Southwark News - December 27th 2024

Issue 1717

Established: 1987

50p

December 27th 2024

southwarknews.co.uk

peckham's biggest redevelopment in a generation See4-5pages

Who's harris' successor?

See Sport See page 6

exclusive See page 6

bermondsey boy's pet shop dream

soup kitchen needs homing See page 4

delays to the rotherhithe tunnel works

See page 7

2 NEWS Contents NEWS Pages 2-9

Walworth area worst in Southwark for anti-social behaviour, says report

By Herbie Russell

opinion Page 11

arts Pages 12 & 15

Classified Page 16

Public notices Pages 18-20

SPORT Pages 21-24

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

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

for our news team?

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

The areas facing the highest rates of anti-social behaviour in Southwark have been revealed in a council report.

North Walworth, Old Kent Road, London Bridge and West Bermondsey, Borough and Bankside, and Rye Lane were the most affected neighbourhoods.

The report comes as Southwark Council announces a “comprehensive review of our community safety policies and strategies”.

The police and Southwark Council received a combined 1,936 reports of antisocial behaviour in North Walworth alone in 2023/24, according to the Tackling Crime and Antisocial Behaviour report.

This was followed by Old Kent Road (1,519), London Bridge and West Bermondsey (1,498), Borough and Bankside (1,309), and Rye Lane (1,307).

The most commonly reported behaviours to police were rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour, noise, and rowdy or nuisance neighbours.

Southwark Council, meanwhile, was most likely to receive reports relating to the presence of drug users and dealers, multiple issues combined, and threatening behaviour.

A senior council officer said there was a

The Walworth Road in North Walworth is often considered a hotspot for anti-social behaviour

“clear issue” with residents’ perceptions of safety after dark during a cabinet meeting on 3 December.

Southwark performed poorly for safety after dark, when residents were surveyed, compared to other inner London boroughs,

he said.

In response to the latest data, Southwark Council has reassigned community wardens to SE1, the London Bridge area, and Old Kent Road.

The report said the council’s recent

The site was identified by Peckham Citizens, an alliance of community organisations, who suggested that this area of the estate would be suitable for affordable housing.

We asked the council how many homes it could house and they said it would depend on the plans.

Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said: “We want decent, safe, well-maintained homes for everyone in Southwark.

“This pioneering project is an example of how we are exploring all the options available to us to provide affordable homes in innovative ways.

“We want our residents to have a real say in how development happens in their community and CLTs let the community lead the way on providing new homes.

“Designed and developed by and for local residents, these truly affordable homes will be another excellent resource for our community alongside the thousands of new council homes we are building across the borough.”

The council is hoping to appoint a successful CLT in February 2025.

Once appointed, the CLT will work with local residents to develop the designs and plans for the new homes.

Organisations can apply on the council's website: southwark.gov.uk

investment in enhanced CCTV had had a “positive impact” but failed to provide statistical evidence.

Southwark Council has now launched a “whole system review” to consider how the police, Southwark Council, and other partners work together.

Council officers are then expected to return to cabinet councillors with a reviewed Community Safety Plan in July 2025.

Cllr Natasha Ennin, cabinet member for community safety, announced the “comprehensive review” on 3 December during a cabinet meeting.

She said: “For us, it’s been really important to focus on what we can do differently to tackle crime and ASB and recognise that it blights their [residents’] lives, especially when it’s sustained over a period of time.”

Southwark came eighth out of twelve inner London boroughs for anti-social behaviour rates.

The wards least affected by anti-social behaviour were Dulwich Hill, Dulwich Village, Peckham Rye, Dulwich Wood, and Champion Hill.

Estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales for the year ending December 2023 showed that 35 per cent of people had experienced or witnessed some type of anti-social behaviour.

Council wants to transform Peckham garage site into affordable homes

By Isabel Ramirez

Southwark Council is seeking a partner to transform a row of garages in Peckham into affordable housing.

The council plans to lease the land, part of New James Court Estate in Scylla Road, to a Community Land Trust (CLT) who would build new homes there subject to planning permission.

CLTs are non-profit organisations and the homes built will always be tied to the value of average local incomes, as affordable homes delivered by and for the local community. The project would be Southwark Council’s first partnership to provide new homes with a CLT partner.

See Sport

OUR NEXT ISSUE IS OUT ON 27TH DECEMBER Issue 1716

Editor: Kevin Quinn Deputy Editor: Herbie Russell Reporter: Isabel Ramirez Sports Editor: John Kelly Sports reporter: Will Scott Arts Correspondent: Michael Holland Digital Transformation Editor: Katherine Johnston Media Partnerships: Anthony Phillips Advertising: Clarry Frewin Design: Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen Finance: Em Zeki - Tel: 0779 883 3758 Subscriptions/Announcements: Katie Boyd Managing & Commercial Director: Chris Mullany Managing & Editorial Director: Kevin Quinn Published weekly on a Thursday at: Community Matters Media Ltd Unit A202, The Biscuit Factory, Drummond Road, Bermondsey, London SE16 4DG. News and Sport: 020 7231 5258 Advertising: 020 7232 1639 News: news@southwarknews.co.uk Advertising: hello@cm-media.co.uk Finance: em@cm-media.co.uk Printed by Iliffe Print. Tel: 01223 656500 www.iliffeprint.co.uk

Established: 1987

EXCLUSIVE

50p

December 19th 2024

southwarknews.co.uk

RESTAURANT OWNER TO HOST FREE SOUP KITCHEN FUNDED BY RAPPER CENTRAL CEE See page 11

'READY FOR THE WEEKEND' Dulwich shock after dry cleaner attacked by dog

Developer reduces affordable home offer from 270 to just 77 EXCLUSIVE See page 11

See page 10

EXCLUSIVE

HIGH AND DRY See page 4

'Massive' increase to high rises in See Canada Water page 4

The garages in Peckham

The Southwark News is proud to be the only independent, paid for newspaper in London Southwark News started life as the Bermondsey News in 1987, as an A-4 photocopied sheet of paper and rapidly grew to cover the entire borough and the surrounding area. As the borough grew, so did the newspaper.

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

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

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

Follow our social media to be updated on local news

southwark-news

@southwark_news

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

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

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

NEWS 3

Fig biscuits and budget bubbly: How Britain’s poshest Poundland shop has proven a surprising success Max Fiddimore, 79, said not everyone around Dulwich had 'loads of money'

The Poundland on Lordship Lane

By Herbie Russell Squeezed in between organic butchers, artisanal cafes and ladieswear boutiques is a shop unlike any other on Lordship Lane.

This remains one of South London’s more affluent high streets. Properties often sell for well over £1 million, innumerable celebrities live locally, and some of the capital’s priciest private schools are nearby.

So when a Poundland pitched up on a prime piece of real estate in the winter of 2023, everyone had their two cents.

There was much fretting online. On one local forum, someone wrote: “How am I expected to push past all those tracksuits while I'm carrying a selection of cheeses from Mons (local cheesemongers) not to mention the quince paste?”

“Never seen reverse gentrification before,” wrote a user on X, formerly Twitter.

Even politicians were wading in.

Desperate to seem relatable to the soonto-be-voting public, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis, they lavished praise on the budget retailer.

The Tory MP for Chipping Barnet declared it a “great national brand” and derided the naysayers as guilty of “snobbery”.

Not to be outdone, the Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch insisted she too was a regular shopper at her “very popular” local stores.

Poundland executives, meanwhile, rushed to reassure locals, promising a selection of swanky stock would be filling the shelves. £20 bottles of Taittinger champagne anyone?

Nearly two years on from its official opening, how has Poundland settled in?

Did the promises of bougie bubbly prove a success, or has it all fallen flat?

“I thought it was awful at the time but it seems to have settled in quite nicely,” says Brian Skipper, 77.

Brian Skipper, 77, has warmed to the shop

While he is more frequently seen perusing the gorgonzola at the local cheesemongers, he admits the Poundland has its uses.

Cradling a mega-pack of Yorkshire teabags, he said: “I mean, we’re only around the corner from the poorer parts of East Dulwich so why shouldn’t they have it if they need some cheap stuff?”

Sylvia, an elderly woman sporting a pair of expensive-looking sunglasses beneath a silk headscarf, admitted she was not a regular visitor to the store.

“I did find some nice fig biscuits in there so I bought them,” she said.

“Oh yes, I would get some fig biscuits!”

Valerie, 82, chimed in. “Funnily enough I just came down and thought ‘Wow, Poundland!’”

She continued: “I wouldn’t make a judgement because if there was something I wanted in there I would go in.

It’s not too bright and it’s not ugly.”

The new outlet replaced a Foxtons estate agents and was part of a roll-out of 50 shops across the country.

Pepco Group, the chain’s owner, recently posted a €662m net loss for the year, in large part down to Poundland’s “weak performance and outlook”.

But when we visited the Lordship Lane store on a Friday afternoon, there was a constant stream of people in and out.

While some were reaching for the Biscoff biscuits, others were emerging with lighters and cigarette rolling papers.

Max Fiddimore, 79, said: “I think it’s great. We have a Poundland in Peckham Rye but it’s only a small shop.

“Not everybody that lives around here has loads of money. That’s a misconception.

“I’m friends with some of the people who work in Marks & Spencer up the road. They don’t get paid a fortune but they have to shop around here.”

He said it was “sheer snobbery” to complain about the shop’s arrival on the high street.

Valerie, 82, was positive about the budget outlet

Elimhouse Community Association Southwark 86-88, Bellenden Road, Peckham, London SE15 4RQ.

DEPUTY CENTRE MANAGER AND ACTIVITIES WORKER REQUIRED Salary £30,000 per annum, 30 hrs. per week (Annual increase, holiday and pension scheme) Reading with a Duchess News Page 5

Elim House Community Centre in Southwark, London SE15 seeks to appoint a work to deliver community engagement, leisure time activities and day care for local people, particular BAME elderly people. She/ he will be responsible for ensuring and maintaining centre activities, community engagement initiatives and events for the benefits of the local community and day care. Being the team leader of frontline staff, you will undertake some day to day administration and service monitoring tasks. The appointed person will be an important member of the staff team, working closely with his/her line manager to ensure planned services and activities are delivered and the smooth running of the Centre.

Closing Date: 7 January 2025 by 12:00 noon.

Contact the centre for further details and application form: Tel: 0207 358 9502: Email: elimhousecas@gmail.com Website: elimhousedaycentre.com

4 NEWS

By Issy Clarke residenTs haVe been fighting to protect Peckham's town centre from 'oversized' redevelopment plans for more than a decade.

Back in 2013, a seemingly innocuous public meeting was called to discuss the Peckham-Nunhead Action Plan. It was here residents were first told the Aylesham Centre – a shopping centre in the heart of Peckham – had been marked out as a regeneration site where at least one tower block could be built.

This week, in the latest twist of the long-running saga and amid increasing tensions, developer Berkley Homes drastically reduced its affordable homes offer to just under twelve per cent of the overall scheme, a regeneration project now expected to be Peckham's largest in a generation.

Southwark Council's planning committee is expected to make its decision on the huge, and hugely controversial, scheme early next year. Here we explain what has happened to date and why the plans have provoked dismay among residents and campaigners.

peckham’s biggest redevelopment in a generation

WHAT IS THE AYLESHAM CENTRE?

The Aylesham is a shopping centre on Rye Lane, home to a Morrisons supermarket and several small traders.

The site being developed includes the shopping centre as well as the petrol station and car park at the back, making it the biggest regeneration project in Peckham.

The centre was built in the 1980s but today many people believe it has seen better days and would like to see something done about it.

“Re-development is definitely needed on that site” explains Siobhan MCarthy, a spokesperson for Aylesham Community Action. “But we want the right redevelopment for Peckham.”

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT PLANS TO DEVELOP IT?

In August, site owner Berkeley Homes submitted a planning application to transform the site into a mixed development of new homes and shops.

The plans would see the old shopping centre demolished to make way for 877 new homes spread across 13 tower blocks, reaching heights up to 20 storeys.

Of these, 35 per cent were initially set aside for affordable rent; split between 25 per cent social rent and ten per cent intermediate.

However, Berkeley Homes has since told Southwark Council it only plans to reserve 12 per cent of the homes for affordable housing.

The proposed reduction of affordable homes, from 270 to 77, falls well short of the Labour council’s minimum target of 35 per cent affordable housing in all new residential developments.

The developer said the revised plans were due to “rising costs, exacerbated by the length of the planning process”.

Southwark Council hit back at Berkeley Homes, describing its new proposal for the crucial Peckham development site as “very disappointing”.

Housing, business opportunities.

These are all things that people want to see flourish in Peckham. But, although the developers say this is what will be achieved by the plans, many in the area remain sceptical.

HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER PLANS TO DEVELOP THE SITE IN THE PAST?

Yes. Before Berkeley Homes, the site was owned by a partnership between Tiger Developments and BlackRock.

They planned the first redevelopment

What is happening to the aylesham shopping centre and Why are tensions so high? back in 2020. This scheme proposed constructing over 900 homes across several tower blocks ranging up to 20 storeys in height.

Initially, the developers had wanted to submit a planning application before the end of the year, but this never happened.

Instead, in July 2021 they sold the site to its present owners Berkeley Homes who began their own public consultations in advance of publishing a new design brief.

Since becoming owners of the site, Berkeley Homes has published two design briefs. The first, in 2022, proposed 1,050 homes spread across fourteen buildings, with the tallest reaching 27 storeys.

This design brief met strong local opposition, with a petition organised by Aylesham Community Action reaching 7,000 signatures. The council then wrote to the developers asking them to revise downwards the number of homes and the height of the buildings.

Earlier this year, Berkeley Homes presented a revised design brief, which cut down the height of some of the buildings and reduced the number of homes by 175. This is the version which has been

submitted for planning permission.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE OBJECTING TO?

First of all, many people don’t feel that their concerns were properly taken on board by the developer.

Berkeley did run a pre-application consultation process and had a permanent on-site hub where people could view the plans and make objections. But Siobhan McCarthy said this exercise felt more like “box-ticking.”

She added: “There’s not been a two-way conversation and it’s resulted in this plan that we don’t like, and everyone we speak to who knows about the plan doesn’t like.”

The central objection concerns the proportion of the development to be set aside as affordable housing. Peckham is in the top ten percent most deprived areas in England, while there are about 17,000 people currently on the housing waiting list in Southwark.

Campaigners are concerned the new development does not provide enough affordable homes to address this problem, and may even make things worse by potentially driving up property values in

the area.

Labour Peckham councillors have also thrown their weight behind calls for 50 per cent affordable housing on the Aylesham redevelopment.

WHAT IS THE COUNCIL’S POLICY ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

New developments should include a minimum of 35 per cent affordable housing, but with an aim of 50 per cent.

But there are ways around this and schemes failing to deliver 35 per cent affordable housing can also still be given the green light.

A lot hinges on the specific wording in the planning document, which says developers should include as much affordable housing as possible ‘subject to viability.’

The main viability assessment is drawn up by developers who hire their own consultants. This is why campaigners say developers are given too much freedom to decide what is 'viable', and what isn't.

These assessments essentially calculate the amount of affordable housing that they can ‘afford’ to build based on

several factors including building costs and expected profits. The council then produces its own viability assessment to compare.

In some cases, if it is deemed too difficult to deliver affordable housing on a particular site, the developer can make 'payments in lieu' which are then distributed into schemes across the borough.

Berkley is claiming it is not viable to deliver more than twelve per cent affordable housing within the scheme, and is not offering payments in lieu.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER OBJECTIONS?

Peckham Heritage has expressed concern that tower blocks would damage the character and history of the town centre, parts of which are protected Conservation Areas.

At the moment, the tallest building on Rye Lane is around seven storeys – the highest tower in the Berkeley Homes scheme would surpass this by thirteen floors.

The site allocation – which was drawn up by the council in 2022 – permits

NEWS 5 start preparing a report either approving or rejecting the scheme. This has to be voted on by a committee of councillors, which the council has confirmed will not be called before April 2025 at the earliest.

If the scheme were approved, campaigners say they would fight, and would likely mount a legal challenge.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York reading her book and serving food to the children

ARE THERE AREAS WHERE THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL LEGAL CHALLENGE?

The inside entrance to the supermarket

The is a central arcade filled with handcart traders © Southwark Council

Yes. In addition to the housing offer and fears for traders, there are other areas that could potentially form part of any future action taken by campaigners, according to Jed Holloway from the Southwark Law Centre.

• Homes for families One of these is the proportion of homes set aside for families. The council says new developments must contain 60 per cent homes with more than two bedrooms, and 20 per cent with three or four bedrooms. But the Berkeley Homes scheme only provides 56 per cent homes with more than two bedrooms, 20 per cent with three - and none at all with four. Providing four bedroom homes isn't an absolute requirement - but there is an intense need for larger homes in Peckham, where overcrowding is a real problem.

• Potential equalities challenge There’s a more nuanced potential legal argument which relates to the 2011 Equalities Act. It’s a piece of national legislation that has a specific section requiring local authorities to consider how their decisions impact people with protected characteristics such as race and class. Holloway from the Southwark Law Centre thinks there is a potential argument that the race and class context of Peckham has not been fully considered - both relating to the traders who work in the current Aylesham, but also the diverse mix of people who live and work in the area.

• Insufficient public consultation This isn’t clear-cut, but the council does have a policy stating that developers must consult the community properly, and Holloway claims, on balance, this hasn’t been the case. Campaigners have also criticised the consultation process

WHAT HAS SOUTHWARK COUNCIL SAID?

A CGI image of what the development could look like buildings on the Aylesham site of up to 20 storeys “subject to consideration of impacts on existing character, heritage and townscape.” Peckham Heritage does not believe that the scheme fulfills this criteria.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE BUSINESSES IN THE AYLESHAM?

Technically, the developer has a responsibility to either retain these in the new development or relocate them.

On its public consultation website Berkley said: "We believe that future retail on the site should complement rather than compete with the unique character and diversity of Peckham. "A key part of this is the small businesses and traders which operate in and around the Aylesham Centre.

"Our design approach is based on ‘intensification over displacement’ – based on detailed analysis of the existing retail ecosystem and local economy by our design team and commercial experts Quod."

However, in its submitted application Berkley has since confirmed that none of the existing ten small traders will be able to stay on site.

They will be covered by Southwark Council's business relocation strategy, meaning Berkley and the council will have to 'support' them to find new homes.

Information on what support is offered, and by when, is scant. There are also five larger businesses included in the regeneration area, and detail on what will happen to them is also lacking.

There is a big risk they could be displaced - which would be a breach of the council's planning policy.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT?

The plans have been live for people to view and make objections to since August when the application was submitted.

Since 11 November, the council has been in a statutory consultation phase and has held three drop-in sessions for the public to attend.

This phase ended on 11 December, which is also the official deadline for people wishing to submit an objection on the planning page. However, the council planning department will still accept objections after this – until January at the latest.

After this point, the planning officers will

Councillor Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said: “Southwark is at the forefront of delivering new council and social rent homes in London and we have achieved this through our own programme and through our ambitious planning policies.

“Our Local Plan includes a strategic target for 50 per cent of all new homes to be social rented and intermediate homes – such as shared ownership or keyworker housing.

“The minimum expected level of affordable housing in a new housing development is 35 per cent, and we always encourage developers to provide affordable housing above this level.

“Wherever possible, we proactively negotiate an increase in the affordable and social rent components of a scheme.

This approach resulted in us securing 338 social rent homes now being delivered on the Biscuit Factory in Bermondsey, the equivalent of a new council estate. On the Old Kent Road, over 50 per cent of all the new homes built or currently being built, are genuinely affordable.

“Any planning application is assessed by Southwark Council’s planning committee against Southwark’s planning policies.

“This is a live planning application and we can’t comment further.”

Berkeley Homes declined to comment.

duchess of york surprises WalWorth school children

By Isabel Ramirez The duChess of York spread festive cheer with a surprise visit to a walworth school, bringing joy to students and staff alike.

Sarah Ferguson delighted pupils at Surrey Square Primary School with a reading from her latest children’s book, Flora & Fern: Wonder in the Woods, sharing messages of compassion and community during the festive season.

She visited during an event hosted

by The Caring Family Foundation (TCFF), as part of its mission to curb food insecurity.

With 25 per cent of Surrey Square Primary School’s students living in temporary accommodation and 84 per cent belonging to families facing significant economic challenges, the initiative underscores the importance of ensuring every child has access to nourishment and joy.

For the event, the school was transformed into a winter wonderland, with festive entertainment and nutritious lunches provided by Bill’s restaurants. The Duchess joined volunteers from Bill’s and The Birley Clubs to serve food and make the day memorable for children and families.

Currently, 900,000 school-age children in England living in poverty miss out on free school meals, according to the Child Poverty Action Group. TCFF’s 2024 ‘Food From the Heart’ campaign aims to address this issue, with a pledge to deliver one million meals by the end of 2025.

Matt Morden, Co-Head Teacher at Surrey Square Primary School, said, “The children have been eagerly anticipating this magical day all week, and the joy it brings to them is truly priceless. As staff, we recognise the deep significance of this moment, knowing it’s an experience many of these children do not often have. We are grateful to have once again partnered with The Caring Family Foundation to create another unforgettable experience for our students, continuing this special event for another year.”

By 2025, TCFF will have delivered over 3.5 million meals across the UK and Brazil since its founding in 2020, showing its ongoing commitment to fighting food insecurity. The foundation also supports the school throughout the year, funding weekly Youth Clubs that provide hot meals, guidance on community and confidence building, and the Monthly Market, which serves 350 local visitors with food and activities.

Patricia Caring, Co-Founder of The Caring Family Foundation, added, “As we step into the festive season, we are reminded of the transformative power of kindness and connection.

It is so important to provide onthe-ground support, as part of our ongoing commitment to these children, in the hope that we can bring them moments of joy and a sense of togetherness.”

As part of TCFF’s campaign, the foundation hosted a fundraising Festive Wonderland event at The Dorchester in November, with 100 per cent of proceeds supporting its mission to combat food insecurity and child hunger. Gifts donated at the event will be delivered to Surrey Square Primary School children.

6 NEWS

Bermondsey boy whose 'hero' was Steve Irwin opens New exotic pet shop in Deptford

By Isabel Ramirez

A new tropical pet shop has just opened in Deptford with 6ft pythons, mini jumping geckos and more.

Bermondsey Exotics, based in a railway arch on Blackhorse Road, opened in November and is already a hit with locals.

Owner Dylan Clancy told the News: "It's been a passion of mine since I could speak. I'm mad about reptiles."

The 25-year-old added: "Steve Irwin was my hero."

Before his tragic death by stingray in 2006, Australian zookeeper Steve Irwin, known as "The Crocodile Hunter", was famous for his unique way with animals, specifically reptiles. On his various television shows, he taught millions of children and adults that wildlife should be loved.

In between watching Irwin on TV and begging his parents to take him to Gatorland in Florida, Dylan said as a child he would visit the pet shop, Fin King Aquatics, on Southwark Park Road (which closed years ago.)

"I used to drag the family in there multiple times a day," he said.

His mum, Lisa told us Dylan was just two years old when he asked if he could get a snake. "I didn't want him to have one in the house so I said if he could save up - he could have one," she said, "I didn't think he really would."

By age twelve, Dylan had his first corn snake called Bliskin. But it didn't stop there. "He went from that to having leopard geckos, African land snails to having a six-foot python."

Having been born and raised in Bermondsey, just like his whole family, he really wanted to be based there. "He tried so many times to get a shop on Southwark Park Road like the one he used to love,

L: Dylan as a young boy. R: some of the exotic animals on offer at Bermondsey Exotics. top right: Steve Irwin, 'The Crocodile Hunter' or on Jamaica Road," Dylan's mum, Lisa explained, "But other people got them."

He finally got his hands on a unit in Deptford but stuck with the name he came up with as a young boy. "I'm mad about reptiles," the 25-year-old said.

Lisa commented: "He used to say 'I'm going to have my own pet shop called Bermondsey Exotics.' And now he does."

Bermondsey Exotics boasts an array of creatures, including 6ft Royal Pythons, mini jumping geckos, chameleons, bearded dragons and baby tarantulas.

Ethically sourced from captive breeders in the UK, the species themselves originate from all over the world. "You've got South America, the Middle East, Australasia - crested geckos for example are from New Caledonia which is a little group of islands in the South Pacific.

"They come from all over."

Part of the job is knowing about all the animals he has for sale. "You need to do a lot of research before you buy an animal to know its needs," Dylan explained.

"Education is number one."

It's located in a railway arch on Blackhorse Road in Deptford.

Asked his response to people who doubt whether these tropical pets should be kept in tanks, Dylan said: "These are mostly captive-bred animals. They've been born in captivity, we can't just go releasing them into the wild anymore."

He said since they opened they've had lots of children come in wanting to see the animals. The eldest of six siblings, Dylan is also popular with his brothers and sisters who regularly come and help

out at the shop.

"I'm really proud of him," his mum said, commenting: "Who enjoys going to work as much as he does?"

"He is living his dream."

Bermondsey Exotics is located at 76, Parkside Business Estate, The Railway Arches, Blackhorse Rd, London SE8 5HZ Opening times: Monday: 12pm-3pm Tuesday-Thursday: 11:30am-6pm Friday-Saturday: 11:30am-7pm Sunday: 12pm-5pm

Peckham Soup Kitchen desperately needs a new home EXCLUSIVE

By Isabel Ramirez Peckham Soup Kitchen, which feeds the area's most needy every week, desperately needs a new home after being given notice to leave its hub on Rye Lane.

Since 2022, soup kitchen volunteers have been giving hot food and groceries to anyone in the area who needs it.

For the last year, they've been based in the heart of Peckham's Rye Lane. On a Friday evening, queues for the soup kitchen stretch down the street. There are no rules, co-founder Dean Foster, aka Fos said, "Anyone hungry can come along."

He continued: "We're feeding a minimum of 350 people a week. The footfall we get is immense."

And this is not just your regular soup kitchen. They serve jollof rice, rice and peas, shepherd's pie and curries - as well as giving out fresh surplus sandwiches and cakes donated to them by local businesses.

The festive period is their busiest time, culminating in their annual Christmas Day event where volunteers give up their day to serve free dinner to people spending Christmas alone.

But this year, what should be a time to

The team outside their current hub on Rye Lane, which they have to leave by mid-January. spread joy, is filled with uncertainty and worry. "We have been given notice to leave our hub on Rye Lane," Fos revealed.

The organisation has had free use of the unit in the Aylesham Centre since last year, courtesy of Berkeley Homes. But now, having been given a few months' notice to leave in October, the group is desperate to find a new place to carry on doing their work.

"Ideally we need somewhere central," Fos said, "because people know where to find us."

Although they value the support they'd been given by Berkeley Homes, Fos expressed concern over the possibility of moving somewhere off the beaten track.

"Us not being here anymore, how are we going to keep our ear to the street? Or help the everyday struggling person who is walking by? It's so important, yeah it's a soup kitchen but the community runs it."

On the group having to leave, a spokesperson from Berkeley Homes said: “PSK has had free use of the unit since 2023 and they have the unit until mid-

January. We have paid their business rates (they’re not a charity so not exempt) and service charges for the duration of their occupation. As in 2023, their Christmas Day lunch programme is taking place at Mercato Metropolitano in Southwark, which Berkeley is funding (having also funded it in 2023).”

As well as their Friday hub, on Wednesdays they hand deliver food parcels to every house at Caroline Gardens Estate on Asylum Road. During one of their weekly drops, residents on

the estate, many of whom are pensioners living alone, told the News, that they 'looked forward' to it every week.

"Honestly, they're marvellous," one lady who has lived there for 22 years said, "I couldn't do without them."

Milton, another resident who also goes to the hub every Friday said: "You get to meet people and chat. And the cost of living these days - it's really helpful.

"They need to stay near Rye Lane so people don't have far to go."

As they arrived at Harry Lambourne, another sheltered housing block across the road, a man was patiently waiting for the drop-off. He charmingly referred to Fos as 'Santa' as he arrived with a trolley full of goods.

Fos, who grew up in Peckham, said as well as making sure no one goes hungry, he wants to tackle social isolation. "If I was a kid out causing trouble, someone would tell me off - there were always people on the estate looking out for each other. But now, everyone is so isolated."

Part of them dropping off food packages on a Wednesday is checking in with residents. "We always stop for a chat to see how they're doing," Fos said.

If you know of anywhere Peckham Soup Kitchen can use for their Friday hub and storage point, please contact them at admin@peckhamsoupkitchen.org

Welcoming new residents at Tower Bridge Care Home Tower Bridge Care Home, now under new management by Agincare, is proud to welcome new residents into its vibrant community!

Conveniently located in the heart of Southwark, just a short walk from the iconic Tower Bridge, our purpose-built care home offers exceptional residential and nursing care with 122 comfortable rooms for people living there.

At Tower Bridge Care Home, residents have plenty of spaces to relax and enjoy their day. With nine sitting rooms, five dining areas, and a cozy on-site café, there are plenty of opportunities to unwind or spend time with family. The enclosed garden, complete with a vibrant conservatory, offers a peaceful place to take in the outdoors.

What sets us apart? We’ve got something for everyone: from a cinema room and sensory space to an in-house bar and a professional hairdressing salon. There’s even an activities room where residents can enjoy a full calendar of entertainment.

Brought to you by Agincare —one of England’s leading family-owned care providers— you can trust us to deliver high-quality, compassionate care. Agincare has already earned the trust of thousands across South London, with four other homes in the area providing exceptional care.

Whether it's round-the-clock nursing care or personalised residential care, our highly trained teams are trained to ensure every resident receives the right level of care while feeling comfortable and safe.

Now accepting new residents! Experience exceptional care and comfort at Tower Bridge Care Home, right in the heart of Southwark.

Get in touch today!

02033 940461 1 Aberdour St, London SE1 4SH agincare.com

© Google

8 NEWS

plans to close rotherhithe tunnel for nine months delayed to 2026 Rotherhithe Tunnel

By Noah Vickers Plans To close the rotherhithe Tunnel for several months to enable an extensive programme of repairs to take place have been put off until 2026 at the earliest due to a lack of funding.

Transport for London (TfL) had said last year that the refurbishment of the 116-year-old Thames road tunnel could potentially take place as early as 2025, after the new Silvertown Tunnel has opened in the spring.

But the transport authority has confirmed that the tunnel’s nine-month closure will only take place from April 2026 at the very earliest, due to a lack of “long term funding” from the Government. The Department for Transport said the tunnel’s maintenance is TfL’s responsibility, and pointed out that they have just been allocated almost £500m in the Treasury’s recent Budget.

The Rotherhithe Tunnel, which links its

by her Tory predecessor Jeremy Hunt – TfL said that it still needs “long term” funding over “multiple years” in order to start the repairs.

The transport authority hopes that multi-year funding will be announced in the Chancellor’s ‘comprehensive spending review’, which is expected to take place in June 2025. The review is anticipated to cover a minimum of three years of day-today spending, and also set capital budgets for five years.

Any funding announced would only take effect from the 2026/27 financial year, meaning that the very earliest the tunnel could close for repairs would be April 2026.

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

“While we have previously completed

concept designs for the full refurbishment of the Rotherhithe Tunnel, carrying this out would be a significant investment across multiple years. We hope to secure long term funding to allow for full refurbishment of the tunnel.”

Approached for a response, a DfT spokeswoman said: “TfL is responsible for the maintenance of the Rotherhithe Tunnel, as transport in London is devolved.

“The success of London’s transport network is vital for both the capital and the UK’s economy. That is why the Chancellor announced nearly £500 million in additional funding for TfL at the Budget.”

The tunnel is only accessible to vehicles below two metres (6.5 feet) in height and two metres in width – and for goods vehicle weighing no more than two tonnes gross vehicle weight. Drivers of vehicles exceeding those limits could be fined up to £160 for every journey they make through the tunnel. A 20mph speed restriction is also in place.

Keith Prince, City Hall Conservatives’ transport spokesman, said: “The continuing deterioration of the Rotherhithe Tunnel only inflates any cost of repair.

“We have asked the mayor time and time again to tell us what he has asked the Government for and he won’t tell us, so Londoners have no clue what representations he has made about the need to carry out this work.

“This cannot continue – we need to know what is happening to infrastructure, and whether our mayor is fighting for us. Sadly it doesn’t seem to be the case.”

The mayor last month told the London Assembly that the UK has been “left with a legacy of financial mismanagement from the previous Government, a £22 billion black hole in public finances and an economy which has been struggling to grow for far too long”, but that the new Government “understands the problems and opportunities London faces and is working with us, not against us”.

screen. Their movements are reflected on screen as a light, which causes plants and flowers to grow across the forest floor.

Changing light pathways and the setting sun create the sense of time passing, while the noise of birdsong and rustling leaves enhances a feeling of immersion in the enchanted world.

The Enchanted Forest is a project by Art Explora UK, an organisation supporting access to the arts, in collaboration with It Is Now, a French non-profit which specialises in creating interactive artworks for children’s hospitals.

Noemie Ganem, founder of It is Now, said he was inspired by his son Zach, who was born with a physical disability: “Watching Zach grow up, I

directly witnessed the positive impact sensory stimulation has on children with SEND [Special Educational Needs and Disabilities], giving them a sense of agency otherwise absent their daily lives.”

Sarah Harris, Head of Nursing for Child Health at King’s College Hospital, added: “Sensory play is important for all children but for those with additional needs the stimulation can be of particular benefit.

“We are delighted to have been able

to work with partners to enable the installation of the Enchanted Forest here at King’s. We look forward to our young patients interacting with the artwork and taking pleasure from it during their time with us.”

Child patients exploring 'magical world' of fairies and goblins thanks to interactive artwork at South London hospital

By Issy Clarke Children Can explore mystical woodlands filled with magical creatures thanks to an interactive artwork at king’s College hospital's paediatric ward.

The Enchanted Forest, created by Sony, depicts a magical forest landscape, home to a mythical goblin and a group of fairies who harvest pumpkins by day and play inside the wishing well at night.

Available to both inpatients and outpatients, the artwork is designed to offer uplifting and joyful experiences to children with special educational needs and physical disabilities.

Children can explore the magical woodlands by moving in front of the

© King's College Hospital

eponymous south London neighbourhood with Limehouse, is suffering from a range of issues affecting its mechanical, electrical and communication systems.

TfL has assured drivers that the tunnel “continues to operate safely, under enhanced day to day maintenance” but that it requires a nine-month programme of repairs to ensure it can “remain open in the long term”. It is currently undertaking “regular maintenance and targeted renewal activity” during two overnight closures each week.

At the end of 2023, TfL had said the repair programme could only happen with “more support from Government”. The total cost of repairs was in 2020 estimated to be somewhere between £116m and £178m, though the cost will have risen substantially due to sharp inflation since the pandemic.

But despite being allocated £485m in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent Budget for the next financial year – almost double the £250m committed for the current year

NEWS 9 L: Danny and Charlotte Carlisle and one of their children. R: some of the bed bug bites and bugs.

'christmas ruined' by bed bugs

By Isabel Ramirez

a BermondseY family says their home is plagued by bed bugs, leaving their children unable to sleep, causing electricity bills to soar, and ruining their Christmas spirit.

Charlotte and Danny Carlisle live with their four children and nine pets in Lockwood Square. But since April 2024, they say their home has been riddled with unwanted guests.

Charlotte told us: "We noticed our son had bites all down his arm and that's when we found them. There were bed bugs everywhere - in our bedroom, the boys' room, the upstairs bathroom."

"We weren't sure where they came from," she continued. "The council was coming to treat them - but they weren't going."

After complaining to Southwark Council and receiving treatments they felt were ineffective, the family received an unexpected donation from a church member to fund a £2000 private deep heat treatment for their home.

A few weeks went by and it looked promising, but Charlotte said it didn't last long. "They came back," she said. "It turned out they were coming from one of our neighbours."

Despite having a three-bedroom house, they are now limited to only a few rooms: with the eldest son sleeping in the lounge, and the other three sharing a room, the youngest having to top and tail in a single bed with his sister.

With Christmas just around the corner, Danny added: "We even had to tell our youngest about Santa - he still believed and was getting upset that Santa wouldn't come because they are not sleeping in

their own beds or rooms on Christmas Eve. "So we had to tell him."

"Christmas is ruined," Charlotte explained tearfully, "I usually have the whole house decorated and it's all magical like a grotto. But I haven't been able to this year."

Danny is also disabled, suffering from Spina Bifida and is sometimes bed-bound and unable to get away from the bugs.

"Last night, I was picking them off me."

Often he is not able to leave the house and because they claim the council has not been informing them when they would come to do the treatments, both he and the three dogs have been inside the property when they have done any treatment - so it hasn't been effective.

"Were they done properly?" Charlotte questioned, claiming: "A couple of times pest control officers have knocked on the

door but by the time Danny has got down to let them in, they've gone."

To ensure they don't carry any bugs with them when they leave the house, mum Charlotte said she has to do 'six washes a day on 90 degrees' to make sure everyone has clean clothes and bed sheets.

"We can only wear clothes that have come straight out of the tumble dryer and not been in a room we haven't seen them in."

Asked how much that is costing them in electricity, they told the News: "It's costing a fortune - probably around £80£90 a week."

In what was supposed to be the Carlisles' 'forever home', they have been forced to rip up the carpets and strip all of the wallpaper to stop the bugs clustering and minimise the spread. They even had to throw their mattresses away.

They added that they did get an

emergency grant from the council to buy new mattresses, but because the bugs hadn't gone they had to throw those too.

"Unless the council treats all the properties surrounding us (nine flats in total) - they will not go away."

Charlotte, who is a part-time teacher at Southwark Park Primary School, pleaded: "I'm trying to work, I'm trying to raise four children, look after a disabled husband, take them to their after-school clubs.

"I can't sleep - it makes you feel dirty. I don't want to be here anymore."

Cllr Sarah King said: “Bed bug infestations are really unpleasant for residents, and we’ve been trying our best to tackle the issue. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to access the property but we have a visit planned shortly. We hope we’re able to enter the property to start treatment and resolve this issue as soon as possible."

Wheelchair users expected to wait up to 17 years for social housing

By Isabel Ramirez wheelChair users in southwark could wait up to 17 years for a home that meets their needs, an Foi reveals.

The freedom of information request revealed that a person in band 3 – which includes those who are homeless or disabled - of Southwark’s social housing waiting list will wait an average of 6,446 days for a property.

This comes after the News reported on a resident who has been trapped in her current home for two years due to it not being wheelchair accessible, and a separate case of a resident, Michelle King, who has struggled to find an appropriate home because the council repeatedly offered properties without suitable disability adaptations. Michelle has been asking for a ground-floor flat for 23 years.

Cllr Sarah King, cabinet member for council homes, responded to say that

Ms King's case was 'complex' however they 'understood her frustration' that she has not found a home she wants to move into, 'despite offers over the years.'

"Her requirements have been assessed and are correct," Cllr King continued, "but there is a very short supply of the kind of housing she is eligible for.

"If Ms King does not wish to accept a further direct offer, she can still bid using our choice-based lettings system. If her bidding is successful for a home which fits her criteria, we would encourage her to accept it.”

As of December, there are now 18,671 people on the housing waiting list.

The number has shot up from around 17,700 as of early summer.

The FOI found that even those in band 1 – the highest priority band - could wait up to three years before being given a permanent home. The current allocations policy categorises band 1 as those who fit a range of criteria, from

statutory overcrowding to discharge from hospital or armed forces without a home.

Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, discovered that Southwark had one of the highest rates of homelessness in the country, saying the shortage of social housing was one of the key factors. Last year, council housebuilding rates collapsed by 96 per cent.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Cllr Rachel Bentley said: “This is Labour’s London housing crisis laid bare: it is grossly unjust that a person who by the council’s own assessment has a high priority need should be expected to live in unacceptable living conditions for three years, let alone seventeen.

"Labour has run out of excuses. They need to get as much social housing, including with disability adaptations, built as quickly as possible, so that everyone can have a safe, affordable home in Southwark.”

YOLLY AD South Londoner 250mm W x 300mm H.pdf

1

04/11/2024

16:20

Floral events, weddings farewell florals, dinners weekly floral deliveries potted gardens, restaurant contracts.

Bespoke, sustainable floral design.

Sourcing with the best of the seasons at the forefront of design. orders@yolly.co.uk www.yolly.co.uk Unit 2a, 118 Stanstead Road, London SE23 1BX

OPINION 11

At Christmas-time, can anyone offer the Peckham Soup Kitchen a lifeline and secure its future?

T

his Christmas, while many of us plan to gather around warm meals and festive cheer, the Peckham Soup Kitchen faces an uncertain future. After being a lifeline for hundreds of local people since 2022, their hub on Rye Lane is being taken away—and with it, the heart of a community.

Every Friday evening, the scene outside their base is a striking one: queues of people stretching down the street, waiting for a hot meal or a bag of groceries. It’s a reminder of just how many are struggling in Peckham, particularly as the cost-of-living crisis bites harder. Co-founder Dean Foster, known to most as Fos, and his team of volunteers serve over 350 people each week, providing everything from rice and peas to shepherd’s pie.

But this soup kitchen isn’t just about food. It’s a chance for people feeling alone to interact with others in the same boat. "Anyone hungry can come along," Fos explains. The kitchen has become a space where people can feel seen and supported, and for many, it’s a crucial thread holding them together.

However, in October, they were told they must vacate the unit in the Aylesham Centre, provided rent-free by Berkeley Homes. They’ve been given until mid-January to leave, but as the deadline looms, no alternative space has been found. Fos is clear about the stakes: "Ideally, we need somewhere central because people know where to find us." Their current location means they can access people who need the service the most. Moving somewhere out of sight will make it harder to reach them.

The kitchen’s work doesn’t stop at the hub. On Wednesdays, volunteers deliver food parcels to pensioners at Caroline Gardens Estate on Asylum Road who 'look forward' to this service and rely on it. They started doing it after hearing that there were people who couldn't make it to the food bank.

The thought of losing such a vital service, provided by such incredible volunteers who know what they're doing, is unthinkable. With Christmas upon us, the soup kitchen is busy preparing its annual festive dinner. But the uncertainty about their future casts a shadow over what should be a time for joy and giving.

Peckham Soup Kitchen urgently needs help to secure a new home. If you know of a space they could use or can offer any assistance, please get in touch. This isn’t just a soup kitchen—it’s a lifeline, a community, and a symbol of what makes Peckham great. Let’s not lose it.

cryptic Puzzle Clues Across

Clues Down

4 Separate after the beginning of French leave? (6) 8 Ostentatious to mop up spilt soup (7) 9 Let man change in the mind (6) 10 Dramatic desire for city transport (63) 11 Was once a vegetable, it's said (4) 13 The old Englishman could be right (5) 14 Their work is certainly a grind (7) 16 Eaten up as ten different titbits (7) 18 A Spanish hero's likely to be sharp (5) 19 Produce a change of diet (4) 21 She'll put her money on an old sailor (9) 22 To be fastidious, put out the tin during the day (6) 23 Do they haunt the bar?

24 Encouraging lays? (6)

1 Foreshadowed an empty decanter? (9) 2 Pale plant has appeal (9) 3 Appropriate wear at the card table (5) 5 First lady has the right always (4) 6 Former Prime Minister emerged from the battle, entirely unruffled (6) 7 Gnarled fingers lock among the shades (6) 9 Crazy to put the chap in charge (5) 11 The songster has the right to put in a dirty bid (9) 12 CID are up at the end to wipe out (9) 15 Likely to scratch? (5) 16 Tout one's wares on foot? (6) 17 First class fish not in prime condition (6) 20 Overflow the eastern incline (5) 21 Shock could be the finish of 16 across (4)

Quick Puzzle Clues Across

Clues Down

4 Allow (6) 8 Transporter (7) 9 List of things to be done (6) 10 Afflict (9) 11 Halt (4) 13 Spirited horse (5) 14 Long loose overcoats (7) 16 Discourse (7) 18 Live piece of coal (5) 19 Crude metals (4) 21 Office of foreign power (9) 22 Crown (6) 23 Brown coal (7) 24 Settle comfortably (6)

1 Geographical dictionary (9) 2 Expectations (9) 3 Bloodsucker (5) 5 Brink (4) 6 Small space of time (6) 7 Vagrants (6) 9 Coral island (5) 11 Pep pill (9) 12 Determine one's position (9) 15 Besom (5) 16 Capital city (6) 17 Conifers (6) 20 On the move (5) 21 Monk's room (4)

Apologies for last week's missing crossword puzzle which did not go in.

12 ARTS

what’s on

‘It was a cold, dark night’ has, I believe, been voted the worst ever opening to a novel, so when Adam Elliott - with a raised eyebrow and a very knowing look - opened Luke Adamson’s Montague’s Millions with those words you knew this was going to be a good spoof of the mystery thriller, writes Michael Holland.

Adam was Dr Henderson and we were quickly introduced to Tice Oakfield, the hard-working docker who had fell on hard times after his daughter became sick and the doctor refused to treat her without payment. His troubles were magnified by his wife being sacked

by Lady Penelope Cunningham(Julia Pagett) for stealing.

This Holy Trinity of actors also played the profligate husband who had gambled away the family fortune, the destitute wife who had never stolen a penny in her life; the train guard, the pub drinkers, the farmer whose lorry and sheep they stole, and the tall, dark stranger in the long, dark coat who had visited all three to deliver each of them a letter with instructions to be at Montague Manor in Cornwall at 8am the next morning. He had whispered from the dark shadows formed by his collar and his wide-brimmed hat to ‘tell no one’ and that the letter was ‘for your eyes only’.

Hence, our three protagonists, unaware of each other, dashed off to

The Snow Goes On

Paddington Station to catch the sleeper train to Penzance where Barclay Montague’s last will and testament would be read to those who managed to complete the journey.

Now, there has never been a sleeper train sequence in literature or theatre or film that did not include drama and this was going to be no different. So of course there was going to be trouble on the way, starting with each of the three eyeing up the others with suspicion as they raced to get to a share of Mr Montague’s millions. There was even a Dick Bartonesque soundtrack to convey the urgency of the matter!

Just as urgent was the matter of so few props, and a minimal cast to create this cavalcade of excitement. But with an ingenious set(Karl Swinyard) the impossible was made possible with hats, coats, scarves, suitcases and the hilarious moving door, under the clever direction of Kate Bannister who turned these problems into comedy gold.

With comic asides and lightning-quick costume changes, never in the field of theatre have three people done so much for so many with so little.

As one, the intrepid trio survived the pitfalls of melodrama as they swayed in time with the train braking suddenly, skied downhill on a large portmanteau, sped away from the scene of a crime in a farm truck and crashed into a hedge, built a boat to cross a lake, with little

Photo by Davor @ The Ocular Creative

A Cavalcade of Excitement

to help them but their own gusto and willingness to throw everything at this receptive audience. And all while having to trust the others when the sneaky option of leaving them behind might mean more of the millions for themselves.

Bare knuckle pugilist Tom Cribb endured much for the sake of his art but even he might have thrown in the towel faced with the might of West End Christmas shoppers, I reflected as reviewers Frida and Woody and I fortified ourselves in the pub that bears his name, writes Ed Gray....

A merry crowd was gathering opposite at the Harold Pinter Theatre, which also illuminated the name of another legendary character.

Slava is in town, complete with his troop of fellow performers and their SnowShow. This is my third SnowShow in as many decades, and I want to see if it lives up to the memories that have never melted away.

Train whistles blow in the soundscape that awaits us within this beautiful Victorian theatre where we are to enjoy a work of absurdist genius Slava where imaginations are untethered and we share the dreams of children once

more. Our guide into this fantasy world is Russian performer Slava Polunin’s and his yellow-clad clown who appears alone onstage clutching a noose.

Each movement is so beautifully choreographed to the soundtrack that the audience falls under Slava’s spell

in Southwark

immediately. At the end of the rope he finds a younger clown, Artem Zhimo.

Both are equally bewildered but accepting of their circumstances. Mr Pinter and his good friend Mr Beckett would have very much enjoyed this moment.

Montague’s Millions is real festive fun without so much as a single jingle bell.

Box office: www.brockleyjack.co.uk or 0333 666 3366 (£1.80 fee for phone bookings only) Tickets: £17, £15 conc., 10+.

Running time: 90 minutes, with no interval.

There is such tenderness between the performers as they play with balloons and gently tease the audience that SnowShow moistens the eye as much as it gladdens the heart. In the interval a clown passes me an umbrella and promptly funnels a snowball of tissue paper snow down my rollneck, ‘You got stuffed!’, Frida points at me, laughing uncontrollably. Just as in life itself, and echoed in our dreams, things happen for no conceivable reason, nonsense is prized above sense and Slava’s realm really is the stuff that dreams are made of. A sparkly lady flies by on a swing and disappears. A phone call between lovers, both played by Slava, has us in hysterics and then leads to a mime scene that is an unforgettably poetic moment of theatre. A lost love is brought to life in such a powerfully emotional way that Frida sits on the edge of her seat, eyes wide open, mouthing ‘How did they do that?’.

The visual imagery is stunning throughout, and the production is lit so beautifully that the wonderment continues to a crescendo blizzard scene that blasted the audience away in the stalls. The beauty of SnowShow is that it works visually from every part of the theatre and although audience members higher up on the balcony

experience the drama in a different way it’s just as special.

Slava likes to sit and silently watch his audience at the show’s end: ‘I lend my ear to the breaths, the rhythms, the sighs of delight and of sorrow that dwell there,’ he says. Everyone wants a selfie and Slava perches on the stage beaming back his bemused twinkly smile. We wrap up our love in gifts, perhaps it’s easier than words, but the buttons will fall off and our presents will shrink in time. Slava’s SnowShow is a gift that stays because Slava Polunin lives within everyone who meets him playful regretful, naïve, bewildered, full of love and longing, spontaneous and alive in the present.

Back home, Woody proudly brings me a cardboard box from a recently arrived Christmas gift, now hidden away for the big day. ‘Look Dad, a box of snow!’ He’s filled the box with all the ‘snow’ he somehow managed to retrieve from the ‘blizzard’ and stuff into his grey school trouser pockets.

I reach my hand into the box to touch Slava’s snow, and the show goes on.

Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London, SE4 2DH until January 4th.

Harold Pinter Theatre until January 12th.

Tickets from £24.50 www.atgtickets.com/shows/slavassnowshow/harold-pinter-theatre/

What's On

Box office 020 8463 0100 • blackheathhalls.com •

Mon 13 Jan, 1.10pm

Justin Moorhouse Sun 2 Feb 8pm

Sat 22 - Sun 23 Feb

m

0p 3 .

7 b,

Fe 7 i Fr

F.A.A.

Sat 1 Mar, 7.30pm

F A ALBIN & SONS

020 7237 3637

Family Run Funeral Directors

RotheRhithe 52 Culling Road, London, SE16 2TN OuR OThER bRaNCh addRESSES aRE: welling 4 Welling Way, Welling, KENT, da16 2Rj T: 020 8856 7514

deptfoRd 164 deptford high Street, LONdON, SE8 3dP T: 020 8694 1384

sidcup 163 Station Road, Sidcup, KENT, da15 7aa T: 020 8308 0015

eAst london 378 barking Road, Plaistow LONdON, E13 8hL T: 020 7476 1861

MottinghAM 54-56 Mottingham Road, London, SE9 4QZ T: 020 8857 0330 cRAYfoRd 30-32 Crayford high Street, Crayford, KENT, da1 4hG T: 01322 533012

wAlwoRth 88 brandon Street, LONdON, SE17 1Nd T: 020 7313 6990

Serving the people of Bermondsey & Rotherhithe for over 200 years

www.albins.co.uk

Speak to your local pharmacist, practice nurse, or find out more at www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/

EVENTS 15

Heading south - pick of events at the beginning of the year

Photo by Luke Jerram

es rs y E Ma on

Visit the Old Royal Naval College for a one-off event, Eyes on Mars: A Cultural and Scientific Exploration, featuring artist Luke Jerram and London’s leading Mars experts. This one-off lecture and panel talk beneath the glow of Jerram’s installation delves into the cultural and scientific significance of Mars.

Explore the science, art and wonder of the red planet through talks and handson planet gazing sessions. From the influence of science in mythology and

sci-fi to the challenges and possibilities of establishing human settlements in space, the evening will explore our fascination with science and the red planet.

Date: Monday 20 January 2025 Tickets: £35, concessions £25 Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, SE10 9NN ornc.org/whats-on/eyes-on-mars-acultural-and-scientific-exploration

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live will return to The O2 this January for Glow-NFire. The show will feature the same level of fun and excitement that fans have come to expect, but with an added fiery twist. Get ready for more heat and action with this monster truck show. You’ll be able to watch your favourite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks; expect the Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, HW 5-Alarm, Bone Shaker, Bigfoot, Gunkster, and the brand-new Skelesaurus. Fans can also witness a special appearance from the fire and frost-breathing, transforming dragon ARCTICGON, plus the high-flyers of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Freestyle Motocross Team.

Dates: Friday 10 January to Sunday 12 January 2025. Tickets: From £37 O2 Arena, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX www.theo2.co.uk/events/detail/hot-wheels-monster-trucks-live-2025

Quiz of the Year

Smells Like Teen Spirit Head down to the New Cross Inn this January for a Nirvana Tribute band like no other. World-renowned Nirvana Tribute is an international touring tribute band that has performed all over the globe. Regarded as the closest possible tribute to Nirvana to hit the stage, you can expect an explosive and high-energy performance. So, Come As You Are and enjoy an evening of Nirvana’s greatest hits.

Date: Saturday 25 January 2025. Tickets: £20 323 New Cross Road, SE14 6AS pit.live/events/nirvana-tribute-1

What do you remember about 2024? Test your general knowledge with Woolwich Works’ Quiz of the Year and journey through the highlights and lowlights. Quiz rounds include a picture round where you will need to identify the images that defined the year, a music round where you’ll groove to the beats and then name that tune, plus a mystery voices round, too, where you will listen closely as they challenge you to guess the famous voices behind the

microphone. There’s no limit to team size, but it’s worth noting that teams over seven will face penalties, so choose your teammates wisely.

For first prize, the team will take home £50, second sees a bottle of fine wine and there are spot prizes with lots of treats to win, too.

Date: Sunday 5 January 2025 Tickets: £2.50 per person, no booking required The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 Street, Royal Arsenal, SE18 6HD www.woolwich.works/events/quiz-of-the-year

cott’s Story

The Ronnie S

the music er 60 years of Celebrating ov Scott’s All Stars take to the nnie riving venues, the Ro the Ronnie Scott’s Story, ar ndon’s e Lo at br om road to cele uary. Direct fr zz alongside eatre this Febr at Churchill Th zz club and combining live ja t’s All Stars ot ja world-famous and video footage, Ronnie Sc usic institution. m archive photos guided musical tour of this ho, life at Ronnie’s a So of on u ts yo in jo ke will ta om pop jazz jook st visitors – fr t above dive bars and pa e ’s th g ub cl on e am th t of Se and royalty, bu through tales is re-imagined and politicians to comedians the jazz greats who om s fr stars, film star . Featuring classic music d images and footage, ns all, the musicia at Ronnie Scott’s, projecte ns and police raids, have performed d Soho, miscreant musicia e into this unique and tales of ol ot t’s Songbook” is a glimps histor y.

“The Ronnie Sc world and its £28 From £19.60 to 2025. Tickets: BR1 1HA ry ua br Fe 16 , Date: Sunday tre, High Street Churchill Thea .com/churchill-theatrets trafalgarticke B/event/music/ronniebromley/en-G -club-the- ronnie scotts-jazz ickets scotts-story-t

Lunchtime recital with XinRu Chen Enjoy a lunchtime recital by concert pianist and music scholar XinRu Chen at Blackheath Halls this month.

Currently, XinRu is sharing her innovative “reprogrammes” with the public, providing performers with new ways to programme concerts, offer audiences a fresh perspective on traditional music, and make contemporary pieces more accessible to everyone. She has played at many prestigious venues in the UK and around the world, including Southwark Cathedral and Regent Hall, plus various festivals across Europe. The recital will see Robert Schumann Papillons, Op.2, Schoenberg Drei Klavierstücke, Op.11 and Robert Schumann Kreisleriana, Op.16.

Date: Monday 20 January 2025. Tickets: £10 23 Lee Road, Blackheath, SE3 9RQ www.blackheathhalls.com/whats-on/lunchtime-recitalxinru-chen-piano

WANTED RECORDS

Southwark Pensioners’ Centre

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

LPS AND SINGLES - WHOLE COLLECTIONS WELCOME

Call: 07956 832314 / 020 8677 6907 Or Email: vinylwanted@aol.com

Supporting older people in Southwark for over 35 years.

ALSO INTERESTED IN NON CHART CD COLLECTIONS

Offering advice, support, activities, rooms for hire and a voice for older people.

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

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

Our services include: Financial Support | Advocacy | Counselling | Sheltered Housing | Homelessness | Job Coaching | Social Events | Volunteering or call 0800 652 2989

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

For our services, scan here Registered Charity No.207326.

Registered in Scotland No. SC052739.

To book an advert on this page, please call 020 7232 1639 or email: hello@cm-media.co.uk

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Memorial

Gary DoraN HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON 29TH To place a funeral announcement, birthday, death notice, birth, anniversary or memorial in the paper, please email katie@cm-media.co.uk

ANOTHER YEAR WITHOUT YOU

Announcements must be placed by 4pm on the Tuesday before that week's publication

WANTED

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

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

07850 323 508 CLASSIC & UNSUAL CARS ALSO WANTED

CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH

Visit www.scotscare.com

CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH

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

Thursday, December 19th 2024

18 PUBLIC NOTICES LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (ILDERTON ROAD, PENARTH STREET, TIMBER POND ROAD, CHOUMERT ROAD, GREAT SUFFOLK STREET)

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (STONEY STREET, GROVE VALE, ARCHANGEL STREET)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) 1.

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

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in: (2a) Ilderton Road, between Hornshay Street and Patterdale Road (2b) Penarth Street, between Ilderton Road and Hatcham Road (2c) Timber Pond Road, between Poolmans Street and Archangel Street (2d) Choumert Road, between Rye Lane and Choumert Grove (2e) Great Suffolk Street, between Copperfield Street and Loman Street

3.

Friday, December 27th 2024

The alternative routes for affected traffic will be (2a) Old Kent Road, St James Road, Rotherhithe New Road (2b) Ilderton Road, Manor Grove, Ormside Street (2c) Timber Pond Road, Fishermans Drive (2d) Choumert Grove, Choumert Road, Costa Street, Mcdermott Road, Alpha Street (2e) as indicated by the signs displayed

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC/BUS LANE SUSPENSION) 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 road.

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: (2a) Stoney Street, between Winchester Walk and Clink Street (2b) Grove Vale, northbound bus lane suspension between Ondine Road and East Dulwich Road (2c) Archangel Street, between Timber Pond Road and it’s blocked end (by Brass Talley Alley)

3.

The alternative routes for affected traffic will be (2a) as indicated by the signs displayed (2b) not applicable (2c) Timber Pond Road, Fishermans Drive

4.

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

5.

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

4.

The existing ‘one-way working in Alpha Street, between McDermott Road and Choumert Road will be made ‘two-way’ for access and egress purposes for item No. (2d)

5.

The existing ‘one-way working in Choumert Road, between Rye Lane and Alpha Street will be made ‘two-way’ for access and egress purposes for item No. (2d)

6.

6.

‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced on Choumert Road, between Rye Lane and Alpha Street

The closure will be operational on the following dates: (2a) 13th – 16th January 2025 (2b) 10th – 20th January 2025 (2c) 10th - 20th January 2025

7.

7.

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.

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

Dated this 27th December 2024

8.

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.

9.

The closure will be operational on the following dates: (2a) 11th January – 15th February (2b) 17th January - 6th February (2c) 20th January – 28th February (2d) 6th January (2e) 7th January

10.

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

Dated this 27th December 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) SEC50/ILDERTONRPH2 (2b) SEC50/PENARTHST (2c) 34300783 (2d) TTO/CHOUMERT/TA (2e) LBSCR13800-1

To place a public notice, please email em@cm‐media.co.uk or call 020 7232 1639 Deadline is 3pm on Wednesdays

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) LBSCR13850 (2b) 2641611-01169 (2c) 87856872

A local shop for local people

Christmas is coming!

Stock up on the best range of festive goodies in South London while knowing you're supporting a true South London independent.

Visit our Peckham Rye / East Dulwich and Deptford stores, or shop online, with free local delivery for orders over £40 in our 100% electric van. hopburnsblack.co.uk 10 years of: Craft beer Hot sauce Natural wine Good times #southlondonbestlondon

19 NOV – 31 DEC

JOIN ODD AND THE LEGENDARY LOKI, THOR AND ODIN ON AN EPIC ADVENTURE TO SAVE THE WORLD For ages 7+

CREATIVE CAPTIONS ON ALL PERFORMANCES

FRI 13 DEC, 11AM RELAXED PERFORMANCE

SUN 15 DEC, 2PM BSL & RELAXED PERFORMANCE

£3 discount on all tickets for Access Users. Complimentary ticket for personal assistants available.

SPORT 21 DULWICH HAMLET FC

Hakan Hayrettin’s side have been wildly inconsistent but are only six points off fifth

Hamlet boss Hakan Hayrettin

By John Kelly dulwiCh hamleT chairman Ben Clasper believes hakan hayrettin’s side can finish in the play-offs if they “fix discrepancies” - but will “only have ourselves to blame” if they miss out.

After Saturday’s 4-2 Isthmian League Premier Division defeat to Cray Valley PM in front of an attendance of 1,788 at Champion Hill, Dulwich are seventeenth, but remarkably only six pints off the top five. They are also six points above the relegation zone.

Luke Wanadio gave the Hamlet the lead in the seventh minute before the visitors hit back through Adam Coombes, Sonny Black and Adam Coombes to lead 3-1 after

Photo by Mark Sandom

Surrey trio in England squad

33 minutes.

Jerome Binnom-Williams pulled a goal back just before half-time but Cray Valley sealed the win when Matthew Vigor scored nine minutes from time.

Clasper struck a positive note in his programme notes before the game.

“Going into [the Christmas} run I thought we would need two wins and a draw or a win and three draws to go into the New Year feeling upbeat about our own promotion ambitions,” Clasper said.

“We are only a point better off than we were this time last season but only four points short of the play-offs compared with the seven-point gap we faced a year ago.

“This is a far tighter league with only five points separating the seventeenth-

Surrey’s Jamie Overton

placed team from the one in the final playoff spot in fifth (last season that gap was thirteen points). Five games ago we were three points off the play-offs and have not won since but after three draws and two defeats we are still only four points behind.

“With that recent form we should be further off the pace but all clubs are struggling to put runs together and as a result five different clubs have held fifth spot since we reached that high at the start of November.

“While results elsewhere have been kinder than we deserve we have to accept that we have not been good enough over the past six weeks and we can’t keep hiding behind injuries, we have to own that problem and then fix it so it was pleasing to see Dillon [Barnes], Louis [Ramsay] and

Max [Hudson] all return to action in the last two games.

“We’re back to creating goals again but still capable of giving goals away.

Consistency will be key in the second half of the season. Home form is top five; away form is bottom five; goals scored is top five; goals conceded is bottom five.

“Fix those discrepancies and we will make play-offs comfortably, fail to do that and we only have ourselves to blame if we fall short again.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, I’d like to wish you all a peaceful holiday period and hope to see you and any visiting friends and families on Boxing Day.” The Hamlet were in action against Carshalton Athletic on the 26th before travelling to Whitehawk this Saturday.

By Sports Reporter

Smith is aiming to make his IT20 debut after finishing the 2024 Vitality Blast as Surrey’s top run-scorer with 285 runs from eight innings.

Overton remains in the squads following the autumn tour of the West Indies.

Atkinson returns to the White Ball squad for the first time since the December 2023 tour of the West

surreY’s Gus atkinson, Jamie overton and Jamie smith have been selected for england’s squad for the odi, iT20 and iCC Champions Trophy.

It is Brendon McCullum’s first White Ball squad as England men’s head coach in all three formats.

Dubois must wait for Usyk

By John Kelly daniel duBois jumped into the ring to demand a rematch against oleksandr usyk after the ukrainian beat Tyson Fury for a second successive time to retain his wBo, wBa and wBC world titles in riyadh, saudi arabia, last weekend.

Greenwich’s Dubois is the IBF champion after his shock knockout win against Anthony Joshua in September.

Dubois wants “revenge” after

losing to Usyk in the ninth round in Poland last year. Dubois had floored Usyk in the fifth round only for the referee to controversially rule it a low blow and allow Usyk extra time to recover.

Usyk is the only fighter to have beaten Fury, as he claimed a unanimous points’ win.

"Usyk, I want my revenge," Dubois said, interrupting Usyk's post-fight interview. "Well done on tonight. God bless.

"I want my revenge for the robbery last time.”

Dubois is scheduled to fight New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in February.

The Usyk camp later revealed their plans.

"My next step, I’m going to rest," Usyk said. "Not think about boxing, Dubois, Tyson Fury. Just rest. Just play with my children."

Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk added: "Dubois has to fight Joseph Parker and this is a very tough fight for him.

"It's too early to mention Daniel's name in regards to Usyk."

Photo by Rob Avis

hamlet chairman strikes positive note

Welling’s Riding is super champ

By Sports Reporter wellinG’s Tom riding is the 2024 idl super Champion after coming through a high-quality field at McGovern Park, Ruislip on sunday.

After winning his group, he beat John McDermott and Shane Edwards to set up a final meeting with Surrey star Nick Ellis.

The first eight legs of the final went with the throw before Ellis broke throw to lead 5-4. That set him up to throw for the match, but Riding dug in deep, breaking back for 5-5 and winning a tense deciding leg.

Riding will now head to PDC Q School in January courtesy of The IDL. New sign-ups are open now for The IDL seasons starting in January, at venues in Southwark, Morden, Swiss Cottage, Wood Green, Ruislip, and Redhill.

Visit www.theidl.co.uk - players of all abilities are welcome.

Tom Riding

Indies.

Yorkshire batter Joe Root is back in the ODI side for the first time since the ICC Men’s World Cup in November 2023, but Durham’s Ben Stokes is out with a hamstring injury he picked up against New Zealand earlier this month.

The squad leave for India on January 17.

Fisher fall to rare defeat

By John Kelly

Fisher suFFered their first SCEFL Premier division defeat since early october after failing to overcome a combination of a very difficult playing surface and resolute opposition in snodland Town, who won 2-1 at The G i landscapes stadium at the weekend.

Ajay Ashanike’s visitors went in front on 37 minutes. Courtney Barrington passed inside to Armani-Jordan Martin who beat his marker before executing a pinpoint reverse-pass for Kesna Clarke to race on to, round the goalkeeper and finish from a tight angle.

The Fish had the slope in the second half and Jacob Katonia fired wide as they aimed

to double their advantage.

But the hosts turned the game around when Tristan Lock levelled on 52 minutes and Stanley Oldfield scored the winner sixteen minutes from time.

Fisher are third in the table, four points off VCD Athletic in first. They host seventhplace Glebe at St Paul’s this Saturday at 3pm.

Meanwhile, also in the Premier Division, Stansfeld lost 3-1 at home to Corinthian.

The Stans led through Rob Hughes’ goal in the 43rd minute but conceded three times after the 85th minute. Oscar Housego equalised before Henry Arnold scored in the 89th minute and Oscar Webb added the third four minutes into added-time.

Stansfeld are away to Holmesdale on Saturday at 3pm.

22 SPORT

ivanovic delivers lions a festive Winner Serbian striker's late header gifts Millwall fans the perfect Christmas present

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP Millwall - 1 Ivanovic 96’ Blackburn Rovers - 0 Date: Saturday 21 December 2024 Referee: David Webb Man of the match: Japhet Tanganga Attendance: 14,009 (1,303)

By Will Scott at The Den mihailo iVanoViC struck late in injury time on saturday to secure millwall a 1-0 win against Blackburn rovers at The den, and to snap the lions' six-game winless streak.

Millwall thoroughly outplayed the visitors, but looked like they would yet again fail to take advantage of their dominance before Ivanovic headed home his second goal of the season in the 96th minute to snatch a vital three points.

The Lions needed a result after three 1-0 losses in a row, and temporary head coach David Livermore set his team up to go after a dangerous Blackburn side.

Aidomo Emakhu, who has looked dangerous in his cameos off the bench, made his first league start of the season, alongside a potent front four of Romain Esse, Femi Azeez and Macaulay Langstaff.

They took on a Blackburn side that had previously won six in a row, four of which were away from home, and had kept five clean sheets in a row, and outclassed

Aidomo Emakhu challenges for the ball

By Will Scott millwall TemPorarY head coach dave livermore said he was "delighted" for aidomo emakhu after the winger made his first league start of the season in the lions' 1-0 victory over Blackburn rovers on saturday.

Mihailo Ivanovic celebrates after scoring the injurytime winner

them for most of the game. The Lions had seventeen shots to Blackburn's seven, and 58.7 per cent possession.

Millwall's new-look front four caused Blackburn problems from the off. Emakhu constantly worried Joe Rankin-Costello with his pace and intent, while Esse, playing as a number ten for the first time this season, fed his wingers a steady diet of flicks and passes behind Blackburn's back four.

Despite the Lions’ attacking fluidity, they still lacked cutting edge around the box, while Blackburn offered little going forward. As a result, the opening thirty minutes was a drab affair, with the sides combining for an expected goals (xG) of 0.22. Fortunately for the fans at The Den, Millwall soon exploded into life.

In the 34th minute, Femi Azeez found George Saville in acres of space on the left flank. Saville drove at the Blackburn box before curling in a cross. His delivery was nearly deflected into the path of Langstaff

by Rovers keeper Aynsley Pears, who was almost called into action again after the

Millwall striker got to the ball first, but his volley hit the side netting.

It was all Millwall for the next five minutes. In the 37th minute, Pears parried Azeez's volley into the path of Tanganga, whose bouncing effort was nearly turned in by Langstaff, but he could not quite get contact on the ball. A minute later, Emakhu got in on the action, cutting inside before uncorking a fierce shot that was blocked.

It was by far the Lions’ best period of the half, but they could not quite find the net and headed into the dressing room still searching for an opener.

Millwall started the second half brightly, but could not quite fashion any openings, and nearly gave away a cheap goal in the 53rd minute after they were caught napping after winning a corner.

Blackburn cleared the ball and it fell to Amario Cozier-Duberry, who was through on goal despite being in his own half.

The Brighton loanee looked set to give Blackburn the lead, but right before he could take his shot he was dispossessed

by Azeez, who had made a gut-busting recovery run. It was a brilliantly-timed challenge by the young winger, who almost certainly prevented a goal.

Aside from that, chances were few and between. The Lions had most of the ball and looked more dangerous, but still lacked that final pass, while Blackburn rarely had the ball in Millwall’s half.

Neither side had a shot on target until the 77th minute, when Andreas Weimann's effort from just inside the box was easily gathered by Jensen.

Millwall toiled away and were eventually handed a golden opportunity after Lewis Travers left the pitch injured.

Blackburn could not replace him because they had already made three stoppages for substitutions, meaning the Rovers would have to play with ten men for the remainder of the match.

The Lions poured forward. Langstaff came close in the 85th minute, but his close-range header was just over the bar, while Saville had a fierce effort from outside the box barely parried away.

Millwall kept coming and eventually broke through with only minutes remaining. In the 96th minute, Ryan Leonard put in a teasing cross that Ivanovic powered home to send The Den into ecstasy.

Blackburn were not capable of mounting a comeback after defending for so long, and the Lions easily rode out the next two minutes to secure a much needed three points.

Emakhu, 21, had been previously limited to nine substitut appearances, and struggled for game time after he was sent off against Preston North End in late September.

He served a three-game suspension, and was an unused substitute for five consecutive matches before he made his return two months later during Millwall's 1-1 draw with Sunderland, where he assisted Femi Azeez's late equaliser.

The Irishman made the most of his opportunity today, leading the team in successful dribbles (four) and fouls won (three).

"He’s had a few cameos recently where he's affected the game," Livermore said. "So I just thought it was right today that he'd earned that

opportunity to start.

"I was really surprised he played the 90 minutes if I’m honest with you, because I did think he would blow up and we'd have to take him off maybe around the 70-minute mark.

"But because the game was getting more and more stretched, I just thought his pace, certainly on the break and certainly when we moved him through the middle to try and get him behind them late on, might be a benefit to us.

"I'm delighted for him. He's a really good kid, he works really hard. He's got a lot of really good qualities.

"He's got a lot of areas to improve on as well and he knows that, and we'll work with him to do that. But I was really, really pleased for him today,

really delighted for him."

Despite Emakhu injecting pace and directness into the attack, Millwall's struggles in front of goal continued on Saturday. The Lions had seventeen shots but had to rely on an injury-time winner. They have not netted more than once in a game since their 3-1 victory over Preston North End in late September.

When asked what the solution to Millwall’s goalscoring woes were, Livermore said: “Just keep going, keep knocking on the door like we did today.

“I thought we forced it a little bit towards the end of the game. So once we calmed down and decided we could keep it a little bit more and build it into wide areas, I thought we were better.

“I think the underlying data is

quite positive, we're quite high up on big chances created. So there is underlying data that says we're actually a better attacking team then maybe our goals for suggest. But we'll just keep working.”

millwall: 4-2-3-1 – Jensen; Bryan, Tanganga, Wallace, Leonard; Saville, De Norre (Wintle 77); Emakhu, Esse, Azeez (Ivanovic 65); Langstaff (Watmore 88) subs not used: Roberts, Hutchinson, Mitchell, Bradshaw, Honeyman, Harding

Blackburn: 4-2-3-1 - Pears; Pickering (Hedges 76), Batth, Hyam, RankinCostello; Tronstad, Travis; Cantwell (Beck 67), Ohashi (Weimann 67), CozierDuberry (Dolan 61), Gueye subs not used: Hilton, Brittain, McFadzean, Hedges, Buckley, Baker

Emakhu impresses in rare start

Coventry City VS Millwall

Championship Saturday, December 29 (3pm) Possible Millwall starting XI: 4-2-3-1 Jensen; Leonard, Hutchinson, Tanganga, Bryan; Wintle, Saville; Emakhu, Esse, Watmore; Ivanovic.

Last meeting: Championship (December 7, 2024): Millwall 0-1 Coventry City (Mason-Clark 63’) Match odds: Coventry City 8/11 Draw 23/10 Millwall 10/3

SPORT 23

'i Want to be the next one'

south in part because he saw the value Millwall placed in youth. Academy graduates Billy Mitchell, Danny McNamara and Romain Esse have all featured prominently in the Lions’ first team over the past two years.

“I had a year option in my contract with Sheffield, but I didn't have a pathway up there and when I came here on trial there was a pathway to the first team,” Drake said. “That played a big part in it and I'm enjoying

it so far.

“Funnily enough I saw Danny Mac in the offseason, on holiday in Dubai, before I came here. I spoke to him there. I definitely think there's a pathway to the first team. Romain [Esse] is flying at the minute and I want to be the next one.

“I'm doing well. I'm definitely ready for the next step. I'm doing what I can and I'm just waiting for that opportunity really.”

When asked what he saw as his best position, Drake said: “I see myself as a left-back in a four, but in a back-five I can play left wing-back or as the leftsided centre back.

“Not as much as a fixed centre-back in a back four, but I've played there a few times this season and I think I've adapted well. I like to get forward, I like to get crosses into the box. I think I'm quite comfortable on the ball.

"I'd say my delivery is my strongest attribute. I got an assist for Bradders [Tom Bradshaw] last week, that was probably the best assist I've had this season. I definitely think my on the ball qualities are my best strength.”

Bradshaw and several other experienced players including Shaun Hutchinson, Mitchell, Wes Harding and Murray Wallace have all featured for the under-21s this season, and have helped Drake develop as a player.

“It's good to have the experienced players in,” Drake said. “It definitely helps me having Hutch [Shaun Hutchinson] or Wes [Harding] or Muz [Murray Wallace] or whoever it is, behind me and speaking to me the whole game.”

Drake has also benefited from the presence of Millwall veterans in the dugout. Under-21s assistant coach Paul Robinson made 300 appearances for the Lions as a player, while head coach Kevin Nugent has coached the side for over seven years.

“Robbo obviously was a defender, so he's definitely helped me,” Drake said.

“We do extra bits after training and Nug as well.”

The next step for Drake would be playing for the first team at The Den, an experience the youngster would relish.

“I've loved [playing at The Den],” Drake said. “Playing for the home side at The Den is perfect. I just want to play in front of the fans really, it would be a great experience.”

strength, and that's what we try to feed off. We'll keep playing for whoever's in charge.”

It’s a togetherness that will be particularly important as the Lions

head into a busy festive period.

Millwall play three games in ten days, a tough stretch of fixtures that Leonard thinks could provide crucial momentum.

“You don't get to have a drink on Christmas which is annoying,” Leonard said. “I'm just so used to it now.

“It's the Christmas period, everyone loves watching football over Christmas and for us we have to prepare well and be ready for whenever we're called upon.

“It's a lot of games in a short space of time, but to put a positive twist on it - if you can put a little run together in that short period of time, it can be a massive positive and a massive bonus for everyone.

“So it’ll be less food and less drink this year, but it's one of those things. I enjoy playing while I can.”

Academy star Ben Drake on adjusting to life at Millwall, meeting Danny Mac on holiday and wanting to be the next Romain Esse EXCLUSIVE

By Will Scott Ben drake has serious ambitions. only four and a half months after joining millwall’s academy from Sheffield United, he has his sights set on playing for the first team.

He’s made a good start. The full-back is a regular in Kevin Nugent’s under21s, and has already created a goal for a senior player. One of his trademark

whipped crosses was headed home

by Tom Bradshaw against Sheffield Wednesday under-21s, and now the youngster is looking to replicate that in front of 16,000 fans at The Den. Drake, 19, sat down with our paper to tell us how he ended up at Calmont Road.

“I was at a club called Bracknell Town, Saturday League, from ten to fifteen, then I moved from home up to Sheffield,” Drake said.

“I'm from down south. I was at Sheffield United for two years as a scholar, then one year as a pro, then I joined Millwall this summer. I've adapted well I think. Being closer to home, it's been easier.

“Sheffield United play the same kind of way, they're quite tough as well.

Coming here, I knew the nature of the club and how they play, so I feel like I've adapted quite easily.”

Drake opted to move back down

Lenny: playing under temporary boss was "business as normal" EXCLUSIVE

By Will Scott rYan leonard said it was “business as normal” playing under temporary head coach david livermore.

Livermore was appointed temporary head coach after Neil Harris stepped down following the Lion’s 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough on December 14.

The 44-year-old served as Harris’ assistant for nearly ten years, ensuring the transition was smooth.

“It was just business as normal for us,” Leonard said. “Livers has been with Neil the whole time, he's always been a voice on the training ground and he's always been a voice behind the scenes.

“It was just business as normal, he's taken over from Neil's role for a bit. Of course we're playing for whoever's in

charge, but we play for ourselves as well.

“Livers thanked us all after the game [against Blackburn] and we gave him a round of applause and just said thank you for what he's done so far at the football club.

“He's a massive character at this football club, whether as a player or an assistant manager, and it was nice for him today to step up into the role and to get him three points with a lastminute winner.”

Leonard thinks regardless of who is in charge, the players will maintain a strong dressing room culture.

“I think we've got quite a solid group of first-team players here or longstanding players that have been here for five, six, seven years,” Leonard said.

“We try to build around the changing room with the young lads, and we try to say: right we're doing this as

Ryan Leonard and Femi Azeez shake hands after Millwall's 1-0 victory against Blackburn a football club, no matter who's in charge, the biggest thing is that you perform for yourself and you perform for the group.

“Our togetherness is our biggest

Mihailo Ivanovic scores the winner during Millwall's 1-0 win against Blackburn Rovers last Saturday

INSIDE

Sport Southwark

HAMLET CHAIRMAN STRIKES POSITIVE NOTE

page 21

millWall head coach hunt narroWs to three Lions close to naming Neil Harris' successor Alex Neil in charge of Stoke City against Birmingham City at St Andrew's in April 2023

Danny Mac out for five weeks

By Willl Scott millwall TemPorarY head coach dave livermore revealed danny mcnamara will be sidelined for around five weeks after suffering a PCl injury.

McNamara, 25, has made seven league starts this season, and a further five appearances off the bench.

“Danny has a similar injury to Jake Cooper,” Livermore said. “Not as severe.

“Against Middlesbrough he actually had a Baker’s cyst on the back of his knee, which ruptured, and then he suffered a PCL injury in the game.

“It’s a strange one, PCL injuries you see like one every ten years, and we’ve had two in the space of a short time.

So that was unfortunate, but the good news is that it’s not as long as first thought.

“So we are looking probably around the five-week mark, maybe a week earlier, maybe a week later. That might take us to maybe Dagenham and Redbridge in the FA Cup.” The Lions now head into a busy festive period with only two healthy first-team full-backs, Joe Bryan, Ryan Leonard. Wes Harding is capable of filling in a full-back, but has not made a league appearance this season.

“We’re slowly running out of fullbacks, so we’ll have to find a solution to that,” Livermore said.

“It’s very difficult over the festive period to play and then go again, certainly for three games. So we’ll have to have a look at that. To be fair, I haven’t looked too far beyond today, but that would be something we’ll have to do. We’ll have to rotate and we’ll have to try and find a solution to the full-back areas.”

© Action Plus

By Will Scott aleX neil, steven schumacher and Matt Bloomfield have emerged as contenders for the vacant millwall head coach job.

This paper understands that it is unlikely another name will be added to the list, and that a decision was imminent as we went to press.

The Lions hierarchy have held talks with a number of candidates after Neil Harris stepped down as head coach, and have narrowed down their search to the three aforementioned coaches.

The trio are all 43 and younger,

and all have experience in the EFL. Neil, 43, has previously managed Stoke City and Sunderland, guiding the Black Cats back into the Championship after winning the 2022 League One play-offs. His managerial career also includes stints at Preston North End and Norwich City.

Schumacher, 40, was dismissed by Stoke in September despite steering the Potters clear of relegation in the 2023-24 season. He previously had a two-year spell in charge of Plymouth Argyle, and helped the Pilgrims secure promotion into the Championship in 2023.

Bloomfield, 40, is the current Wycombe Wanderers manager. He was named League One Manager of the Month in October and November after leading the Chairboys into the automatic promotion places. He has also had a short spell in charge of Colchester United in the 2022-23 season, winning EFL League Two Manager of the Month in January 2023.

Regardless of which of the three are appointed, David Livermore— currently serving as temporary head coach and formerly Harris’ second-in-command for nearly ten years across several clubs—intends

to remain at Millwall.

“I’ve been told by the chairman that I will be here beyond this season,” Livermore said. “My contract runs out at the end of the season, so we’ve had that chat. That will be my next task but I’ve been told by him I’ll be here beyond this season.

“When the new guy comes in, I’m sure he’ll want to bring at least someone with him. I’m really comfortable with that. I think I’m average to good at a number of things, so I think I’m quite flexible. I think I can mould into whatever the next head coach wants."

Danny McNamara in action against Middlesbrough THE RECYCLED PAPER CONTENT OF UK NEWSPAPERS IN 2014 WAS 83.5%