Southwark News - December 14th 2023

Issue 1664

Established: 1987

50p

December 14th 2023

southwarknews.co.uk

couRt heaRs of accuseD's mental health issues befoRe thRee geneRations of same family weRe killeD

lions boss has plan of action See sport Page 13

'knifeman taking mDma in builD up to blooDbath'

campaigneRs call foR moRe public toilets

DiD king chaRles 1 haVe a taste foR peckham See page 4 melons?

STRESSED

Don't suffer alone

HOME REPAIRS?

0800 098 2791 or

ABOUT YOUR

HELPING COUNCIL & HOUSING ASSOCIATION TENANTS

Nuovo Law Limited is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in respect of regulated claims management. Permission number 837714. It is possible to make a claim yourself through the Housing Ombudsman Service.

History page 22 Fast tracking repairs for: Council Tenants

Leaseholders

Social Housing Tenants

Damp & Mould

Rotten Windows & Doors

Leaks

Structural Issues

Rodents

Ventiliation Issues

Text REPAIRS to 60777

2 NEWS Contents NEWS Pages 2-17 opinion Pages 18-19

'Relief' for Dulwich primary after council u-turns on bollard plan

By Isabel Ramirez

arts Pages 20-21 HISTORY Page 22 PROPERTY Page 23 Classified Page 24 Public notices Pages 25-27 SPORT Pages 28-32

Contact us if you have a story on 07973175511 or email

Bessenger Grange Primary School declared victory after their mission to stop the council from getting rid of the bollards outside their school was successful.

In 2018, the collapsible metal bollards, which are manually erected from the ground during opening and closing hours to stop cars from driving directly outside the school, were installed by the council as part of the school streets scheme.

Southwark Council had planned to remove the bollards in January next year, and switch to using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to restrict traffic instead a proposal which caused uproar amongst parents, teachers and pupils at the school who feared it would lead to 'children getting harmed.'

However, after meeting with the school they decided to reverse this decision.

Councillor James McAsh, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency, Clean Air and Streets: "We had a productive meeting and after careful consideration, we’ve made a mutual decision to keep the bollards on the school street."

Bessenger Grange Primary sits on one of eighteen school streets in Southwark, where motor traffic is restricted to improve road safety and reduce the impact of air pollution.

Emily Carter, who has two children at the school said she was 'relieved.'

editor@southwarknews .co.uk

“We are all relieved that Southwark Council has reversed its decision in response to the campaign by parents and the school. It was bizarre to announce the removal of such popular road safety measures and this feels like a victory for common sense and the safety of our children."

Chair of Southwark Liberal Democrats,

Richard Wingfield, who was helping to raise awareness of the campaign, said: "We're relieved that the council has reversed its decision and that these important safety measures will remain in place.

"But we should never have been in this position in the first place. A failure to properly

By Isabel Ramirez

know if their son, who has cerebral palsy, would survive - but after he received 'life-saving treatment,' he could go home six weeks later.

Dad Jamie said: "They were amazing - and always went that step further to make a worrying time better. Alfie was in the hospital for my birthday and Father’s Day, and the NICU nurses made me cards with his little handprints.” Now his parents say Alfie is 'incredibly cheeky,' and loves to swim and cheer on his football team, Crystal Palace.

Mum, Casey said: “Although he’s not able to

'Evelina Hospital saved our Alfie's life' The family of a young Crystal Palace fan, who spent the first six weeks of his life in intensive care at Evelina London, is thanking the hospital for saving their son's life.

We are a London Living Wage employer

Six-year-old Alfie didn't breathe for twenty minutes after he was born and was blue-lighted to the neonatal intensive care unit known as NICU, at the hospital in Waterloo.

His parents, Casey and Jamie, said they didn't

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MILLWALL

Issue 1663

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

Established: 1987

50p

December 7th 2023

southwarknews.co.uk

COUNCIL DEFENDS £11.5M TRAFFIC WARDEN AND CAMERA CONTRACT PG 10

'SERIOUS FAILINGS'

STRESSED

Don't suffer alone

HOME REPAIRS?

0800 098 2791 or

HELPING COUNCIL & HOUSING ASSOCIATION TENANTS

Sport

Bed bug cases soar by 40%

See page 17

EXCLUSIVE

Nuovo Law Limited is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in respect of regulated claims management. Permission number 837714. It is possible to make a claim yourself through the Housing Ombudsman Service.

HUTCH: GIVE NEW BOSS TIME TO BUILD SYSTEM

See page 10

Council staff suspended and fraud inquiry may be launched after estate works go £4.2m over budget and two years behind schedule - see page 7 ABOUT YOUR

consult with people on decisions that affect their lives has become a hallmark of Southwark Council under Labour. In future, the council and Cabinet members need to be far more transparent with residents about their proposals and work with, rather than against, local communities."

'MEAN-SPIRITED' PERSON LEAVING THUMBTACKS IN BERMONDSEY CYCLE LANE Fast tracking repairs for: Council Tenants

Leaseholders

Social Housing Tenants

Damp & Mould

Rotten Windows & Doors

Leaks

Structural Issues

Rodents

Ventiliation Issues

Text REPAIRS to 60777

talk, he’s learnt how to communicate through different noises, so we know when he’s happy, excited or sad. He’s just amazing.”

He is the star of Evelina London's Christmas campaign - 'Evelina Incredibles' which is raising funds so the hospital can continue to support families and staff. This includes funding training for play specialists to help reduce anxiety for children ahead of procedures, innovative equipment, and providing wellbeing zones for team members to rest. To donate to the campaign go to evelinacharity.org.uk/christmas-donate/

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.

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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

© Southwark Council planning documents

NEWS 3

New Year's Day parade is back!

Existing Doubletree Docklands Pier in Rotherhithe

By Isabel Ramirez

The london new year's day Parade (lnydP) will return on January 1st 2024 and Southwarkbased charity, Carnaval del Pueblo, is offering the chance to win two tickets - worth £150 each.

Thames Clippers boat

By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter london Could become home to the UK’s first fully electric ferry service. The zero emissions boat would transport passengers across the Thames between Canary Wharf and rotherhithe.

The Thames Clippers service would run on renewables and replace the company’s current diesel ferry between the two destinations. Rotherhithe’s existing pier would be demolished

RotheRhithe eyeD foR uk’s fiRst fully electRic feRRy seRVice

and replaced with a brand new pier, including a new pontoon, under the proposals brought forward by a group of developers led by Thames Clippers.

Plans to redevelop the pier have been submitted to Southwark Council.

Separate plans to make minor alterations to Canary Wharf Pier to accommodate the new service have been submitted to Tower Hamlets Council.

The project would boost the capacity of each ferry from 100 passengers and five bikes to 150 passengers and 100

bikes on each crossing. The service would continue to run at around 15 minute intervals between 6am and 11:30pm.

There are currently 158 ferry crossings between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe every day, with 79 departing from each respective pier.

The journey between the two locations takes three minutes on average.

Thames Clippers has won grant funding for the project from the government. Subject to Southwark Council and Tower Hamlets Council

approving the pier plans, the new ferry service should be in operation by February 2025.

Transport for London (TfL) previously intended to build a footbridge connecting Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf, but the plans were scrapped in 2019 over costs. Local Liberal Democrat councillor Adam Hood branded the ferry proposals “second rate”. He said: “A footbridge would provide a convenient and free way to get across the river for locals. Residents now have to settle for an expensive and inefficient ferry.”

Kennedy Street Presents

The LNYDP has been running for the last three decades and Carnaval Del Pueblo is the official Latin American partner.

Last year, they fundraised to get a marching band from El Salvador over to perform in the parade and hosted them here in Southwark.

In addition, every London borough gets the chance to enter - and each will compete for a prize pot totalling forty thousand pounds for their mayor’s selected charities.

Ten have successfully submitted entries – including Southwark. The entry 'Southwark’s Cultural Kaleidoscope,' - which parade organisers called 'spectacular' - celebrates the mix of cultures thriving in this borough.

Each prize includes two seats in the VIP grandstand (opens from 11am) with highend bathroom facilities; two VIP goody bags (containing a flag, blanket, running order and hand warmers); every VIP seat is located within the TV Finale Area to watch the best performances live and from the best location along the Parade route and access to the VIP Street Food Village.

All money raised will go to Carnaval del Pueblo Asociación, to support them in delivering their annual free music festival in Burgess Park. Enter the prize draw via crowdfunder.co.uk.

NATHAN CARTER AND HIS BAND LIVE 2024

FRI 15 MARCH

CROYDON fairfield.co.uk

www.nathancartermusic.com

www.kennedystreet.com

4 NEWS

Bipolar knifeman 'taking MDMA' in the days before 'bloodbath' court hears By court reporter

A man who knifed three generations of the same family to death had been taking MDMA in the days before the savage killings, a court heard on Tuesday.

Joshua Jacques, 29, is accused of murdering girlfriend Samantha Drummonds, 27, her mother Tanysha Ofori-Afuffo, 45, her grandmother Dolet Hill, 64 and Ms Hill’s husband, chef Denton Burke, 58.

The 'bloodbath' took place at Mr Burke’s and Ms Hill’s home on Delaford Road, Bermondsey, in the early hours of 25 April last year.

Hours before the killings Ms Drummond had phoned her best friend several times to raise concerns about Jacques’ mental state, the Old Bailey has heard.

In a voice note she said: 'Josh is basically getting to the point where he could basically have an episode, like I don’t know what’s triggered him.'

Giving evidence pychiatrist Dr Raman Deo was asked about Jacques' mental state at the time of the stabbings.

He said: ‘There is sufficient evidence to suggest that Mr Jacques was suffering from abnormality of mental function. ‘(He had) bipolar disorder that substantially impaired his ability to make a judgement. He was also unable to exercise self-control, which resulted in the eventual stabbings of the victims.

‘It is highly unlikely but for his mental state that the killings would have occurred.

Jacques had been diagnosed with Bipolar type one disorder, which produced manic, psychotic symptoms.

The episodic mood disorder, which led to hypo-manic episodes or symptoms was likely to have been at least somewhat affected by Jacques’ cannabis intake.

Jacques had also been taking MDMA, a form of ecstasy, in the days prior to the deaths.

‘I am satisfied that this man would have matched the criteria for bipolar affected disorder with psychotic symptoms.

‘It was noted he appeared somewhat sedated by prescribed medication.'

Dr Deo said on the balance of probabilities Jacques was suffering

Joshua Jacques' girlfriend Samantha Drummonds

Joshua Jacques (Facebook)

from mental health issues 'and it did significantly impair his judgement on the night in question.

‘It is my view, he was manic and paranoid on a number of issues.

‘My opinion is that on balance the abnormality of mental function arising from bipolar disorder would have been a significant factor in the killings.

‘In the days and weeks prior to the killings, he was experiencing reduced sleep, paranoia and other symptoms indicating a possible relapse of his bipolar disorder.

‘Bipolar disorder is a recognised medical condition, I do not believe at the current time, there is evidence to suggest there is any other medical condition in this case.’

Ms Ofori-Akuffo was a qualified nurse while her mother Ms Hill had worked as a housekeeping assistant at Guy's and St Thomas's hospital in Westminster for 21 years before retiring in 2018.

Jacques, of Minard Road, Lewisham, has admitted four counts of manslaughter but denies four counts of murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility The trial continues...

Tanysha OforiAkuffo

VICTIMS: Dolet Hill and Denton Burke

MP Neil Coyle accuses Southwark Council of 'withholding' report on Kirby Estate's widely-criticised £1.3 million window refurbishment

By Herbie Russell

Local MP Neil Coyle has accused Southwark Council of withholding a building report looking into whether a Bermondsey estate’s £1.3 million window refurbishment was faulty.

The Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP claimed the council had failed to share the report with himself and Kirby Estate residents despite having “promised” to do so.

In a letter addressed to Southwark councillor Ian Wingfield, Coyle said he believed residents had been “let down multiple times”.

He called on Cllr Wingfield, chair of Southwark Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to review the debacle at a committee meeting.

A copy of Mr Coyle’s letter shared with this paper, said: “I have been in communication with estate residents for three years and believe they have been let down multiple times, including in recent commitments by council officers and councillors to ensure information was shared.”

The Labour MP continued: “Kirby Estate residents deserve to be able to access information regarding their homes and have been waiting some time for reasonable questions to be answered.

“It is my concern that information within the report should have been acted on to ensure repairs and works to ‘make good’ the window fittings could have been undertaken before this winter.”

Kirby Estate residents have long claimed that poorly fitted windows, installed in

2020, are to blame for cold draughts and black mould growth.

While the council accepted there could be issues “relating to the quality” of window fittings, it said there’s no evidence they’re causing the damp and mould.

In 2020, a contractor authorised by FENSA – the regulatory body for window fittings – approved the installation.

But in 2022, an inspection by International Glass Associates found various problems with the windows, including locks not engaging, missing fixings and sashes not fitting frames.

It also identified damp and mould issues but blamed tenants. It said that some residents’ rooms were “ extremely cluttered” and another had put their “bed against the window”.

Following an impassioned speech by

Kirby resident Marta Prieto at Council Assembly on July 12, Southwark Council pledged to reinspect the windows and discuss its findings with residents around August.

But roughly three months later, residents are still waiting to see the report.

Marta Prieto said: “Winter is just around the corner and the mould is back. All the MP Neil Coyle in his constituency office flats that were clean and lovely in the summer are now black again. Right now I'm sitting by my window and I can feel the breeze.”

In a briefing paper shared with this paper, Southwark Council wrote: "In reference to Kirby Estate specifically, the windows were of a very high spec and the issues with ventilation are being addressed."

No response was given to MP Coyle's claims about withholding the report.

Mould gathering above a window

NEWS 5

Damp in the bathroom of Isatu Raschid\'s flat in Devon Mansions

By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter A Bermondsey woman’s plants all died after her flat was covered in what has been described as a “prison of scaffolding” during a council’s £4 million over budget building works.

Karen O’Toole said she couldn’t understand why construction workers sent by Southwark Council left the scaffolding, which was covered in dark blue awning, up outside her apartment complex in Bermondsey for over a year in 2021.

She was one of at least several residents of Devon Mansions on Tooley Street who had serious concerns about the management of the five-storey building’s refurbishment which snowballed in cost from just under £6 million to £10 million.

Works to the building were scheduled to take 13 months but ended up dragging on for over three years. The council awarded the contract for the works to Equans, with calfordseadon given responsibility for

Damp in Isatu Raschid\'s flat in Devon Mansions

managing the project.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) on Tuesday (December 5), Ms O’Toole said: “The scaffolding was up all throughout lockdown. The scaffolding was up for well over a year. They put this blue stuff over it and you could see [it] was blue. My plants all died because there was no light. I don’t know what happened to the £10 million.

Where has that money gone? Nobody knows what’s going on.”

Ms O’Toole, who has lived in the block for 20 years, added that residents had been promised new kitchens as part of the works to the block, but these had never materialised. David Quirke-Thornton, the council’s interim strategic director for housing, last week apologised to residents for failings in the project and revealed some staff involved in the works had already been suspended. He told a scrutiny meeting on November 29 that the council may have to launch fraud investigations, as well as take court action to recover costs from contractors involved

Photos by Robert Firth

WOMAN’S PLANTS DIED AFTER BUILDING COVERED IN SCAFFOLDING

Devon Mansions on Tooley Street

in the works.

Ina Negoita, a Devon Mansions resident, told the same meeting that the council had ignored every single piece of evidence she had presented it with over months outlining concerns about the works. She said: “This project has run £4.2 million overspend without a single control from Southwark. Southwark has handed a completely blank cheque to its contractors and also to its consultants.

We’ve been in a prison of scaffolding for almost three years.”

Ms Negoita said she had compiled dozens of photos of builders smoking on the scaffold, which was made of wood.

Construction workers had “minimum” protective gear, she added, claiming that none of the workers had helmets, harnesses or protective shoes.

She said three cleaners allocated to the site had a single mop and dustpan between them. Meanwhile, residents suffered from a three-year-long rat and pigeon infestation, Ms Negoita added.

One resident was even allegedly

assaulted by a scaffolder and her car damaged, Ms Negoita told the meeting.

When the woman told a member of council staff about the incident, she was told to “take a bucket of water to clean the car,” Ms Negoita claimed.

When the LDRS visited Devon Mansions on December 7, resident Isatu Raschid, 50, said there were so many rats around, she couldn’t open her bathroom window otherwise the rodents would sneak into her flat. She said: “I can’t open the bathroom window because rats come through. When the front door breaks we have rats coming into the building. They go upstairs and downstairs. I have to call the neighbours who have to come down and chase them out with a stick. I’ve got a disability and I can’t take any more stress.”

Ms Raschid added that she had been trying to get the council to deal with damp problems in the flat for over a year without success. Victor Chamberlain, leader of Southwark’s Liberal Democrat opposition, said members of the council’s Labour leadership needed to be held

accountable for the failings.

Councillor Chamberlain, member for Borough and Bankside, said: “Southwark’s housing department is rotten. Last month I demanded a root and branch review.

Since then staff have had to be sacked and suspended. There are criminal allegations of fraud and assault, and residents are treated with contempt and have been kept in the dark.”

Councillor Darren Merrill, cabinet member for council homes, apologised to residents and said an investigation into the failings was ongoing. He said: “The council had previously taken up residents’ concerns and had received assurances that things were being put right. However following our further investigations and in the light of the further evidence gathered by residents it is clear that failures have continued.

We will be ensuring the work that has gone wrong is put right and will be fully investigating how this project got to such a place, so we can ensure such failings cannot happen again.”

Jay Bent on the Brandon estate in December 2023

would make much difference to the housing situation in Southwark due to what was happening in other parts of the borough.

The 32-year-old, who now lives on the Brandon estate, said: “There are a lot of other places they can be knocking down and rebuilding with fewer homes.

“They [the council] are making such a song and dance about how many council homes they are building. But they are not including in the amount they’ve sold off or knocked down. If you included them, it would be in a deficit. It would be a whole lot less.”

While the Brandon estate now looks unlikely to follow the fate of Walworth’s other large estates and go under the wrecking ball like the Heygate and Aylesbury, it remains to be seen whether it can clean up its image. Only in July, four teenagers were stabbed following reports of a knife fight there But on a sunny winter’s afternoon on the Brandon estate, such reports are the last thing on people’s minds. As one woman tells me as she walks back to her flat: “Things aren’t perfect here but what’s the alternative? They knock it down like the Heygate and we move where? I’ll stick with imperfect thanks.”

Rare bus shelter on protected list - see page 16

By Robert Firth

Local Democracy Reporter residents have heaped praise on the decision to protect an estate once notorious for gangland murders from the bulldozer – arguing it’s a good place to live. The Brandon estate in Walworth was added to Southwark’s Local List on Tuesday (December 5) – a record of over 2,000 buildings in the borough that are important to the area’s history.

Its inclusion on the list makes it less likely that the estate, which was built in 1958, will be bulldozed or redeveloped in the future. One person who nominated the estate praised its six 18-storey towers for their “elongated balcony provision with great views and access to outdoor space.”

It represents a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for the Brandon estate, which the Evening Standard described as “blighted by violent crime” as recently as 2018, after two members of the Moscow17 drill group were killed within months of each other near the estate.

Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton, 17, (known as GB) from the Brandon estate was shot dead on the corner of John Ruskin Street and Camberwell New Road in May 2018.

Cameron Long on the Brandon estate, Walworth in December 2023.

Three months later, Siddique Kamara, 23, (known as Incognito) was fatally stabbed on Warham Street.

But on a bright chilly afternoon on Wednesday, December 6, not a single local resident brought up the estate’s history of violence when asked about their thoughts on the council giving it special protection.

Jay Bent, a former resident of the nearby Aylesbury estate who now lives next to the Brandon estate, said he supported the principle of protecting social housing.

Photos by Robert Firth

Gang killings estate given protection from bulldozer

The 41-year-old said: “I think it’s a good thing. It’s social housing and it’s cheaper rent. If they demolish them, it never works out as good.

“I used to live on the Aylesbury estate and where they moved us is not as good.

When I was on the Aylesbury a lot of things were included in the rent like the heating, which is not the case now.”

Brandon estate resident Diane, who declined to give her surname, agreed – but admitted some buildings on the estate

were ageing and needed updating.

She said: “I think it’s a great idea because it’s social housing. That’s what we need.

They could do with fixing it up though.

The green space is well used too. My local church uses it for classes for children in the summer and there are events on it, which is really good.

“The biggest problem is with the heating and hot water. And the water pressure is awful. You can’t get a decent shower. The stairs are very slippery in the winter and a few people have fallen over because of the conditions. It’s a good place to live otherwise.”

But Cameron Long, who was born on the former nearby Heygate estate that was demolished over a decade ago, said he doubted protecting the Brandon estate

6 NEWS

By Herbie Russell

CamPaigners are pushing for Peckham Rye Station’s recently restored victorian waiting room to get special protected status.

Local community group Peckham Vision wants the Old Waiting Room - where Victorian commuters once played billiards and rested between journeys - to become an asset of community value (ACV) If approved by Southwark Council, ACV status would offer the space better protection against private development and increase its chances of remaining in public hands.

Eileen Conn, chair of Peckham Vision, wrote to Southwark Council: “The Old Waiting Room in itself has social interest from an architectural and historical perspective, which its grade-II listing is testament to. It is a beautiful room demonstrating the best in Victorian design.

“The local community can visit and be transported back to the lives of those who lived and worked in Peckham over 150 years ago.”

To gain ACV status, applicants must prove the building is being used to further the community’s social well-being.

Since being officially reopened to the public last summer, the space has hosted

By Herbie Russell

souThWarK CounCil’s leader has been forced to backtrack on his claim that weapons were being found in a Walworth park on a near “daily basis”.

Cllr Kieron Williams was trying to justify destroying flowers in Nursery Row Park by saying weapons were being concealed in the plants, at Council Assembly last month.

But police have since told the News just one hidden knife had been found in the park since April 2022.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Jane Salmon, who raised the issue at Council Assembly, said the council’s “flimsy justification for this act of vandalism has been exposed as false”.

Cllr Williams said it was “never my intention to alarm residents” but that he’d wanted to “stress the urgent need” to keep park visitors safe.

Speaking at Council Assembly on November 22, Cllr Williams said: “I know there’s been a lot of intensive work around Nursery Road [sic] and there have been a very large number of weapons being found in the park.

“That bit has reduced, and I appreciate other issues haven’t, but there were a very large number of weapons they were finding, on a daily basis almost, I’m told.”

A Southwark Council spokesperson has since confirmed that the statement was inaccurate.

Cllr Kieron Williams has now said: “It was never my intention to alarm residents but to stress the urgent need for measures to keep park visitors safe at the time, including clear view for our CCTV." He added that there'd been "no reports" of weapons being found since the pruning works were carried out.

Police have now said that officers from the North Walworth Safer Neighbourhood Team, alongside Southwark Council wardens, regularly weapon sweeps the park for weapons.

A Met Police spokesperson said its records indicated that “one hidden knife” had been found and confiscated by

© Benedict O'Looney

peckham Rye station's VictoRian waiting Room coulD get pRotection against pRiVate DeVelopment

Peckham Rye Station Restoration Project View from the signal box, circa 1870

The Old Waiting Room art exhibitions, community workshops, historical talks and more.

In May, it hosted artist Sarah Sze’s exhibition ‘The Waiting Room’ a combination of light and sculpture that got rave reviews from critics.

Grade-II listed Peckham Rye Station

was built in 1865 by renowned Victorian architect Charles Henry Driver.

While the entire station is celebrated for its architectural merit, the Old Waiting Room has truly captured the public imagination.

Designed in the French Second Empire

council backtracks on leader's claim that weapons were found on a near 'daily basis' in walworth park Nursery Row Park before and after the flower walkway was destroyed

officers since April 2022.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Jane Salmon said: “The council leader’s flimsy justification offered for this act of vandalism has been exposed as false and it seems Southwark Labour have no actual solutions for the anti-social behaviour that is ruining some of our beloved parks.

“We need more community wardens using the full powers available to them to protect our parks from crime.”

Southwark Council decided to remove a host of social amenities from its park in

Style, it has a vast vaulted roof and imposing iron beams.

In its heyday, it would have been adorned with large gas chandeliers, a plaster ceiling and four crackling fireplaces.

After 1962, it was left abandoned and forgotten for decades. But in 2009,

Heartwarming evening of Christmas carols to be held at St John's Church Waterloo

By Herbie Russell sT John’s Church in Waterloo is hosting a heartwarming evening of Christmas carols this weekend.

Council Leader Kieron Williams

a bid to tackle the scourge of anti-social behaviour last summer.

In Nursery Row Park, officers destroyed a flower walkway that volunteers had spent ten years growing with £10,000 council funding.

Police had advised the council to remove the plants as they were blocking CCTV sight lines.

Southwark Council has since reaffirmed that this, and not the presence of concealed weapons, was the reason for removing the plants.

Editorial - page 19

Peckham architect Benedict O’Looney embarked on a loving restoration of the building supported by Network Rail, the Railway Heritage Trust and Southwark Council.

According to Peckham Vision, Southwark Council hasn’t responded to its submission yet even though the deadline was on October 23.

A council spokesperson said: “The ACV panel has met and asked for comments from the site owner about the current use of the building. Their response is currently being reviewed by the panel and a decision will be made shortly.

Visitors will be treated to traditional festive songs and special choral performances from 4.30pm, on Sunday, December 17.

The event hopes to raise £1,500 for two local community projects - Coin Street and Room For You - which help combat loneliness and isolation all year round.

Reverend Giles Goddard, Vicar at St. John’s Waterloo, said: “Christmas is a time of hope, joy and to think of others. I am delighted to welcome the community to St John’s, to sing together and rejoice, and show my support for two worthy causes.”

At the service, St John's Church Choir, Coin Street Community Singers, and Take

Note Singers will unite to present a full repertoire of Christmas favourites.

Afterwards, attendees are invited to linger and enjoy stalls and holiday treats like mince pies and mulled wine.

Funds raised will support local organisation Room For You, which offers English language classes, art and creativity workshops and counselling to service users.

Proceeds will also go towards Coin Street’s community singing group, where people socialise and protect their mental health through song.

While admission is free, attendees are encouraged to contribute a suggested donation of £10 per adult. Book now at: https://www. ticketsource.co.uk/stjohnswaterloo/ christmas-carols-by-candlelight-at-stjohn-s-waterloo/2023-12-17/17:00/ t-pqkvkkj

A candlelit evening of Christmas magic will be held at St John's, Waterloo

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8 NEWS

new 'supeRmaRket' opens in cambeRwell wheRe you can get £25 woRth of gRoceRies foR a fiVeR

By Isabel Ramirez

purchase about £25 worth of food, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products.

Membership is completely free and open to anyone getting an eligible benefit or on low income.

Felicia Boshorin, the CEO of Spring Community Hub explained: “We will continue to offer crisis support through our food bank where necessary but this will offer more choice and dignity to the people we serve.

a neW 'supermarket' has opened in Camberwell where low-income families who sign up can get £25 worth of groceries for a fiver.

Spring Community Hub, a charity known for its food bank and free holiday clubs, opened the Spring Social Supermarket on its new premises last week - The Hub. For £5, members will be able to

Warm Space - where people can go to have a coffee and chat during the day to avoid putting the heating on at home.

The Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Michael Situ, and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Kieron Williams cut the ribbon to open the new space located on Vestry Road.

The new pantry will join other similar schemes, where members pay a small subscription fee for groceries worth more to help them save money during

By Isabel Ramirez one hundred and fifty residents got to see the pantomime for free thanks to the annual tradition of a tenants' and residents' association (Tra) in Bermondsey.

Last week, Christmas came

early when Cherry Garden TRA took the group of residents to see 'Snow White' at Greenwich Theatre - free of charge.

Sheila Taylor, who is on the TRA, said it's something they have done every year since 2017 - using the money they get from renting out the community hall.

the cost of living crisis, in Bermondsey (Love North Southwark), Peckham (Peckham Pantry) and St Giles' Trust in Camberwell.

The Hub is located at 86-88 Vestry Road, SE5 8PQ. You can register in person or contact Spring Community Hub on 07901 617189.

Spring Social Supermarket is open 4 days a week - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10am to 2pm.

Free mulled wine and face painting at Peckham indoor market

By Isabel Ramirez a sTreeT food market in Peckham is offering free mulled wine and face painting to families to kick-off Christmas.

© Google Street View

Residents treated to the pantomime by estate group

"We want our members to enjoy the dignity of choosing their own shopping and we want them to be able to put a culturally appropriate, healthy meal together.

She added: "We are working towards a future where food banks are no longer needed."

As well as the supermarket, The Hub will allow them to continue with their food and clothes bank, as well as embark on their new ventures such as being a

"What's brilliant about the pantomime is that it attracts all ages," she told us, "from grandparents to babies on laps.

"Everybody enjoys the excitement, the singing and dancing, laughter and surprises - it's a lovely, happy family event."

"We nearly half-fill the

theatre!" she commented.

The theatre-goers come from their TRA and the whole surrounding area, which she said 'creates a great community spirit.'

As well as the yearly trip to the pantomime, they also give forty local pensioners a £50 Tesco gift voucher using the

rest of the hall's earnings.

"We decide who to allocate those to by asking in our newsletter for people to put themselves or their neighbours forward."

She added that the tokens are very appreciated - with people grateful for an extra £50 at Christmastime.

Market Place Peckham is holding 'Festive Sip and Paint' sessions at their venue to celebrate the days before Christmas, along with all other Market Place venues across the capital.

On Thursday 21 and Friday 22 December there will be free mulled wine for adults at the indoor market on Rye Lane. To keep the children entertained there will be face painting and gift giveaways - all free of charge.

It all works on a first-come-firstserve basis and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

The market hosts a variety of popup food stalls with a cuisine for all tastes. Get down there before it's too late.

Where? Market Place Peckham, Unit 10, The Aylesham Centre, Rye Ln, SE15 5EW When? 12 - 5pm on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd December Admission: Free

NEWS 9

millwall playeRs make young canceR patients smile this chRistmas season

By Isabel Ramirez

millWall fooTBall Club players visited a hospital ward in lewisham to deliver Christmas cheer and gifts to children and adults with cancer.

Last week, players and club staff brought sacks of presents for an afternoon of playing Santa at University Hospital Lewisham (UHL).

Gifts included official club pennants, water bottles and Zampa soft toys as well as the chance to take photos.

One member of staff even treated the Millwall players to a bespoke Millwall Christmas song.

The first stop for the team was the children’s wards, where many young patients undergoing cancer treatment will be spending Christmas. Players also met with adult patients in Suite 8 at UHL which specialises in cancer care.

One of the adult patients they met, Joeseph Tsarigarides, said the visit gave him 'the boost' he needed.

"I was feeling down and was about to call the Macmillan Support Line, but the players walked in and picked me up.

"This visit lifted my spirits," he added, "Thank you, Millwall."

Billy Mitchell, Millwall Midfielder, explained: "Christmas is about giving and spending time with loved ones and some people in hospital haven't got that opportunity at the minute.

"We thought we'd come down and try and raise some spirits, give a bit of Christmas cheer and speak to some of the children and adults alike, give out a few gifts and hopefully put some smiles on their faces."

The Trust Charity is inviting local communities to give a gift to the young patients at University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital who are too ill to go home and spend Christmas with their families.

Donations can include new toys in the original packaging such as baby toys, educational toys, arts and crafts sets, board games and toiletries gift sets. They are unable to accept cuddly toys and ask that anyone donating gifts not wrap them.

Toys can be dropped off at University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s main reception, between 10 am and 3 pm every day until 22 December.

Kevin Nisbet, Romain Esse, Aidomo Emakhu, Billy Mitchell, with patient Colin Travers on children's ward UHL.

10 NEWS

DaD neeDing oVeRseas tReatment foR 'aggRessiVe' bRain canceR Raises £1,200 at beRmonDsey comeDy night

By Herbie Russell a Bermondsey comedy night has raised £1,200 for a man seeking overseas treatment for his “aggressive” brain cancer.

John Greengrass, 68, has a Glioblastoma stage four brain tumour (GBM) but many of the treatment options aren’t available on the NHS. Visitors poured into the London City Runners bar to show their support for the beloved family man and enjoy a night of laughs, on Thursday, December 7.

John, who is from Ingatestone, Essex, wrote: “GBM is very aggressive and has an average survival rate of less than a year, but some patients are able to win the battle if they can afford treatment options overseas that aren’t currently offered by the NHS. “I’m determined to try everything I can to beat this thing and to help broaden the treatment options available for others in the future, which is why my wife, children and I are fundraising to pursue ground-breaking treatment both in the UK and abroad.”

John received the shock diagnosis in October and has already undergone surgery but the cancer that’s spread elsewhere in his brain still needs treatment.

Some of the treatment options have been approved by the NHS but won’t be available until next year.

“Which sadly is too long for me to wait,” John wrote.

So John, his wife Susan, and two children Jennifer and Michael, need to raise £225,000 tow pursue ground-breaking treatment abroad. They have so far raised roughly £19,000.

John, a retired financial advisor, is a muchloved community figure in his Essex home.

He is treasurer of a local railway society,

John Greengrass and his wife Susan chair of a local golf club, loves daily walks with his wife, and is known for making a “mean marmalade”.

The comedy night saw performances from Gbemi, Sophie Zucker and Dane Buckley.

Donate to John's fundraiser and keep track of future fundraising events using this link.

© Dave Benett

Elton John's pioneering AIDS work in Southwark applauded by MPs

Sir Elton John spoke at Speaker's House last month

John’s children Jennifer and Michael Greengrass at the comedy night

By Herbie Russell sir elTon John’s pioneering work tackling HIV and AIDS in Southwark has been applauded by mPs.

His foundation undertook a threeyear pilot in Southwark, Lewisham and Lambeth to see whether optout testing - where blood is tested for HIV during routine A&E care could save lives.

During the trial between 2018 and 2021, over 200 people received a new HIV diagnosis and the government will now expand optout testing to 46 more emergency departments across England.

Sir Elton John, addressing a packed Speaker’s House on November 29, said: “This pioneering approach showed beyond a doubt that optout testing works in A&E. “Automatic testing gets to people earlier, which means less HIV transmission, less illness, less death and by the estimate of health economists, £50 million saved for the NHS.” He also urged the government to restore its full financial commitment to The Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

“Abandoning ending AIDS wouldn’t just be a failure for the 39 million people living with the disease,” Sir Elton John said.

“We should be increasing our commitment to the Global Fund, not cutting it.”

Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, said: “It was amazing to see Sir Elton John acknowledged for his decades of work trying to help people affected

by HIV and AIDS.

“Southwark has a higher prevalence of the conditions than elsewhere but our local community has been part of the pioneering work to tackle HIV. “Sir Elton was incredibly funny but also spoke movingly about why he got involved initially and the work still to do, especially in the face of some countries and some malignant UK politicians whipping up hate against gay people sadly.”

Nationally, an estimated 4,500 people are living with undiagnosed HIV in England.

Lambeth Council previously warned that the rate of undiagnosed HIV in Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark was “extremely high”.

Lambeth and Southwark have the highest and second-highest HIV prevalence rate in England, with 13.7 and 12 people diagnosed per every 1,000.

Sir Elton John also shared his personal reflections on the battle to end the AIDS epidemic. He said: “In the 1990s, I visited far too many homes where people were dying of AIDS. I remember the helpless, suffocating feeling as one after another they succumbed, not knowing if it would ever end.

"These memories are etched on my soul, and they taught me a lot.

I saw, as millions did, images of my friend Princess Diana publicly shake the hand of a man dying of AIDS and realised a simple act of compassion is a force to be reckoned with.”

“My Foundation was born the year after Freddie {Mercury] died.

Spreading love and compassion was our compass. Leaving no one behind was our practice.”

Man arrested after stabbing in Brixton

By Herbie Russell a man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stabbing in Brixton.

Police were called to Loughborough Road shortly before 7pm on Saturday, December 9. A seriously injured nineteen-year-old man was rushed to hospital. His condition has been assessed as life-threatening.

A man was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice after a bicycle was reportedly taken from the scene. He was later further arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The Central South Criminal Investigation Department is currently leading the investigation, supported by local officers.

A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “Police were called to Loughborough Road, SW9 shortly before 19.00hrs on Saturday, 9 December to reports of a stabbing.

“Officers attended along with paramedics from London Ambulance Service (LAS) where they found a 19-year-old man who was seriously injured.

“He was treated at the scene by police and paramedics before being taken to hospital.

His condition has been assessed as lifethreatening.

“A man was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in relation to a bicycle being taken from the scene. He has been further arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

“Detectives from the Met's Central South CID are leading the investigation.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information or any witnesses yet to speak with police to contact them via 101 or @ MetCC on X quoting CAD 5813/9dec.

Southwark News, Thursday December 14 2023

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS NEWS13 11

ADVERTORIAL

Cancer survivor walks 50km to mark 50th anniversary of mum’s death A KEEN walker has hiked a staggering 50km along the River Thames in a single day to fundraise for Guy’s Cancer Charity.

Steve Weiner, 60, has set out to raise £100,000 – one of the biggest fundraising targets of any individual fundraiser for the charity - in memory of his mother, Susan, who passed away from breast cancer when he was just 10 years old.

Steve, who is originally from the US but now lives near Tower Bridge, walked through his adopted hometown of London on 30 November. Starting from Walton-on-Thames, he finished his longest ever walking feat at the front door of Guy’s Cancer Centre. Along the way he was joined by friends and family for support.

Steve’s challenge was inspired by his mum. He said: “It’s 50 kilometres, one to mark each year since she passed, and 31 miles, a mile for every year of her life.”

In 2017, Steve faced his own cancer battle. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer and received treatment at Guy’s Cancer Centre. After successful surgery, Steve has been cancer free for the past 6 years. His daughter, now 28, was named

Steve Weiner

after his mum and has had genetic testing to understand her cancer risk.

“The impact of cancer is deeply personal. Lives, such as mine and my mom’s, were forever shaped by the series of moments that begin with a diagnosis.”

Steve is a former non-executive director at the Trust and joined the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Board of Directors in 2014.

During his 9-year term he ensured that the executive team acted in the best interests of patients and the public, whilst also being a patient himself.

Mr Rick Popert, Steve’s surgeon, said: “In this fundraising challenge Steve is demonstrating yet again his commitment to ensuring patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do. Myself and the team wish him the best of luck.”

Guy’s Cancer Charity supports Guy’s Cancer to transform cancer care through the very latest developments in personalised care. From tailored treatments to the ongoing support of the dedicated clinicians, they help support advances in cancer care.

To support Steve’s fundraising, visit: https://fundraise.guyscancercharity.org. uk/cf/steve-weiner

Tell Guy’s and St Thomas’ who has gone the extra mile GUY’S AND St Thomas’ will be recognising the most outstanding members of staff and the contribution they make at its Trust Awards.

Patients and the public are invited to nominate an individual or team that have gone above and beyond to deliver exceptional patient care or a service.

The awards are open to all staff

You can still protect yourself and your family this winter

from our 5 hospitals and community services. To make a nomination, please complete the form at www. guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/form/ trust-awards or visit one of our onsite PALS offices for a paper form.

The deadline for nominations is midnight on Sunday 17 December 2023. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in March 2024.

FLU AND COVID-19 vaccines are still available at our Francis House vaccination centre at Guy’s hospital. The national booking system closes on 14 December, but you can book an appointment using the Guy’s and St Thomas’

booking system after this date.

It’s important to get your winter vaccinations if you, or someone you care for, are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu and COVID-19.

Vaccines are available to those who are:

• aged 65 or over • have certain health conditions or a learning disability • are pregnant • live with someone who has a weakened immune system • are a carer

We will continue to offer some walk-in appointments but please check online for opening times. Visit www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/ourservices/flu-and-covid-19-vaccinations for further details and to book.

Register now for a place in Nursery or Reception in September 2024 Find out more and apply at www.rosemeadprep.org.uk Dulwich, London SE21 8HZ

NEWS 13

campaigneRs Rally afteR plan foR moRe public toilets 'blockeD' by southwaRk council John McGeachy (far left) and Thelma Purcell (second in from left)

By Isabel Ramirez a grouP of local campaigners is asking for more public toilets in Southwark, with one woman saying there are so few she often can't go out for longer than an hour.

This follows the council's decision to vote against devising a 'public toilet strategy' when asked at last month's council assembly.

The motion, put forward by Liberal Democrat Cllr Rachel Bentley, also asked for there to be 'a named designated officer responsible for its delivery.'

Now, the Loos for Southwark campaign, made up of mainly pensioners in the borough, is demanding action.

Thelma Purcell, a pensioner from

Rotherhithe, told us she joined the campaign because the lack of loos is restricting her daily.

"I drink about a litre of water in the mornings when I wake up," she told us, "so I have to plan any events, activities, and appointments to ensure that I have access to a toilet."

"Journeys cannot be longer than an hour.

Currently, there are over 40 public toilets in Southwark - including 33 maintained by the council, but the group maintain there are not enough.

Thelma commented: "The lack of public toilets for me and others like me, restricts what we can do and how far we can travel without loo provision."

She explained that to avoid needing the toilet when out, she would avoid drinking water and then be dehydrated - an experience shared by many others.

According to research conducted by Age UK London last year (2022), 90 per cent of Londoners have considered public toilet provision before making a journey and over 52 per cent said they sometimes reduce the amount they drink before leaving home.

Following the decision, which campaigners said was 'disappointing' - the group asked to meet with the council to put forward their case and they agreed.

The main ask of the group is that the council set up a Community Toilet Scheme - whereby businesses sign up granting public access to the toilets in their buildings within chosen times.

As well as increasing the number of available toilets, this would also limit the cost of new toilets having to be built.

John McGeachy, Campaigns Manager

for Age UK, said this was not a new idea. "The council actually started plans for the scheme a few years ago," he told us.

In fact, the form is still available on their website for businesses to sign up.

John continued: "You've got Lewisham next door, which runs one of the best community toilet schemes in London - which shows it can work if everyone is on board."

The scheme is run there by Lewisham Local, a community organisation - and as a result, there are significantly more public toilets available in that borough.

John said they haven't got any response about implementing this scheme specifically even though it appeared the council already had plans to start one.

We asked the council what happened to these plans, and why they were

abandoned - but they did not respond before deadline.

John added that in January they are meeting with the Cabinet Officer for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Evelyn Akoto, to continue discussing the borough's toilet provision.

Thelma commented: "We want to see a joined-up approach across all the London Boroughs including the City of London.

Asked what this will mean for residents if no plan is decided, she said it would discourage people from leaving the house - "we either stay at home and our mental and physical health deteriorates or we don't drink enough and suffer from dehydration."

In addition to the toilets on the map, there are also four additional toilets - at Peckham Rye, Denmark Hill, Waterloo and Elephant and Castle (Rail) Station.

ENJOY THE WONDERS OF WINTER SAFELY Look after yourself over winter by practicing self-care and seeking NHS help when you need it.

GENERAL PRACTICE TEAM: Your

W

inter is here. Taking good care of yourself and your loved ones is even more important.

Darker days and cold weather can affect our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Viruses spread more easily; cold and damp weather can worsen existing health problems and make us more vulnerable to respiratory infections.

There are lots of things you can do to help yourself. Eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, getting plenty of good quality sleep and doing activities that make you happy can all help. So can getting your Covid-19 and flu vaccination and continuing with frequent handwashing. Southwark health and care providers continue to work closely together as Partnership Southwark to provide joined up care for people in Southwark.

ML4911 NHS SEL CCG Southwark Vaccine Booster Advertorial Update FIN.indd 1

GET HEALTH ADVICE AND SUPPORT WHEN YOU NEED IT SELF-CARE FIRST: If you have a cough or cold, hangover, graze, or an upset stomach you can treat the symptoms at home. In fact, staying at home and getting plenty of rest is the best place for you.

GP surgery team includes GPs, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, social prescribers, paramedics and physiotherapists. You’ll be seen by the most appropriate team member for your needs to help you get fast and effective care. To contact your GP surgery, you can call the surgery or sign up to use free, online services through the NHS App. In the NHS App, you can view and manage appointments, conveniently order repeat prescriptions, view your GP test results, and quickly check symptoms. Read more about the NHS App at www.nhs.uk. Your GP surgery will get you the right help quickly if it is urgent.

This may include an appointment out of hours through the local Extended Primary Care Services or at another local NHS service.

NHS 111: If you need urgent advice outside of GP hours, go to NHS 111 online to find out how to get the right healthcare in Southwark, including whether you need to see a GP or seek urgent care. If you don’t have the internet, call 111 to speak to a trained advisor.

The service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

PHARMACY: Pharmacists are highly skilled and qualified healthcare professionals who are readily available in the community to answer questions about common health problems. You don’t need an appointment, and many are open late. If symptoms suggest it is something serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example, they will tell you if you need to see a GP, nurse, or other healthcare professional. Find out about the Pharmacy First scheme in Southwark at selondonics.org/ PharmacyFirst-Southwark

UTCs (urgent treatment centres): UTCs provide medical help for minor injuries and nonlife-threatening emergencies like breaks and sprains, wound dressing, or an X-ray. Read more about when to visit an urgent treatment centre (walk-in centre or minor injury unit) at selondonics.org/ NHS-urgent-treatment-centre

A&E: You should call 999 in a life-threatening emergency only. If you cannot call 999 for any reason, go straight to A&E.

31/10/2023 16:32

NEWS 15

eighteen yeaRs foR posing as moDel scout anD getting inDecent pics of chilDRen

By Herbie Russell

a KenningTon man who posed as a model agency scout to manipulate children into sending indecent photographs has been jailed for eighteen years.

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

He was convicted of 50 counts, including blackmail and child sex offences, at Inner London Crown Court in August, before being sentenced on Thursday, December 7.

One victim, who read an impact statement before the court, said: “Because of what you did to me, I isolated myself from my family and friends for months

Four police officers on restricted duties after 'fight' on the South Bank

because I was disgusted with myself.

“Although I now know deep down that none of this was my fault, I still cannot help blaming myself and feeling some guilt.

“You have made me suffer for four years and I feel that what you did to me will stay with me forever.”

Duncan would approach potential victims via Snapchat and 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.

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

Ishmael Duncan

By Herbie Russell a WesT dulwich who has treated patients with uncommon cancers for 25 years has won an award at 10 downing street.

modelled.

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 while claiming to be a child of a similar age, requesting sexual images and videos.

Duncan blackmailed a 14-year-old girl

Golden Jubilee Bridge

Detectives have “become aware of information” suggesting off-duty police officers were involved in the fight last Friday night (December 1).

Police are now calling for anyone involved - including a group of men believed to be of Romanian heritage to step forward with information.

Officers were called to the bridge

by Royal Festival Hall after receiving reports of people fighting shortly before 11pm on Friday.

A Met Police statement said: “Enquiries were carried out that night and the Met quickly became aware of information suggesting that off-duty

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.

The NCA’s CEOP Education programme supports parents, carers, children and the professionals to ensure young people have safe and positive experiences online.

If someone is threatening a child online, including demanding nude images or money, it’s safest to not respond, and to block and report them to the site and the Police. Under 18 year olds worried about online sexual abuse, including online blackmail, can also report directly to the NCA’s CEOP Safety Centre by visiting www.ceop.police.uk

Police call for witnesses after cyclist dies following lorry collision on the Old Kent Road

Professor Ian Judson was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Prime Minister’s residence on Monday, November 27.

He has dedicated his career to treating patients with sarcoma as Head of the Sarcoma Unit at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea.

Professor Judson has conducted many clinical trials in this area and was a founder member of the British Sarcoma Group, its president until 2015.

“This is a huge honour, and deeply appreciated. I have been involved in sarcoma care since 1991 and the way the field has changed in that time is astonishing,” he said.

Sarcomas are uncommon cancers that can affect any part of the body, on the inside or outside, including the muscle, bone, tendons, blood vessels and fatty tissues. There are around 100 different sub-types of sarcoma cancer.

Health and Secondary Care Minister Andrew Stephenson MP was among those attending the Shining Stars Awards.

The awards ceremony was run

by Sarcoma UK, a national charity funding vital research, of which Professor Judson used to be a board member.

It is the only cancer charity in the UK focusing on all types of sarcoma and has invested more than £5.5 million into 76 research projects to date.

By Herbie Russell

By Herbie Russell four meT Police officers have been placed on restricted duties after reports of a fight on Jubilee Bridge at the South Bank.

Dulwich man gets award at 10 Downing Street after 25 years of cancer treatment work

police officers were involved in the fight.”

Four Met officers have been placed on restricted duties while an investigation takes place. They are no longer on public-facing duties.

No arrests have been made.

Detective Inspector Nicholas Goldwater is leading the investigation and said: “Our CID team is working alongside colleagues from the Directorate of Professional Standards to ascertain the facts of the incident, which led to numerous calls being made to the police that night.

“We are pursuing all lines of enquiry to establish what happened, including

viewing a large amount of CCTV footage. These CCTV enquiries are lengthy and ongoing.

“We would like to hear from anyone who was involved – including a group of men we believe to be of Romanian heritage – who may have information about the incident.”

Anyone with information or footage, or anyone who witnessed the fights but has yet to speak with police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC ref CAD 7908/01Dec. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

deTeCTives are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist died following a collision involving a lorry on the old Kent road.

Emergency services were called to the junction with St James’s Road at 6.36pm on Tuesday, December 5.

Despite paramedics’ best efforts, the 53-year-old man tragically died at the scene.

The driver of the lorry stopped at the scene and there have been no arrests.

The man’s next of kin has been notified.

Police say their enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dash-cam footage is asked to call the witness line on 020 8285 1574, call 101, or contact @MetCC on 'X' quoting 5873/05DEC23.

Professor Ian Judson

16 NEWS

That’s because Southwark Council has approved its ‘Local List’ - a collection of 2,449 structures and buildings including pubs, former factories and schools.

The list means heritage assets that don’t meet the criteria for national listing - such as Grade I or II - are recognised for their “localised merit”.

The list includes the bus shelter on South Croxted Road between Dulwich and Gipsy Hill.

Built by members of the community, commuters are often grateful that they can shelter under its expansive rustic canopy.

Over 70 people nominated it for local listing, with one member of the public commenting: “The lovely wooden bus shelter only exists as a local resident gave up their garden to support the wider schools and housing expansion in this area.

“There used to be two matching wooden shelters here, and this one

© Southwark Cathedral

The Revd Mark Oakley at the Sunday ceremony.

By Herbie Russell The Very Reverend Dr Mark Oakley has been installed as the Dean of Southwark.

He was inaugurated at Southwark Cathedral in a special service of Choral Evensong on Sunday, December 3.

He is now the most senior priest at the Cathedral, having taken over from The Very Revd Andrew Nunn, who resigned in July.

Dr Oakley drew on the words of 17th century bishop Lancelot Andrewes

The wooden bus shelter on South Croxted Road © Google Street View online

A rare wooden bus shelter between Dulwich and Gipsy Hill is among thousands of Southwark landmarks that have been awarded better protection against demolition.

survives. There are now only a handful of original wooden bus shelters in South London, and this may be the only one in Southwark.

“The local community and Dulwich Society secured funding to maintain in 2015. It has a local plaque installed to explain its local history.”

The Old Mill building on Copeland Road, Peckham, received the highest number of nominations from local people with 153.

Built in 1958 by the London County Council, the estate has a mix of lower buildings, a square, and six 18-storey towers – the tallest in London at the time.

One commenter said the reasons why the Brandon Estate deserved nomination included: “Compact and well-designed plans which mean that each flat in the tower has [an] elongated balcony provision with great views and access to outdoor space.”

Another commenter wrote: “Public art used to bring a sense of place – sculpture

by Henry Moore, the Wooley [sic] mammoth and other mosaic pieces on external walls including the Jack Hobbs Centre.”

The Local List got approval from the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday 5 November, subject to call-in.

© Stephen Richards (Creative Commons)

By Herbie Russell

95-year-old Sheila Clifford

The Brandon Estate

The Very Revd Dr Mark Oakley installed as the Dean of Southwark

in his sermon, setting out his vision for the cathedral "to continue being a place that engages with what matters what really matters - and do it in such a way that - plausibly, imaginatively contributes to public life and debate.”

He added: “That partners with people: creatives and charities and schools and liveries and community leaders, residents, politicians, local government, business, those of world faiths and none. Any - any - who shares values of the common good, because this world badly needs some kindness.”

© Google

Rare wooden bus shelter in Dulwich among thousands of local Southwark landmarks awarded special protection

Among those who gave official greetings to the new Dean at the service were Deputy Lieutenant Lynn Cooper as the King's representative, and Cllr Michael Situ, Mayor of Southwark.

Musicians from St John’s College Cambridge, where Dr Oakley was Dean of Chapel, supported the Cathedral’s choir of girls, boys and lay clerks.

Dr Oakley has previously been a canon of St Paul's Cathedral, an Anglican chaplain in Copenhagen and a rector of St Paul's Covent Garden.

Old Mill Building

25 firefighters help ten people escape fire 'involving tumble dryer'

By Herbie Russell Ten people have escaped a fire believed to have involved a tumble dryer in Deptford.

25 firefighters and four fire engines were called to Creek Road at 1am, on Wednesday, December 6.

Crews from Deptford, Greenwich, New Cross and East Greenwich had brought the blaze under control by 1.57am.

Ten people left the building before the Brigade arrived and there were no reports of any injuries.

A tumble dryer on the first floor was

destroyed by the fire prompting the Brigade to remind people of its white goods safety advice.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “If your white goods start making a strange noise, don’t ignore it. If you think there’s a problem always unplug it and contact the manufacturer or a qualified repair technician.

“Most fires where white goods are the source of ignition are not down to anything you have done – so always make sure you register your appliances as you’ll be informed if any issues are identified with the product you’ve bought.”

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18 OPINION

Comment 'In this Government's nativity play, Mary and Joseph get told to go to Rwanda...'

from

Westminster

NEIL COYLE

mP for Bermondsey & Old southwark

W

e are all gearing up for Christmas and the government is trying to sell a new nativity play: one where mary and Joseph aren’t put up in a stable but told to take their donkey to Rwanda instead. it isn’t a version most Christians will recognise and not one i’ll ever vote for – it simply is not British to be a Bad samaritan; to turn a blind eye or walk on by on the other side of the road.

are wasted on a policy that even the Tories know they cannot deliver.

The Government’s own assessment upholds the Supreme Court finding that Rwanda is unsafe and commits to only 200 people ever being sent

But Tory chaos and division is also a huge distraction from tackling issues people raise with me weekly. The money wasted trying to appeal to Tory right-wing extremists could go so far to help here in the UK. It could pay for extra police officers needed to cut crime and antisocial behaviour. Or the nurses to help cut the highest ever NHS waiting lists. Or the schools needing concrete repairs. The list is endless after 13 years of Tory chaos and incompetence.

But it is being lost to no benefit to anyone in the UK. The Rwandan regime sees the Tories as gullible fools; a cash cow to milk for more millions whilst Ministers here ignore the crises they have created.

Thankfully in Southwark we do our bit to help those in need. It was great to help collect items for a local foodbank in Surrey Quays Tesco last week; many thanks to everyone donating items and money, and to everyone volunteering at this special time of the year to make someone else’s Christmas that little bit brighter.

Keep on shining you absolute stars!

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and I hope 2024 brings brighter times for us all!

The fundamental dishonesty at the heart of this failing, chaotic Government is that their Home Office has just signed off decade-long contracts with the organisations who handle people when they get off the boats.

If Ministers were serious about tackling the boat crossings then they would use humanitarian visas, speed up the process and cut the waste. But the fundamental dishonesty at the heart of this failing, chaotic Government is that their Home Office has just signed off decade-long contracts with the organisations who handle people when they get off the boats. Sunak’s sloganeering is ‘Stop the Boats’ but his administration are signing off contracts for another ten years of boat arrivals! Ministers think they can hoodwink people into falling for this never-ending nonsense whilst more Tory divisions emerge, more Ministers resign and more millions

there; a fraction of the number of people on the boats and with the extreme £300 million price tag before anyone ever gets on a plane, other than the Tory Ministers desperate for photoshoots to try and appeal to their headbangers in their next leadership election! Tory chaos and division is ruining our country’s reputation and Sunak has given up caring – even withdrawing Ministers from international conferences and summits to vote for his nonsense.

I'm amazed at the strength of Londoners facing great hardships

T

he sTrengTh of londoners never ceases to amaze me. As 2023 comes to a close, I have been reflecting on the resilience of our community in south london – even in the face of challenges we should never have had to withstand.

This is never more true than at Christmastime. The festive season can be a source of great stress for families.

I have written before about the Trussell Trust data that shows that 4,000 more food parcels were needed in Southwark this year and we know demand jumps around the festive season - to match the demands of Christmas.

We are doing what we can from City Hall. The Mayor has introduced free school meals for primary age

children, saving £440 each year for families struggling to get by - and helping pupils learn on full stomachs.

This support continues during the holidays, when the Mayor’s holiday meals programme provides food for hungry children. Since the programme started during the Easter holiday, more than 10 million meals have been provided so that no one goes without.

For many the cost-of-living crisis, rising rents and benefit cuts has forced them to sleep rough. Across Southwark, we know that this has affected many of the 150 homeless people across our borough.

To help, Sadiq Khan launched London’s first ever Rough Sleeping Charter this week. This will help provide practical support

and will complement City Hall’s rough sleeping budget, which has quadrupled since 2016 to meet increased need - and helped more than 16,000 people off the streets.

But we know that more needs to be done. Housing is an area where Londoners face immense challenges.

46% of us find it difficult to afford rent or mortgage payments – worse than any other region in the country.

As a result, half of Londoners are cutting back on essentials. London also has the largest proportion of those using savings to get by, with 34% of people eating away at their financial buffers in order to live.

City Hall’s Affordable Housing Programme is helping to get more housing built but we know we need more investment. I

MARINA AHMAD

Gla member for southwark & lambeth am saddened to see that the Government has not responded to the Mayor’s request for greater investment to build on brownfield sites in the Autumn statement.

As we go into 2024, I will continue

to push for the investment our communities need. I know that the economic challenges Londoners face can be reduced – and I want to see more done so that areas like Southwark can thrive.

OPINION 19

Southwark Council must stick to the facts when tackling anti-social behaviour

W

ith anti-social behaviour an ever-present concern in Southwark, people need practical solutions, not alarmism and exaggeration.

Yet alarmism and exaggeration are what we keep getting. At last month’s Council Assembly two Southwark councillors - the Leader and Cabinet Member for Health - made incorrect claims.

In a bid to justify the council’s controversial destruction of a flower walkway in Walworth, Cllr Kieron Williams claimed weapons were being found in the park’s plants on a near “daily basis”.

But police have now said that just one weapon was found there since April 2022.

And two weeks ago, Cllr Evelyn Akoto said she was given “inaccurate information” after claiming the number of PCSOs in Southwark would rise to 150 by 2025. The correct figure was 69.

People make mistakes and it’s good that, when asked, Southwark Council admits when it gets things wrong.

There are practical policies the council could consider like expanding its community warden service.

It could also work with police to improve its Safer Neighbourhood Ward panel meetings. These meetings are a way for communities to get a say in police priorities, but they are often poorly attended and fail to properly engage their communities.

Having said that, there are no easy solutions. Officers are being diverted away from Southwark to manage central London protests and police numbers are yet to reach their targets.

That’s why Southwark Council needs a laser-sharp focus if it is to tackle anti-social behaviour; a focus based on fact, not fiction.

Campaign for more toilets deserves hearing

A

campaign for more toilets in Southwark continues with a practical solution offered to the council by residents.

The Loos for Southwark campaign is calling for a Community Toilet Scheme to be implemented - whereby businesses sign up granting public access to the toilets in their buildings within chosen times.

As well as increasing the number of available toilets, this would also limit the cost of new toilets having to be built.

The campaigners claim there are not enough publicly accessible toilets in the borough - at just over 40 currently. One campaigner from Rotherhithe said she couldn't go out longer than an hour without a toilet - so is forced to choose between being dehydrated due to not drinking enough water or not leaving the house.

By comparison to other inner-city boroughs, it appears the council's public toilet provision is higher than most. For instance, in Kensington and Chelsea, there are around 23 and in Wandsworth there are 20.

That said, given the reports of dehydration and being housebound there are still not enough here.

An organisation in Lewisham currently runs a scheme similar to what campaigners are suggesting and as a result, there are significantly more public toilets there.

It seems a very simple, low-cost fix to an issue that is having a real effect on people - all it needs is for the council and community to come together to finish the job.

cryptic Puzzle Clues Across

1 Location where a match is? (11) 9 Girl among seven (3) 10 Start feeding with a nut? (9) 11 Or war could produce this weapon (5) 13 He pleases greatly, though he is largely hurtful 14 Clergyman back in the can that's hollow (6) 16 Better not to meet this creature in a crush (6) 18 Toast or ruined Spanish town (7) 19 They all start from the centre (5) 20 Ah, coy girl, turn to the powerful few (9) 21 Vegetable that's almost a fruit (3) 22 Bury at pole in error add a few words (11)

Clues Down

2 Shady outcry? (3) 3 Restore in barren ewes (5) 4 Hit on the nail (6) 5 Wrong oil change shape of an oily fruit (7) 6 Mud hermit slung about prevailed (9) 7 Sounds as if one of the Gospels is being expunged. This is setting the limit (11) 8 Licit sin ran wild it's inherent (11) 12 About the translation, it's a return to previous form (9) 15 Cheroot agent is cover for underground system (7) 17 Angry match for a reckless person (6) 19 Troy alone contained something of a king (5) 21 Top up the vessel (3)

Quick Puzzle Clues Across

1 Commendation (11) 9 At this time (3) 10 Keeper of books (9) 11 Tingly (5) 13 Part sheltered from wind (3,4) 14 Paid attention (6) 16 Spin (6) 18 Raising spirits (7) 19 Smoothens (5) 20 Performance (9) 21 Dark sticky substance (3) 22 He gives amusement (11)

Clues Down 2 Bench in church (3) 3 Recover (5) 4 Idle talk (6) 5 Calamity (7) 6 Bring into being (9) 7 Freed of superstition (11) 8 Needless (11) 12 Surgical operation for delivering baby (9) 15 Gourmet (7) 17 Selfcentered person (6) 19 Boredom (5) 21 Fasten (3)

Solutions to last week’s crossword Cryptic

Across: 1 Harpoon 5 Snail 8 Maze 9 Imposing 10 Starting point 13 Stoa 14 Long 17 Counterattack 19 Sit tight 20 Awls 21 Rural 22 Cyclist.

Down: 2 Adapts 3 Pierrot 4 Originate 5 Sloop 6 Abiding 7 Legatee 11 Gallantry 12 Incisor 13 Shunter 15 Netball 16 Sculls 18 Trial

qUICK

Across: 1 Respect 5 Sited 8 Diva 9 Bleating 10 Discreditable 13 User 14 Time 17 Commemorative 19 Reveille 20 Ends 21 Sidle 22 Persist Down: Elixir 3 Prances 4 Cablegram 5 Start 6 Thimble 7 Digress 11 Interfere 12 Escorts 13 Unmoved 15 Matters 16 Evades 18 Elite

20 ARTS

what’s on

Hirsute Harmony at Theatre Peckham You’ve heard of his-story; you’ve heard of her-story; well, get ready for hair-story!’ That’s the word on the street about Theatre Peckham’s new production of Rapunzel and we were more than ready for a restyle, write Frida, Woody and Ed Gray.

Now in its 35th year, and in the safe hands of artistic director Suzann McLean MBE, Theatre Peckham has taken on the troublesome, twisted Brothers Grimm classic tale of female suppression and submission and worked it into a celebration of feminine power and Black hair with maximum volume and attitude.

Judging by the 28 strong young company and the talented cast that greeted us onstage, Peckham Theatre is certainly is fulfilling its ambition to champion under-represented voices and be a catalyst for change in the industry.

The Grimm’s witchery and thinlyveiled misogyny are washed out in this production as everything is turned on its head in this tale of Leznu Par (See what they did there?) and her mother’s hairdresser’s shop, Barnet Magic.

There’s a fair bit of backcombing over the course of the evening as we learn how Leznu gained the magic powers she possesses - All thanks to her grandmother Mama Bea’s

magical medicinal prowess before she was stolen. Marcus Ayton brilliantly conjures up the spirit of Mama Bea in the opening scenes, much to the great delight of the audience who clearly recognised a beloved no-nonsense Aunty or Nan of their own in his delivery.

Further uncomfortable Rapunzel knots are naturally combed out in this contemporary redo: Think less handsome prince and more, cool, bountifully-headed Rapunzel, Kellah-M, saving Dignity Jones’s dignity from her high tower in Epping Forest.

Misfit Dignity himself has his own chorus of enthusiastic Young Company stars who narrate and boost his efforts in a lively Bugsy Malone style.

Writer Geoffrey Aymer and lyricist Jordan Xavier, the duo behind the theatre’s very successful Scroogalicious musical, have created a score that weaves together romantic ballads and high energy numbers to keep the audience engaged throughout. The Pat Pat song, a homage to hirsute harmony, was the highlight that tickled the Team Gray reviewers the most as we sang along with the actors.

Everything works out in the end for Leznu/Rapunzel in this tale of feminine power and beauty; her pure heart outshines the treachery of half-sister Cassie, the epitome of greed, shallow

Photo by Lidia Crisafulli

vanity and modern social media fakery.

The finale features some stunning hairdos that made the whole auditorium roar.

As the company took their bows, the grateful audience was buzzing with love for a theatre company with community at its heart, one that

celebrates diversity and nurtures its finest young talent. And the verdict of our young reviewers? Spiking up his hair as we left, Woody declared the evening’s show ’Outstanding!’ while Frida pat-pat-patted her fair barnet and chuckled.

Theatre Peckham, 221 Havil St, London, SE5 7SB until 24th December.

Times: Varied see website for details.

Admission: £7.50 - £15.

Booking: www.theatrepeckham.co.uk

it last but that’s the joy of panto, and Potted Panto is reassuringly unconventional, uniting young and old, and fitting in spectacularly well with the bawdy spirit of Wilton’s ancient music hall.

Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1 8JB until 30th December.

Times: Evenings at 7.15pm or 7.30pm,

Matinees at 1.30pm or 2.30pm .

Admission: £12.00 - £32.00 full price / £10.00 - £29.50 concessions.

Booking: www.wiltons.org.uk

Any visit to the stunning Wilton’s Music Hall is worth making, we reflected as our two young reviewers, Frida and Woody, skipped along an icy Cable Street buzzing on a bounty of post School Christmas Fair sugary treats, write Frida, Woody and Ed Gray.

Pausing briefly to pay our respects at the wonderful Cable Street mural we slipped into Graces Alley and stepped through the old doorway beneath the big lamp. Our panto genes were well and truly ready for a good ribbing after a pre-show drink in the old bar and a slice of their delicious pizza.

Now in its 13th year, Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner’s Olivier-nominated madcap panto mash-up has become a regular feature of many a family Christmas. The pair met 20 years ago and all those hours together onstage are what makes this intensely-choreographed spectacle so successful. During that time the dynamic duo also famously created Potted Potter, which opened in Las Vegas in 2021. There couldn’t be more of a contrast between the glitz of Vegas and the Victorian splendour of Wilton’s, which has been pulling in punters since the 1690s in one form or another. But according to Jeff they’re both thrilled to be here at last, and judging by the frisky full-house that awaits them, so are the audience.

And we’re off! Straight into Jack and

the Beanstalk, scaling panto-maniac heights via Dick Whittington, Snow white, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Aladdin, all the way through to, somewhat controversially, A Christmas Carol. All the usual suspects, but perhaps not quite as you’d imagine. Judging by the cackles of laughter and the big wide eyed grins on the faces of our reviewers on my left and the belly laughs of the man on my right pint glass in hand - the spirit of panto is very much alive in the hands of Dan and Jeff.

Double entendres flew around the stage like the pies; bloomers are proudly displayed and seemingly impossible swift costume changes are conducted at highoctane pace.

‘Dan and Jeff were working their socks off,’ declared panto fanatics Lynne and Nobby over a glass or two in the interval as the audience enjoyed a well earned rest from the high jinks. Our younger members, however, were more taken with the puppetry, especially the monosyllabic Ugly Sister, the Fairy, and Prince Charming, ‘Huzzah!’, who plucked an innocent gent from the front row to perform ‘the dance of love’.

‘Absolutely astounding!’ was Woody’s verdict and Frida, no stranger to the Carry On back catalogue, could only repeat ‘Oui oui in your ear, Jeff!’ and ‘Milky milky!’ before collapsing in hysterics.

The format hasn’t changed since we saw

Photo by Geraint Lewis

Potty Panto Loonies at Wilton’s

ARTS 21

Arts

Tensions escalate as secrets unravel

The last of Federico Garcia Lorca’s plays, written just months before he was executed by Spanish Nationalists, The House of Bernarda Alba is one of his best and most loved plays. Alice Birch’s new adaptation debuts at The National Theatre’s Lyttleton stage with Harriet Walter taking on the role of the infamous matriarch, writes Christopher Peacock.

Review: Koestler Arts

Real rehabilitation to those on the wrong side of society’s walls. I never let a year go by without seeing the excellent Koestler Arts exhibition, an exhibition that opens up hope and opportunity for those incarcerated in our many institutions who need an outlet for their creativity, writes Michael Holland.

This year’s theme is In Case of Emergency and curated by poet Joelle Taylor who has worked in prisons for over 20 years.

Joelle’s motivation is to showcase the talent and imagination that is hidden away behind locked doors and will display most of the art locked away in glass cases.

Of course, much of the creativity comes from being locked up so there are a few angst-ridden works of claustrophobic walls and bars, of loss and sadness, but there are many more that celebrates art for art’s sake where the artists use their skills to escape into other worlds. A magnificent scale model of a railway station was a highlight for me, as was a two-piece suit made from snack packets. The carved soaps are always inspirational; when someone can take something so basic and turn it into something so beautiful, that is a special talent.

One prison favourite, the matchstick model, gets a good showing here. I love the dedication required to work with something small and fiddly for such long hours in order to create a work of art. The chess set and board on show is a prime example of that dedication.

The Koestler Arts exhibition is great for the visual arts but doesn’t tell the whole

Photo by Manuel Harlan

Pinter exploring toxic masculinity

story of what Koestler Arts does, as there are so many writing sections of their work that cannot be hung on walls or displayed in vitrines: there are numerous awards for Playwriting and Screenplays although there are quite a few poems shown here, plus, there is piped music of a performance of some sort, but it is a shame that more musical performances are not put on for the public in some way.

Prison should be about rehabilitation and allowing creativity to flow is one of the best ways to unlock talent. Many is the ex-offender who has become a writer, an actor, and a musician as well as an artist, and they should not be forgotten for their input to Koestler Arts. But for now this annual exhibition focusses on what can be displayed.

The public, rather than fall into the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ trap when it comes to prisons and prisoners. would do well to visit the exhibition and to admire the work put in by the teachers who give up their time for those the world largely ignores, for it is they who are providing the real rehabilitation to people who find themselves on the wrong side of society’s walls.

Find out more about Koestler Arts: www.koestlerarts.org.uk In Case of Emergency, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX until December 17th.

Admission: Free.

Times: Mon-Tues: 10am – 5.30pm, Wed-Sun: 10am – 8pm.

One of the most influential playwrights of the 20th century, Harold Pinter's work defined an era of British theatre and when new productions of his work come around there is always great interest. The Homecoming, one of his more ambiguous pieces, plays at the Young Vic covering this festive period through to the end of January, writes Christopher Peacock.

The Homecoming that the name implies is that of Teddy, returning with his wife Ruth to his estranged family home for a visit. Teddy’s return comes after spending the previous six years in the USA lecturing philosophy with Ruth, a stay at home mum raising their

The story is of five daughters living under the oppressive reign of Bernarda in the wake of their father’s passing.

With news that Pepe El Romano is to take eldest daughter Angustias’ hand in marriage, the tensions escalate in the rising temperature as secrets unravel.

The reading into Lorca's piece usually circles around the power struggles within the household and the oppressive heat that seems to keep these five women trapped in the firm grip of their mother. In Birch’s script not only are these women more coarse in their language, some of the scenes are played on top of each other. This can get a touch harder to follow as your eyes fly around the stage piecing together conversations but also there are a lot of creative

decisions from the whole team that seem to take away any Spanishness out of play.

These decisions are partly from Merle Hansel’s set design. A house over three floors sliced open like a doll's house and instead of the monochrome colour palette familiar to productions of the past, this was all mint green with further colour splashed in for dramatic sequences alongside Lee Curren’s lighting design. Another deviation from the original is the inclusion of Pepe El Romano on stage.

James McHugh does some fantastic choreographed physical theatre routines when involved in the show as Pepe and certainly fulfils the image of the daughters desires especially for Martirio and Adela. Director Rebecca Frecknall’s choice to pivot the style of the show away from realism in sequences tended to emotionally distance the audience, especially with the ensemble movement pieces that closed each act.

The production's successes certainly come from the performances of the cast. Harriet Walker as Bernarda Alba was as strict and humourless as could be - Never overplayed but every inch fierce. Eileen Nicholas’ Maria Josefa and Eliot Sat’s Amelia were however

slightly over-pitched in their roles to provide comic relief. I understand where the show would want to add this balance, especially as Isis Hainsworth as Adela and Lizzie Annis as Martirio do give great intense performances with the heavier emotional lifting of their characters exposing their desires and vulnerabilities.

It is always a wonderful opportunity to see great writing. Manipulated to create fresher scenes higher in energy this certainly has great appeal for those new to the work of Lorca.

There are some things in theatre and storytelling that work because of what you don't see. The use and reference to things off-stage work well to pull audiences in and let their imaginations run wild. Here the decisions were to keep them in sight; from Pepe himself being on stage to having the climactic tragic ending played out for us to see, some of the mystique is unfortunately shedded.

National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX until January 6th.

Times: Mon - Sat 7.30pm; Wed & Sat matinees 2.165pm.

Admission: £20 - £96 Booking: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Photo by Marc Brenner

three children whom he married in a hurry before leaving the UK. The family home that they return to is that of patriarch Max who lives there with Teddy’s two younger brothers, Lenny and Joey, and their uncle Sam. From the very start the familial interactions amongst the men are just flurries of insults and posturing as they parade their masculinity. Things then take a darker tone as the initial mocking of Ruth changes and becomes a discussion of how they can all benefit from her presence and how they can use her.

The Homecoming comes with all the characteristics of Pinter's work, the pauses, the phrasing, the Londoncentric slang and detailed speech.

All of the cast handle this well: Joe

Cole as Lenny really leans into it, almost taking the character into the realms of pastiche, but it is Nicholas Tennant as Sam, playing it with a level of authenticity that makes his performance stand out.

Moi Tran’s set design is rather large and the props all rather dainty which belies the rough masculinity of the environment the residents have created and removed any sense of claustrophobia that would aid the tension.

Director Matthew Dunster does highlight some interesting moments between pairs of characters. He heightens the action, intensifies the lighting to create and add further meaning to some of the discourse.

The Homecoming is Pinter exploring

what we would today define as toxic masculinity. The male chauvinism and misogyny from Max and his sons is shocking for a modern audience.

There is room in the production to take this further and create more unease and real menace. This production does pivot on the performance of Lisa Diveney as Ruth, the control and agency that she tactfully portrays is key to making this show a success.

Young Vic, 66, The Cut, SE1 8LZ until 27th January.

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

Admission: Booking: www.youngvic.org 0207 922 2922

22 HISTORY

History

DiD king chaRles i haVe a taste foR peckham's 17th centuRy melons?

© Artist Daniël Mijtens (Creative Commons)

© Giam. (Wikimedia Commons)

King Charles I (Circa 1590 – 1647)

Melons de Cavaillon in a market

An 1808 painting of Peckham Rye Park

By Herbie Russell aCCording To a recent yougov poll, honeydew melons are Britain’s 24th most popular fruit.

300 years ago, Peckham may have been one of the earliest places to grow melons for ravenous londoners.

Thomas Gardiner, a lawyer and Royalist politician, sent four melons to King Charles I himself.

Locked in a battle with Parliament over his use of antiquated laws to raise taxes, he would have undoubtedly benefited from melons’ high antioxidant content, associated with reduced depression and anxiety.

In exchange, he sent Sir Thomas Gardiner venison. Given this was a much sought-after meat, it suggests that melons may have made highlyrespected table pieces and ingredients at high society dinners.

Seeds of Renewal?

The Manor of Basing existed until about 1812 when the land was subdivided and passed onto different owners meaning the estate was split up.

Today, Peckham is seeing something of an agricultural revival. A Californian woman has revived Peckham Rye Park’s American Garden while gardeners on the Southampton Way Estate are busy growing cucumbers, tomatoes and sweetcorn.

Perhaps there’s hope for another Peckham-grown melon after all.

Melon Road.

© Google

Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine a Peckham with orchards and rows of fields. But its agricultural past remains embedded in one place in particular; Melon Road.

The road name belies an intriguing past when Peckham grew melons in abundance, carting them off to 17thcentury London’s most illustrious customers, including King Charles I himself.

What's in a name?

Melon Road, opposite the Peckham High Street Burger King, used to be part of the Manor of Basing.

A sub-manor of Peckham, it was ruled by the wealthy Basing family from around the time of King John, in 1212.

By the 17th century, Peckham was famous for its arable land, a place

where fruit and veg were easily grown and carted off to the markets of Inner and South London.

Intriguingly, records show that, from at least 1629, melons were being grown in the area.

A Very Brief History of Melon At this time, melons were a relative newcomer to the British Isles even if parts of Southern Europe had already been enjoying them for millennia.

Archaeological records show melons were present in Sardinia as early as 1350BCE, and spread into mainland Europe with the Western Roman Empire (285 - 476AD).

But it looks like English shores remained bereft of the succulent fruit through this period.

However, exploration of the New World finally meant melons had been domesticated in England by the 16th century.

Peckham farmers were quick to adopt the latest trend, recognising that melons were not only delicious, but a profitable status symbol for wealthy families. melon fit for a King Records show that, in 1629, Sir

24 CLASSIFIED 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.

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

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

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

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

PAVING METRO PAVING

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• Block Paving • Brickwork • Crazy Paving • Artificial Lawns • Fencing • 40 Yrs Experience

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All works guaranteed Public Liability Insurance Mob: 07944 634618 Tel: 020 8319 4242

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

Registered Charity No.207326

Email: patbrennan0019@gmail.com

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

WANTED RECORDS ROCK, POP, PUNK, INDIE, REGGAE, SOUL...

LPS AND SINGLES - WHOLE COLLECTIONS WELCOME

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Open Wednesday-Friday 9 am-3pm

Walworth Living Room Cafe DAILY SPECIALS | FRESH BARISTA COFFEE | HOME-COOKED SOUP AND CAKE

The Walworth Living Room is an open space for local people to meet their neighbours and enjoy good food and fun activities.

Walworth Living Room Surrey Square London, SE17 2JU Contact 020 7703 3803 walworthlivingroom.org info@pembrokehouse.org.uk SCAN ME

WANTED

CARS + VANS ANY CONDITION ANY AREA PROMPT & POLITE SERVICE TELEPHONE

020 8659 8988 ANY DAY, ANY TIME, 7 DAYS MOBILE

07850 323 508 CLASSIC & UNSUAL CARS ALSO WANTED

CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH

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Scan the QR code or visit linktr.ee/pembrokehouse to discover our activities and register to hear about news from our work in the neighbourhood.

To place a funeral announcement, birthday, death notice, birth, anniversary or memorial in the paper, please email katie@cm-media.co.uk and he will price it up for you Announcements must be placed by 4pm on the Tuesday before Thursday’s publication

26 PUBLIC NOTICES LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (UPLAND ROAD, CREBOR STREET, DUNSTANS ROAD) TEMPORARY WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS) 1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice, that, because of Thames Water works, it made, an order, the effect of which would be to introduce ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions and prohibit vehicles in part of the above named road

2.

Whilst the restriction is in place, and whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to wait, including waiting for the purpose of loading and unloading at any time in: (a) Upland Road, between No’s 221/208 and No’s 193/174 Upland Road ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced on both sides of the carriageway (north and south side) (b) Crebor Street, between Upland Road and Dunstans Road ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced on both sides of the carriageway (north and south side) (c) Dunstans Road, outside and opposite No’s 71 and No’s 92 ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced on both sides of the carriageway (north and south side)

3.

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

4.

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.

5.

The restriction will come into force for (2a) 8th January – 14th March 2024 (2b) 8th January – 31st March 2024 (2c) 31st January – 14th March 2024. The works will be carried out in phases.

6.

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

Dated this 14th December 2023 Ian Law Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX 160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2b) MU0545868-02 (2b) MU0545868-01 (2c) MU0545868-03 LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (CRAWFORD ROAD, GRACES MEWS, GREAT SUFFOLK STREET, RYE HILL PARK, MONNOW ROAD, MACKS ROAD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 SECTION 122(2A) NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPROPRIATE LAND AND BUILDINGS AT 1 TO 56 (ALL) BROMYARD HOUSE AND LAND SURROUNDING BROMYARD HOUSE, LEDBURY ESTATE, COMMERCIAL WAY, LONDON SE15 PART OF WHICH IS OPEN SPACE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Southwark intend to exercise powers pursuant to Section 122(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 to appropriate for planning purposes land being approximately 3094m2 in extent at Land and Buildings at 1 to 56 (all) Bromyard House and Land surrounding Bromyard House, Ledbury Estate, Commercial Way, London SE15 part of which is open space.

A copy of the map showing the location and area of the land to which this Notice relates can be inspected at the offices of the Council in the Chief Executive’s Department, 5th Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH (Reference: Thomas Elwood). Appointments are available between the hours of 10:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday.

Anyone wishing to make objections to the intended appropriation of the land should make them in writing no later than 4:00pm on 11 January 2024 at the address above (quoting the reference) or at thomas.elwood@southwark.gov.uk, stating the grounds of the objection.

Dated this 14th day of December 2023

Doreen Forrester-Brown Assistant Chief Executive – Governance and Assurance

Harris Academy Bermondsey – Admissions Consultation The Governing Body of Harris Academy Bermondsey are consulting on admissions arrangements for students applying for places for the academic year beginning September 2025. The consultation period runs over 6 weeks from 14th December 2023 to the 25th January 2023.

The Governing Body has developed a policy to ensure consistency, simplicity and compliance with the School Admissions Code.

Proposed changes to the policy include the addition of an oversubscription to include female siblings of boys who attend at Harris Academy Boys’ East Dulwich in years 7 to 11.

Your views The Governing Body would welcome your views on our consultation. Please ensure you respond to our consultation by noon on Thursday 25th January 2024 which is when our consultation closes. You can respond in three ways: • By email – principal@harrisbermondsey.org.uk • In writing – Correspondence should be sent to Principal, Harris Academy Bermondsey, 55 Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey, SE16 3TZ • Through filling in the online form found at www.harrisbermondsey.org.uk/admissionsconsultation PUBLIC NOTICE LICENSING ACT 2003 First Date of Display of this Notice: 12th December 2023

1.

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

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in: (a) Crawford Road, between Valmar Road and Morna Road (b) Graces Mews, between Graces Road and it’s blocked end (c) Great Suffolk Street, between Southwark Street and Lavington Street. (d) Rye Hill Park, between Peckham Rye and Torridge Gardens (e) Monnow Road, between Southwark Park Road and Lynton Road (f) Macks Road, between Southwark Park Road and Lynton Road

An application has been made by: Adem SHENHOL has applied to London Borough of Bexley for the grant of a PREMISES LICENCE in respect of the premises known as: Monty’s Cafe, situated at: 17 MONTPILIER AVENUE, DA5 3AP. The application seeks permission for the following licensable activities: •The sale of alcohol by retail for consumption on/off the premises.

The provision of alcohol on the premises shall be server only to a seated customer. There will be no vertical drinking at the premises.

The off sales provision of alcohol will be via a food delivery partner such as Deliveroo and Just Eat. The proposed hours of opening are: Monday – Saturday 07:00 – 23:00 Sunday - 08:00 – 22:00

3.

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a). Morna Road, Valmar Road. (2b) not applicable (2c) Union Street, Great Guildford Street, Southwark Street (2d) Peckham Rye, Rye Hill Park, Torridge Gardens. (2e) as indicated by the signs displayed (2f) Southwark Park Road, St James's Road, Alexis Street

4.

Great Suffolk Street will be made available for ‘two-way’ traffic between Lavington Street and Dolben Street for (2c)

Any “Other Persons” or “Responsible Authority” may make representations in writing to this application no later than: 2nd January 2024 (Insert 28 days from date of notice above)

5.

Esmeralda Road, will be made available for ‘two-way’ traffic between Monnow Road and St James Road (2e)

To: Licensing Partnership, P.O. Box 182, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1GP Telephone 01732 227004 or email at: licensing@sevenoaks.gov.uk

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.

Details of this application and the Licensing Register are available for inspection at the above address between 9am and 5pm on weekdays.

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 the direction of a police constable in uniform.

Guidance notes on “making representations” are available from the Licensing Team, or by visiting www.bexley.gov.uk

8.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 2nd – 5th January 2024 (2b) 8th – 12th January 2024 ( 2c) 15th January 2024 (2d) 9th January with back-up dates of the 16th and 23rd January 2024 (2e) 2nd January – 10th April (2f) 2nd January – 4th March 2024

9.

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

Dated this 14th December 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)CRAWFORD-V9129 (2b) SEC50/GRACESMEWS (2c) LBSCR13144-5 (2d) LBSCR13265 (2e) BER9-MONN300-01 (2f) BER6-MARD132-01

The proposed hours of licensable activities are: Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 23:00 and Sunday - 11:00 – 22:00

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application.

The maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is unlimited.

To promote your business online and in print, email us at: hello@cm-media.co.uk

PUBLIC NOTICES 27

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

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

How to comment on this application: You should submit your comments via the above link. Comments received will be made available for public viewing on the website. All personal information will be removed except your postal address. Online comments submitted without an email address will not be acknowledged and those marked 'confidential' will not be considered. Written comments can be submitted to; Southwark Council, Chief executive's department, Planning division, Development Management, PO Box 64529, London SE1 5LX. Reason for publicity. The applications are advertised for the reasons identified by the following codes: AFFECT - development affecting character or appearance of a nearby conservation area; OR development affecting setting of a nearby listed building(s); DEP - departure from the development plan; EIA - environmental impact assessment (these applications are accompanied by an environmental statement a copy of which may be obtained from the Council - there will be a charge for the copy); MAJ - major planning application; STDCA - development within a conservation area; STDLB - works to or within the site of a listed building; 65 ST GEORGES ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 6ER (Ref: 23/AP/3049) Construction of an extension to the rear basement and the lowering of the coal cellar ground level.

(Within: West Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465) 249 - 251 OLD KENT ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 23/AP/2979) Construction of a mansard roof extension across both properties (nos. 249 and 251) to create 1no. two bedroom self-contained flat. (Within: Thomas A'Beckett And High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale 07513137967) 166 ABBEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2DP (Ref: 23/AP/3166) Demolition of existing single storey conservatory and construction of single storey rear extension.

Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Michèle Sterry 020 7525 5453) 6 MORE LONDON PLACE LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 23/AP/3309) Extension to ground floor reception, installation of new facilities management entrance at rear ground floor, infilling of triangular slabs between central facade bays at levels 2-6 to create external office amenity space, installation of PV panels and green roof at roof level, new entrance to rear of the building and other associated alterations at 6 More London, SE1 2DA. (Within: Tooley Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: AFFECT (Contact: Chloe Rimell 0207 525 1397) BASEMENT AND GROUND FLOOR DOMINICAN COURT 17 HATFIELDS LONDON

SOUTHWARK SE1 8DJ (Ref: 23/AP/3269) Upgrade of office entrance doors and access steps to include; installation of a wheelchair lift at the front to accommodate the difference in levels, to replace the existing heavy-set aluminium framed double entrance doors to the building, with a single frameless grass entrance door with glass side panels, to further carry out refurbishment to the damaged ceramic tiled entrance steps.

Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Michèle Sterry 020 7525 5453) 7 ORIENT STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE11 4SR (Ref: 23/AP/3227) Construction of a single storey rear extension following the demolition of the exisitng single storey rear extension and the replacement of the flat roof at first floor level and the installation of a door at second floor level to the rear elevation.

(Listed Building Consent) (Within: West Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Eleanor Heagney 020 7525 5403) KINGSWOOD HOUSE SEELEY DRIVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 8QN (Ref: 23/AP/3394) Listed building consent for repairs to stonework above doorway on eastern (principal) elevation.

Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Richard Craig 020 7525 0436)

STDCA (Contact: Chloe Rimell 0207 525 1397) UNIT 2 THE WILLOWS 80 WILLOW WALK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 5SY (Ref: 23/AP/3311) Installation of air conditioning condenser unit and acoustic enclosure within rear car park. (Within: Pages Walk CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale 07513137967) 10 DENMARK HILL LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8RZ (Ref: 23/AP/3360) Construction of rear extension on first, second and third floor levels. (Within: Camberwell Green CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465) 4 COURT LANE GARDENS LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7DZ (Ref: 23/AP/3375) Construction of a single storey outbuilding to the rear of the garden. (Within: Dulwich Village Dulwich Wood CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Megan Stevens ) Dated: 12 Dec 2023 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date.

STEPHEN PLATTS - Director of Planning and Growth

7 ORIENT STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE11 4SR (Ref: 23/AP/3226) Construction of a single storey rear extension following the demolition of the exisitng single storey rear extension and the replacement of the flat roof at first floor level and the installation of a door at second floor level to the rear elevation.

(Within: West Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity:

Notice of Application for a Club Premises Certificate made under Section 71 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I / we MASQ LONDON LTD Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Club Premises Certificate in respect of Ground Floor & Basement 201 Tooley Street, London SE1 2JX The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, on or from the premises are (please include all proposed start times and finish times) Days

Start time

Finish time

The supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of the club:

Sunday to Thursday Friday & Saturday

09:00 09:00

23:30 00:30

The provision of regulated entertainment:

Sunday to Thursday Friday & Saturday

18:00 18:00

00:00 01:00

The provision of late night refreshment:

Sunday to Thursday Friday & Saturday

23:00 23:00

00:00 01:00

Opening hours:

Sunday to Thursday Friday & Saturday

08:00 08:00

00:00 01:00

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 4261; details are also on our website at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below. http://www.southwark.gov.uk/business/licences/how-to-lodge-a-representation Note: it is an offence to knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £5,000.

Date of application: 7th December 2023

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28 PUBLIC NOTICES Transport for London Public Notice

Transport for London Public Notice

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 THE GLA ROADS AND GLA SIDE ROADS (SOUTHWARK) RED ROUTE CONSOLIDATION TRAFFIC ORDER 2007 A202 GLA SIDE ROAD (CAMBERWELL STATION ROAD) VARIATION ORDER 2024

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 THE A3200 GLA ROAD (SOUTHWARK STREET, LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC AND STOPPING) ORDER 2024

1. Transport for London, hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Order under section 6 of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984.

1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.

2. The general nature and effect of the Order will to: a) replace the existing Loading & Disabled Persons’ Vehicle bay on Camberwell Station Road outside No.296a Camberwell New Road with a 5.8 metre Loading only operating ‘No Stopping on any Day 7am-7pm, except Loading 20 mins’; b) replace existing single red lines on Camberwell Station Road operating ‘No Stopping on any Day 7am-7pm’ with double red lines operating ‘No stopping at any Time’.

2. The purpose of the order is to allow telecom repair works to be undertaken on the A200 Southwark Street.

3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from: (1) stopping in the e-taxi charging bay adjacent to no.49 Southwark Street; (2) stopping in the Parking and Disabled Persons’ vehicle bay adjacent to no.49 Southwark Street;

3. The road which would be affected by the Order is the A202 GLA Road – Camberwell Station Road in the London Borough of Southwark.

(3) stopping in the Loading and Disabled Persons’ Vehicles Bay outside Nos.38-40 Southwark Street;

4. A copy of the Order, a map indicating the location and effect of the Order and copies of any Order revoked, suspended or varied by the Order can be inspected by appointment at our ofces at the address below by emailing trafcordersection@t,gov.uk. Copies of the documents may be requested via email at trafcordersection@t,gov.uk, or by post at the following address quoting reference NP/REGULATION/STOT/DW/TRO/GLA/2024/0087:

(4) entering or exiting O’Meara Street at its junction with Southwark Street.

The Order will be effective between 08:00 AM on the 7th January 2024 and 6:00 PM on the 7th January 2024 or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibition will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.

•Transport for London Streets Trafc Order Team (NP/REGULATION/STOT) Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road London, SE1 8NJ 5. All objections and other representations to the proposed Order must be made in writing and must specify the grounds on which they are made. Objections and representations must be sent to Transport for London, Streets Trafc Order Team, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ or by emailing trafcordersection@t.gov.uk quoting reference NP/REGULATION/STOT/DW/TRO, GLA/2024/0087, to arrive before 11th January 2024. Please note due to Hybrid working access to post is restricted and requests for documents and conrmation of your objections or representations may be delayed. Objections and other representations may be communicated to other persons who may be affected.

December 14th 2023

To place a notice in this paper and online, please email em@cmmedia.co.uk or call us on 020 7232 1639

4. The prohibition will not apply in respect of: (1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes.

(2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.

5. At such times as the prohibitions are in force an alternative route will be indicated by trafc signs via Union Street; Borough High Street; Southwark Street to normal route of travel.

Dated this 14th day of December 2023 Claire Wright Co-ordination and Permitting Area Manager Transport for London Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ

Dated this 14th day of December 2023 Jennifer Melbourne Planning and Performance Manager Transport for London, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ

Our weekly deadline is 5pm on Tuesday

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

Transport for London Public Notice

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF PARKING/RELOCATION OF MOTORCYCLE BAYS AND WAITING & LOADING RESTRICTIONS

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 THE A200 GLA ROAD (TOOLEY STREET, LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF STOPPING) ORDER 2024

1.

1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that because of development works, it intends, to make an order the effect of which will be to temporarily suspend and relocate sections of motorcycle bays in Lavington Street

2.

Whilst the restriction is in place, and whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to wait, including waiting for the purpose of loading and unloading at any time in:

3.

Whilst the works are in progress or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, the following sections of parking bays will be suspended or relocated in Lavington Street, between Ewer Street and Great Suffolk Street:-

2. The purpose of the order is to allow new telecom connection works to be undertaken on the A200 Tooley Street.

(a) Lavington Street, north east kerb, the 21.99m, stretch of Parking bays (paid – phone or cash) located opposite it’s junction with Ewer Street, will be suspended. (b) Lavington Street, north east kerb, the two sections of Parking bays 30.54m/11.21m and 58.20m (paid – phone or cash) located between No’s 1 – No’s 11 (Europoint House) will be suspended (c) Lavington Street, south west kerb, the 33.65m stretch of permit holders bays located outside No’s 25 will be suspended (d)Lavington Street, south west kerb, the 35.51m stretch of motor cycle bays located opposite No’s 1 – No’s 11 will be suspended and relocated on the north east kerb, from the end of the existing 19.76m of stretch of Parking bays (paid – phone or cash) located near the junction with Great Suffolk Street (e) Lavington Street, south west kerb, the 16.34m stretch of Parking bays (paid – phone or cash) located near the junction with Great Suffolk Street will be suspended. (f) Lavington Street, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced on the north east kerb line located between Ewer Street for approximately 112m west. (g) Lavington Street, east side, the cycle lane contraflow located between Ewer Street and Lavington Street will be suspended

3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from stopping in the Parking and Disabled Persons’ Vehicles bay outside No. 160 Tooley Street.

The Order will be effective between 9:00 PM on the 9th January 2024 and 11:59PM on the 9th January 2024 or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibition will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.

4. The prohibition will not apply in respect of: (1)

any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes.

(2)

anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.

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SPORT 29

Hamlet enhance play-off chances after tenth game unbeaten

By John Kelly DULWICH HAMLET stretched their unbeaten Isthmian League Premier Division run to ten games after overcoming Lewes in impressive fashion last weekend.

By John Kelly AMAR VIRDI and Tommy Ealham have signed new deals with Surrey ahead of the 2024 season.

© Mark Sandom

Ryley Scott opened the scoring in the fifteenth minute before Luke Wanadio added a clinching second four minute from time at The Dripping Pan. Lewes had more possession in the opening quarter but failed to really put pressure on the visitors’ goal.

Dulwich created the first opening when Scott made space in the area

before beating goalkeeper Nathan Harvey at his near post.

Lewes almost scored an equaliser when Chris Whelpdale got his head to Samuel Oguntayo’s cross but the ball came back off the crossbar.

The visitors then hit the woodwork when Josh Shonibare fired off the far post after cutting in from the right.

The Rocks had the last chance before the break when Whelpdale found Ayo Olukoga but he couldn’t test Hamlet goalkeeper R’avan Constable.

Hakan Hayrettin’s Dulwich repelled every Lewes effort to get back into the game in the second half.

Tony Russell’s side threatened

Amar Virdi

Division, this time over Crawley AFC at Champion Hill last weekend.

There were three braces in the game, from Lucy Monkman, Brittany Saylor and Summer Roberts.

Monkman gave the hosts the lead in the twelfth minute before adding her second four minutes later.

Saylor then took over the scoring with goals in the 38th and 51st minutes.

And Roberts rounded off the rout in the 77th and 88th minutes as Mark Dempsey’s side cruised to the three points in front of an attendance of 203.

Dulwich are third in the table, just two points off leaders Fulham with a game in hand

New deals for young Surrey pair

win over the Sixers. Jamie Overton is playing for the Adelaide Strikers in his first spell in the competition.

Chris Jordan switched to the Hobart Hurricanes from Sydney this year.

The SA20 league begins in January, with Jason Roy (Paarl Royals), Will Jacks (Pretoria Capitals), Sam Curran

(MI Cape Town) and Reece Topley (Durban’s Super Giants) all staying with their 2023 sides.

Dan Worrall is new to the competition as he has signed for Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

Also in January, in the UAE, the ILT20 will include Gus Atkinson and

Tom Curran with the Desert Vipers.

Jordan, Overton and Jamie Smith will play for the Gulf Giants. Evans is joining the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.

New signing Dan Lawrence is in the United States playing for Kingsmen in US Open Cricket.

20-fight professional career with a split-decision win in the 02 Arena in Greenwich in 2019.

"The shots he was being hit with by Masternak weren't heavy shots but you could see it was hurting him," Riakporhe said.

"If I land one of those shots, how's he going to react? How's he going to react to a jab from me, or a right hand from me or a hook from me? It's going to be very dangerous.

"I rarely dream. I’ve been having dreams that I've hurt CBS really, really bad. I feel like if he takes that fight, I

don't know what's going to happen.

He just has to be careful.

"I mean literally I've been dreaming of hurting him really bad. Really, really bad. And from what I've seen here, I know I can. I know I can.

"That's up to the referee to do their job to stop anything from happening to anybody.

"He's dangerous. He's tough, he's strong. He's had more fights than me, 100 per cent he's not someone I can take lightly."

‘Midnight Train’ Riakporhe said he would go to Billam-Smith’s home

town of Bournemouth for the fight.

"Anywhere, I don't mind. I believe what is written is what's written.

It doesn't matter where it happens, even if it happens on the moon, we're going to get the result. What's going to happen will happen," Riakporhe said.

"That's the fight I want to see. The world wants to see that fight.

"I want to perform. I want to perform and give the fans something to think about. I understand my gift. My gift is power. I feel like it's my time. My ancestors have given me some gift. I have to do what I'm supposed to do.

By John Kelly MILLWALL LIONESSES are out of the Women’s FA Cup after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Moneyfields in Portsmouth last weekend.

The Lionesses had reached this round after wins over Bromley, Margate and Regents Park Rangers but just fell short in their attempt to reach the fourth round and potentially land a tie against a Women’s Super League side.

Moneyfields are a tier higher than L&SERWFL Premier Division Millwall and the hosts started well as they were denied by the woodwork early on.

Lionesses goalkeeper Chrissie Wiggins then palmed away a dangerous ball before at the other end Chloe Burr had a shot saved.

The hosts went in front in the 37th when Kau’inohea Taylor scored after a scramble in the box.

Shannan Drewe fired over after the break as Alex Russell and Adam Rowland’s side pressed for a leveller.

Moneyfields showed their experience to keep the Lionesses out and the away side had one last chance but Sharna Giordani’s penalty appeals were waved away.

Millwall return to league action this Sunday when they travel to Dorking Wanderers for a 3.30pm kick-off.

Millwall Lionesses: Wiggins, Jones, Welsh, Payne, Huseyin, Bailey, Bennett, Burr, Napper, Whitter, Drewe.

Substitutes: Joyce, Edwards, Chapman, Paci, Cole, Butler, Giordani, Gmiterek.

Photo by Millwall Lionesses FC

Off-spinner Virdi, 25, came through the club’s academy before making his debut in 2017. He has taken over 120 wickets in 51 games.

Ealham, also an off-spinner, made his debut this year in the Metro Bank One Day cup, featuring against Hampshire and Essex. The Cranleigh CC cricketer joined the Surrey Pathway Programme at under-17 level.

Surrey’s director of cricket Alec Stewart said: “Tommy has made good progress over the last few years and has shown enough potential to earn his first professional contract. I look forward to seeing him develop his allround skills in the coming years.

“I am pleased Amar has signed a new contract as I hope he can challenge for first-team selection through consistent performances.”

Meanwhile, Ealham is one of a number of Surrey players currently featuring for sides across the globe.

Ealham is playing grade cricket in Perth for Melville Cricket Club.

Batter Ben Geddes is also in Western Australia for Perth Cricket Club.

Conor McKerr (Fairfield Liverpool CC), Josh Blake (Hawkesbury CC) and Cam Steel (Eastern Suburbs) are in Sydney playing in the New South Wales Premier Cricket Competition.

Also in Australia, the 2023-24 Big Bash started last week. Tom Curran is with Sean Abbott at the Sydney Sixers.

Laurie Evans is with Perth Scorchers, where he scored 76 from 41 balls in the 2022 final in the Scorchers’

from set-pieces late on but Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala saw two attempts blocked.

The Hamlet then broke out from the pressure in the 86th minute and Wanadio brilliantly finished across Harvey to secure the points.

Dulwich have moved up to ninth in the table with 25 points from nineteen games. They are six points off the play-off spots though all but one of the teams above them have games in hand.

The Hamlet travel to Enfield Town this Saturday for a 3pm kick-off.

Meanwhile, Dulwich Hamlet Women registered a second consecutive 6-0 win in the L&SERWFL Premier

Money talks as Millwall out of FA Cup

‘Midnight Train’ delivers chilling forecast to rival

By John Kelly

RICHARD RIAKPORHE says he has been dreaming about “hurting” Chris Billam-Smith as a WBO cruiserweight title fight between the pair moved closer.

Billam-Smith retained his belt with an unconvincing win last weekend against Mateusz Masternak, who retired in his corner with a rib injury after seven rounds.

Unbeaten Walworth fighter Riakporhe (17-0) inflicted the only defeat on Billam-Smith in his

"I have the ability to knock out any cruiserweight in the world. So that's all I want to do, deliver to myself, my coaches and the boxing fans.

"What I believe deep down in my soul [is] that I'm going to win and I will be victorious in the fight with CBS for the WBO. "And it won't be just a win, it's going to be a KO. "Now it's time for new blood, fresh blood, somebody that has the ability and the potential to really do something amazing in the sport. I'm hungry."

30 SPORT

Woe in Wales Millwall slip to third defeat in four as Cardiff strike from a corner

Millwall had a handful of chances but struggled in front of goal

ThE efl championship Cardiff - 1 Goutas 78'' Millwall - 0 Date: Saturday 9 December 2023 Attendance: 19,426 (835) Man of the match: Wes Harding Referee: Andrew Kitchen

By Kiro Evans MILLWALL were left hovering just above the relegation zone after an underwhelming defeat to Cardiff.

Defender Dimitrios Goutas headed home from a corner with just 13 minutes to go to past a flailing Matija Sarkic to condemn the Lions to back-toback defeats away from home.

Where the 3-1 loss at Ipswich was a mess from a Millwall perspective, on this occasion they simply lost a lowquality game where neither team did particularly much in front of goal.

The Lions arguably edged the contest until the final 20 minutes when out-ofform Cardiff, energised by some second half substitutes, finally got going.

Their victory - coupled with Queens Park Rangers's 2-0 win over Hull City at Loftus Road - mean the Lions were just two points above the bottom three by Saturday evening. They have now also won one of their last 10 games.

A poor match saw almost nothing happen in the first half in the Welsh capital.

While last week's game against Sunderland also took a while to get going, there was something of an intensity to it before Nisbet's goal and some interesting sub-plots developing all over the pitch.

But at the Cardiff City Stadium there was nothing even close to it, with neither side threatening to hurt the other. When the votes are tallied at the end of the season for the most awful half of football in 2023/24, this one will have a shout.

Murray Wallace and Allan Campbell both received medical attention after clashes with Perry Ng and Karlan Grant respectively.

In terms of goal mouth action, it took

until stoppage time for either keeper including the returning Lions stopper Sarkic - to have anything to do.

Arsenal loanee Runar Runarsson had to get down to his left to make a comfortable save from a Nisbet toepoke after Ryan Leonard sent a low ball across the box. The Scottish forward was stretching to reach the cross, contributing to his uncharacteristically limp finish.

He then combined with Wes Harding to spark a counter-attack from the halfway line but the offside flag thwarted the scheming of the two summer signings.

Events livened up in the second half as the two sides began exchanging half chances.

Six minutes after we restarted, Flemming had a free header from a corner that he looped onto the roof of the net before Nisbet flashed a free-kick from the edge of the box wide.

But then Cardiff rallied and substitutes Yakou Meite and Kion Etete both fired over the bar within minutes of each other.

The warning signs were there by the time the goal came 13 minutes from time. Goutas somehow managed to get his head onto Joe Ralls corner despite being in the middle of a Millwall scrum.

His header wasn't particularly fierce but it was awkward for Sarkic, who got a hand onto the ball before seeing it sneak through his gloves in a moment that he will regret.

Millwall had chances to get level.

Duncan Watmore off the bench could not get enough power on his shot before fellow sub Aidomo Emakhu caused issues and hit the wall from a free-kick from the edge of the box in the final minute of stoppage time.

Cardiff: 4-2-3-1: Runarsson; Ng, Goutas, McGuinness, Collins; Wintle (c) (Ralls 70'), Siopis (Adams 89'); Bowler (Etete 70'), Robinson (Colwill 46'), Grant; Ugbo (46').

Millwall: 4-2-3-1: Sarkic; Leonard, Harding, Hutchinson (c), Wallace; Campbell, Mitchell; Norton-Cuffy, Flemming (Watmore 70'), Longman (Emakhu 82'); Nisbet (Bradshaw 70').

Millwall Year in Review 2023

Goodbye to beloved owner - and new era dawns From final-day heartache to a club in mourning, it has been an emotional year for the Lions

By Kiro Evans IN YEARS to come, it is possible the memory of 2023 might be revised. The year will end with a new, interesting project still only beginning as Joe Edwards looks to build Millwall up in his image. In time, the decision to appoint the 37-year-old in November may be seen as a masterstroke and mark an important moment in the path of Millwall Football Club.

For now though, we only have a handful of new games under the new boss to try and draw ideas and conclusions about where this could be heading. It is an optimistic note to end 2023 on given what has otherwise been a year of huge emotion on and off the pitch.

In an alternative universe, Millwall could be experiencing their first December in the Premier League with fans potentially looking forward to a wintry trip to Old Trafford or Anfield over the Christmas period. Instead, supporters can prepare for the usual suspects like Huddersfield Town, Stoke City and Queens Park Rangers in the Championship over the coming weeks.

The reason for this comes back to that faithful afternoon on May 8, which undoubtedly is the most defining game of the year and the one that, unfortunately, will live longest in the memory.

Millwall had to beat Blackburn Rovers on the final day of the season to guarantee a place in the play-offs, which offered a ticket

The Lions players are left stunned by their 4-3 loss to Blackburn Rovers

Gary Rowett left Millwall by mutual consent after nearly four years in charge

into the Premier League. The Lions had not been in the top flight since back-to-back seasons in the late 1980s and landing a place at the top table in the world's richest and most glamorous league had become an aim for a club which, famously, was not all that rich nor keen on glamour.

It wasn't to be - Blackburn came down from 3-1 down at half-time to win 4-3 and a whole season's worth of hard work came apart during 45 befuddling, shocking and barely believable minutes.

An unfancied club with a small budget did get promoted through the play-offs but 2023 turned out to be the year of Luton Town, not of Millwall. If any Lions fans had forgotten how cruel football could be, they were reminded in May. The Blackburn defeat hurt but whatever happened that day does not in any way compare to the shock and pain that

Millwall suffered in July.

"It is with a collective broken heart and the deepest of regret that we announce the passing of our beloved owner and chairman, John Berylson," a statement from the club posted on Twitter late one evening read.

"He was a truly great man, incredibly devoted to his family, and a person of such remarkable generosity, warmth, and kindness. He lived a storied life, one full of colour and joy, and was infinitely thoughtful of others with an endless desire to share his immense knowledge and experiences to help people.

"John revelled in the club's underdog status and mentality. He related strongly to such values and identity and adored Millwall supporters."

A car accident in Massachusetts was the cause of the tragic passing of the beloved

SPORT 31

Match preview: Millwall vs. Huddersfield Millwall players paid tribute to John Berylson in their first home game of the season

Berylson at the age of 70, leaving the entire club in shock.

Many fans made the point at the time but it is worth repeating: There are so many cases across English football where supporters have nothing but contempt for the people who run their club. But at Millwall there was only love and affection towards Berylson and the feeling was very much mutual.

The collective grief following his death was striking but it united so many people around the club. Suddenly the kick of a ball became meaningless and instead things like community and companionship, the values that make football clubs so special, were at the forefront.

Supporters would get their chance to pay tribute to Berylson in the first home league game of the new season against Bristol City and the booklet released before the game, the video played ahead of kick-off and all the other features to mark an astounding life were moving and heartfelt.

Unfortunately, Gary Rowett's side couldn't reach their own emotional pitch as the Lions lost 1-0 to Bristol City after a late goal by Matty James, with the defeat coming just days after an awful 4-0 home defeat to Reading in the Carabao Cup. The year 2023 will go down as one when the reputation of The Den as a Championship fortress would take a serious hit. Ahead of the final home games of the year against Huddersfield, QPR and Norwich City, Millwall's record in all competitions in SE16 reads: won six, drew

five and lost twelve. That's one victory every two months on average so far.

If home fans have been disgruntled by this, it is nothing compared to the open hostilities that came during one of Millwall's worst performances of the calendar year - the 3-1 loss at Norwich.

Travelling supporters to Carrow Road turned up the heat on what was an already sweltering August day by chanting ruthlessly about Rowett, who was approaching four years in charge, and would depart by mutual consent in October.

For such opposition to be voiced against a manager just three league games into the season left many of us surprised, but the problems went further.

There was a widespread feeling Millwall had seriously blown the best chance they had of finishing in the play-offs for many years and the stumble began long before Blackburn.

There were some dreadful defeats by the odd goal to Wigan Athletic, Huddersfield and Hull City. Millwall's form had been so quietly consistent from October 2022 to March 2023 that this sudden run of results in the spring was hard to understand. They picked up just eight points in their final nine league games.

The mood due to the rough end-ofseason form would not have been

improved by the early knockings of the transfer window when Zian Flemming became the subject of sustained interest from Burnley.

The Dutchman enjoyed an outstanding debut season in 2022-23 and, in terms of this calendar year, is currently the Lions' second top-scorer with nine after Tom Bradshaw's fourteen. But for a couple of weeks in the summer it did appear like Vincent Kompany's newly-promoted side would get their way and swipe Millwall's jewel in the crown after just one season.

But Burnley were ultimately unsuccessful in their pursuit.

Keeping hold of Flemming was one of the positives of the year and, make no mistake, there have been plenty of highlights.

Who can forget Bradshaw's brilliant hattrick against Sheffield United in February's rip-roaring 3-2 win at The Den? In fact, the Welsh international's goal-scoring form at the back end of last season was generally outstanding and he is up there for player of 2023 despite being short on goals over the last few months.

Another feel-good moment was Romain Esse's winner at Middlesborough on the opening day of this season, potentially one of many goals the eighteen-year-old will score for the Lions. That game also featured one of the funnier moments of the year when Duncan Watmore briefly headed to the wrong dugout after being substituted off against his former club in a moment that would go viral among football fans.

And we shouldn't forget the redemption tale of Bartosz Bialkowski quietly playing out in the background. The once back-toback player of the year winner had been displaced by first George Long and then Matija Sarkic in between the sticks but is now recapturing his best form.

The beginning of the Edwards era was also memorable with a 4-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday kicking off his reign. There have been ups and downs since but the image of the joyous and optimistic Millwall supporters hardly able to contain their excitement throughout the second half at Hillsborough was a moment to behold.

That's where this story goes next - the journey of a new, young manager trying to work his way through an unforgiving industry with thousands of Millwall fans behind him hoping that Edwards is the man to lift the club from their year of disappointments.

The answer as to whether this project is a success or not will lie in 2024 and beyond.

Joe Edwards led the Lions to a 4-0 away win at Sheffield Wednesday in his first game in charge

- The Den, Sat 16 Dec 15.00

Lions look to halt poor home form against Terriers

Joe Edwards' side are in desperate need of results

By Kiro Evans MILLWALL will be searching for their first home win in almost three months when they take on Huddersfield at The Den.

Form has been patchy for the Lions in recent weeks and last Saturday's loss against Cardiff City was their third defeat in four games.

Joe Edwards' side have slipped closer and closer to the relegation places and need a response against the Terriers.

Darren Moore's team also find themselves far too close to the bottom three and are finding wins hard to come by.

They have drawn nine of their opening 20 games of the season, higher than any other Championship side heading into the midweek matches.

A draw in this match won't be good enough for Millwall. They have failed to win any of their last six home games since a 3-0 victory over Rotherham United in September and can't afford another slip up.

Their issues at The Den are a major part of what's been a struggle of a season so far for the Lions. Edwards is still trying to find the formula to spark some life into a side that cannot find any consistency.

The Lions head coach will need senior players Kevin Nisbet and Zian Flemming, who have four goals each so far, to find their footing in front of goal on a more regular basis.

Meanwhile, defensive mistakes such as the corner that led to defeat at Cardiff need to be cut out.

Huddersfield have their own issues both going forward and at the back.

Moore replaced Neil Warnock in September and looks set to have a long season ahead of him trying to keep his side in the division.

The 49-year-old has just one win from seven away games since taking charge but his side have also managed to hold Coventry City, Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City to draws.

Dutch striker Delano Burgzorg, on loan from German club Mainz, looks a goal threat and scored the winner in Huddersfield's last away win at Sunderland last month.

But the top goal scorer so far for the Terriers is defender Michal Helik who will need to be contained during setpieces.

Huddersfield were one of only three teams, including Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers, to do the double over Millwall last season.

Danny Ward's second half strike was enough to grab a 1-0 victory at The Den last season.

The Lions have lost nine of their last thirteen games against the Yorkshire club and have been defeated in four of the last six games at The Den.

matCh details

Possible Millwall starting XI: 4-2-3-1 Sarkic; Leonard, Harding, Cooper, Wallace; Saville, Mitchell; Norton-Cuffy, Flemming, Honeyman; Nisbet.

Last meeting: Championship, March 18, 2023 Millwall 0-1 Huddersfield

Brooke Norton-Cuffy starred in Millwall's last home game against Sunderland

new Deals foR young suRRey paiR

INSIDE

Sport Southwark

plan of action Joe Edwards was appointed Millwall head coach at the beginning of November

Edwards confident over Millwall's future transfer goals

EXcLUsiVE

By Kiro Evans Joe edWards is positive that millwall have a "clear idea" of what they're looking for in the transfer window.

The Lions head coach has been in post for over a month now and has so far overseen a mixed bag of results.

But the 37-year-old was recruited for success over the long-term which will likely include plenty of recruitment to help mould the team gradually.

Millwall continue to insist that the next window will not see much business but Edwards said constant conversations are taking place over future signings beyond January.

He told our paper: "Those discussions are pretty much ongoing

to be honest. I speak to Alex [Aldridge] numerous times every single day whether it be about matters with the current squad or players we're looking to add, whether it be January or the summer. We've got a clear idea of what direction we want to head in and what we want our team to look like as we move forward.

"I think it would be disrespectful to anyone in our current squad to start naming areas of the team or types of players we want to bring in. But for sure those conversations are there.

When you are where we are in the market you have to recruit well and use your finances smartly which the club do really well. But it's constantly going on in the background and we have a clear idea of what we want to do but it will take time. And January is notoriously is the most difficult window to do that I think."

Saturday's lacklustre 1-0 defeat at Cardiff City saw Millwall suffer their third defeat in Edwards' five games in charge.

But he believes there are positives to take from the performances more than the results.

Speaking before the midweek clash at Leicester City, he said: "I think in pretty much all the games we've had together so far, there's been glimpses of good bits I've liked in all the performances although not frequent enough and not to a high enough level of consistent quality which has probably cost us some points along the way.

"I think the players can see it and believe that if we keep working and keep our heads down that hopefully [we can get over] what appears to be one of those periods where a few players are a bit off-form and decisions and final actions just aren't quite

Visit www.newsatden.co.uk for for the report and reaction to Millwall's game against Leicester

there. I think we all know football and sometimes you can have those periods where it feels like things aren't going your way and all of a sudden it can change."

Millwall return to The Den on Saturday where they are looking to end their six-game winless streak. Queens Park Rangers' recent turnaround in form mean the Lions now have the worst home record in the entire division this season.

Edwards said: "I've not been too disappointed with what I've seen at The Den [in the two games in charge against Coventry City and Sunderland] but the stats are the stats and we all have to own that and accept that. And the only way you can address that is playing games there and righting that wrong. So Huddersfield on Saturday is another opportunity to try and do that."

VS

page 29

'Trust the process'

By Kiro Evans dunCan WaTmore insists he and his teammates remain confident they can turn things around despite millwall's difficult run of form.

A 1-0 defeat at Cardiff City means it's one win in ten games for the Lions before Wednesday night's trip to league leaders Leicester City.

Having begun his reign with an impressive 4-0 victory away at Sheffield Wednesday, head coach Joe Edwards now finds himself leading a team that are slipping closer to the relegation zone.

But Watmore, 29, believes things just aren't going Millwall's way at the moment and is positive a change in form is not far away.

He told our paper: "I do think we're close and I think it's up to us to tighten up a couple of things and turn performances into results.

There's a firm belief in our squad that we can turn this around and go on a good run. We definitely believe in ourselves and think we're doing a lot of things right.

"It's margins at this level and we need to make sure we turn them around and make sure they're going in our favour.

"I think we have to keep believing and trust the process. Every player and every club goes through this process and the only answer is to fix that and keep believing, keep persevering, keep putting in the work and doing the basics and we have a strong belief we can turn these results around and climb up the table."

Since going off injured in October's 2-2 draw with Hull, Watmore has missed a number of games due to a persistent knee problem but he said he is now getting better.

He said: "I'm feeling good. I've had a couple of injuries with my knee which is a long-standing issue which I've had to manage most of my career. I suppose I get used to it but it is very frustrating having to manage it and missing games. But I have to accept these things, it's part of life and football."

THE RECYCLED PAPER CONTENT OF UK NEWSPAPERS IN 2014 WAS 83.5%