Southwark News - August 8th 2024

Family, players and fans join for tribute ahead of Watford match

lost Quays

Issue 1697

Established: 1987

50p

August 8 2024

southwarknews.co.uk

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wE salutE you EXClusivE housing news: See pages 4-5

urgEnt movE for EstatE rEsidEnts as firE risks havE ‘worsEnEd’ See page 17

Residents heartbroken at cinema, bowling alley and Pizza Hut closures

EXClusivE See page 6

CounCil says it must stop building its own homEs

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

The application site behind Rye Lane

ARTS Pages 20-21 HISTORY Pages 22 CLASSIFIED & FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS Page 24 PUBLIC NOTICES Pages 25-27 SPORT Pages 29-32

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

© Southwark Council

By Herbie Russell southWark counciL will intensify its scrutiny of plans for a controversial block of flats in Peckham because of its connection with a serving councillor.

Cllr Sunil Chopra

Cllr Sunil Chopra, the former local mayor, owns a property at 160-162 Rye Lane, according to council records.

His son, Rohit Chopra, has proposed building a four-storey block - branded ‘overpowering’ and an ‘eyesore’ - on a separate plot of land directly behind it.

In an unusual move for a relatively small development, Southwark Council has asked local councillors to adjudicate the planning application.

Normally, developments with fewer than ten homes are granted or rejected by unelected council staff behind closed doors.

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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

TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR MAN KILLED IN PECKHAM

Established: 1987 Established: 1987

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EXCLUSIVE

July 25 2024 August 1 2024

Page Page 93

‘THE DOGS BOMBSHELL DOSSIER CAN WEE BUT REVEALS CAN’T’ DEBTWOMEN CRISIS Public toilet campaigners

This is not the first time Rohit Chopra has attempted to build on the site. In 2017, he submitted proposals for a fourstorey co-living space.

Amid concerns about the building’s ‘prison-like aesthetic,’ the plans were withdrawn and replaced with the current proposals.

Cllr Chopra’s elected colleagues were due to consider the application in a planning committee meeting on Tuesday, July 30.

But the planning application has now been deferred to a later date while the council awaits further information concerning ecology.

When approached for comment about the latest proposal, Cllr Chopra explained, “We are short on housing,” adding that people were “sleeping on the streets.”

Rohit Chopra was approached for comment via Cllr Chopra.

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See pages 12-13 EXCLUSIVE

PECKHAM TAKES THE RISE OFPENSIONER KEBABS AND CHICKEN ACTION AFTER SHOPS ON THE SIX-MONTH WALWORTH WAIT ROAD FORthe CEMETERY MAINTENANCE and decline of banks and post offiPage ces5

ME OLD CHINA

Three families threaten council with legal action after not being able to bid for homes

BIDDING WARS

A council spokesperson said the decision was made to ensure ‘full transparency’.

The planning application has received dozens of objections. One person wrote: ‘In an already built-up, densely populated area, this would further exacerbate the low level of privacy, lack of open space, and high levels of noise.’

Another wrote: ‘I work in the area, and it will be an eyesore. Also, it is overcrowded and has inadequate parking.’

However, there were some supportive comments, including some praising the provision of affordable housing – although the scheme will not contain any.

A planning officer has recommended the application be approved.

The proposed site is a patch of land adjacent to 1a Warwick Court and directly behind 160-162 Rye Lane - a set of apartments and shops owned by Cllr Chopra.

Old friends save Rotherhithe boozer and council forces owners to restore it to its former glory EXCLUSIVE

See page 4EXCLUSIVE

See page 18

FIVE HUNDRED SMILES

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Tanganga LIONS onFALL his return to SHORT theSPAIN Den IN

see sport

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 Planning Documents

sErving CounCillor’s tiEs to ControvErsial pECkham flats sparks hEightEnEd sCrutiny

NEWS 3

south london goldEn boy

Alex Yee

By Isabel Ramirez

a noW world celebrated triathlete from Lewisham was congratulated by his former school after he sprinted over the finish line last week to win olympic gold.

© WikiCommons

Following the triumphant victory his old school in Dulwich called Alex Yee a role model and said how proud they were of the 26-year-old for picking up the fifth gold medal for Team GB. The results for the UK at this stage of the Olympics, are 12 gold medals, 13 silver and 17 bronze. Team GB are currently fifth in the medal table at the time of going to press.

Yee’s stunning win came as Italy’s Alessio Crociani led after completing the swimming leg in 20 minutes ten seconds.

He was positioned outside the top fifteen going into the 40km cycling leg, but emerged in second ahead of

Peckham’s Kye Whyte carried off on a stretcher after dramatic crash

Kye is recovering but admitted he ‘just wasn’t good enough.’

By Isabel Ramirez Peckham bmX rider kye Whyte, who was representing team gb at the olympics, was stretchered off after he crashed in the semi-final.

Last week’s race saw Kye Whyte lose control of his bike following the first jump. He then veered off course heading into the second ramp before smashing into the dirt track.

While lying on the ground paramedics got to him fast before he was lifted onto a stretcher and carried from the course.

Fortunately, he is thought to have ‘no significant injuries’ but the crash did lose him his place in the final.

BMX racing is deemed the most dangerous Olympic sport with an injury rate of 34.38 per cent.

Just a month ago the 24-year-old revealed he had been recovering from another injury and said he hadn’t been able to get as much practice in as he

wanted. He had gone into the men’s heats with a back injury. This contrasts with his silver medal win at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

There did not appear to be contact with another rider before he lost control of his BMX. In a statement, British Cycling said: “Following his crash in tonight’s BMX racing semi-final, Kye Whyte was assessed immediately by the on-site medical team.

“This was followed up by further immediate review by Great Britain Cycling Team doctor Nigel Jones. Initial reports are positive but he is being taken to hospital for further assessment. We wish Kye a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him on his bike very soon.”

Team GB took another blow with Beth Shriever coming eighth of eight in the women’s BMX racing final, unfortunately losing her gold title from Tokyo.

Later Kye, who is recovering well, took to his Instagram to thank the paramedics who rushed to his aid and admitted he ‘just wasn’t good enough’ this time.

He commented: “I’ve had a lot of thoughts this year with so many injuries, so many setbacks that I wanted to stop BMX....but I won’t be putting that bike down just yet, especially when my mum continues to fight cancer every day. I can’t quit that easily because of a few crashes. It’s part of the sport. I’m happy I got to compete and display what a fighter my mum has shown me to be.”

Southbank Centre will celebrate disabled artists and performers

Page 15

the 10km run.

New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde led by fourteen seconds going into the final 2.5km lap but Yee closed in and made the decisive move with half a kilometre to go.

Yee crossed the line in one hour 43 minutes 33 seconds, six seconds clear of Wilde.

The superstar triathlete was a former sports scholar at Kingsdale school in West Dulwich.

A spokesperson from Kingsdale Foundation School said: “We are incredibly proud of Alex and his fantastic achievement in Paris. We feel very privileged to have known him and to follow his career has been incredible.

“Alex always has been and continues to be an amazing role model for other young athletes and students.”

Last week’s win went one better than Tokyo 2020 when he finished second.

4 NEWS

Estate residents told they ‘must move out as soon as possible’ as fire risks have ‘worsened’ EXCLUSIVE

By Isabel Ramirez

Ledbury Estate

Ledbury Estate residents have been told they must move out as soon as possible, following a fire safety check that found the existing risks had ‘worsened’.

On Wednesday 31 July, Southwark Council told everyone living in Skenfrith, Peterchurch and Sarnsfield tower blocks they must leave once suitable alternative housing was found for them.

There are currently 131 households affected by this action, 98 of which are temporary accommodation; 18 are council tenants; 15 are leaseholders and 8 of these have tenants of leaseholders living there.

Back in 2017, emergency work was carried out in the blocks, on Old Kent Road, because of major issues found in the structure of the buildings. This included the removal of the gas supply and the introduction of the 24-hour waking watch i.e. specially trained people continually patrolling all floors and the outside of the building.

It was feared a ‘death trap’ because the ‘strengthening works’ had never taken place on the towers, which were similar in build to Ronan Point in Canning Town, where a gas explosion in 1968 claimed the lives of four people and injured 17 others.

In 2021, it was decided that the Ledbury towers would be demolished and replaced with high-quality homes.

Ahead of the demolition, most moved out whilst others have remained on site.

Fire risk assessments for the blocks have been carried out regularly throughout this time. During their most recent check, the council found that some of the existing problems with the three tower buildings had worsened.

When combined with another recent issue – the storage of lithium batteries needed for mobility scooters, which increases the risk of fire – it was agreed that they could not risk people living in the blocks long-term while the new homes are completed on site.

The new homes are due to be completed by 2030 and given most of those living there now are not council tenants there is no guarantee they will be rehoused on the site.

Danielle Gregory from the Ledbury Action Group commented that she was ‘beyond shocked this was happening again.’

She claimed: “Seven years ago we told the council it was not safe to put people back in the buildings after being warned of the fire risk by independent experts.

“To hear they are now urging people to move out because the problem has got worse is unbelievable.

“It’s a shambles.”

This week, the council assured that the situation was being managed in the short-term by additional safety works, the waking watch remaining in place, and a zero-tolerance approach to modes of transport that need lithium batteries, such as mobility scooters, e-scooters and e-bikes. These vehicles

are now banned from the buildings.

They informed the residents these safety works would start ‘in the coming days.’

There is no concrete timescale for when these residents must vacate the building.

Where will they be moved to?

There are currently no specifics but the council claims to have ‘enough housing for everyone in the borough to move into.’

This includes new council homes, recently vacated council homes, or council-owned temporary accommodation. They said individual needs would be considered.

Are the buildings unsafe to live in?

The council maintains that due to the measures they have put in place, the buildings are safe to live in in the ‘short-term.’

The measures will include: • Additional fire compartmentation works in flats and communal areas.

• Maintaining a zero-tolerance

approach in all three buildings to lithium batteries used in electric modes of transports, including e-scooters, e-bikes, and mobility scooters.

• Installing additional smoke detection in the corridors and lobbies.

Councillor Sarah King, cabinet member for council homes, said: “Despite what we know about the long-term issues with the Ledbury Estate, this must have come as a shock for everyone living at Ledbury Estate.

“I have so much sympathy for residents who have to uproot themselves from their homes much sooner than expected, but their safety has to be our first priority and it’s not something we can compromise on.

“The action we have taken today follows advice from our fire consultants Frankhams after our joint, intrusive fire risk inspection (FRA4) discovered that existing problems with all three tower blocks buildings have worsened. When combined with the new problems caused by the storage of lithium batteries needed

for e-scooters, which increase the risk of fire, we have agreed that we cannot risk people living in the blocks long-term while we wait for the new homes to be built on site. Residents will have to move out for their safety and the buildings will be demolished as planned.

“All residents will be supported at every stage with help and information about where they will move to and how we can help them settle into their new homes. Housing officers and fire safety experts will be based at the Ledbury Tenants and Residents Hall and our 24/7 waking watch will remain on site to continue monitoring and mitigating risk.

“Under no circumstances should modes of transport needing a lithium battery enter any of the buildings.”

The leader of the opposition, Cllr Victor Chamberlain said: “This latest episode raises serious questions about the Council’s approach to fire safety and comes just weeks after the self-referral to the social housing watchdog.

“Residents have been telling the council about these safety issues

for years, and I understand lithium batteries have been banned in the towers for a long time, so this comes as no surprise but it’s not clear what’s suddenly changed.

“It’s concerning the Council is not listening and learning and acting on lessons quicker.

“My colleague, Liberal Democrat London Assembly member Hina Bokhari, has previously raised concerns about lithium ion batteries with the Mayor and the Government to request a public safety campaign focusing on the safe use of e-bike and e-scooter batteries and to discourage their purchase from disreputable suppliers.

“I’m most concerned for the tenants and residents affected. Where are the Council going to be able to find enough suitable accommodation in such a short time? I’ve asked the Council to make sure they are pulling out all the stops to ensure residents have clarity and support including a dedicated phone line and access to independent advice and support.”

Work started earlier this year on Ledbury Estate redevelopment,

NEWS 5

following extensive consultation, residents voted in favour of demolishing the four blocks and providing new homes and a range of other improvements to the estate.

In total, the Ledbury Estate redevelopment will provide 340 new homes, 224 of which will be council homes to replace those from the old towers.

The council will also build an additional 36 new council homes, taking the total to 260 council homes,

as well as 15 shared ownership homes and 65 homes for private sale.

The first phase of construction works is taking place on the site of the former Bromyard House and will provide 80 new homes across two blocks.

Those blocks will include 45 council homes, 15 shared ownership homes and 20 homes for private sale.

The wider neighbourhood will also benefit from landscaping and new outdoor communal areas.

There will be a large, multipurpose garden courtyard with space for community growing, a play area and tree-lined paths creating new pedestrian and cycle friendly connections between the Old Kent Road, Pencraig Way and Bird in Bush Park to the south-west.

The first phase of building works is expected to complete in spring 2026 and the entire Ledbury Estate redevelopment is expected to be finished by 2030.

Ledbury residents in ‘disarray’

By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter Peckham residents’ lives have been thrown into disarray after a council told them to leave their homes within weeks due to fire safety problems in their buildings worsening.

People living in three towers on the Ledbury estate on the Old Kent Road received letters on Wednesday (July 31) from Southwark Council informing them they would have to move out of their flats as soon as possible due to fire risks.

A total of 131 families, the vast majority of whom are in temporary accommodation, will be moved out of the estate in the next few weeks. Many have been living there since the pandemic.

One mum aged 30, who has been living in temporary housing on the estate since 2020, said the news had come as a shock.

Speaking at the estate last Thursday, August 1, she said: “We knew they were demolishing the flats eventually but this was sudden. We got a letter through the door and

they said we would have to leave.

“It’s a bit stressful but I’m happy to go because the flats are horrible. It annoys me that they told us yesterday but we haven’t been updated, just left in the dark.”

Jane Appiah, 43, who has been living in temporary housing on the estate since 2021, said having to move at such short notice was stressful.

Speaking on Thursday, she said: “We got a letter yesterday. I went to the office and they said within three weeks we have to leave. I asked them [where I would be rehoused] but they didn’t know.

“I told them that I want to be around the area but they didn’t say if it would be nearby.

“My only concern is that within three weeks I don’t know how I’m going to manage the packing and everything.”

Stella, 36, another temporary housing tenant who has lived on the estate since 2020, added: “I was told I will hear in three weeks when I went to the office today. I’m a bit worried. The period of time they have given us is a bit short.

“Trying to plan in three weeks with no idea of where we are going, it’s not easy.”

RALLY 2023 (credit: SiennaGray @siennalorrainegray @khromacollective-1540)

Festival offers discounted tickets for local residents

By Isabel Ramirez

Bermondsey residents are being offered discounted tickets to an electronic music festival in Southwark Park.

RALLY festival is set to return this bank holiday weekend on Saturday 24 August, after a successful debut last summer.

Whilst the general admission price is currently on second release at £52.30, anyone living in the festival’s Bermondsey catchment area can apply for tickets for £20 (plus booking fee).

Headlined by anonymous electronic duo Two Shell, RALLY has announced an array of new names to their lineup of live acts and DJs. Also announced are Detroit ghettotech party starters HiTech, making a rare London appearance. They are joined by further new additions Move D, DJ Fart In The Club, Debby Friday and Panorama Bar favourites Christian AB and Ogazón

who will play their first ever b2b together.

They join the likes of Mount Kimbie, Actress, Marie Davidson, ML Buch, Nilüfer Yanya, Call Super, Pearson Sound, Lena Wilikens & Moopie, James Holden and many more, set to play across the festival’s three core stages.

RALLY has also unveiled details of an immersive new stage called ‘Agnes’ designed by London studio CAKE Architecture and influenced by the work of expressionist painter Agnes Martin.

Global tastemakers NTS Radio will present a whole day of music inside the new space, with full stage breakdowns set to be revealed soon.

All discounted tickets will be issued on a first come first served basis to those eligible within our Bermondsey catchment area.

There is a limit of four resident tickets per household. All applicants need to provide a recent proof of address.

6 NEWS

Lauryn (27) Jade (26) Charlie and son Adam stand outside a soonto-be-gone Surrey Quays Leisure Park.

EXCLUSIVE

offICIAL CLoSIng dAtES rEVEALEd popular centre has seen thousands of loyal customers take to the lanes, score strikes, celebrate birthdays, meet with family and friends, get competitive on the arcade games, feast on our american diner food, and create lasting memories.

“Local community relations have always, and continue to be, our priority.”

© Google Maps

Photo by Isabel Ramirez

hEartbrEak: lEisurE park Closing within wEEks

leisure park. supporting the team is our number one priority, and we would like to thank our colleagues for their incredible work over the years at the cinema.

“We will be looking to secure jobs for as many of them as possible in our other local cinemas. We would like to apologise to our guests for any inconvenience this will cause.”

By Isabel Ramirez

hollywood bowl - friday 13 September

residents say they are heartbroken over the news that surrey Quays Leisure Park is closing - with one mum saying she goes ‘every other day.’

in a statement to us, a hollywood bowl spokesperson said it was ‘disappointed’ to be closing its surrey Quays site.

It will officially close on tuesday 3 september after being served a notice in march by british Land. brad milo, regional support manager at hollywood bowl said, “the site opened in 1998 and is a prominent figure in surrey Quays. hollywood bowl group took ownership of the site in 2010, and since then, we have worked hard to create, much like all our centres, a feel-good and welcoming environment filled with family fun. “throughout the years, the

odeon Cinema - Sunday 18 August

Pizza hut - Saturday 14 September

It looks like odeon is set for an earlier departure than its neighbours. a spokesperson from the cinema chain said: “odeon surrey Quays will close following confirmation from our landlord of plans to undertake a redevelopment of the

Pizza hut has announced its actual closing date after saying the surrey Quays Leisure Park site had already closed. the last day the site will be open to the public will be saturday 14 september. greenwich Peninsula is their nearest dine-in restaurant.

Rotherhithe and is in a wheelchair, said it is an accessible place to bring her. “I feel like they could have done up the place instead of taking it away completely.”

She too worried about raising children in the area with a lack of things to do.

British Land maintained that it was ‘committed’ to providing a range of leisure and entertainment facilities in the Masterplan, such as a brand-new leisure centre opening in 2025. However, they said: “Due to the long-term nature of the development, we cannot provide specific details about other individual leisure and entertainment facilities and their exact locations at this stage.”

This uncertainty is concerning for parents like Charlie Fuller, a dad-of-two from Blackfriars, who believes the plans have ignored local people.

“None of the residents have been taken into consideration.”

He continued: “This is our local cinema.

It keeps kids’ minds occupied rather than being out on the streets.”

Charlie responded to the belief that people no longer go to the cinema: “On release days for a big film, there’s still a queue out the door.”

His 11-year-old son, Adam, said he often meets his friends to go to the cinema and bowling. “They say staying inside gaming is bad for kids but they’re closing all the places we can go and socialise,” he told us.

Along with these residents, the news has been met with disappointment on social media. Hundreds shared memories on TikTok of the cinema, bowling alley and Pizza Hut having defined their childhoods.

One user wrote: “I had my first ever date here,” whilst another said: “This is my childhood home I’ve been going to the cinema and bowling since I was 7/8 I am now 32”

Others commented that the place had been ‘going downhill’ but that they never expected it to shut.

In terms of the aim of the petition Lauryn started, she added: “If we can save the space that would be great.

“If not, they have to promise the community they will replace the services in that area.

“To even begin to accept this news is just too hard.”

This comes as British Land gave Hollywood Bowl, Odeon Cinema and Pizza Hut instructions to be off the site by Wednesday 18 September.

Last week, the developers currently leading the Canada Water regeneration project announced: “With the new Tesco Extra supermarket and 384 new homes coming to Zone G of the Canada Water development, September will see the closure of Surrey Quays Leisure Park which includes the Odeon cinema, Hollywood Bowl and Pizza Hut. “The redevelopment of the leisure park was approved by Southwark Council in early autumn last year.”

In May, British Land revealed the shopping centre would not be demolished until the new Tesco was built, which was not likely to be before 2028-2029.

However, they told us some sections would close sooner than others.

Determined not to see it go, Lauryn, who has lived around Bermondsey her whole life, has started a petition to ‘halt the Leisure Park closure.’

The 27-year-old mum told us what a loss it will be when it shuts for good. “I’m there every other day with my son,” she said.

Lauryn explained her son is autistic and loves it there. “It’s a godsend.

“He enjoys going to the pizza hut as it’s really kid-friendly and it’s affordable.”

“There’s nothing much for kids to do around here otherwise,” she continued, “where will we take them?

Her friend Jade, 26, whose mum lives in

WhAt hAS thE CoUnCIL SAId?

Councillor John Batteson, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs & Business, said: “We understand that many will be saddened by the closure of the leisure park, including the cinema and restaurants. These places have been an integral part of local life and will be missed. However, this closure marks the beginning of an exciting new

chapter for Canada Water.

“Our ongoing consultations, in partnership with British Land, which have helped shaped our plans has shown that residents want more places to eat, drink, socialise and relax locally.

We are pleased our development plans include a diverse range of leisure and entertainment options for the new town centre that everyone can enjoy.

“These new additions will diversify and strengthen the local economy and contribute to generating over 2,000 new jobs. We are also improving transport links so people can access what is set to be a thriving leisure and shopping destination. We appreciate the patience of local people during this transitional period and are confident that the new developments will bring wonderful benefits to our community.”

WILL AnothEr CInEmA bE ComIng bACK?

A British Land spokesperson said: “Regarding the cinema provision, Southwark Council agreed in May 2024 that British Land had undertaken ‘reasonable endeavours’ to enter a lease with a cinema provider. This means that British Land did try to find a new cinema provider, but due to market conditions, changing consumer trends and other factors, one was not forthcoming.

“While we are no longer legally obligated to bring in a cinema, we still believe it would be a great addition to the new town centre. We will continue to work with cinema operators to explore whether one can be delivered in the future, but this will depend on evolving market conditions and whether a cinema provider ultimately wants to come to Canada Water.”

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NEWS 9

spotify rElEasEs short film about nEw youth CEntrE sPotify has released a short film about the opening of a new youth club in Walworth, featuring uk artists like ms banks and young t & bugsey.

The Centre follows Sayce Holmes-Lewis and the founders of local charity Mentivity as they gear up to open their new youth facility.

Mentivity House, located on the regenerated part of the Aylesbury Estate, officially opened on Monday (29 July).

The film, funded by Spotify, shines a light

on the legacy and impact of youth spaces, not only on people but UK culture, which birthed some of the genres we now see today.

Filmed and directed by Adeyemi Michael (BBC Panorama - ‘Murder On The Streets’, BBC/Netflix - ‘Champion’), it features contributions from artists including Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso, Ms Banks, Novelist and Young T & Bugsey, who each share the impact those early youth club experiences played in shaping who they are and the work they produce to this day.

Back in 2022, Sayce connected with Spotify when he was asked to present a

Bemused Canada Water residents told they actually live in Elephant and Castle

By Herbie Russell

canada Water residents are bemused by a road sign saying they are actually in elephant and castle.

© Vania Valle (Facebook)

The sign on Timber Pond Road, SE16 says Newington Butts, SE1 - a completely different road three miles away.

Facebook users believe a sticker saying Timber Pond Road has peeled off revealing the incorrect sign beneath.

One commenter wrote: ‘There was

a sticker saying Timber Pond Road over the Newington Butts sign and the corner had been peeling off for a while.

‘Two men decided a couple of nights ago that it would be fun to pull the sticker off completely….. I’ve reported it to the council so it may get replaced eventually….’

Another person wrote: ‘That’s been gradually peeling off so someone has just finished it off.’

Southwark Council has been approached for comment.

Locals have pointed out the road sign mix-up in Canada Water.

Far-right: Adeyemi Michael, Director of ‘The Centre’ (Axe and Saw) podcast about stop and search.

From there the music streaming platform has supported the work of Mentivity. As well as funding the film, they have built a satellite podcast studio at the site.

The latter, to be run by Spotify, is the first of its kind and will allow the centre to continue without being reliant on the government or donations.

Adeyemi Michael, Director of ‘The Centre’ said he’s proud to represent his community, having worked as a youth worker in Peckham two decades ago.

He commented: “It’s a great privilege to

be able to use my skills as a filmmaker to represent my community.

“I started working as a youth worker/ football coach 20 years ago in Peckham and that’s where Sayce and I met. I’ve seen and been part of his and Mentivity’s journey at different stages and I’m hugely grateful to help shed even more light on the important and life-changing work they’re doing.

“I hope when others see the film they’re as moved as I am by Mentivity’s invaluable contribution to society both locally and globally.”

Sayce Holmes-Lewis, who grew up on

the Aylesbury Estate, said: “Mentivity House is an example of how we reclaim our block.

“Over a decade in the making, this is a full-circle moment for me. Growing up on the Aylesbury Estate and working here for 25 years, I’ve seen regeneration change the area. We’re committed to strengthening our roots and creating a lasting legacy for our community, helping young people become the best versions of themselves.”

Read our full story on the opening of Mentivity House online at southwarknews.co.uk

Council gives out hundreds of free swimming lessons this summer

By Isabel Ramirez

The free swimming lessons aim not only to teach children basic swimming techniques but also to instill confidence in the water and raise awareness about water safety practices.

Places will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

southWark counciL offers hundreds of free swimming lessons for children over the summer holidays - here is how to apply.

In response to the alarming statistic that one in three children leave primary school are unable to swim, the council launched a new initiative to provide free lessons for children between 9 and 12 years old who cannot swim.

Starting this summer, over 240 free spots will be offered to children in the borough. The lessons will held at Peckham Leisure Centre and The Castle Leisure Centre, consisting of a five-day course with each session lasting 30 minutes per day over five consecutive days.

It is part of its aim to promote active lifestyles, readdress barriers preventing children from learning to swim and raise awareness of water safety practices.

Councillor Mwangange, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks and Young People, said: “As a young person growing up on the Kingswood Estate, the free swimming lessons I received at my primary school, Dulwich Wood,

hoW to APPLy for A frEE SWIm LESSon PLACE:

© Southwark Council

By Isabel Ramirez

Youth worker at Mentivity House

encouraged my healthy lifestyle at such a young age.”

“Learning to swim is not just about recreation; it’s a crucial life skill that enhances safety around water and promotes a healthy lifestyle. By offering these free swimming lessons, we are addressing a significant gap in water safety education and ensuring that more children in Southwark have the confidence and ability to enjoy water activities safely.”

If you are a parent or guardian of a child aged 9 to 12 who can’t swim, you can apply for a swim place by emailing the participating centres: Peckham Pulse Leisure centre: email lauren.smith@southwark.gov.uk the castle Leisure centre: email jodie. sees@southwark.gov.uk COURSE DATES: Peckham Leisure centre: Monday 12 August to Friday 16 August at 1pm Tuesday 27 August to Friday 30 August at 1pm the castle Leisure centre: Monday 12 August to Friday 16 August at 2.30pm Monday 19 August to Friday 23 August at 2.30pm

10 NEWS © Bede House

nEw airbnb-stylE app for hiring vEnuEs aCross south london Right: Daniel Aarons with Nicholas Okwulu from the Livesey Exchange.

By Isabel Ramirez a man from camberwell quit his job to start an airbnb-style app to hire venues across south London - from tenants’ halls and pubs to churches and boxing gyms.

Daniel Aarons says it has ‘enriched his life’ knowing he is helping small businesses make some money.

The 43-year-old told us: “I had the idea about three years ago when I was getting involved in some local groups.

“I saw all these vital spaces not being used to their full potential.”

So in February, he left his career in branding and design to start Conveenie a one-stop shop for people to rent spaces in south London. It has prices, capacity,

availability and facilities available, as well as an easy-to-use booking system.

Ninety groups have signed up already, with the majority being in Southwark.

These include Livesey Exchange on Old Kent Road, the Cinema Museum, Southwark Cathedral and Bronx Gym run

by Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

The latter for instance has space for 150 people and can be rented for £150 per hour.

“It takes the pain and stress away from these organisations,” Daniel continued, “Some already knew what they were doing with renting out their space, but for others, this is really helping.”

As the owner Daniel takes a 15 per cent cut from each booking, with no extra charge for customers at check-out.

Victim Jesse Lloyd-Smith, 20.

“I just wanted it to be ‘what you see is what you get’,” he said.

Hosts can also offer charity rates and discounts, plus ‘happy times’ which are the off-peak hours when rates are cheaper.

A similar platform, Sharesy, was started in North London in 2021, but Daniel said this didn’t put him off.

Having lived in Camberwell for the last 14 years, he said it was important for him to concentrate south of the river.

Daniel commented: “I’ve put so much heart and soul into this.

“What keeps me going is meeting the hosts. The experiences, the venues, the stories they tell me - it’s enriched my life.”

If you have a community space or venue that you would like help renting out, email: danielaarons@conveenie.com

Free event in Bermondsey to raise funds to take SEN groups on days out

By Isabel Ramirez a bermondsey charity is hosting a free party to raise money to take individuals with learning disabilities on days out this summer, including a boat trip down the thames.

Bede House is holding its Annual Summer Party Day on Wednesday 14 August.

Guests can enjoy music and entertainment by resident DJ Andy, as well as face-painting, food, drinks and ice-creams, games and a raffle.

All proceeds raised from the event will go towards their Summer activity

programme for people with learning disabilities. This includes a City boat trip down the River Thames, an Art Day, and a Harvest Day. The fair will have a raffle with prizes generously donated by local businesses in Southwark and beyond.

Everyone is encouraged to come along and join in the festivities, enjoy the food, try their luck in the raffle, and support a great cause.

Where: Bede Centre, Abbey�ield Road, SE16 2BS When: Wednesday 14 August 2024; 12pm-3pm admission: Free

formEr top boss of lambEth CounCil has plEadEd guilty to drink driving

He also pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a car crash and driving without insurance - but not guilty to possession of cocaine

© Met Police

By Robert Firth

Teenager charged with murder of Jesse Lloyd-Smith

By Isabel Ramirez a 17-Year-oLd male has been charged with the murder of Jesse Lloyd-smith in Peckham.

The teenager will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court later today (Friday, 2 August).

Jesse, aged 20, was fatally shot in East Surrey Grove on Wednesday, 10 July.

Despite the hospital’s best efforts, he died the following day.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson

said: “An investigation is being carried out by detectives and Jesse’s family are being supported by specially trained officers.

“A man aged 21, a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old female have all previously been arrested and bailed.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or post on X @MetCC quoting CAD 6886/10Jul. To remain 100 per cent anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers-uk.org.

Local Democracy Reporter the former top boss of a south London council has pleaded guilty to drink driving, failing to stop after a car crash and driving without insurance.

Bayo Dosunmu, who was chief executive of Lambeth Council until his arrest earlier this year, admitted to the offences at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, last Thursday August 1) But Dosunmu, 46, of Hammersmith pleaded not guilty to possession of cocaine at the same hearing on Thursday morning. Dosunmu, wearing a dark suit and tie, spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He asked for the cocaine charge to be heard at crown court and will appear at Isleworth Crown Court in West London on August 29 in relation to the Class A drug possession charge.

Dosunmu stepped down from his £190,000 per year role at the council in July after being charged with the

offences the previous month.

Dosunmu was driving a white Jeep on June 23 when he was involved with an collision with a blue Toyota, while it was waiting at traffic lights at the junction of Wandsworth Bridge Road and Townmead Road.

He failed to stop after the crash. The court heard the driver of the Toyota tailed Dosunmu and eventually had to pull in front of the Jeep to get him to stop. Police were called and Dosunmu appeared to be slurring his words, the court heard.

Paul Goldspring, senior district judge, imposed an interim driving ban on Dosunmu and released him on unconditional bail.

He will be sentenced for the offences he pleaded guilty to at a later date.

Dosunmu was appointed chief executive of the council in April 2022, taking

over from Andrew Travers.

Since his departure in July, Fiona Connolly, Lambeth’s corporate director of housing and adult social care, has been acting chief executive.

The council intends to begin recruiting for a new permanent chief executive soon.

Bayo Dosunmu, former chief executive of Lambeth Council

Photo from Lambeth Council

JULY

SEPTEMBER Music. Film. Flavours.

12 NEWS EXCLUSIVE

By Isabel Ramirez Peckham residents say they are sick of their street being a prime spot for people dumping rubbish and fly-tipping.

Meeting House Lane has reportedly been inundated with waste for the last four years. There are no communal bins on the road, despite there being commercial properties and flats.

Kemi, who lives there, says they are told to leave their rubbish out to be collected early in the morning.

She commented: “For me, it’s very unsightly. The foxes tear up the bin bags and food and everything else just goes everywhere. The rodents and birds then bring the waste into our gardens.”

Kemi explained she sometimes gets to work late because of cleaning up the mess.

“And disabled residents find it hard to pass because of the rubbish,” she said.

“They don’t even do an evening collection.”

She added that fly-tipping, which is a criminal offence punishable by up to 5 years in jail and/or an unlimited fine, was also a problem.

Montpelier Road, which is connected to Meeting House Lane, also appears to have a similar issue.

A Montpelier resident, Megan, said she and her neighbours were also told to put their waste on the street to be collected.

“They have given us a day and time once per week for collection, but this is unrealistic,” she continued, “we are expected to store our waste in our flats until the date of collection, and then put it out for collection by 6am.”

F.A.A.

pECkham rEsidEnts arE ‘fEd up’ with waking up to rottEn fruit and half-EatEn takEaways in thEir gardEns They have suggested some solutions to the issue, such as communal bins and CCTV to see who is responsible for the fly-tipping.

Both women quoted claimed they had approached the council several times for answers, with no signs of change.

Councillor James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets & Waste, said: “Fly-tipping is a crime and a blight

Supplied by resident, Kemi

Residents say Meeting House Lane looks like this ‘half of the time’House Lane looks like this ‘half of the time’ Park

on communities. Unfortunately, a small number of residents and businesses have caused issues for the surrounding community. Despite our daily cleansing schedule, the issue persists.”

He explained that they were now introducing a trial period of timed collections.

“Residents will be encouraged to present

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waste within a fixed timeframe, with collections planned shortly after to reduce waste levels on the streets. This will be accompanied by increased enforcement activity to penalise individuals or businesses who flout the rules. With residents’ and businesses’ cooperation, we hope to see an improvement in fly-tipping levels.”

As a general policy, the council does not provide bins where properties do not have adequate off-street storage space. This is to avoid obstructions on the pavement and an increase in fly-tipped waste.

On the topic of bins, the council said it had previous complaints about bins being stored on the street here, and the nuisance this has caused.

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NEWS 15

Car frEE day will sEE roads ClosEd off for partiEs aCross london nEXt month The Car Free Day will see a series of events in central London while roads are closed off (Image: GLA)

Residents encouraged to apply to their local council to temporarily close their streets to through traffic

By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter city haLL has urged Londoners to ditch their cars and “reclaim our streets” on World car free day in september, with mayor urging residents on the Windrush line to carnival-inspired parties.

The global celebration will include

events in neighbourhoods across London, with residents encouraged to apply to their local council to temporarily close their streets to through traffic between Friday September 20 and the day itself on Sunday September 22.

Sadiq Khan’s walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman said: “The mayor and I are committed to enabling even more Londoners to incorporate

walking and cycling into their daily lives.

“We are delighted to once again be supporting the activation of play streets on Car Free Day, a unique opportunity to transform streets into playful and social spaces, where all members of the community can come together to scoot, bike, walk, space hop and socialise safely.

“I encourage all Londoners to join in the fun and reclaim our streets with this

fantastic initiative, which supports our aim for a greener, fairer London for all.”

To mark the official launch of the new London Overground line names – which is due to happen in the autumn – Transport for London (TfL) is encouraging residents in the nine boroughs through which the Windrush Line passes to hold carnivalinspired street parties to celebrate.

The Windrush line – Highbury &

programme begins in the Queen Elizabeth Hall with the UK premiere of Stopgap’s Lived Fiction (Sep 4) and continues throughout the week with a number of outstanding performances.

Mark of A Woman (Sep 5), a new commission from Unlimited Partner Award recipient Chisato Minamimura, examines the relationship between women’s bodies and tattooing practices while the UK premiere of Precarious Moves (Sep 6) by Michael Turinsky explores the profound impact of climate change on disabled people.

Unlimited’s comedy offering features recent the Edinburgh Fringe smash-hit from FlawBored, It’s a Motherf**king Pleasure (7 & 8 Sep), a scathing satire that attacks the monetisation of identity politics. The programme also includes Choo Choo! (8 Sep) a playful and interactive show exploring intrusive thoughts and OCD, as well as Abnormally Funny People - IRL (8 Sep), a new commission from the Southbank Centre that unites a gaggle of irreverent, internationally renowned funny people for an evening of laughs.

Unlimited also features an array of uniquely engaging experiences including Jo Bannon’s sensory feast Sleight of Hand (7 & 8 Sept) and Hope

Unlimited performer (Chris Parkes Photographer Ltd.)

By Isabel Ramirez

Southbank Centre to celebrate disabled artists and performers

By Isabel Ramirez a festiVaL that celebrates disabled artists and performers is coming to the southbank centre this september, with a deaf rave where audiences can feel the sound.

There are just five weeks until the anticipated return of Unlimited - the arts festival that platforms unsung creatives from across the UK. From Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 September, the Southbank Centre will host an array of acts in music, dance, comedy and more.

Featuring new and existing work, to one-off events, it is run by an arts commissioning body that supports, funds and promotes new work by disabled artists for national and international audiences.

Since 2013, Unlimited has supported over 521 artists with over £6.5 million, reaching audiences of over 5.5 million, making it the largest supporter of disabled artists worldwide.

There is a range of free events: like a deaf rave with a Woojer zone so audiences can feel the sound and an immersive dance show.

The festival’s performance & dance

Islington to Clapham Junction – runs through areas with strong ties to Caribbean communities today, such as Peckham Rye, West Croydon and Dalston Junction, and honours the Windrush generation who continue to shape and enrich London’s cultural and social identity today.

City Hall and TfL said that they are working to facilitate the day in partnership with London Play, an organisation which campaigns for the capital’s children to “have the space, time and freedom to play”.

London Play director Fiona Sutherland pointed out that London’s streets make up 80 per cent of public space in the capital.

She said: “Car Free Day is a great opportunity for Londoners to discover the joyful potential of the space outside their front doors, free of traffic for a few hours.

“Will they choose to simply share a cuppa with the neighbours? Race a spacehopper down the street? Play hopscotch? Or have a full-blown carnivalinspired street party?

“In all cases we guarantee that people will look at their streets differently, having witnessed how they can be transformed with fun for just a few hours.”

In Hackney, the weekend will coincide with Hackney Carnival. The event is returning after a five-year absence, with locals able to enjoy a free street parade.

Hackney mayor Caroline Woodley said: “We can’t wait to take to the streets this September to join residents for our family-friendly Hackney Carnival and celebrate our community’s rich diversity.”

A southeast London shopping centre offers free summer activities for kids

LeWisham shoPPing centre is hosting free activities this august for kids, including slime workshops.

and Ponies (8 Sep), an interactive art installation from Two Destination Language that asks audiences to share their messages of hope on banners and postcards.

For the full programme and to book tickets to any events online at southbankcentre.co.uk

To celebrate the Paris Olympics, guests are invited to take part in a variety of exciting craft activities in Central Square. On Saturday 10 August, there is an Olympics-themed craft Workshop, then on the next two Saturdays (17 and 24 August) kids can immerse themselves in an afternoon of glitter temporary tattoos & face art.

High street slime store, Gootopia, will be hosting Tropical Beach Slime workshops until Sunday 1 September, with guests able to immerse themselves in a sensory wonderland of slime with summerthemed scents.

They will be able to create their own tropical slime masterpiece, with watermelon, coconut, kiwi and mango scents as well as exotic colours and mix-ins. Every child can take home their personalised slime after the workshop and have a share

Slime workshop (Lewisham Shopping Centre)

of the giant slime too.

The Migration Museum, located inside the shopping centre, is open during the summer break with guests able to see WALL. The exhibition showcases two separate surviving fragments of the Berlin Wall which were painted on by contemporary artists STIK and Thierry Noir between 1984 and 1989.

Visit lewishamshopping.co.uk to �ind out more about all the activities taking place this Summer.

All activities listed are free.

16 NEWS www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 13

ADVERTORIAL

Guy’s and St Thomas’ helps boost students’ grades AN EDUCATION programme trialled at Guy’s and St Thomas’ is helping to improve engagement, grades, and attendance for local students.

The project, called Aspire 350, equips young people in years 10 and 11 with life skills and development opportunities beyond the school curriculum, whilst offering them a route into NHS careers. Since A TEAM of volunteers are making sure everyone has the right support when approaching the end of their life, and are not facing it alone.

The Marie Curie hospital companionship service, which is supported by Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity, is available to patients receiving end of life care or people with a terminal illness, particularly those with few or no visitors.

The specially trained volunteers offer one to one support and provide a friendly ear and someone to talk to at the patient’s bedside in hospital, or in their own home.

Since launching in August 2023, the service has supported more than 80 people.

Patrick Mulhern, a retired educational psychologist, has been volunteering

its launch in schools last February, over 50% of participating students have scored higher grades in their core subject areas.

The project, funded by Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity, works with 40 students across 3 local secondary schools and a pupil referral unit who were identified by their schools as students who would benefit from the opportunity. Its curriculum,

Breanna Davis and Hayley Robinson-Allen, Aspire 350 project lead, in St Thomas’ Hospital gardens

designed with the students, consists of weekly hour-long workshops delivered by NHS staff as well as local charities and businesses.

Aspire 350 helped 15-year-old Vlada Liashok feel a part of her new school after she moved to the UK from Ukraine 2 years ago. The programme, with its small class size of 8, helped her showcase her potential and learn about herself.

The power of friendship

Volunteers from the Marie Curie companionship service

twice a week since September 2023.

He said: “The role is anything but depressing. I have spent 40 minutes laughing with a patient despite the fact she has a very serious condition.”

He added: “Listening to a patient’s life story is a privilege – everything is

stripped back because of the illness and you find real people. “It keeps you very grounded and focused on what really matters. It’s changed my view about what happens in hospitals. The kind of care the staff provide to patients is so impressive.”

During the course Vlada learnt essential life skills from financial management to first aid. She discovered that she wanted to study philosophy, politics and economics at university, and was inspired to think about her future career.

Aspiring architect Breanna Davis had never considered a career in the NHS before taking part in the programme. Along with her fellow Amriya Issa, a university student, has been volunteering for a year. The 21-year-old said: “I’m so privileged to have lots of family members and cousins so I know there would always be someone there for me – you forget that not everyone has got that.”

She added: “By volunteering for just one hour you can make such a big difference to someone’s life. “I thought it would be a little bit scary at first, but it’s really rewarding and fascinating to hear how each person lives their life so differently.”

The volunteers also provide practical information and offer respite to carers, allowing them to take a break for a few hours.

For more information about volunteering at the Trust, visit www.guysandstthomas. nhs.uk/ get-involved/volunteering

students, she visited St Thomas’ Hospital to see the variety of roles available within the NHS including engineering, paramedic and catering.

Following her GCSEs, Breanna plans to sit her T-levels in digital business and then take up a career in architecture. The 16-year-old from Croydon said: “The programme was quite life changing, as it gives you an experience of how hospitals work, and makes you want to think of them as a career path as well. I can now look at hospital architecture as a career path too.

With more than 350 careers available in the NHS, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust needs people with diverse backgrounds and skills to deliver exceptional care to patients.

Hayley Robinson-Allen, schools widening participation manager and project lead, said: “Alongside building on life skills, we want to help young people in our local community pursue the careers they want, but perhaps in the careers they didn’t know existed within the NHS. At the Trust we are a ‘little city’, any job you can think of – nursery staff, engineers, chefs – we need.”

Once students have completed the project they are also offered support with entry level jobs, apprenticeships and internships at the Trust, as well as being registered onto the staff bank.

Urgent call for blood donations

NHS BLOOD and Transplant is calling for urgent blood donations in London.

There is currently an urgent need for donors with O negative blood the blood type which can be given to anyone, making it vital in emergencies or when a patient’s blood type is unknown.

Every blood donation can save up to 3 lives.

Appointments are available now at Shepherd’s Bush, Stratford, Oxford Circus (West End Donor Centre) and Tooting.

Visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 to book or find out more.

Children’s day surgery unit celebrates first anniversary THE AWARD-WINNING children’s day surgery unit at Evelina London Children’s Hospital celebrated its first anniversary since treating its first patient. Since the unit opened, the state-of-the-art facility has treated over 2,100 children and young people from across the south east of England.

Housed in the new Children’s

Day Treatment Centre, the spacethemed unit has 2 operating theatres dedicated to day surgery. Families wait less on the day of surgery as pre-surgery checks, the operation, recovery and preparation for going home is done in a seamless way in one place, on the same day.

The extra capacity created by the unit has increased the number of children with complex conditions or

who require an overnight stay that can be treated in the main Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

Chloe Morley, now 11, was the first patient to be treated in the brandnew facility when it opened on 12 July 2023. Chloe, from Eltham in south east London, had her tonsils and adenoids removed.

Last December, the unit was officially opened by Her Royal

Highness The Princess of Wales, Evelina London’s royal patron.

To mark the occasion, Her Royal Highness was given a tour of the new unit and met with staff, patients undergoing procedures in the facility and their families.

She was joined by Chloe and Ella Moth, an art competition winner, to cut the ribbon on the door to the unit, marking it officially open.

NEWS 17

Council says it must now stop building its own homes and rely on developers instead

By Isabel Ramirez

Cash-strapped Southwark Council has said it will stop building its own council homes.

Amid dire financial straits, the Labourrun authority will instead rely on private developers for the foreseeable future.

The council has admitted this will mean an ‘increased proportion’ of newlybuilt homes will have to go on the private market.

It is understood that this major change of tack, approved at the council’s last cabinet meeting, will mean all the “direct delivery” model of development the council is currently undertaking will now go to a “development agreement” model.

The “direct delivery” model scheme saw the council building homes itself on land it either already owns or acquired.

The “development agreement” model, most famously used for the Aylesbury Estate redevelopment in Walworth, involves the council handing over land to a developer.

This is usually done on a “long lease” in exchange for building a minimum number of affordable housing units (along with market rate housing), but Southwark will maintain freehold over the council homes. Future schemes to build council homes will now only be done under this model.

Cllr Victor Chamberlain, the leader of Southwark’s opposition Liberal Democrat party, claimed it was a clear sign that the ruling Labour administration would fail in its pledge to build over 40,000 new homes by 2036. That pledge includes 11,000 extra council homes being delivered by 2043 as part of this overall housing target.

The ruling Labour administration has dismissed the claim out of hand.

He said: “It’s disappointing that the council has had to abandon building its own council homes on its own land. It is the clearest signal yet that the Labour Council’s approach to housing has failed. They have not delivered the homes we need, and now they’re throwing in the towel.

“There are huge question marks over this developer-led approach, particularly about guaranteeing we get genuinely affordable homes local people can actually afford.

“Liberal Democrats will vigorously ensure that mistakes of the past are not repeated, and not let genuinely affordable homes get squeezed out for the sake of developer profit.”

Cllr Chamberlain was referring to the Aylesbury Estate losing around 800 council homes.

Sixty-six-year-old Aysen Dennis, who recently moved to a new home in Bradenham Court, after previously living in a block on the Aylesbury due to be demolished, had even threatened to go to High Court. Aysen and other campaigners had long argued that redevelopment amounted to “social cleansing” – mainly because the 1,600 social rent homes are roughly 800 fewer than existed previously.

Campaigners have also argued that the earlier redevelopment of the nearby Heygate Estate saw around 1,200 flats replaced by 82 “affordable” units, as the affordability provision slipped over time due to ‘viability’ concerns.

But, the council has said the move is necessary, and the alternative would be

Southwark Lib Dem leader Victor Chamberlain and The Aylesbury Estate in Walworth

Credit: Herbie Russell

simply to stop building.

The council needs to “minimise” council expenditure and ease the burden of the council’s dedicated housing fund.

The housing fund, known as the Housing Revenue Account, had a forecasted overspend of £16.7 million for 2023/24.

Southwark Council was forced to implement a recovery plan involving a 6 per cent reduction of revenue expenditure.

Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said: “It is absurd to question our commitment to creating new council homes for our residents given what we have achieved over the last few years.

“Our council housebuilding programme is recognised across the country as one of the most ambitious, and to date we have completed or have on site over 3,000 new council homes, despite increasingly difficult circumstances nationally.

Right now there are 27 schemes under construction.

“However, we are increasingly facing additional challenges and costs caused by a range of issues, from unexpectedly high inflation and interest rates to increases to the additional regulations and requirements around safety.

“We have to be practical and responsible with our finances and find new ways to deliver the homes our residents need and deserve, whilst protecting our Housing Revenue Account for investment in existing stock.

“What we are proposing is a tried and tested way of delivering new homes, including council homes, and just this week we have been celebrating the completion of new homes in South Bermondsey (the Folajimi Apartments) which have been delivered through a development agreement.

“The alternative would be to stop

building, and given the scale of the housing crisis, we are not prepared to do that. We won’t apologise for exploring every possible way to deliver more council homes across our borough.”

It is understood that the social homes in new developments proposed under the “development agreement” model, will be run by Southwark Council, but the News has asked for a full clarification on this after City Hall last month was told that across London hundreds of affordable homes are being built with ‘no one to take them.’

Housing associations are facing the same financial pressures as Southwark Council, with spiralling costs and a lack of funding.

The London Assembly was told by one of the capital’s biggest home builders that the system used by private developers to deliver affordable homes was “creaking at the seams”. Syreeta Robinson-Gayle, head of affordable housing at Barratt London, told assembly members that this was due to “a lack of capacity” among housing associations which are dealing with high costs and a tough economic outlook.

She cited one recent example where Barratt had been building 100 affordable homes as part of a development in Southwark, including 58 homes for social rent – but had no registered provider to take them.

In June this paper also highlighted a case in Bermondsey where a developer was wanting to scrap all affordable housing in an unfinished block where apartments have sold for up to £660,000.

Bombay Development Limited had applied for permission from Southwark Council to sell six shared ownership flats in an apartment block under construction in Bermondsey at full price. The ‘shared ownership’ flats in the Bermondsey block had been on the

Syreeta Robinson Gayle, of Barratt London. Photo from London Assembly webcast market for eighteen months. But the developer has been unable to find a housing association to take them on.

Speaking at a meeting of the Assembly’s planning and regeneration committee, Ms Robinson-Gayle said: “Currently, the Section 106 system is kind of creaking at the seams. There is a lack of capacity from registered providers to take the number of affordable homes that are currently in [the] planning [process]. So we will be in an unusual position where developers will be building out affordable homes and there will be no one to take them.”

She added that the issue was affecting several developers and needed resolving “urgently, because it will start to act as a collar on development”.

Approached for comment, Fiona Fletcher-Smith, chair of the G15 group of London housing associations, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service for an article published by us: “G15 members have significantly reduced our purchases of section 106 homes due to soaring costs, economic pressures, and the critical focus we are putting on building safety and investment in existing homes and services.”

The focus on repairs to existing homes has intensified following the passing of ‘Awaab’s Law’ last year. The law was named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in Rochdale in 2020. The coroner found that the boy “died as a result of a severe respiratory condition due to prolonged exposure to mould”.

The new law requires social housing landlords to investigate hazards within 14 calendar days, and to begin repair works in seven calendar days if the hazard could pose a significant risk to the health or safety of tenants.

Interestingly Jonathan Seager, policy delivery director at BusinessLDN, responding to the lack of housing associations taking on new developments suggested a system very much like the “direct delivery” model now shelved

by Southwark, but one with the very important caveat that developers give the council money to build.

He said: “The new Government has rightly set out its stall to boost housebuilding, and there is nowhere in the UK that needs this more than London.

“The plans set out so far are positive but what will get spades in the ground quickly is finding ways around logjammed systems such as the delivery of affordable homes through section 106 agreements.”

He said one “quick fix” could potentially involve allowing councils “to receive the cash equivalent of the affordable homes from the developer”, which local authorities could then use to support their own affordable housing schemes.

The question is how much is needed and will the new Government now step in, while Southwark for the foreseeable future ditches a major part of its flagship policy amid a tidal wave of financial pressures.

18 OPINION

Comment

'We need to stop the protests so officers can police our estates’ t his is my first column for the News since the election and i am still smiling from the amazing result in July!

A national landslide for Labour and another election swing to me for my fourth win here in Southwark and I now get to sit on the Government benches in the Commons and vote for a King’s Speech with almost 40 Bills to improve our community and country.

Thank you to everyone for the support!

Southwark now has five MPs, after disruptive boundary changes, and the Green Party is in second place across the borough and Labour’s main opposition.

The Tories slumped to fifth in Bermondsey and Old Southwark, with the overwhelming response from local people since the election being sheer

It’s surprising to find day light hours are beginning to shorten, and although August is often warm and humid, there can be a hint of autumn during the last of the summer months.

Spring and summer flowering shrubs (including Ceanothus, Lavender and Honeysuckle) can be pruned once flowering has finished. To keep Lavender from becoming ‘leggy’ (developing woody stems with a concentration of leaves at the top) it is important to cut the old flower heads and stems back. The strong lavender aroma remains and these spent flower heads can be collected and rubbed off the

Westminster

relief that they’re now out of office.

Labour has begun the work to fix the country, including scrapping chronic waste like the Rwanda scheme which paid £700 million to expel no one from the UK, and establishing a corruption commissioner to try and claw back misspent public funds. With a bigger black hole in the public accounts than the last Government admitted, the work is crucial to turning around the UK after 14 years of chaos and damage under the Tories, including five years with their Coalition Lib Dem allies.

I’ve seen hundreds of local people since the election, including schools visiting Westminster, big events like the Time and Talents summer party and Rotherhithe Community Kitchen’s celebration of providing 10,000 meals.

Most people and organisations I meet seem to recognise the scale of the

challenge the Labour Government faces - with a need to build prisons and energy capacity, to recruit teachers and mental health specialists, and to fix the NHS. It was good to visit Guy’s Hospital operating theatres this week and hear how they are now squeezing in an extra 45 appointments on Saturdays to try and help clear the backlog.

One other priority for me and the new Home Secretary is tackling antisocial behaviour. We need more people to join the police and to help make our community safer. Seeing the police

attacked this week by far-right yobs in Southport, Hartlepool and London is shameful. I hope all involved are punished and prosecuted. There is no excuse for attacking the police.

I met the Borough Commander last week and one reason his officers are not out on the estates where they are needed, like the Osprey, Four Squares, or Guinness, or in the parks where drugs and antisocial behaviour deter families and dog walkers, is because the police are dragged elsewhere to cover protests.

The far-right deserve criticism, but the repeat protests by the hard left also prevent the police being where we need them. I want to see police shifts and work patterns change, but I also want an end to all the selfish, disruptive protests which deny our community the safety we need. I will be examining new rules to tackle protests closely when published.

In the meantime, thanks again for the continued support. I’m very excited to be part of the Labour team fixing the country.

brittle stems (use gloves as they can be sharp) place handfuls into small dishes/bowls and leave around the home to provide a natural aromatic air freshener (useful for repelling moths).

Plant diseases can occur during hot weather. If plants suffer drought, they sometimes develop powdery mildew as a result of roots becoming stressed. Also prolonged lack of water causes calcium deficiencies and this creates problems with fruits rotting before they have a chance to ripen – this especially affects tomatoes.

Stocks of summer bedding plants can be increased for next year; take 4-inch cuttings of geraniums (Pelargoniums) and Fuchsias. Put into pots of good quality compost and water each day, they should root within a few

weeks; make sure the young plants are kept inside during the winter months and reduce watering.

From the end of August spring flowering bulbs can be planted including Daffodils (Narcissus) Winter Aconite and Bluebells. The Daffodil is always a popular choice and there are many different varieties - dwarf ones for window boxes and tubs, or fragrant but more tender types such as Jonquilla narcissi ‘Sweetness’ or Tazetta narcissi

‘Paper White’ (grown indoors for Christmas flowering). Daffodils can be grown for cut flowers - add extra bulbs to ensure there are good displays outside and enough to cut for indoor use.

Another spring bulb is Scilla siberica, it produces delicate blue flowers; Scilla tubergeniana flowers as early as February and has pretty white blooms.

Other plants to grow for cut flowers include Digitalis, Penstemons, most types of roses, Hesperis, Ranunculus,

Sweet Peas, Anemones and Gypsophila.

If space is limited choose Sweet peas (they need canes or strings to climb up) and the versatile and charming Anemones – either the late flowering perennials or early bulbs. There are many different types for all seasons.

In the veg garden - main crop potatoes can now be harvested, freeing space for autumn and winter planting; continue to sow lettuce and rocket seeds through August.

Summer gardening and Spring planting b y august the main summer growth in the garden is over, and flowering shrubs and annuals are starting to look tired.

from

NEIL COYLE

MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark

OPINION 19

Residents feel left in dark over area’s future

t

he closure of the surrey Quays Leisure Park has stirred up quite a fuss in the borough, but have the new plans for the site ignored some people’s needs?

British Land announced last week that the ‘big three’ were shutting. That is Hollywood Bowl, Odeon Cinema and Pizza Hut for anyone who didn’t spend their childhood around Surrey Quays and Rotherhithe.

We knew this day was coming, albeit not this soon. The developer began works on the Canada Water Masterplan in 2022, but the first consultations to regenerate the area date back to 2001.

It is the biggest regeneration scheme in Southwark and ten sites are being completed in four phases, with phase one nearly complete.

Surrey Quays Leisure Park is set to be replaced by a big new Tesco superstore and 384 new homes, a portion affordable, most of which will not be. We know from British Land that the nearby shopping centre will not be demolished until the new Tesco is built, which won’t be until 2028 2029.

So whilst not a total shock, many local people feel they have no control when it comes to these big developments.

The Masterplan may say it’ll give residents what they want, but what does that look like?

Take Odeon for instance. The developers argue they’ve tried to find a new cinema provider but none has taken up the offer yet. And in many ways, you can see why.

It wasn’t too long ago that people had to wait to watch a new film in the cinema.

Now with Netflix and other streaming services at the click of a button, no one needs to leave their house to see the latest blockbuster.

People often associate cinemas and bowling with children. A child we spoke to made the point that we are constantly telling children to get off their screens, but continue to shut all the places they could go to do that. As well as youngsters, more adults want places to meet that are not centred around drinking.

What’s more, with large flat spaces and door-to-door access, leisure parks like these are disability-friendly.

So what does the future look like for these people? Is the reality of living in a digital age shutting all the places where they can socialise?

To the developer and the council, these plans have been in the works for years and people have had their say through their consultation efforts.

ThatFlyer_A5.pdf said, locals feel losing something and they just want to know what they’re going to 1 they’re 12/10/2021 22:35 get in return. Is that such an unreasonable request?

CRYPTIC PUZZLE Clues Across

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1 Do you have to be wellversed in law to obtain this justice? (6) 2 Bordering on irritability? (4) 3 Start indecisive, and finish uncertain (13) 5 Disclosure of terrible famine on a farm Down Under (13) 6 Finished mould is clouded (8) 7 He’s not crooked fairdealing (6) 9 Will a mammal provide wool? Yes, if you look carefully (5) 14 He will pull out the stops to give you an awful roasting (8) 15 Discards small amounts (6) 17 He could very well descend to rockbottom (5) 18 Lady’s crazy about the Orient stays on (6) 21 Said to be an unhealthy period (4)

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4 Sharp insight (6) 8 Disease (7) 10 This evening (7) 11 Lariat (5) 12 Perfect (5) 13 Publicly accused (9) 16 Momentous (9) 19 Freight (5) 20 Wild animal (5) 22 Draw out (7) 23 Wearing down (7) 24 Victim (6)

1 Climbed (6) 2 Knob (4) 3 Radical (13) 5 Motive (13) 6 White powder (8) 7 Irritate (6) 9 Lofty room (5) 14 Storyteller (8) 15 Shriek (6) 17 Dish (5) 18 Oppressor (6) 21 Walk (4)

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Across: 1 Stitch 7 Pontoon 8 Adverse 9 Eaten 10 Dismissal 12 Tan 13 Alms 15 Serving 17 Does 19 Eon 21 Corrugate 22 Fatal 23 Narrate 24 Railing 25 Clammy Down: Standard 2 Invest 3 Carmine 4 Angel 5 Mortal 6 Anon 7 Persevering 11 Mass 13 Agog 14 Severely 16 Neutral 18 Entail 20 Napalm 21 Claim 22 Fort Quick PUZZLE Across: 1 Wreath 7 Tankard 8 Enhance 9 Ensue 10 Carpenter 12 Tun 13 Sped 15 Stomach 17 Dash 19 Lag 21 Condiment 22 Moral 23 Avarice 24 Capital 25 Remiss Down: 1 Wretched 2 Exhort 3 Tangent 4 Sneer 5 Catsup 6 Edge 7 Testimonial 11 Push 13 Sham 14 Distress 16 Climate 18 Stripe 20 Gemini 21 Cloth 22 Mock

20 ARTS

what’s on

Incredible Performances in Laboured Production

One of America’s greatest and most popular novelists, John Steinbeck has had many of his works adapted for film, TV and stage. Most will be familiar with Of Mice and Men, which has been a mainstay of English syllabuses across the country, but it is his novel The Grapes of Wrath that won him a Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1940. This summer, director Carrie Cracknell stages their take on Frank Galati’s Tony award-winning adaptation, writes Christopher Peacock.

The Grapes of Wrath is a migrant tale. The Joad family from Oklahoma are heading to California during the depression after being evicted

from their unprofitable land. Eldest son Tom, fresh out of prison on bail, returns home to find his family turfed off of their own land and destined to leave the Dust Bowl in search of work.

The travelling family unit expands and decreases with events on the road west and upon arrival the expectations of vast expanses of green land and plenty of work on the fields and orchards of California is soon dispelled. Their dreams are dashed as they find that the number of workers vastly outstrip the demand.

This creates a race to the bottom as wages are suppressed and the tensions boil over between those finding themselves in tents in pop-up towns called ‘Hoovervilles’ and the law enforcement.

Cracknell’s production introduces

in Southwark

National. Photo by Richard Hubert Smith some original country music from Maimuna Memon who, joined by a folk band consisting of fiddle, accordion and slide guitar, certainly enhanced the setting and emotional toil of not just the Joad family but all of those who have had to hit the road in search of work.

Performances from Cherry Jones as Ma Joad and Harry Treadaway as Tom are incredibly strong amongst a very talented cast. Amid such a vast array of characters no role has a great chance

to stand out and no scene has a chance to gain depth as before you know it we are moving on again.

Alex Eales’ set is sparse and cold, the odd pieces used come and go with every passing scene. Pace is what this production lacks. With lots of short scenes stitched together, with musical interludes marking each juncture, the play feels laboured in getting to the heart of the drama.

Ninety years on from when it was

written there is still relevance in Steinbeck’s work. People forced from their land, either from being persecuted or because their land is unworkable, has merely changed locations since 1930s’ America.

Marking the first time that Bharti Kher’s ambitious outdoor work has been presented by a London institution, Target Queen will be positioned across the Hayward Gallery’s eastern and southern facades, celebrating and playfully interacting with the iconic architecture and cultural playground of the Southbank Centre.

suspended, and are stripped of their conventional meanings, leaving them open to misinterpretation and enchantment.

The resulting works are alluring, abstract compositions that challenge and captivate, reflecting a world filled with abstract beauty and latent magic.

Bharti Kher says: “My outdoor work is a key part of my practice, so I couldn’t be more delighted to be working with a space as renowned as the Hayward Gallery to present this work for the first time at a London institution.

Target Queen will be a bold, vibrant and powerful artwork that calls for greater representation of femininity and divinity, also as an exciting exploration of how the two intersect.”

Rachel Thomas, Chief Curator at the Hayward Gallery, says: “We are delighted to be working with visionary artist Bharti Kher whose transformative work, Target Queen, will grace our building with profound beauty and imagination. Kher’s art recontextualises the traditional target motif into a symbol of the divine feminine, blending cultural narrative with aesthetic innovation. Target Queen will bring enjoyment to all who see it, be it commuters or tourists travelling across Waterloo Bridge, or visitors to an event on our site”.

Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX until 14th September. Times: 7pm, matinees 1pm.

Admission: £20 - £89.

Booking: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Target Queen Reigns Over Hayward Gallery

Hayward Target Queen, Photo Yan Tao. Courtesy of Hauser & Wirth

Target Queen will feature supersized bindis, which are traditionally used by South Asian women as powerful cultural and spiritual symbols denoting the third eye. With these symbols at the heart of Kher’s artistic vision, the target-like motifs in Target Queen will each measure three metres in diameter and will cover two sides of the Hayward Gallery. Kher’s mural will also transform the bindi into a powerful emblem of the goddess, embedding both spiritual resonance and a welcoming and compassionate feminine energy into the Brutalist building.

Since the artist first incorporated bindis into her work in 1995, they have evolved into a signature motif, rich in narrative and aesthetic significance.

Kher’s practice is renowned for how it explores the boundaries between humanity and nature, ecology and politics. Her sculptures are often crafted from found objects that carry their own histories. These objects are precariously assembled, often hung, propped and

From September 12th.

EVENTS 21

©©National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

Heading south - our pick of upcoming summer events

Look at the morning stars Discover our planet’s morning stars in a planetarium show at the Royal Observatory in a show that is designed for anyone who would benefit from a calmer and more relaxed environment. These shows include adaptions such as room lighting left at a higher level, a slower narration, a less crowded auditorium, and other changes from normal planetarium sessions. The beginner session on 10 August is suited for children and will feature the night sky in general, constellations, the moon, Mars, Saturn and deep space images. The advanced session on 24 August is for older children and adults and will also feature the night sky in general, constellations and the moon, as well as star formation, how stars end, and the planets – with a close look at at least one – plus galaxies if time allows, too.

Saturday 10 and Saturday 24 August 2024, 10:15am to 11am Tickets: Adult £10, child £5, free companion tickets Blackheath Avenue, SE10 8XJ www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/planetarium-shows/morning-stars

Woolwich Carnival making workshop Join TARU Arts for a series of free drop-in workshops and get involved in making carnival decorations and props for Woolwich Carnival. Starting at 1pm, the workshop runs for four hours, but no worries if you are late – you can still join in the fun. It is suitable for everyone and all skill sets. Children must be accompanied by an adult. You will make decorations for this year’s carnival and learn how to reuse materials in a creative way with TARU artists. You’ll also see your artwork and decorations in the square and used as props in the carnival parade.

Tuesday 13 to Tuesday 27 August 2024 Tickets: Free but ticketed The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 Street, SE18 6HD www.woolwich.works/events/woolwich-carnival-making-workshop

Sea Cadets National Band Contest

Black British History Quiz

The Old Royal Naval College is playing host to this year’s Sea Cadets National Band Contest.

Returning for the first time since 2019, the event promises a dazzling display of musical talent with nearly 200 cadets showcasing their skills. Listen to solo performances at Queen Mary’s Court from 10am, then from 12:30pm to 4:15pm, you will see the full band performances near the Water Gate entrance. At 5pm, the day culminates with the prizegiving ceremony and 5:30pm sees the march past.

Head on down to the free event on the day to be a part of the tradition, support the cadets, and witness performances that aim to leave you inspired.

The History Hotline invites you to a quiz night for trivia lovers and history buffs alike at Buster Mantis. The carnival warmup event will test your knowledge and quiz you about important figures, events and achievements in Black British history. It’s a chance to have fun, while also learning something new about Black British history. You don’t have to attend with a group, you will be sorted into teams at the start of the event – so go alone or with fave your quiz partner.

The quiz is hosted by writer and presenter Chanté Joseph. It will feature prizes such as two rounds of golf for five people at Junkyard Golf Club, a BBQ boat experience for 10 people at Skuna Boats, £50 voucher for Backyard Comedy Club, and loads more.

Saturday 17 August 2024, 10am to 6pm Tickets: Free Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN ornc.org/whats-on/sea-cadets-national-band-contest

Saturday 17 August 2024, 5:30pm Tickets: £9.92 3-4 Resolution Way, SE8 4NT www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-british-history-quiz-tickets-930114285867

The Northern Soul Classics Orchestra Taking you on a musical journey steeped in nostalgia, yet bursting with timeless energy, the Northern Soul Classics Orchestra is coming to Churchill Theatre to recreate the sounds of the northern soul.

The evening promises a rhythm section that “lays down a beat so deep you’ll feel it in your bones”, while the brass section “blares with a force that can lift your spirits to new heights”.

Four vocalists will channel the spirit of Northern Soul and bring you all of the biggest tunes.

So, whether you’re a die-hard Northern Soul enthusiast or a newcomer to the scene, the Northern Soul Classics Orchestra promises to get straight to the heart of the genre – and have you tapping your feet along to the music.

Thursday 29 August 2024, 7:30pm. Tickets: £31 Churchill Theatre, High Street, BR1 1HA trafalgartickets.com/churchill-theatre-bromley/ en-GB/event/music/the-northern-soul-classicsorchestra-tickets

Comedy at Little Nan’s Bar Your Friend & Mine presents its comedy night at Little Nan’s Bar – 2.0. Get ready for a night full of laughs and good times at one of Deptford’s most interesting venues.

There will be a lineup of comedians ready to make you laugh until your sides hurt, or until you drink enough cocktails to find them funny – find out on the night!

Wednesday 28 August 2024, 7pm Tickets: £1.79 Deptford Market Yard, SE8 4BX www.eventbrite.com/e/your-friend-mine-comedynight-little-nans-20-deptford-tickets-941809185627

22 HISTORY

Waterloo station had underground air raid shelters similar to this one at An 1848 engraving of Waterloo Railway Station as it was then known. Source: Royal Road: The History of the London and South Western Railway, from 1825 to the Present Clapham South Day

Waterloo Station in 1982. Source: Lamberhurst

By Herbie Russell ‘We got to Waterloo at eleven and asked where the eleven-five started from. of course, nobody knew; nobody at Waterloo ever does know where a train is going to start from…’

For decades, Waterloo Station was a standing joke among Londoners, as shown in this extract from a comic novel published in 1899. The capital, for all its successes, has a long history of infrastructure gaffes—think the dystopian emptiness of the Olympic Park, the ill-conceived Garden Bridge, and the hugely expensive Millennium Dome.

Waterloo Station was Victorian London’s equivalent, its mention certain to prompt eye-rolls and sighs. The station has come a long way since then. With 57.8 million entries and exits each year, it’s the UK’s third-busiest and is now set for a landmark revamp.

Waterloo Station’s difficult start to life has a simple explanation: it wasn’t built to last. Opened in 1848 as ‘Waterloo Bridge Station’, it was only conceived as a temporary stop on an extended line to the City. Parts of West London, like Wandsworth and Wimbledon, had become an important source of commuter traffic, and rail planners wanted to provide them with a direct route into Central London.

From 1860 to 1885, Waterloo underwent numerous changes. These

The Waterloo Station concourse in 1984 included links to other railway lines and new platforms. In practice, these platforms felt more like ’stations within stations’. But with each addition only seen as temporary, the station expanded haphazardly. Bizarrely, Platform 1 was in the centre of the station, and at one point, multiple different platforms shared the same number. The end result was a bewildering, smoky labyrinth of corridors and ticket offices with little underlying logic. In 1882, the station was officially renamed Waterloo, reflecting what people had been calling it for decades.

The station was by now a source of ridicule, with jokes often made at its expense across London’s music halls.

The famous comic novel “Three Men in a Boat” by Jerome K. Jerome hilariously encapsulated Londoners’ attitudes: ‘We got to Waterloo at eleven and asked where the eleven-five started from. Of course, nobody knew; nobody at Waterloo ever does know where a train is going to start from, or where a train, when it does start, is going to, or anything about it… We went to number three platform, but the authorities there said that they rather thought that train was the Southampton express, or else the Windsor loop. But they were sure it wasn’t the Kingston train, though why they were sure it wasn’t, they couldn’t say.’

Despite its pitfalls, the station had some intriguing features which would be alien to the modern commuter. The

London Necropolis Station, within the main station, linked up with Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey. The graveyard had been built to deal with the overspill in London cemeteries caused by a spike in population. It meant passengers shared trains with corpses on their way to and from the site.

The boat trains to Southampton, which began as early as 1856, were also unique to the era. They took passengers to the port and were scheduled to align with naval departures and had special arrangements for large amounts of bulky luggage.

In the 1880s and 90s, London and South Western Railway (L&SWR) tried to finalize plans to continue the line past Waterloo, but they fell flat due to high costs. Once the Waterloo and City Line opened in 1898, a short underground railway to Bank, Waterloo’s permanence felt more assured. Originally operated by the London and South Western Railway, it was electrified from the start. Known as ‘The Drain’ it would become part of the London Underground in 1994.

So in 1899, the ‘Great Transformation’ began. The L&SWR, now accepting Waterloo’s undeniable status as a vital transport hub, set about completely rebuilding the station. Chief engineer J W Jacomb-Hood was sent to America to gather information on its termini buildings and report back to company bosses.

A Waterloo and City line driving motor car No 61, 1940 © National Rail

© London Transport Museum

© London Transport Museum

how watErloo station wEnt from a viCtorian EmbarrassmEnt to a modErn transport marvEl

© Ben Brooksbank (Creative Commons)

© Creative Commons

© Creative Commons

History

An artist’s impression of a potential future Northern Concourse Over the next twenty years, Waterloo as we now know it took shape. The dark maze of platforms was replaced with a 21-platform concourse and the iconic ridge-and-furrow roof. Other famous features were added during this period.

The Victory Arch at the main entrance, depicting Britannia holding the torch of liberty, was built between 1907 and 1922.

The two-tonne clock, installed in 1919, would become one of London’s bestknown rendezvous points; a meeting place for everyone from families to colleagues to couples.

The station played an important role in the two world wars. British troops headed for the Western Front in World War One often passed through it on their way to southern ports like Southampton. Like many stations of the time, it had been built on a series of arches so cargo could be stored beneath. In wartime, these were used as first aid centers for the wounded.

In World War Two, these underground areas became vitally important air raid shelters. These provided protection from Nazi bombs during The Blitz, and visitors to the subterranean site will find toilet cubicles dating back to the time. It is also thought that the arches were used to store important parliamentary documents.

In 1994, Waterloo Station became the London terminus for the Eurostar, the high-speed train service linking the UK with mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel. This transformation marked a

significant milestone in international travel, as sleek Eurostar trains began whisking passengers from Waterloo to Paris and Brussels in just a few hours. An inaugural service left Waterloo on 6 May for a joint opening ceremony with Queen Elizabeth II and the French president François Mitterrand. For over a decade, Waterloo basked in the prestige of being the gateway to Europe until November 2007, when the Eurostar services were transferred to the newly refurbished St Pancras International.

Waterloo Station’s evolution is far from over. In March, Lambeth Council unveiled plans to redesign the northern concourse, build a brand new southern concourse, and create a host of new green spaces. A Network Rail boss has warned a ‘great deal of work’ will need to be done before the vision is realized. But given Waterloo’s history of surpassing expectations, Londoners should be optimistic.

A permanent exhibition detailing the history of London Waterloo has been formally unveiled in the old international terminal in the station.

As part of the London Waterloo 175th Station anniversary (11th July 2023), Network Rail worked with railway historian and enthusiast Mike Lamport to install a temporary historical exhibition of London Waterloo, titled From Cholera to Covid. This exhibition highlights images and stories mapping the social, cultural and transport history of London Waterloo.

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24 CLASSIFIED

PUBLIC NOTICES 25

Thursday, August 8th 2024

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (BELLENDEN ROAD, COBORG ROAD, CREBOR STREET, GORDON ROAD, KIRKWOOD ROAD, HATFIELDS, ODESSA STREET, REDCROSS WAY)

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (DOG KENNEL HILL) TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF BUS LANE

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) 1.

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

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in: (a) Bellenden Road, between No’s 85 and Holly Grove (b) Coborg Road, between Loncroft Road and Neate Street (c) Crebor Street, between Dunstans Road and Upland Road (d) Gordon Road,at it’s junction with Brayards Road (e) Kirkwood Road, between Crewys Road and Brayards Road (f) Hatfields, between Joan Street and Isabella Street (g) Odessa Street, between No’s 351 and No’s 24 (h) Redcross Way, between Union Street and Southwark Street

3.

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

4.

The existing ‘one-way’ working in Bellenden Road, will be made ‘two-way’ between Holly ` Grove and No’s 83 and reverse the ‘one-way’ system between Chadwick Road and Blenheim Grove

5.

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

6.

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

7.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 19th August (2b)22nd – 23rd August (2c) 22nd – 23rd August (2d) 21st – 22nd August (2e) 22nd – 23rd August (2f) 20th – 21st August (2g) 21st – 28th August (2h) 19th – 21st August

8.

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

1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that, they made, an order under section 14 (1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to facilitate Thames water works being proposed in part of Dog Kennel Hill.

2.

The effect of the order would be to suspend the Northbound Bus Lane, in Dog Kennel Hill, located between Albrighton Road and No.3.

3.

The restrictions will not apply to any person or 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.

4.

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

5.

The restriction will be in place between the 12th – 15th August, and will apply during such times and to such extent as indicated by the traffic signs.

6.

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

Dated this 8th August 2024 Ian Law Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street 3rd Floor, Hub 1, Area B London SE1 2TZ Ref: (2b) DM06601-re-advert-August2024 LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (ROSEWAY, MELON ROAD, EWER STREET, LANDCROFT ROAD, JENNINGS ROAD, ,SNOWSFIELDS, STRATHNAIRN ROAD, EMBA STREET)

Dated this 8th August 2024

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

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) 00405392-00000002 (2b) 67940663 (2c) 62868164 (2d) LBSCR13496 (2e) LBSCR13498 (2f) LBSCR13497 (2g) 77335312 (2h) LO00000500337100600

1.

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

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in: (a) Roseway, at both junctions with Turney Road (b) Melon Road, at it’s junction with Peckham High Street (c) Ewer Street, at it’s junction with Lavington Street (d) Landcroft Road, between No’s 67 – 69 located between Heber Road and Jennings Road (e) Jennings Road, between Landcroft Road and No’s 12/10 (f) Snowsfields, between Weston Street and Kipling Street (g) Strathnairn Street, between Beatrice Road and St James Road (h) Emba Street, between Janeway Street and Farncombe Street

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (WESTMORELAND ROAD, CHERRILL STREET, ROBERTS CLOSE) TEMPORARY WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS) 1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice, that, it made, an order, the effect of which would be to introduce ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions

2.

Whilst the restriction is in place, and whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to wait, including waiting for the purpose of loading and unloading at any time in: (a) Westmoreland Road, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced, from the end of the existing double yellow lines on the south side of the carriageway between Phelp Street and Portland Street, (b)Cherill Street, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced, between Bradenham Close/Boundary Lane to it’s blocked end of Cherrill Street including the turning head at it’s junction with Slater Street on both sides of the carriageway (north and south side), excluding the inset bays (c) Roberts Close, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced in it’s `` tirety at the blocked/northern end of Roberts Close to the end of the existing double yellow lines near to Alfred Salter School

3.

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

4.

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

5.

The restriction will come into force for (2a) 19th August 2024 - 18th February 2026 (2b) 19th August 2024 - 18th February 2026 (2c) 16th August 2024 – 15th February 2026

6.

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

Dated this 8th August 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) & (2b) 6991 (2c) 7024

To place a notice in this paper and online, please email em@cm‐media.co.uk

3.

The alternative routes for affected traffic (2a) Turney Road, Roseway (2b) not applicable (2c) as indicated by the signs displayed (2d) as indicated by the signs displayed (2e) & (2f) as indicated by the signs displayed (2g) as indicated by the signs displayed (2h) as indicated by the signs displayed

4.

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

5.

Landcroft Road, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced, on both sides of the road between No’s 67 – 69 located between Heber Road and Jennings Road for (2d)

6.

Jennings Road, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced, on both sides of the road between Landcroft Road and No’s 12/10 for (2e)

7.

Landcroft Road, the cycle hoop (bike storage) located opposite No’s 78 Landcroft Road on the south side will be relocated on the south side, between No’s 69/71, additional 0.5m of ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced at the end of the existing double yellow lines.

8.

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.

9.

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.

10.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 26th August – 20th September (2b) 27th – 30th August (2c) 29th August (2d) 29th August – 31st October & (2e) 23rd September – 31st October the works will be carried out in phases (2f) 31st August (2g) 29th August (2h) 27th August – 3rd September

11.

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

Dated this 8th August 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) 19269509 (2b) SLS0080113033-0205 (2c) LBSCR13634 (2d) 5515-04 & (2e) 5515-05 (2f) LBSCR13649 (2g) LBSCR13694 (2h) BER2-EMST120-01

26 PUBLIC NOTICES

Thursday, August 8th 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; ARCH 166 SOUTHWARK BRIDGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 0DG (Ref: 23/AP/2851) Change of use of 1no. railway arch to flexible uses within Use Class E (a-d, g(ii) and/or (iii)).

(Within: King's Bench CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Zoe Oakes 07849 702 088) 176 COURT LANE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7ED(Ref: 24/AP/1971) Variation of Condition 1 (Approved Plans) and Condition 6 (Tree Protection) for planning permission ref no. 24/AP/0221 dated 02.04.2024: "Construction of a new singlestorey rear extension, first floor side extension above the existing garage, Garden Studio to the rear of the plot, Dormer extension to rear and Bike and Bin storages to the front garden. The proposal also includes installation of an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP), Conditioning Unit (AC) and photovoltaic panels on the roof of the proposed Garden Studio." Application seeks to update the approved plans as follows: 1.

Revised landscape scheme for the front and rear gardens. 2. Updated boundary treatment, including revised close board heights and boundary walls. 3. Revised foundation for the garden studio. 4. Removal of external blinds from the rear extension. 5. Changes to the dormer and side extension windows. (Within: Dulwich Village Dulwich Wood CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Agneta Kabele 07548097486) 100 RYE LANE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 4RZ (Ref: 24/AP/2040)

Proposed increase in height of the single storey rear storage area, demolition of the cold storage (Within: Rye Lane Peckham Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Michèle Sterry 020 7525 5453) 221 RYE LANE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 4TP (Ref: 24/AP/2188) Erection of a 5 storey building comprising a 14 bedroom hotel (Class C1) following demolition of existing single storey Class E unit (Within: Rye Lane Peckham CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Lara Davison 020 7525 7595) 40 NUNHEAD GREEN LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 3QF (Ref: 24/AP/2135) Installation of a new shop front to ground floor shop, replacement of the existing steel crittall windows with new double glazed timber sash windows, reconstruction of rear wall, reinstatement of first floor front terrace and refurbishment of rear garden fencing. (Within: Nunhead Green CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Mumtaz Shaikh 020 7525 0585) 52 LANT STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 24/AP/1953) Replacement of combustible cladding to external walling, with non combustible cladding to achieve compliance with Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. (Within: Liberty of the Mint CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Alex Lambert 020 7525 1353) HAMPTONS 12 RED POST HILL LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7BX (Ref: 24/AP/2234)

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I / we Glow Sauna Limited Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of Sauna Social Club, Arch 842, Brayards Road, SE15 2AG The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are Days

Start time

Finish time

The retail sale of alcohol:

Monday to Sunday

11:00

23:00

The provision of regulated entertainment:

Monday to Sunday

11:00

23:00

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday

07:00

23:00

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 2000; details are also available on our website at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp 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: 26th July 2024

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

Construction of Internal alterations and replacement shopfront (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Michael Tsoukaris 020 7525 5392) 11 CALTON AVENUE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7DE (Ref: 24/AP/2097) Construction of a single-storey side & rear extension and rear dormer. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Becky Lambert ) 14 CHADWICK ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 4RA (Ref: 24/AP/2128) Construction of a single storey side return extension and rear dormer to loft conversion.

(Within: Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465) 117 DULWICH VILLAGE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7BL (Ref: 24/AP/1563) Listed building consent for Installation of stairlift and alteration to existing lobby, installation of A/C and condensers, reinstatement of existing window (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Richard Craig 020 7525 0436) Dated: 06 Aug 2024 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date STEPHEN PLATTS - Director of Planning and Growth

ed is 25 ed has been serving the good people of Dulwich & beyond for a quarter of a century and it’s been a blast!

We want to thank all our lovely customers for all their fantastic support over the last 25 years, we look forward to continuing our journey together for many more.

Katharine, Dan & everyone at rigby & mac

ed 41 North Cross Rd, East Dulwich SE22 9ET www.rigbyandmac.com/ed

SPORT 29

‘CriCkEt in mourning’ aftEr dEath of formEr England battEr ‘thorpEy’

tributes haVe been pouring for graham thorpe, the former surrey and england batter who died at the age of 55 on monday.

Thorpe played for Surrey for seventeen years from 1988 to 2005.

‘Thorpey’ played 100 tests and 82 One Day Internationals for England including the 1996 and 1999 World Cups.

The left-handed batter scored 6,744 Test runs, including sixteen centuries, at an average of 44.66.

Thorpe had been ill since 2022.

“There seem to be no appropriate words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham’s death,” the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement.

“More than one of England’s finestever batters, he was a beloved member of the cricket family and revered by fans all over the world.

“His skill was unquestioned, and his abilities and achievements across a thirteen-year international career brought so much happiness to his team-mates and England and Surrey CCC supporters alike.

“Later, as a coach, he guided the best England men’s talent to some incredible victories across all formats of the game.

“The cricket world is in mourning today. Our hearts go out to his wife Amanda, his children, father Geoff, and all of his family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time.

“We will always remember Graham for his extraordinary contributions to the sport.”

On X, former England captain Michael Vaughan posted: “RIP Thorpey. Thanks for all the advice throughout my career, you were a great player and a brilliant teammate. You have gone far too young but you leave as an England cricket legend. Thoughts with all who knew Thorpey and to all the family xxx.”

Former England all-rounder Ronnie Irani posted: “Me, like many others who were fortunate to know Thorpey, will be heartbroken today. A genuine fun-loving friend who with Phil Tufnell on my first England Tour took me in as a buddy. We had incredible times together and my love will never fade away. Great batsman too.”

Thorpe moved into coaching after his playing career. He returned to Surrey in 2008 as a batting coach. He left after two years to join the ECB to

Graham Thorpe in action for Surrey against Lancashire in 2003

graham thorpe scored 6,744 test runs

work with England Lions and younger development squads.

Thorpe was also a coach for the England white ball teams.

Surrey released a statement on their website.

Oli Slipper, chair at the club, said: “Graham is one of the great sons of Surrey and there is an overwhelming sadness that he will not walk through

the gates of the Oval again. He is a legend of Surrey and brought great pride to the Club wearing both the Three Feathers and the Three Lions.

“He made outstanding contributions to the Club as a cricketer, and as a man, and he will be so sorely missed.”

Steve Elworthy, CEO of Surrey, added: “Everyone associated with the club is devastated by the tragic news

of Graham’s passing. He achieved remarkable feats for club and country and was a hero to so many cricket fans.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Graham’s family and friends, to whom we will offer any support that we are able to. We ask that everyone respects the privacy of the family at this incredibly difficult time.”

his 6, but Will Legg dominated a stand of 43 for the second wicket before Ahmed Khan dismissed him in his first over. He had made 29, off 29 balls, to take the score to 84 in the 18th over. Khan and Will Jenkins then imposed such restraint that only 33 runs came off the next 12 overs, with Jenkins taking two wickets in successive overs to see Malden go into lunch at 117-4 after 31 overs.

After the break Booth returned to the attack, but it was Khan who took the vital wicket of Elkin, caught behind by skipper Ollie Steele for 72, with the score on 128. His first 50 had come off 55 balls, but he had been so tied down that the next 22 had come off 52. With his dismissal the wheels came off. Wickets tumbled as two

more for Khan, off successive balls, and three for Booth saw the last six wickets fall for just ten runs in 5.4 overs. Malden had lost their last nine wickets for 54 runs to be all out for 138 after 39. Booth finished with 4-38 off twelve overs, Khan 4-29 off eleven, and Jenkins 2-28 off seven.

The Dulwich innings got off to a shaky start as Ralph Day dismissed both openers in his first two overs.

But he could make no further breakthrough as Rob Gibson, playing his first match for the club, and Apoorv Wankhade then added 50 in ten overs for the third wicket before Gibson’s fine debut innings ended on 39, off 41 balls, with the score on 61.

This brought in Sam Seecharan, who proceeded to flay the attack to all parts. Wankhade was content to play

a supporting role until the target was in sight, when the two batsmen combined to take 46 runs off two overs by Malden’s only spinner.

The pair had added 73 in 8.4 overs when Wankhade was leg before for 44, having faced 49 balls. Jenkins hit two fours off his first two balls to take Dulwich to victory, leaving Seecharan unbeaten on 42, off 32 balls. The target had been reached in just 22 overs.

With Spencer suffering an unexpected defeat, Dulwich take their place at the top of the table.

Coincidentally the two sides meet this weekend, when the format reverts to fifty overs per side.

Dulwich will be looking to avenge their defeat in the first match between the sides.

Dulwich defeat Malden to set up top-of-the-table clash Malden Wanderers 138 (39) lost to Dulwich 142-4 (22)

By John Lewis a fine all-round performance saw dulwich defeat malden Wanderers by six wickets last weekend to move to the top of the aJ sports surrey championship division 1.

Dulwich put their opponents in to bat, but the early exchanges favoured the batting side. Harvey Booth frequently beat the bat without any luck as the Malden openers, led by Zac Elkin, put on 41 in 10.5 overs. Booth took the wicket of Dan Holland, who had faced 30 balls for

© Mark Sandom

By John Kelly

Curran heroics help Invincibles to bragging rights Oval Invincibles 147-5 beat London Spirit 117 by 30 runs

By Sports Reporter the oVaL invincibles made it three wins from four in the hundred this year with sam curran’s all-round heroics at Lord’s proving the difference between two sides fighting it out for bragging rights in the capital.

Curran smashed 51 from 22 balls, single-handedly dragging the Invincibles to a strong total on a tricky surface before decimating the Spirit’s hopes of chasing 147 in an astonishing five-wicket spell that included a hattrick.

On a Lord’s pitch offering a degree of lateral movement, Invincibles’ captain Sam Billings chose to bat first, and with the Spirit’s attack making good use of the bowler-friendly surface, the visitors struggled to 46-2 at the halfway stage.

Olly Stone bowled Will Jacks through the gate and Liam Dawson dismissed Jordan Cox, who was fresh off his callup to the England Men’s Test squad.

Dawid Malan and Billings then struck a few hefty blows before Malan was caught on the square-leg boundary off Matt Critchley for 38 from 29.

Billings struggled to get going and retired himself out in favour of the in-form Donovan Ferreira, but it was Curran who turned the tide, reaching a half century off 21 deliveries, including three successive sixes off Nathan Ellis.

His innings propelled the Invincibles to a decent-looking 147-5.

In response, the Spirit made it through the powerplay unscathed, Keaton Jennings and Michael Pepper guiding them to 35-0.

But thereafter the Invincibles’ topnotch spin attack turned the screw, with both openers and Ollie Pope falling in quick succession; Jacks removing Jennings lbw, Adam Zampa having Pepper caught with the first ball of his spell, and Nathan Sowter crashing a leg break through Pope’s defences.

Dan Lawrence and Shimron Hetmyer dragged the Spirit back into it and with 56 needed from the final 30 balls, the game was on. But before they could up the ante, Zampa, who ended with figures of 3-22, dismissed both Hetmyer (20 from 21) and Lawrence (27 from 18).

Despite Andre Russell attempting to bludgeon the hosts home, Curran made the Invincibles win a certainty by taking only the third hat-trick in the history of the The Hundred men’s competition to clinch one of the tournament’s greatest individual performances.

“I’ve had a few battles with Russ over the years,” Curran said. “The hat-trick ball wasn’t on my mind, it was either going to be me or him, he was going to hit me for six or I was going to get a wicket. Thankfully he edged it but most importantly we got the win.

“It’s never over when players like Dan, Hetmyer and Russell are there, so when we got [Russell] out it was a big relief.”

The Invincibles were in action against Southern Brave Men on Wednesday (August 7).

30 SPORT

saints punish sinnEr frIEndLy Millwall - 0 Southampton - 1 Armstrong 64’ date: Saturday 3 August 2024 Attendance: 3,983 (1,307) referee: Gavin Ward man of the match: Adam Armstrong

goalkeeper fumbles cross as Lions lose final warm-up

By Kiro Evans at the Den miLLWaLL WiLL head into their first championship game of the season this saturday against Watford with a reminder about their shortcomings as they ended their pre-season friendly campaign with a 1-0 defeat to southampton at the den.

Adam Armstrong capitalised on an error by new keeper Lukas Jensen to give the Saints a lead after 64 minutes which they held fairly comfortably.

The quality difference between the Lions and the newly-promoted Premier League side was clear but the hosts equipped themselves well for large periods of a game where they saw very little of the ball.

The friendly offered one final chance to impress before the competitive season begins and there was good news when the line-ups came out and Shaun Hutchinson was starting for the first time since he resigned this summer.

The other noticeable detail was the makeup of the midfield and it became clear in the opening minutes that the versatile George Honeyman would be taking up a higher position than normal.

The opening part of the game had a lovely flow to it and was far cry from Millwall’s last proper friendly in England, that tepid 0-0 draw with Gillingham three weeks earlier.

It was Neil Harris’ side who created the first chance after four minutes. Casper De Norre released Duncan Watmore with a deft pass towards the edge of the box and he smuggled it untidily out wide to Joe Bryan. The left-back dinked the ball to the back post but Romain Esse could not steer it in with his acrobatic effort.

From there the game settled into the predictable rhythm of both league games last season. Southampton hogged the ball and tried to pass their opponents to death but the Lions, to their credit, sat off and pressed with intelligence and patience.

The Saints had their strongest spell of

Romain Esse shoots at goal the first half between the 20th minute and half hour mark. A brilliant save by Jensen was required to deny new signing Yuki Sugawara, who evaded Bryan and walloped a shot towards the corner of the goal.

A few minutes later Will Smallbone almost got in around the six-yard box but Jensen saved at his near post. Soon after, former Millwall youth player Samuel Edozie scampered down the right to receive a wonderful Taylor Harwood-Bellis pass but his cross was weak.

A ball over the top to the on-rushing Tom Bradshaw saw Millwall break the dominance after 27 minutes. He won a free-kick on the left of the box that was curled in by Honeyman towards the back post. A loose leg managed to poke it into

massEy not gEtting CarriEd away Young midfielder maintains level head despite impressive rise

the net but the flag went up immediately.

From then until half-time, it was back to normal as Southampton passed, passed and passed it some more.

Wes Harding replaced Hutchinson at the break as he got his chance to audition for the role of Jake Cooper’s partner in place of the suspended Japhet Tanganga against Watford.

Southampton’s breakthrough almost came just after the hour as a Smallbone corner was flicked on by Armstrong only for Joe Aribo to spurn the chance at the back post.

But their goal came a few minutes later. Smallbone was again the provider as he crossed from the right of the penalty box with Jensen trying and

EXCLUSIVE

By Paul Green aLfie massey is keeping both feet firmly on the ground after joining the Millwall first team squad during pre-season.

Alfie Massey in action against Real Murcia

The 18-year-old midfielder’s latest appearance from the bench came in Saturday’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Southampton when he replaced George Saville with a few minutes remaining.

Massey revealed Saville is one of the senior players who has been mentoring him since he made the step up from the academy this summer.

And the youngster is eager to continue his progress by making a competitive appearance sooner rather than later, even though he won’t be getting carried away after what has been a memorable summer.

failing to gather the ball. His error opened the door for Armstrong to slam it in from close-range.

Millwall had barely gone forward since the early stages but improved after conceding and could have equalised immediately. Esse’s cross to the back post fell perfectly for Bryan but he put his chance just wide.

The game opened up in the final stages as both sides played their cards. Eighteenyear-old substitute Tyler Dibling breathed new life into Saints’ midfield and he hammered the crossbar with a furious effort twelve minutes from time.

Millwall introduced Aidomo Emakhu, Macaulay Langstaff and Kevin Nisbet to add more threat to their attack but

struggled to get the ball back off Russell Martin’s side who showed off their quality with their composure in possession to see out the win.

Massey said: “I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself but making my debut is the first aim and then see how that goes.

“By the end of the season I would like to be pushing for a place in the team.

“Hopefully I am close to getting a debut. I’ve done everything to get through the door.

“I think in pre-season I’ve put myself in a good position to be called upon whenever the gaffer needs me. Neil has given me good feedback. He tries to level it out a little bit. Obviously he gives you good feedback when you need it but also gives you improvements that I need. It has been really good. I’ve enjoyed talking to him.”

Massey believes one of the main reasons behind his seamless transition to first team involvement is the spirit within the camp and also how more experienced pros have welcomed him

into the fold.

The youngster explained: “The togetherness in the group is brilliant.

Obviously I’ve only been here for preseason with the squad, but in Spain I could see just how much everyone is together. I know we will all fight for each other, so whatever we want to do this season we can do it.

“I’ve been taken under the wing of some of the senior lads and they’ve been helped by them a lot.

“George Saville and George Honeyman have been really good.

Danny McNamara comes from the same area as me and also came through the academy as well, so he has been particularly helpful.

“They’ve been advising me on the pitch and also off it as well, which has been really key for me. It is stuff about professionalism and how to act with fans. It is really helpful advice.”

millwall: 4-4-2: Jensen; Leonard (McNamara 86’), Hutchinson (c) (Hading 46’), Cooper, Bryan; Esse, Saville (Massey 86’), De Norre, Watmore (Emakhu 73’); Honeyman (Nisbet 80’); Bradshaw (Langstaff 73’).

southampton: 4-2-3-1: McCarthy; Taylor (Manning 46’), Harwood-Bellis, Stephens (Amo-Ameyaw 60’), Bednarek (Wood 46’); Downes, Smallbone; Edozie (Dibling 70’), Aribo, Sugarwara; Armstrong (Brereton-Diaz 70’).

homE swEEt homE

Millwall vs Watford The ever reliable Ryan Leonard

By Paul Green ryan Leonard knows maintaining millwall’s improved record at the den under neil harris will be vital this season.

The Lions went undefeated on their own patch once Harris returned for a second spell in charge last spring, a notable upturn in fortunes in SE16 which began with a victory over this weekend’s opening day opponents Watford sealed by Zian Flemming’s early strike.

Harris successfully guided Millwall to mid-table security with something to spare in the end and the Lions will be looking to put the Hornets to the sword once again, with Leonard having fond memories of the last time the two sides met in early March.

He said: “We won 1-0. I remember the atmosphere going into the game was rocking that day with Neil coming back again after getting the job. We want to do that again this season.

“The first day at The Den is a feeling that I remember fondly from being here for a

The Den Sat 10 Aug 12.30

Leonard determined to maintain den as a fortress

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Coops wants Lions to fly out of traps

By Kiro Evans

Jake cooPer has stressed the importance of a positive start with the Lions facing three games in the opening week.

Watford are first up this Saturday at The Den before Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie at Portsmouth is followed by a Championship clash at Bristol City the following weekend.

Cooper will be at the heart of the central defence in what promises to be a full on seven days, with his regular partner Japhet Tanganga ruled out through suspension for all three matches.

That inconvenience will not trouble 6ft6in Cooper in the slightest, who is raring to go and do it all again in what will be his ninth season at the club.

“I’m just really excited for it to begin now,” he said.

“The first thing we want to do is have a good start.

“We look at that first week with Watford at home, Portsmouth in the cup and then Bristol City.

“Obviously the Watford game is the most important to begin with because we want to have a great start to the campaign and then kick on from there as much as we can.”

This weekend’s encounter with the Hornets promises to be an intriguing one after both sides ended the previous campaign in fine form, something Cooper is determined Millwall can continue in front of their own supporters.

He said: “Watford are a strong side.

They finished the season reasonably strongly and we know what to expect.

“Watford will look to dominate possession and hopefully we can press them harder and play with a high intensity.

“The crowd will be in our favour so we need to make the most of that and I’m sure it will be a good game.

“Neil is really big on the way we perform at The Den especially.

“I think it was five wins out of six under Neil there. We are just excited as a group to be able to play there again with it full up with the fans.”

number of years. It is always a day to enjoy.

“It will probably be 100 degrees on the day but we will go out there, give everything and try to get the three points.

“We enjoy playing at home. Back at the end of last season we had a really good record at home especially.

“That is something we need to continue.

“We know it is going to be a packed out Den on Saturday so we need to go into the game, put our best foot forward and give our best performance for the fans.”

Leonard is one of several current players still on the books who played under Harris before and has no doubts the decision by the gaffer to return was the right one.

He explained: “I think he has brought the club together on the pitch and off it in the stands.

“That is one of his real strengths, the way he can get everyone together.

“He has got a lot of charisma, he is a big character and he understands the football club more than anyone else.

“I think he has really driven that into those of us who were here before under

him and the new players as well.”

Leonard added: “We pride ourselves on that togetherness. It has been a tough 12 months for the football club.

“As players and as a club, we are driven by our togetherness. That is what takes us forward and long may it continue.”

The 32-year-old brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the first team and could potentially be a central defensive option for Harris this weekend with summer signing Japhet Tanganga suspended.

Leonard is happy to step in wherever required and admits he is at the stage of his career now where he doesn’t set any personal goals, instead just preferring to concentrate on getting even better.

He said: “I probably would not have any targets as an individual. I don’t tend to set myself targets anymore, “I just want to go out there and try to perform to my best and improve on last year. That’s all I can do as a player myself.

“As a football club, we want to improve on what we did last season.

“I think we need to have a good start to the season.

“It’s not paramount we do that but obviously we are going to go out there in those first five or six games and put our best foot forward and do the best we can.

“We want to improve on last year wherever that takes us.

“Obviously we will soon see but improving as a club and as a team on the pitch is our main priority.”

Leonard added: “Pre-season has been good but I’m glad it is over! This week in training will be very much like any other week during the season now.

“The last friendly was against Southampton so it is now a case of looking forward to and focusing on Watford and getting the season going. I think everyone is excited about that.

“Obviously it is good to do pre-season and tick the boxes off, but now the real games start.

“Having that competitive football once again is where everyone wants to be playing.”

Bradshaw and co will be looking to pick up where they left off this Saturday when they launch their 2025/25 campaign against Watford, with the Welshman also eager to avoid a repeat of last year’s dramas.

“One of the big reasons the gaffer did really well after coming in last season was just through galvanising our home form,” he said.

“For us, it has always been really important to have that good home record and give the fans what they want to see. Ultimately that is wins at home.

“We now need to make sure we can carry on that improved home form into the new season.

“It was a bit frustrating that last

season ended when it did with the run we were on.

“Last year had been a turbulent one in terms of change and that is something we don’t experience very often at Millwall.

“We are quite a consistent club with managers and players, so I think that played a part. As soon as the gaffer came in, everyone felt that kind of stability return to the club again.

“The results showed what stability does to a football club. That is what we want to continue into this season.”

Bradshaw is likely to lead the line this weekend with summer addition Macaulay Langstaff and Scottish striker Kevin Nisbet still both a little bit short of

full match fitness.

The attacker didn’t want to reveal what his ideal goals tally is for the upcoming 46-game Championship slog but did say a top six challenge is realistic.

He added: “We always aim for the play-offs. We haven’t been a million miles off that for a handful of seasons to be fair apart from last year.

“I don’t see why we shouldn’t look to do that again and we will certainly do the best we can to go for it. I do have a goals target of my own but I always like to keep that quite private.

“Every striker has their own personal targets that we want to hit and I’m no Tom Bradshaw played 73 minutes against different.”

Bradshaw highlights Harris’ impact

By Paul Green

striker tom bradshaw says the most important thing neil harris has done since his return to the club is restore stability.

Millwall fans had to endure an relegation battle and three managers last season, with Harris allaying those drop fears upon his return as the former boss steered the club to mid-table in the wake of Joe Edwards’ dismissal in late February.

The Lions thrived once again at The Den with some impressive results and performances, notably a memorable 1-0 midweek win over eventual champions Leicester City.

Southampton

INSIDE

Sport Southwark

harris wElComEs matiJa tributE

‘CRICKET IN MOURNING’ AFTER DEATH OF THORPEY Matty Sarkic will be honoured this weekend at The Den

By Paul Green neiL harris is pleased fans will get the chance to pay their respects to goalkeeper matija sarkic ahead of saturday’s first day fixture with Watford.

The Den faithful will be able to pay tribute to Matija before kick-off against the Hornets following his tragic death in June, with members of his family in attendance including parents Bojan and Natalie, siblings Oliver and Danilo, as well as his partner Phoebe.

Both playing squads will join with supporters in marking what promises to be an emotional occasion a quarter of an hour before the lunchtime match gets under way and the Millwall manager believes it is a great idea.

Harris told our paper: “It is imperative for the football club that we do it as a group and collectively as one.

“When the news broke about Matija, it did

so in the off season. As close as the players are, it is difficult when they are spread all around the world on holidays in different countries.

“They bonded as a unit on the phone with WhatsApp and social media rather than in person initially.

“We had a chance to pay our respects and be together at the end of June when we reported back for pre-season, but this Saturday will be the first time we’ve been able to do it properly as a football club.

“It will be a nice moment for us and it is very fitting we can do it on the opening day of the season, which is a hugely important day on the football calendar.

“To be able to remember Matty and then play our first league game of the season at The Den will be a lovely moment for us.”

Once the tribute has finished all attention and focus will be on the Hornets, a side who Harris accepts will be tricky opponents.

“Watford are a good football team,” the Millwall manager said.

“Tom Cleverly took over similarly to myself and had a good run towards the end

of the season.

“They’ve still got some decent players even though they will be disappointed with their season last year.

“When you look at their team on paper and the money they’ve paid for players, they’ve still got a very talented group.

“You know in your first league game you don’t know exactly what your opponent is going to do, but we know about their players and the ability they have technically.

“For us the final pre-season game with Southampton was pivotal.

“To have such a good technical opponent and ball playing team was the perfect build up for a (Watford) team we expect to want to dominate the football.”

Millwall were still on the lookout for new recruits at the time we went to press, with former midfielder Jayson Molumby linked with a Den return at the weekend.

Harris remains keen to add fresh blood to the squad, ideally with younger players, but pointed out he is prepared to be patient if needs be with plenty of time to go before the window shuts.

Visit www.newsatden.co.uk for all the latest Millwall news online

Sav making most of Chopper’s added wisdom EXCLUSIVE

By Paul Green george saViLLe is convinced Millwall have benefited hugely from neil harris’ managerial experience elsewhere since he returned to the club in february.

Family, players and fans join together ahead of Watford match to salute keeper

EXCLUSIVE

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The boss said: “There is nobody more impatient at this football club than myself.

I’ve never been any different and I think every fan knows that because I want us to do better.

“When I took over in February the immediate aim was to stay in this division.

“Then over the course of the 12 months in front of us it is to try and help transform the group to give a clear indication that we are Millwall Football Club again, but also to make the group slightly younger with a natural changeover of personnel.

“When the personnel do come in, then it is my job to then coach them into being better Millwall players.

“Hopefully we will add to the group before Saturday, but then I do have to remind myself that we’ve got nearly four weeks of the transfer window left as well. I have to be mindful of that and the supporters have to be as well.

“They are as impatient as me at times but ideally we will add to the group before Saturday, although I have no crystal ball to say it will be a given.”

Harris cut his teeth in his first ever role as a boss with the Lions between 2015 and 2019 before going on to take charge at Cardiff City, Gillingham and Cambridge.

Saville played under Harris all those years ago and has been a key midfield figure under his stewardship second time around.

And the Northern Ireland international can tell the gaffer is even better than before now Harris has added to his Football League CV. He explained: “I think Neil is more experienced from his first spell. He is better off making decisions now than maybe five or six years ago.

“It is the same for players - you get more experience and you deal with situations differently.

“He has shown real leadership for us and the direction he wanted to take us straight from day one has been clear.

“We knew exactly what he wanted from us. He has been brilliant.

“I’m very happy to be playing regularly.

We have a good relationship and that is well known.

“We enjoy working with each other and I will always do my best for him.”

Saville is pleased with how his preseason went but can’t wait for the real action to finally commence this Saturday lunchtime at The Den. He added: “Pre-season has been good.

It is always a good game against Watford with a good atmosphere.

“I don’t think we could have picked a better opening game to be honest.

“Ideally we can keep the momentum we built over the final 12 or 13 games of last season, take it into the new campaign and get on a run of results.

“Hopefully we can have a positive season. I don’t want to say we are going to do X, Y or Z because that puts pressure on it.

“But we know the standard we’ve set over the last five or six seasons where we are at. Hopefully we can be strong and have a positive season.”

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