THIS WEEK'S PAPER

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2023/2024

September 14th 2023

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AIMING HIGH AT THE DEN

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A SECONDARY SCHOOL

Britain's oldest club saved by top boxing promoter See Page 4

NURSERY CRISIS See page 5

FESTIVALS GALORE THIS WEEKEND See page 15

OFF THE ROPES

She added that the school had “done a really good job” in keeping students safe.

Southwark Council and Redriff Primary School have been approached for comment.

If you were in the area at the time and saw anything of concern or anyone acting suspiciously, then please call 101 and quote CAD3717/ 19SEP, or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

A police car outside Redriff Primary School.

The Southwark News is proud to be the only independent, paid for newspaper in London Southwark News started life as the Bermondsey News in 1987, as an A-4 photocopied sheet of paper and rapidly grew to cover the entire borough and the surrounding area. As the borough grew, so did the newspaper.

It is owned and run by Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn.

Former reporters for Southwark News, they bought the title in 2002, after the founder Dave Clark died suddenly from cancer four years earlier.

A dedicated team of staff work tirelessly to cover as much of what is going on as possible and strive to ensure that a community-led, independent newspaper can survive and excel in a market dominated by national and multinational media groups.

Follow our social media to be updated on local news

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Southwark News is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK’s magazine and newspaper industry).

We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think that we have not met those standards and want to make a complaint, please contact 0207 231 5258.

If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about IPSO or the Editors’ Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit www.ipso.co.uk

the power oF music

The man behind Tom Walker picks up top music tutor award from pop royalty ExcluSivE

By Isabel Ramirez a tutoR who has convinced an award-winning artist to be a songwriter and has been presented with an award by British pop royalty is still going strong at a Borough-based college twenty years later.

Pat Cotton, 56, teaches degreelevel music at the London College of Contemporary Music, previously the London College of Creative Media (LCCM).

"When I first started I was just a regular tutor, teaching part-time and playing in a band," Pat told us. "We were playing bars all around London and doing some session work too."

Thirteen years ago, he was offered the position full-time at the college, which is based on the corner of Union Street, after they started offering degree courses - and he says he's never looked back.

"The thing about the school is we're not into one style of music. You get various schools that are focused on one - you know jazz schools or rock schools. We're bang in the middle.

"It benefits people to learn all types of music," he said.

Over 20 years, Pat has taught a lot of people - including some who have gone on to become big names.

Perhaps most notably, one of his old students was Scottish singer-songwriter, Tom Walker.

"With Tom, he initially started as a guitarist," Pat said.

He said Tom wasn't sure about the route to take in music, but some advice from his tutor would eventually influence where he ended up.

"I was the one who said he should go down the songwriting route. He is a great musician but that's where I could see his real skill," he said.

After graduating from LCCM in 2014, Tom went on to release music - rising to fame in 2018 for his single "Leave a Light On." In 2019, he won a BRIT award for "Best Breakthrough Act" and earlier this year he embarked on his first UK tour.

Commenting on the success of his exstudent, Pat said he wasn't surprised: "Teaching them you could see that they were really proactive about getting stuff together. They still learnt all the stuff on the course - but they were always making music on the side."

"We've had others do really well - some

rock bands who have gone on to support Metallica for example."

Pat's tutoring has not gone unnoticed.

He was recently named UK Music's Tutor of the Year. "I was really surprised. Two ex-students from here nominated me."

He said the award was presented to him

by Sandie Shaw, a famous popstar from the '60s and the first British entry to win Eurovision.

"When she introduced me, she started talking about female empowerment - she thought I was a woman from my name.

"Then I walked up. I think she was shocked," Pat joked.

Despite his wealth of experience, he admits the industry has changed a lot in recent years.

Since the rise of video apps like TikTok, we asked Pat why a music degree is still necessary, as more artists are now able to record and publish their own music independently.

He explained that the range of courses at the college is designed to set students up for a career in music, sometimes in jobs they hadn't considered.

"A lot of the musicians who come here won't be mega-famous," Pat said. "Some will, but the problem is if you do that and nothing else you limit your options.

"You might do that for five to ten years but if you want to then do something else, it's difficult."

The course he teaches is the BMus course. On that course, the options include a songwriting module and another that teaches composing for film.

Pat commented: "It gives them a load of skills and then it's up to them what they do. In the songwriting module, you get compulsory piano lessons and learn to arrange, which really sets you up.

"Often that's where the real money is writing for other people."

There's also the commercial music course - more aimed at people who want to get into the music business, Pat explained, "like artist management or production."

Another thing the college is known for is holding regular 'masterclasses' with people who have been successful in music.

Back in February, LCCM hosted a special two-day free event with Mathew Knowles – a music business mogul most famous for managing Destiny’s Child, and his daughters Beyoncé and Solange.

"Sometimes artists who need backup singers will come in as well looking for students," he added.

For more information on what the college offers go to lccm.org.uk

Kennington man's got app to rival Silicon Valley News Page 9

NEWS 3 Pat was a parttime musician before becoming a tutor full time.

4 NEWS

'bringing afro combs to the NHS' nurse ginny up for televised Award

By Isabel Ramirez

Virginia Ginny Wanjiro, intensive care unit sister

A St Thomas' hospital nurse, who brought combs and moisturiser for Afro-Caribbean patients to a UK hospital for the first time ever, said she was 'humbled' after receiving national recognition.

Ginny Wanjiro, who has worked as an Intensive Care Nurse for twenty years, has been nominated for Best Nurse at The Sun's annual Who Cares Wins awards.

After discovering that there were no hair brushes or combs for AfroCaribbean patients in her ward - or in any hospitals in the UK for that matter - Ginny told us she wanted to make a change.

"A lot of my patients don't know they're coming to hospital so they can't prepare," she said.

"I went to order some combs and moisturiser for our ward that was safe for Afro-hair and black skin and found that in the entire NHS catalogue, there were none."

"Many of our patients are black yet the basic tools to care for them were not available," said the nurse.

She explained that with the lack of tools, they could not comb some of their patients' hair and would sometimes be forced to cut it off after it became matted.

"This was just normal and it was so sad."

The 54-year-old said she was inspired when she saw how her late father was cared for whilst in hospital and the effort his nurses took to ensure he was always shaven and well-kept.

"It is basic nursing care,” she commented. "And it helps patients to recover because they feel better and want to leave.

"For families visiting a seriously ill relative in hospital, it can be scary. So when their families come in and they see their loved one with combed hair and their skin is glowing - it makes it easier because they know they are being looked after."

She approached her managers at Guy’s and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust to apply for funding for her pioneering project. Now she is set to train staff at hospitals across the UK who want to do the same.

Ginny is in the process of getting them added to the Trust's catalogue so that all staff can easily order the products.

It was because of this that she was nominated for the national award, by a fellow nurse, which will be presented on Sunday live on Channel 4 at a ceremony hosted by Davina McCall. The awards recognise healthcare heroes from across the country.

"I'm really grateful and humbled," she said. "They have woken up. They have seen something they need to improve and reflect the community we are serving."

Ginny added: “People concentrate so much on the machines, the technology, which is good.

"But when patients come out of surgery, the first thing they ask for is a mirror."

She said she was glad to have helped her patients but now her mission is to bring this to the rest of the UK. In addition to introducing the combs, Ginny said they have also trained their nurses to comb afro hair. "So many nurses never knew how to do it. And I don't even blame them. If you don't have the tools, how are you supposed to know?

"It has to be standardised. We need to teach everyone."

Among the patients who have benefitted from Ginny’s scheme is student Toni Quadri, 22, from Kent, who spent two months in ICU after her organs began to shut down due to a build-up of inflammation.

Toni, who was diagnosed with autoimmune disease while in ICU, says of Ginny: “It was nice to have someone who understood the importance of feeling clean and presentable.

“The first time I was moisturised and my hair was done, it felt like someone had acknowledged me as a person. To me that was priceless.”

The awards will be televised on Channel 4 on Sunday, September 24, from 6:30 pm - 8 pm and will be available online on All 4 shortly after.

Elephant and Castle man to star in new Channel 5 show that will find him his first-ever guide dog A man with sight loss from Elephant and Castle is starring in Channel 5’s brand-new show, where he will be matched with a guide dog for the first time.

Ashfaq Azim has a condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa, which means his sight is gradually deteriorating.

To ensure he can continue to live actively, independently, and well, Ashfaq applied for a guide dog from the UK’s leading sight loss charity, Guide Dogs. His journey with his first guide dog, Max, is captured on camera in Channel 5’s latest TV series, Puppy School for Guide Dogs.

In this joyful and moving series, viewers find out what it takes to turn a playful pup into a fully-fledged hero hound.

Those who tune in to the show this Friday, September 22, will meet dogs at every stage of their journey – from newborns to trainees and veterans – as well as the people these canine graduates help, like Ashfaq.

Before now, Ashfaq was used to getting around with a cane.

The 34-year-old computer programmer said: “It’s a huge transition from walking with a cane to trusting a dog.

"The biggest difference is that with a cane, you navigate by kind of

clattering the cane against obstacles in the way whereas with a guide dog, you're manoeuvred around them. It makes for a much more enjoyable journey.”

He has lived in Elephant and Castle for eight years and works in central London for Thomas Pocklington Trust. Leading a busy life, he cycles, runs, climbs, and does yoga.

In Puppy School for Guide Dogs, viewers learn why Max is the right fit for Ashfaq – he is bright, energetic, eager to work and is experienced using London public transport.

Ashfaq said: “I have a full-time job, see my friends often and do lots of exercise which takes me all across London and the UK as a whole so I needed a dog who could keep up with me, which Max certainly does.

"Whilst it took a little time for us to find our feet together, I can’t imagine life without him.”

Ashfaq adds: “Filming the show and having people watching your every move through training was definitely strange at first. However, through the experience, it sort of forced me to really reflect on certain aspects of the training and the process of transitioning from cane to guide dog which I probably would have overlooked otherwise."

Ashfaq and Max completed their training whilst filming for the

Channel 5 series but viewers will see that it takes a lot of hard work to get to this stage.

Ashfaq must learn not only how to be guided by Max, but also how to take care of a dog, having never owned one before.

Ashfaq said: “I didn't grow up around dogs at all really, so all this was new to me, especially dog behaviour. I had to learn the basics.

It was a bit overwhelming at times but has been a hugely rewarding experience. It took time but now we’re the best team. I trust Max and it’s made life in London even more fun.”

To see Ashfaq and Max in action, tune in to Channel 5 this Friday at 8 p.m.

Ashfaq and max

Photo: Guide dogs

By Isabel Ramirez

PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION WITH HM GOVERNMENT

Know the symptoms of a heart attack Signs to look out for

♥ More than nine out of 10 people who suffer a heart attack but get to a hospital and receive appropriate treatment in good time survive.

The most common symptoms of a heart attack is chest pain, but symptoms can vary from person to person and include: n a sensation of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the chest n a feeling that pain is spreading from your chest to your arms, jaw, neck and back n feeling lightheaded or dizzy n sweating n shortness of breath n feeling, or being, sick n a feeling of unease n coughing or wheezing

Don’t dismiss the early signs, call 999

♥ Health experts say the early symptoms of a heart attack do not always feel severe, and can be easy to dismiss.

However, it is never too early to call 999 and describe your symptoms. ♥ The faster you act, the better your chance of a full recovery.

T

he early signs of a heart attack can vary, and may start off as quite minor … languages teacher Anne Burgess went from a hectic day at work to an emergency dash to A & E in the night.

When Anne had an incredibly busy start to her new school term, she felt unusually anxious that evening – feelings she put down to extreme stress and staff shortages.

But during the night, her symptoms worsened. “I woke up at half past three in the morning and I just thought ‘what on earth was that?’. It was just this central chest pain that felt like a huge pressure in the centre of my chest radiating out through my back. I just lay there thinking ‘Is it going to go away?’ and it didn’t. The pain was going up my arm and into my neck, I was feeling hot and sweaty and I couldn’t breathe properly.”

Anne, who was 57 at the time, was displaying the classic presentation of a heart attack.

‘’

Anne Burgess and, right, Professor Nick Linker

She woke her husband, called an ambulance and was bluelighted to hospital; there medics used a variety of tests to diagnose and treat her.

Despite being fit – she’d run a 10k that year, wasn’t overweight and eats a well-balanced diet – Anne had to make changes.

And despite not having high cholesterol at the time, she keeps a careful eye on that now too.

It was just this central chest pain that felt like a huge pressure in the centre of my chest radiating out through my back Now retired, Anne has urged people to be aware of the signs, and not to be afraid to phone 999 and describe their symptoms if things simply don’t feel right.

“I remember my husband saying ‘Anne doesn’t cry wolf’ and knowing that this wasn’t a normal feeling for me. I’m glad I did [call ambulance] who knows what might have happened?”

Professor Nick Linker is a

cardiologist and National Clinical Director for Heart Disease, NHS England.

He said: “People who are experiencing a heart attack often describe it as a sensation of squeezing or tightness across the chest along with other symptoms such as sweating, nausea or a sense of unease” “It can be easy to dismiss the early signs of heart attack as they don’t always feel severe, but it is never too early to dial 999 and describe your symptoms.”

You can also take preventative measures including: healthy diet and lifestyle choices, having routine blood pressure and cholesterol checks and maintaining a healthy weight.

Learn more at nhs.uk/heart attack

6 NEWS Exclusive

By Isabel Ramirez The owner of a Peckham-based studio, that offers affordable space for hundreds of local artists to do their work, is raising money as "challenging" financial circumstances put them at risk of closure.

Eleven years ago, Soni Marquez, an artist from Spain, started Sonsoles Print Studio after university to give cash-strapped artists like her a space to create.

"There's lots of pressure when artists graduate to get in somewhere to start working - but often funds are limited so they struggle," she said.

"I saw the ad on Gumtree for a warehouse in Peckham and built it up from scratch."

Based inside what is now known as The Print Village, on Chadwick Road, the studio specialises in screen-printing - a process where ink is forced through a mesh screen onto a surface.

Artists use the method to create canvases, posters and artwork, but the method can also be used to print fabrics and textiles, for t-shirts for example.

The 36-year-old explained: "Studios are expensive and in most places, you have to produce work every month to get a spot.

"But here people can come when they have a project and pay as they go. It's more affordable that way and we only charge them for time printing - they get as much prep time as they like in the studio for free."

They currently have around 120 members and their usage of the studio varies. Whilst some artists work full-time producing products to sell online or at fairs, most have a job on the side.

But what they all have in common is their reason for going there.

"It's a community," Soni said, "people come here to work around other likeminded people."

Soni told us they have all the equipment, which for individuals would be expensive.

"It's such a lovely place - more than just a studio and place for people to work. It is a family."

But recently, finances have been tight, which has put them in a difficult position.

"Covid was tough for us and also with the changing of the area - people are moving out so quickly as no one can afford to stay.

"We don't want to be pushed out."

Not only vital for the members' professional development they also say it improves their mental health.

Kat, one of the members who also works

'We won't give up that easily' Affordable artists' studio fights for its place in Peckham

in admin at the studio, "Freelancing in general is very isolating. So when you're a member of something like this, you're so much more encouraged and you don't get depressed as much.

"You feel like you're part of something."

Studio owner Soni said she knows how important the place is to people, commenting that "they won't give up that easily."

They are aiming to raise £12,000 to keep their doors open.

As well as this, the money will allow them to build an online shop where their members can sell their art.

Kat continued: "Print fairs are really expensive. It can cost thousands to get a stall. So we want to give people a step to start selling and build their confidence and customers."

Soni added: "There is no way I could carry on running this place without raising the money.

"And if we closed, I don't know where all these artists are going to go."

She said she has been overwhelmed by the support they have had so far: "People have been so supportive - it shows they really care about this place."

At last week's Peckham Festival, they opened the studio and ran a workshop teaching people to screenprint all weekend.

"As much as raising the money, we want people to know we are here."

One of the original members, who started in 2012, Anne-Marie, now an art teacher, said: "When I finished my art degree in New Cross, I was already panicking about what I was going to do and where to make work - I heard about this place. and then from that point on, I loved it.

"It's a really beautiful creative community that holds everyone really close."

"There aren't that many screen printing facilities around so it's really important this place is saved."

For more information go to sonsolesprintstudio.co.uk

Soni Marquez runs a screenprinting studio in Peckham

Man who died after being Tasered by police and falling from balcony named in appeal

By Herbie Russell

A man who fell to his death moments after being Tasered by police in Peckham has been named as 52-year-old Zodoq Obatolah.

Zodoq sustained fatal injuries after falling from a fifth-floor balcony in the Rye Hill Park estate at around 2am on April 12.

Two Met Police officers are under investigation for gross negligence manslaughter.

Despite extensive efforts, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and police are still trying to trace his relatives.

IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: “While it is positive that Mr Obatolah has been identified, we are extremely keen to identify his relatives.

“As part of our efforts so far we have conducted house to house enquiries as well as a witness appeal.

“We want to do everything we can to locate any relatives so that we can speak to them about Mr Obatolah’s death and our ongoing investigation.”

Officers were called to the property just before midnight following reports of a man shouting from a balcony. However, they received no response from inside the flat and left.

But around 1.25am on April 12, police were told that a man was threatening to jump from a balcony and so returned to the property at around 2am.

They forced entry and tried to persuade the man to come inside from the balcony, the IOPC said.

Officers also requested that a police

negotiator attend the scene.

The IOPC said that, over the course of the next hour, some officers left the flat but two officers remained.

IOPC investigators now say: “Evidence at this stage indicates that an officer discharged their Taser, shortly before the man fell from the balcony railing at around 3.20am. The man fell five floors to the ground and was transported to hospital with critical injuries. He sadly died later that day.”

The police negotiator arrived at the location just before the man fell and had not entered the flat, according to the IOPC. Anyone with information relating to Zodoq Obatolah or his family is urged to contact the IOPC by emailing operationacresford@policeconduct. gov.uk or phoning 03003035592.

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NEWS 9

By Herbie Russell the most downloaded apps on the apple store are almost always made by multi-billionpound companies - think hasbro, activision and ea. But while big developers dominate, taiwo omisore's one-man creation, multiwords, is on the rise.

His competitors hail from Silicon Valley but Taiwo grew up in Walworth.

His obsession with computers arose from long afternoons in his South London living room, playing video games with his brother.

“My mum made the biggest mistake by getting a Nintendo Entertainment System from one of her colleagues in the early '90s. Me and my brother would play Bubble Bobble, Mario, Duck Hunt - we were hooked,” he said.

At school, a teacher recognised Taiwo’s IT talent. “My primary school teacher encouraged my parents to get a computer so we got a Windows 95 PC - and that’s when my life changed forever. We were one of the first families to get the internet in our local community.”

Despite the struggles of a 28k dial-up modem, further weakened by his mum’s incessant phone chatter, the family home quickly became a computer room for the local community. People would pile in looking for advice on setting up emails and Taiwo was happy to help.

Still only a child, he became savvy with HTML and was the go-to person if you wanted to change your Bebo or MySpace homepage. “I was intrigued by how computer systems work and how you can manipulate them. I was always going on the system files and tinkering with things.”

Despite having an obvious aptitude for computers, Taiwo found himself working in a non-tech role at Tesco in Welwyn Garden City - miles away from home. He loved his colleagues but

a local independent game developer's app is rivaling silicon valley's tech giants

“hated the job with a passion”.

He was commuting fifteen hours a week and wanted to make the best of it.

So he started developing simple games on the train. “I would go up to people on my commute and ask them to play my game. They would give me some really honest feedback because friends and family are gonna say it’s the best thing since sliced bread.”

In 2014, Taiwo released his first app

- Spacebots - to “little fanfare”. "It took me six months to build and it only got 200 downloads in the first year. But I loved the fact that anybody, from Costa Rica to New Zealand, could download it."

Almost ten years later, now working for an advertising company, Taiwo has released the word game MultiWords.

Following in the footsteps of games like Wordle, it’s simple, educational

and highly addictive. At the time of writing, it was ranked 17th in the ‘Word’ category and rated 4.7, with a host of rave reviews.

Commercial success hasn’t come easily to Taiwo, nor has it necessarily been his aim. He has created twenty apps and this is the first to see mainstream success.

Even now, Taiwo is only set to make £300 from the app in its first month

post-release. This could rise rapidly as more people download the app but Taiwo says it shows how hard it is for developers to make money. “My friends think I’m raking it in and it’s really not like that,” he laughed.

Nowadays, Taiwo is taking time out to speak in local schools about the opportunities in the tech industry.

“I want to help encourage students to realise that there are many opportunities out there for them, regardless of who they are and their background.”

By Robert Firth

councillor for the area, expressed surprise that the buildings’ terraces could be used outside of office hours.

But Emily Tester, Liberal Democrat member for North Bermondsey said she felt the proposed hours of use wouldn’t be a problem.

She said: “In this instance I don’t think it seems to be as much of an issue. You haven’t got the pending nature of buildings close together,

very little separation distance between them.”

Cllr Whittam joked: “It’s me who’s going to get the casework.”

In the end, no councillors proposed an amendment to alter the hours the terraces could be used.

A planning committee made up of five Labour councillors and one Liberal Democrat went on to vote to approve the offices unanimously.

The Prince of Peckham pub calls for Thousands of jobs to be created by two office young artists to paint its next mural blocks after given green light in Canada Water Local Democracy Reporter thousands oF new jobs are set to be created by two new office blocks in Canada water.

the iConiC prince of peckham pub is offering young artists £1,000 and the chance to paint a brand new mural on its entrance.

The wall space is currently occupied by an artwork depicting the Prince and Princess of Peckham - but the pub believes it’s now “time for a change”.

Budding artists aged 16 to 25 are invited to fill out an online form sharing their design ideas, plus a portfolio of previous work, by October 6, 2023.

The new mural will sit just below the

pub’s ‘Welcome to Peckham’ landmark and must explore the concept of ‘community’.

Graffiti artist Artful Dodger painted the original mural back in 2018. The Prince of Peckham said: “It’s recognised all throughout London, it has helped us establish our identity. Six years later, we think it is time for a change.”

The wall on the other side of the pub has hosted a range of murals including one of local Olympic champion Kye Whyte and pieces by artist Mr CENZ. Submit your ideas to the Prince of Peckham by going to their X, formerly Twitter, handle @princeofpeckham

© Southwark Council planning documents

By Herbie Russell

Southwark Council approved the construction of a 24-storey and 11-storey block in Canada Water at a planning meeting on September 13.

The two office buildings, which will also have shops and eateries at the ground floor, could create up to 6,500 jobs on a piece of land which is currently occupied by a temporary events venue and car parking spaces.

Both blocks will include outdoor terraces, which will be allowed to be used by workers until 10pm at night.

A new dockside public space called Waterfront Square will also be created as part of the plans.

No one spoke against the proposals at the meeting. Luka Vukotic, who is leading the project for developers ArtInvest Real Estate, said locals were in favour of the plans for the site.

He told councillors: “We had really good feedback from the community and we were able to take on a number of comments and suggestions that made the scheme very successful.”

Kath Whittam, a member of the planning committee and a local Labour

CGI of planned office blocks as viewed from Canada Dock

10 NEWS

Jail for Bermondsey burglar and accomplice

By Herbie Russell

Nabil Abozid (left) and Nigel Williams (right).

A Bermondsey man who tried to burgle homes in Tunbridge Wells - and pretended to be looking for a bed and breakfast when he was caught - has been jailed.

© Kent Police

Nigel Williams, 50, and his accomplice Nabil Abozid, 47, of Blackfriars, were jailed for a combined seven years and one month.

“Courageous” residents, including a retired police officer and a workman, were among those who helped catch the pair in what was described as a “public-spirited intervention”.

Detective Constable Kim Bashford, of West Kent CID, said: "These criminals expected to plunder properties in Kent and return to London without being detected.

“They failed in their plan and were confronted by courageous residents who found them intruding into their homes.”

On the afternoon of Friday, October 21, Abozid and Williams travelled from London by train hoping to break into people’s homes.

At the first house they gained entry to, its occupants caught them in the hallway.

Kent Police said the intruders pretended they were looking for a bed and breakfast and asked the victims not

to call the police, before leaving.

Shortly after, they managed to open the front door of another property but were unable to access one of the internal flats.

Later, they rang the doorbell of a house occupied by a retired police officer who, deeming them suspicious, followed them to Mount Pleasant Avenue.

Once there, the duo entered another house and were chased outside by a woman.

The victim called out to some workmen to stop the burglars and one

of them tripped Abozid who fell over.

The retired police officer and workmen briefly restrained Abozid but he broke free.

However, he was detained a short distance away by officers who arrived swiftly at the scene.

He was taken into custody and later charged with three burglaries.

Meanwhile, Williams had fled back to London but, on his way home, persistently rang Abozid’s phone, which had been seized by police.

Williams was quickly identified as the second burglar and was arrested at home the next day. He was also charged with three burglaries.

Both men pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court. on Wednesday, September 12, 2023, Abozid was sentenced to three years and three months’ imprisonment and Williams to three years and ten months imprisonment.

Detective Constable Kim Bashford concluded: “‘I would like to thank those whose public-spirited intervention delayed one of the fleeing suspects, while a quick response from local patrols ensured he was detained nearby.

“Our message to offenders who consider travelling into our county is clear. You will be identified, tracked down and will answer for your crimes before the courts.”

School evacuated due to bomb threat CCTV appeal after assault

left victim with brain bleed

© Fred Romero

An assault at London Bridge station has prompted a British Transport Police appeal

A police cordon outside St Saviour's & St Olave's School

By Herbie Russell An Elephant and Castle secondary school was evacuated due to a bomb threat.

Police were called to St Saviour’s & St Olave's School on New Kent Road at 1.04pm on Wednesday, September 13.

The incident was over by 3.20pm after police found nothing suspicious.

A statement put out by the school said students had been “safely evacuated” and crowds of children were seen leaving.

Police had cordoned off roads around the school including by Black Horse Court, at the bottom of Great Dover Street, and by the New Kent Road Esso petrol station.

The police had reportedly ordered people not to re-enter the school buildings.

The Metropolitan Police Service, London Fire Brigade and London

St Saviour’s & St Olave's School evacuated due to bomb threat Ambulance Service were all in attendance.

A spokesperson for the nearby Ark Globe Academy school told the News its students were dismissed at the normal time.

St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School is a secondary school and sixth form for girls.

Police enquiries are ongoing.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “Police were called at 13:04hrs on Wednesday, 13 September. The building was evacuated and safety cordons established while officers

By Herbie Russell assess the premises.

“Officers are currently on scene.

Enquiries are ongoing.”

In a statement, St Saviour's & St Olave's said: “There has been an incident at school and students have been safely evacuated.

“Police have told us that no-one can re-enter the building, so students are being sent directly home.

"Staff are supporting students as necessary to ensure they do so safely.

“Please note students are unable to enter the school building and access their phones.”

Police have released a CCTV image as they investigate a “serious assault” that left a man with a brain bleed at London Bridge station.

British Transport Police (BTP) believes the man pictured may have information that could help their investigation.

At 12.50am, on Sunday, August 20, the victim tapped through the barriers to leave the underground station.

A man then tailgated behind the victim through the barriers. The man

was accompanied by two other men who tapped through.

Police said there was a brief altercation between the men and the victim and the victim was then punched in the face several times and kicked in the head - leaving him hospitalised with a brain bleed.

One man has been arrested and released under investigation.

Anyone who recognises the individual pictured is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 40 of 20 August. Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers anonymously online or on 0800 555 111.

NEWS 11

By Herbie Russell A Kennington man who posed as a model agency scout to manipulate children into sending indecent photographs has been convicted.

He then created a new account to contact the same victims, sometimes months later, threatening to expose the images unless they agreed to send more images.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) began its investigation when two sisters in the US reported being threatened after sending explicit images to one of the accounts.

Through the analysis of IP data, the NCA was able to link Duncan to all the accounts.

He was arrested in July 2021 at his home.

Separate from posing as a model scout,

the NCA found he sometimes targeted other victims claiming to be a child of a similar age, requesting sexual images and videos.

Duncan blackmailed a 14-year-old girl with learning difficulties who sent him images, and also offered her $1,000 to engage in a sexual act with her brother.

Officers recovered 19,120 indecent images of children categories A-C (A being the most severe) from his electronic devices and cloud storage.

Duncan was charged with 53 counts including causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity (penetrative and non-penetrative), blackmail, sexual communication with a child, indecent and prohibited images of children (making and possession) and possession of extreme pornographic images.

NCA Operations Manager Martin Ludlow said: “Ishmael Duncan cruelly preyed on young girls who had dreams of becoming models.

“The threatening messages he sent were chilling and showed his callous disregard for the victims he exploited for his own sexual gratification in this case.

“The NCA worked closely with overseas partners to identify and safeguard victims, a number of whom provided evidence against Duncan.

“We will continue to operate online and internationally to target those offenders who pose the most serious risk to children.”

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© National Crime Agency

Ishmael Duncan, 24, was accused of exploiting 28 female victims, some as young as nine, although investigators believe he contacted close to 10,000 children online.

He appeared at Inner London Crown Court on August 21, where he admitted to 42 of the counts.

Last Thursday, September 14, he admitted to a further eight counts. He will be sentenced on December 1.

His tactic was to approach potential victims via Snapchat to ask if they were interested in becoming models for wellknown fashion brands.

The girls, who lived in the UK, US, Canada and Australia, would be asked for their age and personal details before he requested clothed images or videos.

To build trust, he would lead them through a lengthy interview process, and send them legitimate-looking contracts featuring the impersonated brands' logos.

Duncan would then request topless photos, saying he needed to assess victims’ body shapes, and use them as a base for editing in potential clothes to be modelled.

Girls who expressed concerns were told the photos would be deleted after editing.

Some were told they’d be ‘blacklisted’ from modelling if they didn’t comply.

Duncan contacted victims using multiple accounts and adopted different personas within the model agency to portray authenticity.

Aliases included ‘Callum’, the photographer and ‘Mark’, the general manager of the preteen models division.

Kennington man posed as a model agency scout to manipulate children into sending explicit photos on Snapchat

Ishmael Duncan

NEWS 13

By Herbie Russell people in peckham have held a protest outside a Rye lane cosmetics shop after a video of a physical altercation between a shopkeeper and a Black woman went viral.

Demonstrators highlighting the treatment of black women gathered outside Peckham Hair and Cosmetics at 2pm, on Tuesday, September 12.

Borough Commander Seb Adjei-Addoh

said police were investigating the “full circumstances” of the altercation and thanked the community for “remaining calm”.

The video, which has been viewed over one million times, was taken on Monday, September 11, and shows a shopkeeper and a customer grappling.

Police confirmed they attended the incident and arrested a woman on suspicion of assault before bailing her. Two days later, on Wednesday, 13 September, a 45-year-old man was

Photo by Postcards from Peckham (X formerly known as Twitter)

protest held outside peckham hair shop aFter viral video

Protest outside Peckham Hair & Cosmetics interviewed under caution.

On Tuesday, September 12, local community activist Sayce Holmes-Lewis posted a video urging people to protest outside the shop.

He said: “Nobody has to do anything in terms of violent behaviour or anything like that. We turn up here, we make sure that they don’t trade for the rest of today and we hit them in their pocket."

Photos shared on social media have since shown the shop’s shutters plastered with messages in support of

the woman.

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, local policing commander for Southwark, said: “We know people will be concerned about a video circulating online of an incident in a shop.

"Our officers attended on Monday and continue to investigate the full circumstances of what has taken place.

The investigation will include reviewing the actions of everyone involved.

"I would like to thank people in our

local community for remaining calm and giving us the time to conduct a thorough investigation. If you have information that may help us I would urge you to get in touch.”

He added that officers would be patrolling Rye Lane to reassure the community and urged people with concerns to communicate with those officers.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 3943/11Sep.

ExcluSivE

they failed to properly supervise an outer clothing search that occurred before the strip search.

The sergeant does not face dismissal as the maximum penalty in a misconduct meeting is a final written warning.

An IOPC spokesperson said: “We carried out an independent investigation into an incident where a 15-year-old girl was arrested and detained on suspicion of knifepoint robbery and then transported to custody, where they were subject to a wand search and outer clothing search at Walworth Police station in December 2020.

“While in custody, a sharpened

wooden item fell from her clothing.

The child subsequently handed over a stanley knife and was then subject to a strip search in custody.

“We found the strip search was carried out in line with policy and procedures.”

The other three officers investigated will not face misconduct meetings.

However, they will undergo a ‘reflective practice review process’ relating to issues identified around the supervision of the girl in custody and the initial wand search.

The strip search took place just eight days after Child Q, also fifteen, was strip-searched at a Hackney school, on December 3, 2020.

victorian tea room to Police watchdog finds strip search of girl, 15, was 'in line with procedures' become a starbucks at london bridge

By Herbie Russell

the stRip search of a fifteenyear-old girl at walworth police station was carried out correctly, according to the police watchdog.

On December 11, 2020, a child was strip-searched after being arrested on suspicion of knifepoint robbery.

A subsequent Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into four police officers has now found the strip search was "carried out in line with policy and procedures”.

However, a police sergeant will face a misconduct meeting over allegations

A new Starbucks is coming to Findlater's Corner by London Bridge

By Herbie Russell a ReCently discovered victorian tea room by london Bridge is set to become a starbucks.

Walworth Police Station

Photo by Google

The Express Dairy tea room at Findlater's Corner served Victorian commuters with refreshments from the early 1900s.

A century later, Londoners can once again look forward to enjoying a hot beverage inside the quaint establishment underneath a set of railway arches.

The team room was rediscovered during a £3 million restoration of Findlater’s Corner - a Baroque Revivalstyle winery at London Bridge’s southern end.

During the restoration, which is being overseen by Peckham architect Benedict O’Looney, workmen

uncovered a mosaic beneath the render walls.

Believed to be the work of celebrated mosaicist Jesse Rust, it marks the entrance to the tea room, advertising afternoon teas, luncheons, a smoking room, and a ladies’ room.

Founded in 1864, the Express Dairy used fast trains to transport their milk around the country quickly and efficiently.

Londoners welcomed the company as it meant high-quality milk from the countryside could be enjoyed in the capital.

At one point, Express Dairy had over 240 tea rooms across London.

However, their popularity began to gradually decline during the late 20th century.

Starbucks has not said when the new store will open.

But a police sergeant will face a misconduct meeting over allegations they failed properly to supervise an outer clothing search

14 OPINION

Comment

Free school meals - 'A decade of doing the right thing for our children’

KIERON WILLIAMS

Southwark Council leader

n

o Child should go hungry. i’m sure you will agree. yet across our country thousands do every day.

That’s why, ten years ago, Southwark Labour made a big decision, to fund free healthy school meals for every primary school child.

It’s been a decade of doing the right thing for our children.

To mark that anniversary, I’m delighted to say we are now going further. We are launching a pilot to extend free school meals to more young people in our secondary schools too.

This new pilot is yet another first.

In the midst of the pandemic Southwark was the first council to roll out free school meals in the holidays for low income families when the government refused to do so.

Councils across the country followed suit. In 2019 we extended them to our nursery schools, and in 2019 &

2022 we raised standards, making all of our meals even healthier.

This year the whole of London is following Southwark’s example.

Having seen the success of our free health school meals in Southwark, the Mayor of London is rolling them out for every London primary school child for the next year, as part of his emergency cost of living support.

That’s great news for London’s children and a ringing endorsement of our work here in Southwark.

The money we are receiving as a result of this decision by Sadiq Khan is also allowing us to fund our secondary school pilot too.

Given how successful our free school meals programme has been, you might think it was easy to get here. The reality is it took real determination.

When we decided to deliver them for all primary school children a decade ago many said it could not be done.

Not when the Liberal Democrat and Conservative coalition government was imposing huge cuts on council and school budgets, but in Southwark Labour found a way.

Others said it should not be done, including Southwark’s Liberal Democrats who spent years campaigning against them. They were wrong.

Making sure every child in our primary schools has a healthy meal every day was always the right thing to do.

The evidence is clear. They have been a huge success. Not just preventing children from going hungry, but boosting children’s health and leaning too.

Our research has shown that having a notorious lunch every school day has helped children concentrate in class, raised their attainment and reduced childhood obesity.

It’s hard to think of a better

The Mayor of London encourages employers in the capital to pay the London Living Wage and 2,500 of them already do this.

It is clear that government has to follow his lead and take action over low pay which has become endemic.

For those on Universal Credit, the amount paid out is simply not enough for Londoners to put food on the table, buy toiletries and keep the bills paid. With over a million food parcels distributed to Londoners last year, there is clearly a problem.

I support the Guarantee our Essentials campaign spearheaded

by Trussell Trust, Joseph Rowntree Foundation and backed by the Royal College of Nursing, Age UK and

Marie Curie. I am pleased that Sadiq Khan has also pledged his support.

Sadly, the disturbing video footage in Peckham has caused widespread concern and anger in the community and I understand this.

I have been working with local communities, the police, councillors and Harriet Harman MP on this matter and will continue to monitor the situation.

There is an ongoing police investigation and witnesses are encouraged to come forward to say what they saw.

Peckham is a wonderfully diverse place and we can be proud of our community cohesion.

This incident has exposed a divide

investment than one that does so much to help children succeed.

They have been a lifeline for hard pressed parents too. With two out of every five children in our city now living in poverty and many more families struggling to get by it’s easy to see why.

That is even more true when you know how miserly the Government’s help is.

They now only fund free school meals for families with an income of less than £7,000.

That threshold is simply far too low. If we had not stepped in to help in Southwark thousands of children across our schools would be going hungry every day.

With the national cost of living crisis deepening, the meals we fund are becoming vital for more families every day.

Our new pilot will extend these meals to even more families. Funding

'In Southwark alone approximately 37,000 people's salary does not cover basic needs'

R

eCent goveRnment figures show that almost 40% of londoners who are currently claiming universal Credit are in work.

In Southwark that equates to approximately 37,000 whose salary does not cover their basic needs.

We are now close to one million Londoners claiming Universal Credit in total, with a rise of over 40,000 in just this last year.

These are stark figures, which show just how many people are struggling due to the costof-living crisis and low pay.

Ministers say that work is the way out of poverty but their own figures show that in work poverty is rife.

free school meals for young people in secondary school whose families receive Universal Credit, but who don’t qualify for government funded free school meals because they earn above the threshold.

There is much more we are doing to help Southwark residents through the cost of living crisis, with over 100,000 local people supported through our Cost of Living Fund and over 3,600 thousand people supported into more and better paid jobs through our Southwark Works Service and work to get more employer to pay the London Living Wage. As well as building thousands of new truly affordable council homes, to give just a few examples.

But this month, ten years on from their introduction, it’s right to take a moment to celebrate our Southwark Free Health School Meals, and a decade of doing the right thing for the children of our borough.

MARiNA AHMAD

GLA Member for Southwark & Lambeth and it is vital that we bridge this gap between communities, whilst

ensuring that the far-right are not given space to exploit and widen it.

OPINION 15

A simple but effective addition why did it take so long to do?

T

his week, we reported on the local nurse who has earned national recognition for bringing combs and moisturiser for Afro-Caribbean patients to the NHS for the first time ever.

When we spoke to Ginny Wanjiro, who works in the Intensive Care Unit at St Thomas'

Hospital, she said she was 'shocked' to find no basic Afro-Caribbean products on her ward or in any NHS hospital in the UK for that matter.

This is a fact that became noticeable during Covid, when families were not allowed to visit

and it was all on nurses to provide patient care.

Ginny explained that some patients' hair would become matted and they'd be forced to

cut it off.

On the surface to some, this may not seem like a big issue. But to anyone who has ever been

or had a loved one in the hospital, basic care is crucial to recovery.

Being able to have your hair brushed or your skin moisturised can make you feel more

human at a time when you may feel at your lowest. For this pioneering move, Ginny was nominated for 'Best Nurse' in a national competition. As she graciously put it: "It's not about winning, it's about raising awareness and being heard."

Since the NHS started and long before that, there have always been black patients - so

frankly, it's appalling it took this long to meet their basic needs.

Elimhouse Community Association Southwark 86-88, Bellenden Road, Peckham, London SE15 4RQ.

COMMUNITY CENTRE MANAGER REQUIRED SOUTHWARK, LONDON Salary - £38,296 (inclusive of on cost and Pension) 35 hours per week Elimhouse Community Association Southwark, SE15 4RQ is a registered charity. The organisation runs a full time community centre for local people.

We seek to employ a Centre Manager. He/she will be responsible for the day to day running of the community centre. Main task is the implement of the Centre’s development plan, which included income generation and increasing the level of services.

You will also be responsible for services delivery, community engagement, and staff and premises management. The person appointed will be committed to delivering our development plan, have experience in community development, community engagement, working effectively with people in the Centre and the wider community in achieving positive result Closing Date: 14th September 2023 by 12 noon.

Info contact: Tel: 0207 358 9502 Email. elimhousecas@gmail.com

cryptic Puzzle Clues Across

1 Fight with people, and the street's up hence the fortifications (11) 9 Match mine (3) 10 Is in better surroundings to play extempore (9) 11 Rustic part of the further Urals (5) 13 It's clear that fiftyone quit oblivious 14 First notes the stimulants (6) 16 Hope for a steeple (6) 18 Make unnecessary alteration to 13's tail (7) 19 Wise men grow old in a ship (5) 20 Attune badly to change of tea get thin and weak (9) 21 Almost sink to immorality (3) 22 Rap relation for becoming workingclass (11)

Clues Down

2 Play only one part of it? (3) 3 Trail confused, a source of hardship (5) 4 Use me up on a gambit (6) 5 Develops topless turns (7) 6 Following about or making clothes (9) 7 Ready for battle it's surgery on little Albert (11) 8 Making a new estimate, singer is wrong about fools (11) 12 He repairs broken rotor vane (9) 15 River bed for radio transmission?

17 A meal in pure pasteurised milk (6) 19 Cut from cash earnings (5) 21 Main expanse (3)

Quick Puzzle Clues Across

1 Lodge (11) 9 Beam (3) 10 Appointed to office (9) 11 Linger about (5) 13 Opposes (7) 14 Wrote one's name (6) 16 Property (6) 18 Exterior 19 Swift (5) 20 Very foolish (9) 21 Number (3) 22 Character (11)

Clues Down

2 Weep (3) 3 Of greater age (5) 4 Wretchedness (6) 5 Summaries (7) 6 Interpret (9) 7 Before recorded history (11) 8 Reaffirmation (11) 12 Plant (9) 15 Shows (7) 17 King Arthur's wizard (6) 19 Central (5) 21 Young child (3)

Solutions to last week’s crossword Cryptic

Across: 1 Battlements 9 Pit 10 Improvise 11 Rural 13 Obvious 14 Tonics 16 Aspire 18 Obviate 19 Sages 20 Attenuate 21 Sin 22 Proletarian

Down: 2 Act 3 Trial 4 Employ 5 Evolves 6 Tailoring 7 Operational 8 Reassessing

12 Renovator 15 Channel 17 Repast 19 Shear 21 Sea

QUICK

Across: 9 Ray 10 Designate 11 Hover 131 Resists 14 Signed 16 Estate 18 Outside 19 Fleet 20 Imbecilic 21 Two 22 Personality Down: 2 Cry 3 Older 4 Misery 5 Digests 6 Translate 7 Prehistoric 8

Reassertion 12 Vegetable 15 Evinces 17 Merlin 19 Focal 21 Tot

16 ARTS

what’s on

Photo byMarc Brenner

Insight into Assassination

Being one of the world's most famous political figures, Mahatma Gandhi's story has been told in many forms many times over, however, much less is known about Nathuram Godse, the man who took Gandhi's life, writes Christopher Peacock.

Anumpama Chandrasekhar’s The Father and the Assassin explores Godse’s and Gandhi’s lives in a historical ‘whydunnit’. First staged at the National Theatre in May 2022 the show returns for another month-long run on the Olivier stage.

Chandrasekhar's story takes what is

known of Godse and maps it onto the independence movement as a whole, juxtaposing his life with the events and discussions that Gandhi and the political elite were having about the potential future of their nation.

Godse was raised a girl by his parents who were fearful that they would lose yet another son in infancy. Their only daughter had made it through childhood and that by raising him the same they believed he would survive. Godse soon, however, finds his own identity and we see him develop his own political voice.

After meetings with Vinayak Sanarkar, Godse’s political views become more

Swimming for life

extreme as he falls deeper into Hindu Nationalism. Meanwhile, the show tracks Gandhi's return from South Africa and the growing civil disobedience movement. Feeling that it is Gandhi who is holding back their ideals, Godse and his accomplices plan the assassination.

For a historical drama that has such tragedy throughout there are plenty of laughs. Hiran Abeysekera as Godse is spritely and joyous. His wit and charm endear you to him, if not for his cause. Paul Bazely gives a measured performance as Gandhi and the contradiction between his ageing Gandhi and the energetic Abeysekera as

Godse represents another layer in their differences.

The show as a whole is captivating.

In the moments where the stage is sparse, Indhu Rubasingham’s direction still creates a visually filling piece. The ensemble work makes the transitions between scenes seamless and keeps the show moving at a pace. Rajha Shakiry’s set design makes full use of the Olivier stage’s revolve and assists in creating visually dynamic scenes. Along with Lucy Cullingford’s movement direction, the scene around the partition of India and the tragic fallout will live long in the memory.

A somewhat unkempt man shuffles out to the middle of a stage, bare except for a stool and a backdrop of the bottom of a swimming pool. There is a button undone on his shirt and his hair needs a comb pulled through it.

This is Mike Birbiglia and he’s not well, writes Michael Holland.

a simple breathing test, discusses the cancerous tumour found by a camera inserted into his penis, and keeps us all laughing at his woes the whole time.

There are poignant sections when he is reading bedtime stories to his daughter and the theatre as one provides a collective ‘Aaaaahh’, and there are times when he appears to be getting a little too energetic as he breaks into a sort of run around the stage and the audience as one fear witnessing another Tommy Cooper moment and wish he would stop. But mostly he is sitting on the stool or lying down to provide imagery for his bedtime story-telling, or to show how he laid in his hospital bed, or to demonstrate failed wrestling holds, but mainly he is on the floor to have a rest from standing up.

As Mike Birbiglia languidly guides us through his life there are moments when he looks like Kevin Costner, but Costner

Birbiglia has the air of an actor turning up at the first day of rehearsals having not read the script or even sure what role he is playing.

Before long he begins his tale of how he came from hating swimming because of the amount of urine found in public swimming pools to going swimming five times a week, more times, perhaps, than Michael Phelps.

On the way he argues against wrestling to win; debates doctors’ diagnoses and remedy advice; is told he is having a heart attack in the surgery while doing

Chandrasekhar admits to taking dramatic licence with some of the historical events, omitting personnel and filling in the parts of Godse's life that are not known. This does work in the show's favour. It refines and helps condense the history into a two- hour show whilst at the same time raising questions of what and how things could have been different.

Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX until 14th October.

Times: Mon-Sat 7.30pm; Wed & Sat matinees 2pm.

Admission: £20 - £89.

Booking: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

on a bad day, and very fleetingly. The trick of the light is soon shattered when you realise Kevin Costner would never shuffle around like he was close to death - Even if he was close to death!

Birbiglia’s The Old Man & The Pool is a truly wonderful piece of story-telling that is over far too soon. Is it a story put together from a foundation of facts, or completely fabricated for comedic reasons only? You don’t know whether to believe all of it or none of it but you know you never want Mike Birbiglia’s story to end.

Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0DA until 7th October.

Times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 7.45pm; Wednesday and Saturday at 6.30pm and 9pm.

Admission: £15 - £85.

Booking: www.MikeOnWestEnd.com 0344 482 5151

ARTS 17

Noël Coward’s classic comedy, Private Lives, returns to the West End with its three-month run at the Ambassadors Theatre.

Directed by Christopher Luscombe and starring Nigel Havers and Patricia Hodge OBE the production is set to draw significant attention.

I entered the theatre with both excitement and apprehension. A 1930s comedy, helmed by a male director and featuring a majority white cast isn’t precisely my cup of tea, and I wasn’t surprised to find I was the youngest face amongst the theatregoers. Private Lives is not exactly a ‘Gen Z’ watch, and yet as the production unfolded I relaxed into my seat and began to enjoy the elegantly chaotic, amusing, and witty (yet slightly problematic) production.

The play’s focus on the relationships of older characters was refreshing in comparison to the typical, youth-focused, theatre and media content widely consumed. Despite their mature age, the relationships we see are wildly relatable, with childlike temper tantrums and angst reminiscent of teenagers, I found myself resonating with the worries and anxieties of these couples. Perhaps age isn’t so defining when it comes to the complexities of love.

Act 1 is concerned with a divorced couple (Amanda and Elyot) who coincidently end up honeymooning with their new partners (Victor and Sibyl) in adjacent suites at the same hotel. The audience is treated to a dose of dramatic irony as they first discover the proximity of the neighbouring couples. Moreover, this part provides significant humour, with only a few of the jokes going over my (youthful) head. However, I find it somewhat repetitive, with scenes that mirror each other, and predictable, especially if the premise is already known.

In Act 2 we find ourselves in Paris; Amanda and Elyot have fled their new spouses, deciding to give their tumultuous and intoxicating relationship another go.

As the curtains rise, a luxurious Parisian flat is revealed. The walls are painted in a bright crimson colour; a house of sin?

The one long scene takes us on a journey through the ebbs and flows of Amanda and Elyot’s relationship. It is distinctly fast-paced with the mood constantly shifting. Beginning blissfully, almost honeymoon-like, quickly we are shaken out of this false sense of serenity as the couple fall back into their toxicity. Lust, resentment, stubbornness and love take place as we are given what feels like a

whole lifetime of ups and downs in a single act.

I couldn’t help my disappointment at the missed opportunity to revolutionise or at least modify representations of gender norms. One particular line alludes to how women should ‘be pretty and play the piano’, a stereotype confining women’s roles to pleasing men, both visually and aurally. While the intention might have been to surprise and provoke the audience, the women’s actions did little to challenge these expectations.

While Amanda can be viewed as slightly bohemian within the context of the 1930s, due to her travels and promiscuity, this behaviour is not groundbreaking.

Additionally, Sibyl appears rather onedimensional, primarily defined by her relationships with men within the production. Even though this play is set in the 1930s, I do not view this as a barrier for outdated norms. Modern performances of Shakespeare’s most gender-problematic plays acknowledge this past while embracing contemporary attitudes and advancements and maintaining the essence of the original (As You Like It currently running at the Globe, for example) I also take issue with the play’s treatment of domestic abuse. There is mention that Amanda and Elyot had a violent relationship in the past, and

Ialways go to see Pygmalion with the wrong attitude. I go to see those supercilious snobs have their noses put out of joint when the Cockney girl shows them up for what they are - and that’s just the people in the audience who act like Professor Henry Higgins, writes Michael Holland.

Higgins a shilling a week to teach her and in his astonishment at this cheeky offer he says he will do it for nothing to prove to his friend, Colonel Pickering (Michael Gould), that he could ‘pass her off as a Duchess in good society’. Pickering is more concerned with what Higgins will do with the young woman when he has completed the challenge: ‘Toss her back into the gutter!’

He says without a thought for anything other than himself. If this was panto we would all be booing.

Eliza is embedded in at Wimpole Street to undertake her course of education but her father, Alfred (John Marquez) turns up to do a deal for his daughter - which shows exactly the kind of man he is - and takes £5 for her. ‘I can’t afford morals,’ he whimpers, fooling nobody. ‘I’m one of the undeserving poor battling middle-class morality,’ he adds, ensuring no one is on his side.

And so we quicken through the training in preparation for the ball, Eliza’s grand entrance and her passing with flying colours.

Alas, with such speed taken to arrive at

Photo by Tristram Kenton

Private Lives on Show

Arts

in act two, the couple engage in an onstage fight. I felt the play didn’t address this abuse adequately. Was it supposed to disturb the audience? Make us feel sick? Encourage us to resonate with the unacceptability of the behaviour? If so, it missed the mark, at least for me. This discomfort was made worse by the rather poorly executed stage slap. It’s possible that my viewing angle played a role, but the slap seemed to add a comedic element to the fight, absorbing it into the comedy of the production and this didn’t sit right with me.

Despite these issues or missed opportunities, the production was still of high quality. The acting, of course, was outstanding. Particularly, Patricia Hodge, who I have enjoyed watching on the popular television show Miranda, did a marvellous job of portraying the chaotic elegance of Amanda. Her singing voice too was raw and beautiful, I felt comforted as she sang, transformed into a different era through the quality of her voice.

There is no doubt that the production and acting are of a pristine quality.

However, I find the failure to balance representing the 1930s with today’s shift in attitude overcasts the potential of a contemporary Private Lives. Nonetheless, the play represents an older couple and their experiences, which is rare in this time where effort is primarily directed at portraying the youth. It provokes a worthwhile conversation about age and historical representation, so I encourage you to go and form your own opinion.

Ambassadors Theatre, West St, London WC2H 9ND until 25th November.

Times: Mon - Sat 7.30pm; Thur & Sat matinees 2.30pm.

Admission: £25 - £110.

Booking: https://www.atgtickets.com/ shows/private-lives/ambassadors-theatre

Photo by Manuel Harlan

I can’t grow accustomed to this Higgins (Bertie Carvel)is a socially awkward phonetic geek who today would be diagnosed as being high on the spectrum. He is a phonetics bore whose own mother bans from the house when she has friends round. When he is seen spying on flower seller Eliza Doolittle (Patsy Ferran) she remonstrates loud enough to attract an angry crowd and to get an explanation from Higgins, who is merely noting down the way she speaks.

He confirms his innocence by saying where all those around him hailed from just by listening to them talk.

Eliza, who seeks to climb out of her lowly position, believes that speaking properly would help her scale the social ladder from selling flowers on the street to selling flowers in a shop. She offers

this point, there was no time for us to get an inkling that Higgins may have developed feelings for Eliza on the way, so in the final scenes when he starts sulking at Eliza going off to marry persistent beau Freddy (Taheen Modak), we were left wondering why when he had not shown one iota of affection for her. If only the professor had a song like ‘I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face’ to let us all know he cared more about Miss Doolittle than his slippers.

The set was like the inside of Abbey Road studio rather than a professor’s house with walls lined with fusty old books, and this version seems to be placed between the wars rather than in Victorian times.

But good performances from all helped save this George Bernard Shaw play that has been turned into rather an oddity here.

I don't mind a My Fair Lady without songs, but this Pygmalion needed one or two.

Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 until 28th October.

Times: Mon-Sat 7.30pm; Sat matinees 2.30pm.

Admission: £10 - £77.50.

Booking: www.oldvictheatre.com

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CLASSIFIED 25

Funeral Announcements

CLASSIFIED AND COMMUNITY NOTICES

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WANTED RECORDS ROCK, POP, PUNK,

10/10/1937 - 05/09/2023

LPS AND SINGLES - WHOLE COLLECTIONS WELCOME

Call: 07956 832314 / 020 8677 6907 Or

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

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

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The Family of Eileen Palmer are sad to announce the passing of our much loved Mum, Nan, Sister and Friend, at the age of 85.

to speak with a case worker to see how we can assist you.

She will be greatly missed but remembered by all who ever had the privilege of knowing her.

To find out more, visit

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Elim House Day Centre

YOU MATTER TO US programme started Tuesday 9th May. 100 Day programme combating loneliness within our elders

Southwark Pensioners’ Centre Supporting older people in Southwark for over 35 years.

Offering advice, support, activities, rooms for hire and a voice for older people.

It is with great sadness that we announce that Mary passed away peacefully at home on the 24th August, aged 86.

She will be greatly missed by her family and everyone who knew her.

The Funeral Service will be held on tuesday 10th october.

Leaving FA Albin & Sons at 12pm for the service at 1:15pm at Eltham Cemetery and Crematorium, Crown Woods Way.

Her funeral will be held on Monday 25th September at St Peters & Guardian Angels Church at 10am, then on to Honor Oak Crematorium at 11.30am.

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened........

Followed by refreshments at Salt Quay, Rotherhithe.

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

We are accepting walk-ins

Contact us on 020 7358 9502 or elimhouseoutreachworker@gmail.com Or pop into 86-88 Bellenden Road, Peckham, SE15 4RQ Website: elimhousedaycentre.com

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

Making life better: • Learning Disabilities Service • Youth Adventure Project • Starfish, Domestic Abuse Project

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26 PUBLIC NOTICES LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (AYRES STREET, PRICES STREET, SHARRATT STREET, WARNER ROAD, BERMONDSEY STREET, GORDON ROAD)

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) KINGLAKE STREET, LOMAN STREET, PECKHAM HILL STREET, SIMMS ROAD, MONTAGUE CLOSE)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC / WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS

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.

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:

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) Ayres Street, between Marshalsea Road and Union Street. (b) Prices Street, at it’s junction with Bear Lane (c) Sharratt Street, at it’s junction with Ilderton Road (d) Warner Road, No’s 122 (e) Bermondsey Street, between Black Swan Yard and Crucifix Lane (No’s 39 – No’s 45) (f) Gordon Road, ‘at any time’ (yellow lines) waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced outside No’s 119 – 121 and No’s 129 - 131 3.

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) Marshalsea Road, Southwark Bridge Road. (2b) not applicable (2c) Sharratt Street, Lovelinch Close, Rollins Street, Ilderton Road. (2d) as indicated by the signs displayed (2e) as indicated by the signs displayed. (2f) not applicable

4.

The existing one way working in Bermondsey Street, between Tyres Gate and Whites Grounds, will be made ‘two-way’ for access and egress purposes for (2e)

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 works will be in operation for (2a) 25th September – 9th October (2b) 25th September, 6th October, with back up dates of the 9th and 13th October. (2c) 25th September – 6th October. (2d) 25th September – 17th October (2e) 18th September with back up dates of the 25th September (2f) 25th September

8.

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

Dated this 21st September 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) LCME00205BFC (2b) LBSCR13145/4 (2c) SEC50/SHARRATTST (2d) 00338558-00000001 (2e) LBSCR13079/1 The Council of the London Borough of Southwark PUBLIC NOTICE: ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 29 THE (RESTRICTION OF TRAFFIC) SPECIAL EVENTS ORDER 2023 1. The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that it has made the above named Traffic Order under section 29 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specified in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.

2. The purpose of the Order is to facilitate street parties on the roads indicated in the schedule to this notice.

3. The effect of the Order is to prohibit any vehicle from:(a) entering or proceeding in the length of street specified in the schedule to this notice on the date and between the hours specified in that schedule;. (b) waiting (including waiting for the purpose of delivering or collecting goods or loading or unloading a vehicle) in the length of street specified in the schedule to this notice.

4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of: (a) any vehicle being used for the purposes of that event or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes; (b) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by the Council of the London Borough of Southwark.

For information regarding this notice, please contact Network & Parking at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk Dated: 21st September 2023 Ian Law Traffic Manager Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street Third Floor – Hub 2 SE1 2QH Schedule: Road

Extent

Date of event

Start time

Finish time

Copleston Road

Between Choumert Road and Avondale Rise

23/09/2023

10:00

13:00

Colby Road

Whole Road

24/09/2023

10:00

18:00

Crystal Palace Road Between Goodrich Road and Landcroft Road

24/09/2023

13:00

16:00

Grove Park

Between 93 and 112

24/09/2023

10:00

18:00

Mina Road

From 105 to 73

24/09/2023

13:00

16:00

Upland Road

From 115 to 141

24/09/2023

14:00

17:00

Vestry Road

From No. 1 to No. 52

23/09/2023

10:00

13:00

(a) Kinglake Street, between Bagshot Street and Upnor Way (b) Loman Street, between Great Suffolk Street and Sawyer Street (c)Peckham Hill Street, between Peckham High Street and Commercial Way (d) Simms Road, south west side of carriageway, between St James Road and Monnow Road (e) Simms Road, between Monnow Road and it’s blocked end (f) Montague Close, will be made ‘one-way eastbound, between Cathedral Street and Tooley Street (g) Montague Close, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions, will be introduced on the western side between Winchester Walk up to No’s 2 (h) Montague Close, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions, will be introduced on the eastern side between Winchester Walk and The Mudlark, No’s 4 (i) Montague Close, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions, will be introduced on the north and south side between Glaziers Hall No’s 9 and up to No’s 17 – 25 Tooley Street 3.

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) Old Kent Road, East Street, Thurlow Street (2b) Copperfield Street, Sawyer Street, Pocock Street, Great Suffolk Street (2c) Willowbrook Road, Trafalgar Avenue, Old Kent Road, Albany Road, Camberwell Road, Peckham Road, Peckham High Street (2d) St James Road, Esmeralda Road, Monnow Road, (2e) not applicable (2f) Duke Street Hill, Borough High Street, Southwark Street, Southwark Bridge Road, Marshalsea Road, Borough High Street, Bedale Street, Cathedral Street (2g) (2h) (2i) not applicable

4.

The existing ‘one-way’ working in Kinglake Street, between Upnor Way and Ivy Church Lane, will be made ‘two-way’ for access and egress purposes for (2a)

5.

The existing ‘one-way’ working in Bonar Road, between Peckham Hill Street and Commercial Way, will be made ‘two-way’ for access and egress purposes for (2c)

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) 2nd – 3rd October (2b) 28th – 30th September with back up dates of the 7th -8th and 14th – 15th October (2c) 3rd – 5th October (2d) & (2e) 2nd October 2023 – 19th January 2024 (2f) 2nd October 2023 - 1st April 2025

9.

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

Dated this 21st September 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) 6629/39321352 (2b)6613/ LBSCR13075 (2c) 6618/54707716 (2d) & (2e) 6490/BER89SIMM335-01 (2f) (2g) (2h) (2i) 6656

To place a public notice, please email em@cm-media.co.uk Our weekly deadline is 5pm on Tuesday

PUBLIC NOTICES 27

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (BAWDALE ROAD, COPLESTON ROAD, FORSYTH GARDENS, LAVINGTON STREET, PLOUGH LANE, RAYMOUTH ROAD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended) PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT 1990 (as amended)

1.

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.

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:

3.

(a) Bawdale Road, between No’s 36 (b) Copleston Road, between No’s 65 (c) Forsyth Gardens, between No’s 40 and Lorrimore Road (d) Lavington Street, opposite No’s 11 and Great Suffolk Street (e) Plough Lane, side of 379 Lordship Lane (f) Raymouth Road, between No’s 2 – No’s 10

4.

The alternative route for affected traffic will as indicated by the signs displayed

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 works will be in operation for (2a) 9th – 24th October (2b) 9th – 19th October (2c) 6th October (2d) 11th – 24th October (2e) 11th – 13th October (2f) 9th – 11th October

8.

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

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; FORMER 170 CAMBERWELL ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 0EE (Ref: 23/AP/2342) Display of a new back illuminated Sainsbury's Local sign, Sainsbury's bank branding, a welcome sign, and an internally illuminated projecting sign. Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale 07513137967) ARCH 3 CRUCIFIX LANE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 3JW (Ref: 23/AP/2502) Change of use of 1no. vacant railway arch to flexible Use Class E (a-d and g(i)) and/or bar (Sui Generis) together with external alteration works and associated shopfront changes.

Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Lara Davison )

Dated: 19 Sep 2023 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date.

STEPHEN PLATTS - Director of Planning and Growth

Dated this 21st September 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) 00219442-00000005 (2b) 00331396-00000005 (2c) 89637016 (2d) 16007739 (2e) SLS00081277623-0080 (2f) SLS00081242730-0045

8 HOLYROOD STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2EL (Ref: 23/AP/2121) Conversion of an existing basement area into a finishing kitchen for the adjacent hospitality premises. Works include a new roof and roof light to basement area, external kitchen extract and associated works to the ground floor.

Proposed erection of an external storage shed.

(Within: Tooley Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Agneta Kabele 07548097486) 96 LORRIMORE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 3NA (Ref: 23/AP/2554) Construction of a single storey rear extension.

(Within: Sutherland Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Megan Stevens ) 48 HAYLES STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE11 4SX (Ref: 23/AP/2562) Construction of a rear extension to the outrigger. A proposed sun terrace on top roof and a proposed timber framed summerhouse in the rear garden. (Within: West Square Elliot's Row CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465)

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SPORT 29

surrey continue charge towards title

Photo by Mark Sandom

Ben Foakes made his 50th catch in this season’s Championship

© Mark Sandom

Three wickets in 25 balls gives defending champions impetus

By Bruce Talbot at The Kia Oval a BuRst of three wickets in 25 balls gave leaders surrey the impetus after they had initially been made to work hard by northamptonshire on a rain-affected first day at The kia oval.

Champ Hickey shows medal at Fisher

last week, both left the ball well in helpful conditions for Surrey’s seam attack.

Only six overs were possible immediately after lunch, with Northants adding ten runs to their interval total before rain arrived. A lengthy delay followed which included an early tea, and Azad had battled in all for 151 balls for his 48 when he gloved a pull at a near-90mph short ball from Worrall to Foakes.

Surrey struck again with the total on 132 in a repeat of Procter’s dismissal when Lawes picked up his second wicket to remove Rob Keogh.

The leaders now got on top. Overton pitched one up and Saif Zaib was caught behind for two and shortly before bad light forced the players off Lawes produced a superb yorker which uprooted Lewis McManus’s off stump for his third wicket to secure a second bonus point.

The light improved to allow another ten balls and there was time for Nair to reach an unbeaten half-century from 109 balls with nine fours. Much depends on him tomorrow if Northants are to post a competitive total.

Surrey’s Lawes said: “It was a bit of a frustrating day due to the time lost to rain and bad light, and they also batted very well in the conditions.

“But we fought back well in that last session and got our rewards late on in the day. It was obviously a good toss to win and with the lights on the ball nipped around all day.

“I felt a bit out of rhythm in our last game against Warwickshire but it felt a lot better today and the ball swung for me throughout.

“Hopefully we can get them all out fairly early in the day [Wednesday] and then it will be down to us to bat well and try to get runs on the board and get ahead in the game.”

THE EARLY-SEASON struggles continue for millwall lionesses, but hamlet women are happy with this 2-0 win which saw them leapfrog their neighbours in the london & south east Regional women’s Football league premier division.

Millwall manager Keith Boanas just cannot field a consistent eleven due to a succession of injuries, most recently to Grace Seely, Poppy Payne and Hope Welsh, and Dulwich took advantage with an early goal from Shakira Roberts on nineteen minutes when she capitalised on a horrendous back-pass.

The Lionesses found their way into the match but a second goal, this time from Summer Roberts on 26 minutes, dented their confidence and gave the usual big crowd at Champion Hill something to get behind.

No Lionesses fans were there due to the big game with Leeds at The Den. Chloe Burr and Emma Whitter tried to rally Millwall but it was just not the Lionesses’ day.

Chrissi Wiggins, their third goalkeeper in five games, did come under some pressure, but dealt confidently with everything Hamlet asked of her.

Millwall used all their five substitutes, including under-18 stars Melissa Jones and Ellen Napper, but Hamlet held on comfortably for a famous victory.

Boanas will this week have the team watching the video of the match in training at The Den, followed by two tough training sessions leading up to the visit to Fulham this Sunday.

Dulwich travel to Saltdean, and both sides will be involved in the FA Women’s Cup the following week.

Millwall Lionesses

Respite for struggling Hamlet in cup

By John Kelly dulwiCh hamlet secured their first victory in six games as they progressed to the second round of the london senior Cup by beating erith town 2-0 away on tuesday night.

By John Kelly saCha hiCkey made a triumphant return to where it all started last week after her brilliant victory at silesian tournament in poland.

Hickey, 19, displayed her medal and trophy after she won three fights in four days in the light-welterweight division.

Hickey is already a European champion after being coached in her formative years by Steve Hiser.

Another of her coaches, Andrew Wadman, said: “Sacha is so happy to be back at the club that made her

By Jeff Burnige

© Leanne Suttle

The visitors – without a win at The Oval since 1994 – need a miracle to avoid relegation in the LV= Insurance County Championship but they had grafted to 106 for two before Surrey, who started the penultimate round of matches with an eighteen-point lead over Essex, took four wickets when play resumed after a two-hour rain delay.

At stumps Northants had reached 171 for six from 63.4 overs with Indian batter Karun Nair undefeated on 51.

Openers Emilo Gay, who made 145 when these sides met at Northampton a year ago, and Hassan Azad did well to negotiate testing opening spells by

Kemar Roach and Dan Worrall for the first 11 overs when they accumulated only 33 runs, after being put in.

Roach gave way to Jordan Clark and with his fourth ball Clark made the breakthrough when Gay tickled at a rising delivery down the leg side to give Ben Foakes his 50th catch in this season’s Championship. At the same time Clark became Surrey’s leading wicket-taker on 47.

Jamie Overton, meanwhile, had bowled only 17 balls after replacing Worrall at the Vauxhall End before walking off the field, feeling his hip.

The big fast bowler soon returned to the field, however, and although he caught Luke Procter at second slip off Tom Lawes for eight to reduce Northants to 51 for two he also badly dropped Nair on 11 off the returning Worrall.

Left-hander Azad and Nair, who made 78 in a losing cause against Warwickshire on his Northants’ debut

Millwall suffer derby defeat

Sacha Hickey with her coaches name.”

Fisher strengthened their coaching ranks last week when Ray Ball returned in the role of head coach to work alongside Andrew and George

Wadman, as well as Peter McDonagh, Darren Davis, Ash Sharma and Omar Riz. Andrew added the the famous boxing club “now have their strongest

squad of 20 fighters, five of whom are open close elite boxers.

“Sasha herself is an Olympic hopeful and will be ready for anyone, we believe.”

Ryley Scott gave Hakan Hayrettin’s side the lead in the 31st minute before Luke Wanadio doubled the advantage four minutes into the second half.

Meanwhile, the club confirmed four new signings before the game in Dwight Pascall, Sean Bonnett-Johnson, Adam Dougui and Hussein Siklawi.

Dulwich are back in Isthmian League Premier Division action this Saturday when they host Concord Rangers at 3pm.

30 SPORT

lions tamed by leeds SKY BET cHAMPiONSHiP Millwall - 0 leeds utd - 3 Piroe 15’, 77', Rutter 81'

Date: Sunday 17 September, 2023 Attendance: 17,909 Man of the match: Ryan Longman Referee: Chris Kavanagh

By Kiro Evans Joel piRoe scored twice before georginio Rutter grabbed a goal of his own as Millwall fell to their first home defeat against leeds united in over 11 years.

The battling Lions had no answer to Leeds' counter-attacking prowess as Daniel Farke's side soaked up the pressure before pouncing with quality repeatedly.

The scoreline ended up being somewhat harsh on Gary Rowett's side, who controlled the ball for long stretches of the match and played with an intensity that was cheered on by home fans desperate to get one over their old rivals.

But ultimately in this first meeting between Millwall and Leeds in over three years, the quality of the away side showed and endeavour and self-belief from the Lions would not be enough to subdue them.

Both the players and fans were certainly up for it, as evidenced by the wild cheers when Tom Bradshaw won a corner in the opening 10 seconds.

It set the tone for a first 15 minutes that would see the hosts all over their rivals but with no clear-cut chances to show for their efforts.

Leeds had hardly weathered the early storm when they flew forward themselves to take the lead.

A brilliant, flowing move orchestrated by Georginio Rutter saw Leeds waltz the ball into Millwall's box before Joel Piroe poked

leeds grabbed their first win at Millwall since 2012 with a clinical performance it into the bottom corner.

But controversy proceeded the moment of art as Millwall fans demanded a penalty when Luke Ayling appeared to have potentially handled it while on the ground in his own box.

This was seconds before goalscorer Piroe seemed to clatter into Kevin Nisbet, with the ex-Swansea striker starting the attack which would lead to his goal 15 seconds later.

Millwall were given neither decision and replays showed Ayling seemed to be in the clear while the clash between Piroe and Nisbet was more subjective.

The Lions needed a few minutes to compose themselves after conceding first in this fixture for the first time since 2015.

But they remained well in the game with Bradshaw chasing down every ball as if his life depended on it.

Clear-cut chances remained beyond

Allan Campbell battles with Ethan Ampadu at The Den

them in the first half with their best effort coming after half an hour when the impressive loanee Longman, starting his first game for Millwall, cut in onto his right and forced Meslier to get down low to repel the shot.

With the Millwall players determined, home fans loud and a feeling of injustice hanging in the air, there was still plenty of hope when both teams departed for half time.

And Bradshaw almost pounced within two minutes of the restart, blasting an effort straight at Meslier after he was played in by Casper De Norre.

Gary Rowett eventually threw on some subs but the changes would come to nothing as Leeds, who had been managing a frantic atmosphere admirably, struck twice on the break in the space of a few minutes to kill the game.

Substitute Dan James played a one-two to get around Murray Wallace before finding Piroe, who just had to tuck home from a yard out for his second goal of the game in the 77th minute.

Before another rapid counter-attack four minutes later allowed Rutter to claim a well-deserved goal after being heavily involved in the two strikes that came before.

After the game, Lions boss Rowett said: “It felt a little bit harsh. You concede three goals and the opposition score three goals and don’t concede then of course the 3-0 scoreline is what it is. And it doesn’t look a fair reflection of the effort that the players put in and I felt some of the moments and periods of the game.

“If I look back to the Norwich game recently where it just didn’t feel like it was us, it didn’t feel like a fair reflection of what the team’s been about for three or four years in terms of that physicality and making the early period of the game difficult. But today I thought we did that."

millwall: 3-4-1-2: Bialkowski; Leonard, Cooper (c), Wallace; Norton-Cuffy, Mitchell (Saville 84'), De Norre (Flemming 64'), Longman (Emakhu 73'); Campbell (Esse 64'); Bradshaw, Nisbet (Watmore 64'). leeds: 4-2-3-1: Meslier; Ayling (c), Rodon, Struijk, Byram; Gray (Gruev 89'), Ampadu; Summerville (James 70'), Piroe (Kamara 83'), Gnonto (Anthony 70'); Rutter (Gelhardt 89')

longman ready to be a success at millwall

Versatile Hull loanee wants to be build on debut ExcluSivE

By Kiro Evans Ryan longman is hoping to be millwall's Jack-of-all-trades as the lions' small, injury-hit squad look to mount another challenge for promotion.

The 22-year-old came in for the crocked Joe Bryan at left wing-back on the weekend and was among the best performers for Millwall in their 3-0 defeat to Leeds United.

Fans should not be surprised to see the star, on a season-long loan from Hull, pop up in plenty of different positions throughout the season.

Longman is proud of his ability to adapt and be useful across the pitch but admits it has positives and negatives.

He told our paper: "I think I can play multiple positions, I've had good stints in different positions. I had a good stint at Hull at left wing-back where I'd never played before. Obviously played there the other day [against Leeds] and had a decent game. I can play up front, in a two,

done that before. I can play on the wing, which is probably my normal position if you want to say that. I can do a few positions.

"I think just through the academy, managers looked at me differently throughout the stages of going through the ranks and just said 'ah, I can see you playing here or I see you playing there'.

And I never really cemented an actual position.

"Which could be a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. It's one of them where it's good for a gaffer where you could potentially can play more minutes but on the other hand you haven't really got that position where it's like: you're going to play there this season. It works both ways."

Longman is committed to bringing his own brand of exciting, attacking football to The Den. Supporters got a taste of what he's capable of with some adventurous runs down the wing characterising his full debut against Leeds.

And former Brighton youth player Longman wants to go further and bag

plenty of goals and assists.

He said: "Hopefully, everyone saw on Sunday, I'm positive, want to put crosses in, want to put the ball forward, want to create chances. Obviously I'm an attackminded player and I want to get some shots off and score some goals.

"I've just got to take it game by game. I had a decent start on Sunday and hopefully I can just bring that going forward."

Longman made his first appearance a day after signing as he came off the bench in the 1-1 draw against Birmingham City at the beginning of September.

The two weeks during the international break gave Longman a chance to settle in at his new club and regroup after being involved in a typically hectic transfer deadline day.

He said: "Hopefully it won't happen again! It was crazy to be honest. One minute you're there and then next minute it's 'you're going back down south'.

"I'm from down here [London] anyway so it was a bit of an easier transition but I can see how it is harder for other players on the last minute of deadline day to get all their stuff from one place and move it all.

Ryan Longman impressed on his debut against Leeds United

SPORT 31

head in the game

Aidomo Emakhu has rapidly become one of Millwall's best attacking options off the bench

Aidomo Emakhu reveals how his obsession with football and his faith have driven him to new heights ExcluSivE

By Kiro Evans aidomo emakhu has credited a stronger relationship with god and his relentless pursuit of footballing excellence as the reasons behind his dramatic rise.

The 19-year-old had to battle back from multiple injuries at the beginning of the year that curtailed his first few months at Millwall after his arrival from Shamrock Rovers.

But he has come back fitter and is now regularly showing his quality despite limited game time.

Along with an assist and a goal off the bench in away games against Middlesbrough and Norwich City respectively, Emakhu was also subbed on to great effect for the Ireland Under-21s during the international break.

He scored a winner deep in stoppage time to give his country a 3-2 victory over Turkiye in their opening qualifying game for the 2025 Under-21 European Championships, a goal Emakhu admits he has watched back "about a million times."

The teenager is a student of the game and speaks engagingly about how he meticulously takes on information to improve.

But first and foremost, Emakhu believes his attempts to get closer to God have helped feel "more fearless" recently.

He told our paper: "I've grown my faith in God. I've always believed in

God but only in the last few months I've been trying to get closer to God and get to know him better.

"Reading my bible and learning different scriptures helps me to be more confident and more fearless when I play because I know God is with me always."

While some players choose to take a break from football when they're not on the pitch, Emakhu has been throwing himself into the sport as much as possible.

He said: "I watch a lot of football, the likes of the Premier League and the Championship as that's where my competition is. I watch a lot of top-level football and [whether I'm watching] a midfielder, a forward or even a defender, I just try to take bits of every type of players' game.

"Every footballer is different. There are footballers that once they leave the building or once they finish the game they just switch off. And for me it's different because I just try to learn as much as I can because there's always something you can learn from in every football game and that's what I'm starting to tune into a lot more.

"So after we played Leeds on the Sunday, you come home, you're a bit down about the result and straight away there's Everton versus Arsenal on the telly straight after. I wanted to get home to watch that game because there's learning tips in there that you can implement into your game to try and get yourself ready for your next game. I just try to stay on top of football and watch as much as I can."

Match preview:

Emakhu also spoke intelligently about the importance of good mental health, a topic that is being more widely discussed in football in recent months.

He said: "Working on the mental side of the game was also a big thing.

There's much more to it than just what you see on the pitch, there's a lot on the other side of it. The mental game is so important. Like I said, you have to work on that as well. You have to work on your inner game as much as your outer game as I think they're both equally important. You can't solve an inner game problem with an outer game solution.

"If you're dealing with something mentally, it's going to affect you on the pitch and it's going to be obvious it's affecting you on the pitch. I think it's something we need to look more into because you could see someone play on a Saturday, they could have not their best game and all of a sudden, you're thinking 'ah, he wasn't trying today or he doesn't care.' But there could be a lot more to it.

"They could have had the worst morning, they could have had some terrible news. Or have things they're dealing with off the pitch and then they have to come in and put on a brave face and act like everything is okay. I think it's so important we tune into the mental side of the game because it's affecting a lot of footballers and I'm glad to see there's a lot more footballers, managers and coaches coming out and speaking about it because it's so important."

WBA v Millwall

The Hawthorns, Sat 23rd September 15:00

Lions return to West Midlands for Baggies clash

By Kiro Evans

west BRomwiCh alBion host millwall at the hawthorns with both teams still hunting for form in the Championship.

Jake Cooper has been the one constant in Millwall's defence this season

The pair will be hoping to be in and around the top six come the end of the season and both will be thankful the campaign is a marathon, not a sprint.

That is because fans of either club are yet to really see their side take off properly so far this season in the ultra-competitive environment of the Championship.

The Lions are off to their typical mixed bag of a start with their points haul so far including the one they picked up at St Andrews at the beginning of the month, their last trip to the West Midlands.

Meanwhile West Brom have also not convinced all that much so far with

the Baggies making the joint-fewest signings in the summer window along with Huddersfield Town.

Of their four new faces, the three firstteam signings are Josh Maja, Jeremy Sarmiento and Pipa.

Maja is well-known to Championship fans with three years at Sunderland before he left for Bordeaux in France in 2019.

The 24-year-old has an eye for goal but is still looking for his first strike of this campaign.

Meanwhile, Sarmiento is the latest product of the seemingly endless line of young players that Brighton have plucked from nowhere and are in the process of polishing up.

The Ecuadorian international showed flashes of ability at Brighton last season and will have to be watched closely at the Hawthorns.

Ex-Huddersfield right-back Pipa joined on loan from Bulgarian club Ludogorets.

West Brom, who finished one place and two points behind Millwall last season, beat Swansea City and Middlesbrough 3-2 and 4-2 respectively at home.

But they did lose to Huddersfield Town in their last game at The Hawthorns, proving Carlos Corberan's side can be got at on home turf.

The win at Boro and the draw at Birmingham suggests Millwall do have it in them to turn up away from home and grab results this season.

And a run of positive results would suit Gary Rowett nicely to relieve some pressure from an expectant fan base who want their side challenging for a play-off spot again.

The Lions have frequently lacked a spark this season and on Saturday will face a man who spent years relishing his

role as the man who could get bums off seats at The Den. Jed Wallace will face his former club for the third time since leaving for West Brom in the summer of 2022.

Millwall have a decent record against the West Midlands side in recent years with the Lions having only lost two of their last nine versus the Baggies and unbeaten in their last four trips to The Hawthorns.

MATCH DETAILS

Possible Millwall starting XI: 3-4-1-2

Bialkowski; Leonard, Cooper, Wallace; NortonCuffy, Mitchell, De Norre, Longman; Flemming; Bradshaw, Nisbet.

Last meeting:

Championship , April 1, 2023 West Brom 0-0 Millwall

INSIDE

Sport Southwark

lionesses beaten in derby page 29

Sarkic out for three months

Millwall boss Gary Rowett watched his team come unstuck against Leeds

By Kiro Evans gaRy Rowett has revealed his frustration after injuries continued to disrupt millwall's start to the season.

Rowett wants his 'honest' players to fight back after Leeds loss

no more mr nice guys ExcluSivE

By Kiro Evans

gaRy Rowett believes his players were "too honest" during the game against leeds united and said he is open to them "manipulating situations" to benefit the team.

The Lions lost 3-0 to the Whites after being hit on the counter-attack repeatedly, leading to Joel Piroe's brace and one strike from Georginio Rutter.

Fans were left aggrieved at the opening goal which saw Piroe deemed to have not fouled Nisbet in the build-up to his strike.

But from there the visitors kept the home side at arm's length and took the three points from The Den. Asked about Millwall's impressive disciplinary record, with no players sent off in their last 124 league games up to and including Leeds, Rowett said: "There were

times against Leeds where I actually felt we were maybe too honest.

"And I think sometimes it's a difficult thing when you put out a team of players with good characters that want to play the game in the right way.

"Maybe we have to look at that, maybe we have to look at manipulating situations for our own benefit. And of course, you have to do that cleverly within the games but I do think at times the players are actually too honest.

"But look if that reflects and manifests itself into good discipline within the team than that's great. Hopefully that continues."

The defeat was Millwall's fifth home defeat in their last six games and the loss would have stung even more given the club's rivalry with Leeds.

After a few days of reflection Rowett said there were things to build on from the performance to help energise Millwall.

The Lions boss said: "I felt were a little bit unlucky to be 1-0 down after 60 minutes.

But when you start getting into those latter stages of the game, 70,75 [minutes], you have to go for it, we have to accept we're 1-0 down and we have to chase the game.

By chasing the game against a good side like that, you run the risk of being open.

"And of course, when you lose the game 3-0 that shapes the perspective on the game. I think there's things we need to do better, there's things we need to do more consistently, but I thought there are some things, particularly in the first half, that we did quite well that we need to now build on."

Rowett said he remains focused on trying to improve the team and push his squad forward amid some unease in the fanbase over Millwall's stuttering start to the campaign.

He said: "As a football fan, you want your

Go to newsatden.co.uk for the report and reaction from Millwall's Championship clash against Rotherham United on Wednesday night

team to be winning games and we set a precedent that this team has been up and around the top six for four years so, of course, fans rightly so are going to want us to be in the top six, however realistic that is to our budget and our infrastructure.

"But as far as I'm concerned, as a manager my job is to try and win games of football. It's everybody else's job to speculate as to whether someone else could do a better job. It's everyone else's job to speculate whether the club need to make a change. That's not my concern, that's not my job.

"My job is to win games of football and try and put a smile on fans' faces. And if we lose 3-0, I don't expect them to be going home particularly happy, just like I'm not. I'm not going home and saying 'oh, it doesn't really affect me.' Of course it does.

It's day to day, we work hard and we want to win games of football."

Goalkeeper Matija Sarkic is expected to be out for 12 weeks, the club have revealed, after he sustained a quad injury that forced him to pull out of international duty.

Bartosz Bialkowski is expected to continue on in goal.

Club captain Shaun Hutchinson is also out while George Honeyman has been sidelined since picking up an injury in the opening game of preseason against Gillingham.

Joe Bryan and Casper De Norre have also had knocks in the opening weeks of the season.

Rowett said: "It's very frustrating but that's the life of a manager and the life of a football club. We've worked hard to get people available and build a squad that we think can be really competitive.

"I think we've got the smallest squad in the division or the equal smallest squad in the division so of course when you run that small you can't afford four-five key injuries and that's been the disappointment so far.

"We've struggled a little bit with that continuity, we've struggled to keep that same back five. We've struggled to keep that same team and just build.

"I've been at the stage of a season like this before where I haven't made one change in six games. At the moment I've made a lot of changes and that's partly down to results as well. But I think continuity is something that you have to get and let players build a little bit of confidence in their performances and that's certainly something that's in the back of my mind.

"What we need to start doing is getting a consistent team, a consistent line-up if we can and hopefully, we get consistent results with it."

Matija Sarkic is expected to be out for 12 weeks THE RECYCLED PAPER CONTENT OF UK NEWSPAPERS IN 2014 WAS 83.5%