Southwark News - May 16th 2024 by CommunityMattersMedia

Sport

Issue 1685

Established: 1987

50p

May 16 2024

southwarknews.co.uk

three millwall chiefs leave in shake-uP eXclusive

russell dryden 1959-2024

blue day fOr bermOndsey See page 13

See page 4

traders shaken by evictiOns

See page 6

father and sOn’s Patties back in aldi

2 NEWS

OPINION Page 18-19 ARTS Pages 20-21 HISTORY Page 22

PROPERTY Page 24 PUBLIC NOTICES Pages 25-27 SPORT Pages 29-32

EXCLUSIVE

By Herbie Russell A DEVELOPER has floated plans to build a 1,500-room student accommodation by the elephant and Castle roundabout.

Initial plans for Skipton House, an unoccupied office building behind Elephant and Castle station’s Bakerloo line entrance, suggest the student blocks could rise up to 32 storeys. Developer London & Regional has said around 200 flats could also be built in lower-rise buildings in front of the taller blocks. Local residents are being asked to comment on the proposals before a Sunday, May 19 deadline. The site is currently home to Skipton House - a 250,000sq ft office block originally designed for a Japanese bank. NHS departments have since occupied the building including The Information Centre for Health and Social and the NHS Counter Fraud Authority. London & Regional said the NHS left in 2022 due to the building’s location and condition. The developer said it had been difficult to find tenants since then. The development on 80 London Road could include retail and commercial provision at the ground and upper floors.

Skipton House, October 2019 (with the Bakerloo line Elephant & Castle tube station in front

Ella Moth,sketch nine, and An initial of Chloe Morley, ten, what the development joined The like Princess could look of Wales to cut the ribbon on the door of the Children’s Day Surgery Unit, marking it officially opened.

CLASSIFIED Pages 23

elePhant and castle Office set fOr 1,500unit student hOusing redevelOPment © Kicsinyul (Creative Commons)

NEWS Pages 2-17

There are also plans to make pedestrian improvements to Ontario Street and introduce a Station Square next to the station entrance. The developer hopes to submit a full planning application in autumn with construction set to begin in 2028 if approved. Skipton House was set for redevelopment

in 2015 after plans for a 39-storey mixed-use building were approved by Southwark Council. In 2018, further permission was granted to build an additional six storeys for office and retail use. But the schemes did not go ahead “due to land ownership constraints and the decline in the office market,” the developer said.

The new buildings are being designed by architectural firm HTA Design. The developer hopes they will complement Elephant and Castle’s £4bn regeneration, led by Southwark Council in partnership with private developers. The regeneration includes Elephant Park, a new town centre including an upgraded tube station and 22 other projects.

Graphic shows how regen will ‘loom over lower-rise historic Peckham’ By Herbie Russell

Contents

PeCKHAm CAmPAignerS have created a striking new graphic showing how overbearing the Aylesham Centre regeneration could be.

Berkeley Homes plans to redevelop the site, which includes the Morrisons supermarket, to include 850 flats in blocks rising to twenty storeys. The developer has scaled back its original plans - which proposed heights of up to 27 storeys. But campaign group Aylesham Community Action (ACA) hopes their latest graphic shows the buildings will still tower over “historic lowrise Peckham”. The picture shows the iconic Jones & Higgins building being dwarfed by huge towers.

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MILLWALL'S END OF SEASON AWARDS

Issue 1684

editor: Kevin Quinn deputy editor: Herbie Russell reporter: 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

May 9 2024

southwarknews.co.uk

MILLWALL CLOSER TO STADIUM EXPANSION AND NEW HOMES See page 12

‘TEMPORARY FIX’

TfL admits Cycleway was only meant to be a

EXCLUSIVE

See page 4

Sport

A petition launched by the group making several demands of Berkeley and Southwark Council has gathered over 3,000 signatures. ACA has urged them to provide 50 per cent social housing rather than the 35 per cent usually stipulated by Southwark Council. The petition also demands that existing shops be protected, the creation of quality green space, and better communication with the community. A Berkeley spokesperson said: “We continue to welcome all feedback from the local community ahead of the submission of our formal planning application. “As advertised recently in the Southwark News, this can be done online, via our consultation website, or in person at the Aylesham Centre this Thursday from 4-8pm or Saturday 25 May, 12-4pm.”

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

See page3

BREWERY STOPS PUB BEING BOARDED UP See page 6

PROTESTORS BLOCK ASYLUM COACH WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH SURREY QUAYS SHOPPING CENTRE? See page 4

Southwark News started life as the Bermondsey News in 1987, as an A-4 photocopied sheet of paper and rapidly grew to cover the entire borough and the surrounding area. As the borough grew, so did the newspaper. It is owned and run by Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn. Former reporters for Southwark News, they bought the title in 2002, after the founder Dave Clark died suddenly from cancer four years earlier. A dedicated team of staff work tirelessly to cover as much of what is going on as possible and strive to ensure that a community-led, independent newspaper can survive and excel in a market dominated by national and multinational media groups.

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Southwark News is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK’s magazine and newspaper industry). We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think that we have not met those standards and want to make a complaint, please contact 0207 231 5258. If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about IPSO or the Editors’ Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit www.ipso.co.uk

NEWS 3

Peckham nursery has started teaching under 5s hOw tO cOOk...

Little chefs test their baking skills

EXCLUSIVE By Isabel Ramirez A nurSery in Peckham is now teaching under-fives how to cook and speak different languages.

Sunhill Day Nursery Peckham, just off Rye Lane, has launched two new services to bolster the early years education available in the area. The three-room nursery for children

under five now offers weekly cookery classes. In these classes, children put on aprons and chef hats, measure, weigh, and combine ingredients using specialist children’s cooking and baking equipment to support their culinary adventures. The new Mobile Mini Kitchen with a ‘cool touch’ oven allows them to cook safely in a controlled environment. Children have reportedly been ‘loving it.’ Nursery Manager Abimbola Akisanmi

commented: “Learning to cook at a young age is thoroughly enjoyed by the children and is an excellent, engaging way to build basic math skills such as counting eggs or measuring water. “By exploring their senses, an adventurous palate grows, along with confidence and a whole host of homemade goodies that are proudly brought home for everyone to enjoy. So far, the children have been busy making carrot cakes and cupcakes.”

As well as cooking, the children also have the chance to learn another language. The lessons include baby-signing and language songs, stories, and books, which can also be shared with parents to continue the learning at home. This addition to the timetable supports the nursery’s multicultural environment. Research shows the more mental stimulation a child receives between

the ages of two and four, the more developed the parts of their brains dedicated to language and cognition will be in the years ahead. Parents see their children learning these life skills receive daily updates on the nursery Parent App and follow the Facebook page, which explains the educational journey behind each picture. To book a nursery visit go to www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk/nurseries

4 NEWS Castle Square

Kevin and Olajide both also received bills worth thousands

EXCLUSIVE By Isabel Ramirez Four trAderS in Castle Square were shocked to find they had been locked out of their shops, following an ongoing battle with the landlord over rent arrears.

The business owners came in last Wednesday (8 May) to find that the landlord had changed their locks overnight. Castle Square in Elephant and Castle, run by Get Living (a branch of Delancey) and managing agent Savills, has hosted traders who used to trade in the shopping centre before it was demolished in 2020. But over the last four years, all have reported issues that they claim have contributed to their loss of business, including poor signage, conditions and mismanagement. Two weeks earlier, the owners of Forever Barbers, Raw Fashion, Games and Gadgets and JZ Mobiles had been served a notice, which ordered them to pay their rent arrears in 14 days. The bills ranged from £5k-£11k and they included an electricity bill that had arrived four years late. According to the landlord, this delay was due to ‘faulty electrical sub-meters’ producing ‘inaccurate readings.’ They said traders were told to set some money aside to cover backdated bills but not how much they would have to put aside. A Castle Square management team spokesperson said they had been left with ‘no choice’ but to remove the tenants’ rights and access to each unit. “Regrettably, we are in a difficult position whereby some of our tenants have accrued substantial rent and service charge arrears dating back to the opening of Castle Square in September 2020.

Traders say since moving out of centre

‘business is dead’

“Despite extensive and consistent efforts to communicate and coordinate with tenants over the last year, which has included pausing enforcement action to allow further negotiation, we have been left in a position where arrears have not been cleared, nor have acceptable or reasonable payment plans been agreed.” One trader, Amjad, of JZ Mobiles, who was locked out told us: “I sit all day here and there is no trade. For the last month, not one customer popped in.” The man, who has been trading in the area for the past 25 years, maintained that he never had arrears whilst trading in the shopping centre and business there was ‘good.’ As the legal process has already started, they reportedly need to go through court to gain possession back into their properties - despite one trader having paid all his arrears in full now. The rest of the traders received their bills warning of legal action with a later deadline. At the site last week, these traders told us they were ‘worried’ about eviction. Olajide Agbede, who owns Daddy O’s Suya Spot on the first floor, was billed over £8000 - half of which was the electricity bill. When Ola originally contested it, he

was ordered to pay the full amount. However, after this paper got in touch, the landlord agreed that he would only have to pay half to cover the rent arrears. In terms of the electricity bills, all tenants have negotiated payment plans to spread the cost. The highest bill was £14,000. When asked how they got into arrears in the first place, the traders blamed the lack of footfall due in part to poor signage. Mr Agbede, who ran his food business at the shopping centre for 20 years, said: “I was really doing great there, I had a good location. But where we are now, people hardly see us. “Business is dead.” To improve this, they have all been asking the landlord for improved signage since 2021. Kevin Stora, owner of the gadget repair shop on the first floor of Castle Square, said potential customers walk past because there is no sign indicating a ‘shopping centre.’ “No one can even see our businesses upstairs,” he said. “So we asked the landlord if we could even put a banner out on the balcony advertising our business or for them to change the name to say ‘Castle Square Shopping Centre’ but they said no.”

In 2022, following a meeting with tenants, the landlord did agree that the signage ‘could be improved’ yet no action was taken. When the we asked about this, now two years later, a spokesperson from the management team told the paper: “We are continuing to look into the advertising screens, however in the meantime, we are updating the signage at Castle Square, making it clearer and more visible. “The new, larger signage will make it easier to locate and drive footfall to our traders.” This is not the first time the traders have spoken out against the management team. Last July, they collectively complained about ‘poor communication and management’ and a lift that was ‘constantly broken.’ This even led to a disabled customer having to be carried up the stairs to shop. A spokesperson from the management team added that they remained ‘committed’ to ensuring the success of Castle Square. They cited the regular free events at the Square, like the recent Easter Bunny visit, as an attempt to boost business for the traders. However, all the traders told the

News these events had not had a positive impact on their businesses. Sophie Rebecca Wall, from Latin Elephant - a charity that has been supporting the traders, said: “The affected businesses never missed a rent payment during their many years trading in the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre. When they were relocated to Castle Square in 2020, as part of Get Living’s redevelopment of the area, it quickly became clear that the site was inappropriately designed, with little passing trade and visibility. She added that 85 per cent of traders reported their income had significantly decreased after the move. “This barrier to trade continues to be compounded by repeated failures by Landlord/Developer Get Living and Managing Agent Savills to effectively address a multitude of worsening issues including antisocial behaviour in common areas and structural disrepair. As a result, some traders have generated arrears but tried hard to negotiate sustainable plans, which were ignored or rejected. The aggressive eviction of traders is causing the same result – displacement – by more insidious, legal means.”

level”, in the remaining 21 boroughs not covered by the MyEnds programme. Mr Khan said tackling violence and its “complex causes” was his “top priority”.

“I said on my re-election that the next generation of Londoners would be the focus of my third term as mayor, and my first major announcement in my first week is about providing a step change in the support we provide young Londoners who need it the most,” he said. “I have always been clear that we will never be able to arrest our way out of violence, which is driven by poverty, deprivation and lack of opportunity. “This major City Hall funding boost will help my Violence Reduction Unit expand its MyEnds programme across London and help communities to target interventions through youth work, mentoring and after-school activities, in the neighbourhoods in greatest need of support.” The Labour mayor’s Tory opponent, Susan Hall, argued during the election that Mr Khan had allowed crime to grow “out of control”, pointing out that violent crime was more than 30 per cent higher last

year than before he took office in 2016. The mayor said police and youth services have suffered years of under-funding due to Government austerity. The 11 boroughs now covered by the MyEnds programme, selected due to their levels of violent crime, are: Barking and Dagenham, Brent, Croydon, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark and Tower Hamlets. VRU director Lib Peck said violence in London is “often concentrated in neighbourhoods and small pockets of roads, in areas of greatest deprivation and poverty”. She added: “MyEnds puts communities at the heart of solutions to tackling violence and providing opportunity for local people. The mayor’s funding will help us not only invest in new networks in key neighbourhoods affected by violence, but will also allow us to take and expand our community-led approach to every borough in the city.”

Khan announces £14.5m in schemes to reduce violence in crime hotspots

By Noah Vickers

Local Democracy Reporter SAdiQ KHAn has announced a £14.5m investment in schemes aimed at reducing violence in crime hotspots, in his first major act since winning a fresh term at City Hall.

The mayor was repeatedly challenged over his record on crime during his reelection campaign, as new data showed that knife and gun offences in London each increased by roughly 20 per cent last year. In a last-minute promise to voters, Mr Khan had already pledged to invest £7.8m into the MyEnds programme run by his Violence Reduction Unit (VRU). This would enable the programme – which delivers after-school activities and youth work aimed at stopping young people from becoming involved in crime – to grow from eight to 11 boroughs. But on Friday, the mayor announced he

would also be investing a further £6.7m into partnerships between councils and community groups working to tackle violence at a “hyper-local, neighbourhood

NEWS 5

PeOPle suffering mental health crises are ‘kePt in hOsPital a&e fOr three days’ By Robert Firth

People experiencing mental health crises are being kept in King’s College hospital’s emergency department for three days

Local Democracy Reporter PeoPLe in severe mental health crises are being kept in a South London hospital’s emergency department for three days while they wait for a suitable bed to come free, a nurse has revealed.

Laura, a senior sister at King’s College hospital, told a meeting of the NHS trust’s board of directors on Thursday (May 9) that hospital staff, other patients and even relatives had suffered violence and aggression from the mentally ill people during their long stays in A&E. She said some of the patients who were in need of a psychiatric intensive care bed were experiencing psychosis and had histories of assault, sexual assault, and carrying weapons.. Over a one month period between February and March there were 19 incidents of serious violence and aggression at King’s College hospital’s emergency department in Camberwell, Laura revealed. In one case a mentally ill girl sexually assaulted a female staff member who was looking after her, 14 hours into her stay in the emergency department. The same girl then bit two security guards and punched two more. After 27 hours waiting in A&E, the girl ran out of a cubicle and hit a doctor on the head. In another incident, a patient

experiencing psychosis ran into an elderly man in a wheelchair, who fell back and hit his head. The nurse also recalled a case where a mentally ill patient who had been in the department for 20 hours punched a

security guard in the face, strangled another and sexually assaulted his own mum. Laura said: “The instances [of violence] increase 18 hours in, 24 hours in. It’s not that they’ve been in the department for an

hour. […] These are people who are here for a long time. “I’m saying to them ‘You’re going to be under a section: you can’t leave the hospital’ and it’s completely rational that they want

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fresh air and I can’t allow them to do that. It’s not rocket science. It’s really simple basic needs and these things happen at these lengths of time.” Another senior sister in the emergency department, who gave her name as Helena, said the fact that the hospital is located opposite psychiatric hospital, The Maudsley, meant more people with mental health issues presented at King’s College hospital’s A&E. She said: “[It’s] to the point where the ambulance service will bring people purposefully out of their area to us. We are exceptionally fortunate to have an amazing security team. We could not function in the department without them. But at the same time these mental health patients that come in that need restraint and sedation, their experiences must be horrific because it’s not the environment for them.” Professor Clive Kay, chief executive of King’s College hospital trust, said a recent study showed mental health attendances at King’s College hospital’s emergency department had risen by 30 per cent since 2020. An increase had not been seen at the emergency departments of other hospitals in South East London. A 2017 international study led by researchers at UCL, King’s College London and the University of Cambridge found that people in South East London reported the highest incidences of psychotic disorders, along with people in Paris.

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6 NEWS

Peckham father and sOn’s POPular Jamaican Patties get restOcked at aldi

By Isabel Ramirez

A BEEF patty, made famous across the uK by a Peckham father and son, has returned to Aldi’s shelves after it sold out in just 48 hours.

Paul, 54, and Mike Williams 33, who run the wholesale bakery, Flake Bake, have just landed a second life-changing contract with the supermarket chain. Their popular authentic Jamaican patty, which costs just 99p, will be restocked in stores nationwide from tomorrow (Thursday 9 May). Over the last twelve years, they have sold over six million patties and have earned a reputation in southeast London - alongside First Choice in Brixton which closed down not long ago. Recently, the pair were launched into the spotlight - after they won the Channel 4 show Aldi’s Next Big Thing - a hunt for a brand new product to stock in its stores. As a result, their patty was stocked at 1000 of Aldi’s stores across the UK. Impressing the judges with its standout flavour, Mike and Paul’s Flake Bake beef patty beat five other hopefuls, including the world’s first bowler hat-shaped bread, an edible cookie dough range, an awardwinning brioche bun and an allergen-free gooseberry and elderflower whoopie pie. However, after the patty sold out everywhere in two days - it was clear Aldi had to make another order. Now, due to the colossal social media response, they have. Following their overnight success last month, we went down to see Mike and Paul at the bakery, based on an unassuming industrial site on Penarth Street. Mike told us: “Since winning the show it’s just been non-stop. Everyone was

Paul and Mike Williams

talking about this patty. UB40, Loose Women - even Man City Football Club reached out to us.” In 2018, Mike tragically lost his mum, a nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’ - to whom they dedicate their success. “When we won it was a win for her as well,” he said. Mike explained that when they knew the show was airing - he set up a video with London-based food influencer, ‘Eating with Tod’ (Toby Inskip) - which got 2 million views.

“So when the show came out and people learned they could buy it in an Aldi near them, that demand had already been created.” Paul, who ran a little bakery on Bellenden Road before Flake Bake, said: “It feels like we’ve put patties on the map in the UK.” Originally from Bog Walk, a little town in Saint Catherine - he said the perfect Jamaican patty is ‘all in the flake and the crust.’ “When you eat one, it should get all over your clothes,” Paul said.

The 54-year-old added that when they entered the contest, he ‘knew’ they would win. “You have to speak positively - I know our patties are the best. We never had a doubt.” But Mike said they were up against some other products that had won major awards - and he wondered whether the product would be accepted in the mainstream. “Patties are always in the World Food section at stores - we want it next to the

pasties and bread, as an alternative.” They are currently in talks with other major retailers to get their patties into other stores. This would be another win for Flake Bake, which according to Mike, ‘had never been on their radar’ before. Given the rise of this humble product will they be moving out of their kitchen in Peckham? “We don’t want to,” Mike replied, “we still want to keep this place for the community who have always bought our patties.”

Millwall FC clinches 999-year lease for the Den

By Herbie Russell

Millwall FC’s home ground The Den

miLLWALL FC has clinched a 999-year lease for its home, the den, paving the way for a 34,000seat stadium and development of its surrounding area.

Lewisham Council granted the leases across three sites around the ground, which will also see the relocation of facilities for the Millwall Community Trust, on Wednesday, March 8. Millwall’s outgoing chief executive Steve Kavanagh hailed the “incredible news” as helping the Championship club “develop existing and new revenue streams”. Lewisham Council is the freeholder of the stadium site so the lease allows Millwall to expand the ground and build homes on the land surrounding it. The developments will form part of the New Bermondsey – a 30-acre redevelopment of the old industrial area, which is being led by Lewisham Council Approved in January 2022, it will see 3,500 homes built in the area

around The Den over the coming years. The stadium’s revamp is at the heart of the New Bermondsey redevelopment. New seats will be built as additional

upper tiers behind the existing seating bowl, increasing capacity from 20,000 to 34,000. The new lease will also allow the construction of residential buildings which was forbidden under previous

terms. Millwall FC has previously said a new public plaza and a hotel could be built on the surrounding land. Plans for The Den’s redevelopment were nearly derailed in 2016.

Lewisham Council said it planned to take some of its land away from the club and hand it to developer Renewal. Millwall threatened to leave the borough and the council scrapped the plans the following year. Kavanagh added: “This is incredible news for the football club and everyone associated with it. “Possessing development rights on the land around The Den provides the club with an array of opportunities to benefit supporters on match days, enhance capabilities on non-match days and assist with ongoing efforts to develop existing and new revenue streams. Crucially, it cements our position as a community asset by placing the club at the forefront of the wider redevelopment.” Subsequently it was announced that he would be leaving the club. Lewisham Council owns the freehold of the land leased to Millwall on a 150-year lease from 1993, along with the adjoining Lions Centre, which was leased to the MCT on a 25year lease which started in November 2004.

Borough Yards Gallery/Museum Opportunity Available UNIT 221 In the heart of Borough Yards, we are seeking a suitable operator to take a shell & core unit for the use of a public gallery with 'for sale' artwork and/or use as a museum (within Use Class D1 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987). The unit is set within a refurbished railway arch, which creates a very unique space, however does lack natural light. LOCATION Located within the Borough Yards development in London Bridge between Borough Market and the River Thames. The unit has an entrance on Clink Street. NB The unit is currently trading as 'Delight'. Nearby occupiers include Flat Iron, Bancone, Akara, Burger & Beyond, Long Boys and Hagen. ACCOMMODATION The unit provides the following Net Internal Area (NIA): Ground floor - 3,389 SQF / 314.9 SQM Mezzanine - 564 SQF / 52.4 SQM Total - 3,953 SQF / 367.3 SQM TENURE The premises are available by way of a new lease, for a term to be agreed between parties. RENT We are seeking a rent in excess of £150,000 per annum exclusive. COSTS Each party is to be responsible for their own legal and all other professional costs incurred in the transaction.

For more information please contact: BRUCE GILLINGHAM POLLARD

Evie North evie@brucegillinghampollard.com Bruce Gillingham Pollard on their behalf and for the Vendors or Lessors of this property whose Agents they are, give notice that: 1. These particulars are set out as a general outline only for guidance to intending Purchasers or Lessees, and do not constitute any part of an offer or contract. 2. Details are given without any responsibility and any intending Purchasers, Lessees or Third Parties should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact, but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of them. 3. No person in the employment of Bruce Gillingham Pollard (nor any joint agents) has any authority to make any representation or warranty whatsoever in relation to this property 4. Unless otherwise stated, all prices and rents are quoted exclusive of VAT. February 2024. Bruce Gillingham Pollard is registered in England with registered number 760004

‘Outdated’ 1960s block could be bulldozed for eight-storey offices with terraces © Southwark Council planning documents

Alpha House on Borough High Street as it looked today

By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter

An ‘outdated’ 1960s block on a popular London high street could be bulldozed for eight-storey offices with terraces. Alpha House on Borough High Street would be flattened, except for the basement and foundations, and replaced with a new office building with shops on the ground floor under plans submitted to Southwark Council.

The six-storey building minutes from Borough Tube station was constructed in the late 1960s as a warehouse but later converted to offices. It is described as an ‘imposing modernist building’ which is a ‘perfect work base for entrepreneurs’ in an advert online. But documents submitted to the council in support of the redevelopment say the 50-year-old block is ‘outdated’, ‘of low design and construction quality’ and ‘disliked’ by people in the local area. They read: “It is poorly organised, highly inefficient, and unsuited to modern occupier office requirements. The building

was not originally constructed for office use and its conversion and construction does not provide the necessary standards and accommodation of a layout and configuration which is suited for continued office use.” They added: “Adaptations to introduce lifts and some modern facilities have resulted in a clumsy and unsightly addition to the rear of the building, further detracting from its setting. […] Although notionally ‘serviced offices’, the building has little capacity to provide the shared facilities associated with co-working premises and is no longer fit for purpose.” The documents go on to argue that redeveloping the block would improve the look of the local high street and help meet the need for modern workspace in the area. “The vision is for a new office building that enhances the immediate setting whilst capturing the character and energy of Union Street in order to appeal to smaller businesses seeking opportunities to establish and expand in Southwark.” Southwark Council will make a decision on the application brought by Citylake Investments Ltd at a later date.

Peckham girl, 11, chops hair off to make wig for kids with cancer

Sofia After

By Isabel Ramirez A young girl from Peckham has chopped off her locks to give to a charity that makes wigs for children with cancer.

Sofia Before CGI of the new office block proposed for the site of Alpha House on Borough High Street (looking south).

NEWS 9

Sofia Melo, who has ‘always had long hair’ recently shed a whopping 17 inches for The Little Princess Trust. Since 2005, the charity has given free wigs to children and young people who have lost their hair through cancer treatment or other conditions. As well as getting the cut, she has already raised £860 - more than enough for a wig. Mum, Natasha Hoque, said: “My partner and I encouraged her but she

thought of the idea on her own. “I don’t know where it came from but we are so proud of her. “It’s such a good cause.” Her mum added: “You don’t realise how mature they are when they’re so little.” To date, The Little Princess Trust has provided over 15,000 wigs to people with hair loss, which cost £700 each to make. Sofia got the cut at Hype Hair, a Bermondsey salon that offers the service for free as a way to give back, and she was ‘very pleased’ with the results. Anyone wanting to donate to the cause go to justgiving.com ‘Sofia’s fundraiser for Little Princess Trust

Protestors at Elephant and Castle hostel to ‘stop asylum seekers being relocated’

Asylum seekers are reportedly being housed at Driscoll House on New Kent Road. Credit: Robert Firth LDR

By Herbie Russell Demonstrators have gathered outside a hostel in Elephant and Castle to stop asylum seekers being relocated.

Protestors claim the asylum seekers were set to be taken to the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset last Friday May 10. The Home Office has told Southwark News the individuals are not being taken to the barge. A spokesperson for the government department said they did not have enough information to confirm whether the relocation was ever planned, or had been cancelled following the protest. Over 50 protestors are standing

outside Driscoll House, on New Kent Road, with police also on the scene, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Southwark & Lambeth Anti-Raids X account has stated a “blockade” will remain “until we know the removal has been cancelled”. The ongoing situation comes a week after a similar protest saw crowds stop a coach relocating asylum seekers to the barge from Peckham. People started gathering outside Driscoll House early on Friday morning. Police reportedly arrived, then left, but have since reappeared. Protestors chanting “refugees have a right, here to stay, here to fight” are

standing either side of the hotel gates. A Met Police spokesperson said: “Officers are remaining at a protest in New Kent Road, SE1. No arrests have been made.” Bibby Stockholm is a site, moored in Dorset, that the government is using to house people waiting for asylum applications to be approved. Campaigners often raise concerns about conditions on the barge amid human rights concerns. On Thursday, May 2, scores of protestors prevented a coach taking asylum seekers from the Best Western hotel in Peckham to the vessel. Police made 44 arrests. 42 were later bailed and two charged with obstructing a highway.

10 NEWS

hOuse Of cOmmOns JOins search fOr sOuthwark’s unsung wOrld war ii recOnnaissance veterans

By Herbie Russell

MP Neil Coyle has urged the Commons to debate the need to commemorate the PRU

tHe HouSe of Commons has joined the search for Southwark’s four unsung WWii veterans.

Local MP Neil Coyle has urged colleagues to commemorate the Photographic Reconnaissance Units (PRU) whose behind-Nazi-lines operations helped secure Allied victory. The Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP is now working with Southwark News to trace four forgotten servicemen from the borough. Frederick Legon, William Fisher, Frederick James and Lesley Baker all flew with the brave units from September 1939. Speaking on Thursday, May 9, Mr Coyle told the Commons: “The RAF’s Photographic Reconnaissance Units has never been recognised for its contribution to allied success.” He urged colleagues to debate “the ongoing need for formal recognition of the PRU and its courageous crews”. Penny Mordaunt MP thanked Mr Coyle “on behalf of the whole house” saying the campaign was “very important”. The Leader of the House promised to “use all communication channels” to find out more about the Southwark servicemen. PRU crews flew in unarmored Spitfires and Mosquitos, capturing more than 26 million images of enemy operations.

Despite suffering a horrendous casualty rate of almost 50 per cent, their heroics are barely on the British public’s radar. Military enthusiasts from The Spitfire AA810 Project are leading a campaign, backed by Southwark News and roughly 150 MPs, to put their achievements on the map. Campaigners want to see a physical memorial erected in central London by

2025. But before the monument can go up, campaigners want to learn more about four Southwark veterans who served with the daring companies. The boys from Bermondsey, Walworth and Blackfriars braved the Luftwaffe 85 years ago but little is known about them. Amateur historians believe at least two died during the war. They hope Southwark residents will step forward to

fill in the gaps. Once more is known about their lives, visitors will be able to scan the memorial with their phones to discover their incredible stories. The PRU stripped their planes so to increase their flying ranges from 575 to nearly 2,000 miles. But this left the aircraft incredibly vulnerable to enemy fire meaning of the 1,287 men who flew, there were 500

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casualties including 378 killed. One plane – the Spitfire AA810 – was famously flown by Pilot Flt Lt Alastair “Sandy” Gunn who was part of the iconic ‘Great Escape’. The same campaigners behind the memorial are now rebuilding the plane after it was discovered in a Norwegian peat bog so it can fly again – possibly this year.

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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

NEWS 11

millwall fan chris thanks batman star fOr ‘changing his life’ after cancer diagnOsis

Colin McFarlane has appeared on talkSPORT to talk about prostate cancer

Chris Davies has thanked the batman star for persuading him to get a cancer check

By Herbie Russell A PASSionAte millwall fan has thanked a Batman star for ‘changing his life’ after his early prostate cancer diagnosis.

Lions supporter Chris Davies, 75, was so moved by actor Colin McFarlane’s radio appeal he got a check-up. The dynamic duo will walk the March for Men next month - a charity fundraiser organised by Prostate Cancer UK. The Batman star, who also voiced The Cube in the ITV show, spoke about

Jailed: Michael Wynter

By Herbie Russell A BriXton man who raped a woman while she was unconscious has been jailed for seven years.

Michael Wynter, described by police as an ‘extreme sexual deviant’, had a prior conviction for sexually assaulting a child. The 34-year-old, who will remain on the sex offenders register for life, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, April 30. Wynter was found guilty of raping his victim at an address in Pinner between 2019 and 2021. The victim-survivor, who exposed her attacker to stop him targeting others, has been praised for her “incredible

prostate cancer with such “emotion and eloquence” that Chris couldn’t ignore it. Chris, a well-known football journalist, said: “It’s hard to imagine where I’d be now if I hadn’t listened to the radio that day, or had popped out to make a cup of tea and missed it. Thankfully I didn’t. “Colin spoke so persuasively, with such emotion and eloquence that it hit all the

right spots with me. I remain forever grateful to Colin for pushing me over the line...who knows what might have happened with further delay?” The Bromley man was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and given ten years to live. “That means I probably won’t see Millwall in the Premier League,” Chris

‘Extreme sexual deviant’ jailed for raping unconscious woman strength and heroism”. Wynter was arrested in December 2021 and investigating officers gathered evidence from his and the victim’s phones. Police spoke to someone the victim had confided in and took a detailed formal statement from the victim as part of their evidence. Wynter had been on the sex offenders register since 2021 having been convicted of sexually assaulting a child between 2002 and 2003. Detective Constable Adam Conibeere, who led the investigation, said: “Wynter is an extreme sexual deviant who raped a woman while she was asleep or unconscious. “I would like to praise the victim-

survivor who handled the entire investigation and court process courageously and I can only hope this outcome will help to provide some comfort and bring the closure she deserves as she tries to move on with her life. “She showed incredible strength and heroism in coming forward to report the matter after lengthy consideration, due to the fact she did not want anyone else to suffer at the hands of Wynter. “Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for the Met. We will continue to do all we can to remove predatory offenders from the streets of London while supporting the complainants and helping them through every stage.”

quipped. Rather than getting him down, Chris says the tough news has given him a “new perspective” on life. He and Colin, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022, are among 2,000 people walking 2.5km, 5km or 10km through Battersea Park for charity on Sunday, June 2.

Colin, 62, said: “Meeting Chris and hearing his own story was an incredibly emotional moment for me as he told me that hearing my words in an interview was the prompt he needed to get checked. It inspires me to do more, knowing that your words really can save lives.” Visit www.prostatecanceruk.org to sign up for the March for Men

Blackwall Tunnel southbound to close for four weekends

By Isabel Ramirez BLACKWALL tunneL will close southbound for four weekends to support work on the new tunnel, which promises to ‘ease congestion’ when built.

Those travelling south must seek alternative routes across the weekends of 18-20 May, 1-3 June, 8-10 June and 29 June – 1 July. The planned closures are required to carry out work to support the new Silvertown Tunnel. The tunnel, which is set to open in 2025, will provide a public transportfocused river crossing with zeroemission bus links across the Thames. This project also aims to reduce congestion and improve the reliability and resilience of the Blackwall Tunnel. Nick Fairholme, Director of Capital Delivery Systems at TfL, said: “We are getting closer to the opening of the new Silvertown Tunnel and appreciate that

these planned weekend works will have an impact on some drivers. “We are doing everything in our power to limit potential disruption and complete these essential works as quickly as possible, including ensuring a northbound route through the Blackwall Tunnel is maintained throughout.” The closures will not affect northbound traffic and will be diverted via the southbound tunnel when required. Route 108 will be temporarily split and terminate at Canning Town station and North Greenwich, with customers asked to use the Jubilee line to cross the river to complete their journeys with subsequent refunds available if required. All closures will start at 00:01 on the Saturday morning, with southbound traffic being restored by 05:00 on Monday morning at the latest. For the latest on how roads are running, please visit:https://tfl.gov.uk/traffic/ status/

The new Silvertown Tunnel

British Transport Police would like to speak to the men pictured in connection with a phone robbery

12 NEWS

the chick is in the POst? POst Free entry for one day Office set tO be chicken shOP only to Shrek attraction The Walworth Road Post Office

By Herbie Russell tHe PoPuLAr Walworth road Post office is set to become a chicken shop.

Plans to install extractor fans to remove the smell of sizzling poultry were submitted by real estate company Omegacrest Ltd last month. The postmaster wants to relocate elsewhere in the area, according to a Post Office spokesperson. The announcement is a bitter blow to locals following recent high street losses, including the looming closure of a 110-year-old Marks & Spencer. The Walworth Society, a local community group, said: “People in Walworth are once again facing disruption to the service from our vitally important Post Office. “It is vital that these plans are not approved and no change is allowed until a new home for our Post Office has been completely sorted out.” Local MP Neil Coyle said the operator hopes to find smaller premises. Commenting on the latest news, local

resident Val Fenn, said: “My reaction is we don’t want it. People will go up the wall.” Ms Fenn, who is Chair of the nearby Elmington Estate Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, campaigned following a temporary closure last year. The local branch, which looks set to become a Popeyes restaurant, abruptly shut from February till May 2023 after the operator resigned. Customers, who found out through a biro-written sign on the store’s windows, had to traipse as far as London Bridge for postal services. A new operator was eventually found. Local residents said they were “over the moon” when services resumed. Locals have pointed out that a KFC, and multiple other fast food restaurants, are in the branch’s immediate vicinity. Ms Fenn said: “You don’t need another chicken shop. You just don’t need any more!” The Walworth Road branch has undergone several waves of change in recent years. Seven years ago, it lost its Crown status -

meaning it is no longer managed directly by Post Office Ltd. A franchise partner was however found in 2017, meaning the store avoided closure. The Post Office unit is already Class E - which includes retail and restaurants - so does not constitute ‘development’, Omegacrest Ltd has said in planning documents. The applicant is however seeking permission to install an external plant, ventilation duct and condenser units from Southwark Council. The latest news rubs salt in the wounds of local shoppers who saw the Barclays on Walworth Road close in 2023. Marks & Spencer has also confirmed the Walworth store will shut in June following a decline in sales. A Post Office spokesperson said: “The lease for the premises is to expire and the existing Postmaster is looking to move to alternative premises in the area. When plans are finalised we will consult on the move.” Omegacrest Ltd was approached for comment via its agent.

Runners brew own beer to raise cash for youths

Shrek’s Adventure! London)

By Isabel Ramirez uSineSS oWnerS face from sustainability to A family attraction on the South Bank is offering free entry for one day in half-term, to anyone who wears green.

Shrek’s Adventure! London is encouraging guests to come dressed in honour of everyone’s favourite ogre on Monday 27 May. According to the venue, they must be dressed ‘head-to-toe’ in green to secure free entry, ‘including their socks.’ At Shrek’s Adventure! London kids and

Taylor Swift pub overtakes Big Ben and Buckingham Palace

By Isabel Ramirez

EXCLUSIVE By Isabel Ramirez A grouP of nunhead runners is raising money for a vital youth centre by brewing its own beer.

Runhead has created the ‘Extra Mile’ IPA, a community tipple, to raise funds for Westminster House Youth Club. The important facility helps young people aged 8-18 make positive choices by offering homework clubs, sports, and accreditations, like the Duke of Edinburgh and First Aid training.

With the help of Bermondsey’s Bianca Road brewery, the club launched the beer on London Marathon Day at the taproom just metres from where 60,000 runners passed by on the London Marathon. Runhead member, Thom Banks, said: “We love beer and have a longstanding partnership with Westminster House, our neighbours here in Nunhead. Having first tried a run club brew back in 2020 we thought why not go the extra mile again this time to raise support for our local community?” Over the years the running club has

raised thousands for Westminster House, through pub quizzes, bake sales and now this specially concocted brew. The beer is available online, from Bianca Road’s Bermondsey taproom part of the beer mile - and all select local pubs and bars. Terry Staples, sales manager at Bianca Road Brew Co. said they were ‘extremely proud’ to be brewing Extra Mile. He commented: “Reuniting with Runhead AC on this project has also been a joy. A wonderful group of people dedicated to keeping fit, mental health, community and drinking a good beer.”

their parents play their own part in a liveaction adventure in Far Far Away, helping Shrek and his friends defeat the evil Rumpelstiltskin. The adventure begins as guests board a magical 3D flying bus with the loveable yet mischievous Donkey. They will journey through the slimy swamp and then down Drury Lane to visit the Muffin Man as they become part of an incredible interactive story featuring some of your favourite DreamWorks characters including Puss in Boots, Rumpelstiltskin and Pinocchio. For more information or to book tickets go to shreksadventure.com

A vAuXHALL pub, that has been linked to taylor Swift, recently got more google searches than top London attractions like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.

The Black Dog pub has been ‘overwhelmed’ with customers since the American popstar presumably namedropped it on her new album. Google searches for “The Black Dog” exploded the day Taylor released The Tortured Poets Department. A new analysis from restaurant furniture manufacturer Affordable Seating found that, on April 19, worldwide searches for “The Black Dog” overtook those for many British landmarks. In the song, Taylor 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. After a swift fact-check from the News, the only other place she could have been referring to was one with the same name in Cork, Ireland – which her ex Matty Healy could have visited last summer. However, staff at the south London pub said they were 100 per cent certain she was talking about their venue, which is located at 112 Vauxhall Walk. People worldwide searched for “The Black Dog” 909 per cent more than the iconic Big Ben. The bar’s popularity is even more striking when compared to Tower Bridge or even Buckingham Palace. The Black Dog saw 1,429 per cent more searches that day than either UK attraction.

NEWS 13 By Kevin Quinn & Michael Holland BermondSey WoKe up this week to the sad and sudden departure of one its biggest champions, as news broke of the passing of russell dryden.

Aged just 65-years-old, this larger than life character, who was the face of The Blue having run a fish stall in the market square on Southwark Park Road for 36 years, is believed to have died from a suspected heart attack this Monday night (May 14) at his Downtown home in Rotherhithe. This is a double tragedy for the closeknit Dryden family after Russell’s wife and childhood sweetheart Janice passed away just six months ago, and they leave behind sons Ben and Alfie and daughter Carly, grandchildren Kittie and Isla. His son Ben, who has run the stall alongside his father, said: “The family is devastated, but his legacy in the Blue will live on through me .” Russell’s brother Lee added: “I’m amazed at the flowers and the out pouring of grieve, it has touched us all so much.” Known to many as the Blue fishmonger, Russell Dryden’s connection with the area went far deeper than that. His family ran Crazy Prices shop that was a landmark on Southwark Park Road for many years. He also championed local bands as part of Bermondsey Beat, showcasing them and eventually running the annual Bermondsey Carnival in Southwark Park. A vocal champion for businesses, he founded the Blue Business Improvement District (Blue Bermondsey BID) in the hope of transforming the ailing fortunes of the traditional Bermondsey centre. Born in Rotherhithe’s Park Buildings in 1959, formerly down the road from the Angel pub, the three flat blocks were where many young couples began their married lives, the Drydens included,. Russell was the third out of four children. His mum Betty and dad Alfie later moved to Balman House on the Silwood Estate, which was also later demolished. The family then lived in Cherry Garden Street, and Russell first went to St Joseph’s R.C School in Paradise Street, but that didn’t go well. When he was interviewed by us in 2018 he said: “I got lobbed out of there because I wouldn’t take that Communion stuff. Even though I was only little I knew there was something dodgy about it; I thought it was gonna brainwash me. I wouldn’t do the confession either. I rebelled so I had to move to St James’s School, a Church of England gaff.” Life must have got easier on the religion front for Russell because he survived St James’s and went on to Scott Lidgett School in Drummond Road. After finishing compulsory education the young Dryden said he was “drifting about like a leaf in a stream.” He told us he remembers working in a wine warehouse in West Lane before driving for local seafood entrepreneur Greg Essex - uncle of TOWIE’s Joey - who had a wet fish shop, two stalls and a delivery round supplying restaurants. “I was the delivery driver,” he said. When there was a cash-flow problem the businesses were left to flounder and quickthinking Russell decided to reopen the stall in The Blue, Southwark Park Road. “I thought I’d get the stall out and see how it goes,” he recalled. “I just thought I’d have a go to see what happens. I didn’t know nuffink,” he admitted freely. “I just knew about delivering. Everything else I learnt meself.” The adventure began, he said, around 1988, so for the many thousands over the 36 years who saw Russell filleting sole and cleaning octopus and squid, you now know that those skills were picked up on the job, but the patter and salesmanship, however, was natural.

‘bermOndsey’s night sky has gained a shining star’ Russell Dryden with a regular seagull visitor to his stall in Bermondsey

At the meeting at Lower Road

Floral tributes are beginning to be laid at the site of Russell’s stall

He told the News what he loved most about his work was being out in the community talking to people, and “the unpredictability of it. You never know if you’re gonna earn money or not. It keeps you on your toes.” But fish was not the only aspect of Russell Dryden. “I’ve always loved music and being around bands,” he explained, “so one day I started playing with Eddie Webber, who I could always hear practising guitar in his bedroom round the flats. I only went along to watch his band rehearse in an old railway arch, but when I got there he said their singer Philip Burkett hadn’t turned up, so I said, ‘I’ll have a go’ and ended up as the singer. “We never did any gigs and when it all fell apart I vowed never to be in another band.” But those early connections led to Russell and Eddie getting gigs for a small stable of local bands that had emerged in the area and were getting some recognition. Russell recalled: “The Southwark News had dubbed this local mini-revolution in music the Bermondsey Beat, so we kept that as our name when the gigs got bigger and better.” After a while Mr Webber left to concentrate on other things and Phil Burkett, whose band had been performing as part of the local music phenomenon,

stepped in. Between them, the Bermondsey Beat has been organising the music for the annual Bermondsey Carnival and most musical events in the Blue for over 20 years. Phil Burkett told us: “Russell and I worked together for 21 years - 19992020 - programming the main stage for the Bermondsey Carnival until the COVID pandemic came along and and stopped us in our tracks in more ways than one. “Russell was very intelligent, witty, a force to be reckoned with, but most of all a fantastic friend. “To me he was larger than life, a permanent fixture in The Blue and my life and Bermondsey life will not be the same within him. “I honestly thought he would live forever. “His tireless work for The Blue, Bermondsey Carnival and the area will live on forever. “Down The Blue he wasn’t just a Fishmonger, he was like a social worker, he’d speak and listen to everyone and help them if he could. “Anytime I mentioned that I came from Bermondsey, I was always asked ‘Do you know Russell on The Fish Stall!?’ “I think that shows the persona and the legacy of the man. “The last time I saw him was two weeks ago - I was telling him that I had taken

redundancy and his actual words to me was ‘Phil! that is great news! Get your bit of‘dough’ and enjoy it. Life’s too short, mate’. He was so right and I don’t think anyone realised what was around the corner. “Russell is now reunited with his soulmate and the love of his life of 50 years, Janice. God bless Ben, Carly and Alfie. “Another Bermondsey legend lost, but heaven and the Bermondsey night sky has gained a shining star. Until we meet again.” On top of all this the Fishman spent many hours working on the Business Improvement District (BID), where he used a pot of money collected from local businesses to make the Blue a better place. “Without that there wouldn’t be nuffink in the area,” he told us. He talked of the family’s Crazy Prices shop that was a landmark on Southwark Park Road for many years, and how it was put out of business by cheap pound shops. He clearly understood market forces and his mantra was: never look back, but it was a catalyst for his campaigning for small, local businesses. “The council don’t help with rates, and we have to fight for every little thing down here.” An optimist, Russell saw positive changes coming with the current development at the old Peek Frean’s site, and was hoping to see the realisation of plans to further

regenerate the market and Bombay Street. “All the papers talk about the death of the high street, but they won’t completely die,” he said. “They will change with time but they will never die.’” Above all else Russell loved his manor. “The Blue,” he proudly told us, “is the last bastion of Cockneydom in the borough, so we have had to metaphorically pull our wagons into a circle to protect ourselves,” he said. He also likened the market square to “a watering hole in the Serengeti where all the different animals come to drink.” Russell Dryden was born in an area where double negatives are double proper and he had no intention of ever moving away. “I even come down to the Blue on me day off, just to walk about and chat to people. It ain’t just about shopping, it’s the walking through and saying hello to people, stopping for a coffee. It’s about the social importance of the Blue; people should use it more and make sure it remains as the heart of the community.” Members of the Blue BID said: “Russell was not just Blue Bermondsey BID manager or our most popular fishmonger; he was a guiding light, an inspiration to us all. With boundless enthusiasm, he sought to not only better our organisation but also to positively impact the community around us. “Russell leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and dedication that helped to transform The Blue. Though he may be gone, his spirit will forever live on.” Friend and former MP for the area Simon Hughes paid tribute to him, saying: “Literally thousands of people are this week really shocked and really sad “Russell was our Mr Bermondsey, the person at the heart of Bermondsey and of so much local great work, great fun and great friendship. “Russell was always warm, welcoming, energetic, optimistic, honest and straighttalking. “This community owes him so much. With Flo Weller and now Russell gone, the Blue and Bermondsey will never be the same again. But supporting the Blue and continuing to promote local music in Southwark Park are two ways we must now honour Russell the Great.”

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NEWS 15

Tower block tenants slam council over ‘broken CCTV, faulty lifts and high rents’ By Robert Firth

Sharlett Haye said the service residents of 3 Gundulf Street were receiving didn’t reflect the rents they were paying

Local Democracy Reporter Social housing tenants have hit out at a South London council, claiming they’re dealing with broken CCTV, faulty lifts and high rents in their tower block.

Residents of 3 Gundulf Street in Kennington say they’ve been left feeling unsafe in their own homes due to Lambeth Council’s alleged failure to deal with ongoing maintenance issues in their building. Despite facing year-on-year rent hikes, tenants say conditions in the block have deteriorated. They claim regular lift malfunctions leave residents on higher floors in the 15-storey block trapped in their flats. Meanwhile, antisocial behaviour allegedly flourishes due to the number of CCTV cameras not in operation. Mum Sharlett Haye, who moved into the block in June 2020, said the level of service residents were receiving didn’t reflect their rents. She said: “When you come up from downstairs you feel like you’re coming into a property that’s not worth the price we are paying for it. It’s dirty. It smells. The security is lacking. People come and yank off the magnetic things that make the [front] door lock. They refuse to give us a concierge.” She added: “We have CCTV in the property but some of the cameras are duds. It’s unbelievable because packages get stolen.

3 Gundulf Street is located next to the Ethelred estate in Kennington, South London.

And we as residents have had to confront the people coming into the property. We started to feel unsafe in the property and I still feel unsafe in the property.” The 46-year-old continued: “The CCTV in the lifts does not work so if there’s any type of harassment in the lifts we can’t report it and there’s a person who gets their dog

to piss on the floor of the lift. I have found a homeless person sleeping in the bin area. “You are asking me to pay £800 for the property. It’s almost £1,000 per month this year with the service charges. The money went up and everything else went down.” Another resident of four years, who preferred to remain anonymous, said

moving into her flat in the block was the ‘worst mistake’. The mum-of-four said: “There are rats and mice down there [in the bin store] nine times out of 10. People don’t put things in the bins and people are smoking on the stairs. The door frame is coming apart from the walls and the walls are peeling away. I had a leak [and] it ruined my children’s birthday cards and my floor. “It’s almost £215 per week in rent and I get no support. It’s not something you expect from a new build. It has only been four years and nobody wants to live there. People try to swap their homes but the issues with the building are well known. Nobody wants to come and see the properties and swap with you.” Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: “They don’t maintain the

hallways and lifts. The lights sometimes go out and the doors are always broken. I don’t feel safe in the building when I get back late.” A Lambeth Council spokesperson said: “We are determined to provide a good service for our residents that is both proactive and resolves issues as they arise. We have written to residents asking them to stop throwing cigarettes and other things off the balcony, and put a canopy in place to protect the ground floor nursery. “We have carried out repairs to the lifts and ended the breakdowns, the CCTV is working and one entrance door has been altered to stop non-resident access, and we are in the process of doing the same to another. Where residents are experiencing leaks we will fix them as quickly as possible. The rents for these properties are in line with equivalent social housing.”

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16 NEWS

Plan tO ‘take chainsaw’ tO 44 Park trees sParks rOw amid fears fOr nesting birds

Notices were posted on trees around Brockwell Park

By Herbie Russell A roW has erupted over Lambeth Council’s plans to ‘take a chainsaw’ to 44 trees in Brockwell Park amid fears for nesting birds.

Residents say the council is hurriedly hacking at trees ahead of summer events that will see thousands descend on the south London park. Lambeth Council has so far said it will go ahead with the works, claiming the trees are dead or dying and falling branches pose a risk to park-goers. The local authority has said trees will be checked for wildlife but residents insist the bulk of works be halted until after nesting season. Lambeth Council has said the works are taking place now because winter conditions are too wet for felling.

Trees in Brockwell Park have been earmarked for the chop

Tulse Hill resident Richard Quinlan, who first raised the alarm, said: “We accept that some might be dead but we question why the council is doing this during nesting season. “We want the council to pause the bulk of the works and make an informed decision about the next steps.” A regular park-goer, Mr Quinlan also questioned whether the council can properly check trees for birds and bats before festival season begins. Lambeth Council informed people of its plans to remove 22 trees and shave another 22 via notices pasted on trunks on Thursday, May 2. Most of the trees fall within the festival site which will host events such as Brockwell Live and the Lambeth Country Fair this summer. But local people were furious when

tree felling began the following day, claiming just 24 hours’ notice was given. Horrified members of the Brockwell Park Greenhouse team reportedly intervened on Friday when they spotted council staff preparing to hack down a tree containing a family of Great Tits. News of the planned works spread, sparking local uproar, and residents launched a petition that has gained over 3,500 signatures. In an official statement, Lambeth Council said the works would “reduce the risk of them falling and potentially injuring members of the public”. The local authority also said: “If any of the trees are found to have nesting birds the council will fence them off for safety reasons and put the works off until later in the year until after the bird

British Transport Police would like to speak to the person pictured

PoLiCe Are investigating after someone caused a six-foot poster stand to crush a person’s ankle at Waterloo underground station.

British Transport Police believe an individual, pictured, may have information that could help their investigation. The incident took place at around 7.40pm on Tuesday, February 13. A person was seen shouting on a Jubilee line train before getting off at Waterloo and heading for the escalators. On reaching the escalator, the person pulled down a six-foot poster stand. It fell on a victim’s ankle who required surgery and spent several days in hospital. A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “Officers investigating an assault on the escalators at Waterloo underground station are

today releasing this image in connection. “On Tuesday 13 February, at around 7.40pm, a person was seen shouting on a Jubilee line train before getting off at Waterloo and heading toward the escalators. “Upon reaching the escalator, the person pulled down a six-foot poster stand causing it to fall onto the victim and land on their ankle. The victim needed an operation and spent several

days in hospital as a result. “Officers believe the woman in the image may have information that could help with their investigation.” Anyone who recognises the woman in the image is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 515 of 13 February 2024. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A tree that has been chopped down in Brockwell Park

‘Multiple women’ suffered facial injuries due to handbag swinger at Southwark tube station By Herbie Russell A HAndBAg-SWinging woman left multiple people with facial injuries at Southwark underground station by Blackfriars Bridge.

British Transport Police said the assault took place on Tuesday, April 2, and have released a CCTV image, pictured, of a woman they want to identify. Detectives say a woman entered the station between 9.45am and 10am and started swinging her handbag around. Multiple women sustained facial injuries, police said. A British Transport Police spokesperson: “British Transport Police are today issuing an image following an assault at Southwark

Police would like to speak to the person pictured underground station. “Between 9.45am and 10am on Tuesday 2 April, a woman has entered the station and caused facial injuries to multiple women by swinging her handbag around. “Officers believe the woman in the image may have information that could help their investigation.” Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference number 2400042028. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

By Herbie Russell

cOmmuter’s ankle crushed as siX-fOOt POster stand Pulled dOwn at waterlOO statiOn

nesting season ends.” Locals, skeptical as to whether birds will be protected, are insisting the council halts works until after consultations with the public and tree experts. Mr Quinlan said local uproar was already having an effect as no trees have been chopped down since Friday. Lambeth Council has explained this saying the ground is currently too wet to cut down trees - even though there’s been several days of sunshine recently. He says he warned the council about dying trees two years ago and the council should have acted then when it wasn’t nesting season. Brockwell Park contains 1,700 trees in total and a further 90 trees will be planted next winter, according to Lambeth Council.

NEWS1317 NEWS ADVERTORIAL

Dedicated heart surgeon runs London Marathon for charity

A determined heart surgeon with a career spanning almost 30 years in the nHS ran the London marathon for Guy’s & St thomas’ Charity. Sunil Bhudia, for the second year running, took on the 26.2 mile feat for his patients. The consultant cardiac surgeon at Harefield Hospital has fundraised an incredible £18,000 for the charity so far, which supports exceptional care for patients and staff at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. The 53-year-old, who also performs cardiac surgery in Kenya for charity, has carried out over 2,000 life changing heart surgeries to date. Sunil specialises in minimal access (keyhole) heart valve surgery for adults with mitral valve disease, when the valve between the left heart chambers doesn’t close properly. Patients with this condition are often short of breath, may be unable to work, and have a reduced life expectancy. Sunil and his surgical team at the

leading heart hospital use minimally invasive techniques to repair or replace the damaged valve with a new one. After surgery patients are able to resume their regular activities and have an increased quality of life. He also undertakes keyhole surgery for patients in need of aortic valve and coronary artery bypass surgery. After completing the race in 5 hours 12 minutes, he said: “I am really proud and grateful for all of my supporters – they inspire me to keep going. Together we can make a positive difference for our patients.” Barbara Kasumu, Executive Director of Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity, said: “Sunil is a shining example of everything the NHS represents – dedication, compassion, and excellence. We are so grateful for his incredible fundraising and commitment to the Trust and we can’t wait to see what he does next!” To support Sunil’s fundraising visit: https://www.justgiving.com/ page/sunil-bhudia-1701002837850

Sunil Bhudia and wife Nisha

Outpatient pharmacy changes • St Thomas’ Hospital outpatient pharmacy will be closed on Saturday 1 June and Sunday 2 June

tHe outpAtient pharmacies at Guy’s Hospital and St thomas’ Hospital will change from the end of may, as Boots start running the outpatient pharmacies at the two hospitals in early June, taking over from Lloyds. While the service transfers to Boots, the outpatient pharmacies at Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals will close temporarily: • Guy’s Hospital outpatient pharmacy will close from 4pm on Friday 31 May and will be closed all day on Saturday 1 June and Sunday 2 June

Patients should collect any repeat or outstanding prescriptions before the temporary closure. Otherwise, they can collect any medicines from the new pharmacy, although may have to wait a little longer than usual. The hospitals’ inpatient pharmacies will process prescriptions for patients during that weekend (Saturday 1 June and Sunday 2 June). Signs in the hospital will direct patients to the inpatient pharmacies. The new pharmacies will reopen on Monday 3 June at 8am, with an improved service for patients. Boots will also open a new pharmacy and distribution hub to dispense prescriptions for Guy’s and St Thomas’ patients. This will enable some patients to have their medicine delivered to their home or to some approved Boots pharmacies, in consultation with their clinical team.

COVID-19 spring boosters available now eLiGiBLe peopLe are encouraged to top up their protection against CoVid-19 by getting vaccinated this spring. Booster vaccines are now available in the Francis House vaccination centre at Guy’s Hospital for those at increased risk from severe illness, including people aged 75 or over and those with a weakened immune system.

To book, please visit www.nhs.uk/getvaccine or the NHS App, or call 119 for free. To book for a child aged 6 months to 12 years please visit www.evelinalondon.nhs. uk/COVIDVaccination Walk-in appointments are also available but please check www.nhs.uk/covid-walk-in for opening times. For further details please visit guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination

The @home team outside Elmcourt Health Centre

Happy 10th birthday to the @home service C onG r At u L At ion S to Guy’s and St thomas’ @home service which is celebrating 10 years supporting patients to get home sooner or to avoid hospital altogether. One of the first of its kind when it launched, the service

treats around 5,000 patients a year with a range of conditions including serious infections, breathing difficulties such as chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) and heart failure patients who become sick. The service works with partners to free up hospital beds

at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s College Hospitals. Find out more about the @home service, and the work of Guy’s and St Thomas’, in the latest edition of the GiST magazine at: www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/gist

18 OPINION

Comment

'Child sex offenders to lose parental rights over their own children' D eSPite Being firmly in a pre-election period it’s still possible for mPs to be making changes.

One of the major pieces of legislation currently going through Parliament that presents opportunities for that is the Government’s wide-ranging Criminal Justice Bill. With that in mind I put forward a proposal to change the law to protect children of convicted child sex offenders by taking away their father’s parental rights – and I’m pleased to say the Government has accepted it. It will be hugely significant and will lay down that fatherhood is a privilege not a right, and you will forfeit it if you are a danger to children.

HARRIET HARMAN

It’s long been recognised that children need protecting from sex offenders. So in the 1990s we introduced the Sex Offenders Register and banned them from working with children. But the glaring anomaly is that, while those measures protect other people’s children from a sex offending man, there has been no protection for his own children. It’s been left to the mother to go to court to try and protect her children. A spotlight was put on this by BBC reporting of a recent family court case in Cardiff. When the father of “Bethan’s” daughter was sent to prison for child sexual abuse, Bethan was horrified to discover that – despite being in prison – he still had rights over

their child. When he was sentenced, he was given an order banning him from any future contact with children, but that ban did not extend to his own. Bethan spent £30,000 going through the family court fighting to protect her child from him. BBC reporting in this was crucial. You can’t put public policy right unless you can see it going wrong. The limited, careful opening of the family courts and the diligent reporting by the BBC’s Sanchia Berg meant this awful anomaly was exposed.

Londoners will see more of this. I’m particularly excited by the Mayor’s pledge to build 40,000 new council homes in the next decade and 6,000 rent controlled homes. The housing crisis is one of the biggest challenges facing Londoners. Lack of council housing is a big part of this – putting pressure on the temporary accommodation that exists and pushing huge amounts of demand onto the private rented sector. Nevertheless, none of this change can happen without the Assembly Members ensuring that the needs of all Londoners are being answered by the Mayor – and that London is not ignored by the Government. As your Assembly Member, I have won changes such as successfully campaigning for the introduction of universal free school meals across London following my report Growing

Hungry. This policy was adopted by Mayor Sadiq Khan last year and he has pledged to extend his free school meals programme for a further four years. This will feed 280,000 children a nutritious meal every day, saving £500 per year, per child, making a real impact on the lives of low-income families. I will continue campaigning to improve the lives of those in Southwark. One of my priorities is for the government to extend the Bakerloo line, something that would unlock 25,000 homes and connect South London to the underground. Transport for London has advocated for this for more than 15 years, but the project needs funding from central government. It’s an issue that’s been ignored by ministers for too long. In the meantime the Mayor will make sure South London is better connected by introducing the Bakerloop

MP for Camberwell & Peckham I heard Bethan’s story on Radio 4’s Today Programme and seeing that there was an opportunity for change, I tabled the new clause and got the support of former Tory cabinet minister Maria Miller and Caroline Nokes, a Tory select committee chair. The Lord Chancellor has now agreed it so that in future when a man commits the most serious of sex offences, rape of a child, he will be automatically deprived of his parental rights. He will be able to get them back only if he is able to

‘Sadiq Khan as Mayor has shielded Londoners from the worst of the damage caused by the government’

WouLd LiKe to start by extending my gratitude to everyone who voted in London’s elections earlier this month.

It is a privilege to represent Lambeth and Southwark at the London Assembly for another four years. I am delighted to congratulate the London Mayor Sadiq Khan on his historic re-election for a third term, and I look forward to working alongside him to give you the representation you deserve. During his time in office Sadiq has shielded Londoners from the worst of the damage caused by the government during the cost of living crisis. Through policies such as the TfL fares freeze, he has put money back in the pockets of Londoners at a time when we know that people are struggling. Within his next mayoral term,

persuade the Family Court that it is in the child’s best interests for his parental rights to be restored. In the case of a child rapist that is unlikely. The patriarchal hangover whereby a father’s rights over his child were sacrosanct will, at long last, give way to the priority of protecting the child. The new law will start at the most extreme end of abuse. And can, in due course, be extended to other offences. The Criminal Justice Bill is expected to pass into law in the coming weeks.

MARINA AHMAD

GLA Member for Southwark & Lambeth – an express bus service that will go from Elephant and Castle through Southwark all the way to Lewisham. As we go into this new Mayoral term, I am hopeful for the future of London, and I will continue to be a voice for Southwark at the London

Assembly. Although the Government has continued to sow divisiveness between Londoners, we have stayed steadfast in championing unity. I am proud of this area and I look forward to working alongside all of you to help Southwark reach its full potential.

OPINION 19

Russell epitomised the Bermondsey spirit

hat one man came to epitomise the Bermondsey spirit, or how he said it himself, “the last bastion of Cockneydom in the borough” – the sudden death of Russell Dryden will be seen by many in the area as the end of an era for the Blue Market Square itself.

This was a man who was so vocal in his support for the Blue that walking past his patch now, where his stall stood for over 30 years, you are so aware that it is mournfully silent. You can still almost hear his voice from the fish stall in your head. He spoke like many would think a Bermondsey market trader would speak, but this man of music had a great poetic tone - anyone who saw the hand-written boards he wrote by the fish stall would know exactly what we mean. This was a man filled with passion - passion for an area that he knew inside out and loved. He more than many had seen and been affected by the changing times, good and bad for Bermondsey, and was determined that the Blue would remain a focal point, even if he had fallen out of fashion. He wanted the Blue to thrive and did all he could to galvanise the powers that be - the council, the Mayor of London and the developers - to help transform the fortune of an area that does not appear to be keeping pace with the continuing gentrification of the area and London in general. Like he told us in an interview in 2018, his mantra was: never look back, and despite seeing the heydays come and go for the Blue he was determined to look forward to a brighter future. This is what he did with the Bermondsey Carnival - despite continuing funding problems. He did do his very best to keep it going. It is that grit, that firm belief and that dogged determination that saw the fishmonger of the Blue become its biggest champion and now its greatest loss.

Millwall’s solid foundations are needed in a topsy-turvy game

illwall’s season has proved that fortunes can shift very quickly at Championship level. Thankfully, the 999-year lease for The Den should provide the club with a solid foundation going forward.

The Lions were teetering just above the relegation zone in February. Three months later, a string of impressive performances has brought fans an unexpectedly comfortable mid-table finish. Millwall have enjoyed relative stability since being promoted in 2017. But this season was a reminder that the drop is never far away. The Championship is often described as the most competitive league in the world and the margins separating glory from disaster are wafer-thin. So if Millwall are to make a real push for promotion, as we all hope, it needs a self-confident business model that brings in the revenue needed to compete at the top level. The 999-year lease secured this month should do that. By allowing housing developments in the area, it paves the way for the club to capitalise on brand-new revenue streams. And while cynics sniff at the thought of 34,000 fans piling into The Den this week, this season’s record-breaking attendance figures should keep the naysayers quiet. South Bermondsey is on the cusp of transformation and Millwall FC deservedly wants to be at the centre of that change. For a time, it looked like Lewisham Council had forced the club to up sticks. It’s great to see differences have been set aside as the fans, and the local area, would only have suffered. Big changes are happening at the top, with Millwall FC expected to appoint a new Chief Executive, and other key roles being filled with new faces. Football is a topsy-turvy world but the club, and its home, look secure.

cryptic Puzzle Clues Across 1 A clear red colour is found in wax (6) 7 Authorisation of availability with regard to a contract (7) 8 Giant flying creature after mother! (7) 9 A net for a French river (5) 10 Wide extents which could be high ones with a turn of the head (9) 12 She picked fruit the day before (3) 13 Game turned back by what beaters do (4) 15 A tribe at variance with rebel leader he will mediate (7) 17 A high time, one way or the other (4) 19 Got off a vehicle on fire (3) 21 A singer for a dance, unusually staid (9) 22 Heather one in a backward area of land (5) 23 Distinguished but incompetent? (7) 24 There’s equipment in the gang for a bandit (7) 25 Mast on cars that’s been realigned (6)

Clues Down 1 All company slain, centre wiped out lodge a protest (8) 2 With regard to a speck in the distance (6) 3 Duck incorporating a ring is a child’s toy (7) 4 A polished explanation? (5) 5 Where to gamble that’s an offence in company (6) 6 A lake as seen in a summer evening (4) 7 Unruly head lords in a state (5,6) 11 He was terrible and awfully vain (4) 13 In this network, there’s a. Swedish girl (4) 14 A castle fixed on a headland (8) 16 Lace it’s variegated and flexible (7) 18 Source of circle on dress in fashion (6) 20 Wooden head of mallet found in ancient river (6) 21 To prohibit nearly everything is trivial (5) 22 Place of isolation for the Spanish graduate (4)

Quick Puzzle Clues Across

Clues Down

1 Method (6) 7 Opposite of windward (7) 8 Passivity (7) 9 Smallest (5) 10 Not entirely (9) 12 Longing (3) 13 Dispatched (4) 15 Sitting (7) 17 Locality (4) 19 Insane (3) 21 Wingless crawling animal (9) 22 More pleasant (5) 24 Storage space 24 Decayed (7) 25 Appearance (6)

1 Loose shoes (8) 2 Wine (6) 3 Weave (7) 4 Stomach (5) 5 Empty (6) 6 Prepare for publication (4) 7 Anarchy (11) 11 Trial (4) 13 To photograph (4) 14 Apartment (8) 16 Inauspicious (7) 18 Flower (6) 20 Adulterate (6) 21 Rogue (5)

Solutions to last week’s crossword Cryptic

Across 4 Gratis 8 Shyster 9 Angler 10 Argentine 11 Sell 13 Scrap 17 Neutral 16 Feature 18 Bandy 19 Argo 21 Malingers 22 Tiered 23 Reserve 24 Radish. Down: 1 Character 2 Esperanto 3 Vesta 5 Rune 6 Tiller 7 Stroll 9 Annex 11 Strangler 12 Landgrave 15 Tread 16 Factor 17 Agreed 20 Dives 21 Mews

Quick Crossword

Across: 4 Glider 8 Bayonet 9 Misses 10 Catamaran 11 Pare 13 Tends 14 Scarlet 16 Placate 18 Snout 19 Here 21 Antiquity 22 Emerge 23 Elector 24 Matter Down: 1 Bagatelle 2 Cowardice 1 Legal 5 Loin 6 Dismal 7 Russet 9 March 11 Pronounce 12 Reduction 15 Stone 16 Phlegm 17 Arrest 20 Villa 21 Ague

20 ARTS

what’s on

The Tide Has Turned at the National

As the waves lapped against the wharf a small boat appeared seeking floating corpses that the Hexams could turn into money. Few questions were asked by the authorities when Gaffer Hexam and his children Charlie and Lizzie deposited the dead. No one queried why every cadaver seemingly died penniless - Light-fingered Gaffer saw those pennies as his perk for such macabre work. Adapted by Ben Power from Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend, London Tide gives a real feel for the dark side of Victorian London but very little else. The huge, dark, almost empty black

Vivid Costumes, Music, and Witty Repartee

box stage overshadowed a sombre cast costumed in 10 shades of grey who struggled to shed light on the convoluted plot without the aid of a narrator. Yes, all the Dickens stuff was there: the boy sent away to better himself, the evil tutor whose name should have given his ulterior motive away, fortunes left by mysterious benefactors, mistaken identities, lies and falsehoods, and all while the poor struggled to survive in a society that didn’t care. Factor in a onenote dirge by PJ Harvey that continually reappeared with different lyrics and you really wished the end was nigh. And that’s why, by the interval, I felt like I was immersed in a funeral march heading for a wake where only the family members who didn’t like the deceased were asked to sing songs and give tributes. There was a noble attempt to focus on the women in a patriarchal society having all life’s decisions made for

National London Tide Brandon Grace (Charley Hexam), Jake Wood (Gaffer Hexam) and Ami Tredrea (Lizzie Hexam) in London Tide at the National Theatre

Photo by Marc Brenner

The huge cast of London Tide came slowly crawling out of the Thames and began singing. They looked rough. The singing was rougher, but this was Dickensian London where everyone was singing for their supper or waiting for a Henry Mayhew visit, writes Michael Holland.

in Southwark

them by men, but I had began not to care. London Tide needed a dash of colour to keep my weary eyes open but it never came. I hoped that when Bradley Headstone had nose bleeds we might see a drop of Kensington Gore. No such luck. Even the semi-happy ending raised no spirits here. The only glitter in all the Limehouse grime was Ellie-May Sheridan as Jenny Wren - a bright spark who added

sparkle whenever she was on stage. Ellie-May was fortunate enough to have the one line that got a laugh. This play should have worked. With Dickens and the team assembled to do the job, I really expected great things. Perhaps if the songs were sung by those with decent voices rather than with mere passion it might have helped, but London Tide has, alas, gone a long way in turning me off Dickens’ adaptations and going off a city I have

There is talk of the imminent return of soldiers from the war, chat about Benedict and Claudio causing blushes for Hero (Lydia Fleming) and witty scorn from Beatrice (Amalia Vitale). Then the triumphal entry of Don Pedro et al from the pit with noise and excitement, followed by a lull when the villain, Don John (Robert Mountford) enters. The awkwardness of this meeting is very effective. When the family leave to plan a party, there is lively banter among Don Pedro (Ryan Donaldson), Benedict (Ekow Quartey) and Claudio (Adam Wadsworth) about love and marriage with Don Pedro devising a plan to win Hero’s hand in the name of Claudio during the impending revels. His brother, overhearing this and declaring himself ‘a plain-dealing villain’, plots with his henchmen Borachio (Calum Callaghan) and Conrade (Dharmesh Patel) to ruin the plan. Benedict and Beatrice sharpen their wits at each others expense, both

Globe The company in Much Ado About Nothing declaring that love and marriage the last thing on their mind, and avow a total lack of interest in the opposite sex. Benedict, a powerful presence on the stage, soliloquises on the same theme and has here - and throughout the play - very pleasing interactions with the audience. This engagement with the crowd is amusingly developed by several characters throughout the performance. Gloriously-costumed revels ensue,

choreographed with humour and skill and accompanied by talented musicians. Don Pedro’s ploy succeeds and Hero’s hand is given to Claudio by her father, Leonates (John Lightbody). The first act closes with Claudio all set up for his wedding, a plot developing to make Benedict fall in love with Beatrice - seemingly an impossible task, but amongst all this lighthearted preparation and anticipation

Photo by Marc Brenner

The musicians open the play, walking onto the stage and quickly joined by the company singing and dancing, writes Elizabeth Carlin.

the audience knows that a scheme to defame Hero has been carried out. After the interval and a hilarious scene with Dogberry (Jonnie Broadbent) and Verges (Colm Gormley) there is a very sudden and sombre change of tone. It is hard for a modern audience to take the ease with which the suave bastard Don John can convince Claudio and Don Pedro and then, Leontes, of the previously admired Hero’s sudden fall

lived in and loved all my life.

Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX until 22nd June. Times: Mon - Sat 7pm; Wed & Sat Matinees 1pm. Admission: £20 - £99. Booking: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk Assisted performances Captioned Performances: Thursday 23 May 2024 – 7pm, Friday 17 June 2024 – 2.15pm, Friday 26 April 2024 – 7.30pm from grace but it is a small price to pay and cannot dim the total enjoyment or take away from the excellence of the performances of the whole company. It is hard to pick out any one actor for particular mention but Jonnie Broadbent, John Lightbody, Ekow Quartey and Amalio Vitale produced several outstanding moments. Set design was perfect, from the colourful musical opening of a sunlit, orange strewn and bedecked stage with blue pillars both holding balconies, which were cleverly used throughout the play. Vivid costumes maintained the blue and orange theme and the first half is full of music, laughter, and witty repartee. The returning warriors were greeted lavishly with feasting and the daughters happily (eventually) given in marriage. The generosity of Leonates and the closeness of the soldiers, Don Pedro, Claudio and Benedict is nicely developed and the interaction between Beatrice and Benedict is beautifully handled. Praise must go to director Sean Holmes for his skilful management of the intricate plot and the clarity of the performances. Perhaps the revels were a little too long, but weren’t they fun! Shakespeare’s Globe, Bankside, SE1 until 24th August. 7.30pm; 2pm matinees. Admission: £5 - £75. Booking: www.shakespearesglobe.com

ARTS 21

Heading south - our pick of upcoming events in May Birdwatching at the Peninsula Do you know your robin from your blue tit? Birds of Greenwich Peninsula is a birdwatching logbook commissioned by artist Jennifer Moore. The logbook aims to provide an opportunity for you to connect to nature and support your mental and physical health while creating a keepsake. Moore has been birdwatching for many years, read countless field guides and has spoken to a myriad of birding folk, so the information in the logbook is an accumulation of gathered knowledge based on a lifelong interest in nature. Birds of Greenwich Peninsula is available to buy online or at the Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park or NOW Gallery. All proceeds go to supporting the Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park. Birdwatch daily at the Peninsula Birds of Greenwich Peninsula by Jennifer Moore is £7.50 www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/ whats-on/birdwatching-atgreenwich-peninsula

Sing that tune If you like singing in the shower, then you’ll love sharing songs with the Kender Singers – a small group of like-minded music enthusiasts. The group sing two- and three-part songs from around the world, learning by ear, so you don’t have to read music (words and music also provided). Join the Kender Singers at Deptford Lounge and experience the joy of singing together. There are no auditions so visit for a free taster session. Tuesdays at 7:30pm (28 May, 4 June and more) 9 Giffin Street, Deptford SE8 4RJ deptfordlounge.org.uk/whats-on/event/kender-singers-acapella/

Disappearing pubs history walk

Face for radio

Join the Blackheath Society Walk and Talk as the group look at the Maidenstone Hill area of Greenwich and the pubs that have disappeared over the years, many without a trace.

Blackheath Halls is hosting Alfie Moore: A Face for Radio. Somewhere in a parallel universe, little Alfie’s natural comedic performance skills were recognised by his doting parents who encouraged and developed his blossoming talent.

You will see some of the individuals and organisations who used these pubs, their role in the community, the effect of changing licensing laws, how problems arising from alcohol consumption were dealt with, and the influence of the temperance movement and why they ended up closing down.

Meanwhile, in this universe, Alfie Moore was told to stop messing about in class before being “encouraged” into an apprenticeship in the Sheffield steelworks. When the recession hit, he traded steel for copper by joining Humberside Police.

Meet at 5pm at The Richard l pub in Royal Hill for a walk, talk and maybe a pint for the Blackheath Society Walk and Talk: The disappearing pubs of Maidenstone Hill. Monday 20 May 2024, 5pm to 7pm Tickets: £5 Royal Hill, SE10 8RT www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ blackheath-society-walk-talk-the-disappearingpubs-of-maidenstone-hill-tickets-861467290857

Thirty years of shift-work, and being punched in the face quite a lot, had left Alfie with “a face for radio”. In his 40s, a surprising career shift turned middle-aged Alfie from street cop to BBC radio star. But when TV fame beckoned, could he grasp it or was he past it? Saturday 25 May 2024, 7:30pm. Tickets: £19 Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ www.blackheathhalls.com/whatson/alfie-moore-a-face-for-radio/

On the mic A night of “vibes and creativity”, The Orange Room Collective is back with The Orange Room open mic event at Woolwich Works. Experience an incredible evening that spotlights and celebrates Black creatives from London, with a special emphasis on artists from

Woolwich. Come through to The Orange Room for a night of live music, performances, food and games. Thursday 23 May 2024, 7pm, Tickets: £14 The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 Street, SE18 6HD www.woolwich.works/events/orange-room-open-micnight-4

22 HISTORY

History

By Isabel Ramirez

An esteemed artist and sculptor, who famously created a memorial for the Tower of London, has been nominated for a Blue Plaque.

Brian Catling RA, a ‘lover of the strange,’ seemed to excel at any art he tried his hand at. Born in 1948, Brian was abandoned and then adopted by a working-class family. He was raised on the Old Kent Road in tenements - a type of affordable housing for low-income families. Despite these humble beginnings, his creativity shone. He was educated at Walthamstow School of Art (now part of the University of East London) and the Royal College of Art, before passing on his expertise as Professor of Fine Art at the Ruskin School of Art at Oxford University. He held the post there for 26 years, retiring in 2017. Brian exhibited his work internationally since 1975 and became known for his unconventional style. Largely in a lane of his own, in 2006 he entered the mainstream when he was asked to create a memorial to the Site of Execution at the Tower of London. The sculpture was to remember the royals who were spared public execution and were sentenced to death on Tower Green, including Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey. This spot was reserved just for them, and the executions reportedly took

place under cover. It still stands today as a popular attraction for visitors. Some of Brian’s other notable works and performances included: Cyclops at South London Gallery (1996), Quill Two at Matt’s Gallery, Dilston Grove (2011), Vanished! A Video Seance made with screenwriter Tony Grisoni (1999), and Antix at Matt’s Gallery (2006.) The latter, which Brian featured in himself as a physical actor, was described as ‘an inventive, disturbing work of theatre’ by an ex-student and friend of his, Dan Fox. An award-winning poet and author, he wrote around 23 novels in total, including the well-known fantasy trilogy, The Vorhh. In many of his books, just like in his art, he appeared to laugh in the face of picking a genre and would often cross boundaries. Following his death, Professor Jane Garnett, who served for many years as Chair of the Ruskin Committee, reflected on how much they would miss their colleague and friend. She commented: “Brian grew up as a much-loved lover of the strange and became a man uncompromising in his pursuit of the dark as well as the light, fearful and fearless, a lightning flash in a summer cloud. “As the scope of his imagination was extraordinary, so too was his love. He was generous in all his gifts - funny, irreverent, subversive, as he was

loyal, devoted, and deeply serious. He loved his students and his friends and committed a thousand quiet acts of kindness and support. The Ruskin was his home for so many years, and he was its soul. In his integrity, he combatted hypocrisy, superficiality and solipsism. He was a whole person, whose largeness of form and spirit - of laughter and cursing - galvanised and embraced us all. How much we will miss him.” Brian had dyslexia, tics and a severe stutter. Again, not letting it be a disadvantage, he used it in his art. According to one of his books - Words Fail Us: In Defence of Disfluency - he made performance pieces about not being able to speak. In 2016, he was officially recognised by the Royal Academy of Art as a Royal Academician (RA) - a post-nominal title given to extraordinary artists. A year before his death, a BBC Four documentary, titled ‘Where Does It All Come From?’ celebrated Brian’s achievements. The programme told the story of a man whose unique vision and childhood obsession with outsiders would later become one of the great artists of our time (in every sense of the word). After a long battle with illness, Brian died on 26 September 2022 aged 74. To vote for Brian Catling for a Blue Plaque please contact isabel@ southwarknews.co.uk

Portrait of Brian Catling as Candleye

southwark Blue Plaques: Brian Catling, groundbreaking multi-talented artist

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PUBLIC NOTICES 25

Thursday, May 16th 2024

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (PRICES STREET, FRIERN ROAD, SNOWSFIELDS, EAST LANE, GOMM ROAD, THE CUT, LINDEN GROVE, EAST LANE, GOMM ROAD, THE CUT, LINDEN GROVE

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (STONEY STREET)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

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.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that in the interests of public safety it has made an order, the effect of which would be to temporarily prohibit vehicular traffic in part of the above named road.

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:

Whilst the restriction is in place no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload in Stoney Street, between its junctions with Southwark Street and Park Street.

The restrictions detailed in this order do not apply to cyclists.

(a) Prices Street, at it’s junction with Bear Lane (b) Friern Road, between Etherow Street and Lordship Lane (c) Snowsfields, at it’s junction with St Thomas Street (d) East Lane, between Sugar Lane and Scott Lidgett Crescent (e) Gomm Road, between Southwark Park Road and Lower Road (f) The Cut, between No’s 3 and No’s 11 (g) Linden Grove, between Limes Walk and No’s 66 ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced outside and opposite on both sides of the carriageway (north and south side) (h) East Lane, between Sugar Lane and Scott Lidgett Crescent, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced outside and opposite on both sides of the carriageway (north and south side)

The alternative route for affected traffic will be: Borough High Street, Bedale Street, Cathedral Street, Winchester Walk and Stoney Street.

Exemptions may 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 restriction.

The restrictions would not apply to any vehicle being used for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes or anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or Southwark Council officer.

The prohibition of traffic will be in place from the 23rd of May 2024 until the 31st of May 2025.

The alternative routes for affected traffic for will be (3a) not applicable (2b) (2c) (2d) (2e) (2f) as indicated by the signs displayed (2g) not applicable

The restriction may be lifted overnight when required for large vehicle access. The restriction is in place each day once counter terrorism equipment is placed on the street at each end of the restriction.

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.

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.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 23rd May and 27th May (2b) 30th May – 1st June (2c) 28th – 30th May (2d) 27th May – 19th July (2e) 28th May – 20th July (2f) 23rd – 26th May (2g) 24th May 2024 – 23rd November 2025 (2h) 27th May – 19th July

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

Dated this 16th of May 2024 Ian Law Traffic Manager Southwark Council Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street SE1 2QH Ref: 6910 LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

Dated this 16th 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) LBSCR13145-17/ LBSCR13145-18 (2b) SLS00081163019-0135 (2c) -CCTV-SNOWFIELDS (2d) BER1-EALA110-01 (2e) 8548281 (2f) 81170498/0135 (2g) TTO/lindenyellow (2h) BER1-EALA110-01

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (COLOMBO STREET, WINDSOR WALK, LIMESFORD ROAD, JANEWAY PLACE, MILL STREET,PARK STREET, SURREY ROW, SYLVAN GROVE) (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.

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) Colombo Street, between Meymott Street and Paris Gardens (b) Windsor Walk, between No’s 18 – 20 (Denmark Hill Station) (c) Limesford Road, between No’s 1 and No’s 47 (d) Janeway Place, between Wilson Grove and No’s 8 (e) Mill Street, between Jacob Street and Bermondsey Wall West (f) Park Street, between Emerson Street and Bear Gardens (g) Surrey Row, at it’s junction with Blackfriars Road (h) Sylvan Grove, at it’s junction with Old Kent Road and No’s 3 – 17

Please take notice that I / we Elflock Limited Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of Tiloli, 3 Lordship Lane, SE22 8EW The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are Days

Start time

Finish time

The supply of alcohol:

Sunday to Thursday Friday & Saturday

10:00 10:00

00:00 01:00

The provision of regulated entertainment:

Films: Monday to Sunday

12:00

23:00

Live & Recorded music: Sunday to Thursday

12:00

00:00

Live & Recorded music: Friday & Saturday

12:00

01:00

The provision of late night refreshment:

Sunday to Thursday Friday & Saturday

23:00 23:00

00:30 01:30

Opening hours:

Sunday to Thursday Friday & Saturday

09:00 09:00

00:30 01:30

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 2000; details are also available on our website at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk) and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below. Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale. Date of application: 13th May 2024

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

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

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.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 1st – 2nd and 8th – 9th June (2b) 2nd June (2c) 1st June 2024 – 5th March 2025 (2d) 3rd June – 16th July (2e) 3rd – 7th June (2f) 3rd – 7th June (2g) 4th – 6th June (2h) 5th – 7th June

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

Dated this 16th 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) LBSCR13482 (2b) LBSCR13463-1 (2c) 98219880 (2d) BER2-WIHO47-01 (2e) SEC50/MILLSTREET (2f) SLS00081191498-0410 (2g) 19JHG1173A (2h) SLD00081342875-0020

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

26 PUBLIC NOTICES

Thursday, May 16th 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; 75- 83 BOROUGH HIGH STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 1NH (Ref: 24/AP/1217) External alterations, including the installation of a replacement shopfront, together with the replacement of existing fascia and projecting signs and the display of 1 no. internally illuminated fascia sign and 1 no. internally illuminated projecting sign (Within: Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Michèle Sterry 020 7525 5453) 123 GROVE PARK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8LD (Ref: 24/AP/1228) Variation of condition 2 (Approved Plans) pursuant to planning application ref. no. 17/AP/4124: Change of use from Class D1 with an ancillary Class B1 office function to Class C3 for residential use, including conversion and part demolition of existing main house to enable the creation of x5 new residential units and the construction of x4 new residential units in the rear garden with x9 off street parking spaces, associated communal and private landscaped areas. The variation seeks to slightly increase the footprint of the townhouses and pavilions, internal and external configuration changes to the townhouses and pavilions, minor changes to the elevations of the townhouses and an extension of the first storey of the pavilions. (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Vanessa Chai 07894 979965) VERSAILLES COURT 3 PARIS GARDEN LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 8ND (Ref: 24/AP/1305) Listed building conset for the removal of the existing disabled access stair lift fitted externally on running rails and posts to the entrance steps with the installation of a platform wheelchair vertical lift located to a recessed pocket at the lefthand side of the main front entrance to accommodate the different Levels. In addition a new roller shutter door to replace an old existing and further associated builders work for the installation of new lift. Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng 020 7525 5000) VERSAILLES COURT 3 PARIS GARDEN LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 8ND(Ref: 24/AP/1304) The removal of the existing disabled access stair lift fitted externally on running rails and posts to the entrance steps with the installation of a platform wheelchair vertical lift located to a recessed pocket at the left-hand side of the main front entrance to accommodate the different Levels. In addition a new roller shutter door to replace an old existing and further associated builders work for the installation of new lift.

Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Michèle Sterry 020 7525 5453) 208 BERMONDSEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 3TQ (Ref: 24/AP/0908) Installation of UPVC roof over part of the courtyard to the rear of unit. (Within: Bermondsey Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: William Tucker 07925 637 210) 208 CHOUMERT ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 4AB (Ref: 24/AP/1019) Single storey side and rear extension to ground floor flat (Within: Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Becky Lambert ) PECKHAM FIRE STATION 78-80 PECKHAM ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8PR (Ref: 24/AP/1264) Erection of two powdered metal folding doors at the front and two unpowdered metal folding doors at the rear. (Within: Sceaux Gardens CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Mumtaz Shaikh 020 7525 0585) ALL SAINTS HALL SURREY SQUARE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 2JU (Ref: 24/AP/1308) Improvements to an existing community centre to include: New timber bi-fold door to replace the existing entrance door onto Surrey Square. Minor demolition to create a new doorway from the main hall to the external courtyard. Alterations to improve access through the existing external iron gate. Reinstatement of the roof cowls, installing new roof fans to improve ventilation. (Within: Thomas A'Beckett And High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Chloe Rimell 0207 525 1397) 52 LORRIMORE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 3LZ (Ref: 24/AP/1315) Listed building consent for: Works to improve the thermal properties of the terraced house, installation of French doors to the rear, installation of air source heat pump, solar panel system and skylight, changes to internal layout and replacement of garden shed with new home office. (Within: Sutherland Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Anna Poulose ) 136 BURBAGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7AG (Ref: 24/AP/1311) Variation of Condition 1 (Approved Plans) pursuant to planning permission ref. 23/AP/2623 'Demolition of existing garage to side of property to be replaced with a single storey side extension including 2no. inset skylights..' to relocate the approved side facing window and door 1200mm

Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence OK2060828/1351731 Unity Traders LTD of 40 Sedgehill Road, SE6 3QT is applying to change an existing licence as follows To keep an extra 1 goods vehicles and 0 trailers at the operating centre at Warehouse 310 - 326 St James Road, London, SE1 5JX 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 Lane, 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 address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s Office.

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

further towards the front of the side facing elevation. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: William Tucker 07925 637 210) 11- 15 ST THOMAS STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 9RY (Ref: 24/AP/1197) Listed Building Consent for alterations for refurbishment works to the offices at 11-19 St Thomas Street;SE1, to reconfigure the internal walls and install new wiring and services throughout. Existing historic fabric is to be retained with only modern 20thC additions to be removed and updated where necessary. Externally it is proposed to remove items installed to the rear of the site in the courtyard, to include a generator, metal chimney flue and associated plant. New cooling condensers and associated plant housing to be installed at first floor on the flat roof to no. 11 and 13. To the front of the site overlooking St. Thomas Street it is proposed to remove the existing modern parking gate and bollards which are to be replaced by a wrought iron gate. New roof plant is proposed to be located on the flat roof at first floor to the rear and is to be housed within an acoustic screen in keeping with the character of the building and location. (Within: Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Tracy Chapman 020 7525 1948) 32 DULWICH COMMON LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7EX (Ref: 24/AP/1323) Construction of a rear dormer loft conversion with conservation style rooflight on side slope (Within: Dulwich Wood CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Becky Lambert ) 52 LORRIMORE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 3LZ (Ref: 24/AP/1313) Works to improve the thermal properties of the terraced house, installation of French doors to the rear, installation of air source heat pump, solar panel system and skylight, changes to internal layout and replacement of garden shed with new home office. (Within: Sutherland Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Anna Poulose ) 11 RYECOTES MEAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7EP (Ref: 24/AP/1222) Construction of replacement and extension of front entrance porch. Replacement and new windows. Conversion of garage to insulated storage and utility space. New rooflight. (Within: Dulwich Wood CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Becky Lambert ) 54 - 58 UNION STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 1TD (Ref: 24/AP/1155)

Substantial refurbishment, and double 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 fourth floors, with associated works and roof top PV provision; plus refurbishment of 60 Union Street to provide a family dwelling (Use Class C3). (Within: Union Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Zoe Brown 07849 702 088) Dated: 14 May 2024 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date. STEPHEN PLATTS Director of Planning and Growth

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SPORT 29

duo smith On fire as surrey gO clear Lynn victorious By John Kelly

Champions require only 39 minutes on ﬁnal day against Warwickshire

Lynn ABC’S Frankie Hanratty and Cyrus donaldson were both victorious in the national semi-finals of the Alliance ABAs last weekend.

Jamie Smith, right, and Dom Sibley

Surrey 464 & 89/1 beat Warwickshire 343 and 209 by nine wickets By Mark Baldwin at the Kia Oval Surrey tooK just 39 minutes on the fourth morning on monday to complete an impressive nine-wicket victory against Warwickshire at the Kia oval and go 21 points clear at the top of the vitality County Championship.

Dom Sibley finished unbeaten on 46 and Ollie Pope scored thirteen not out after Surrey captain Rory Burns, on 30, hit Jacob Bethell’s left-arm spin straight to deep mid-on soon after skipping down the pitch and lofting the same bowler straight for six. Sibley collected two boundaries for firm on-drives against Bethell while Pope swept Bethell for four and also drove Rob Yates’ off spin to the extra cover ropes in a little cameo. Surrey began the final day needing 58 more runs to win, after resuming on 31 without loss chasing a modest fourth innings target of 89 for a third successive Division One win and a maximum 24

points. The 2022 and 2023 champions are already looking in ominously powerful form again as they bid for a hat-trick of titles and a fourth in seven years. After five matches, Surrey have opened up a significant gap on both second-placed Essex and third-placed Somerset, who are a further two points back. Neither Essex nor Somerset played in this round of games. Warwickshire fought hard to keep Surrey at bay, first recovering to reach 343 in their first innings after initially slipping to 167-6 and then battling back with the ball to peg Surrey to 349-8 in reply after they had been 308-3. But Jamie Smith’s high-class 155, and his 115-run ninth wicket stand with Sean Abbott, ultimately earned Surrey a 121-run first innings lead – before West Indies Test paceman Kemar Roach produced a magnificent exhibition of fastmedium swing bowling to take 6-46 as Warwickshire were dismissed for 209 second time around. The visitors also suffered the bad luck of a freak injury to fast bowler Craig Miles, whose 5-43 – and three wickets in three overs with the second new ball – had done

much to keep Warwickshire in the game late on day two. Miles, jumping in celebration of his fifth wicket, went over nastily on his right ankle and damaged ligaments so severely that he could not put weight on his foot the following day and so did not even bat in Warwickshire’s second innings. Warwickshire, who bowled their spinners on the final morning to make sure they were not docked a point for a slow over rate across the game, took four points from their first defeat of the campaign. “We fought hard throughout the game to get the win and it was a very good team performance,” Surrey head coach Gareth Batty said. “We built partnerships when batting, we had good partnerships with the ball and the fielding was also good, so we’re very pleased. “Our bowling was actually a bit clunky at the start of the match, after a bye week last week, but we got better and better and really turned the screws later in the game and showed just what a wonderful bowling unit we have. “Kemar Roach has worked incredibly hard behind the scenes in the past fortnight on his bowling and it was so good to see him get his six for 46, bowl so well and get

the reward for all that work. It’s nice to see the good guys like him get rewards. “But Jordan Clark and Sean Abbott have also contributed a lot with the ball in this game and Abbott’s magnificent caught and bowled in their second innings [to dismiss Ed Barnard for 44] really closed the door on Warwickshire. “I also want to give a shout out to Lee Fortis and all the groundstaff here at the Kia Oval. We’ve had a great tussle for the first two days and then we managed to pull away on day three but we’ve had more than a thousand runs and a positive result at the end of it and I think we consistently have the best cricket wickets in the country on which to play. That’s a real testament to Lee and his team.” Warwickshire captain Alex Davies said: “Ed Barnard had an excellent game for us with his hundred in the first innings and a second innings 44 only ended by a brilliant caught and bowled by Sean Abbott. “We battled hard to stay in the match but Craig Miles’ freak ankle injury right at the end of day two was a big blow to us and Surrey are a really top side who showed their quality.” Surrey host Worcestershire on Friday (May 17) starting at 11am.

breakthrough in his first over. The score then advanced to 50 in the fifteenth over when Alex Peggie, making his 1st XI Championship debut, took the second wicket. Ahmed Khan now entered the attack and struck in his second over with the score on 56. He was soon joined in the attack by newcomer Felix Watson-Smyth, who took his first wicket with the score on 69. Wimbledonians thus reached the 25-over drinks break on 71-4. The two spinners resumed after the break and needed only three overs to leave the innings in tatters. Khan struck again in the 26th over, and Watson-Smyth followed up in the next over with the crucial wicket of Ahsan Salim, who had held the innings together with a dogged 34 off 73 balls. Khan then took two more

wickets in his next over. Wimbledonians had declined from 72-4 to 75-8. The last two wickets limped to 89. Watson-Smyth took the ninth wicket and finished with 3-16 off eight overs, and Khan took the tenth with the last ball of his allotted ten overs to finish with the remarkable figures of 5-13. Keeper Michael Harms held three catches, while six of the remaining wickets were bowled and the other one leg before. Wimbledonians had lost all ten wickets for just 57 runs. Visiting skipper Ewan Parker launched the reply with pace from one end, and brought himself on to bowl spin at the other. He got an immediate reward as he bowled Khan with the fifth ball of his first over. But any fears that this would herald a similar collapse were soon dispelled by overseas player Apoorv Wankhade,

returning for a second season. He hit his first ball back over Parker’s head for six, and continued in the same vein, racing to his half-century off only 30 balls. He holed out two balls later for 55, having hit seven fours and three sixes. Dulwich then inched their way to victory. Opener James Schofield, who had played a solid support role, finished on 28 not out off 50 balls, while new skipper Ollie Steele had the satisfaction of scoring the winning run. Dulwich had needed just sixteen overs to knock off the runs. Dulwich thus secured a comprehensive victory which should set them up well for tougher matches ahead. This weekend, Dulwich visit Walton on Thames, who lost their first match against relegated Normandy.

First up was Hanratty boxing at 57kg against Abdullah Iqbal from Southall ABC. Hanratty put in a first-class performance from the very first bell. Iqbal was an unbeaten fighter but did not have the experience of Hanratty and this showed as the contest went on. Hanratty went from strength to strength after each round and came away with a unanimous points decision. Coach Terry Pearson said: “For me, this was Frankie’s best performance of his career. He boxed clever and was never in any danger. If he can carry this form to next week’s final there’s no reason why he can’t walk away as champion.” Donaldson was boxing at 60kg as he faced Ralph Hamilton from Tree Estate ABC. In the first round, Donaldson was scoring with clear single shots but Hamilton was replying with twos and threes combinations. After the first round, his coach Jimmy Moore told him not to let Hamilton out-work him for the next two rounds and Donaldson did not disappoint. He picked up the pace and was putting on pressure constantly which resulted in a knockdown in round three. Donaldson went on to secure a comfortable unanimous points win. Pearson said: “This was Cyrus’s first competitive bout for some time due to outside commitments but for the last month or so he has really dedicated himself to his craft and it is now paying off. Hopefully one more bout and he can add another national title to the three he has already won.”

New skipper shows Steele to clinch Dulwich win Dulwich 90-2 (16) beat Old Wimbledonians 89 (34) by eight wickets

By John Lewis duLWiCH got off to an ideal start in the new season of the AJ Sports Surrey Championship division 1, bowling out old Wimbledonians for 89 and winning by eight wickets last weekend.

Dulwich won the toss and invited their opponents to bat. Harvey Booth bowled a superb opening spell, conceding just six runs off six overs (four of which were maidens) and regularly beating the bat. Runs came more freely at the other end, and the score had reached 32 after ten overs when Kaif Ramzan made the

Frankie Hanratty, left, and Cyrus Donaldson

30 SPORT

been there dunne that

Alan Dunne is now a coach at Bromley after 22 years with Millwall

Millwall legend reﬂects on Wembley promotion and rising Lions stars

EXCLUSIVE By Kiro Evans ALAn dunne said achieving promotion with Bromley as a coach was more rewarding than anything he did in his playing days.

The former Millwall defender is the assistant manager at Hayes Lane and saw his side win on penalties in the National League play-off final earlier this month. Another ex-Lions player, Byron Webster, steered home the winning spotkick as Bromley beat Solihull Moors after extra-time at Wembley to climb into League Two. Millwall legend Dunne, who made 388 appearances for the Lions, said he takes particular pride from Bromley’s achievement after the hours of work he

and manager Andy Woodman put in. He told our paper: “I think it’s better [winning as a coach rather than a player]. When you’re a player, you think ‘well, I’ll do my job...’ but as a coach or assistant, you’re part of everything. You’re part of the pre-match work, the tactical side, the recruitment. It’s a lot bigger and more work. “So for me I feel more of a sense of pride for achieving a trophy and it’s probably the best day of I’ve had in my football career. I feel like I’ve invested not just myself but a lot of time [into Bromley]. “And as a player, you come into training, you do your bit and you go home. I’ve been in all season from half seven in the morning to half six some nights, I’ve been going to watch other games. It’s been 24/7 for a season so you do feel the gratitude and feel like

you’ve invested even more when you’re assistant or part of the coaching so I think that’s why it gives you a little more sense of achievement.” Dunne, 41, has been able to keep a close eye on two of Millwall’s loanees who have spent part of the season at Bromley. Chin Okoli had been getting regular football in the first half of the season before injury saw him return to Millwall. Fellow defender Kamarl Grant then effectively replaced him when he left for the south London club in February. He played in all 120 minutes of the play-off final. Dunne said: “Chin was excellent, he was just unfortunate with injury. But he was playing week in, week out in the National League and was improving. “He can be very proud of what he did and the part he played in his time here.”

On Grant, Dunne said: “He’s robust, he’s resilient, he’s strong, he can play with both feet. He has a long throw. He’s good in the air, his passing range is good and for a young lad he’s shown some real mature qualities in his game. He ticks the boxes for this league. “He came into our side who were doing really well and it was a tough start for him. But he’s progressed, he’s got talent and obviously working alongside Byron Webster and defenders like myself, we’ve been there and can help him and guide him. Like we did with Chin when he came. “But we know that if you play for Millwall, you have a certain DNA about you and those are the tools that we look to build upon and Kamarl has that in abundance.” Dunne retired from playing in 2020 and said he’s still misses the thrill of

being on the pitch. But having been coaching at Bromley since 2021, the former defender is finding his new challenge to be incredibly fulfilling. He said: “It was quite an easy transition. I knew I had to come and learn my trade and now I’m in my fourth season as assistant manager. We’ve had two trips to Wembley and won two trophies so it’s going really well. “I still miss playing, I still try and get involved as much as I can. But now I do like to coach and help players with the defensive side of it. “For me I’m enjoying the assistant role, I’m learning all the time. It’s no rush from me. I enjoy what I’m doing. My aim was to help get this club into League Two which I’ve now fulfilled. My next aim is to try and get this club into League One.”

By Kiro Evans

Josh Windass’ superb chip against Blackburn Rovers, Emmanuel Latte Lath’s genius backwards header against Leeds United and Omari Hutchinson’s wonderful curling effort against Hull City. Longman made 35 appearances for Millwall during his season-long loan from Hull and found his best form after Neil Harris took over as head coach in February. Harris indicated after the final game of the season at Swansea City that Longman was keen to stay at Millwall. He said: “Ryan Longman’s done

excellently and I’m sure there’ll be a discussion. Ryan has made it very clear that he’d like to be here and he’s done excellently for me, so there will be some discussions to see if there’s anything possible there.” Longman’s future has potentially been complicated by the surprise decision of his parent club Hull to sack manager Liam Rosenior last week. The 39-year-old was dismissed after Hull narrowly missed out on the playoffs and the Tigers are yet to name his replacement.

EFL nominates Longman’s Stunner ryAn LongmAn’S long-range stunner against Leicester City has been nominated for the eFL’s goal of the month prize.

Ryan Longman scored a beautiful goal against Leicester City last month

The 23-year-old sent The Den into meltdown last month with an incredible winning goal against the Foxes in the Lions’ 1-0 victory. He cut inside and clipped the underside of the crossbar before seeing his vicious effort nestle in the net. Longman’s goal is competing against

SPORT 31

Hutch talks ongoing

Shaun Hutchinson has made 257 appearances for Millwall

By Kiro Evans miLLWALL Are still in discussions with Shaun Hutchinson over his future at the club.

Despite the season ending almost two weeks ago, the fate of the club captain remains unknown. His contract expires at the end of June. Our paper understands that no decision has been made at the time of writing as the club and the player continue to mull over their options. Hutchinson, 33, is Millwall’s longestserving player after arriving at the club in 2016 from Fulham. While he has enjoyed many excellent years at The Den and remains a strong character in the dressing room, injuries have halted his progress on the pitch. Hutchinson made just 14 appearances during the previous season and last played 90 minutes on New Year’s Day when he scored a late winner against Bristol City. Speaking last month, head coach Neil Harris emphasised that Hutchinson was still an important figure at the club. He said: “I’ve had initial conversations with Shaun and he knows my thoughts and I know where he’s at as well. We’ll be speaking every week without fail and it’s a big summer for Shaun and his family and for us at the club. He’s a leader by example, a very good organiser and a great link for the football club between the changing room and the other departments. He’s been hugely important for me in the last few weeks but also for the club over seven or eight seasons now.”

liOns mOve fOr lOan star

Japhet Tanganga made eighteen appearances on loan for Millwall

Millwall targeting defender Tanganga in permanent deal By Kiro Evans miLLWALL HAve struck a deal to sign tottenham Hotspur’s Japhet tanganga.

The defender spent the second half of the season on loan at The Den and impressed across his 18 appearances. The Lions have now moved to try to secure Tanganga on a permanent deal and have reached an agreement with Spurs. But Tanganga still needs to agree personal terms before a transfer deal could be reached. The 25-year-old was expected to attract interest from other Championship clubs after his strong form at Millwall. Tanganga’s performances after his January arrival helped

Millwall solidify their defence and survive relegation. He also grabbed crucial goals against Southampton and Birmingham City during the final run of games and quickly gained popularity among fans. But he was sent off in his final match against Swansea City after an off-the-ball altercation with Jerry Yates. The centre-back arrived at the club after his season-long loan move to Augsburg was cut short. Amid some injury issues, Tanganga did not make a single appearance for the German side. He has previously made 50 appearances for boyhood club Tottenham under high-profile managers like Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino.

fight fOr fitness

Leonard ‘lost confidence’ due to constant injuries

By Kiro Evans ryAn LeonArd said he lost confidence in his body after two “horrible” injury-hit years at millwall.

Ryan Leonard has fought back from persistent injury issues

The 31-year-old ended the current campaign as the Lions’ player of the season but only after enduring a frustrating period of being in and out of the team because of physical issues in previous years. He said the persistent injuries affected him mentally and left him second-guessing himself. Leonard told the Wall Talk podcast: “The last two years have been horrible. Horrendous. You just lose

confidence in your body. It’s a horrible feeling picking up injury after injury. “I would go like five or six games, play well, [and then] injured. And you can just never build any sort of momentum in the team or in games. And you just lose all confidence. “So you’ll go into training and think ‘did I feel something there?’ It’s mental, it’s all in your head.” Leonard made 37 appearances across the season for Millwall who finished thirteenth in the Championship after a late surge of form under Neil Harris. The defender made 39 appearances combined in the previous two seasons and said he has altered the way he

exercises to help himself keep fit. Leonard added: “I’ve changed so much. I’ve changed so many things I do off the pitch. Mentally I try to think differently about it. “This summer was a big crossroads for me as I had to go one way or the other in terms of injuries. The club resigned me and I was happy to re-sign but I had to go ‘this is either going to go the same way it’s been going and that’s never going to end well’ or I could take up lots of different things. So I’ve taken up yoga, I do that twice a week. “I don’t do as much gym anymore. I’ve worked really closely with the physios to do specific areas.”

INSIDE

Sport Southwark

gOing, gOing, gOne

SMITH ON FIRE AS SURREY GO CLEAR Steve Kavanagh had been CEO for eight years

Steve KAvAnAgH is leaving his role as millwall’s Ceo after eight years amid a major shake-up at the top of the club.

Head of football operations and recruitment Alex Aldridge and Chief Operating Officer Billy Taylor are also leaving The Den. Chairman James Berylson released a statement last Friday confirming the high-profile departures following hours of speculation. The trio, who held powerful positions within the club’s hierarchy, exit just days after the conclusion of a turbulent season for Millwall. Berylson said: “I would like to thank Steve for his leadership and dedication to the club over the past eight years. “Steve joined when we were a

League One team and oversaw our promotion and return to the Championship. “Steve was a significant force within the club to stabilise and grow both football and nonfootball operations. His steadfast determination in advancing the redevelopment around The Den as well as being a leader in the EFL added to his accomplishments. “I know that my father, John, shared this opinion and enjoyed the close working relationship he had with Steve. I wish him only the best in his future endeavours.” Aldridge and Taylor were both close allies of Kavanagh and enjoyed rapid rises after joining Millwall. Aldridge was previously a sports journalist who used to report on the Lions for this paper, Southwark News, before joining the recruitment department in 2015 in an appointment that raised

Lions appoint new Director of Football Steve Gallen By Kiro Evans Steve gALLen will be millwall’s new director of Football, the club have announced.

Three Millwall chiefs depart in major shake-up

By Kiro Evans

Page Page 29 29

eyebrows at the time. After leaving for Stoke City, Aldridge rejoined Millwall in 2022 and was made the Director of football operations and recruitment. Taylor was originally matchday programme and social media editor before rising to be the Chief Operating Officer. Berylson added: “I would like to thank Billy and Alex for their outstanding service to the club. “Billy’s journey started in 2011 as Matchday Programme and Social Media Editor. His work ethic was unquestionable, as was his talent and passion to do his very best for the club in the several roles he oversaw. As a result, he earned numerous and deserved promotions, before his most recent appointment as COO. “Alex began as a Recruitment Officer for the club in 2015 and

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was quickly promoted to Head of Recruitment. “After a short spell in the same capacity at Stoke, Alex returned to the club as Director of Football Operations and Recruitment and helped the club to improve all aspects of scouting, facilities and analytics. “Billy and Alex will always be part of the Millwall family, and I have the highest regards for both of them.” The sudden nature of the departures less than a week after the season has concluded will raise questions about what has happened behind the scenes at Millwall. The announcement caps a season of widespread change at the club with three different head coaches in charge of the first-team while Berylson replaced his father as chairman last summer following John’s tragic passing.

The 50-year-old previously held the DOF position at Charlton Athletic during his six-year stay at The Valley. He left the Addicks in August 2023 to assist Lee Bowyer’s management of Montserrat, a Caribbean island with a population of less than 5,000. Gallen also spent two decades at Queens Park Rangers earlier in his career in various roles. A club statement said: “With a long and distinguished recruiting, scouting and coaching career in football, Steve arrives at the club to provide support to Neil Harris and Millwall as a collective. “He has a proven track record of establishing a process and platform for identifying and developing talent at all stages during his years at QPR and Charlton, and his main focus at Millwall will be to use his experience to elevate all parts of football operations from the Academy to the first-team.” The Lions have also announced the appointment of a new managing director of non-football operations. Mark Fairbrother will step into the role having previously left the Lions when he was Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary. He has also been Head of Finance at Aston Villa. He said in a club statement: “I arrive back knowing from my previous role that we have fantastic staff both at the club and community trust to work alongside, as well as an incredibly passionate fanbase who have stuck by the club through a rollercoaster season. “Looking into the future, there’s plenty to be excited about. I can’t wait to get going.” THE RECYCLED PAPER CONTENT OF UK NEWSPAPERS IN 2014 WAS 83.5%