Southwark News - May 2nd 2024

Millwall eXclusive

Issue 1683

Established: 1987

50p

May 2 2024

southwarknews.co.uk

harris: no quick fiX for lions page 32

pages 12-13

Who will represent us at City Hall - the candidates

Postcode wars force Peckham boxing club to move back home

the coMeBack

our global search for taylor swift’s Black dog See page 3

See page 4

See page 16

save my old china

2 NEWS Contents NEWS Pages 2-17 opinion Pages 18-19 arts Pagea 20-21 History Page 22 Jobs /Classified Pages 23 property Page 22 Public notices Pages 25-27 SPORT Pages 29-32

Major works: What are they, who pays and what’s gone wrong in Southwark?

By Herbie Russell

Southwark Council’s housing stock, some of which is over 100 years old, constantly needs renewal and refurbishment.

These housing maintenance programmes, often referred to as major works, have proved controversial in recent months, Projects’ costs have spiralled, overrun by months then years, and residents have complained of poor quality workmanship.

Southwark Council is conducting internal investigations into two major works projects and there are calls for a third to be probed. But what are major works, who pays for them, and what exactly has gone wrong in Southwark?

What are major works?

Major works projects are large pieces of work, usually done to exterior and communal parts of buildings.

This could include roofs, windows, external structures, communal energy supply and door entry systems.

In Southwark, major works are often carried out through the Quality Homes Improvement Programme (QHIP).

QHIP sees council staff identify housing stock most in need of extensive repair and refurbishment.

Who pays for them?

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

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

Southwark Council tenants and leaseholders both contribute to the costs of major works.

Leaseholders These are long-term tenants who exercise the right to buy a property for 125 years.

Southwark Council calculates how much leaseholders contribute towards major works costs based on the terms of their lease.

The council will estimate these costs before major works are undertaken and leaseholders can start paying while the works are being done.

When the work is completed, final costs are agreed between the council and the contractor.

Leaseholders might then get some money back, or have to pay more, depending on whether the final costs are over or under the original estimate.

However, councils can only recover costs that are ‘reasonable’, a term with strict definitions in law.

Issue 1682

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 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

April 25 2024

Works on Devon Mansions, Bermondsey, went £4.2million over budget and 23 months over schedule

If leaseholders believe the costs are not reasonable and justifiable, they could challenge the council in a first-tier tribunal.

Tenants Rent-paying tenants also contribute to the costs of major works through regular payments towards the council.

These payments are contained within rent payments and go towards a sinking fund for major works.

Who carries out major works?

Southwark Council hires external contractors to carry out major works, often through longterm contracts.

Southwark Council is obliged by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 to serve a Section 20 notice if the works are higher than £250 per leaseholder.

The local authority should explain why it is carrying out the works and invite leaseholders to comment on the proposals.

If they don’t, local authorities could lose the right to recover the costs handed to leaseholders.

The council will then carry out a tendering process and should select contractors offering the best value for money.

A consultancy firm will often be employed to manage the projects, contracts called ‘design and build management contracts’.

Calfordseaden, one such firm, has worked with Southwark for around 20 years.

What’s gone wrong?

It is not unusual for major works projects to go slightly over budget, but the levels of MILLWALL EXCLUSIVE

southwarknews.co.uk

the candidates LIONS BOSS ON THE LONDON How it works, and the major issues CHAMPIONSHIP ELECTIONS Pages 10-13 SAFETY Page 32

BRIGHT SPARK Peckham electrician whose police search was Tik Tok hit, on his quest to train up young people for employment

Page 9

EXCLUSIVE

See page 4

£1.3 million over budget - estate claims major works ‘shambles’

See page 4

Man ‘stabbed’ in Bermondsey

Works on the Canada Estate, Rotherhithe, went £1.7m over budget and seventeen months over schedule overspending have raised alarm bells.

Since January 2016, five major works projects in Southwark have overspent by over £1 million, and half have overspent by over £100,000, according to analysis by the Liberal Democrats.

High-profile examples include Devon Mansions, the Canada Estate and Arica House, which overspent by £4.2million, £1.7million and £1.3million.

Some residents are sceptical as to whether these costs are justified.

The projects also overran by 23 months, seventeen months, and two years respectively.

In some cases, contractors were given percentage fees of overall project costs.

Describing such an agreement as “perverse”, Southwark’s then interim housing director said: “That’s an incentive for costs to run away with themselves”.

Southwark Council has often pointed to external factors, like Covid-19, inflation and rising construction costs, as reasons for projects overspending.

But residents’ complaints about the quality of the works have forced the council to apologise for a “litany of mistakes”.

Figures revealed by the Southwark Liberal Democrats showed the council had received 1,658 stage 1 complaints over QHIP works.

Some leaseholders have been left with bigger-than-expected bills, including one at Arica House whose estimate is currently £17,500, £10,000 more than was expected.

Works on Arica House, Bermondsey, went £1.3million over budget and two years over schedule

What will happen next?

Southwark Council has commissioned independent audits into Devon Mansions and the Canada Estate.

These audits, to be completed by August 2024, will review the works and how the contracts were managed.

A set of internal audits will follow, and be reviewed by an external party, but haven’t been given expected completion dates.

Southwark Council is also looking into the possibility of fraud and will conduct fraud investigations if evidence of foul play emerges. However, Southwark Council has so far ignored calls for an independent investigation into Arica House.

Projects to keep an eye on?

Attention will now turn to Southwark Council’s ongoing projects.

Residents’ feedback, and the extent to which projects go over budget, will help determine whether the council has learned from past experiences.

The Kingswood Estate Internals QHIP project in Dulwich, carried out by Elkins, is scheduled to be completed in July 2024.

External and internal works on Gilesmead, carried out by Equans, are scheduled for finish in December 2024.

The Area 3 Internals Work Package, refurbishments on estates around Peckham and Camberwell, is set for completion in March 2025.

The Southwark News is proud to be the only independent, paid for newspaper in London

Southwark News started life as the Bermondsey News in 1987, as an A-4 photocopied sheet of paper and rapidly grew to cover the entire borough and the surrounding area. As the borough grew, so did the newspaper.

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

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

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

Follow our social media to be updated on local news

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

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

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

NEWS 3 Taylor Swift

we asked Black dog puBs around the world if taylor swift song was aBout theM

By Isabel Ramirez

doeS taylor Swift mention a Vauxhall pub in her new song, or could it be a different ‘Black dog’? here’s what we found out when we searched the globe.

Since the American pop star released her new album, The Tortured Poets Department, one song has been causing quite a fuss across the pond.

In ‘The Black Dog’ she sings about tracking her ex-boyfriend’s location as he walks into ‘some bar called the Black Dog’ which her fans are convinced is about her London-based ex Joe Alwyn.

As a result, The Black Dog in Vauxhall has been ‘overwhelmed’ with customers, with staff claiming they were ‘100 per cent certain’ she was talking about this venue.

But we thought we would fact-check this, by asking every bar named ‘The Black Dog’ around the world if Taylor could be talking about them.

This is what they said.

1. Black dog puB, Pennsylvania, United States

Whilst being Taylor’s state of birth, it turns out this is just a bar in someone’s

Free food festival on it’s way Page 6

The Black Dog, Vauxhall

basement, named after their beloved pet Labrador.

But the owner did say: “If Taylor was in the Harrisburg area she would be welcome to one of our finest drinks.”

2. the Black dog, Cork, Ireland

Now here’s where it gets interesting.

When asked if Taylor could have been referring to their pub, they said the lead singer of British band The 1975, Matty Healy, whom Taylor briefly dated in 2023, was in Cork last summer. So he could well have gone to this bar.

Staff member, Conor added: “We know he’s a man who likes a few pints and is a fan of great rock music.”

Although they couldn’t say for certain, it’s not far-fetched to think Taylor would write a song about him.

Two other songs on the album, Fortnight (feat. Post Malone) and The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, could be references to him and how Taylor felt when their romance ended.

3. Black dog Bar aNd grill, Oregon, United States 4. the Black dog puB, Indiana, United States

Both of these pubs said they could

‘confidently say’ Taylor was not talking about them, so we can cross them off the list.

5. Black dog Beer houSe, Brentford, UK

Owner, Pete Brew, said when the song was released he got a message from someone ‘adamant’ that it was about their pub. “The reason they gave was they were ‘in the know’ that Taylor had a connection with nearby Richmond,” he told us.

We couldn’t verify that. But it’s just as well, as this pub said they didn’t want to be caught up in the ‘whirlwind.’

They did say that the media frenzy for the Vauxhall pub has affected them being the first ‘Black Dog Pub’ to appear on Google.

Pete joked that as the other Black Dog was a ‘haven for her exes’ Taylor would be welcome to theirs, adding, “Her secret will be safe with us!”

We also asked Le Black Dog in Paris and The Black Dog Tavern in Massachusetts, but neither responded at the time of going to press.

6. le Black dog, Paris, France

7. the Black dog taverN, Massachusetts, United States

4 NEWS

rotherhithe park elephant & castle MeMorial with tfl going from jumpers infrastructure hidden inside ‘needs care and conservation’ says caMpaign to goalposts with £20,000 investment The Michael Faraday Memorial, designed by Rodney Gordon

By Herbie Russell

an underuSed rotherhithe park is set for a new football pitch thanks to a £20,000 grant from Southwark Council.

© C20 Society

Local dad Anver Imam started casual football sessions on Mayflower Park roughly three years ago and it has snowballed into a regular fixture.

The humble kick-about is now hoping to swap out its bags and jumpers for actual goalposts and get a pitch outlined in the grass.

Anver said: “Basically, I was taking my kids out on a Sunday to play football and it just grew from there.

“It’s grown to like 22 players.

People who walked by and watched us play have become regular faces.

You’ll even get older people walking by who will show us their touch!

“I thought I should apply for some funding to get some goals put in and Southwark Council thought it was a great idea.”

Anver, an ex-Aeronautical Engineer who now runs his own company, hopes to get local businesses involved.

By Herbie Russell a larGe elephant and Castle monument with transport for london (tfl) infrastructure hidden inside ‘needs care and conservation’, according to campaigners.

The Michael Faraday Memorial, a tribute to the famous Victorian scientist, was built in 1961.

Centered on the roundabout, passersby may not know it houses an electric substation that powers the Bakerloo and Northern Lines.

Despite being Grade-II listed, and heralded for its “architectural quality and panache” by experts, campaigners fears it is deteriorating.

TfL has now said it will clean the monument “in the next few weeks” and consider whether it needs more regular care.

The C20 Society, a group protecting modern architecture, wrote on X that the memorial was “looking in need of some care and conservation.”

A C20 spokesperson added: “We’d urge TfL to consult with specialists to ensure the correct approaches are taken to ongoing conservation and maintenance.”

Architect Rodney Gordon, who also masterminded the futuristic Target House near Green Park, designed the memorial in 1959.

The memorial is dedicated to Michael Faraday who grew up in nearby Newington Butts in the early 19th century and became one of the world’s greatest experimental physicists.

His pioneering research into electromagnetism led to him being the first to produce an electric current from a magnetic field.

Faraday also invented the first electric

Local community project The Paper Garden, based in Canada Water’s former Daily Mail print works, has discussed building wooden goalposts.

Surrey Docks Farm has also been in talks about planting special-coloured grass for the pitch lines instead of using chalk.

“We want to keep it natural to its surroundings,” Anver explained.

Southwark Council would have to approve whichever contractors are selected.

The 52-year-old dad and his son Adam, aged eleven, are looking forward to working with them.

The new pitch would be free for anyone to use but could also potentially provide training facilities for a local team.

If there is money spare, Anver would also like to install an outdoor gym or table tennis table in the park.

Despite only starting up three years ago, one big business already backs the causal football sessions.

Hardware supplier Screwfix has got the kids playing in sponsored bibs saying ‘the choice of champions’.

A photo of the memorial when it was undergoing graffiti removal motor and dynamo so it’s fitting that his memorial contains an electrical substation.

The architect originally hoped to build the structure out of glass so people could see the substation encased within.

But he opted against it over vandalism fears, instead choosing stainless steel dished panels.

In 2016, TfL gave the structure a muchneeded paint job after local residents complained about its ‘shabby’ appearance.

Boys have been playing casual football sessions on Mayflower Park for the last three years

‘Tortured Soul’: Documentary tells story of Rotherhithe artist Ed Gray

By Herbie Russell a doCumentary following a year in the life of rotherhithe artist and ‘tortured soul’ ed Gray will be screened next month.

Ed Gray with the documentary ‘One Year with Ed Gray’

Ed’s battles with constant back pain, allergic reactions to paint, and the “joy” of self-expression all feature in ‘One Year with Ed Gray’.

Michael Holland, arts editor at Southwark News, decided to make the documentary after becoming friends with the artist.

“I first became aware of Ed Gray’s art when I covered an exhibition he had at the Sun & Doves in Camberwell,” he said.

“I knew straight away that I could relate to his work. He painted the

streets of London I knew, these were people I was surrounded by and in places that I frequented: pubs, betting offices, night clubs.

“But, for me, it was the small detail, the irrelevant minutiae of life you find in his paintings, such as discarded cigarette packets, crisp bags, water bottles and pigeons everywhere, that made his art become real.”

Michael wrote a review of one Ed’s exhibitions and “thought nothing more of it” but a year later Ed invited him to another exhibition at Camberwell’s GX Gallery.

“It was here that I met Ed for the first time and discovered that not only did I like his art but also him as a person. We soon became firm friends,” Michael said.

In 2010, Ed agreed to be filmed for a year. Looking back, he said: “So much has changed but the constants are my studio and my intention to paint my experience of city life.

“I’m not represented by a gallery but somehow it all seems to work. My work has become more recognised thanks to my online profile, and longevity.

“2010, the year that Michael made the film, was a big year for me. It was the first time I began to exhibit in public spaces.”

‘One Year with Ed Gray’ will be screened at The Art of Isolation, upstairs at the Surrey Quays shopping centre, on Thursday, May 16. Doors open from 6pm with the screening set to start at 6.30pm.

NEWS 5

postcode wars force peckhaM BoXing cluB to Move Back hoMe

By Herbie Russell younG PeCkham boxers need a gym closer to home because postcode wars mean some won’t stray far from the area.

Peckham Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) trains at a small venue in Elephant and Castle but wants to return to its spiritual heartland.

An ABC boxer competing at an event

The new venue must accommodate the 45 young people who train weekly and be in Peckham so it can attract more people from the area.

Head Coach Iain Perriss said: “While we appreciate the place at Elephant and Castle, we are the Peckham Amateur Boxing Club and so should have a home in Peckham!”

Now Peckham ABC has joined forces

with Fighting Futures - a charity empowering disadvantaged young people through the power of boxing.

The charity was founded by boxingmad father and son duo Mark and Max Woodward-Smith.

Fighting Futures has invested heavily in Peckham ABC meaning it can now turn its attention to finding a new home.

The kids at Peckham ABC aren’t involved

in gangs but are aware of the landscape of postcode warfare.

“Some kids living in Peckham won’t go into Elephant and Castle because they might be identified,” Iain said.

He added: “We want to help as many kids as we can whether they’re in gangs or have lost their parents or are struggling financially.”

Iain says it’s all about prevention and

Box office 020 8463 0100 • blackheathhalls.com • & DANCE PART OF TRINITY LABAN CONSERVATOIRE OF MUSIC

Wed 22 May 7.30pm

giving them a purpose that has a lasting effect.

He wants ABC to be more than a boxing club. The new venue would not only host boxing classes but also have meal nights, educational programs, and communitybuilding initiatives.

“We’re not running a twelve-week programme. It’s not a revolving door,” Iain said. “Once you come through our door, you’re part of a family where you can learn to box, take part in tournaments, and become a coach. Some of our kids have gone on to university.”

Iain has always been clear that the kids are “good as gold” and believes they just need “a bit of structure” to get ahead in life.

Despite receiving support from Southwark Council, and a recent partnership with Fighting Futures charity, finding a permanent home has been difficult. Young people have trained at Peckham Pulse, a local school, and even been forced to practice in a car park behind Peckham Rye. ABC said venue costs had proved “exorbitant” and it now needs an affordable 2,000sq ft base after raising £12,000 through fundraising efforts.

Iain, who grew up around south London, fought in amateur bouts himself.

One saw him sustain a brain injury from an accidental headbutt which took him two years to fully recover from.

Iain said: “It’s a young person’s sport and it’s important it’s used as a pathway.

It’s not all about national champions and not all about winning. It’s about preparing kids for the rest of their lives. I’m trying to build something that goes on for 100 years.”

If you can help email peckhama.b.c@ gmail.com

What's On 2024

Midsummer Music at Garrison Church, Woolwich Sat 15 Jun, 6.00pm

Sat 25 May 2pm & 4pm Sun 26 May, 11am & 2pm

Sat 25 May, 8pm

Black Umfolosi Fri 12 Jul, 8.00pm

6 NEWS

Christian Vaughn, The Jazz Collective

Greenwich summer artisan market

Delight, Borough Yards

What’s on for the early May Bank Holiday?

By Isabel Ramirez From free film festivals to a Eurovision party - here are some things to do over the early May Bank Holiday this weekend (4 May-6 May).

Jazz concert in southwark

Head down to this Southwark pub for an afternoon of jazz this Sunday.

Since 2018, the Unity Music Arts Team has offered free concerts in Bermondsey Square. But one of their musicians, Christian Vaughn is ‘critically ill’ in hospital so they are dedicating an event to him.

A well-respected musician in the London area, he studied at The Royal Academy of Music and taught music at the London College of Contemporary Music.

This gig will be a jazz and jam-style session featuring many of Christian’s longstanding musician friends, students and graduates.

It will be a free entry event with donations being taken to support him and his family.

Where? The UJ, Union Street, Southwark SE1 0LR When? Sunday 5 May, 3pm-6pm Admission: Free

See community theatre at Peckham Fringe

A festival of comedy, writing and

music is coming to Peckham for a thrilling third year this summer.

Peckham Fringe will mainly take place at Theatre Peckham from May till June, with extra shows at Camberwell’s Golden Goose pub.

There will be laughs from disabled comedian ‘Variety D’, a production that won a VAULT Festival award and immersive poetry from Two Brown Owls. The Windrush Warriors, to be showcased in late May, will be a dramatic comedy about the Windrush Scandal.

Audiences can also saddle up for a wild cowboy clown romp in BANGTAIL which tells the story of a man in search of his manhood, being performed on May 31 and June 1.

These are just some of the many shows audiences can enjoy with the full line-up available online at theatrepeckham.co.uk Where? Theatre Peckham and Golden Goose Pub, Camberwell When? Wednesday 1 May - Saturday 8 June Admission: Check individual shows

Follow a scandal in Borough

See a play about an American professor who gets cancelled.

All hell breaks loose when Charles Nichols, who works at Harvard, invites a contentious white nationalist to his annual conference.

Written by Paul Grellong, Power of

Free international food festival coming to Camberwell this month

By Isabel Ramirez A free food festival, with live cooking demos and music, is coming to Camberwell this month.

Free film festivals

- New Cross and Deptford There will be a varied bill with old school classics, indie flicks, shorts and local documentaries, including familyfriendly films like ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and ‘Bugsy Malone’, newer releases like ‘Rye Lane’ and ‘Wonka’, hard-hitting foreign films like ‘No’ and ‘Smile Orange’, plus docs like ‘Grace Jones: Bloodlight & Bambi’.

Look out for discos, DJ nights and talks after many of the screenings. See the programme online at freefilmfestivals. org Where? Venues across New Cross and Deptford When? Until Saturday 4 May Admission: Free - Herne Hill Meanwhile, the Herne Hill Free Film

Festival begins with a screening of the documentary Scala!!! on Thursday, and continues throughout May with 10 feature films, two short film nights, and a 48-Hour Film Challenge.

Where: Venues around Herne Hill When: Thursday 2 - Friday 24 May Admission: Free

EuroSmash Festival, Woolwich

One day, two stages, a whole host of Europop favourites.

The EuroSmash Festival is a warmup act for this year’s Eurovision - a day of fan favourites and cult classics from across the continent.

Irish duo Jedward, the Norwegian 1997 Eurovision winner and a RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant who impersonates Geri Halliwell, are just a few of the acts performing.

If that doesn’t sound entertaining enough, the programme also features comedy, games, food stalls and merchandise pop-ups.

Where: The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 St, Royal Arsenal, SE18 6HD When: Saturday 4 May, 1:30pm10:30pm Admission: £49.50 For tickets go to feverup.com

See the world’s best press photographs

Top photographers will display their spellbinding photos of war, disasters and climate change at an exhibition in

Borough.

The World Press Photo Exhibition is being hosted at Borough Yards from Friday, May 3 until Monday, May 27.

Heart-wrenching images of a devastated Gaza, the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, and blackened forests following Canada’s wildfires all feature.

This year’s winner was Mohammed Salem whose photo of a Palestinian woman cradling the body of her five-year-old niece Saly, grabbed the world’s attention. See the winning and shortlisted images from over 60,000 submitted, each one telling a story, at Borough Yards.

Where: Borough Yards, Clink St, SE1 9AD When: Friday 3- Monday 27 May Admission: £10

Be transported to South Korea’s capital

Get to know Seoul without leaving London in this immersive exhibition.

Delight might only be in Borough, but you’ll feel thousands of miles away at this experience. Immerse yourself in twelve unique zones with over 25 stunning media installations as you see the Korean city come to life.

Where: Borough Yards 219-221, Clink St, SE1 9AD When: Throughout May Admission: £9-£14.90 (check times and dates)

© Julia Hawkins

The first-ever Eat Around the World event on the Green is set to welcome foodies from all over.

On Saturday 18 May, join local cafes and restaurants as they bring their best dishes for people to enjoy in a day packed full of flavours from all four continents.

There will be cooking demos teaching people how to cook delicious meals

for less, as well as tastings, a farmers market, games and more.

Music will be from local reggae-soul DJs Pearl and Mister Swing and the Scottish Session - a ceilidh band of ten live musicians.

The festival is being launched by the Urban Farmer’s Market and the Camberwell Identity Group, funded

by Southwark Council’s Thriving High Streets Fund.

The event is on Saturday 18 May, 10am - 6pm.

Follow them on Instagram for updates @camberwellfoodfestival

Sail is described as a moral thriller that investigates the thin line between hate and freedom of speech.

Dominic Dromgoole directs Julian Ovenden, Tanya Franks, Giles Terera, Michael Benz, Katie Bernstein, Georgia Landers & Paul Rider.

Where? Menier Chocolate Factory, 53 Southwark St, SE1 1RU When? Until 12 May Admission: £47.50-£55 For tickets, go to menierchocolatefactory.com

Deptford man accused of smuggling migrants arrested

caMBerwell church Built to celeBrate napoleon’s defeat turns 200

By Herbie Russell a dePtFord man accused of helping to smuggle migrants into the uk has been arrested.

© Google

© Google

NEWS 7

The original St George’s Church, Camberwell.

excluSive

By Herbie Russell a CamBerwell church built to celebrate napoleon’s defeat at waterloo has celebrated its 200th birthday.

Existing Doubletree Docklands Pier in Rotherhithe St George’s Church is now part of the Trinity College Centre on Newent Close problems.

The parish continued and services were held in the assembly hall of St. George’s Primary School.

By 1982, it was part of the Trinity College Centre and based in a building on Newent Close where it remains.

After a successful eighteen-month, £2m conversion, the original St George’s Church re-opened in 1994 as a housing co-operative.

© Google

The original St George’s Church, on Wells Way through Burgess Park, has enjoyed a colourful history featuring fires and breakins.

The daughter church of a St Giles, St George’s was established in 1824 to support the area’s growing population.

Construction began in 1822, seven years after the battle of Waterloo, and took two years to complete costing £16,700.

Parliament had voted to build dozens

of churches across London to celebrate the historic victory including St James, Bermondsey and Holy Trinity in Rotherhithe.

The architect, Francis Bedford, used ‘Greek Revival’ designs like at St John’s Waterloo, Holy Trinity Church in Borough, and St Luke’s in West Norwood.

It had a Doric portico and a tower, with a flat, panelled ceiling and an apse was added in 1893 Local population expansion meant the graveyard filled up by 1856 and was turned into a small garden in 1887.

In 1977, vandals reportedly broke into the crypt, desecrated coffins and graffitied walls The church was closed as a centre of Anglican worship in 1970 due to structural

The 64-year-old is one of four Vietnamese nationals taken into custody as National Crime Agency (NCA) officers swooped on Monday, April 22, The man, who was arrested in Abinger Grove, is believed to have been the driver who collected migrants arriving on small boats on at least one occasion.

NCA officers also arrested a 23-yearold woman and 25-year-old man in Croydon and a 34-year-old in Leicester.

Investigators allege the group were involved in advertising illegal migration into the UK in social media posts aimed at the Vietnamese community.

The NCA believes migrants were charged thousands of pounds to make “the extremely dangerous” channel crossing.

The 25-year-old from Croydon was arrested on a warrant issued by the French authorities, on suspicion of people smuggling and drug offences, and faces extradition.

In France, twelve people suspected of links to the same people smuggling network have been arrested in the Paris area.

NCA Director of Threat Leadership Chris Farrimond said: “People smuggling via small boats is extremely dangerous and the safety of those making the journey is of no concern for criminal

groups who are exploiting them for profit.

“As well the high-risk method of transport, entering under these clandestine means automatically puts these people under increased risk of being forced into exploitation and debt bondage by these groups. Migrants are often sold a dream of a better life and access to well-paid employment in the UK but this is not the reality.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “We are using every possible lever at our disposal to crack down on people smugglers and break their supply chains. Just last week, we signed a new agreement with Vietnam, strengthening our cooperation on illegal migration.

“Together with law enforcement agencies such as the NCA, our French partners, and other countries like Vietnam, we are committed to dismantling the criminal gangs who are trying to turn a profit by abusing our borders.

The man was arrested on Abinger Grove, Deptford

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1. If there is a historic procedural error, for example your parents were British or you were born in a British colony territory.

2. You can become a British citizen if you are a minor and, in some instances, do not need to hold ILR status.

3. Applying to become a British national by way of discretion.

As the UK Government will be soon closing the EUSS program, this significantly impacts EU nationals looking to secure their work/ investment, as well as to apply for British nationality.

Start-up business, temporary work visa, charities and care agencies sponsor licences

application, you can apply for a Sponsor Licence https://icslegal.co/request-quote.

To apply for a Sponsor Licence as a start-up business, or any small businesses, Home Office requires you to provide the following:

Need to speak with one of our Lawyers on the Sponsor Licence, call us on 020 7237 3388 or email us at info@icslegal.com.

1. That you are an established business or that you are a genuine start-up business.

2. Have a robust and structured HR systems in place.

3. Do have a genuine vacancy within your business and have the financial affordability to sponsor the migrant.

Using our interactive Sponsor Licence online

Innovator Founder Visa & Scale-Up Visa Applying for the innovator founder visa is an accelerated route to apply for settlement, also known as ILR after 3 years. You will need to demonstrate that your business is scalable, viable and innovative.

1. We would be able to help set-up your UK business, which includes us

preparing the business plan and making your application for the innovator founder visa.

2. More details can be found here https://icslegal.com/innovator-foundervisas.

In contrast to the scale-up visa, this allows start-up businesses to apply for a Sponsor Licence and recruit talented skilled workers under the visa programs. This leads to settlement after 5 years.

Becoming a British nationality and apply for naturalisation Once you are able to secure indefinite leave

To help applying for British nationality, please click here https://icslegal.com/applyfor-british-citizenship.

Navigate to find an Immigration Lawyer Using our interactive platform, you can find a Lawyer near you, visit us at https://icslegal. com/find-an-immigration-lawyer.

Speaking to ICS Legal Immigration Lawyers Speak to us on 020 7237 3388 and find more information on www.icslegal.com.

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NEWS 9

‘Everyone knew me in the area - now I’m homeless’ says Peckham business owner

By Isabel Ramirez

A Peckham business owner, who has lived and worked in the area for seventeen years, is now homeless after claiming he has been pushed out by ‘gentrification.’

Up until a few months ago, Richard Bliss, or ‘Rich’ as he is widely known in the area, ran K-Ink, a tattoo parlour in Copeland Park.

In 2019, he was even featured as a success story in the local magazine, Community Bridges, for how far he had come amidst a difficult start in life.

At just fifteen years old, Rich found himself homeless after his dad died of an overdose. He said he came to Peckham in search of a better life - and found it.

But now Rich feels he has been pushed out of where he called home - and is homeless again.

In January, he was forced to shut his business in Copeland Park and leave his shared house of twelve years on Bellenden Road after the cost of living got ‘too much.’

The 37-year-old told us: “My landlord kept putting up the rent and it got to a point where none of us could afford to live there.”

This coincided with the loss of his oncesuccessful business in Copeland Park.

“It was going really well at the start,” he explained. “We managed to create a community around the studio and there was a lot of stuff happening. It was a vibe.”

However, he said when the ‘demographic’ changed, so did the footfall.

“The same culture isn’t there,” he commented.

“It was more working professionals, not people looking for tattoos so much anymore.”

Rich said having to give up his business eventually led him to a breakdown: “I ended up being put in a psychiatric home.

“It has affected me in every essence of being. From my mental health to my physical health.”

Before owning K-Ink, he spent ten years managing the Bussey Building nightclub (which closed after a fire in 2020.)

He described himself as someone who ‘helped form’ the community in Peckham and was a character ‘everyone knew.’

“This is happening all around London,”

Rich Bliss, 37

Taken outside his tattoo shop in 2019

he said, “The areas which used to be affordable, where people used to be able to access culture, a sense of community, have been suffocated by the corporate sense of money.”

In 2019 it was revealed that house prices in Peckham over the 25 years prior rose faster than ‘any other UK district.’

Once known for poverty, crime and high unemployment, it looks very different today.

On a visit to his old stomping ground, Rich bumped into friend and restaurateur, Bash Redford - owner of Forza Wine and

Forza Win - who was shocked to learn about his situation.

Visibly taken aback, he pointed to the car park and asked Rich: “What? You’re not here now?”

Talking to the News, Bash said: “The issue with gentrification is that the people from the area are not included in the meteoric rise - as we’ve seen in Peckham.”

“It can feel inaccessible to the people that have grown up here.”

After being saved in 2008, by a campaign spearheaded by Peckham Vision, Copeland Park currently houses nearly

100 businesses - including art studios, galleries and restaurants.

For the last 25 years, the Wilson family have run it.

Lorelie Wilson said ‘they too’ had observed much change over those years.

She explained: “As custodians of iconic heritage buildings such as the Bussey Building, we are committed to ensuring the site is not simply turned into more high-rise apartment buildings. Rather, we’re endeavouring to cultivate a sustainable creative community asset, with place and space available for use by

By Isabel Ramirez

Their aim is to promote a plantbased diet i.e. one that does not involve consuming any animal products.

Claudia, organiser and founder of Radically Kind said the demonstration was designed to be shocking and provoke conversation.

“Drawing a comparison with human babies helps us realise that what we do to animals and their babies is wrong,” she added.

Another protestor Ross claimed: “Every year, tens of billions of young animals are slaughtered for food,

creative businesses, emerging artists and the broader community.”

“Copeland Park is a hub of activity, with nearly 100 businesses on-site employing over 700 people.”

They added that 30 per cent of their tenants were on discounted rents.

However, they could not say how tenants were chosen for discounted rates.

Commenting on his situation, Copeland Park said whilst they were ‘very sad’ to see Rich go, they believed they had ‘provided various types of support’ to him over the years.

Rich is currently living in temporary accommodation in New Cross.

“It’s horrible,” he shared. “I can’t sleep because there’s constant noise and fights outside. And there are rats.”

His brand, K-Ink is still going, despite not having a premises.

Having picked himself ‘out of the gutter,’ Rich has set his sights on building a platform for artists - something he had started before having to close K-Ink. Rich said: “I want to give opportunities to artists from poorer backgrounds and help to champion them across the creative arts.”

He is in the process of setting up a crowd funder to make this dream a reality.

For now, you can follow his movements via Instagram @kinkpeckham Southwark Council was approached for comment.

Animal rights protestors ‘disgust’ passersby by pretending to cook ‘human baby dolls’ last weekend

Passersby in Bankside were disgusted to see a group of protestors pretending to ‘cook human baby dolls’ last weekend.

Activists representing the group Radically Kind conducted the provocative street performance outside the Tate Modern on Saturday (27 April.)

They were seen ‘cooking’ bloodsoaked human baby dolls, before cutting them up and displaying them on food dishes amongst vegetables.

typically mere weeks or months after birth.

“The demonstration, witnessed by thousands of pedestrians, elicited strong emotional responses, including shock, concern, curiosity and disgust.

“By confronting these harsh realities, we hope to inspire a broader conversation about compassion, ethical consistency and the moral considerations we owe to all sentient beings, regardless of species.”

Tate Modern was approached for comment

10 NEWS

Bermondsey church’s first female vicar delighted to be back in town Joshua Jacques' Katie girlfriend Kelly ‘all rev’d up’ Samantha Drummond

Katie Kelly (left) graduating

Katie and Julian getting married

EXCLUSIVE

By Michael Holland Katie Wilkins was a Leap Year baby born in the nun-run St Theresa’s Hospital, Wimbledon.

‘I’m just about to turn 13, she says chuckling heartily, which became the soundtrack to the interview.

Her father was a mechanic in the motor trade who worked hard into an executive position. Mum was a secretary before children came along but found time in the child-rearing to train as a cordon bleu chef. ‘We ate really well,’ laughs Katie, recalling coming home from school to duck a l’orange.

Katie’s growing up years were in ‘leafy’ Surrey.‘I went to Linton Preparatory School where we wore boaters - Really eccentric!’ Katie explained a set-up of sisters and brothers-in-laws, living in a big house, who divided up the tasks: ‘One sister was secretary and dinner lady, the other was the headteacher… I was so bossy they made me Head Girl Twice! I ran their playground with such an iron rod no one else had to provide discipline, so they made me Head Girl again.’

Did the bossiness continue into adult life? ‘No, but I am a leader.’

Katie enjoyed ‘English, History, Drama, French… I love anything to do with reading.’ She studied Government and Politics at A Level and ‘loved learning how politics work’.

She smiles and shows off scars from roller-skating and rejoices in days spent playing with friends in the woods at the back of their Tadworth home where trees were climbed and bonfires lit.

Oxford University was the next step to study French and Italian. She spent a summer with a family in Italy before the term began, and a year in Rome as part of the studies. ‘That was phenomenal,’ she remembers. ‘I had a whale of a time!’

Katie says she can pretty much hold a conversation in Italian but not French: ‘Here is my pencil case’ is the extent of it these days.

On the French course with Katie was Julian Kelly, her future husband, but with

an embarrassed laugh explains that they never really knew each other ‘because neither of us were good at going to lectures…’ Plus, they moved in different circles. Julian was in the Christian Union and Katie came from a non-Christian upbringing - ‘I was quite hostile to religion,’ she admits.

During Italian studies in Rome, the ‘whale of a time’ led to a low point. She found herself praying and on her return to Oxford asked a Christian friend to take her to church. An inspirational sermon was the catalyst for Katie’s change. ‘But I thought my journey to finding Jesus would be to go out with the Christian Union rep!’

And it was. She attended church with the rep and his family and decided that this was the time to make huge changes.

Aged 21, Katie read the Bible, became a Christian, joined their union and, once the union rep was history, got to know Julian on better terms. ‘Julian first knew me as “The woman who led the Christian Union rep astray.”’ Cue another joyous laugh.

This was no easy decision after living a life without religion. She had to tell her ‘cool’ friends and her family: ‘It did not go down well,’ she recalls. Katie stresses how supportive her parents have been since the shock: ‘They could not bring themselves to come to my baptism into the church… Although they have since come to all our kids’ baptisms!’

Katie’s parents are more comfortable now. ‘I understood their fears. It was a difficult decision to make, but not for one single second have I regretted making it.’

After graduating, Katie joined the NHS Management Scheme in Barnsley then finished it off in London.

By now, Katie and Julian were married, had moved to Bermondsey and had a daughter, Hannah. ‘I took a career break in 1996 and went back in 2012’. In that time three more daughters were born.

The Kellys joined a local church where they were very active. Over time Katie set up a parent-toddler group on Bonamy Estate, became the Sure Start Chair in Peckham and spent many hours doing community work in Bermondsey through the church: helping domestic

abuse victims and working with women in prison until realising she wanted to do church work full time now the children had grown.

Alas, there was a glass ceiling at that church for women, so to be a leader Katie had to leave and find another church where she could achieve her ‘calling’ - the Church of England. Julian supported his wife’s ambitions and the couple left amicably.

Training for the priesthood meant returning to university. On graduating she was assigned to St Edward’s Church in Mottingham as a Pioneer Curate one that would plan and test new ways of delivering the ‘message’. It is in the middle of a large housing estate on the edge of Elmstead Woods, so it did not take long for Katie and her small team to devise ‘Together Outside’.

They would arrange picnics and services amongst the trees in fine weather; she had grown up by woods and could relive those halcyon days.

She soon led church services, weddings, christenings and funerals; organised litter-picking mornings. Katie became part of the community.

She gave an example of a typical day: Morning prayer, sitting with a dying person, meeting a recently bereaved

family, emails about hall hire, heating being left on overnight, organising services and writing sermons. ‘You have to be very good at pivoting from the pastoral to the practical and back again but bringing up a large family was good preparation.’

Now, after three years away, Katie Kelly is returning to her beloved Bermondsey as the new Vicar of St James and St Anne’s Church - the first female to take charge there.

‘The post was advertised, and I applied and wrote a very long application and was invited to interview,’ she says. From a strong field of applicants, she got the job.

St James’s is a big church, off Jamaica Road on Thurland Road, plus Katie will also take charge of the smaller St Anne’s Church, off Southwark Park Road on Thorburn Square. ‘There are two communities with their own characters and their own ideas of what they want from their vicar… It is daunting because I will have the responsibility of the care of souls in a parish of thousands. Anyone taking on a job that big would have concerns.’

And the first female vicar: ‘It’s challenging being in places where some people might think you shouldn’t be

doing that job, plus thinking that you are being disobedient to what the Bible says.’ She pauses. ‘If that does apply to anyone in this place I hope we can work through it together as I have wrestled with it and believe I have come to a place where I am confident that, actually, there’s another way of reading it.’ Her hopes are that those in the congregation who feel that way will hang on long enough to give her a try.

Katie has already thought of new ideas but will be saving them until she has got to know the people and had a good look at her new parish: ‘It will be an exercise in listening and watching and praying…

The question I will be asking is “What are the needs of this community now?”’

Katie has met the Bermondsey team and says, ‘They’re great, they’ve been there a long time and know the community - They’re faithful folk and have been really welcoming.’

This heartens Katie. ‘They sensed my enthusiasm for Bermondsey.’

I sensed it too. The Reverend Katie Kelly’s special places in Bermondsey are Southwark Park, the river and the Salter Statues, but most of all the Bermondsey people. ‘I want to serve the community for a long as I can,’ she says reverently.

Amen to that.

NORTH GREENWICH

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12 NEWS

Election hustings - Best bits and worst blunders

How did the Lambeth and Southwark’s GLA candidates do at the debate?

Left to right: Marina Ahmad, Adam Buick, Chris French, Claire Sheppard, Christine Wallace

By Herbie Russell Candidates for the London Assembly grappled with questions thrown at them by audience members at Herne Hill Baptist Church on Wednesday (April 24).

The Herne Hill Hustings turned out to be less adversarial than previous events bringing a night peppered with laughs and good-natured debate despite the serious issues being discussed.

A lack of direct confrontation between the candidates sometimes made it difficult to determine their differences. While disagreements were obvious on issues like policing, nobody seemed to have a fresh, original solution to London’s housing crisis.

Here we take a look at the Lambeth and Southwark London Assembly candidates’ best and worst moments ahead of the vote on May 2.

Marina Ahmad - Labour

The Good Marina Ahmad has been a London Assembly Member since 2021. Wearing a red Labour rosette, and armed with a surplus of facts, policies and local knowledge, she made her experience count.

Probed on transport, education and the environment, Ahmad could point to her “track record”.

On transport, the former Crown Prosecution barrister said she’d “led the campaign to stop the cuts to bus services” which would have meant 25 per cent of route losses falling on Southwark.

She said her work helped save routes including the 28 and 12 , adding that Labour would bring London’s buses under public ownership when contracts ended.

Probed on Labour’s commitment to public health interventions, she said the number of London schools suffering “illegal levels of air pollution” had fallen from 455 to 10 under Mayor Khan’s premiership.

The Bad The Mayor hasn’t had a clear solution since the Met Police’s announcement it would scale down its response to mental health call-outs. That’s despite mental health organisations expressing “profound” concerns with how the ‘Right Care, Right Person’ model is being implemented.

Asked if there were alternatives to police for call-outs involving vulnerable people in crisis, Ahmad said: “The alternative is to try and make sure we don’t have crime in the first place.”

Reducing crime is the obvious goal, but that doesn’t answer the tricky question of whether police should be responding to call-outs relating to the most vulnerable.

Claire Sheppard - Green

The Good While poking fun at her respectable second-place finish in 2021, “always the bridesmaid” Claire Sheppard put on a solid performance.

A local politician with a strong campaigning CV, and founder of community group Nunhead Knocks, her local knowledge, particularly of Southwark, shone through.

On housing, she called out what she described as the “managed decline” of historic housing stock and was brave to back calls for retrofitting the Aylesbury Estate.

Unlike other candidates, she said the Greens didn’t have a target number

of police hires, explaining: “We’re not putting a number in our manifesto.”

“We think that until you improve the vetting of the officers that we do have, we don’t want to get a load more bad apples in the barrel,” she added.

She also highlighted the tragic case of Zodoq Obatolah, who died after being Tasered by police in Peckham, to explain that police were poorly-suited to some incidents.

With crime rising in the capital, her views won’t be for everyone. But she clearly separated herself from most of the other candidates here.

The Bad Green Mayoral candidate Zoe Garbett has backed a ‘fair road charging system’ that would see drivers pay for distance travelled, among other factors.

Claire Sheppard declared this was “the future”. While the policy was popular with a portion of the audience, she did little to explain how the party would ease the burden on those likely to suffer most; the disabled, elderly and small business owners.

Christine Wallace - Conservative

The Good Wallace, although new to local politics, has cut her teeth in the halls of Westminster as Chief of Staff to Tory MP Andrew Selous. She managed to keep pace with her more experienced opponents.

Asked how she would tackle congestion, Wallace advocated for more public transport and more cycling infrastructure.

She said: “The best thing we can do is increase our public transport… people will choose public transport if it’s easy, if it’s accessible and if it doesn’t cost an arm

and leg.”

She added: “I do think we need cycling infrastructure. I think it’s not one or the other.”

Critics will argue central government’s reluctance to bail out TfL after Covid almost led to the biggest loss of bus routes in London’s history. Nonetheless, Wallace skilfully avoided falling into the culture war trap of motorists vs. cyclists.

On policing, she said the Conservatives would open two new police bases in every borough and recruit 1,500 new officers.

The Bad Addressing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, she said schoolchildren were “being mugged on their way home because they can’t get dropped off at school”.

She said this came from a “news article in the press” without proper citation, drawing groans from the audience. If this was a rabbit-out-of-the-hat, it fell flat.

Chris French - Liberal Democrat

The Good Chris French was shortlisted as the Liberal Democrats’ candidate for Mayor and came a close second to Labour in Waterloo and South Bank ward in 2022.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, he drew on personal experience when advocating for ‘response nurses’ for mental health call-outs to plug the gap left by police.

French’s commitment to finding solutions to e-bikes and e-scooters left littered across the streets also drew a positive response from the audience.

Describing pavements as “hostile” to pedestrians, he said “the e-bikes that have been put in place to help with active transport are left all over the place,

they’re on their sides. Let’s make them safer space to start with,” he said.

The Bad Questioned on how the Liberal Democrats would address public health, he didn’t have any clear policies.

French spoke about “working with communities” and “using the public health model” without providing tangible solutions.

Adam Buick - The Socialist Party of Great Britain

The Good Although his interjections were succinct, the respected left-wing theorist always forced the audience to sit up and listen with his unique takes.

His answer to every issue - policing, transport, housing - was that it couldn’t function “under the capitalist system”. In a hustings where candidates sometimes huddled for safety, his radical departures were a breath of fresh air.

He slammed Labour as “Tory party plan B” and, while the Green candidate shook her head, insisted he was the only true left-wing option.

The Bad Perhaps unsurprising for a candidate with such lofty goals as “ending the capitalist system of minority ownership of the means of production”, small-scale, local solutions were thin on the ground.

Tony Sharp - Reform UK

Despite being invited, the Reform UK candidate did not attend.

Find out who your local candidates are by visiting https://whocanivotefor. co.uk/elections and clicking ‘London Assembly elections’.

NEWS 13

flats to coMe Back into use From Russia with love after Being eMpty for 9 years

By Herbie Russell

a roCk band made up of russian millwall supporters has released a new album featuring Southwark news on the cover.

excluSive

By Isabel Ramirez

This paper ran a viral story about the fans a week after the war in Ukraine began - where the Russian Lions called for peace.

After watching the club secure Championship safety from Moscow’s Churchill Pub, the band has released its new album ‘Behind the Wall’ - using our April frontpage as the artwork.

When the band, named Max & The Jellied Eels, spoke last year, they revealed what life was like in Russia.

Supporters’ club founder Maxim Prokhorenko, who fell in love with Millwall after meeting Bermondsey boys while building a factory in Russia, said: “We can do it, we are still supporting Millwall, and we were supporting the England team at the last World Cup. No problems with it.”

The band’s frontman added: “Of course, we are not walking with the Union Jack at the Red Square. Many people in Russia, the

a deVeloPment based in Camberwell, that has been empty for the last nine years, will now be finished and brought into use.

The 69 homes that should have been built on Crown Street were left unfinished in 2015 after the contractor went into administration.

Shortly after, Paragon Asra (PA) took over most of the site. However, fire safety issues and errors in planning applications meant the project could not be finished.

So for the last nine years, the flats have laid empty, causing concern amongst residents, especially as PA had promised to double the social rent provision from seven to 14.

To finish the project, Southwark Council stated that existing brickwork would need to be removed to strip out potentially dangerous cladding so it complied with fire safety requirements.

PA applied to make the necessary changes in 2022 and their application was approved last week (Friday 26 April).

Work is due to start ‘as soon as possible.’

A Southwark Council spokesperson said: “A planning application for amendments was approved last week which should see the developers bring the site back into use, ensuring that the cladding is replaced and that works satisfy the concerns of the Health and Safety Executive.

“The council worked with Paragon to make sure the scheme meets current safety requirements and also took the opportunity to improve the scheme for future residents.

“We hope that work will start as soon as possible.”

The changes will not only include combustible cladding removal, but also installing missing cavity layers that prevent flames and smoke spreading via the walls.

When complete the scheme will provide three blocks up to nine storeys with 14 social rented homes and 43 shared ownership properties.

The remaining block of twelve flats is privately owned.

In 2022, a PA spokesperson told Inside Housing the association understood the scope of the work needed to ‘rectify the

By noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter kniFe and gun crime in london both rose last year by about 20 per cent, official statistics revealed on thursday.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 14,626 knife offences were recorded by police in the capital in the 12 months to December 2023.

That was 22 per cent higher than the 2022 total of 12,034 offences, and meant that an average of 40 blade offences were committed each day in London last year.

A 20 per cent rise was seen in gun crimes with 1,208 such offences during 2023, up by nearly 200 on the 1,010 recorded by police a year earlier.

Commenting on the figures, before Thursday election Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall said: “Knife

crime is out of control in Sadiq Khan’s London and he is just not listening.

“I am listening to Londoners, which is why I will recruit 1,500 more police, bring back borough-based policing and give every frontline officer knife detection wands so we can get more knives off our streets.”

Some 9,694 knife crimes were recorded in the capital in the year to the end of March 2016, just before Mr Khan took office. The latest figure of 14,626 in 2023 is a 51 per cent rise since the start of his mayoralty.

Asked if he takes any responsibility for the most recent rise in these crimes, Mr Khan said: “It’s really important that we do what we can to address the complex causes of crime, as well as crime itself.

“That’s why for some time we’ve been investing in the police but also investing in young people as well.

issues and complete the development’.

They apologised to the people in need of affordable housing in Camberwell, for the works ‘taking much longer than they would have hoped.’ © Noah Vickers/Local Democracy Reporting Service

Knife and gun crime up by 20 per cent

same as in UK, do not support the political course of the opponent, but my strong opinion is that football must be above the political situation. We just support a football team, and we’ll keep doing it for sure.”

Maxim said: ““I never thought that Russia will be in war with Ukraine. Same as none of you can imagine that England will be in war with Scotland nowadays, for example.

It’s like a bad dream. I wish to wake up, but can’t.”

The band previously released a rock cover of club anthem ‘Let ‘em Come’.

The new album has been dedicated to late Millwall Chairman John Berylson, who died in July last year.

It has a parental advisory sticker and a sneak peek at some lyrics on the back.

Copies were sold at the Millwall Supporters’ Club Shop at the Den before Millwall vs Plymouth on Saturday, April 27, with all proceeds going to charity.

Keep an eye out for the album on the Russian Millwall Supporters’ Club website at www.redbubble.com/people/ msc-russia/shop.

Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall

I spend too much time, both as an MP and now as mayor, speaking to bereaved families and victims of crime.

“The causes of crime are complex, but actually straightforward – deprivation, poverty, alienation, lack of opportunity. You’ve got to deal with those. That’s why we’re investing in youth clubs.

“At the same time, you’ve got to be

London mayor Sadiq Khan tough on crime, you’ve got to invest in the police.

“We’ve made some progress. So according to the ONS, you’re less likely to be a victim of violence in London than the rest of the country. According to the ONS, you’re less likely to be injured in London, than the rest of the country.”

He said that if he is re-elected, and if Labour form the next Government,

he looks forward to making “more progress”.

He added: “We’ve increased by more than double the amount of investment in the police – £1.148billion. We now contribute 27 per cent towards the police, it used to be 19 per cent when I became mayor.

“We can’t carry on doing this, with one hand tied behind my back. We need Government support.”

NEWS 15

hazardous skin-lightening products flogged from Camberwell home and sold on ebay

By Herbie Russell

A Camberwell eBay seller who flogged hazardous skin-lightening products has received a suspended prison sentence.

Mr Musiliu Olatunji Badejo sold cosmetics worth £340,000 to UK customers even though they contained illegal levels of banned chemicals.

The products, like ‘Pure White Dark Spot Corrector Serum’, contained high levels of hydroquinone - which increase the risk of skin cancer, kidney and liver damage.

The 56-year-old received a six-week prison sentence suspended for fifteen months, following a Southwark Council Trading Standards investigation.

The family man was also ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £4,750.

The judge said the offences were serious but took Badejo’s early guilty plea and previous good character into account.

Badejo imported the products from Ghana, Nigeria and Thailand and sold them via several eBay accounts.

Southwark Trading Standards made seven test purchases. Analysis showed five items contained either hydroquinone or corticosteroids, which are prohibited in cosmetic products.

‘Pure White Dark Spot Corrector Serum’ contained both but did not list them as ingredients.

The serum contained 10 percent hydroquinone - five times the limit that was allowed in cosmetics before a complete European ban in 2001 and an American ban in 2020.

When Trading Standards searched his home in October 2022, they seized 1,700 cosmetic products. eBay suspended two accounts and would later suspend two more.

Anyone importing cosmetics into the UK to sell must carry out a safety assessment and keep detailed records of the products.

During an interview under caution, Badejo admitted he had not carried out any of the checks as he was not aware of the requirements.

Councillor Natasha Ennin, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Southwark Council, said: “The sale of illegal and dangerous skin lighteners is abhorrent. Southwark Council is committed to keep people safe and our trading standards team is one of the most proactive in the country in tackling this toxic trade.

“We will not hesitate to take action against irresponsible traders who put profit over the health of their customers.

“People cannot hide away selling illegal goods from home online. I hope this court outcome serves as a deterrent to others who think they can import cosmetics without any regard to the vital safety laws

that protect people from harm.”

To report the sale of illegal cosmetics use the London Trading Standards report consumer crime tool www. londontradingstandards.org.uk/reportconsumer-crime/

‘Pure White Cosmetics Gold’ was among the products being flogged

1,700 cosmetic products were seized from Badejo’s home

16 NEWS excluSive

By Herbie Russell a 300-Year-old rotherhithe pub has wrongly had its ground floor converted into flats, southwark Council has said.

Locals, who want The China Hall to reopen as a pub, say losing the “lovely” establishment would be a huge blow to the community.

Southwark Council has ordered the freeholder Hamna Wakaf to restore the pub’s original interior - including the bar, toilets and kitchen.

But having already divided the pub area into two flats, the developer is challenging the council’s ruling, with an inquiry set for Tuesday, May 14.

The slow demise of The China Hall, run by much-loved publicans Linda and the late Micky Norris, began in 2016, after Punch Taverns sold the site to Hamna Wakaf.

The landlords received a letter saying their lease would not be renewed unless they signed a ten-year-lease worth £75,000 annually - almost double what they were already paying.

The landlords of 35 years launched a long-running legal battle, racking up £22,000 in bills, before eventually facing eviction on Christmas Eve 2018.

They narrowly avoided being turfed out on December 24 and secured alternative accommodation in January.

Landlord Micky Norris had his leg amputated in 2019 and his health further deteriorated after the eviction.

Tributes poured in for the “very brave and respected” guv’nor after his passing on June 22, 2023, aged 74.

Since the family’s eviction, The China Hall has been closed to punters.

300-year-old rotherhithe puB is gutted for flats - But council says conversion is ‘unauthorised’ The China Hall pub on Lower Road

Hamna Wakaf has consistently claimed it’s tried to lease the pub to new landlords but Southwark Council has questioned whether it’s been properly marketed.

In May 2021, the off-shore developer got planning permission to extend the pub floorspace downstairs and build new flats in a first-floor side extension.

But when a case officer visited the site in April, they found the pub had started an “unauthorised” stripping of

the pub’s interior, according to planning documents.

The once bustling bar area was being subdivided into two flats, the case officer claimed.

One month after works began, Hamna Wakaf submitted a planning application to convert the downstairs pub into two flats.

But Southwark Council rejected the application. The local authority said the

Rare unseen photos of Tower Bridge’s opening to go on show

One of the photos from 1894

conversion would mean the loss of the drinking establishment and wouldn’t provide enough social rent flats.

It has now ordered the developer to demolish the rear extensions and restore the pub.

Hamna Wakaf is challenging the enforcement notice, saying the pub is not a viable business venture for prospective landlords.

The developer claims it has already

a PeCkham man who battered his mother to death and tried to cover his tracks has been jailed for 21 years.

tHe Great-GraNdsoN of someone who built tower Bridge has found a collection of neverbefore-seen photos from the week it opened 130 years ago.

On 22 June, Tower Bridge will unveil the fascinating photographs in a free exhibition - Launching A Landmark: The Unseen Opening Weeks.

The previously unseen and undocumented photos were found by Patrick Molineux, the great-grandson of one of the Victorian engineers who built Tower Bridge, Edward Cruttwell.

Cruttwell led its construction until completion in 1894, and for the next twelve years, he worked directly for the

Bridge House Estates as the Resident Engineer overseeing the working Bridge.

Patrick Molineux, who discovered the photographs, said: “My mother had stored the photos for decades in an archive box, and we were pleasantly shocked to discover that they’d never been seen publicly.

“It’s always been a source of pride for our family to have such a connection to an icon like Tower Bridge so we couldn’t quite believe that we’d discovered such a piece of history.

The images focus on the workers in the final weeks of its creation, and the ordinary Londoners and members of the public who came to use the new Bridge for the first time.

Along with the exhibition on and around Tower Bridge, the photographs will be brought to life through augmented reality and additional stories in digital content online.

Chris Earlie, Tower Bridge Director, added that the exhibition is ‘nothing like’ anything they have staged at the Bridge before’, commenting: “We’re proud to be celebrating the workers who helped build Tower Bridge and the Londoners who were the first to cross it with local communities at a free, openair exhibition this summer.”

Launching A Landmark: The Unseen Opening Weeks will open on Saturday 22 June and will run until September.

For more information, please visit towerbridge.org.uk.

Steffon Hewitt battered dementiasuffering Vanita Nowell, 68, in a “vicious attack” before claiming the injuries weren’t his fault.

The 51-year-old was sentenced on April 16 after being convicted of murder in February.

Vanita moved from Barbados to the UK in 2019 to live with her son.

In March 2020, Hewitt inflicted “significant and extensive” injuries on his mother in what would have been a “painful death”, police said.

Vanita suffered 28 rib fractures, six spinal fractures, bruising to her face, head and body and a traumatic brain injury.

Hewitt called emergency services claiming he’d found her unresponsive on the bathroom floor but she was

Steffon Hewitt

© Met Police

Peckham man who ‘showed no remorse’ after battering mother to death jailed for 21 years

By Herbie Russell

By Isabel Ramirez

been marketed by two separate agents over five years without interest.

In planning documents, it also said “the pub has no heritage, cultural, economic or social value”.

An inquiry will be heard at Southwark Council’s offices, 160 Tooley Street, SE1, at 10am on Tuesday, May 14.

Hamna Wakaf has been approached for comment via its agent Coldrife Planning Services Ltd.

dead when paramedics arrived.

He said he’d attempted CPR on his mother and that he ‘may have broken a few ribs’.

Medical enquiries showed that the extent of the fractures could not have been caused by CPR. Detective Constable Nick Stocking, part of the team that led the murder investigation, said: “Hewitt showed no remorse when killing his mother by inflicting significant and extensive injuries, resulting in what would have been a painful death.

“Vanita suffered from 28 fresh rib fractures and six fractures of her spine alongside extensive bruising to her face, head and body. She also sustained a traumatic brain injury.

“This was a vicious attack but Hewitt attempted to blame it on his mother’s constant falling due to her dementia. A combination of forensic and medical evidence proved this was not true and it is reflected in today’s sentencing.”

NEWS 17

folajiMi day naMed for the BerMondsey Man who died saving a drowning woMan Folajimi OlubumniAdewole.

Dulwich preparatory school basking in high praise after ISI report

By Herbie Russell

roSemead PreParatory School and nursery is basking in high praise following a recent review by the independent Schools inspectorate (iSi).

His plaque at Cathedral Square.

By Isabel Ramirez a BermondSey man who died trying to rescue a woman who was drowning in the thames now has an official day named in his honour.

Folajimi Olubumni-Adewole, or Jimi as he was known, jumped into the Thames on April 24, 2021, after a woman who ‘couldn’t swim’ fell from London Bridge.

teen girl arrested after ‘female punched’ on tube

Jimi, who did not know the woman, disappeared and his body was discovered six hours later. The woman survived.

Now three years later, his family and friends have named 24 April ‘Folajimi Day’ - an annual way to celebrate the bravery of this young man.

Following the tragedy, anyone who knew Jimi said these heroics were completely in character for the young

a fifteeN-Year-old girl has been arrested after an altercation on a train from Canada water.

British Transport Police is still appealing for witnesses after the incident left a female with double vision and facial bruising.

Shortly before 8pm on Wednesday, April 3, a female was on a train when two girls and a man boarded.

According to police, one of the girls “started an unprovoked altercation with the victim” and punched her in the face.

The three individuals left the train at Green Park. The arrested teen has been released under investigation.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “Did you witness an assault on a train from Canada

we are asking young people to volunteer and give their time to help others.

“There will be a campaign going out soon to local schools to encourage this.”

Mr Olubumni-Adewole’s brother Bolajj said: “We hope people will be inspired by his story and encouraged to volunteer and be selfless in his name. Helping others is the best way we can honour Folajimi.”

police appeal after ‘assault’ at oval Police believe the man pictured could have information that would help their investigation

Canada Water station

By Herbie Russell

man: selfless, kind and ‘his own person.’

Last Wednesday, April 24, his loved ones gathered at Cathedral Square, where a plaque now sits to mark the place Jimi jumped into the river.

Local charity, Living Bankside told us they have plans ‘within the next year or so’ to improve the area to make it a nice place to sit and remember Jimi.

A spokesperson added: “In his memory,

Water to Green Park?

“On Wednesday 3 April shortly before 8pm the victim was on a train when two girls and a man boarded the service together.

“One of the girls started an unprovoked altercation with the victim before punching her in the face.

“All three left the service at Green Park.

“The victim sustained double vision and bruising to her face from the attack.

“A 15 year old girl has been arrested and released under investigation.”

Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to get in touch quoting reference 230 of 03/04/24. Alternatively people can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

By Herbie Russell

PoliCe are appealing for information after reports of a sexual assault at oval underground station.

Shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, March 27, the victim was on an escalator leaving the station when they were sexually assaulted.

Officers believe the man pictured could have information that would help their investigation.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “Officers investigating a sexual assault that took

place at Oval underground station in March have today released this image in connection.

“Just after 4pm on Wednesday, March 27, the victim was on the escalator on the way out of the station when they were sexually assaulted.

“Officers believe the man in the image may have information that could help with their investigation.”

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 422 of 27 March 2024. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Described as the ‘one to watch,’ Rosemead earned accolades for its academic approach, personalised learning approach, and pastoral care.

The ISI inspection, conducted in November 2023, highlighted Rosemead’s tailored academic programs in subjects including Maths and English.

Graeme McCafferty, Head of Rosemead, said the recognition reaffirmed the school’s “commitment to providing the best possible education for every child”.

The report commended Rosemead’s early years provision, noting effective leadership and positive relationships between staff and children.

Alongside academic success, it praised the ‘positive’ Roots of Rosemead - the school’s values system.

“The curriculum and communication of school values, known as the ‘Roots of Rosemead’ encourage respect and strengthen pupils’ appreciation of the diversity of the school and wider community,” the report said.

The findings come at a key juncture for the school following last year’s merger with St Dunstan’s College and addition to the St Dunstan’s Community of Schools.

The report said governors’ vision had a positive influence “on every area of the school” including the strategic decision to merge.

St Dunstan’s Group Head, Nick Hewlett, said: ‘The whole community is delighted with the ISI inspection for Rosemead. The report rightly recognises the outstanding education Rosemead is offering as one of south London’s leading prep schools.

Graeme McCafferty said: ‘I am absolutely thrilled to share our outstanding recent inspection report with our community.

“One standout strength that truly shines through is our highly customised approach to every child’s academic progress.”

With the next open morning scheduled for Thursday, April 25, 2024, Rosemead invites prospective families to experience its exceptional educational ethos firsthand. For further details and to access the full ISI inspection report and Good Schools Guide review, visit Rosemead’s website at www.rosemeadprep.org.uk.

18 OPINION

Comment

‘The new Superloop and off peak Fridays are part of Khan’s election campaign’ M

any Southwark residents will have seen the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announce the new Bakerloop line as part of his election campaign.

The new Superloop buses will go from Elephant & Castle station, where the trains terminate, through Burgess Park, Old Kent Road and then through to New Cross Gate and Lewisham. It’ll help our communities get around – and will support businesses across south London whose staff and customers can travel on a fast bus or benefit from fewer cars on the road.

We know that Superloop routes

are popular – these express buses see 15% higher ridership than other bus routes.

If Sadiq is re-elected on 2nd May, we can expect work to start on the Bakerloop route after the election. Regardless of this good news about the Bakerloop, I will continue campaigning to make sure the Bakerloo line itself gets an extension. South London is under-served by public transport and the Government has to come to the table to help us rectify that.

Ministers have denied London the funding deals that they have given to other cities, which means that improvements like the Bakerloo line

extension have been kicked into the long grass over and over again.

The Bakerloop is just one of the ways that City Hall is making public transport in London accessible and affordable. In March, TfL fares were frozen, so that Londoners do not have to pay any more this year than they did last year to get around. When the cost of everything is going up, this will be a welcome relief for lots of families struggling with the cost of living.

On top of that, the Mayor has launched “off peak Fridays” so that Friday fares are off-peak all day – giving Londoners another reason to get out and about

marina ahmAd

GLA Member for Southwark & Lambeth

on Fridays and enjoy London’s thriving nightlife after work.

Since being elected a London Assembly Member, I have seen how engaged and motivated our community is – and this election campaign has really underscored to me just how much Southwark residents care about their area. As well as transport connections, many people have spoken to me about homelessness – and how we can best help those sleeping rough.

Many homeless people struggle with addiction, poor mental health and have histories of trauma. Since the cost of living crisis, the barriers to them finding permanent homes

‘The Tories can’t win in London. But Sadiq Khan doesn’t deserve to win in Southwark’

have become much more substantial.

That’s why I am pleased that Sadiq Khan has committed to the ending of rough sleeping in London by 2030, if he is re-elected. I want to see an end to the indignity, fear and isolation felt by those sleeping on the street and for all of us to enjoy our area.

Victor Chamberlain Leader of the Southwark Lib Dems

T

oday Londoners go to the polls to elect the next Mayor. With the Tories in freefall with a Trump-supporting candidate it’s clear they can’t win.

But after eight years Sadiq Khan doesn’t deserve to be reelected.

Back the Liberal Democrats this time and together, we will change London for the better.

Five years ago, the RV1 bus, London’s zero-emission hydrogen powered bus that transported thousands across the South Bank, was scrapped by Labour’s Sadiq Khan.

This decision was not the first

nor the last in a pattern of lazy, anti-environmental backtracking from London’s Labour mayor.

Back in 2022, the Labour Mayor came for even more of the bus routes that the people of Southwark rely on so heavily - being so poorly served by the tube. It was only after countless community campaigns, and Southwark Liberal Democrats’ revelation that the buses due to be cut were being used more than they were before the pandemic, did Sadiq Khan U-Turn to protect our vital public transport.

The Mayor’s failure to maintain and improve our vital public transport

network has meant air pollution continues to be amongst the worst in Europe and we fail to reduce the emissions that contribute to the global climate crisis. At the same time Sadiq Khan is building a £2billion motorway under the Thames! Like his Labour colleagues, the Mayor’s green credentials are in tatters.

Despite its universal backing and popularity, Sadiq Khan has entirely failed to deliver the Bakerloo Line extension, leaving the people of Old Kent Road in limbo and Southwark’s housing needs unmet. 20,000 homes were promised when the Old Kent Road

was designated an ‘opportunity area’ but only 708 have been delivered and only 1.2% are the social rent homes our borough desperately needs.

Since Sadiq Khan took over as Mayor of London, the housing waiting list here in Southwark has ballooned to over 17,700.

Our Labour council and our Labour Mayor are utterly failing to tackle the housing crisis. Thousands of families are living in unacceptable conditions, and many have no home at all.

Meanwhile, Sadiq Khan boasts about a fantasy record of delivery that all Londoners can see is a delusion.

The Metropolitan Police has deteriorated into an unacceptable state and is now catching half the rapists it did just eight years ago. We need a mayor who will fix the Met and tackle crime.

The Liberal Democrats offer a real alternative for London. Mayoral candidate Rob Blackie is proposing to establish a London Housing company to deliver affordable homes, has a plan to improve public transport and restoring trust in the Met is his top priority.

With your vote today, Rob Blackie and the Liberal Democrats can get London back on track.

OPINION 19

Champion this Peckham boxing club while our kids are on the ropes

a

t a time when londoners are concerned about rising crime and youth violence, everyone is on the lookout for radical solutions. But sometimes tried and tested methods, like community boxing, work just as well.

We mustn’t forget to support those already on the ground supporting young people. Peckham ABC Boxing, like many other clubs in Southwark, has a proud history of providing quality services to the community.

In some cases, like at the Lynn AC amateur boxing club in Bermondsey, this history stretches back well over 100 years. Areas of Southwark with strong working-class communities still hold the sport in high esteem.

Boxing is not the most politically correct pastime. So, it can be difficult to persuade some people that such an adversarial sport can be such a positive influence. But the last century has demonstrated, beyond doubt, that it pays off for communities.

The sport teaches youngsters discipline, camaraderie and keeps them fit in body and mind. This should not be underestimated when so many youths are struggling with mental health issues and social disengagement.

Postcode wars aren’t the only reason Peckham ABC is moving back to Peckham from Elephant and Castle. But it’s a factor that shouldn’t be ignored. Inevitably, young people will often feel safer in their own neighbourhoods.

There is clearly a huge demand for the boxing club. After all, 45 youngsters are going every week.

Before the club was based at the venue in Elephant and Castle, many were willing to train in a car park

by Peckham Rye. It’s a pity that, despite Peckham getting wealthier and so many developments going up, a space still hasn’t been found to host such a well-loved club.

Iain Perriss, Peckham ABC’s Head Coach and Founder, is a working-class man from south London.

He’s done boxing his whole life and knows what he’s talking about. Now he’s got help from the Fighting Futures charity, he’s making use of the funding models needed to expand the club.

He’s passionate about the sport, helping young kids, and keeping them off the streets. This is dealing with the causes of youth crime before it actually happens.

When it comes to tackling youth crime, sometimes we need to rely on things that have worked in the past. So we urge anyone who can help Peckham ABC find a new home to get in touch. Iain wants Flyer_A5.pdf 1 12/10/2021 22:35 Peckham ABC’s legacy to last 100 years. Let’s give the club a fighting chance.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

Clues Down

Clues Across

1 To sit on a horse is best before this journey (4) 2 European type found in Bacon or Dickens (6) 3 Two lads providing a sacrifice (6) 5 Vegetable head it has the makings of butter (6) 6 Rise out before double surplus (8) 7 Compact needs to be reformed (5) 9 Anger consumed? It’s altogether restrained (9) 10 Sungod in rage leads to a heavy shower (9) 13 A group will set the joint up (5) 15 Noise of a horse, a kind found around the North (5) 16 It’s hasty to strike a blow and then swear (8) 18 A game about love it’s quite the reverse for soldiers (6) 19 Siren badly put in a high position (5) 20 Work leads to nervous afflictions; light study required (6) 21 Cried in triumph, maybe was ahead at the finish (6) 25 What one might call pointedly a figure in the public eye? (4)

1 You must turn over a net to repair completely (8) 4 Box for a pole (4) 8 Point out the route without going the long way round (6) 10 They bring relief with regard to songs (6) 11 An unknown in reversible lace, from a Southern state (5) 12 A note whichever way you read it (5) 14 Published and is prosecuted (6) 17 Part of a mechanical apparatus an element? (9) 18 Rioter running amok in effort for land (9) 22 In Venice, for instance, I take a Shakespearian character (6) 23 Chose to make changes in depot (5) 24 Begin to be surprised (5) 26 High point revealed by Poe muddled with age (6) 27 Grain, and instructions for grinding, we hear (6) 28 Fancy shoe for closefitting breeches (4) 29 Deliberate on and study a party right (8)

QUICK PUZZLE Clues Across

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CMY

Come and see what Bosco can offer you.

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1 Testified (8) 4 Ring (4) 8 Crustacean (6) 10 Metal (6) 11 Mineral (5) 12 Broaden (5) 14 Journey (6) 17 Ancient Greek temple (9) 18 Cadger (9) 22 Cake (6) 23 Arrangement (5) 24 Offspring (5) 26 Constant (6) 27 Story in instalments (6) 28 Walk (4) 29 Child’s companion (8)

Clues Down 1 Part of church (4) 2 Vegetable (6) 3 Boil (6) 5 One without parents (6) 6 Cheese (8) 7 Punctuation mark (5) 9 Apartment (9) 10 Hollow (9) 13 Ball (5) 15 Joined together (5) 16 Overcrowds (8) 18 Bombard (6) 19 Abuses (5) 20 Avaricious (6) 21 Part of the eye (6) 25 Jubilation (4)

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CRYPTIC

Across 1 Steeplejack 9 Rip 10 Reticules 11 Antes 13 Expense 14 Window 16 Strait 18 Noonday 19 At sea 20 Eliminate 21 Awl 22 Close season Down: 2 Tap 3 Earls 4 Litter 5 Jackpot 6 Calendars 7 Breadwinner 8 Essentially 12 Tonsorial 15 Ordains 17 Mynahs 19 Arena 21 Ago

QUICK CROSSWORD

Across: Certificate 9 Ant 10 Piecemeal 11 Noble 13 Dynamic 14 Gyrate 16 Seldom 18 Ocarina 19 Borer 20 Gondolier 21 Tie 22 Grand Canyon Down: 2 Eat 3 Tepee 4 Fiends 5 Cleanse 6 Thermidor 7 Saint George 8 Black market 12 Bargainer 15 Tricorn 17 Maniac 19 Baron 21 Too

20 ARTS

what’s on

Bermondsey Tales World Premiere

in Southwark

Bermondsey Tales: Fall of the Roman Empire has been written and directed by Michael Head, who also plays a part in it. The tales told are loosely based on the stories he heard from and around his granddad, writes Michael Holland...

The writer remembers growing up in pubs where adults were, perhaps, ‘on the wrong side of the law’ and spoke about being in prison and how they got there, ‘but the stories would always be funny,’ he recalls. ‘That aspect that world is rarely depicted in gangster films, which are mainly violent and macho,’ he explains.

Now, all those stories overheard when out with granddad and his mates have all been gathered up and woven into a narrative about a fictitious family. ‘I wanted to make a gangster film that people will watch and say, “That was really funny”.’

Michael goes on to list films and filmmakers that have inspired him: Love, Honour, Obey; Guy Ritchie, Quentin Tarantino, Scorsese, The Sopranos…

His previous film, The Last Heist, was written in eight hours, and Bermondsey Tales in fifteen, ‘but then there’s the tweaking over a couple of months with a final rewrite when it’s cast.’ He revealed that when John Hannah was cast as The Postman a lot of the dialogue was changed

Bermondsey Tales Michael Head to fit the actor.

‘More change comes with actors who suggest ideas or want to improvise - Look, I always say there’s the film you write, the film you shoot, and the film you edit.

If you end up with a film that is strictly to script you have lost a trick cos it’s about collaborating with the actors having a bit of creative freedom.’

The film has been funded by Seraphim Films who Michael has a lot of praise for. ‘They were going to fund half but when the other funder dropped out, Rohit Nathaniel, the Seraphim CEO and Executive Producer, came through and gave us the rest - We were very, very lucky.’

He goes on to say how Seraphim did not question creativity, the script or casting, and how, with the budget they had to

Wiltons Moby

Whale of a Time at Wilton’s A trip to Wilton’s Music Hall is a promise of adventure and tonight even more so as we breezed along Cable Street with a fair wind behind us to review a new production of Moby Dick by award winning ensemble Simple8. Our young reviewers were eager to enjoy a pre-show pizza in

the bar there and a moment or two to marvel at this beautiful old theatre, writes Frida, Woody and Ed Gray.

‘Dad why are we the only children here?’ whispered Frida as the house lights went down over the excited audience. I had no answer. Melville’s nautical novel, written in 1851, had once transported me

work with, between them they’ve made a good film. Rohit also appears in the film as Tom. A lot of the film was shot in Bermondsey, which is what Michael wanted. ‘We shot up by The Den, down The Blue, in Long Lane and in the Ancient Foresters, which is where me granddad got married - and got nicked on the night of his wedding!’

Michael was keen to talk about the cast he has put together and as he listed the names it was a who’s who of British actors from TV and cinema with years of experience: Frank Harper, Maisie Smith, Gary Webster, Daniel O’Reilly, Adam Deacon, Alan Ford, Linda Robson, Vas Blackwood, Vicki Michelle…

This is Michael’s first go at directing film, having developed his skills in

theatre, but he wasn’t fazed by the task.

In fact he felt ‘blessed’, because with such an experienced ensemble of actors he literally told them to ‘do what you do’.

I asked how the directing role came about: ‘I blagged it!’ Was his immediate answer, explaining that the director he had suddenly cancelled, so, with Rohit Nathaniel’s blessing, he took the job on. ‘“How hard could it be?” I asked meself, then watched a few StudioBinder videos on YouTube to get the basics.’

Really? ‘Well, I knew that the Director of Photography and cast and crew were all brilliant so I’d have to be really bad to cock it up, wouldn’t I?’ Being so close to shooting, Michael reckoned that as a lot of money had already been spent on getting Bermondsey Tales

up and running ‘it was a case of being hundred grand down or blag it - And blag it won.’ He laughs loudly at the memory.

He has since been asked to direct another film off the back of his first, so ‘blagging it’ was the right choice.

After this, Michael, Frank Harper and others will be setting up SE1 Films to make well-scripted, well-cast, well-made working-class stories that people want to see.

These are films I definitely want to see.

halfway into the stormy Atlantic before I’d abandoned ship myself, promising to reboard one day, so I was initially perturbed that this might be a long evening for our young reviewers. However, this talented multi- instrumental ensemble cast kept the pace up throughout and sea shanties aplenty were soon flowing.

Ishmael, a Manhattan schoolteacher craving adventure on the high seas, is our narrator newly arrived in Nantucket.

Mark Arends’ performance successfully conveys the sense of innocence and wideeyed wonder at the mysterious forces of nature soon to confront him in the form of Captain Ahab and his imagined nemesis personified by Moby Dick.

The tension ramps up as we hear Ahab’s wooden leg pacing on the minimal set before we see him. Guy Rhys crams as much of Ahab’s brooding menace and mania that he can muster into the comparably short duration of the play. The ingenuity of the scene Ishmael delivers on the industrialisation of cetacean carcasses was delivered with the wit and precision of Melville’s words, exposing the savage brutality and butchery of the whaling

industry that could boil a sperm whale down to 2000 barrels of oil - fuel for an industrial revolution and the pursuit of empire and global capitalism.

The play skims over the more overt references to whiteness, slavery and racism that Melville explores in a book that contains so much of America then and now - a paranoid, deluded white man pursuing an imagined foe to give meaning to his life while destroying everything in his path as a result. Dramatic seafaring ensemble scenes and charming musical interludes are more in keeping the spirit of this production.

Reviewer Woody turns to me during a rendition of the Greenland Whale Fisheries and pipes up: ‘It’s a Pogues song!’ And indeed they did record a version of it forty years ago, just a few streets away in Wapping Wall. And that’s the beauty of seeing this production here at Wilton’s.

We are in the heart of the old Pool of London where all of this really happened.

Greenland Dock lies due south east across the river, Cable Street itself started off as a straight path, precisely the length of hemp rope which, when twisted into a cable, was used to supply the ships in

the nearby docks. There’s even an old whalebone revealed in the mud at low tide in Rotherhithe - a vestige of an ingenious repair to a whaling ship out at sea.

Director Jesse Jones and Kate Bunce’s innovative minimalism transports us aboard the Pequod whaling ship. The lighting at times turns industrial rigging poles and ropes into misty, shadowy masts in the watery light of a latter day Thames crowded with ships eager for commercial cargo, whether agricultural, animal or human. ‘All that for a poor whale!’ declared Frida as we left Wilton’s. There’s much to delight in this revisiting of Melville’s classic and we journeyed home, southbound underneath the Thames, discussing the business of whaling. Ishmael harpoons it best, -‘Death is the business of it!’

Tickets for the May 9th World Premiere at O2: https://seraphimfilms.co.uk/ In selected cinemas from May 17th.

Streaming from June 10th. @seraphimlondon @RohitNathaniel

Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1 8JB until 11th May. Mon - Sat 7:30PM; Thu & Sat matinees 2:30PM; BSL performance: Thursday 9 May 2:30PM - Signer will be positioned stage right. £15 - £30 full price | £12.50 - £27.50 concessions.

Booking: https://wiltons.org.uk/ whatson/848-moby-dick

ARTS 21

Heading south - our pick of the upcoming events in May Bridgerton afternoon tea The talk of the ton: transport back to Regency-era London with an affair fit for Lady Whistledown herself.

Step into the world of Bridgerton and indulge in an al fresco afternoon tea experience amid the grandeur of the historic colonnades, where many scenes from the Netflix show were filmed. You’ll find delicate finger sandwiches and homemade scones with clotted cream and jam, plus cakes and sweet treats with a Bridgerton twist. With loose leaf teas, prosecco or champagne to finish the affair. Delightful.

Dates: Last Sunday of the month (May to September), 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm Tickets: £60 Colonnades, Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN ornc.org/whats-on/bridgerton-afternoon-tea-on-the-colonnades

©©Pamela Raith Photography

Greenwich Summer Artisan Market Each weekend this summer, you can explore a treasure trove of makers at the Greenwich Summer Artisan Market on the King Charles Lawns. From the first May bank holiday weekend and through August, spend your weekends browsing 40 skilled artisans, curated by Travelling Artisan Popup, located by the scenic riverside grounds of the Old Royal Naval College.

Discover a variety of unique handmade items and contemporary crafts among the offerings from the broad selection of talented creatives.

London Craft Week NOW Gallery is hosting a craft making workshop, Table Tapestries

by Jaixia Blue, to mark London Craft Work. Embroidery practice has been embedded into Caribbean communities since the 19th century and this event intends to bring women together through textiles as a network for social and economic change. In this workshop, participants are encouraged to embrace any mistakes that may occur and steer away from perfection. Each person will be given their own square of material and will be guided through a brief meditation and visualisation exercise to connect with a joyful memory or personal motto that they would like to leave behind.

Date: Sunday 19 May 2024, 12pm and 3:30pm. Tickets: Free NOW Gallery, The Gateway Pavillions, SE10 0SQ nowgallery.co.uk/events/london-craft-week-table-tapestries-by-jaixia-blue

Dates: Weekends from Saturday 4 May to Monday 26 August 2024 King Charles Lawns, Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN ornc.org/whats-on/greenwich-summerartisan-market

My Fair Lady

Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage as the beloved Who’s in Your Book? series makes its debut as a brand-new musical show.

A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun, too. With an invitation to his friends, Dragon, Alien and Unicorn to join him, you can expect comedy and chaos as they help to create a magical show, learning about the joy of books and friendship along the way.

Dates: Saturday 25 May to Sunday 26 May 2024, 11am, 2pm and 4pm Tickets: £16, under-14s £14 Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ www.blackheathhalls.com/whats-on/ theres-a-monster-in-your-show-2

Dates: Thursday 23 May to Saturday 25 May 2024, 2:30pm and 7:30pm Tickets: £17 Bob Hope Theatre, SE9 5TG www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk/ myfairlady.html

Caribbean takeover The Caribbean Social Forum is back at the National Maritime Museum with a family-friendly celebration of Caribbean culture, featuring music, games, talks, Caribbean food, history, workshops and dancing. Expect a curated day of activities across the grounds outside the Queen’s House and the National Maritime

Museum, with a small number of talks and activities taking place inside.

Date: Saturday 18 May 2024, 11am to 5pm.

Tickets: Free National Maritime Museum Gardens, Romney Road, SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/nationalmaritime-museum/caribbean-takeover

©©National Maritime Museum

He’s behind you

Ferrier Operatic Society presents a performance of My Fair Lady, adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabriel Pascal’s motion picture Pygmalion. It tells the tale of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl, who takes lessons from a phonetician, Professor Henry Higgins, who has made a bet with his friend Colonel Pickering that he can turn her into a refined lady within six months. Now say it with us, the rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain…

22 HISTORY

History

Southwark Blue Plaques: Zdenka Pokorná, fierce anti-Nazi campaigner

By Isabel Ramirez A Dulwich-based woman, who stood up against tyrannical regimes that dominated her homeland, has been nominated for a Blue Plaque.

Originally from Czechoslovakia, Zdenka Pokorná was born in Moravia in 1905 and lived until she was 101.

Whilst working as a schoolteacher, she was also an active member of the anti-Nazi Czech movement.

After the Nazi invasion of Czech lands in 1939, she bravely guided Czech men across the border to exile abroad. Some went on to fight Nazism as part of the Czech contingent of the RAF. This led to her being arrested by the Gestapo - secret Nazi police - and imprisoned in Poland. Ms Pokorná was sent to a death march and survived.

Liberated by the Americans, she helped hundreds of stranded to be sent back home before finding her own way.

When she returned to her family, she was so gaunt from the suffering she had endured, that only her dog recognised her.

Fiercely believing in freedom and democracy, Ms Pokorná also challenged the Soviet Communist rule domination that followed.

Her heroic actions meant her title as Headmistress being stripped away and she was forced into exile in 1948.

Her wartime credentials won her immediate entry into England and she

retrained as a psychiatric nurse in the NHS. Although she lived over half of her life in Dulwich, on Desenfans Road, Ms Pokorná never forgot her roots and continued her campaigning from afar.

She was hailed on her 90th birthday as the ‘living conscience of the century’ by the Czech government.

Ms Pokorná had a slightly bent nose - which she would later explain to neighbours was caused by ‘successfully fighting off a Nazi officer.’

Whilst in England, she worked tirelessly in ex-patriot organisations - and was even awarded the Czech Order of Merit, First Class for her outstanding work for her nation and for upholding the ideals of freedom.

The end of communist rule in Czech came as a welcome victory for Ms Pokorná, who celebrated from the UK despite never going back.

A neighbour who lived next to her in Desenfans Road, before she moved to a care home in Peckham, described Ms Pokorná as ‘a force to be reckoned with.’

She commented: “She was an incredible and remarkable character who had seen and experienced so much in her long life.

“She lived by her principles to the end.”

This also rang true in her personal life.

Despite her fiancé tragically dying a month before their wedding in 1924, Ms Pokorná ‘remained true’ to him her whole life. She continued to wear the engagement ring she gave her until she died in 2007.

Zdenka Pokorná.

Zdenka with Czech Ambassador Dr. Jan Winkler at the Greenhive Residential Care Home

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PUBLIC NOTICES 25

Thursday, May 2nd 2024

Transport for London Public Notice ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 THE A200 GLA ROAD (CRUCIFIX LANE/DRUID STREET/BARNHAM STREET, LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC AND STOPPING) ORDER 2024 1. Transport for London in consultation with the London Borough of Southwark 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 enable bridge inspection works to take place A200 Crucix Lane.

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (ALLEYN PARK, BANKSIDE, CLAUDE ROAD, NICHOLSON STREET, RISBOROUGH STREET, SCOTT LIDGETT CRESCENT, UNION STREET, SOUTHWARK BRIDGE ROAD, MISSION PLACE, VERNEY ROAD, CRIMSCOTT STREET) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) 1.

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

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in: (a) Alleyn Park, between South Croxted Road and Rouse Gardens (b) Bankside, between Bear Gardens and the eastern edge of Riverside House (c) Claude Road, between Godman Road and Heaton Road & eastern footway (d) Nicholson Street, at it’s junction with Blackfriars Road (e) Risborough Street, between No’s 15 – No’s 21 (f) Scott Lidgett Crescent, between Janeway Street and Bevington Street (g) Union Street, cycle lane between Southwark Bridge Road and No’s 74 (h) Southwark Bridge Road, bus/cycle lane, between No’s 60 and America Street (i) Mission Place, between Peckham High Street and it’s blocked end (j) Verney Road, between Ilderton Road and St James Road ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced outside and opposite on both sides of the carriageway (north and south side) (k) Crimscott Street, between No’s 20 and Nos 20a

3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit; (1) any vehicle from entering, exiting, proceeding or stopping on Crucix Lane/Druid Street between its junctions with Barnham Street and White Grounds. Local non HGV access only will be permitted between Tower Bridge Road and White Grounds; (2) any vehicle from entering, exiting, proceeding or stopping on Barnham Street from its junctions with Crucix Lane and Tooley Street; (3) any pedestrians from proceeding on either footway on Barnham Street between its junctions with Crucix Lane and Tooley Street.

Marshalls will be available to assist pedestrians and HGV drivers.

To place a notice in this paper and online, please email em@cm‐ media.co.uk Deadline is 3pm on Wednesday

The Order will be effective at certain times between 6th May 2024 and 10th May 2024 every night 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibition will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.

4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of: (1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes; (2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.

5. At such times as the prohibitions are force alternative routes will be indicated by trafc signs vehicles via Bermondsey Street, Long Lane, Great Dover Street, Borough High Street to normal route of travel. for pedal cycles via White Grounds, Bermondsey Street, Crucix Lane to normal route of travel. or Tower Bridge Road, Queen Elizabeth Street, Tooley Street, Shand Street and Crucix Lane to normal route of travel.

Dated this 2nd day of May 2024 Claire Wright Co-ordination and Permitting Area Manager Transport for London Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ

3.

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

4.

The existing ‘one-way’ working in Crimscott Street, will be made ‘two-way’ for access and egress purposes for (2b)

5.

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

6.

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

7.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 21st – 25th May (2b) 21st May (2c) 20th May (2d) 20th – 23rd May (2e) 20th – 24th May (2f) 20th May – 6th August (2g) 16th May – 5th June (2h) 16th May – 5th June (2i) 20th May – 21st June (2j) 17th May – 23rd July (2k) 20th – 26th May

8.

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

Dated this 2nd May 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) 2535537-00045 (2b) LBSCR13486 (2c) LBSCR13486 (2d) SLS00081343518-0020 (2e) 65003838 (2f) BER2-SLCR210-01 (2g) UKP12223-1 (2h) UKP12223-1 (2i) 87891780 (2j) UKP11229-A (2k) SEC50/CRIMSCOTTST24 Goods vehicles operator's licence Crozier Fine Arts, trading as Crozier Fine Arts, 7 Glasshouse Walk, Vauxhall, SE11 5ES is applying for a licence to use Unit A, 2 Mandela Way, London, SE1 5SR as an operating centre for 10 goods vehicles and 3 trailers.

Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the given address of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner's office.

Peckham Rye Common Southwark Council has applied to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for consent under article 12 of the Greater London Parks and Open Spaces Order 1967 to carry out restricted works on Peckham Rye Common. The Planning Inspectorate will decide the application on behalf of the Secretary of State. he proposed works will create an event space at four times during the year, using temporary structures to accommodate, in turn, the We Love Peckham Community event, the Kidzfun children’s fair, the Friends of Peckham Rye Park (FoPRP) fete and Zippo’s Circus. The event sites will measure approx. 4,000sqm, 3,600sqm, 8,300sqm and no more than 10,000sqm respectively.

The works will be located on the main section of the Common, North of the Café and on a section of the Common by Strakers Road on the east side of the common. The works are proposed to take place between 30 June 2024, (We Love Peckham Community event) 29 July – 13 August 2024 (Kidzfun), 7 September 2024 (FoPRP fete) and 22 September – 30 September 2024 (Zippo’s Circus).The event sites will not be fenced, but a number of temporary event structures will be in place.

A copy of the application form and supporting documents can be inspected during office opening hours at Peckham Rye Parks Office, Strakers Road, London, SE15 3UA until Thursday 30 May 2024. A copy of the documents may also be obtained by writing to: Southwark Events Team, PO Box 64529, London, SE1P 5LX or emailing: events@southwark.gov.uk Any representations should be sent in writing ON or BEFORE that date to The Planning Inspectorate, Commons Team at 3A Temple Quay House, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN or emailed to: commonlandcasework@planninginspectorate.gov.uk Representations sent to The Planning Inspectorate cannot be treated as confidential. They will be copied to the applicant and possibly to other interested parties. To find out more about how the Planning Inspectorate uses and manages personal data, please go to the privacy notice.

Name of applicant: A. Rinsler, Culture and Events Team, 3rd Flr, 160 Tooley Street, SE1 2QH Date of application: 02 May 2024

26 PUBLIC NOTICES

Thursday, May 2nd 2024

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; CHATELAIN HOUSE 182-202 WALWORTH ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 (Ref: 24/AP/0892) Redevelopment including part demolition and part retention of existing building to provide mixed-use development comprising purposebuilt student accommodation (Sui Generis), residential accommodation (Use Class C3), Commercial, Business and Service floorspace (Use Class E excluding E(g)(ii) and (iii)), Community floorspace (Use Class F2), flexible Commercial, Business and Service (Use Class E excluding E(g)(ii) and (iii))/Community floorspace (Use Class F2) within two buildings ranging from 6 to 7 storeys with associated amenity space, landscaping, car and cycle parking, public realm and highways improvements. Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ (Contact: Nathaniel Young ) 54 - 58 UNION STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 1TD (Ref: 24/AP/1112) Minor material amendment of planning permission ref no. 22/AP/4061: 'Substantial refurbishment and single storey roof extension of existing warehouse building) to provide a mixed use building at 54-58 Union Street comprising commercial floorspace (Use Class E within parts a), b), c) d) g) at lower ground and ground floor levels, and 6 residential flats (Use Class C3) at first to third floors, with associated works and roof top PV provision; plus refurbishment of 60 Union Street to provide a family dwelling (Use Class C3)' Amendment sought: Request to remove Condition 6 (Post-Excavation Works Assessment Report) and Condition 10 (BREEAM) (Within: Union Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Zoe Brown 07849 702 088) 111 BURBAGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7AF (Ref: 24/AP/1125) Minor material amendment of planning permission ref: 23/AP/1085 granted on 08/12/2023 for: (Demolition of existing property and construction of a replacement dwelling with additional basement level) to allow the following changes : To remove condition 6 (reinstatement of footway to existing dropped kerbs) as it is no longer relevant. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Mumtaz Shaikh 020 7525 0585) 10 GRANGE WALK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 3DT (Ref: 24/AP/1119) Minor internal and external alterations and remedial works to a Grade II listed property

(Within: Bermondsey Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Alex Philpott ) 10 GRANGE WALK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 3DT (Ref: 24/AP/1120) Listed building consent for minor internal and external alterations and remedial works to a Grade II listed property (Within: Bermondsey Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Alex Philpott ) THE COUNTING HOUSE 53 TOOLEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 (Ref: 24/AP/0880) Alterations to the ground floor elevation to partially infill the colonnade fronting onto Tooley Street, and the associated internal (including the installation of a part mezzanine floor) and external alterations (including alterations to the fenestration), and internal alterations to the reception, 2nd and 3rd floors, including the installation of new lift cars. (Within: Tooley Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Anna Poulose ) COUNTING HOUSE 53 TOOLEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2QN (Ref: 24/AP/0881) Listed Building Consent for alterations to the ground floor elevation to partially infill the colonnade and alter fenestration and the associated internal alterations to the reception, 2nd and 3rd floors, including the installation of new lift cars. (Within: Tooley Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Eleanor Heagney 020 7525 5403) 23 DOCKHEAD WHARF 4 SHAD THAMES LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2YT (Ref: 24/AP/0883) Installation of aluminum framed secondary glazing to the side and rear elevations. (Within: St Saviours Dock CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng 020 7525 5000) 11 ALLISON GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7ER (Ref: 24/AP/1067) Construction of a timber-clad garden outbuilding ancillary to the main dwellinghouse. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Susherrie Suki ) 31 HIGHSHORE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 5AF (Ref: 24/AP/1205) Erection of a single-storey side extension following the demolition of the existing garage.

Amendments to consented scheme 21/AP/2346.

(Within: Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Catherine Jeater 020 7525 5375) 31 HIGHSHORE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 5AF (Ref: 24/AP/1206) Listed Building Consent for the erection of a single-storey side extension following the demolition of the existing garage. (Within: Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Catherine Jeater 020 7525 5375) 48 GREAT BROWNINGS LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7HP (Ref: 24/AP/0995) Internally, the proposed works comprise of minor wall reconfigurations and a small number of window replacements. Externally, the existing porch will be be reconstructed and extended, two new masonry terraced areas will also be built to create more external connection and access to the property. Finally, the property?s heating system is being replaced with an Air Source Heat Pump and a wet underfloor heating system. This upgrade will significantly improve the houses environmental performance in line with wider climate targets.

(Within: Dulwich Wood CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Agneta Kabele 07548097486)

ST JAMES THE GREAT SCHOOL PECKHAM ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 5QS (Ref: 24/AP/0557) Provision of a new self finished external flue to serve the existing boilers (retrospective) (Within: Rye Lane Peckham CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Susherrie Suki ) Dated: 30 Apr 2024 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date.

STEPHEN PLATTS - Director of Planning and Growth

260 CAMBERWELL NEW ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 0RP (Ref: 24/AP/1026) External alterations to the rear ground floor outrigger including raising the height of the outrigger to accomodate external insultation, proposed alterations to the window/door openings and alterations to the external materials.

Alterations to create a double vaulted ceiling at second floor level and new roof finish to the main, butterfly roof, internal alterations and associated work. (Within: Camberwell New Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: William Tucker 07925 637 210) LANTERN HOUSE 102 BERMONDSEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 3UB (Ref: 24/AP/1022) Replacement of existing main entrance door with new painted timber door with glazed upper panels and solid lower panels . Redecoration of existing shopfront and installation of 2no. new branded awnings, fascia sign and projecting sign. New wall mounted up & down lighting to pilasters and new electric heaters under awnings. (Within: Bermondsey Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Ibrahim Azam 020 7525 2876)

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PUBLIC NOTICES 27

Thursday, May 2nd 2024

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK CONTROLLED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AND ACCOMMODATING MEASURES The London Borough of Southwark (Charged-for parking places) (Southwark Park Road) Order 202* The London Borough of Southwark (Free parking places, Loading places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping restrictions) (Accommodating measures for crossings) Order 202* 1. Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that it proposes to make the above orders under sections 6, 45, 46, 49 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2. The effect of the (Charged-for parking places) Order the purpose of which would be to accommodate a new raised zebra pedestrian crossing, in SOUTHWARK PARK ROAD (within Controlled Parking Zone ‘G’) would be:(a) north-east side (south of the southernmost vehicular access road to Kirby Estate) reduce in length by 36m existing ‘permit’ parking (34.5m remain), (b) south-west side (i) o/s No. 483c remove entirely 30.5m of existing ‘permit’ parking, and (ii) o/s No. 483a reduce in length by 4m existing ‘shared-use’ parking (52m remain) in which holders of a valid permit for the CPZ listed are permitted to park (between 08:30 am and 11 pm every day of the week) or free parking is permitted for a max stay of 20 minutes with no return within 1 hour.

3. The effect of the (Free parking places, Loading places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping restrictions) Order would be:(a) in KIMBERLEY AVENUE south-west side (side of No. 88 Evelina Road) add a new loading bay 13m in length for the purpose of loading and unloading only to operate every day of the week between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm (max stay 1 hour, no return within 2 hours); (b) in EVELINA ROAD north-west side o/s Nos. 90 to 98, reduce in length existing free ‘short stay’ parking by 29.5m (15m remain); (c) (i) in EVELINA ROAD south-east side (o/s Nos. 99 to 107) remove 26m of existing SYLs, (ii) convert 8.5m of existing SYLs to DYLs in SOUTHWARK PARK ROAD (south of the southernmost vehicular access road to Kirby Estate), and (iii) add 4m new SYLs in SOUTHWARK PARK ROAD south-west side (o/s No. 483a); (d) (i) remove existing DYLs in EVELINA ROAD 7m north-west side (o/s No. 88) and 4m south-east side (o/s No. 109), and in SOUTHAMPTON WAY 25m north-east side (south-east of its junction with Charles Coveney Road) and 35m south-west side (opposite junction with Charles Coveney Road), (ii) add new DYLs in KIMBERLEY AVENUE 5m north-east side (north-west of its junction with Evelina Road) and in SOUTHWARK PARK ROAD 1m north-east side (south of the southernmost vehicular access road to Kirby Estate), and (iii) amend existing DYLs to accommodate slight kerb-line widening in CHARLES COVENEY ROAD on both sides at its junction with Southampton Way, in EVELINA ROAD south-east-side o/s No. 109 and north-west side across the northwesternmost junction with Kimberley Avenue, and KIMBERLEY AVENUE on both sides at its north-westernmost junction with Evelina Road; (e) extend existing DYLs with contiguous DKBs in EVELINA ROAD by 12.5m south-east side o/s No. 99 and amend existing DYLs with contiguous DKBs in EVELINA ROAD (south-east side) and KIMBERLEY AVENUE (on both sides) at their south-easternmost junction; and (f) formalise 7.5m existing DYLs in SOUTHAMPTON WAY north-east side opposite Nos. 300 and 302 so as to match more closely what is in the street.

NOTES: (1) ‘permit-holders only’ parking refers to parking places for holders of valid parking permits within the Controlled Parking Zone ‘G’. (2) ‘SYLs’ refer to timed waiting restrictions, ‘DYLs’ refer to 'at any time' waiting restrictions, and ‘DKBs’ refer to 'at any time' loading restrictions. (3) All measurements are in metres ‘m’ and are approximate. (4) The Council will take the opportunity to remove entirely a 33.5m length of existing ‘School Keep Clear’ markings in Southampton Way that are no longer needed. (5) Parking charges are listed on www.southwark.gov.uk/parking 4. Southwark Council hereby GIVES FURTHER NOTICE that it has approved under section 23 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the provision of raised ‘zebra’ pedestrian crossings in the following locations (‘zig-zag’ markings, on which vehicles would be prohibited from stopping at all times, would be laid on both sides of the main carriageway for a minimum distance of 8m and a maximum of 18m either side of each crossing): (a) in EVELINA ROAD the centre of which would be located at the common boundary of Nos. 101 and 103 Evelina Road, (b) in SOUTHAMPTON WAY the centre of which would be located at a point 10.5m south-east of the south-easternmost wall of No. 302 Southampton Way, and (c) in SOUTHWARK PARK ROAD the centre of which would be located at a point 4m north of the northern-most wall of No. 483c Southwark Park Road.

5. Southwark Council hereby GIVES FURTHER NOTICE under sections 90A to 90I of the Highways Act 1980 and in accordance with the provisions of the Highways (Traffic calming) Regulations 1999, propose to construct a speed tables of flat-top construction having a maximum height level with the surrounding kerb covering the entire width of the carriageway at the sites of the ‘zebra’ pedestrian crossings described in item 3 above, (a) in EVELINA ROAD extending from a point 6m south-west of the common boundary of Nos. 101 and 103 Evelina Road northeastward for a distance of 50m and extending into KIMBERLEY AVENUE across its junction with Evelina Road (10m per side of its junction with Evelina Road), (b) in SOUTHAMPTON WAY extending from a point 10.5m northwest of the south-easternmost wall of No. 302 Southampton Way south-eastward for a distance of 27m and extending north-eastward into CHARLES COVENEY ROAD for a distance of 6.5m, and (c) in SOUTHWARK PARK ROAD extending from a point 5m north of the common boundary of Nos. 483b and 483c Southwark Park Road northward for a distance of 8m.

The measurements above include the ramps and any existing traffic calming measures at the exact locations above will be refreshed and replaced.

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (ALBERTA STREET, AMELIA STREET, NIGEL ROAD, WESTON STREET, DEKKER ROAD, MONTAGUE CLOSE, WOOD VALE, DRUID STREET) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) 1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable various works to be carried out, it 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) Alberta Street, between Braganza Street and No’s 97 (b) Amelia Street, between Penton Place and No’s 212 (c) Nigel Road, between Rye Passage and Peckham Rye (d) Weston Street, between Melior Street and St Thomas Street (e) Dekker Road, between Court Lane and Woodwarde Road south side and north side closure (f) Montague Close, between No’s 3 and No’s 6 (g) Wood Vale, between No’s 21 – No’s 8 and No’s 1 – No’s 15 Branfoot Court ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced outside and opposite on both sides of the carriageway (north and south side) (h) Druid Street, between Tanner Street and Pheonix Wharf Road

6. For more information about these proposals please contact George Mellish of the Council's Highways – Transport Projects team Highways@southwark.gov.uk.

7. Copies of the supporting documents (this Notice, the proposed Orders, and a statement of the Council's reasons for making the Orders) may be found online at www.southwark.gov.uk/trafficorders; paper or digital copies of plans showing the location and effect of the Orders and the supporting documents may be requested by emailing traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk, or inspected by appointment only at: Highways, Southwark Council, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH - from the date of this Notice until the end of a period of six weeks from the date on which the Orders are made. Email traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk (or call 077 3132 4742) for booking details.

8. Anyone wishing to make any representations either for or to object to the proposals, may use our consultation portal at https://consultation.appyway.com/southwark; or send a statement in writing to: Traffic Order Consultations, Highways, Southwark Council, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth, P.O. Box 64529, London SE1P 5LX or traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk quoting reference ‘TMO2425-005 Crossings and measures’ by 24 May 2024.

Please note that if you wish to object to this proposal you must state the grounds on which your objection is made.

9. Under requirements of current access to information legislation, any letter, form or e-mail sent to the Council in response to this Notice may be subject to publication or disclosure, or both, including communication to other persons affected.

Dated 2 May 2024 Steven Grayer Head of Service - Highways, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth

To place a public notice, please email em@cm-media.co.uk Deadline is 3pm on Wednesdays

3.

The alternative routes for affected traffic for (a) Braganza Street, Manor Place, Penton Place, Alberta Street. Penton Place, Kennington Park Road, Braganza Street (for non-motorised vehicles) as indicated (2b) Iliffe Street, Crampton Street (2c) Anstey Road, Fenwick Road, East Dulwich Road, Peckham Rye ( 2d) as indicated by the signs displayed (2e) Dekker Road, Desenfans Road, Woodwarde Road (2f) as indicated by the signs displayed (2g) not applicable (2h) as indicated by the signs displayed

4.

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

5.

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

6.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 13th May – 22nd June (2b) 13th May- 15th June (2c) 13th – 15th May (2d) 4th – 5th May (2e) 15th May – 26th June, south side and north side closure carried out in phases (2f) 12th – 13th May (2g) 10th – 18th May (2h) 11th – 19th May

7.

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

Dated this 2nd May 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) 99450983 (2b) 02986436 (2c) SA-939625 (2d) LBSHO13465-2 (2e) W119974175-00736 (2f) LBSCR13437 (2g) XW0722462829-03073 (2h) 93183499

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SPORT 29

By Mark Baldwin ChamPionS Surrey needed only 30.2 overs on the final morning on monday to wrap up victory by an innings and eleven runs against an overwhelmed hampshire at the kia oval.

Dan Worrall finished with an impressive 5-47 as Hampshire, dismissed first time around for 151 on day one, were bowled out again for 197.

Ollie Pope equalled the Surrey record for the most outfield catches in a first-class match, pouching three more at second slip to give himself six in the innings and eight in the game.

Surrey’s thumping win, their second of the new Division One season, would surely have been completed well inside three days had a total of 84 overs not been lost to bad weather on the second and third days.

Hampshire, resuming their second innings still 92 runs behind at 116-5, had added just Ben Brown’s single to their overnight score when Liam Dawson fell for eighteen – edging Worrall to Pope in the cordon in the third over of the morning.

It was Pope’s fourth catch of the innings in the position, and sixth of the match, and the England batsman then went to seven when Worrall returned for his second spell of the morning session and Pope accepted a straightforward nick to second slip as Kyle Abbott departed for eight to the fast bowler’s second ball back.

Pope’s eighth and final catch of the match equalled Tony Lock’s record for Surrey from 1957 against Warwickshire at the Oval, although five of Lock’s catches in that game were off his own bowling. It also wrapped up the contest and gave Worrall his fifth wicket of the innings, Brad Wheal (9) obligingly edging for Pope to complete a spectacular tumbling take to his right.

James Fuller had earlier hung around 23 balls for his four, before fending a Gus Atkinson lifter to gully where Dan Lawrence took the catch at the second attempt to leave Hampshire 139-7.

Atkinson then greeted Abbott with a vicious first-ball lifter that the tailender did well to fend away from in front of his face, with both feet off the ground, and

Surrey’s Ollie Pope Abbott continued to bat bravely as he helped Brown to add 26 for the eighth wicket.

But Worrall’s return did for him and legspinner Cameron Steel, brought on for his first bowl of the match for the 71st over of Hampshire’s second innings, had Brown well-held on the deep mid wicket ropes by Ryan Patel one ball after being slog-swept for six in his third over.

Brown’s 45 was a creditable effort but it was also a mark of Surrey’s dominance, and bowling power, that Steel – the early season’s leading championship wickettaker with 20 from the first three rounds – had not been needed until the game was all but over.

Surrey, who also beat Kent at Canterbury last week, took 22 points to Hampshire’s

three and have begun the campaign strongly in their bid for three successive championship titles.

“We have played really well over the four days,” Surrey captain Rory Burns said.

“Obviously we got an early foothold in the game by bowling them out for 151 on the first day and getting ourselves into a good position from there.

“It was important for us when Ryan Patel came in to join me in our first innings and played really well [to score 41]. He has opened the batting for us a lot in the past and so was very good against the moving ball. The partnership we were able to put on together was a big moment in the game.

“I was very pleased to contribute my own hundred to the team cause in our

first innings and, yes, I think it was one of my best innings for the club. And then Jordan Clark came in and hit a brilliant hundred late on in our innings which gave us what was a match-winning lead.

“But I think the way our bowling attack has performed in this game, and especially in the second innings because of the relentless nature of it, is very much a blueprint for us as we go further into the season. It is very pleasing that we have started the season so well.”

Burns added: “Ollie has always been a very good catcher of the ball, and he moves very well on his feet so he is able to take a lot of difficult chances because of the good positions he gets himself in.”

Surrey host Warwickshire in Division One starting this Friday.

By Sport Reporter

After an even first half in which neither team led by more than nine, a 20-7 third frame, when CoLA cranked up their defensive effort, made all the difference. Pride also dominated the rebounding battle 70-47, racking up 24 second-chance points in the process.

MVP Felicia Jacobs used timely baskets and a strong presence on the glass to keep CoLA ticking over in the low-scoring contest, finishing with twelve points and thirteen rebounds five on offence - as well as three steals and an assist.

“Defence wins championships,” CoLA

Head coach Jackson head coach Jackson Gibbons said.

“Brian Nguru runs our defence. He’s an incredible young coach - he’s going to be phenomenal.

“I’m so proud of that group of kids.

It hasn’t been a straightforward season at all. We’ve had so many bumps in the road, whether it be the culture, the results, and they just seemed to figure it out in the last six to seven weeks.

“Half-time seemed bleak, but no one seemed worried. We’ve had some great teams at CoLA and I would never put one team above another team, but they just wrote their name into history.

“Credit to Ipswich. What a tough team. They should hold their heads high, and they should be proud. We’ve got nothing but respect for them.”

On the performances from his forwards Jacobs, Esther Kursite and Adaora Dioramma, Gibbons said: “We know that’s our advantage against [Ipswich] and the role of coach is to empower and help young people realise how great they can be and that’s how great that group can be.

They came to the party and really showed [how great they are]. They’re an incredible group of young ladies.”

An emotional Gibbons revealed he would be stepping back from coaching CoLA’s D1 and WEABL side going forward, moving into a different role with the programme as he hands the reins over to Nguru on a high.

Gibbons said: ”I’m a lifer at CoLA. I have an incredible assistant coach that now needs to be a head coach and I’m going to let him go and cook. He needs his opportunity.

“It’s been a long road. It’s been eleven years and it’s time to give it somebody else - and he’s an absolutely phenomenal coach.”

By John Kelly hakan hayrettin believes dulwich hamlet is in “safe hands” as he praised the players, supporters and staff despite a disappointing end to the season after a 6-2 defeat to Cray wanderers at a sold-out Champion hill last weekend.

Riakporhe like ‘salivating hyena’

By John Kelly © Basketball England

The victorious squad

Hayrettin: We’ll go again and be better

Anthony Cook and Gary Lockyer put the visitors 2-1 up after 31 minutes before Roarie Deacon pulled a goal back in the 41st minute.

Lockyer added three more before Kaya Hansson’s goal four minutes from time.

Tom Beere completed the rout in the last minute.

The Hamlet finished twelfth in their first season back in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

“It’s been a long season, we played some good stuff in the middle third,” boss Hayrettin said. “It was the start and back end of it that really hampered us. I think the injuries took their toll towards the end.

“The people at this football club behind the scenes, that no one gets to see, all the hard work they do - the club is in safe hands. Unbelievable group of people, great chairman. We’ve got to make sure now that next season we do a lot better than what we did this season.

“My message to the supporters is that, without them, this club is not the same. Even to the death they are here supporting in their thousands. Long may that continue.

“We’ve had hundreds turn up when we’re away, thousands at home win, lose or draw. They’ve been absolutely brilliant.”

Hayrettin added: “It’s a great place to be.

You go to a place of work, I love coming here, smile on my face, it’s not all the time you find that.

“We’re going to go again and do better.

“Twelve months ago it was doom and gloom. We set out to rebuild, we want to build from the bottom up. That was one of my tasks, unity within everybody.

We’ve got a group working tirelessly hard, showing the supporters that we care, that’s very important to me.”

kia oval side get second win of the season

CoLA Southwark Pride claim fourth WNBL Division One play-off title Cola Southwark Pride beat their rivals endeavour ipswich Basketball 72-56 to win the 2023-24 women’s national Basketball league play-off title in manchester last weekend.

Photo by Mark Sandom

ruthless surrey finish off haMpshire

Surrey 359 beat hampshire 151 & 197 by an innings and eleven runs

riChard riakPorhe and Chris Billam-Smith faced off for the first time since their wbo world cruiserweight contest was confirmed - with the walworth fighter saying his opponent is getting into the ring with “a salivating hyena”.

Riakporhe and Billam-Smith will meet for a second time in their careers at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park on June 15.

Unbeaten Riakporhe has handed Bournemouth’s Billam-Smith his only professional defeat.

“I’m really happy, finally my dream has come true, not just to fight for a world title but to fight at Selhurst Park,” Riakporhe said.

“It’s unbelievable, I’m looking forward to putting on a show for the fans and keeping the title in south London. The only thing that’s going to be derailed is Chris BillamSmith.

He’s got experience, he’s world champion, he has the title but I’ve got hunger, will and he’s fighting a salivating hyena that hasn’t eaten for a week. It’s going to be a tough fight for Chris BillamSmith.”

30 SPORT

Lesson learnt excluSive

By Kiro evans

neil harriS has revealed his “bizarre” experience at Gillingham earlier this season gave him a new perspective on trusting people in football.

The 46-year-old ends the campaign back at Millwall in the Championship having been sacked at League Two Gillingham in October and having a stint at League One Cambridge United.

Harris was relieved of his duties at Priestfield despite the Gills sitting just four points off top spot after eleven games when the decision was made.

Asked what he’s learnt this season, the Lions head coach said: “I’ve had to learn because ultimately I got sacked in a job where, in the moment of the sacking I think I had the fifthbest record in the EFL over a twelve month period. So that was a really bizarre learning experience of not to trust people around and above you, something I’ve never experienced before.

“I worked here for four-and-ahalf years and I worked at another brilliant football club down in south Wales [Cardiff City] that was aligned.

Obviously Gillingham was a shambolic episode which taught me a lot, a hell of a lot.

“And when I was debating what to do next, I had the opportunity to go to Cambridge which is a fantastic football club. Unbelievably good people, humble people. [They have] pretty much the underdog status in that division because of facilities, expenditure, budget.

“Just when I was really enjoying myself and we were flying up the League One table, I get the call from Millwall to come back. And what that taught me was always expect the unexpected. In the space of three months I lost my job unexpectedly for non-football reasons and then I end up getting a call out of the blue from Millwall to come back and help.

“The lifespan of a football manager is temperamental in the modern era.”

jake’s joy

towering cooper header sees lions win final home game

the efl champioNShip Millwall - 1 Cooper 83’ Plymouth - 0 date: Saturday 27 April 2024 attendance: 17,863 man of the match: Casper De Norre referee: Andy Davies

By Kiro evans Jake CooPer’S late goal proved enough as millwall saw off Plymouth argyle to make it four wins on the bounce.

In their final home game of the season, the Lions were not at their swashbuckling best but did enough to edge ahead of their relegation-battling opponents.

It’s four victories in a row for the first time since October 2022 and continues the revival in form Neil Harris has initiated since arriving back at The Den in February.

He now has five wins in six home games and remains unbeaten in front of his own fans.

The situation for Plymouth is far less rosy and that late goal means they now go into the final day of the season just a point clear of the bottom three.

The game ended in unfortunate scenes as many fans rushed onto the pitch at the full-time whistle and it took around ten minutes to clear supporters before the club could begin their end-of-season trophy presentations.

Towering Cooper header sees Lions win final home game It was a first half full of hustle and bustle but lacking quality on a cloudy day at The Den. Millwall started the better and Ryan Longman had a cross deflected onto the top of the crossbar after three minutes.

As the teams continued to exchange light blows, a brief echo of “you’re going down” echoed from Lions fans towards a Plymouth side who, unlike Millwall, are yet to rescue themselves.

Duncan Watmore, making his 50th appearance for the Lions, almost deepened Plymouth’s relegation woes when he spun in the box but could not find the power behind his shot. At the other end, Casper De Norre had the ball nicked off his toes

by Morgan Whittaker but Ben Waine fired over.

The best chance of the half fell for Mustapha Bunda. The attacker was a handful for Danny McNamara all half and dribbled around the full-back and fired a fierce effort at goal that Matija Sarkic had to get his body behind.

There was spirit in Millwall’s display but they weren’t particularly convincing going forward. It suited the hosts when the game opened up after the 30 minute mark which

saw Cooper and McNamara have to make big blocks at one end before De Norre was almost through on goal on a counter-attack but he was denied by Whittaker.

The huffing and puffing from both sides would continue until the 58th minute when, this time, it was Whittaker who had picked up the ball and was heading unchallenged into the Millwall box. But a stunning, goalsaving tackle by Ryan Leonard stopped the sharp-shooter in his tracks.

A minute later, there would be action at the other end when a brilliant low cross by De Norre found Tom Bradshaw but he was denied by the Plymouth keeper at the near post.

Michael Cooper was in action again not long after when Longman tore down the right but saw his cross fended away by the goalie.

Harris was keen to spice things up and introduced Kevin Nisbet and Romain Esse after 67 minutes, with Bradshaw and Watmore, who had just put the ball over the bar, departing.

As the final 15 minutes emerged, the visitors looked more willing to commit bodies and enjoyed a succession of corners which led to two chances that defender

Lewis Gibson did not take.

At other end, Cooper would not make the same mistake. Leonard’s curling cross hung in the air for what felt like an eternity before Cooper headed it back across goal and it looped in over the keeper after 83 minutes.

Following fourteen months of not getting on the scoresheet, it’s now goals in back-toback home games for the defender.

Esse almost grabbed a second after flicking a ball around a Plymouth defender but his effort was deflected just wide.

But Cooper’s goal proved to be enough as Millwall ended their home form on a high while Plymouth have been left clinging to their Championship status. millwall: 4-4-1-1: Sarkic; Leonard, Tanganga, Cooper (c), McNamara; Longman (Hutchinson 90+1’), De Norre (Honeyman 85’), Saville, Watmore (Esse 68’); Flemming (Mitchell 85’); Bradshaw (Nisbet 68’).

Plymouth: 3-4-3: Cooper; Phillips (Pleguezuelo 81’), Scarr, Galloway (Sorinola 87’); Edwards (c) (Devine 87’), Randell, Gibson, Mumba; Whittaker, Waine (Hardie 70’), Bundu (Wright 87’).

Bart Bids farewell to lions

The goalkeeper thanks fans in emotional final Den outing

By Kiro evans

academy player of the season: josh Stephenson young player of the season: romain esse millwall supporters’ club player of the season: 3rd – george honeyman 2nd – george Saville 1st – ryan leonard Bartosz Bialkowski is leaving Millwall after nearly five years at the club

BartoSZ BialkowSki said he has been “overwhelmed” by the love he’s received from millwall fans in his five years at the den.

The goalkeeper is leaving the club at the end of the season with his Lions contract set to expire in June.

He has made 169 appearances for Millwall after arriving initially on loan from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2019.

The 36-year-old thanked his teammates and the coaching staff in the post-game celebrations after the win over Plymouth Argyle. He said: “The last five years have been absolutely amazing. I’ve enjoyed it

right from the start.

“To be honest I thought I was going to be okay but it hit me last night. It’s been emotional.

“I just want to say a massive thank you to all of you. The amount of love and support I’ve received right from the start has been overwhelming. I’d like to thank my wife and kids, my teammates, the coaching staff, people behind the scenes. I love you all, I’m going to miss you all and hopefully I’m going to see you soon.”

Bialkowski’s speech came shortly after Ryan Leonard wrapped up the supporters’ player of the year award after an outstanding season for Millwall.

He has made 36 appearances in all

competitions this season and assisted Jake Cooper’s winning goal against Plymouth.

George Saville and George Honeyman finished second and third respectively behind the 31-year-old.

Romain Esse picked up the young player of the season award after scoring his first two Millwall goals this season across 26 appearances in all competitions. It is the second year on the bounce he has won this accolade.

And Lions youngster Josh Stephenson picked up the academy player of the season after his efforts leading Millwall’s under-18s to the Professional Development League Cup earlier this month.

SPORT 31

harris weighs up loan stars’ futures

Alex Mitchell (central), Kamarl Grant (left) and Niino Adom-Malaki have all been out on loan

crop of millwall youngsters are returning from moves away

excluSive

By Kiro evans neil harriS will spend the next few weeks mulling over the futures of his young loan players as they complete their spells at other clubs.

The Lions boss has been keeping an eye on the progress of the club’s youthful stars who have been looking to make a name for themselves away from The Den. Alex Mitchell has impressed at Lincoln

City where he just missed out on a League One play-off place while Niino Adom-Malaki enjoyed regular football for Sutton United before their season ended with relegation out of League Two. Meanwhile, Kamarl Grant has a Wembley trip to look forward to after his Bromley side progressed to the National League final this Sunday. They will play Solihull Moors.

Harris said he will be weighing up what’s important for the players as well as Millwall when he plans out their next

Match preview:

steps.

He told our paper: “Niino is back in with us at the moment to train. Alex is someone who trained with us originally when I was head coach here and I’ve seen quite a lot of over the last couple of years.

“And Kamarl’s down at Bromley, Chin [Okoli] has been at Bromley and Kyle Smith has been at Wealdstone and done well.

“So I’m aware of the young lads that have been out and I’d probably put Alex in there to a certain degree even though

Swansea vs Millwall

he’s not an under-21 player, he’s a firstteam player, but he’s still at a younger age.

“Discussions will be had over the course of the summer as to what’s best for them. We have to consider it’s not just what’s best for Millwall but what’s best for them as well.

“It’s very difficult for any player that’s played in the lower leagues, ie conference level or League Two, to come back and expect to play in the Championship next year. So how do we bridge that gap between them and the Championship?

“Alex is slightly different. He’s played in League One and has certainly done well over the last few months. Is he going to be ready for Championship football next year? Those are discussions that have to take place.

“We have to be respectful to the player.

Do they want to be here? Forget who the head coach is - do they see their futures here or somewhere else? So we have to consider all of that and make a decision on what’s best for a) the player and b) the football club and that’s what will happen over the coming weeks.”

Swansea.com Stadium, May 4 12.30

Lions looking for strong finish in south Wales

By Kiro evans millwall Go to wales in search of a fifth consecutive win in their final game of the Championship season.

Michael Obafemi scored for Swansea against Millwall last season

In the blink of an eye the Lions have gone from error-prone relegationbattlers to the league’s in-form side.

The end of the season has come just as Millwall are clicking into gear and rediscovering their ability to navigate England’s most unpredictable league.

Neil Harris will take much of the credit for the turnaround and he will be the first to remind the players that this end-of-season clash against Swansea City is not the dead rubber it may first appear.

Millwall can make up three places in the Championship and leapfrog

Sunderland, Watford and Swansea if they win and other results go their way.

While it is not the final day drama fans experienced last year when the Lions were fighting for a play-off place, it does offer a chance to climb to their highest league position since September.

Swansea will have different ideas as they look to end a middling season on a high.

Michael Duff was sacked after winning just five of his nineteen games in charge and struggling to build upon the foundations laid by predecessor Russell Martin.

Luke Williams was appointed head coach at the beginning of January and has already experienced plenty of ups and downs in his first four months in

south Wales.

The 43-year-old is a rising star in English coaching and a year ago led Notts County to promotion to League Two via the play-offs after a dramatic fight for the National League title against Wrexham.

He currently has the Swans on a four-game unbeaten run which bodes well for next season when fans will expect a more competitive campaign.

They will also expect more resilience on their own patch with Swansea defeated in six of their last twelve games at home.

Millwall recorded one of their most memorable results of last season away at Swansea when they came from 2-0 down in stoppage time to draw 2-2 thanks to own goals from Harry Darling and Nathan Wood. Michael

Obafemi, now on loan at the Lions, scored against Millwall that day.

But the Swans got their own back earlier this season when they ran out 3-0 winners at The Den. Millwall have won just one of their last eight games against Swansea.

MAtCH DetAILS Possible Millwall starting XI: 4-4-1-1: Sarkic; Leonard, Tanganga, Cooper, McNamara; Longman, Mitchell, Saville, Watmore; Flemming; Bradshaw Last meeting: Championship, September 30, 2023 Millwall 0-3 Swansea

Neil Harris has won seven of his twelve games in charge so far

excluSive

By Kiro evans neil harriS does not believe one transfer window can “fix everything” at millwall as he played down expectations the lions will automatically return to challenging for the play-offs.

The 46-year-old has engineered a stunning turnaround in form at The Den and his side can end the campaign with five straight victories if they beat Swansea City in their final league game.

Had the season began when Harris returned to the club in February, the Lions’ points haul would currently have them fighting at the top end of the Championship.

The form over the last twelve games may have left some fans hoping Millwall can return to challenging for the play-offs as they did in most of the recent seasons under Gary Rowett.

But Harris has warned there is still

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Sport Southwark

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no quick fiX

Harris urges caution over next season’s expectations plenty of work to do to get the Lions back on track.

He told our paper: “The club have had a difficult season. We can look at last summer and losing out to Blackburn on the final day would’ve hit the squad, and it would have hit any squad or football club.

“Losing John [Berylson] was the biggest loss this football club has had in a long time. Jimmy coming in has been phenomenal - what a brilliant family.

“And it’s difficult for the football club to then just gather stability and move forward. And to have three head coaches in the same year is really tough.

“To be where we are today I wouldn’t say is expected or acceptable off the back of the last eight or nine seasons however it’s happened for a reason and we have to appreciate that, understand that and move forward.

“You can’t just go into one transfer window and expect to fix everything and say next year we’ll be fighting for

a top ten finish again. No, we have to be respectful to the league and where we’ve been this season and we have to take those steps again.

The football club has always been at its best with an underdog status and when it’s built through transfer windows.”

Harris has been clear on the club needing to strengthen in the upcoming summer transfer window and he believes the right deals can see Millwall make progress.

He added: “From a club perspective, we have to make sure we compete the best we can in the transfer window, we have to make sure we try and get the turnover of players right to make sure we have a squad that want to be here next year.

“There’s always one or two players that will come to me over the summer and say, for different reasons, ‘gaffer, I think I need to move up north or abroad or I need pastures new.’ Those are the conversations that will take place. So we have to make sure we get the balance of the squad right and

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we’re healthy for as long as possible during pre-season. That gives you the best opportunity on August 10 to start well and then carry that momentum that we’ve built over the last eight weeks through the summer months into next season.”

Millwall haven’t managed five wins on the trot since March 2022 but can end the season on a high if they get past Swansea on Saturday.

Harris said: “We’re going to have our fans travel to Swansea at great cost, let’s make sure we put in a performance that is worthy of where we are in the league at the moment.

And then we move onto the summer and that becomes momentum for fans to be excited.

“I’ve come back, we’ve had six home games, we’ve won five and drew one.

We haven’t let a goal in from open play at home. There’s optimism and momentum straight away. They’ve been crying out to see a Millwall team for a period now and they’re seeing one, that’s the momentum we can carry forward.”

RUTHLESS SURREY FINISH OFF HAMPSHIRE Moment to remember excluSive

By Kiro evans neil harriS was convinced millwall would survive relegation when the final whistle blew to signal victory over Southampton in his first game back.

The 46-year-old returned in February for his second stint in charge of the Lions and arrived to find a club in freefall.

Millwall had been on an eight-game winless run under Joe Edwards with the 37-year-old removed from his post before the trip to St. Mary’s.

Few would have given the visitors a chance of getting anything off a Southampton side that had been fighting for automatic promotion.

But Japhet Tanganga scored his first goal for Millwall after just five minutes to get his side on their way to an extraordinary win.

Che Adams equalised before Michael Obafemi won a penalty just before halftime.

Zian Flemming converted the spotkick to put the Lions back ahead and Matija Sarkic was required to pull off a brilliant save deep in second half stoppage time.

That win proved crucial in stopping the slide in form and was also memorable for the incredible scenes in the away end as fans roared their side over the line.

Asked for his highlight of the season, Lions head coach Harris said: “The final whistle at Southampton was special. That moment typified what Millwall football club is. The moment where all hope was disappearing and in the space of 90 minutes, the light switch had been turned back on.

“The fans were with the players, the players were with the fans. The noise at the final whistle was deafening from 3,000 Millwall fans.

“That moment I walked off and I said to the staff: ‘we’ll be fine, we can do this, we’ll be fine.’”

Zian Flemming struck the winning goal at Southampton THE RECYCLED PAPER CONTENT OF UK NEWSPAPERS IN 2014 WAS 83.5%