Southwark News - January 4th 2023

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Issue 1666

Established: 1987

50p MILLWALL EXCLUSIVE

50p

May 11 2023

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OASTER MILLWALL'S ROLLERCAILMENT DER IN DS EN N AIG MP CA who

Issue 1633

Established: 1987

Woman held antigentification exhibition in her own flat takes battle to save her home to the top

See page 30

Issue 1619

Established: 1987

50p

APPRENTICE STAR SET TO OPEN HER KNOCKOUT GYM IN CAMBERWELL

See page 14

February 2 2023

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BENNO RECALLS DEADLINE DAY DRAMA

Page 3

January 4 2024

MILLWALL EXCLUSIVE:

EXCLUSIVE:

SPECIAL GUEST AT CARNIVAL Issue 1641

Page 30

Page 3

EXCLUSIVE

WHAT’S BEYONCE’S DAD DOING IN SOUTHWARK?

SHOCK VERDICT FORFormer COVID HERO Rotherhithe shopkeeper

Issue 1662

50p

Established: 1987

November 30th 2023

southwarknews.co.uk

MILLWALL'S MIDFIELD FORCE See sport

THE FATAL VESPERS

How 93 worshippers fell to their deaths

Established: 1987

John Berylson 1953 - 2023

50p

July 6th 2023

southwarknews.co.uk

See page 4

See History - page 19

SEN SPORTS CLUB FACING AXE Page 10 Page 13

Bermondsey girl Hayley Chart wows star on show

southwarknews.co.uk

Millwall reeling after tragic death of owner

SNAK ING AROUND THE ELEPHANT See page 3

TRAM EN ROUTE?

- see- page page44

LIONS' KING

Tributes pour in

- see sport

See page 8

'PECKHAM'S WAS TELAND'

our reView of 2023

christmas eVe tragedy

TAKING COUNCIL TO HIGH COURT See page 4

PECKHAM DOCTOR JAILED IN ORGAN HARVEST PLOT

loses hearing in his bid to stay in the country EXCLUSIVE See page 4 Easter Holidays 1st - 15th April 2023

greenwichtheatre.org.uk

remove TOP OF THE CHARTS 'Don't our bollards!'

Page 8

Don't suffer alone

STRESSED

ABOUT YOUR

HOME REPAIRS?

HELPING COUNCIL & HOUSING ASSOCIATION TENANTS

Nuovo Law Limited is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Housing Ombudsman Service.

in respect of regulated claims management. Permission number 837714.

Fast tracking repairs for:

It is possible to make a claim yourself through the

0800 098 2791 or

Council Tenants

Leaseholders

Social Housing Tenants

Damp & Mould

Rotten Windows & Doors

Leaks

Structural Issues

Rodents

Ventiliation Issues

millwall's festiVe feast

Our new Char ter, Your next

See page 6

chapter

We are delighte d Southwark is to announce that Compass Schoo joining the Charte r Schools Educat l ional Trust.

charterbermondsey.org.u

pages 9-14

k

Text REPAIRS to 60777

Mourners lay flowers after woman, 22, fatally stabbed

sophia was operated on Before she was Born See page 3

Quadruple killer found guilty of murders See page 4

‘my heating didn’t work for two whole years’ See page 3

eight arrests as police injured during protest See page 8

2 NEWS www.southwarknews.co.uk/news Contents NEWS Pages 2-8 review of the year Pages 9-14 OPINION Page 15 PROPERTY Page 16 Arts Page 17 CLASSIFIED Page 18 Public notices Pages 19-20 SPORT Pages 21-24

Southwark News, Thursday January 5 2023

Bermondsey girl continues to get support from top judge despite being kicked off The Voice

By Isabel Ramirez

A Bermondsey girl, who aced her blind audition on The Voice, has continued to get the support of top judge Will.i.am despite not getting through to the semi-finals.

Hayley Chart, 52, was on a high after she wowed everyone in her blind audition and got chosen to join Team Will in the singing contest on ITV. But on last Saturday’s show, she was unsuccessful after competing against her teammates to win a place in the semi-final.

Despite not making it further in the competition, Hayley, who grew up in Bermondsey, doesn’t appear to be stopping any time soon.

According to her social media, she is releasing a house single in January titled ‘Don’t be Alone’ - and it looks like it’s already got the seal of approval from Will.i.am.

In a post that Hayley shared on Instagram, she showed her messages to the worldrenowned rapper and producer after asking him what he thought of the new track.

He replied: “I actually love it.” He complimented the hook and the beat using emojis before writing: “wow, wow, wow.

Congrats.”

Hayley had stopped singing following

a spell of grief after losing her mum and sister 18 months ago. But her partner, Jeremy, had encouraged her to start singing again and apply for the show.

Her single, a collaboration with producer

Houseworkz, is due to be released on all major platforms on Friday 26 January.

Follow her social media @hayleychartuk for updates.

Catch up on The Voice on ITVX.com.

Mr Khan said he did not recognise the 18-month timeframe but admitted the tunnel’s maintenance was “a source of concern”. He added that further Government funding was needed to pay for the repairs.

Ms Hall later told the LDRS: “The Rotherhithe Tunnel is a vital route in east London and any closures for refurbishment will cause significant disruption.

“Sadiq Khan needs to be transparent about the

state of the tunnel, any safety concerns, and the timeline for closures, especially if disruption is expected before Silvertown Tunnel is available as an alternative.”

The Silvertown Tunnel is a new road route currently being built under the Thames which will link the Greenwich Peninsula with Silvertown, in the docklands north of the river.

The new tunnel is expected to open in 2025, after which point it is not known precisely when the Rotherhithe Tunnel would potentially close.

Since December 2019, vehicles more than two metres high, two metres wide or goods vehicles weighing more than two tonnes have been banned from the Rotherhithe Tunnel, due to safety concerns. Drivers who ignore the limits are fined up to £160.

A TfL spokeswoman said: “TfL continues to carry out work on our river crossings that is absolutely essential in the short-term to keep the network operating, while also planning the work required in the future to ensure they remain open in the long-term.

“While we have previously completed

concept designs for the full refurbishment of the Rotherhithe Tunnel, carrying this out would be a significant investment and could require the tunnel to be closed for nine months.

“A full refurbishment would only go ahead following the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel to ensure that people can continue to cross the river. It remains vital that we secure more support from Government to renew our assets and make best use of every pound we invest in renewing our assets.”

A spokeswoman at the Department for Transport said: “Central Government has given unprecedented support to TfL. “Just this week we announced a new £250 million capital funding settlement for them as well as more than £9 million extra for the maintenance of their roads – part of over £6.6 billion of central Government support they have received since March 2020, on top of £2 billion a year in retained business rates.

“TfL is responsible for the maintenance of London transport, including the Rotherhithe Tunnel.”

Rotherhithe Tunnel could close for nine months for repairs

By Noah Vickers

Contact us if you have a story on editor@ southwarknews .co.uk

We are a London Living Wage employer Do you have a story

for our news team?

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

A key road tunnel under the Thames could close for nine months from 2025 to allow for essential repairs to take place, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has learned.

Transport for London (TfL) confirmed on Friday that it has looked in detail at closing the 115-year-old Rotherhithe Tunnel to enable vital maintenance, which it warned would require “significant investment”.

The tunnel links Limehouse, north of the river, with Rotherhithe to the south. The nearest alternative road routes across the Thames are Tower Bridge in central London and the Blackwall Tunnel, east of Canary Wharf.

The issue was raised by Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall during Thursday’s Mayor’s Question Time session at City Hall.

She told Labour mayor Sadiq Khan that she had heard the necessary repairs could in fact take 18 months and that its closure would worsen the capital’s traffic problems.

MILLWALL EXCLUSIVE

OUR NEXT ISSUE IS OUT ON 4TH JANUARY

Issue 1665

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 21 2023

southwarknews.co.uk

PARENTS CONCERNED AFTER SCHOOL SOUNDS ALARM OVER PUPIL MUGGINGS

EXCLUSIVE: Page 2

Elephant bingo 'could return'

FLEMMING'S FIGHTBACK See sport EXCLUSIVE Page 10

EYES DOWN FOR A FULL HOUSE

HUNDREDS OF SANTAS FLOCK TO RIVERSIDE

Page 3

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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NEWS 3

Schoolgirl Sophia, 4, was operated on at king’s hospital before she was even born

By newsdesk

Four-yearold Sophia is enjoying her first Christmas school break

Four-year-old Sophia is enjoying her first Christmas school break, having beaten the odds to complete her first two terms at school following successful pioneering surgery at King’s College Hospital before she had even been born.

In July 2019, whilst 29 weeks pregnant with Sophia who had been diagnosed with Spina Bifida, mum Emma underwent innovative surgery which allowed surgeons to operate on her unborn daughter using a keyhole approach to close her spinal defect while still inside the womb.

The minimally invasive surgery (Fetoscopic Closure) was so new that, at the time, Sophia was only the third child to undergo the procedure. Surgeons believe King’s College Hospital to be the only hospital in the UK where such closures, using a keyhole approach, are performed.

The surgery was necessary in order to prevent Sophia’s spinal cord and nerves from suffering further damage, which risked preventing her from ever being able to walk or move her legs or feet, along with a range of other disabilities.

Open neural tube defects, commonly referred to as Spina Bifida, are a group of defects where the spine and spinal cord do not develop properly in the womb,

resulting in a gap where the nerves are exposed and become damaged.

The defect or ‘gap’ is usually repaired immediately after birth, by which time much of the function in the legs is lost.

‘My heating hasn’t worked for over two years’ Dulwich pensioner claims

By Isabel Ramirez

A Dulwich pensioner, 84, claims he hasn’t had working heating in his living area for over two years and has to sit with a blanket over him every day in a room full of condensation.

John Spencer has lived in the same threebedroom flat on Overhill Road for 40 years - but in recent years he has not been able to heat the house properly.

He claims the issue stems back to October 2021, when a mains pipe blockage led to his home being continuously flooded by waste from all fifteen flats above.

Mark Spencer, John’s son, who had first discovered the flooding, said: “Everything was damaged in the property so they had to rewire the whole house.”

Before the flood, which ended up lasting for weeks, John had gas heating, which he said ‘wasn’t perfect but it did the job.’

“So after the flood,” Mark said, “we were told central heating would be too expensive to put in. So they put electric heaters in but the trouble is, this one is not connected properly so it doesn’t work.”

Mark commented that even if it was connected properly the wattage is not high enough, so it does not heat the room - which is a large open-plan living area with no doors separating it.

He said he has been contacting Southern Housing - who owns the property - ever since but claims all they’ve done is send out a surveyor once who checked the heater and said it is ‘fine.’

“We got a response this summer from them saying ‘It’s summer you don’t need heating now’ but it has been a problem for over two years.”

John said: “They also gave us a small plug-

in heater which could never heat a room of this size.”

The 84-year-old widower, who has heart problems, told us: “I have to sit with a blanket over me every day and I had to buy a temporary heater to put by my legs.

“It’s so cold.”

The effect of not being able to heat the room also means it’s damp. “The ceiling and the windows are always wet.”

Mark added that he is concerned about his dad’s health.

Since we got in touch with Southern Housing for comment they said they will replace the heaters in John’s house.

A spokesperson from Southern Housing said: “Although Mr Spencer has had heating in his home, we’re sorry he’s been unhappy with the warmth this has provided.

“Our contractor is visiting Mr Spencer on Friday (22 December) to upgrade his heaters and we’re confident these will provide more warmth in his home.”

That is why surgeons in select centres around the world have developed the expertise to make the repairs whilst babies are still in the womb, which improves function and reverses some of

Blood on your hands Arts page 17

the changes seen in children with Spina Bifida. That procedure usually involves making a cut in the womb which carries risk to the mother and future pregnancies.

The team at King’s therefore began

using a minimally invasive (keyhole) approach using a small camera and instruments inserted into the womb to repair the ‘gap’, improving the outcome for unborn babies whilst also reducing the risk to mothers and future pregnancies.

Sophia’s mum, Emma Shaw, from Stokeon-Trent, said: “Sophia is a wonderful child, so headstrong and determined!

She’s come a long way and has a great outlook on life. Her father, Alessandro, and I are so proud of her. When we reflect on all we’ve been through as a family, especially at Christmas time, we couldn’t be more grateful to Mr Zebian and the whole team at King’s.”

This ground-breaking Fetoscopic Closure has been performed by the King’s surgical team so far in a total of 29 procedures since September 2018, with the 30th on the horizon.

Paediatric and Adult Neurosurgeon Mr Bassel Zebian, who led the neurosurgical aspect of Sophia’s surgery alongside Professor Kypros Nicolaides and his Fetal Medicine team, explained: “It’s heartwarming to see Sophia doing so well.

“I am eternally grateful to her and her parents as well as all our other children and their parents for the trust they place in us to allow us to operate in this novel way which is increasingly proving to be better for babies, their mothers and future pregnancies.”

4 NEWS

Quadruple Bermondsey killer who slaughtered entire family guilty of murder Joshua Jacques’ girlfriend Samantha Drummonds

Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo

Dolet Hill and Denton Burke

Joshua Jacques

By court reporter a CannabiS addict who killed three generations of his girlfriend’s family when years of smoking pot turned him into a homicidal maniac is facing life in jail.

Samantha Drummonds, 27, her mother Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo, 45, her grandmother Dolet Hill, 64, and Ms Hill’s husband, chef Denton Burke, 58, were all stabbed to death by Joshua Jacques, 29.

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

Jacques had been smoking pot from the age of 12 and hours before the killings Ms Drummond had phoned her best friend several times to raise concerns about his mental state.

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.’

After killing the family Jacques made a FaceTime call to his mother in the locked bathroom and said: ‘I’m ending it, I’m gonna make a sacrifice.’

He was told armed police were at the house and he should come out with his hands on top of his head.

Jacques, emerged naked and prostrated himself in a praying position, shouting: ‘Allah, take me!,’ ‘Kill me now,’ ‘Get rid of me,’ and ‘God please forgive me.’

He had denied four counts of murder

but an Old Bailey jury convicted him on each charge today (Thurs).

Jacques had admitted four counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Sentencing is expected to be adjourned until the new year.

Jacques had been hospitalised in a psychiatric ward in 2018 and diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Dr Nigel Blackwood, a forensic psychiatrist for the prosecution, said the symptoms of manic behaviour displayed were caused by the large amount of cannabis he had consumed.

He told the court: ’The defence psychiatrists maintain there was a serious mental illness which recurs in the context of cannabis use.’

He said it was his view that the symptoms ‘could be entirely produced by the cannabis use he was using at that time’ without an underlying condition.

Jacques was a cannabis user from the age of 12 and became a drug dealer.

Dr Blackwood said he believed drug use was also the cause of Jacques’ behaviour in 2018 and that he did not have bipolar disorder.

‘The symptoms were consistent with a manic episode but to me, it was driven by his drug use at that time,’ he said.

He said what Jacques experienced was a ‘drug induced mania with psychotic features’.

Jacques had also been taking MDMA, a form of ecstasy, in the days leading up to the killings.

Giving evidence for the defence,

pychiatrist Dr Raman Deo said Jacques was ‘manic and paranoid on a number of issues’.

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

Tom Little, KC, prosecuting, had described what police officers found when they entered the property shortly after 2am.

‘The first police officer to enter the house tried to open the porch door.

‘He could not open it fully initially because it was blocked. The reason why it was blocked was on the other side of the door was Denton Burke’s body.

‘He was lying face down on a foldable clothes rail, between the porch door and the stairs.

‘His legs were directly behind the door, and his torso was in the hallway.

‘He was not breathing, and was unresponsive. He was removed from the property by police. A large cut to his throat was noted.

‘The same police officer then saw three women in the kitchen. He believed them to be dead.

‘He then went to the kitchen. The females were heaped together, and he and other officers then had to separate them.

‘Samantha Drummonds was wearing a top under a denim jacket, and was naked from the waist down.

‘The officer saw a stab wound to the right side of her abdomen, with her

intestines protruding, and noted that she had no pulse.

‘The kitchen area was cramped and so her body was moved outside.

Further wounds to her neck and back were noted, and there had been severe blood loss.

‘A paramedic and a police officer brought Dolet Hill, from the kitchen out into the hallway. She was wearing a pink nightdress and underwear.

‘The paramedic cut away her upper clothing to reveal multiple wounds.

‘A paramedic and police officers moved Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo away from the wall of the kitchen. Wounds were seen on her upper chest, neck, and upper back.’

Ms Hill was found to have sustained multiple stab wounds to her shoulder and chest, with the fatal injury being a 21cm-deep stab wound to the left side of her chest that had gone through her heart.

Mr Burke had suffered multiple injuries to his face, mouth and body, including a large cut to his neck, as well as a significant head injury and fractures to his face and jaw.

Ms Ofori-Akuffo died after suffering from a 12.5cm stab wound to the left side of her chest which had gone through her heart, as well as cut injuries to her chest, neck, back and left thigh.

Ms Drummonds died after sustaining multiple stab wounds to her back, side and neck, which caused internal injuries to her lungs, liver and right kidney.

Mr Little had told jurors there was ‘no dispute or issue other than that it was the defendant that killed all four of the victims and that he did so by attacking them.

‘In doing so he stabbed, cut and slashed all of them with a knife or knives.

‘The prosecution case is that this is a clear case of murder, indeed more accurately a clear case of quadruple murder.

‘We say that the defendant killed his victims with murderous intent and there’s no dispute about that, and that when he did so his ability to form a rational judgment and to exercise self-control were not substantially impaired by any psychiatric condition.

‘And indeed that his conduct on that night was brought about by selfinduced intoxication, here taking drugs and drinking alcohol.

‘This, we say, led to a transient psychotic disorder which does not meet the requirements for the defendant to make out a partial defence of diminished responsibility.’

Ms Ofori-Akuffo, also known as ‘Racquel’, 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, admitted four counts of manslaughter but denied four counts of murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility

NEWS 5

police name christmas eVe staBBing Victim, Driver arrested after cyclist kacey clarke, as teen charged with murder hospitalised in Peckham

By Herbie Russell

A WomAn stabbed to death in bermondsey on Christmas eve has been named as 22-year-old Kacey Clarke, as police charged a teenager with her murder.

Police were called to Peckham Road, near the Southwark Register Office, at around 1.50am on Saturday, December 16.

The cyclist was rushed to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and bailed to a date early in March 2024.

investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 5855/24Dec. Information can

Mourners lay flowers outside Bermondsey block after tragic killing of 22-year-old woman

By Herbie Russell mournerS haVe laid flowers and written messages in a heart-wrenching tribute to 22-year-old Kacey Clarke who was stabbed to death in Bermondsey.

One written message, attached to one of the dozens of bouquets, said: ‘R.I.E.P Beautiful girl Kaycee you will be so missed. Please look over your family and get them all through this hard time’.

Another note read: ‘KC you beautiful Angel. RIP my love you will be missed! Love you so much.’

‘To Our Beautiful Kacey many hearts are Broken from Losing you you were taken much too soon’, another griever wrote.

Old Southwark and Bermondsey

a driVer has been arrested after a cyclist was hospitalised following a collision involving a bus in peckham.

MP Neil Coyle said: “This awful tragedy has happened at the very worst time of year. A family is grieving and needs space to recover.

“I’m working with them and the police and hope the rest of the community will pull together as we do best in difficult times.”

also be shared online. People can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Peckham Road

First council homes on Canada Water Masterplan to welcome new tenants

Southwark Council, developer British Land and contractors McAleer & Rushe celebrated the completion of 60 new council homes and 19 shared ownership properties last month.

The plot of housing named K1 forms

some of the 3,000 new homes to be built former Canada Dock, 35 per cent of which will be affordable.

Most of the homes have two or three bedrooms and are located close to Russia Dock Woodland and Alfred Salter Primary School.

Cllr Helen Dennis, Southwark’s Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said: “I’m thrilled to celebrate the opening of the first new

homes of the Canada Water Masterplan, and proud that 60 of these homes will be council homes, helping to tackle the huge demand for truly affordable housing in our borough.”

In 2020, Rotherhithe residents crowdfunded over £30,000 to challenge the K1 development in the high courts but were unsuccessful.

Campaigners had argued that by setting K1 away from the main site, developer British Land had deliberately separated council tenants from private tenants.

They’d also feared the flats would plunge two schools, two nature reserves and residential flats into shade.

The £4 billion Canada Water Masterplan is a vast 53-acre mixed-use scheme expected to bring 20,000 workers to the area area.

Canada Dock was built in 1876, named so because cargo from the North American nation often arrived at the dock.

By the 1980s, most of the dock had been filled in, with much of the site covered by Surrey Quays shopping centre.

the menu.

The Deptford outlet has been listed thanks to its “characteristic shopfront and tiled interior, complete with benches, tables, terrazzo flooring, display counter and servers,” Historic England wrote.

Heritage officers also said the “rare and well-preserved” outlet represents “a distinct vernacular cuisine that formed a staple of working-class life in London”.

Set to retire in March 2025, Mr

Mascall, 64, said: “Maybe the next owner will keep it as a pie and mash shop but I certainly won’t be involved.”

Asked if he’ll miss the work, George said: “A lot of customers will be upset and they reckon they’ll have a tear in my eye when the shutters go down.”

“I’m certainly looking forward to retirement,” he laughingly added.

George and his family are related to the owners of M. Manze Pie & Mash - also Manze descendants - who run shops in Peckham, Bermondsey and

Sutton.

Manze pie shops in Islington, Peckham, Bermondsey and Walthamstow are already listed.

The Twentieth Century Society, which supported the Deptford branch’s listing, posted on X: “Manze’s Eel, Pie and Mash Shop in Deptford (1914) has just been Grade II listed, joining four other branches of the Manze family chain on the national register.

“The perfect venue for this week’s C20 Team Christmas lunch!”

Left to right: MP Neil Coyle, Cllr Helen Dennis and British Land Director Emma Cariaga cut the ribbon on the new properties

By Herbie Russell the FirSt-eVer council homes on the Canada water masterplan have been officially opened.

Flowers laid outside Spenlow House

A Met Pet police spokesperson said: “Police were called at about 01:50hrs on Saturday, 16 December to reports of bus in collision with a lamppost and cyclist on Peckham Road, SE5.

“Emergency services attended.

The cyclist was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening.

Road closures were temporarily put in place.

“The driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and later bailed to a date in early March 2024 pending further enquiries.”

© Google

Kacey was killed at a residential address in Spenlow House, Jamaica Road, at around 10pm on December 24. A sixteen-year-old boy who is known to the victim was due to appear in court on Thursday, December 28 charged with her murder.

A post-mortem examination has given the cause of death as a single sharp force trauma to the chest.

Police were called to the property last Sunday evening to reports of a woman with a stab injury.

Paramedics arrived in less than five minutes and provided first aid but Kacey died at the scene.

Officers arrested the sixteen-yearold a short time later on suspicion of murder.

Kacey’s family is being supported by specially trained officers and has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.

Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command are leading the

By Herbie Russell

A police sniffer dog works at the scene outside Spenlow House in Jamaica Road

Old-school Deptford pie and mash shop gets historical recognition

By Herbie Russell an old-SChool deptford pie and mash shop opened in 1914 has been grade-ii listed.

Manze’s Pie and Mash Shop is run by George Mascall, a descendant of the early 20th-century Italian pie-making Manze family.

“It’s been there in the family for over 100 years so I’m not that surprised they’ve listed it,” he said.

“Inside, nothing’s changed. We’ve got

all the marble tables, wooden benches and tiled walls - all the original stuff.”

The pie shop has been in George’s family for over a century - after his ancestors migrated to south London from Ravello, southern Italy, in 1878.

The family has since been serving up fluffy mashed potatoes and meat-filled piles dowsed in the obligatory liquor for generations.

Eeels - a Cockney staple that was historically fished from the Thames and plonked onto dinner plates - are also on

6 NEWS

Modified CPZ proposals for Dulwich, Nunhead, and Queen’s Road released

By Herbie Russell

By Herbie Russell

driVerS haVe been asked to consider Southwark Council’s latest Controlled parking Zone (CpZ) proposals.

The council was previously set on introducing a borough-wide CPZ but scrapped the proposals last month.

However, the Labour-run authority is still considering CPZs in Dulwich Village, Nunhead and Queen’s Road - albeit smaller, more “focussed” zones than first planned.

Councillor James McAsh, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency, Clean Air and Streets, said: “We went to the drawing board and developed plans for more focused CPZ coverage based on the views of local people and parking pressures.

“I hope to hear from as many residents as possible to ensure we make a decision based on input from the whole community”.

Unlike previous consultations, residents are being explicitly asked whether or not they want a CPZ in their area.

This was a key demand of ‘Oppose the CPZ’ a local campaign group that threatened to mount a legal challenge against Southwark Council over its initial plans.

The consultation asks residents about parking pressure in their area, what hours would be suitable for parking restrictions F.A.A.

South London police officer found guilty of stalking his ex-partner after break-up a SerVing south London police officer has been found guilty of stalking his ex-partner.

The new Nunhead CPZ zone (outlined in red) overlaid against the original proposal (coloured in red) and whether they feel CPZs would improve safety and public health.

Plans for CPZs in Dulwich Hill and Dulwich Wood have been scrapped entirely.

Roughly half of Southwark is already a CPZ seeing residents pay up to £300 to park their cars annually.

ULEZ-compliant vehicles cost £225 to park annually with discounts available to drivers of motorbikes, hybrid and electric vehicles. Disabled badge holders are also eligible for discounts.

Southwark Council insists that CPZs remain an important way of reducing the “dominance” of cars.

Cllr McAsh said the council’s principles of cleaner air and safer streets had “not changed one iota” as the council pushes for net zero by 2030.

The deadline for submissions is 21 January 2024. To take part please visit www.southwark.gov.uk.

PC Benjamin Bunsell “couldn’t take no for an answer” and “bombarded” the woman with messages after they broke up.

He was found guilty of one count of stalking without fear, alarm or distress on Tuesday, December 19.

PC Bunsell’s relationship with his victim ended on June 22 and, over the next ten days, he called and sent “incessant” text and WhatsApp messages.

The woman asked him to stop multiple times but police say he continued “bombarding his former partner” with messages.

She blocked PC Bunsell and changed her mobile number but he found her new number.

He then called it from a withheld number during the early hours of the morning until she answered.

From June 25, the victim started getting doorbell notifications in the middle of the night, the court heard.

She said she saw PC Bunsell walking past the front of her house and looking toward the property.

The victim reported PC Bunsell’s behaviour to police on July 3 and

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he was arrested the following day.

He was rearrested on 28 July and charged the following day.

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, responsible for policing where PC Bunsell is based, said: “PC Benjamin Bunsell was persistent, entitled and quite clearly could not take no for an answer.

“Even when she changed her number, PC Bunsell still found her new number and continued his barrage of calls and messages all at times to cause maximum disturbance to the victim. PC Bunsell couldn’t stop at incessant calls and messages, he had to go to the victim’s house too.

“PC Bunsell has been held to account criminally and he will also be held to account via the Met’s own misconduct processes.”

Bunsell, of Greenwich, will be sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 18 January 2024.

Anyone with information about a police officer or member of staff who works for the Met and is corrupt, abusing their position and power, can call the Anti-Corruption and Abuse Hotline, run by the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 085 0000 or complete the online form at www.crimestoppers-org.uk.

Churchill’s iconic Thames funeral barge could be sold abroad

By Herbie Russell the nation is getting wateryeyed after it emerged that winston Churchill’s funeral boat could be sold abroad.

Havengore sailed the wartime leader down the Thames during his 1965 funeral but is now on the international market, The Mail on Sunday reported.

A tidal wave of opposition has burst forth, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urging a UK buyer to “step forward”.

“The Prime Minister strongly believes the history of remarkable British heroes like Churchill should remain in our public spaces,” a Number 10 spokesperson said.

Thames dockers famously lowered their cranes when the Havengore passed by carrying the nation’s favourite bulldog.

An individual reportedly purchased the wooden vessel in 2006 but hasn’t been able to find a British buyer.

Military historian and Churchill biographer Anthony Tucker-Jones reportedly called on the Imperial War Museum to take a shot at getting it.

Havengore’s iconic 1965 journey down the Thames was broadcast to an estimated 350 million viewers worldwide - one-tenth of the global population.

The vessel, currently moored at St Katharine Docks, Tower Hamlets, also sailed down the Thames for Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

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NEWS 7

families moVed into new council homes - just in time for christmas

By Herbie Russell

Southwark Council led excited tenants around the housing project on Commercial Way earlier last month.

Sharlene Asmah said: “I’m really pleased to be in my new home which is spacious, clean and a treat for the whole family.

“It’s great to have moved in before Christmas and means we get to enjoy spending time here as a family over

the holidays.”

Completed in August, the housing development contains 74 council homes including eight specialised for wheelchair users.

There are also 35 shared ownership properties, plus communal areas, courtyards and play spaces.

Ten parking spaces are on-site including eight for wheelchair users and two for carpools.

Cllr Darren Merrill, Southwark’s Cabinet Member for Council Homes, said: “I’m delighted to welcome residents to these fantastic new homes in Peckham and see the

difference these high-quality properties are making to people’s lives.

“These homes are excellently located and provide an enormous boost to the

local area which has a high demand for truly affordable housing.

“I’m proud to hand over the keys to local residents and delighted to celebrate with them here today.”

gone on to support major artists like Tom Odell and The Libertines, with one artist even winning The Voice UK Kids.

Andry Gray, whose work was nominated for the BBC’s Make a Difference Award, said JOM was all about “making young people feel special”.

Together, the four events cater to musicians aged four to eighteen of all musical abilities.

There are opportunities for total

beginners as well as up-and-coming bands with experience of the local gigging circuit.

Some musicians have gone on to see incredible success after performing at JOM, including Sam Wilkinson who won The Voice UK Kids in 2019.

Other success stories include punk band PLAY DEAD, signed by Blitzcat Records and Lexi Caroll, who went on to support Tom Odell.

To sign up, email jomjunioropenmic@gmail.com. Event

details are below: Jom Junior open miC (ages 4-15) Sun 7th Jan 2024, 12-2pm (artist sign in at 11.45) at Off The Cuff Music Bar SE24 Jom youth open miC (ages 12-18) Sun 7th Jan 2024, 2-6.30pm (sign in at 1.45pm) at Off The Cuff Music Bar SE24 Jom Junior open miC (ages 4-15) Sun 11th Feb 2024, 12-2pm (artist sign in at 11.45) at Off The Cuff Music Bar SE24

By newsdesk © Southwark-Council

happy FamilieS have been welcomed into their new peckham council homes - just in time for Christmas.

Second man arrested in connection with Peckham Banksy artwork theft

UK’s ‘biggest open mic night’ for kids returns to Herne Hill next month

By Herbie Russell the uK’S ‘biggest open mic night’ for kids will return to herne hill next month.

JOM Open Mic Night sees young musicians treated to a fully-equipped, twelve-speaker setup and even help from a performer’s assistant.

Organiser Andy Gray has announced four events for the new year - two in January and two in February.

Performers at previous nights have

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a SeCond man has been arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage in connection with the removal of a Banksy roadsign artwork, police have confirmed.

The artwork was unveiled on Friday, December 22nd, on the corner of Commercial Way and Southampton Way. It depicted three military drones on a red Stop sign, and has been interpreted as a critique of the war in Gaza. Its value is estimated to be around £500,000.

The artwork was removed with boltcutters not long after its unveiling, with a man shown on social media running off down the road with it.

Southwark Council appealed for information and a man was arrested on Saturday, December 23rd.

On Christmas Eve, Scotland Yard said a man in his 40s had been arrested on the 24th and was in police custody, with the man detained on Saturday, in his 20s, bailed pending further inquiries.

Both had been arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage.

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8 NEWS

Historic Frost Fair returns for free to Bankside in January

By Isabel Ramirez The historic Frost Fair will return to Bankside in January for a long weekend of winter festivities, including horse and carriage rides, old street games and music.

Eight arrests made and police injured as ‘Eritrean protesters’ attack riot vans By newsdesk Eight people have been arrested, with four police officers injured, when a demonstration outside a theatre in Camberwell became violent on Saturday night, December 30th.

Around fifty protesters were seen fighting police during tensions reportedly over Eritrea and neighbouring Ethiopia

Police following a disturbance near to the Lighthouse Theatre in Camberwell Road, south east London. Picture date: Saturday December 30, 2023.

in Africa, near the Lighthouse Theatre in Camberwell Road.

Southwark Police commented: “Eight people were arrested in Camberwell this afternoon for offences including violent disorder, criminal damage, possession of offensive weapon and assault on an emergency worker. Four officers were injured, one of whom was taken to hospital and has now been discharged.

“Some officers, who were not in riot

gear, had their batons raised in defence as one member of the crowd threw a roadworks barrier at them.”

Police imposed a section 35 dispersal order in Camberwell Road until 7am on December 31st.

Back for the second year, the modern-day Frost Fair is a reimagining and celebration of an extraordinary period in London’s history which saw the River Thames freeze over 24 times between 1605 and 1814.

It will run for three days from Friday 26 - Sunday 28 January 2024 on Sumner Street, behind the Tate Modern.

Ride alongside the Thames in a horse and carriage, watch an outdoor screening of Dr Who while enjoying an ‘Old Tom Gin’ and get absorbed in a craft workshop.

The event will be free, but the BID is encouraging donations to help ‘freeze out homelessness’ for the Manna Society, a local day centre working with the homeless and vulnerable.

When the Thames froze over all those years ago, out-of-work sailors, bargemen and the local community responded by creating a unique ‘on ice’ fair where Banksiders hosted markets, played traditional games, gambled, and indulged in various entertaining pursuits on the frozen river.

During the last Frost Fair in 1814, an elephant famously walked across the ice alongside Blackfriars Bridge.

A myriad of entertainment and a diverse range of activities can be expected at the 2024 Bankside Frost Fair, including an elephant parade (with a life-size puppet elephant), historic street games, music and entertainment.

If you get peckish, there is the Frost Fair Fringe, where local Bankside businesses will recreate food, drink, and activities reminiscent of its past - think hot apples, gingerbread, mulled wine and hot chocolate.

To find out more about 2024’s Frost Fair, go to banksidelondon.co.uk/frost-fair/

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REVIEW OF THE YEARNEWS 2023 9

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AS LIONS’ NUMBER ONE

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March 16 2023

Parents shocked as primaries set to merge in latest in Southwark’s school crisis

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Easter Holidays 1st - 15th April 2023

southwarknews.co.uk

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BREAKING THE MOULD Schoolgirls

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NEWS OF THE YEAR 2023 10 REVIEW

Woman lay dead in ‘swamp’ flat for roughly four months

Bingo showed signs of making return to the Elephant centre

By Isabel Ramirez There was hope for the community when news broke that the famous bingo hall in the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre could return soon.

Patrick Duffy, who ran the London Palace Bingo Club until its closure in 2019, exclusively told us he ‘would consider’ coming back after learning of a detail in the plans for the new town centre.

The new Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre is being built in phases by Delancey - most of which is due to be completed by 2026.

According to the Section 106 agreement, part of the planning

Neil Coyle MP in his constituency office

Inside the woman’s ‘swamp’ flat

By Herbie Russell A deceased woman lay undiscovered in her “swamp” flat for roughly four months despite a neighbour warning the council about her welfare.

Horrified residents at Borough’s Tabard Gardens Estate saw flies piling up in her window and leaks pour from her apartment over several months yet the council did nothing.

With her body finally discovered in January 2023, the tragic case saw Southwark Council accused of missing “opportunities to help her” and “burying its head in the sand”.

Twelve months later, the News understands the woman still hasn’t been formally identified.

Old Southwark and Bermondsey MP Neil Coyle said: “I don’t get the sense it’s a priority for the council sadly.”

Father-of-two Jeffrey Boachie-Frimpong, who lived below the woman’s flat, first met the woman in March 2022.

He’d knocked on her door to discuss a leak coming from her flat into his and was “gobsmacked” by what he saw.

“I was greeted by a lady who was extremely distraught and explained her leak had been ongoing for many months previously,” he said. “She was living in what seemed to be a

The Tabard Garden Estate dirty swamp.”

Jeffrey and his wife contacted the council, begging them to “rehouse this poor woman”.

Southwark Council claims it visited the property and fixed the leak but the woman did not say she needed help.

Jeffrey says leaks reappeared from the flat above in September 2022 but Southwark Council couldn’t access her flat. It is believed the woman died around this time.

Jeffrey emailed the council again saying the council “need[s] to checks on the person living there… because I have knocked a few times and no one is ever in”.

Instead of being checked on, the woman is believed to have lain dead for another four months.

Finally, in January 2023, an emergency housing officer forced entry into the flat, struggling to open the door because of letters that had piled up, and discovered the decomposing body.

The discovery sparked outrage among local politicians who slammed the council.

Neil Coyle MP said: “They need to work out if they could have done more to fix those jobs sooner and whether they’re aware of any other opportunities to prevent these tragic circumstances.”

“The council needs to stop burying their heads in the sand,” he added.

Southwark Liberal Democrat Leader

Cllr Victor Chamberlain said: “Southwark Council have serious questions to answer about their failure to protect this resident and how they respond to concerns about the welfare of tenants.”

Tensions were further enflamed when Southwark Council admitted the woman had contacted it in July to express her concerns.

She said she had recently broken her leg, had lost her job and was worried about not being able to afford rent. The council’s response was to refer her to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Southwark Council has said it is “deeply saddened” and is “supporting the police in establishing the exact circumstances”.

It also said it had commissioned an internal investigation to establish whether internal processes needed to change to prevent the situation happening again.

Twelve months on, the News is still awaiting confirmation of formal identification and the outcome of this investigation.

Robin Hewing, programme director at the Campaign to End Loneliness, said the council had a responsibility to help create “robust and sustainable communities”.

“Local authorities can make a big difference… they take a lot of the big decisions when it comes to what our neighbourhoods are like so they are really important,” he said.

Falling pupil numbers and the cost-of-living crisis saw Southwark’s nurseries take a hit this year, but parents and staff were not giving up without a fight.

In 2022, the National Day Nurseries Association warned that nurseries had endured a “disastrous” year and 2023 saw the effects of this began to unravel.

In Southwark it began with the closure of two nurseries in Borough - Banana Moon and Bright Horizons, both due to rising operational costs that meant staying open would be ‘unsustainable.’

Another two nurseries faced disasters of their own and their futures currently hang in the balance.

The first was Kintore Way Nursery School, which has been serving underfives since 1939 and currently owes £450,000 to the council.

To curb the debt, the headteacher was forced to propose job cuts meaning the support workers would reduce from eleven to three.

Kintore Way campaigns against job losses.

Nearly half of their pupils have special educational needs (SEN), so the main concern by parents was the risk to their kids’ safety due to these staff cuts.

Parents with kids with needs also told us that this was ‘the only nursery’ they could send them, so they needed to be able to rely on it.

This year Southwark UNISON led the campaign to save the jobs at Kintore

and protested for the council to save the outstanding-rated nursery. Their petition reached over 1,800 signatures and the parents and staff rallied to discuss the effects of the redundancies if they were to go ahead.

When we asked the council they said no decisions had yet been made, but they were doing ‘everything they could’ to support the nursery.

Eddie Hearn steps in to save Camberwell Boxing club from collapse

Top boxing promoter Eddie Hearn stepped in to save the Lynn club

By Isabel Ramirez A Camberwell-based boxing gym, that first opened in 1892, was miraculously saved from closure thanks to a five-figure donation from a top boxing promoter.

Southwark’s nurseries took a hit this year

By Isabel Ramirez

obligation, the developer must market one of the leisure facilities to a bingo operator before anyone else.

After learning of the news, one Facebook user commented: “It’s desperately needed. All the elderly people who would sit in the warm hall must be suffering at the moment.”

Another said: “Yes it would be lovely for the community to be able to communicate with the outside world again. I used to love going there with my mum and family.”

At 50,000 square feet, the size of the London Palace would be hard to replicate in the new centre, Patrick did say there is a chance he could bid for more space and offer other leisure services such as bowlin

Lynn AC, Britain’s oldest amateur boxing club, officially reopened after receiving a surprise rescue package from Matchroom Sport - run by

In terms of the reasons behind the debt, Kintore Way is unique in the sense that although it is a mainstream nursery, the number of children with SEN means it requires funding it isn’t currently getting.

Funding for students with an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP) sometimes bypasses nursery schools and goes directly to their primary schools when they transition, without any backdated payments to the nursery.

In UNISON’s campaign, they were asking for Kintore Way to become a resource-based school, which would backdate EHCP funding and help recover costs, ensuring the nursery’s financial stability and continued support for SEN children.

Also in a ‘significant deficit’ is Ann Bernadt in Peckham and if nothing changes, it will be forced to close next year.

In September 2023, Ann Bernadt saw pupil numbers fall from 123 (in 2016/17) to 45. Schools receive funding on a per pupil basis meaning

world-famous boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.

The 130-year-old club had been forced to close due to health and safety concerns, leaving hundreds of amateur boxers without a place to go.

On his decision to revive the Lynn with a £10,000 cash injection, Eddie Hearn told us: “I’ve known the club for years. If you’re talking about the best clubs in London - this is one of them.

Lots of our fighters have trained here.”

Ann Bernadt was plunged into a £300,000 deficit, up from £100,000 in 2021/22.

Southwark’s birth rate has fallen by 33 per cent since 2012 – equivalent to around 1,650 childbirths – and in Peckham and Nunhead the fall is 35 per cent. This has had a far-reaching impact on schools’ financial viability across the borough.

But as well as nurseries, plummeting pupil admissions proved most severe for Southwark’s primary schools.

Townsend Primary School in Walworth closed its doors in the summer as did St Francesca Cabrini Primary School in Honor Oak. Meanwhile, Cobourg Primary School merged with Camelot Primary School and St Jude’s is consulting on a merger with Charlotte Sharman Primary School.

The council did announce that plans were ‘already underway’ to repurpose closed primary school buildings for children with SEN, so we will be following this up in the new year to see what happens.

REVIEW OF THE YEARNEWS 2023 11

‘fraud inVestigations’ loom with department at a crisis point oVer major works fiascos

By Herbie Russell

CoStly and inadequate refurbishments of southwark estates have plunged the council into crisis as fraud investigations loom for its beleaguered housing department.

Major works contracts on estates in Rotherhithe and Bermondsey soared millions over budget and dragged years over schedule in 2023.

Incensed residents claimed contractors left their estates with “whistling windows”, splattered paintwork and, in one instance, “filled with cigarettes”.

Opposition Liberal Democrat councillors asked “why there were no alarm bells” when costs went a combined £6 million over budget.

Meanwhile, the row has exposed internal fissures. Labour councillors accused the council of “serious failings” while local Labour MP Neil Coyle said the Labour-run council was withholding a key report.

Southwark Council was forced to answer claims of poor estate refurbishment throughout the year but the situation reached boiling point in December.

Following complaints from residents on Bermondsey’s Devon Mansions estate, the council admitted it had suspended staff members after refurbishment works went roughly £4.2 million over budget and 102 weeks over schedule.

At a bombshell meeting, a resident named Ina said she’d been left in a “prison of scaffolding for almost three years”.

She claimed new concrete slabs had been broken, glass bricks were replaced with cheap alternatives and “hundreds” of 14cm-deep holes were littered across the estate.

Contractors were seen smoking on the scaffolding and had left the estate “filled

By Isabel Ramirez

the legal battle between an Aylesbury estate tenant, the council and a developer, over the ongoing demolition of the estate she lives on, culminated in the case being heard in the high Court.

Aysen Dennis, 65, whose flat of 21 years is about to be bulldozed as part of the regeneration, initiated her campaign against Southwark Council and the developer, Notting Hill Genesis, in May 2023.

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

Aysen told us that she believed this was an attempt at “social cleansing.”

She originally refused to leave her flat but reluctantly agreed to move in November, into one of the estate’s newly built, council-owned flats.

Despite having moved, she is still technically a tenant of the estate, so Aysen continued with her fight.

Earlier in the year, she staged an anti-gentrification exhibition in her flat in Wendover Block, which featured photos, collages, mementoes and audio recordings documenting her long struggle against redevelopment.

At the exhibition she fundraised for legal aid, allowing her to take the council and the multi-billion pound developer, to court. By doing this Aysen hoped to delay her flat’s demolition and “open the debate” about privately-backed

The Canada Estate.

Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Darren Merrill (Inset)

with cigarettes”, she claimed.

Southwark Council’s interim housing director said the council had “commenced disciplinary investigations into some council officers” involved in the works, and staff had been suspended.

“It may be that we need to undertake some fraud investigations in this space,” he added.

Labour’s Councillor Emily Hickson, who brought the case before Southwark Council alongside Councillor Sam Dalton, said: “This is a huge increase in costs and suggests something has gone seriously wrong in the management of the project by the council.”

But this wasn’t the first time the council had been forced to apologise for its major works projects.

In September, the News revealed that similar works on the Canada Estate had

gone £1.7 million over budget and overran by seventeen months.

Furious tenants branded the project “a comedy sketch” while leaseholders said they faced bills rising to an estimated £26,000.

The works, residents claimed, had left them with blocks painted in a mishmash of colours, “unbearable” whistling windows that don’t fully open and holes cut into walls.

Southwark Council has apologised to residents for their “terrible experience” and told them it’s commissioned an “independent investigation” into the project.

Fuelling the flames, Neil Coyle MP accused the council of withholding a report about Bermondsey’s Kirby Estate’s £1.3 million window refurbishment – which residents claim was faulty.

In a letter to the council, he wrote that a building control inspection was “promised” to himself and residents but had been “withheld without explanation”.

Southwark Council has said residents at Devon Mansions and the Canada Estate could be owed compensation but its coffers are already running dry.

In August, the council said its housing reserve fund had been reduced to its “lowest ever point” after housing stock maintenance went £19.8 million over budget in 2022/23.

In more positive news, Southwark Council finally appointed new housing director Hakeem Osinaike in December.

He replaces Michael Scorer who resigned in August, two months after admitting Southwark Council didn’t have enough money to meet its pledge to start building 11,000 new council homes by 2043.

stop Southwark Council’s plans to demolish her block and build a 25-storey private tower on the site – was heard before Mr Justice Holgate in the Royal Courts of Justice.

Ahead of the hearing, she was supported by around 50 residents and

local anti-regeneration campaigners outside the court.

The group demanded an end to the redevelopment of the estate in favour of refurbishment, chanting: ‘refurbish don’t demolish, homes for people, not for profit’.

In 2015, outline planning permission was granted to redevelop the Aylesbury Estate. This establishes the main principles of a development project but allows the developer to hammer out the finer details in subsequent planning applications.

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

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

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

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

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

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

As for the outcome, Mr Justice Holgate reserved judgment to be delivered as soon as ‘physically’ possible.

aylesBury estate tenant took the council to court oVer demolition

regeneration projects.

Her legal argument was that the council acted unlawfully by allowing the developer to make a change which would make it easier for them to sign off on ideas that vary from the original plan.

In November, the case – which could

Dancer still smiling after losing her arms and legs to malaria a Camberwell-based dancer was still able to remain positive despite getting the deadliest form of malaria on holiday and waking up from a coma with no arms or legs.

Tatiana Timon was on a dance trip to Angola when she unknowingly contracted malaria which later turned into sepsis.

This meant she had to have her limbs amputated meaning she had to stop doing what she loves - dancing. When we interviewed her she was in recovery and was raising money for new prosthetics which would allow her to dance again.

She has raised over £30,000 so far - and continues to show gratitude even though she experienced many people’s worst nightmares.

The 35-year-old told us: “I could have died. I could have not been here today – so that keeps me going. I understand why they did it. They had to do it to save me. So I’m grateful.”

OAP back on the pints after mobility scooter saga

a nunhead pensioner was robbed of his mobility scooter in July cutting him off from family and pints at the nags head pub.

Patrick Cronin, 73, said he was “trapped” and couldn’t “go nowhere” without his wheels - leaving him stuck in his care home for weeks.

The News told his sad story and a generous reader gave their old scooter to the retired digger driver.

Patrick said: “I can’t believe it. It’s a lovely scooter, it’s a beauty. I am so pleased! I’ll tell you what, I’ll get some stickers and put Southwark News all over it! I will!”

Terrorist-bashing hero to get longawaited award

the millwall fan who fought off knife-wielding terrorists during the 2017 London Bridge Attack will get a bravery medal..

Roy Larner famously roared “f*ck you I’m Millwall” while throwing haymakers at three jihadis wearing fake suicide belts.

Despite almost dying from stab wounds sustained while protecting people in the Black & Blue bar Roy’s courage never received official commendation. It’s believed he’s been denied awards due to previous convictions - including racially aggravated assault - which Roy now deeply regrets.

‘The Lion of London Bridge’ will receive the Royal Humane Society Silver Award in May 2024 - a prestigious honour personally approved by Princess Alexandra.

NEWS OF THE YEAR 2023 12 REVIEW

Fox and magpie form wild friendship in Dulwich Predator and prey crossed the divide over a lunch of nuts and seeds in Dulwich.

Local resident Robin Crookshank Hilton snapped the fox and magpie hanging out in Camberwell Old Cemetery in July.

The former Conservative councillor had started feeding ‘Freddy’ the fox and ‘Maggie’ the magpie during lockdown allowing a wild friendship to blossom.

“The magpie always comes when the fox is there. I was a bit nervous at first thinking the fox was going to eat the bird but they seem to like socialising,” she said.

“They kind of look stand there looking at each other.

Then the fox looks at me as if to say: ‘It’s okay. Maggie can eat with me. She’s my friend’.”

In a study on interspecies friendships called The Evolutionary Origins of Friendship, researchers Robert Seyfarth and the late Dorothy Cheney found: “Friendships often involve cooperative interactions that are separated in time.

“They depend, at least in part, on the memory and emotions associated with past interactions.”

Peckham Burger King named ‘the best architecture ever’ A Peckham Burger King was declared “the best piece of architecture ever” thanks to its distinctive wavy roof and glass walls.

X (formerly Twitter) users were asked to share the best architecture they’d ever seen - prompting locals to heap praise on the Peckham High Street store.

Social media users described the outlet as “immortal” and “unironically impressive” with one post getting 2,500 likes.

One person even said their wife called it the “Zaha Hadid Burger King” – a reference to the Iraqi-British architect’s famously futuristic designs.

The area is blessed with a host of celebrated buildings including William Allen Alsop’s award-winning Peckham Library.

‘Cursed’ painting blamed as ghostly apparitions harass London Bridge workers

A “cursed” painting reportedly sabotaged cars, broke collar bones and had terrified staff fleeing “black swooshy figures” during Halloween.

Employees at The London Bridge Experience suffered a spate of bad luck after Managing Director James Kislingbury brought the art to work.

Depicting a girl with stern-looking eyes, the painting had already been returned to a shop three times due to its alleged paranormal activity.

Undeterred, James took a punt on the spooky portrait to decorate the tourist attraction but things quickly “got weird”.

James’ car broke on the way home and, back at the office, the WiFi went down and people were allegedly harassed by ghostly apparitions.

“The other day I was here on my own and I saw a black swooshy figure go through the door in front of me,” staff member Shannon Fagan said.

Another staff member felt their broken collarbone was somehow connected to the piece.

Paranormal Investigator Claire Evans said: “I know that there is also the spirit of a pregnant lady in this painting. She was very heavily pregnant and she leaves pools of water.”

Crystal Palace man ‘mystified’ after receiving letter sent 100 years ago

Royal Mail delays reached new heights when a Crystal Palace man received a letter 100 years late.

Theatre director Finlay Glen, 27, of Hamlet Road, was “mystified” when the overdue correspondence dropped through his letterbox in February.

Written in 1916 - around the time of the Battle of the Somme - it bore a George V stamp.

Local historian Stephen Oxford gave the tardy treasure his seal of approval - saying it shed “new light” on the neighbourhood’s Georgian families.

Postal punctuality is a regular problem for local residents who believe it had sat in a dark corner of the Sydenham sorting office for over a century.

The letter garnered international attention, with news of its late arrival being reported in Argentina.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Incidents like this happen very occasionally, and we are uncertain what happened in this instance.”

2023 Escaped Mexican Black Kingsnake rattles Elephant and Castle residents

Cyclists in uproar over pin-scattering saboteur in Bermondsey Cyclists were in uproar after a ‘mean-spirited’ saboteur started puncturing their tyres by scattering pins on the biking highway outside Bermondsey underground.

Lydia Maxwell, founder of a dog-walking business that ferries pooches around in cargo bikes, said the mystery yob had been a thorn in her wheels.

“I’m running a small business. Replacing my tyres definitely digs into my bottom line,” she said.

“But it’s more of a dent in morale knowing that somebody out there wants to hurt you.”

The handfuls of pins are usually left strewn on the Jamaica Road cycle lane that opened in 2020.

While a boon to cyclists, it has been criticised by some motorists who say it’s worsened congestion.

Local police say they will “keep an eye out” for the unknown individual – who has waged the bizarre campaign for two years.

A Mexican Black Kingsnake had families’ blood running cold when it escaped in Elephant and Castle in the summer.

The three-foot-long constrictor was on the loose for over twentyfour hours after a builder spotted it slithering around gardens in Oswin Street.

It was later deemed “totally harmless” but still rattled residents who were flung into “panic” over the jet-black fugitive.

Local man Anthony Poggo “almost stepped” on the slippery customer before Safari Pete, a local conservationist and crocodile handler, swooped in.

The renowned reptile rescuer, along with his son, captured the exotic specimen before taking it to a local reptile centre.

Safari Pete said: “I’ve been rescuing my snakes my whole life. We don’t often have problematic snakes in the UK – it’s disproportionately dogs and cats!”

REVIEW OF THE YEARNEWS 2023 13

headlines of the year Skipping on Rent

Tagging Toffs

Clamping Down

One man in Bermondsey made the headlines after claiming that rent prices had risen so drastically, that living in a house in a skip was his only option.

It has been a year since Harrison Marshall first moved into the unusual abode that he built to raise awareness of how unaffordable rent had become in London.

The 28-year-old architect initially planned to live there for a year, but the last we heard when we visited him a few months ago, was that he wanted to ‘live in it for longer.’

He told us: “The thought of moving out and paying £1000 in rent a month doesn’t appeal to me.”

Posh out-of-town graffiti writers caused a stir amongst locals in Peckham by using its walls as a canvas for their spray-painted tags.

Locals claimed the streets around Peckham’s two railway stations were being covered in graffiti ‘with barely a shop shutter or wall not decorated with street art or smeared with writing.’

While chains like Costa usually manage to clean up the graffiti eventually, independent businesses in the area have given up trying as barely 24 hours go by before the tags return.

Some residents weren’t impressed by the tagging - with Jennifer Chelley from Peckham commenting that the culprits were ‘not local people’ and deserved ‘a year’s prison sentence’ or to be named and shamed.

The council later announced they would be ‘cracking down’ on graffiti and removing it for free for private businesses, as part of their strategy to clean up streets.

Southwark Council announced it would start removing e-bikes obstructing pavements and charging the operators.

Local residents have become increasingly concerned about the issue of pay-to-ride e-bikes, claiming they are causing a hazard after being ‘hacked’ and ‘dumped.’

Guy Stern, who lives in Elephant and Castle said: “I notice it every day. When someone uses it without paying they make that loud noise, I guess as a warning,” he explained. “They’re breaking the law and they don’t seem to care.

Council Leader Cllr Kieron Williams said: “I have written to all four local providers about the matter expressing our deep concern and asking them to urgently address the matter, or we will begin removing any e-bikes or scooters which obstruct the public paths or roads.

“We expect to see improvement imminently.”

A Bermondsey priest slammed “cruel” Southwark Council for fining elderly parishioners who parked up for morning mass on Easter Sunday.

Father Alan of the Holy Trinity Dockside Church said around six worshipers, who believed parking restrictions were lifted on the bank holiday weekend, were slapped with £30 tickets.

A priest at the Catholic church for thirty years, he said: “This is absolutely scandalous! People presumed that, because it was a bank holiday weekend, they could park on the road and a whole load of them got fined!”

Peter Cooper, 69, a parishioner and retired taxi driver from the Dickens Estate, said: “It’s about money. They know the times of the masses and they must rub their hands together thinking: ‘we’ll make a killing here’.”

Girls from a local school marched on Southwark Council’s offices in March to demand the council ramp up its tackling of damp and mould in council homes.

Students from Notre Dame RC Girls School sounded the alarm after discovering that, in a group of 37 students, 35 had experienced these issues.

The group – led by Southwark and Peckham Citizens, a local alliance of Citizens UK – gathered at the offices on Tooley Street last Thursday, March 9 to demand change to the current repairs service.

In September, Southwark Council announced an action plan to improve its repair services which pledged to answer calls within five minutes, give vulnerable residents priority support and recruit dedicated neighbourhood repair managers.

Twelve a Crock

A developer demolished 85 Peckham Rye flats that were built just twelve years ago.

The four residential blocks, known collectively as Solomon’s Passage, had lain empty ever since residents were moved out due to dangerous leaks six years ago.

Since then, successive owners have failed to redevelop the site next to Peckham Rye Park, leaving an ‘eyesore’ and a stark reminder of the developer’s ‘incompetence’.

Having compensated dislocated residents, Wandle then drew up plans to demolish two blocks and refurbish the remaining pair – but never started the work.

Henley Homes bought the site in September 2020 for £9 million and then secured permission to demolish all four buildings and build 91 brand-new flats.

READ ALL THESE STORIES AT: WWW.SOUTHWARKNEWS.CO.UK

Critical Mass

Breaking the Mould

NEWS OF THE YEAR 2023 14 REVIEW Graham Poole 1952-2023

South London’s most famous pie-maker Graham Poole, who ‘dedicated his life and soul’ to the M. Manze Pie & Mash dynasty, sadly passed away aged 70.

Graham Michele Poole died from cancer at his home in Warlingham on September 24, accompanied by his beloved wife and daughter.

From the age of thirteen, the tireless businessman served the family enterprise for over half a century, ensuring the people of Bermondsey and Peckham never went without their traditional, liquor-soaked grub.

He even saw the businesses through a time of uncertainty, when petrol bombs struck the shop during a spillover of the Brixton riots in 1985 and was able to reopen it in 1995 and make it his own.

The Peckham shop did well under Graham’s stewardship who, despite his high standards, was a conscientious boss who could light up the room with his ‘infectious laugh’.

A keen chef both at work and at home, even when his cancer spread, meaning he could no longer eat himself, he would still cook for his wife.

Tributes from former employees showed that he will be remembered for being a great boss, a family man and ‘always ending the day with a smile.’

Nanny Bet 1934-2023

The smiling face of Betty Heather appropriately shines down near the Blue Market Square in Bermondsey, and for her grieving family, it is a lasting memorial to a woman who was like a mum to thousands of girls.

On March 20, Elizabeth (Betty) Heather peacefully passed away surrounded by her loving family - aged 89.

A typical start for Bermondsey girls like herself, she worked at the Peek Freens Biscuit Factory and Hartley’s jam factory before going on to be the lift lady at Aylwin Girls’ School.

Her daughter Kathy said that was where she got her nickname ‘Nanny Bet’ - “She was a mum to all,” she told us.

After retiring at 72, a perfect day for Betty involved shopping down the Blue, having dinner at the Age Concern followed by playing bingo and putting her bets on the 49s (the daily lottery).

Betty is not only survived by her family but also by a place on the famous People’s Mural overlooking the Blue Market which was painted including characters ‘everyone would recognise.’

“Her face has been painted directly underneath the wall light – so even in the dark, she shines bright,” Kathy added.

Steve Hiser 1941-2023

The legendary amateur boxing coach, who trained champions and positively impacted the lives of many, tragically passed away last year aged 82.

Described as a “father to a thousand sons”, Steve Hiser passed away on May 12 following a successful career both inside and outside the ring.

Former professional Hiser was in his 50th year at Fisher ABC after he started coaching there in 1973.

When he soon became head coach, he helped to develop many champions, such as Ted Cheeseman, Lloyd Honeyghan and Peter McDonagh.

But the influence of Hiser, who was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2012, went way beyond the ring. He will be remembered as not only a coach but a mentor and paternal figure to everyone he trained.

Bermondsey’s Trevor Thirlwall knew him for over 40 years and is now a coach at the club with the other four ‘disciples’ Hiser left in charge.

When asked what it was that made

people who haVe left us

John Berylson

Adela Valencia

We said farewell to some key characters in Southwark’s tapestry this year, including a renowned boxing coach, a fierce political campaigner and the owner of Millwall Football Club

Micky Norris

Steve Hiser

Tony LinforthHall

Nanny Bet

Graham Poole

Coral Newell

Hiser so unique, Thirwall simply replied, “Without sounding too clichéd, how do you explain greatness?”

Coral Newell 1936-2023

A battle-hardened campaigner, who served the people of Bermondsey and Rotherhithe for over half a century, sadly passed away.

Coral Newell was 87 when she died unexpectedly on May 12, following a life dedicated to her community. A Labour stalwart, the former councillor headed up the Beormund Community Centre right into her eighties until its closure just after the pandemic.

There she ran training programmes from basic skills right up to accountancy, as well as leisure activities and a nursery.

In an interview with the News just two years before her passing, Coral explained how she found a love for political activism as a teenager and went on to fight for better facilities for the workingclass community she was so proud to be a part of.

Having grown up on the Amos Estate, off Rotherhithe Street, she only left her beloved hometown for a brief period during the war when she was evacuated.

Following the war, she took on a mission to help rebuild war-torn Southwark and help residents young and old come together - which included starting a youth club on her estate aged just 15.

As well as daughter Sian, Coral left behind two grandchildren Joanna and Richard, great-grandchildren Evie and Teddy and a legacy of helping those most in need.

John Berylson 1953-2023

Millwall Football Club was rocked by the shocking death of owner and chairman John Berylson in July.

The 70-year-old, who was hugely popular with Millwall supporters, died in a tragic accident on July 4.

Regarded as one of the best owners in English football, Berylson pumped around £100million into the club.

Born in Boston, he took over Millwall in 2006 and fought to keep the club in South Bermondsey amid the threat that land around The Den would be the subject of a compulsory purchase order.

Following his death, tributes poured in on social media, from fans to players new and old and even rival clubs.

Former defender Alan Dunne said: “John was a gentleman who put Millwall back on the map. What he has done for the club will always be remembered and can only thank him for everything he done for me and Millwall.”

As a tribute, the club has submitted plans to rename Zampa Road - the small street that leads directly to The Den - ‘John Berylson Way’.

Micky Norris 1948-2023

A famous local publican, who ran a Rotherhithe pub for 35 years and was loved by all, died aged 74.

Michael ‘Micky’ Norris passed away on June 22, after a long battle with his health.

Over the 35 years he ran the China Hall pub on Lower Road, thousands raised a pint with ‘guvnor’, Micky Norris.

The much-loved landlord will be fondly remembered for his generosity, hospitality,

and the community spirit that he fostered at Rotherhithe’s favourite public house.

After working at the pub part-time, he was asked to take it over in 1983. Micky’s wife, Linda Norris, who moved into the pub with him that year, said it already had a good reputation - but under Micky’s and his family’s management, it went from strength to strength.

In 2019, the pub was sold to a developer and the couple narrowly avoided homelessness when they had to move out.

Micky also had to have his leg amputated the year before but despite this dark spell, he managed to keep his head up.

When he died, over 250 people attended his funeral and former MP and friend, Sir Simon Hughes said: “Good local pubs with really strong local attachments are very important, and unfortunately, greedy private companies often don’t understand this.

“In the end, one has robbed us of another of our really special local venues. But Micky’s legacy will never be forgotten.”

Tony Linforth-Hall 1946-2023

A Millwall fan, who set up a walking football team for people with cancer whilst suffering himself, died aged 77.

Tony Linforth-Hall passed away on July 14 after a battle with terminal blood cancer. Despite having an incurable illness, the avid Millwall supporter never let that stop him from helping others.

He formed a walking football team for people with cancer to keep playing the game they love.

In an interview just a few months before his death, Tony told us he created the team to share what he believed helped to ‘keep him alive.’ His legacy lives on – not

only with the team but with the hope he created for people at their darkest hour.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Liberal Democrat Cllr Maria LinforthHall, with whom he shared a deep bond until his passing – on which Maria later commented: “I lost my husband. I lost my best friend, my companion.”

Given his love of the club, the family scattered his ashes at the Millwall Football ground.

Adela Valencia 1993-2023

The charity that runs the annual Latin carnival in Burgess Park, tragically lost a member of their team last year, who died aged just 29.

The last Carnaval Del Pueblo festival, which took place on August 20, was dedicated to the life and memory of Adela Ibarra Valencia, a deeply loved member of their family who died unexpectedly in June.

A talented dancer, Adela performed at every carnival and all the London New Year’s Day Parades, as well as helping her mum run her stall every year.

Nuala Riddell-Morales, director of Carnaval and a lifelong friend of Adela’s told us: “Adela came to London as a very young child from Buenaventura (Colombia) in difficult circumstances, and her escapism was coming to the Latin American school ran on Saturdays in Clapham.”

Nuala added that Adela was “born to smile and perform.”

She is survived by her two sons, Julio (10) and Joel (4), her mother, her sister and the Latin American community in Southwark and beyond.

NEWS 15

i

Community must be the cement that holds Southwark together in 2024

t’s hard to look back on 2023 as anything but a bruising year. Thankfully, communities pulled together to support each other where possible and more of the same will be needed in 2024.

The cost-of-living crisis is nothing new. Prices were soaring back in mid-2021 and then worsened following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, on the back of the austerity years. Inflation peaked back in October 2022 and, in 2023, failed to fall as fast as economists hoped.

But a lot of readers won’t have needed to refer to the facts and figures around inflation. Many have felt it right in their pockets. In Bermondsey, parents and carers were driven into food poverty - forced to rely on donations from the Lions Food Hub. This was true of food banks throughout the borough, including a Peckham outlet that urged the government to increase universal credit payments for struggling families.

Rises in everyday items have been only one side of the nation’s wobbly economy. The other side is our failing national institutions, where normal people have felt the brunt of strikes and funding crises, While nurses walked out over historically low pay, an elderly couple living in Borough were left with “foul-smelling” bandages going unchanged for weeks - a situation so painful it left them housebound. And this week sees more strikes, this time from junior doctors.

Meanwhile, Southwark Council has partially blamed a lack of government funding on its schools crisis, which has seen some shut their doors, and is piling pressure on vitally-needed nurseries like Kintore Way. At times, individual heroes shone. Only this week, nine-year-old Tony Hudgell was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) after raising £2 million for Evelina Hospital.

2024 also saw the return of Bermondsey Carnival which was cancelled the year before after a drop in government funding. But this year it went ahead following generous donations from events company Assemble Gala and the commitment of local volunteers.

The tireless efforts of local people, filling the gaps where central government fails, will be needed over the next year. 2024, or January 2025 at the very latest, will see a general election, with Rishi Sunak’s reported plans for a May 2024 election described as the ‘worst kept secret in Westminster’.

Polls suggest that increasing numbers of people are looking to Labour to shift the nation’s fortunes even if it’s out of disdain for the floundering Conservatives rather than a passion for Starmerism.

Sunak’s local government funding settlement, announced in February, was better than many had hoped.

But recently published spending data for April to September 2023 shows local government spending on some areas, including children’s social care and homelessness services, still outpaced budgets.

With Starmer refusing to commit to public spending increases, local authorities like Southwark, which provide key services to the most vulnerable, remain on shaky ground.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE Clues Across 4 Lag back half loping at horse’s pace (6) 8 Like a stupid animal, a fault in orient (7) 9 There are five, one feels (6) 10 Rent goes down, but they indicate grief (9) 11 Such a garment could be a bore (4) 13 Remain in rabid ecstasy (5) 14 Most common officer? (7) 16 Melts again, but declines (7) 18 Thiefproof curls? (5) 19 Man who was less than adamant (4) 21 Tile scale could be divine (9) 22 Awkward situation if this vessel contains fish (6) 23 A hundred surrounded cowered (7) 24 Deliberately lost the royal power, we hear (6)

Clues Down 1 A mess up lost blood, but put together (9) 2 Instrument for producing the catchiest rhythm? (5,4) 3 Express contempt one pole and most of the other (5) 5 Expert cards? (4) 6 Landlord in mindless orgy (6) 7 Pale shade from previous half of elms (6) 9 Rate of movement is quiet in the seed (5) 11 It’s disgusting to be up in arms (9) 12 Support the waiter after I leave that’s something stagnant (9) 15 Turmoil among tame leeches (5) 16 Noise from the tennis court? (6) 17 At a greater speed without food? (6) 20 Fruit to put underground, we hear (5) 21 The hooked nail end of democratic rule (4)

QUICK PUZZLE Clues Across 4 Part of foot (6) 3 Integrity (7) 9 Sharp pain (6) 10 Elucidate (9) 11 Festival (4) 13 Wind instrument (5) 14 Confident (7) 16 Condescended (7) 18 Rage (5) 19 Bird (4) 21 A number (9) 22 Revenue (6) 23 Tell a story (7) 24 Perfumes (6)

Clues Down 1 Interpret (9) 2 It’s raised in opposition (9) 3 Degrees (5) 5 Eft (4) 6 Offer (6) 7 Irritated (6) 9 Strained (5) 11 Household accessories (9) 12 Apartment blocks (9) 15 Indian tent (5) 16 Marks (6) 17 Inspired revelation (6) 20 Exclude (5) 21 Sooty mark (4)

SOLUTIONS TO LAST WEEK’S CROSSWORD CRYPTIC Across: 1 Backhand 4 Drab 8 Thread 10 Doping 11 Lenin 12 Poses 14 Stream 17 Stretcher 18 Scattered 22 Rankle 23 Delay 24 Train 26 Nerves 27 Temper 28 Hide 29 Chestnut Down:1 Bite 2 Curios 3 Healer 5 Raider 6 Bigamous 7 Month 9 Deserters 10 Discredit 13 Stick 15 Repel 16 Entrench 18 Snored 19 Alter 20 Renews 21 Dampen 25 Grit

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1 Passport 4 Zinc 8 Doctor 10 Cinder 11 Fears 12 Until 14 Elicit 17 Determent 18 Recapture 22 Briton 23 Opens 24 Scars 26 Relate 27 Secure 28 Dish 29 Plasters Down:1 Pads 2 Second Profit 5 Indict 6 Curative 7 Aisle 9 Relevance 10 Cremators 13 Tenet 15 Inure 16 Lumbered 18 Rifles 19 Costs 20 Upsets 21 Endure 25 Weds

ARTS 17

what’s on

Blood On Your Hands Grace Joy Howarth’s Blood On Your Hands is a searing journey into the lives of slaughterhouse workers and is presented by up-and-coming activist theatre company Patch Plays.

and writer Phillip John Jones as Dan, Ukrainian - Vietnamese actor, Ivan Doan as Kostyantyn, Megan Louise Wilson as Eden, Ukrainian actress Kateryna Hryhorenko as Nina, and Mountview alumni Jordan El Balawi as The Man/Callum.

Patch Plays is a theatre company devoted to staging new writing that explores environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and their intricate connection.

This production contains discussions around addiction, war, animal cruelty, and suicide. It also contains visual depictions of blood.

This is the story of the forgotten victims of the meat industry. Examining the human impact on those who work in slaughterhouses, it centres around Ukrainian refugee, ex-veterinarian Kostyantyn who, arriving in a sleepy Welsh town, finds work in an abattoir.

Here he befriends Dan, a happy-go-lucky Welsh lad who cracks too many jokes for his own good. All the while, Kostyantyn’s wife and daughters are home in Ukraine, and Dan’s activist ex-girlfriend won’t stop pestering him at work. Can these two men endure the harsh realities of their everyday lives and their bleak, bloody working environment?

A study of human strength, connection, and hope in pitiless surroundings, Blood on Your Hands is directed by Anastasia Bunce and features award-winning Welsh actor

Recommended for ages 16+ Southwark Playhouse Borough, The Little, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6BD from 17th January - 3rd February.

Times: Monday to Saturday at 8pm; Tuesday and Saturday matinees at 3.30pm. Admission: £10 - £18 Booking: 020 7407 0234 https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

Unfriendly Friend is Coming Back

Witchcraft and Treachery at the Donmar Referred to in theatrical circles as the Scottish Play, a superstition having arisen after multiple opening night mishaps, Macbeth has been performed countless times since it would have first graced London stages in the early 17th century. David Tennant now takes on the titular role of Macbeth in this Donmar Warehouse production, writes Christopher Peacock.

Photo by Manuel Harlan

The West End return of Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’ record breaking collaboration The Unfriend is playing at the Wyndhams’ Theatre.

The cast is led by award-winning comedian and actor Lee Mack (Would I Lie To You, Not Going Out, Inside No. 9) as Peter, Sarah Alexander (Jonathan Creek, Green Wing, Smack The Pony and Coupling) as Peter’s wife, Debbie, Frances Barber (Silk and Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool) as Elsa Jean Krakowski and Nick Sampson (Witness for the Prosecution, Anthony and Cleopatra) as The Neighbour.

They are joined by Muzz Khan (Behind The Beautiful, Ten (Stop The War)) as PC Junkin, Maddie Holliday (Afterlife, The Unfriend at the Criterion) as Rosie and Jem Matthews as Alex in his West End debut.

The company is completed by Christopher Jordan (Hedda Gabler at The Old Vic, The Unfriend at the Criterion) as understudy Peter/The Neighbour, Cathy Walker (Witness for the Prosecution, The Unfriend at the Criterion) as understudy Debbie/Elsa, Charlie Richards (The Play That Goes Wrong, Four Score Years And Ten) as understudy Alex/

in Southwark

PC Junkin and Poppy Shepherd (Our Generation) as understudy Rosie.

While on holiday Peter and Debbie befriend Elsa: a lusty, Trump-loving widow from Denver, USA. She’s less than woke but kind of wonderful, so they agree to stay in touch - because no one ever really does, do they?

When Elsa invites herself to stay with the family a few months later, they decide to look her up online.

But it’s too late: on learning the truth about Elsa Jean Krakowski, the deadly danger is already on a flight to London! What began as a casual holiday friendship is suddenly a threat to all their lives.

Peter and Debbie now face the ultimate challenge of the modern world - how do you protect all that

you love from mortal peril without seeming a bit impolite?

Because guess who’s coming… to MURDER. The Unfriend is designed by Robert Jones, with lighting by Mark Henderson, sound by Ella Wahlström, video design by Andrzej Goulding and casting by Charlotte Sutton CDG. The Unfriend by Steven Moffat was originally developed by Playful Productions.

Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0DA until 9th March.

Times: Monday - Saturday 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm.

Admission: £63.50 - £150 Booking: www.theunfriend.com

This production, directed by Max Webster, certainly poses a fresh take on one of the world’s most famous tragedies and does so by wanting to connect further back in time to the 11th century Scotland whose protagonists would have inspired Shakespeare to weave this tale of witchcraft and treachery.

Cush Jumbo takes on Lady Macbeth and this production does not just hang on the talents of its two big name leading actors. What the design team has done with the show is to create an intimate and more immersive experience. At the heart of this is Gareth Fry’s sound design. Each audience member has a pair of headphones to wear for the whole show that feed in the binaural score alongside mic’d up performances from those on stage.

The accompanying Celtic music, which is excellently executed by the actor-muso quartet, and the singing of Gaelic psalms from Kathleen MacInnes, hang around in your ear to create the landscape that the sparse set denies you visually.

In terms of performances, being

literally plugged in to the sound, this does open up more nuanced and subtle moments from the performers. Whispered tones and the intimacy between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are heightened, asides can be whispered in plain sight and the switching between internal thought and dialogue can be expressed in more simple vocal adjustments. Both Jumbo and Tennant maximise the use of this as their characters battle with their own inner turmoil.

The whole production is confident in its execution, the upstage glass box of the Rosanna Vize set design adds another layer of stage/off stage, letting us see beyond, in the same manner that some of the sound we hear is from the off stage dealings. Whilst bringing you in and keeping you engaged, the concept works, that is, of course, if you don’t mind wearing a headset for two hours. I can imagine that for anybody who dislikes or finds the lightly-padded headset uncomfortable, it may become a distraction.

Tickets for Macbeth have now sold out.

Donmar Warehouse, 41 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9LX UK until 10th February.

Times: Mon – Sat evenings 7.30pm; Tues, Thur & Sat matinees 2.30pm.

Admission: £25 - £69.

Booking: 0203 282 3808 www.donmarwarehouse.com/events/ macbeth/

18 CLASSIFIED

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Elim House Day Centre

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

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PUBLIC NOTICES 19

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (CARVER ROAD, COLLETT ROAD, PECKHAM RYE) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) 1.

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

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in: (a) Carver Road, at it’s junction with Herne Hill (b) Collett Road, between Keetons Road and Storks Road (c) Peckham Rye, between Scylla Road and Nunhead Passage

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I / we Chi Shing Tang Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of Chi Chinese Restaurant, 71 Lordship Lane, London, SE22 8EP The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are

Opening hours:

Days

Start time

Finish time

Sunday to Thursday Friday & Saturday

12:00 12:00

22:00 23:00

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 2000; details are also available on our website at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp

3.

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) Herne Hill, Half Moon Lane, Ruskin Walk, Herne Hill (2b) Storks Road, Clements Road, Drummond Road, Tranton Road (2c) Peckham Rye, Forest Hill Road, Brenchley Gardens, Brockley Way, Ivydale Road, Cheltenham Road

4.

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

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 (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk) and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below.

5.

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

Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly 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 level 5 on the standard scale.

6.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 15th January 2024 (2b) 18th January 2024 – 16th April 2024 (2c) 13th – 14th January 2024

Date of application: 22nd December 2023

7.

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

Dated this 4th January 2024 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) WF5DNP3F (2b) BER5-CORO117-01 (2c) LBSCR13173-1 LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (GERVASE STREET, NEPTUNE STREET, REDCROSS WAY, TANNER STREET, VERNEY ROAD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFI) # 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) Gervase Street, at it’s junction with Old Kent Road (b) Neptune Street, between Lower Road and Moodkee Street (c) Redcross Way, between Park Street and Southwark Street (d) Tanner Street, between Riley Road and Maltby Street (e) Verney Road, at it’s junction with St James Road

3.

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) Old Kent Road, Asylum Road (2b) as indicated by the signs displayed (2c) as indicated by the signs displayed (2d) as indicated by the signs displayed (2e)

4.

The existing ‘one-way’ working in Gervase Street, between Old Kent Road and Asylum Road, will be made ‘two-way’ for access and egress purposes.

5.

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

6.

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

7.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 19th – 22nd January (2b) 25th January – 7th February (2c) 21st – 22nd January (2d) 23rd – 24th January (2e) 19th – 26th January

8.

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

Dated this 4th January 2024 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) 81079841 (2b) LCND00925H (2c) SLS000812394230135 (2d) LBSCR13324 (2e) P11229

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Kingsdale Foundation School Statutory Consultation on Admissions Arrangements for 2025-26 Entry Kingsdale Foundation School Admission Authority is currently consulting on admission arrangements for the Academy for September 2025 entry. We would welcome your views on the proposed change to our Admission Policy.

An explanatory letter, draft proposed policy and relevant supporting documents can be accessed via our website at www.kingsdalefoundationschool.org.uk by contacting the school's Admissions Office Tel: 020 8670 7575 or by Email: admissions@kingsdale.southwark.sch.uk Please send all comments or queries for the attention of Ms O. Otubu, Admissions Officer, by email via admissions@kingsdale.southwark.sch.uk by 31st January 2024 when this consultation will close.

STATUTORY CONSULTATION FOR ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE COLLEGE The Governors of St Thomas the Apostle School would welcome your views on the admissions arrangements for 2025/2026.

Please visit www.stac.uk.com to view the policy.

Any comments or queries should be emailed to Mrs I. Sarsoza at enquiries@stac.southwark.sch.uk.

Please respond by 30th January 2024 when the consultation period will end.

What happens next?

The Governors will consider all the responses to the consultation. They will then decide whether to implement any changes and if approved the changes will be introduced for September 2024 entry.

20 PUBLIC NOTICES 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; FLAT A 230 OLD KENT ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 5UB (Ref: 23/AP/3454) Extension of the basement, ground and first floor and new mansard loft to re-model 3no existing flats and provide 1 new flat (Within: Thomas A'Beckett And High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Anna Poulose ) 28 BOROUGH HIGH STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 1YB(Ref: 23/AP/3491) Listed Building Consenst for internal refurbishment with external redecorations and new signage (Within: Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng 020 7525 5000) 28 BOROUGH HIGH STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 1YB(Ref: 23/AP/3493) Display of replacement 3no. illuminated fascia signs, 2no. hanging signs and 1no. nameplate sign (Within: Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Michèle Sterry 020 7525 5453) 81 STRADELLA ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE24 9HL(Ref:

23/AP/3486) Construction of a single storey rear extension following the demolition of the exisitng single storey rear extension. (Within: Dulwich Village Stradella Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Susherrie Suki ) 152 EAST DULWICH GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE22 8TB(Ref: 23/AP/3458) Demolition of two detached dwellings, erection of two buildings for relocated Pre-Prep school including pedestrian access, external play space and hard and soft landscaping (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Abbie McGovern 020 7525 0254) 18 WHEAT WHARF 27 SHAD THAMES LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2YW (Ref: 23/AP/3378) Listed Building Consent for the internal reconfiguration of the flat (Within: Tower Bridge CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Catherine Jeater 020 7525 5375)

Transport for London Public Notice

5 ETHEL STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 1NH(Ref: 23/AP/3535) Proposed rear and side return extension, new roof terrace above existing outrigger and other minor external modifications to Victorian terraced house. (Within: Larcom Street Walworth Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Chloe Rimell 0207 525 1397) DAUNCY HOUSE WEBBER ROW ESTATE WEBBER ROW LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 23/AP/3381) Listing Building Consent for the installation of a fibre optic network externally. Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng 020 7525 5000) Dated: 02 Jan 2024 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date.

STEPHEN PLATTS Director of Planning and Growth

Transport for London Public Notice

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

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

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

1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it has made 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 purpose of the order is to allow manhole cover and frame replacement works to take place on the A3200 Southwark Street. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle; (1) except cycles from turning right from Borough High Street into Southwark Street; (2) from stopping in the taxi only bay outside No.1 Southwark Street.

The Order will be effective between 9:00 PM on the 15th January 2024 and 5:00 AM on the 16th January 2024 or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibitions will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.

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

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

4. At such times as the prohibitions are in force alternative routes will be indicated by trafc signs. Borough High Street; Newington Causeway; St Georges Close; Waterloo Road; Stamford Street; Southwark Street to normal route of travel

1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it has made 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 purpose of the order is to allow new telecom connection works to be undertaken on the A200 Tooley Street.

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.

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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.

Dated this 4th day of January 2024.

Claire Wright Co-ordination and Permitting Area Manager Transport for London, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ

Dated this 4th day of January 2024 Claire Wright Co-ordination and Permitting Area Manager, Transport for London Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ

LICENSING ACT 2003 APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE (Section 17) Notice is hereby given that B & M Retail Limited has applied to the Royal Borough of Greenwich Council on 18 December 2023 for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of B&M Store, (Former Wilko), Cannon Retail Park, 6 Twin Tumps Way, London SE28 8RD to allow off sales of alcohol and opening hours from 07:00 to 23:00 7 days a week.

A record of this application may be inspected by appointment.

Other persons may make representations to the Council on this application by no later than 15 January 2024.

Representations can be made in writing, by email or fax using the contact details below: Licensing Team, 4th Floor, Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, London SE18 6HQ. Tel: 020 8921 8018; Fax: 020 8921 8380; Email: licensing@ royalgreenwich.gov.uk Representations can only be made on the grounds of one of the four licensing objectives, namely: • Prevention of Crime and Disorder • Prevention of Public Nuisance • Public Safety • Protection of Children from Harm Any person who makes a false statement in connection with an application is liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine which is unlimited.

(ROW/MJG) KEYSTONE LAW Solicitors 48 Chancery Lane London WC2A 1JF

January 4th 2024

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Our weekly deadline is 5pm every Tuesday

SPORT 21 DULWICH HAMLET FC

Hakan Hayrettin’s side defeated for just the second time in fourteen league games

Luke Wanadio was on target last weekend

By John Kelly dulwiCh hamet had a deflating start to the new year after Chatham town came from behind to score a last-minute winner at The Bauvill stadium.

The Dulwich boss had to contend with a number of absentees against Chatham

After a goal-less first half in front of a 2,588 attendance, Adrian Clifton gave Hakan Hayrettin’s side the lead in the 53rd minute.

But the Chats hit back through Chris Dickson on the hour and Reece Butler earned all three points for the hosts in the 90th minute.

Luke Wanadio went close to giving Dulwich the lead against Town in the fourteenth minute only for his attempt from range to go just wide.

Former Millwall midfielder Alfie Allen had the game’s first shot on target as goalkeeper Ben Bridle-Card saved his long-distance effort.

Dulwich were on top and Manny Parry was next to threaten but the Chatham goal survived intact.

The Hamlet spurned another opportunity seven minutes before half-time when Bridle-Card saved form Clifton.

The hosts then went close to making a breakthrough when Dickson shot from a tight angle and Will Lakin saved.

Dulwich finally beat Bridle-Card when Clifton headed home Wanadio’s cross.

But then the game was turned on its head in the 60th minute when this time

Dickson went around Lakin to finish into an empty net.

Eight minutes later, Lakin tipped Jack Evans’ volley from 30 yards around the post.

The much busier Lakin then denied Ash Nzala before being beaten late on.

A free-kick into the Dulwich box wasn’t fully cleared and Harvey Broad’s shot landed at the feet of Butler who tapped in from three yards.

It was only Dulwich’s second defeat in their last fourteen Isthmian League Premier Division games and their playoff hopes have taken a hit as they are now nine points off seventh.

Dulwich drew 1-1 against Horsham last weekend. Luke Wanadio equalised for the hosts a minute before the break

Bermondsey club’s youngest wrestler wins gold

Photo by Tokei

By sports reporter bermondSey toKei club’s youngest member claimed a gold medal in a competition in slough just before Christmas.

Ruben Mkrtchiyan, aged nine, produced the “standout achievement” at the event.

Wrestlers from the Tooley Street martial arts club had the opportunity to win an extra Christmas present at the Southern Area Wrestling Championships.

Competitive wrestling in the UK is either Freestyle or Greco-Roman and with the exception of athletics, is recognised as the world’s oldest competitive sport. The rules for the two disciplines are almost identical, except that in Greco-Roman a wrestler may not attack an opponent below the waist or use their own legs to execute holds. This competition was under the Freestyle rules which tends to be more popular.

Not all the wresting members who train at Tokei want to do competitions, and some only train in Greco-Roman, but Tokei had four wrestlers travelling down to Slough with their supporters and head coach Mohammed Shahin to give mat-side advice and last-minute

in front of an attendance of 2,796 at Champion Hill.

Charlie Hester-Cook had given the visitors the lead in the 43rd minute.

Meanwhile, Miquel Scarlett, Hussein Siklawi and Jack Ruddy all departed the club late last month.

Hayrettin said: “I’d like to thank all three of the lads for all they’ve done for the club this season. Whilst it hasn’t worked out here at Dulwich, I have no doubt they’ll go on to have good footballing careers elsewhere.

“I’d like to wish them all the best going forward and look forward to following their individual career journeys from afar.”

The Hamlet host Hashtag United in the league this Saturday at 3pm.

Jumo nets worldie in Fish draw

By John Kelly

FiSher Claimed a point at sutton Athletic in their last game of 2023 to end the year in eighth place in the SCeFl premier division table.

Ruben Mkrtchiyan in action tips.

In the competition there were eleven different age and gender categories, plus weight groups for each category.

This guaranteed everyone was able to compete and test themselves against people who were a fair match for them.

The club said: “There was at least one win for everyone on the day, but

the standout achievement was Ruben Mkrtchiyan.

“Ruben took the gold medal in the under-9 years’ old group. It was also his first competition. He put in a very spirited performance, smiling throughout, even looking up taking advice from his coach and family who were calling out encouragement in the

final.”

The wrestlers who train at Tokei’s purpose-built dojo range from Ruben aged 9 to much older players in their 50s. They train on Monday evening from 8pm to 9.30pm and Saturday afternoon 2.30pm to 4pm. New players of any age and returners to the sport are always very welcome.

Flavio Jumo scored a goal-of-theseason contender to earn a point for Michael Williams’ side.

The Fish made a strong start and Michael Sarpong, on his first appearance of the season, went close but it was the hosts who took a tenth-minute lead through Mariano Banjoko.

It took the visitors just seven minutes to level when Sarpong sent Jumo in behind the defence and after checking back with a flick he fired into the top corner from 25 yards.

Defences dominated after that explosive start, with Mark Chadi commanding the Fish back-line and seventeen-year-old goalkeeper Samuel Nwabuko tipping over a header in firsthalf injury-time.

Sarpong had a goal ruled out for offside after the break and Nwabuko made a late save to ensure a share of the spoils.

Fisher play Corinthian in the league at St Paul’s this Saturday. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Photo by Rob Avis

hamlet suffer new year hangoVer

22 SPORT

Harding’s fight for fitness

By Kiro Evans weS harding could make it back to fitness in time to play in this Saturday’s Fa Cup clash against leicester City but Joe edwards admits it will be “tight”.

The defender has missed Millwall’s last two games with a hamstring problem he picked up during Boxing Day’s 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.

Edwards said he can’t rule out the 27-year-old’s return before the weekend.

The Lions head coach told our paper: “Wes was outdoors when we were preparing for Bristol so Wes is progressing as we thought. It will be very tight to be involved for the Leicester game. We couldn’t rule it out, but it will be tight.”

Harding has been replaced in the lineup by club captain Shaun Hutchinson who got the late winner and starred in the New Year’s Day win at Bristol City.

Edwards admits he will have a “good headache” to deal with when Harding returns.

He said: “Hutch definitely would have been frustrated with the lack of game time he’s had under me. And to be fair to Hutch the professionalism he’s shown every day to be club captain and not be in the team but still conduct himself the way he has is why he’s club captain.

“When Wes comes back, that’s a headache for me but a good headache.”

Elsewhere, Casper De Norre has missed the last eight games with a calf injury and Edwards said he is continuing to edge towards fitness and could be training by the end of next week.

He said: “Casper, as [we said in] the original timeframe, I think he’d be aiming to get out on the training pitch with us maybe in the back end of next week. That will be his first reintroduction to training and then he has to do a bit of work before he’s fit for selection for a game.”

THE EFL CHAMPIONSHIP Millwall - 1 Bradshaw 18’ Norwich - 0 Date: Friday 29 December 2023 Attendance: 17,715 (1,926 away) Man of the match: George Honeyman Referee: Dean Whitestone

By Kiro Evans Joe edWArds said it was a “pleasure” to be involved in millwall’s riveting 1-0 win over norwich City.

With 2023 drawing to a close, the Lions produced one of their best performances of the calendar year under the lights at The Den. Tom Bradshaw’s goal after 18 minutes was enough to win a frantic contest that saw George Saville sent off in the final minutes of the game.

That was the culmination of a final half an hour that was breathless, heated and furious after Ashley Barnes clashed with Jake Cooper and then later Saville and George Honeyman. The Den was fired up and loud until the final whistle.

millwall’s festiVe feast

Joe Edwards was delighted with his side’s late win at Bristol City

10 points out of a possible 12 has transformed the Lions’ season

By Kiro Evans it iS safe to say that Joe edwards has received exactly what he wanted for Christmas.

After the 4-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in his opening game back in November, the 37-year-old head coach had watched his side briefly regress in alarming fashion over the following weeks.

Some fans may have begun to wonder if the win at Hillsborough was just a blip, a freak result manufactured from the new manager bounce.

But things have been steadily improving for some time now, even if results did not back up that idea. Millwall were heading towards home victories against Sunderland and Huddersfield Town before conceding painful late penalties in both games.

They fell to defeat at Cardiff City due to a late set-piece goal just days before

Millwall’s Winter Wonderland Dec 23: stoke 0-0 millwall Dec 26: millwall 2-0 Qpr Dec 29: millwall 1-0 norwich Jan 1: bristol City 0-1 millwall leading 1-0 at Leicester City at half-time but eventually losing 3-2.

The signs were there that an improvement was in the offing and over Christmas Millwall delivered their most impressive run of the season.

A haul of 10 points over four games began at Stoke City, where the Lions drew 0-0 in an uninspiring game. But there were mitigating factors: It was Steven Schumacher’s first match in charge of the

Friday Night Delight

Millwall deliver huge win to end 2023 on a high

“That was a pleasure to be a part of,” Edwards said after the game. “In terms of the results, it hadn’t been what it should be and what we wanted it to be at The Den so it was one of the big objectives to put it right.

“But now back-to-back wins and it

Tom Bradshaw stretched to convert Brooke Norton-Cuffy’s cross worked hand-in-hand to be fair. We want a certain atmosphere and energy from the fans but it’s absolutely our responsibility as a team to create that.

And although Norwich had lengthy spells of possession, I think the fans could see from the off that our attitude and desire

Potters, offering an added challenge to any away side, and Aidomo Emakhu could have won the game right at the death but he could not finish the best chance of the entire afternoon.

Up next was the crucial Boxing Day clash against Queens Park Rangers, a game Millwall dare not lose given both the rivalry and, more importantly, the fact that QPR were so close behind them in the table.

Goals at the end of either half from Tom Bradshaw and Murray Wallace wrapped up three crucial points.

The pattern over the season has been for Millwall to grab a win here or there and then not follow it up. That’s why the rip-roaring 1-0 victory over Norwich City last Friday night was so important as the Lions took back-to-back victories for the first time since March.

It was also arguably the first time they had won a game in which they were

considered genuine underdogs since the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on the opening day of the season.

Millwall then edged out in-form Bristol City on New Year’s Day, scoring a stoppage time winner out of nowhere.

Conceding late goals have been the bane of Millwall’s season so far with the Lions dropping late points against Bristol City, Watford, Southampton, Sunderland, Cardiff City and Huddersfield already.

So Shaun Hutchinson’s winner was a perfect way to signal what fans will be hoping is the beginning of a more confident and competent second half of the season.

The Lions were the only Championship team to win all three of their postChristmas games.

Following their surprising haul of points, Millwall are now ten points clear of the relegation zone and only eight points off a play-off position.

was there from the off and they fed off it and it was what we wanted it to be. It was very difficult for Norwich to play.

“And then when it gets heated in the second half, it kicks everyone on even more and for sure when we then go down to 10 and we have to hang on and ride it out, the fans were massive in helping us through that. It was a brilliant night for us.

“I’ve spoken to so many players and coaches since I’ve joined Millwall and everyone can recollect times when they’ve come to The Den and Millwall away is not a nice fixture that people look forward to playing in and that’s how we want it to feel.”

Millwall had to weather an early storm from Norwich who had a few promising openings in the opening 15 minutes.

But the Canaries would not look the same side after Tom Bradshaw struck 18 minutes in. Brilliant link-up play on the right between Aidomo Emakhu and Brooke Norton-Cuffy saw the wing-back send in a low cross that Bradshaw had to stretch to convert.

Zian Flemming could have made it 2-0 before half-time but his close-range effort was saved by the impressive Angus

Gunn.

Further chances would follow in the second half for Norton-Cuffy and substitute Ryan Longman but Millwall could not kill the game off.

Barnes’ antics took up much of the attention in the second 45 before Norwich boss David Wagner was left with no option but to sub him off.

In the final few minutes, Jonathan Rowe was threatening to break into the Millwall half on the counter-attack before he was taken out by Saville. The Lions midfielder was shown a straight red card.

Millwall appealed the sending off in the days following the game but the FA rejected their case. millwall: 3-4-3: Sarkic; Leonard, Hutchinson, Cooper; Norton-Cuffy, Saville, Honeyman, Wallace; Emakhu (Longman 72’), Flemming (Watmore 72’); Bradshaw (Nisbet 83’).

norwich: 4-2-3-1: Gunn; Stacey, Batth, Gibson (Nunez 63’), McCallum (Placheta 77’); Sara, McLean; Fassnacht, Hwang (Sargent 78’), Hernandez (Rowe 63’); Barnes (Idah 63’).

THE EFL CHAMPIONSHIP Bristol C - 0 Millwall - 1 Hutchinson 90' +2 Date: Monday 1 January 2024 Attendance: 21,755 (600 away fans) Man of the match: Shaun Hutchinson Referee: Tom Nield

By Kiro Evans a Stunning stoppage time strike

by Shaun hutchinson saw millwall grab all three points against Bristol City in their opening game of 2024.

In complete contrast to just a few weeks ago, things finally seem to be going the Lions’ way as they edged this tight contest with a late goal that came out of nowhere.

Hutchinson, who was already the star player of the match with his bullish defending, suddenly saw his chance in the 93rd minute of the game as he latched onto a Billy Mitchell header from the edge of the box.

The 33-year-old, not known for his finishing, swivelled in the area and his left-footed volley took a slight deflection that sent it flying into the bottom corner.

The moment had clear parallels with Bristol City’s victory at The Den back in August, when Matty James scored a spectacular effort in stoppage time to win a nothing game.

Millwall can feel less guilty about their triumph given they were the far better side in the second half.

The late goal means the Lions now have three wins in a row for the first time since October 2022 and four clean sheets in a row for the first time since March 2022.

It represents an extraordinary Christmas turnaround which now leaves Millwall closer to the play-off positions than the relegation spaces.

Their newfound defensive stability and renewed spirit has completely changed the complexion of their season and Joe Edwards’ short reign.

Bristol City were limited to just one real chance in the game when Matija Sarkic had to make a save from Jason Knight during the first half while Millwall’s best chance before stoppage time saw Murray Wallace head over from inside the box.

Defences were on top during a first half that promoted the organisational skills of Robins boss Liam Manning and Edwards.

Both teams came into this game unbeaten in four and barely gave each other an inch.

SPORT 23

the lions’ late show Shaun Hutchinson strikes in stoppage time to give Millwall New Year Day win

GD

Pts

1 Leicester City 26 21 2 3 36 2 Ipswich Town 26 16 7 3 15 3 Southampton 26 15 7 4 15 4 Leeds United 26 14 6 6 20 5 WBA 26 12 6 8 12 6 Sunderland 26 12 4 10 8 7 Hull City 26 11 6 9 4 8 Coventry City 26 9 10 7 10 9 Cardiff City 26 11 4 11 1 10 Watford 26 9 9 8 6 11 Bristol City 26 10 6 10 2 12 Middlesbrough 26 11 3 12 -1 13 Norwich City 26 10 5 11 0 14 Preston North End 26 10 5 11 -13 15 Millwall 26 8 8 10 -3 16 Swansea City 26 8 8 10 -4 17 Blackburn Rovers 26 10 2 14 -9 18 Plymouth Argyle 26 7 8 11 -2 19 Stoke City 26 7 8 11 -7 20 Birmingham City 26 7 7 12 -11 21 Huddersfield Town 26 5 10 11 -18 22 Sheffield Wed 26 6 4 16 -19 23 QPR 26 5 6 15 -16 24 Rotherham United 26 3 9 14 -26

65 55 52 48 42 40 39 37 37 36 36 36 35 35 32 32 32 29 29 28 25 22 21 18

Bristol City’s possession often amounted to little as they struggled to find a way through Millwall’s sturdy defence before Sarkic was required to fend away Knight’s header from the edge of the six-yard box.

And just five minutes later, half a chance presented itself to Millwall. Head tennis from Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Duncan Watmore caught out the Bristol defence and Bradshaw found a yard of space as he charged into the box.

But Zak Vyner managed to recover to block an effort from the in-form Welsh international, who has scored four times against the Robins previously.

The Lions took the initiative early in the second half and suddenly found a spring in their step while the hosts floundered.

George Honeyman took advantage of Tommy Conway slipping to drive to the byline and dink a cross in for the latearriving Wallace, who headed just over from ten yards out.

The improvement in the second half underlined the how much control Millwall seem to have in matches in recent weeks, keeping it tight in the first half before choosing to open the game up at their own pace.

After 70 minutes, Flemming had a promising header blocked a couple of

Match preview:

It was Shaun Hutchinson’s first goal since March 2021

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE P

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Millwall vs Leicester

yards out from the goal line before Cooper appealed for a penalty after hitting the deck in the box.

With ten minutes to go, it increasingly felt like neither team would find a breakthrough but then substitute Kevin Nisbet forced a corner in stoppage time.

And it was from that corner that Hutchinson’s goal would arrive with Billy Mitchell getting an assist. Both players might have found themselves on the bench if not for injury absences to Wes Harding and Casper De Norre and George Saville being suspended.

But with the seconds ticking away, club captain Hutchinson came up with

the finish to send hundreds of travelling Millwall fans into meltdown in the away end. bristol City: 4-2-3-1: O’Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Dickie, Pring; Williams, James (Gardner-Hickman 55’); Weimann (Sykes 55’), Knight, Mehmeti (Bell 72’); Conway (Wells 72’). millwall: 3-4-3: Sarkic; Leonard, Hutchinson, Cooper; Norton-Cuffy (McNamara 85’), Mitchell, Honeyman, Wallace; Watmore (Emakhu 62’), Flemming (Longman 85’), Bradshaw (Nisbet 71’).

The Den, Saturday 6 January 12:30

Lions go fox-hunting in FA Cup clash

by Kiro Evans millwall FanS are dreaming of another legendary Fa Cup run - but they will have to get past the Championship leaders first.

Just 24 days after their 3-2 league loss to Leicester City at the King Power stadium, the Lions face the Foxes again in what could be an entirely different

MATCH DETAILS

Possible Millwall starting XI: 3-4-3 Sarkic; Leonard, Hutchinson, Cooper; Norton-Cuffy, Mitchell, Honeyman, Wallace; Emakhu, Flemming, Bradshaw.

Last meeting: Championship, December 13, 2023 - Leicester 3-2 Millwall

game.

Not only does this third-round clash take place at The Den, which found its voice again in the 1-0 win over Norwich City, but Millwall also come into this one in completely different form than before.

Three wins in a row over Christmas and five games unbeaten has created a confidence and self-belief in a Millwall team that have suddenly flown up the table and will back themselves to cause an upset.

Unfortunately for Joe Edwards’ side, Leicester come into this game in even better form with seven wins in their last eight games.

The festive struggles of Ipswich Town means the Foxes now have a ten point lead at the top of the

Championship and can focus on a run in the FA Cup, a competition they won as recently as 2021.

Youri Tielemans hit the winner at Wembley against Chelsea two and a half years ago with Edwards in the opposition dugout assisting Thomas Tuchel that day.

Edwards now finds himself boss of a Lions side with the wind in their sails.

From scrapping to a Boxing Day win over QPR to the impressive victory against Norwich to the late winner at Bristol City, this Millwall team are now finding different ways of winning tough games.

They are also enjoying their best defensive run in terms of clean sheets since March 2022 after four shutouts in a row.

Leicester have scored in each of their last ten games and have shown few signs of slowing down in their bid for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Enzo Maresca’s side are so effective going forward with wingers Abdul Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi taking it in turns to pull defences apart from wide positions.

But it is possible the Leicester boss might make changes after the busy festive schedule.

Tom Bradshaw gave Millwall the lead when these sides clashed in December before goals from by Jannik Vestergaard, Patson Daka, and Ricardo Pereira turned the game on its head. Kevin Nisbet grabbed a late consolation goal.

Saturday’s match will mark the sixth time Millwall and Leicester will have met in the FA Cup with all previous five encounters also coming at The Den. Millwall have won the last three, including 2017’s famous 1-0 triumph thanks to Shaun Cummings’ late goal.

Last year, the Lions were knocked out at the third-round stage after a comfortable win 2-0 for Sheffield United at The Den. George Saville will still be suspended, Wes Harding will be hoping to return from injury while Leicester are dealing with a number of injury issues themselves. Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy are among the most high-profile names who missed their New Year’s Day win over Huddersfield Town.

INSIDE

Sport Southwark

HAMLET SUFFER NEW YEAR HANGOVER

player power

Joe Edwards credits his Millwall stars with inspiring form turnaround EXCLUSIVE

By Kiro Evans Joe edWArds believes millwall’s resilient dressing room is the reason behind the club’s unexpected return to form over Christmas.

Having picked up just one win in twelve before their trip to Stoke City, the Lions have now won three of their last four and kept clean sheets in all of their festive games.

The strong run of results has seen Millwall rise up the Championship table and ease fears that they were about to be dragged into a relegation dust-up in the second half of the season.

Edwards has credited his players for not “panicking” and leading the transformation in form.

He said: “You have to give the players massive credit for the mentality that they’ve shown. It’s always a challenge when you have fixtures that close together, four games in ten days. We went into it in a difficult

place of not winning games and not being particularly pleased with our performances and a fixture pile-up like that can appear quite daunting but that’s where you find out the character of your group.

“We had a talk before the Stoke game of looking it as a block of four games and the importance of keeping things simple. I stuck with the same system for all four games and tried to not make too many changes to the team. But we spoke about that as a group that we wanted to approach it in a real simple manner and just focus on and making sure we got the basics right which had been lacking from our game a bit.

“They’re all easy words to say but it’s then about going out on the pitch and facing those challenges and I thought the lads have been outstanding in their attitude and commitment in the games.

“In terms of how the players conducted themselves every day - no one panicked and everyone stuck together which is important as it maintains that positive platform that enables you to quickly get into a good

Joe Edwards has led Millwall to three wins in a row for the first time since October 2022

place like we have.”

The Lions have kept four clean sheets in a row for the first time since March 2022 and Edwards believes consistency has played a big role.

He said: “We’re weren’t able to work too intensely on the training pitch with the amount of fixtures we have so we do a lot of work in the team meeting room at Calmont Road looking back at videos after each game. I’ve said this since the day we came in and we’ve remained consistent with it: we always watch our own games back more than we watch footage of our opponents because it’s important we get ourselves right.

“We’ve found continuity with a system of play at the moment. Players’ performance levels have raised in general. In some of the games in early December, we were giving chances and goals away from some simple errors. Fair play to the lads, they’ve cut those out. There’s been some real solid defending of the box.”

Arguably the highlight over Christmas was the stirring atmosphere

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at The Den in the final 30 minutes of the 1-0 win over Norwich when Canaries striker Ashley Barnes clashed with multiple Millwall players.

Asked about replicating that atmosphere in Saturday’s home clash with Leicester City in the FA Cup, Edwards said: “I know there were some other factors such as Norwich being a night game. That is in itself a different feel to Leicester being a 12.30 kick-off so I acknowledge that. The way Ashley Barnes started provoking some of our players and the way we reacted definitely got everyone’s back up which is a good thing for us.

“So there were some factors you can’t count on for every game but the clear and simple thing we know as a group is that when you show absolute commitment and you are willing to put your foot in and be seen to run and cover with everything you’ve got and just show that level of fight for the fans, we know that often gets reciprocated so that needs to be something we take on board and try and replicate as often as possible at home.”

page 21

Need for speed

EXCLUSIVE

By Kiro Evans

Joe edWArds has revealed “speed and athleticism” will be important factors considered before any players are brought to The den this month.

The transfer window opened at the beginning of January and senior figures at Millwall have been consistent that fans should not expect too many incomings before the window closes on February 1.

But Edwards has said that if any new players are signed, they will have to tick two boxes.

He told our paper: “I wouldn’t go too deep into positions or anything like that but one of my observations, now I’ve been part of the league for the last couple of months, is that something I feel has increased in the last couple of years in the Championship is the level of athleticism and speed.

“Whatever positions of the pitch we do look out over the coming windows whether that be January or the summer - I think adding athleticism and a bit of speed into your team is always important going forward.”

Asked whether he would be open to short-term loan moves this month, Edwards said: “We know we can always add competition in your squad and get stronger and if there are opportunities there for a player to come on loan, it’s not something we’d be adverse to. It’s all about will that person come in and make a positive impact and will they fit in with our dressing room and culture and not upset what we’re doing right now. It’s all got to be for positive reasons.

“So whether that’s a loan or permanent, as long as it’s adding to what we’re doing then we’re open to it.”

Last January, Millwall signed Aidomo Emakhu and Duncan Watmore permanently and picked up Oliver Burke on loan.

Duncan Watmore signed for Millwall last January THE RECYCLED PAPER CONTENT OF UK NEWSPAPERS IN 2014 WAS 83.5%