As her 14-year-old son’s killers are jailed, mum’s heart-rending plea for young teens to stop carrying knives
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By Cameron Blackshaw
Local Democracy Reporter
REFORM UK won its first ever London election this week with a victory in Bromley.
Alan Cook has become Reform’s first directly-elected London councillor after he won the Bromley Common and Holwood by-election last Thursday (July 24). However Reform does have three councillors in London already, due to Laila Cunningham jumping ship from the Conservatives in Westminster’s Lancaster Gate ward, as well as Daniel Thomas and Mark Shooter in Barnet defecting from the Tories
Cllr Cook was victorious in Bromley with 1,342 votes, with Conservative candidate Ian Payne the runner-up with 1,161 votes
Third place went to Labour’s Elizabeth Morgan with 720 votes, while Liberal Democrat Laura McCracken gained 540 votes and was fourth. Ruth Fabricant for the Greens garnered 185 votes and came fifth. The turnout in the by-election was 28 per cent.
Cllr Cook says he grew up in Bickley and has lived in Bromley for several years. Prior to being elected, he promised he would fight to cut waste and demand council transparency, protect local communities from crime, prevent development on the green belt and be a “strong, unrelenting voice” for residents.
He also said: “I am a father-of-two and following a successful career in the city, I am now determined to work hard to deliver Reform UK’s objective of effective local government, run in the interests of families,
small businesses and the community as a whole.”
While campaigning for his Bromley Common and Holwood seat, Cllr Cook stated he wanted to “start the conversation” about splitting Bromley from the GLA (Greater London Authority) as he doesn’t believe Sadiq Khan’s policies for “high density, high rise, high traffic Central London” are a fit for the borough.
The Bromley Common and Holwood by-election was sparked by the death of the incumbent Conservative councillor Jonathan Laidlaw who passed away in May Cllr Laidlaw was elected to Bromley Council on May 6, 2022 and most recently served on the Pensions Committee, Rights of Way Sub-Committee and the Bromley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE).
By Charlotte Lillywhite Local Democracy Reporter
A BELOVED nursery in South West London that has been called a “second home” to families is facing closure.
Richmond Council confirmed it will not extend the lease held by The Pavilion Montessori School, on Vine Road, in Barnes, past July 2026 as it plans to redevelop the park in which it sits.
The council approved a masterplan for the redevelopment of Vine Road Recreation Ground in 2022, which was put together by The Friends of Barnes Common (FoBC) – a group which operates from the grounds and manages the neighbouring Barnes Common on the council’s behalf. The masterplan outlines improvements to the park including a new café, toilets, adventure playground and wetland area.
The council confirmed in its Vine Road Recreation Ground Management Plan 2024/25 that funding had been secured to put together a formal planning application for the works. It informed parents in May it had decided not to renew the nursery’s lease past July 2026, as part of the park’s planned redevelopment.
The council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the nursery, which opened on the grounds in 1984, currently operates from a pavilion which has reached the end of its usable life. It added the nursery has been given enough
time to consider its future options.
But a total of 571 people have signed a Change.org petition urging the council to reverse its decision, which it says sparked “deep concern and sadness” among parents. The petition claims the decision was made without meaningful consultation with affected families.
It says: “We understand the council is pursuing a major redevelopment of Vine Road Recreation Ground, as outlined in the Vine Road Management Plan 2024–2025. While we support improvements to community facilities, we strongly object to any plan that sacrifices educational provision and community heritage in the process.”
It adds: “Children thrive at the pavilion and parents speak with overwhelming
affection about the school’s warm, caring ethos. It is a place where little ones run in with smiles, learn through play and discovery, and build lifelong confidence. Many families view it not just as a school, but as a second home.”
The petition calls on the council to reverse its decision not to extend the nursery’s lease past July 2026, guarantee any redevelopment plans involve preserving or relocating the nursery and properly consult with residents.
A planning application for the park’s redevelopment is set to be submitted to the council later this year, which will go out to consultation with residents.
A Richmond Council spokesperson told the LDRS it acknowledged the petition.
The spokesperson said: “We understand
this is an important place for many local families, and we recognise how difficult this news will be for those whose children attend the Vine Road Montessori School. While we know this may be disappointing, condition surveys have shown that the building has reached the end of its usable life.
“The nursery has been aware of the lease expiry and the wider masterplan proposals for some time. The council has kept the occupiers informed throughout, giving them time to consider their future options. We want to reassure residents that this change will not affect the council’s ability to meet childcare sufficiency duties in the ward or across the wider borough.”
The Montessori Pavilion School has been contacted for comment.
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By Issy Clarke
AN OPENING date for the highly anticipated new Canada Water Leisure Centre has finally been set – and we took a look around to check out the brand new facilities, including two new swimming pools and a sports court.
The sprawling leisure complex will open on September 1st – after it missed its original Spring 2025 deadline.
The centre will replace the 60-year old Seven Islands Leisure Centre located over the road, which will be demolished later this year and replaced with new council homes.
The 1960s Seven Islands Leisure Centre will close for good on August 30 before being demolished later this year.
All 2,000 members currently signed up at the centre will have their memberships automatically transferred over to Canada Water.
The new centre is being delivered as part of British Land’s multimillion pound Canada Water Masterplan – a regeneration set to bring 3,000 new homes to the Thameside neighbourhood.
The Surrey Quays Shopping Centre is also set to be demolished ahead of plans for a new town centre.
For the next few weeks, the council will be making various finishing touches and carrying out safety checks – but those interested in taking a look inside the gym before it opens can book a tour here.
A standard membership will cost £43.99
a month – up from £31.99 at Seven Islands, but existing members will continue paying the old price until March 2026.
All 2,000 members currently signed up at the centre will have their memberships automatically transferred over to Canada Water.
The standard membership includes access to exercise classes, the spinning studio, the gym and the pool, and is valid at any of Southwark Council’s other gyms.
Those willing to fork out a bit extra can pay for a premium membership which costs £57.99 a month and includes 14-day priority booking for classes (compared to a 7-day booking window for those on the standard membership).
There is also an exclusive offer for those who sign up before August 31 to get the first three months of membership at a lower rate of £20.25 a month, which is valid for Canada Water Leisure Centre only. After three months the price of membership will increase to the full rate and will include access to all other centres.
If you are a Southwark resident, you will also be eligible to use the gym for free at certain times of the day as part of the council’s free gym and swim programme, which you can find out more about here.
The new centre contains a 25-metre swimming pool with eight lanes – shorter, but wider, than the 33-metre pool at Seven Islands.
There is also a second, smaller pool in a separate room designed for learners with a movable floor.
The new gym is on the ground floor and has plenty of natural light, with more than 150 pieces of gym equipment, many of
which have adaptations designed to make them more accessible for disabled people.
The most eye-catching addition is the brand new four-court sports hall with space for football, badminton and more –a huge upgrade from Seven Islands, which never had one.
There are three group studios, including a spinning studio decked out with a sound system and pulsing lights, and a studio exclusively for yoga and pilates.
The council previously confirmed that the new centre will not have a new sauna or steam room due to concerns about the environmental impact. Councillor Portia Mwangangye, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks and Young People, explained this decision was part of the council’s broader decarbonisation strategy and necessary to achieve an ‘excellent’ BREEAM sustainability rating.
59 classes will be on offer at the new centre, and will be included within the the price of a standard membership – a substantial increase from the 19 currently offered at Seven Islands.
The new classes include:
• Les Mills BODYBALANCE
• Meditation
• Silver Aqua Aerobics
• Strength & Conditioning
• Tai Chi
• Chair Yoga
• Sound Bath
• Les Mills BODYPUMP
• Les Mills Pilates
• Cycl’H2O (Aqua Cycling)
• Dance Fitness
• Boxercise
There will also be ten extra swimming activities, up from 14 at Seven Islands, including underwater hockey, water polo, Aqua Fit and more swimming lessons.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Friday: 6:30am to 10pm Saturday: 7am to 6pm Sunday: 7am to 10pm
Where can I find out more?
More information, including details on how to sign up and book a tour, can be found on Southwark Council’s website.
By Issy Clarke
BERMONDSEY’S
BUSINESS
community has been left in utter shock after one of their leading lights was named as one of the two people killed in a quadruple stabbing on Long Lane – tragically the other victim is his 27-year-old son.
Tributes have begun pouring in for Terry McMillan, 58, and his son Brendan, 27, after news broke of the shocking stabbings on Long Lane, Bermondsey, where the pair had an office, at around 1pm on Monday afternoon, July 28.
Brendan was a keen rugby player, who played for Jamaica Rugby, Blackheath, and his old school the Old Colfeians, who took to Instagram to share a tribute to the player.
Police confirmed just hours after the incident took place that four people had been stabbed; that one died at the scene, who we now know was Terry. Another later died in hospital - his son Brendan. They said a third man in his 30s remained in hospital with injuries that thankfully are not thought to be life threatening.
The fourth person stabbed is believed to be the man suspected of carrying out the attack. He was said to be fighting for his life, but following an announcement of his arrest police have confirmed that although he remains in hospital “his condition is not life-threatening.”
Terry, who lived in Chislehurst with his wife Sheron, where they raised their two children, started his career as a humble postie, but rose to be a successful businessman. His eye for a deal and sparkling sense of humour saw him swiftly ascend the ranks of the property world, according to Richard Kalmar, the owner of Kalmar's Estate Agents, who knew Terry for 30 years.
This achievement, Mr Kalmar added, was all the more remarkable at a time when few people of colour were represented in the industry.
Terry grew up in Hackney and arrived on the scene in Southwark in the late 1980s, where he quickly made his mark on the borough after he spotted the potential of Bermondsey Street, long before it became the trendy enclave it is today.
"Bermondsey Street in the '80s wasn't the place it is today" said Mr Kalmar, who has chaired the Southwark Chamber of Commerce for a number of years. "It's easy to see in hindsight that it was attractive, but back then, it was pretty run down. Terry could see it was underrated and had a lot of potential. He could see potential and helped make it happen where others felt dread."
Terry is said to have got to work buying up crumbling buildings which lined the street and converted them into flats and business premises where people wanted to live and work - spearheading the transformation of the street into the world-famous destination it is today.
In a tribute sent to us, Mr Kalmar described Terry as a "remarkable man who rose from humble beginnings to succeed in an industry where few people of colour were represented at the time, and built his company Trademark to be a tour de force within the property world.
"His achievements, integrity, and loyalty left a lasting impression on all of us at Kalmars.
"Our heartfelt thoughts are with Terry’s wife, Sheron, their son Myles— also a former colleague - and the entire McMillan family during this
Self-made businessman, who rose from postie to property tycoon, named as fatal victim of quadruple Bermondsey stabbing, alongside his son
unimaginable time."
After years of predominantly working on refurbishments, conversions and trading-stock, Terry went on to set up ‘Trademark Homes’ in 1998, a company which has steadily and consistently evolved into a group of companies specialising in both property development and investment, now commonly known as ‘The Trademark Group’.
Terry's son Brendan, 27, who worked at Terry's company, was educated at Colfe's School in Greenwich. In a tribute post on Instagram, his old school's rugby club described him as "one of the kindest, funniest, most genuine people you could ever meet."
"Brendan lit up every room he walked into, forever smiling, always cracking a joke and always full of life. His absence will be deeply felt for a long time to come. We will miss him more than words can say and we’ll always carry his memory with us. We are also mourning the loss of his beloved father, Terry, a long time supporter and sponsor of the club.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace, Brendan McMillan. Rest in peace, Terry McMillan.”
Brendan and his brother Myles were destined to join their father in the property world and briefly worked for Richard at Kalmars to gain a flavour
of the industry. Richard remembers Brendan as a "lovely guy and a steady character".
"He was a very likeable guy and was capable in the property world and was a steady part of the team with his dad."
Local Bermondsey MP Neil Coyle, who had met Terry a few times, described him as "a larger than life figure who will be hugely missed in Southwark", sending his ondolences to "his large family who will be devastated by his loss and the awful incident yesterday.
"The local community in Southwark needs to be assured that there is no further risk here,” he added. “I hope trauma specialists are made available
to anyone affected and send the whole McMillan family Southwark’s condolences at this awful time."
Rosemary George, 59, who told a national paper that she cleaned for the family at their home and in their Bermondsey office, said: “Terry and Brendan have passed away. I have worked with them for 14 years. I’m just on the way to the house now in Chislehurst. I watched Brendan finish secondary school. From secondary school he went to college and then university for four years.
“He had a gap year in America. He did physical education and was good at rugby as well. I WhatsApped him yesterday at 3pm and there was no answer. I was calling the office and there was no answer. I didn’t know what had happened. I found out this morning.”
Police were quick to quell rumours saying: “We do not believe it to be terrorism-related and there is no further risk to the public.”
In the latest statement from the Met
police, Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the family and friends of the victims of this tragic incident. Our investigation continues at pace and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances.
“I understand there may be concern in the local community and there will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days. I would also encourage anyone who may be worried to speak to an officer.”
A crime scene remains in place and officers continue to investigate the circumstances.
The police said the incident took place in a business premises and a crime scene is in place at a nearby hotel where the arrested man went into. The police said they are aware of speculation the man was staying at the hotel, but have said this was not the case.
Anyone with information can call 101, report online or contact ‘X’@METCC and quote CAD3499/28.
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By Kevin Quinn
A TEENAGER gunman from Southwark has been convicted of murdering Jesse Lloyd-Smith, after shooting him in the head near his Peckham home in broad daylight last summer.
The killing in East Surrey Grove, Peckham at 4:50pm on Wednesday, 10 July last year shocked residents as Jesse’s own mother heard the gunman open fire and moments later found her son lying on the ground injured
Twenty-year-old Jesse was rushed to hospital but sadly died the following day.
Following the conviction of 19-year-old Gabriel Charles last Thursday, July 24, Jesse’s mother Ty Lloyd-Smith said: “To those responsible for the brutal daylight shooting of my beloved son, I wish to express the overwhelming emotional turmoil our family and friends continue to face.
“The loss of a vibrant young man, filled with potential and dreams, serves as a heart-breaking reminder of the fragility of life.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the homicide team for their relentless patience, commitment, and dedication in bringing these perpetrators to justice. Their tireless efforts have provided us with a glimmer of hope amidst our pain.
“Additionally, we are profoundly thankful for the compassion and care given by the London Air Ambulance team during our son's critical time of need. Their quick actions and heartfelt support made a difference in his final moments.
“We urge the community to come together and advocate for a safer environment for our children. Together, we can make a difference.
“Fighting for justice is not just for our loved ones but for every child in our community who deserves to live without fear. We ask for support in creating initiatives that foster safety, understanding, and compassion.”
The Old Bailey was told that Charles travelled to the scene in a Ford S-Max car which was found burnt out days later. He then fled the country and denied being present at the scene of the killing.
Co-defendant Kywan JN Pierre, 18, from Selhurst, was cleared of murder but convicted of plotting to pervert the course of justice.
Five others were found guilty of helping to dispose of evidence as the killer sought to evade justice.
Ben Nguyen, 20, of no fixed address; Enver Francis, 22, from Southwark; Abdoul Guene, 18, from Peckham; Kadjo Kadio, 21, from Romford; and a 17-yearold youth, who cannot be identified due to their age, were found guilty of conspiring to pervert the course of justice after the juror was told they removed the Ford S-Max car which was destroyed by fire.
The court heard Charles was found to have driven purposefully towards a Peckham alleyway in a silver Ford S-Max.
The car passed the Damilola Taylor Centre, turned the corner and stopped before he exited the vehicle and ran towards Jesse Lloyd-Smith. There, Charles was said to have fired a gun five times. One of those bullets fatally wounded Jesse.
During the trial that lasted three months the court heard that Jesse’s mum was in her flat only yards away and heard the noise of shots. She ran downstairs to find her son lying on the ground, shot in the head.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila from the Met’s Specialist Crime Unit said: “A mother should never experience the loss of a child, particularly as a result of violent crime. Our thoughts remain with Jesse’s family, who have demonstrated unwavering resilience
At
Jesse’s own mother heard the gunman open fire and moments later found her son lying on the ground
and togetherness over the year and throughout the trial.
“The impact of gun crime is horrific. I hope this conviction acts as a deterrent to anyone considering carrying out acts of extreme violence. Justice will be served.”
In the months after the brutal killing the heartache felt by people in the Peckham community was plain for all to see as they gathered at the pitch where Jesse used to play football. At the pitch they displayed a huge memorial piece in his honour. Best friend Tyler Wellsted painted the piece, which reads: ‘Jesse – Rest in Peace.’
The 21-year-old, who grew up with Jesse, told Southwark News he painted it so people would know how much his friend was loved.
“The last time I saw Jesse, we were doing
graffiti together – so it just felt right to do this for him,” he said.
“This is Jesse’s pitch now and forever,” Tyler continued, “It’s a place we can all come and feel connected to him.”
Asked what he remembers about his friend, whom he described as ‘more like family’ he said: “Whenever we saw each other, no matter how much time had passed – it would be the same.
“Jesse really saw people for who they were – he got on with everyone.”
Around the area, Jesse was well-known, never seen without his two dogs, Blue and Savvie, which he raised from puppies. Tyler said they even inspired the colours in the artwork: “Savvie is a grey colour like the letters and then I added blue around the outside.”
At the gathering, the two dogs ran around the pitch – pausing now and then to go and sit by the mural, as if paying respects to their beloved owner.
The energy around the pitch just three months on from the killing was proof of not only a life lost too soon but also one that impacted everyone he came across. Despite experiencing the worst thing they could have ever imagined, Jesse’s loved ones used the gathering as an opportunity to share memories and stories about him.
Fellow dog-lover and friend, Mowgly, said: “Jesse had the biggest heart. He never
judged anyone and treated everyone with love.”
Mowgly said an example of this was when Jesse would see someone struggling around Peckham, and he would help them in any way he could.
“He would buy them food or help the elders with their shopping – even do it for them. Now, when I walk around Peckham, there are so many people who approach me crying that he’s gone.”
Charles and the seven other convicted will be sentenced at the
yet to be decided.
B y Tara Russell
TIME OUT just dropped its list of top 50 bars in London for 2025 and Peckham appears to be the place to drink south of the river, While Soho and Shoreditch always turn up, this year its Peckham stealing the show. Four out of the eight South London entries come from this buzzing neighbourhood, officially making it South London’s coolest postcode for a pint, negroni or natural wine.
JUMBI, COPELAND PARK
Third on Time Out’s list, Jumbi is a vinylled rum bar that mixes Caribbean vibes with serious hi-fi sound. It’s got rhythm, community spirit and some of the best cocktails south of the river.
Address: Unit 4.1, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham, SE15 3SN.
Opening times: Tue-Thu 12pmmidnight, Fri-Sat 12pm-2am, Sun 12-11pm.
FORZA WINE, RYE LANE
Coming in at number 7, Forza Wine is a chic rooftop gem above Peckham Levels that delivers natural wine, impeccable cocktails and skyline views. Ideal for sunsets and people-watching.
Address: The Rooftop, 133A Rye Lane, SE15 4BQ.
Opening hours: Daily 12pm-midnight.
FUNKIDORY, RYE LANE
At number 12, Funkidory is a superfriendly, tiny cocktail bar run by a local couple and full of personality. With imaginative cocktails and an excellent
soundtrack, Funkidory is stylish without trying too hard.
Address: 42 Peckham Rye, Peckham, SE15 4JR.
Opening times: Tue-Thu 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-midnight, Sun 4-10pm.
FRANK’S CAFÉ, RYE LANE
15th place goes to Frank’s, the rooftop
institution atop the Bold Tendencies car park. Open only in summer, Frank’s launches every May, treating patron to a vast view of London’s skyline with a frozen paloma in hand.
Address: 95a Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST.
Opening hours: May-September, WedSun 11am-11pm.
OTHER SOUTH LONDON BARS
Whilst Peckham firmly is claiming its place as one of London’s most exciting drinking districts. Camberwell, Deptford and London Bridge also holding their own. Whether you are seeking rooftop views or a deep basement bar, here’s to more cheers south of the river.
LYANESS, SOUTH BANK
Sitting 31st on the list, South Bank finally makes an appearance. Lyaness is a cosy Thames-facing bar that experiments beyond your wildest dreams with extraordinary cocktails concocted from a seriously intriguing ingredients list.
Address: 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 9PD.
Opening times: Mon-Wed 5pm-12am, Thu 4pm-12am, Fri 4pm-1am, Sat 1pm1am, Sun 1-11pm.
VERAISON WINES, CAMBERWELL
In 33rd place, Veraison Wines is
a newcomer that focuses on wine without the snobbery. With the vibe of a chic Parisian bistro, this Camberwell contender is intimate and relaxed. Natural wine is the go-to, and there is always a trust-worthy £5 glass picked by the staff.
Address: 78 Camberwell Church Street, Camberwell, SE5 8QZ.
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5-10.30pm, Fri-Sat 12-10.30pm, Sun 12-7.30pm.
JAZU, DEPTFORD
At number 39, Jazu is a sultry little jazz bar that has only been open a year but has already claimed its spot here, providing classic cocktails and smooth sounds.
Address: 2 Deptford High Street, Deptford, SE8 4AF.
Opening hours: Wed 5pm-midnight, Thu 5pm-am, Fri-Sat 5pm-3am, Sun 4-11pm.
NINE LIVES, LONDON BRIDGE
Topping off the list in the 50th spot is Nine Lives. Tucked down a quiet Bermondsey alleyway, this is a musthit spot for a weekend brunch of tacos and tequila.
Address: 8 Holyrood Street, London Bridge, SE1 2EL.
Opening times: Tue-Wed 5-11pm, ThuFri 5pm-midnight, Sat 2pm-midnight.
By Kevin Quinn
TWO 16-YEAR-OLD boys face sentences of least 15 years and ten months for carrying out a machete attack aboard a bus in the middle of the afternoon in Woolwich, taking the life of a 14-year-old schoolboy.
Horrific CCTV footage captured the attack, which lasted less than a minute, as Kelyan Bokassa tried to defend himself with his school bag.
Police said: “One of the 16-yearold boys could be seen smiling as he recognised Kelyan. Only seconds later both boys produced machetes and launched into a violent ambush.”
Kelyan was stabbed more than eight times on the top deck of the 472 bus, although CCTV showed that they had made more than 27 attempts to wound him.
Audio from the bus which had stopped in Woolwich Church Street highlighted the terror of the incident as screams from members of the public could be heard, as many attempted to flee the frenzied attack, shortly before 2.30pm on Tuesday, January 7 this year.
Officers traced the pairs movements, with CCTV showing them discarding the murder weapon into the river.
Following a manhunt, both were arrested an address in Eltham during the early hours of Wednesday, January 15.
The attack sent shockwaves across London and provided another terrible example of the capital’s knife crime problem.
The Old Bailey heard that as Kelyan lay dying, he called out “I want my mum”. And following the sentencing of the two teenage boys, who cannot be named because of their age, Kelyan’s mother Marie Bokassa made a heartrendering plea for young teenagers to stop carrying knives.
She said: “To the young people who carry knives, I beg you to stop, before you raise that blade, think of your own mother, think of the mothers who will cry every night like I do, who will scream into her pillow, who will walk past her child’s empty room and collapse with grief.
“Don’t let a moment of anger steal your future. Don’t let the streets raise you in a way your mother never would.
“Knife crime is not just statistics to us, its caskets, flowers, funerals. Our children being buried before their parents.”
The court heard that Kelyan was on his way to an appointment that afternoon and sat at the back of the bus, with footage “giving every impression that he was concerned for his safety.”
The attack which police described as an ambush happened so quickly and was so vicious the 14-year-old aspiring rapper from Greenwich had little chance of surviving.
The bus driver activated his emergency alarm just before 2.27pm and the defendants fled when the vehicle which had stopped at Woolwich Ferry.
Members of the public flagged down a passing police car and officers attempted to save his life, but Kelyan died at the scene at 3.23pm.
In his mother’s powerful statement, she started: “My child had a name, it was Kelyan, a future, a heartbeat full of hope. That life was not theirs to take.
“That moment of violence may have lasted seconds, but the consequences are eternal.
“They didn’t just take a life; they shattered an entire world. They broke a family, they buried a future, and they left me, a mother dead inside with wounds no justice can ever heal.”
The court hears of the horrying last moments of a 14-year-old schoolboy - killed by two teens on a Woolwich bus armed with machetes
The teenagers pleaded guilty to Kelyan’s murder at the Old Bailey on Friday, May 23. Last Friday (July 25) they were sentenced to a minimum of 15 years, 10 months for murder and received an additional 12-month sentence for possession of a knife which will run concurrently.
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lee, whose team led the Met investigation, said: “This case has been deeply troubling for all involved and our thoughts remain with Kelyan’s family and loved ones.
“The harsh reality in London is that violence disproportionately affects young black men and boys. The fact we’re seeing so many teenagers like Kelyan die should be at the forefront of the minds of every politician, every policy maker and everyone who wants better for children growing up in London. Without this collective effort, we won’t be able to tackle knife crime in its entirety.
“And while I am pleased that Kelyan’s mother, Marie, has been spared the emotional turmoil of a trial, I know that she still desperately seeks to understand why three young lives could be considered so disposable.
“Finally, I would like to recognise the members of the public that comforted Kelyan in his final moments and the witnesses who entrusted my investigation team with their testimonies. It was your bravery that helped us secure justice. Thank you.”
KELYAN BOKASSA’S 16-YEAR-OLD KILLERS CAN’T BE NAMED BECAUSE THEY ARE SO YOUNG - THEY NOW FACE AT LEAST 15 YEARS & 10 MONTHS BEHIND BARS
By Evie Flynn
TOTALLY THAMES Festival is back for the whole of September and have announced their full line-up with tours, concerts, exhibitions and mudlarking events.
Returning for another year, Totally Thames festival celebrates the stories of the River Thames. They have been running the festival since 2014 and this year has a special focus on the river's hidden histories, its ecological future and the communities that shape its narrative.
River Recital on the Arts Ark, Tower Bridge
The River Recital summer concert is an event celebrating the river’s natural and cultural diversity. Set against the stunning backdrop of Tower Bridge, the concert will feature performances from some of London’s most exciting contemporary classical musicians.
Date: Sunday 7 September, 3pm-9pm
Location: Tower Bridge Moorings
Price: Donations to The Museum of Homelessness, suggested £5-15
History of Southwark
theatrical walking tour: Meet the women who built Southwark in this interactive feminist tour by Herstorical Tours. Hear the stories of the women who helped build the communities ‘South of the River’.
Your Roman guide will show you Southwark’s HERstory and bring to life its colourful past in a 2 hour walk with comedy, history and a tipple at a pub at the end.
Dates: Sunday 14th September (3pm-5pm), Thursday 25th September (5.-7pm)
Location: Start point: London Bridge Road, next to the Barrow Boy and
Banker Pub and Green Dragon Court steps. End Point: Red Cross Way, Southwark.
Price: £20, book here: https:// thamesfestivaltrust.org/whats-on/ sinners-saints-and-saviours-theatricalwalking-tour-23762/#last-block
Choral performance at More London
A choral performance by Tower Bridge will see singers from all over the country come together to sing and help raise money for WaterAid. Over 40 choirs and over 500 voices will come together to perform a range of rythm and blues classics. Choirs learn the repertoire over six months and hold local performances, as well as singing together on the banks of the Thames, while raising money for WaterAid’s fresh water and sanitation projects in Rwanda.
Date: Sunday 14 September, 2:15pm – 3pm
Location: The Scoop at More, London SE1 2AA
Lost & Found: Untold stories of Greenwich and Deptford
Thames Festival Trust has been working with ten young people on a heritage project, Lost & Found, revealing the untold histories of Deptford and Greenwich through objects found on the foreshore by mudlark Nicola White.
Heritage trainee Nadia Hirsi, the descendant of a Somali seafarer from Limehouse, is one of four expert panellists exploring the secret lives of the river at London Museum Docklands on 2nd September
Nicola herself will share some of her own extraordinary stories (and finds) at Enderby House, Greenwich on 10 September and at Woolwich Works on 21st September.
Thames Lens Street Photography Workshop, Greenwich
Join street photographer Kevin Mullins for a unique street photography walk from Greenwich to the Greenwich Peninsular to capture the Thames, its people and surrounding architecture.
Thames Festival Trust’s annual Thames Lens photography competition provides an amazing opportunity for photographers to interpret the vibrant and multifaceted character of the River Thames in London.
Submit your images to be in with a chance to win.
Date: 9 September, 6-8pm
Location: Meet outside the Cutty Sark visitor entrance, the walk will finish at Greenwich Peninsular
Price: £25, book here: https://buy.stripe. com/28E6oI3Gr1HGe1f1ZF9fW0a
Guided Walk of the Thames Estuary, Greenwich
Learn about the lesser-known environmental past and present of the Thames with a free guided walk along the Thames Estuary, from Olympian way to Point Wharf with some stops in between.
Date: 14 September, 10am -12pm
Location: Start at History in Motion Olympian Way, finish at Point Wharf
Be Still in Flow: Artist residency at Bankside Hotel
An immersive open studio at Bankside Hotel’s artist studio, where Lyra Morgan explores the timeless flow of the Thames through colour and paint.
Dates: Mon 1st – Tue 30th Sep 2025, 11am – 5pm
Location: Art Yard Makers Studio, Bankside Hotel
Hands on History: Mudlarking Weekend, 27-28 September
This will take place at the London Museum Docklands, as part of their ‘Secrets of the Thames’ exhibition. Running from 27th to 28th September, this offers a chance to discover thousands of historic artefacts uncovered from the muddy riverbed of the Thames.
Visitors will be able to chat with the mudlarks themselves and explore the stories behind the objects. Amongst many others, the finds of Helen and Christopher Marsland are on display.
Helen Marsland says: “Mudlarking is a way for us to connect with the ordinary people who lived through some of history’s biggest events, each item we find represents a life once lived. We take great pleasure in sharing what we learn about the everyday lives of people not so frequently spoken about in history books.”
Hands on History: Exhibition at Cutlers’ Hall, 13-14 September
This exhibition features an extraordinary collection of over 1,000 bladed artefacts pulled from the Thames by mudlarks.
Set within the surroundings of the Worshipful Company of Cutlers, visitors can discover collections of historic swords, knives and axes, including finds from celebrated mudlark Graham du Heaume and others.
Location: 4 Warwick Ln, London EC4M 7BR
Hands on History: Exhibition at London’s Roman Amphitheatre, 6-7 September
The exhibition will showcase a mudlarked collections of Roman artefacts recovered from the Thames. Set within this ancient archaeological site, each object offers a glimpse into the unique stories of life in Londinium.
Location: Guildhall Yard, London EC2V 5AE
Clean Thames Challenge
Throughout the duration of September, there will be a Clean Thames Challenge hosted by the Port of London Authority, where individuals are groups are invited to help tackle litter along the river. The challenge offers Clean Thames kits, including litter pickers and high vis vests to anyone taking part, as a practical way to protect the river’s health and support biodiversity.
There’s no one event, though they suggest, if it’s your first time, you join organised litter picks that you can find on the Cleaning the Thames site.
The full line-up can be found on their website, here: https://thamesfestivaltrust.org/
By Abigail Finney
A NEW video messaging app has launched at King’s College Hospital and Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) that allows families to keep in touch with their babies in neonatal units.
The app, which has been funded through King’s College Hospital Charity, allows staff on neonatal intensive care units at King’s and the PRUH to send regular photo and video updates securely to families, allowing them to see play and therapy sessions, baths and feeding times.
Parents and families can also use the app to ask questions and receive important updates about their baby’s progress. It has already made profound impacts on several families who are battling through the difficulties of having a premature baby.
Jade Clark, from Petts Wood, has been using the app to receive updates on her twin daughters Tennesse and Tallulah, who were born prematurely
at 32 weeks, and are receiving care at the neonatal unit at Princess Royal University Hospital.
"It has been really hard to leave my little girls for any amount of time, so being able to keep in touch through the app makes a huge difference," Clark said. "Seeing photos of them both doing well is a joy, and gives extra reassurance when we can’t be there.”
Staying connected can be difficult for families with babies in the NICU.
Separation can be extremely trying and this app help ease some of those challenges.
"A stay on a neonatal unit can be one of the most stressful times for a family, but we can now support parents to be more involved, and more connected to their baby’s care, as well as making a positive impact in delivering family centred care, even when they are not able to be at hospital," Dr Anusha Arasu, Consultant in Neonatal Medicine at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said.
"The app not only allows us to share photographs and updates with parents,
but helps to reduce separation anxiety and allows the whole family to create and build an emotional bond with their baby.”
In another sucessful story, Dr Numan Shahid, from Camberwell, and his wife Dr Hajar Husainare both using the app to receive regular updates on their four-month-old daughter, Noorulain Fatima, who was born prematurely at 27 weeks at King’s College Hospital.
"The app is an incredible idea –having updates on our little girl while I’m working is so uplifting, Dr. Shahid said.
"She is only a few months old, but she’s a fighter and we’re hoping she can come home soon. In the meantime, we’re so thankful we have this way to keep in touch when we can’t be in the unit with our daughter."
By Evie Flynn
ON FRIDAY 22 August, The Alex Yee
Ladywell Arena will be hosting a Triathlon Run-Bike-Run duathlon event for children aged 6 to 14.
The event will consist of a 1km run, followed by a 5km cycle and finishing with another 1km run.
This leaves out the traditional swimming component of a triathlon but is sure to be a fun and non-competitive event for children who have been inspired by Olympian Alex Yee.
Both disciplines will be taking place on the athletics track to avoid those taking part having to contend with roads or members of the public.
There will be two waves: 10am start for children aged 6-10 11:30am start for children aged 10-14
and the athletic centre is named after him.
Participants will be required to bring their own equipment and wear helmets when cycling. All types of bikes are welcome, apart from e-bikes. Traditional triathlons are spectator events so bring along friends and family.
Register for the event here: https://www.britishtriathlon. org/events/Swim-Bike-Run-MiniCatford_16764
Location: Alex Yee Ladywell Arena, Ladywell Fields, Silvermere Rd, London SE6 4QX
Price: £10 per entry
The closing date for entry is Wednesday 20 August.
By Abigail Finney
CHRISTOPHER CHESSUN, the Bishop of Southwark, is back serving the community after surgeons at King’s College Hospital in Camberwell rebuilt his face following a car accident in September of 2024.
A single moment can change everything. The bishop was travelling as a passenger in a taxi when it was involved in a collision in central London.
Breaking all of his facial bones with the exception of his lower jaw (13 in total), the bishop had a long road ahead of him.
He required urgent surgery from the specialist maxillofacial team, the only
surgical speciality capable of treating these complex bone and soft tissue injuries.
Under the leadership of Professor Kathy Fan, Consultant Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgeon, the team worked to address his injuries.
“We had to expose all of the Bishop’s fractures, reduce the bones into the correct position and then use seven titanium plates and a number of screws to hold them in place, and material to reconstruct the floor of the eye socket,” Fan said.
It was no easy feat as the team worked over eight hours in the operating room carefully rebuilding his face.
“Bishop Christopher plays a key role in society, providing spiritual and pastoral care to the people of South London and East Surrey, and we are delighted that we could enable him to return to his job with his identity intact,” Fan said.
A face is someone’s identity, it affects
their everyday lives and shapes how they see themselves in the mirror. Despite the challenges before Chessun, he maintained an optimistic view of his situation.
“Throughout the whole experience, I had absolute confidence and trust in the skill and expertise of Professor Fan and her team and I am also grateful to the nursing staff and for the excellent followup post-surgical care,” Chessun said. “I really can’t thank them enough – they not only reconstructed my face – they saved me from life-changing repercussions.”
After a two-month period of recovery, Chessun was back at work, serving the community and his parishes. Now, he continues his life’s work with his brand new face.
By Issy Clarke
LAMBETH AND Southwark councils alongside Haringey had the highest number of ombudsman complaints in the UK last year, according to the latest data published by the housing watchdog.
In total, 256 complaints received by the ombudsman concerned Southwark Council – behind Lambeth Council (316) and Haringey Council (290).
The vast majority of complaints in Southwark were about housing, which accounted for 140 of the enquiries received. Only Lambeth had a narrowly higher number of housing complaints, with 142 submitted to the ombudsman.
The council’s new leader Sarah King apologised to residents following the ombudsman’s findings, saying she was “sorry that our services fell below the standards that our residents deserve”.
Fifty-two complaints were upheld
by the ombudsman, 96 were closed following initial enquiries and five were dismissed. The remainder were judged as outside of the ombudsman’s purview and therefore not assessed.
Ms Amerdeep Somal, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said the soaring number of complaints to the ombudsman reflected systemic issues across local government.
She said: “I appreciate national pressures in the key areas of Special Educational Needs, availability of housing and adult care are putting enormous strain on local authorities, but we still hold them accountable to the law and guidance and the high standards people expect from their local services.
“We are finding more fault, but I welcome their overwhelming compliance with the recommendations we make.”
In London, housing accounted for 37
per cent of complaints and enquiries, with the capital making up 52 per cent of the ombudsman’s overall housing caseload.
By contrast, London had the lowest percentage share of complaints about Children and Education of all regions in the UK, making up just 14 per cent of complaints compared to the national 28 per cent average.
Eleven per cent of complaints and enquiries received in London were about Highways & Transport, above the average of 9 per cent for all regions. Overall, London contributed 31 per cent of complaints and enquiries received in this category.
On a national level, 83 per cent of all Ombudsman investigations carried out were upheld and compliance with recommendations remained high at 99.7 per cent.
Ms Amerdeep Somal, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said:“Sitting at the apex of
the complaint system for English local authorities, the complaints we receive – and the faults we find – can act as a bellwether for the state of local services across the country.
“We are receiving a higher number of complaints year-on-year and upholding those complaints in greater numbers. This reflects how systemic some of the issues across local government are.
“I appreciate national pressures in the key areas of Special Educational Needs, availability of housing and adult care are putting enormous strain on local authorities, but we still hold them accountable to the law and guidance and the high standards people expect from their local services. We are finding more fault, but I welcome their overwhelming compliance with the recommendations we make.”
Councillor Sarah King said: “We are sorry that our services fell below the standards that our residents deserve.
“We take this issue seriously, which
is why we have recently launched the Good Landlord Plan, giving our residents a stronger voice to shape our housing services and to challenge us to be better. Our plan sets out our commitment to deliver on better homes, better estates, better repairs, better customer service, a stronger voice for tenants, and more new council homes.
“We have already rolled out measures to improve the way services are delivered and identified improvements in our complaint response approach to reduce the need for residents to escalate issues. We are starting to see improvements but recognise we have some way to go.
“The Council is committed to continuing to improve the customer experience and in housing where we currently see significant volumes of complaints. Our Good Landlord Plan will focus our work on improving services for our residents”.
The court heard that he met the victim through the dating app Hinge
By Kevin Quinn
POLICE ARE appealing for more 'potential victims' to come forward after a male nurse from South London was jailed for rape.
Fifty-four-year-old John Iwuh from South Norwood was was sentenced to 16 years in prison, but detectives have said there might be more victims out there and have urged them to come forward. He was handed down the lengthy prison sentence at Croydon Crown Court earlier this month, having been found guilty of rape and voyeurism. He will also be put on the sex offenders' register for life, a restraining order was issued to prevent him from contacting the victim and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was enforced.
The court heard how he used his job as a nurse to gain the trust of the victim on the dating app Hinge, before luring her to his home and raping her.
He was arrested and charged by Met officers, who found that he had also videoed the rape. That is when he was further charged with voyeurism.
Detective Inspector Sharad Verma, from the South Area Command Unit, said officers "discovered almost 11,000 contacts saved on his phone. Around 60 per cent of those were saved as a woman’s name alongside the name of a dating app."
DI Verma continued: “We believe there may be more victims out there, targeted by Iwuh under the same circumstances, and urge them to contact us or their local police force."
The court heard that Iwuh met the victim, who is in her 40s, through the dating app Hinge on Tuesday, 7 June 2022 and quickly moved their conversation to WhatsApp.
They arranged a date and met in person the following day, Wednesday,
form and received support from specialist officers throughout the investigation.
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “This has had a devastating impact on every part of my life.
“Not only was I physically injured but it left me feeling emotionally numb and living in fear. The trauma from this affected my ability to work, relationships, and my health.
“Now he’s in prison, I do feel there has been some justice. I’ve been supported by officers throughout the investigation, and I would encourage others who have been harmed to come forward, report what has happened and get help and support.”
DI Verma added: “I would like to commend the strength of the victimsurvivor who bravely reported this awful attack and for her strength throughout this investigation.
“Officers were dedicated in bringing this predator to justice and during the investigation, found that Iwuh had videoed the rape which was then used as evidence against him.
“I hope the victim-survivor can find reassurance in our actions to put this predator behind bars and that it may give more women the strength to come forward and report crimes. You will be listened to and supported.”
8 June 2022, at Norwood Junction station.
Iwuh was working as a nurse and used his job to lure the victim back to his home in Albert Road, South
Norwood, by saying that he was limited on time as had to get ready for work at a hospital.
Once inside the property, Iwuh repeatedly kept trying to kiss the
victim, which she refused. As she tried to leave the property, Iwuh forced her into his bedroom and raped her.
The victim reported Iwuh the same evening to the Met using the online
If you would like to come forward and make a report relating to Iwuh, you can contact police via 101 or online. If you live in England or Wales and have been affected by this case and would like to seek support from specialist agencies, please contact the independent charity Rape Crisis via their 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line or call them on 0808 500 2222. Specially trained staff are there to listen, answer questions and offer emotional support.
ByAbigail Finney
of art that only needs maintenance once a year and has a sustainable deinstallation plan. Every detail was made to ensure it served its purpose aiding the Southbank’s wildlife and nature.
“Haven brings a sense of wildness to the South Bank and offers muchneeded support to the creatures that depend on it,” Denman + Gould said.
“This really is a haven for wildlife: the meadow can be viewed – and listened to – by the public, but it can’t be directly accessed by people.
"Wild creatures are the artwork’s only true visitors. However, we all benefit from their presence and this type of habitat.”
Bank of the Thames. The site has an architectural history stretching back to the 1951 Festival of Britain.
“Haven has added a real sense of joy to the Southbank Centre’s classical Brutalist landscape. It’s a delight to see the plants coming and going with the changing seasons” Cedar Lewisohn, curator of site design at the Southbank Centre said. “Members of the public and staff have noticed birds, bees, butterflies and insects enjoying the flowers and making use of the wooden pods.”
Brutalism, made popular in the 1950s and 1960s, features simple, block-like designs and raw concrete construction. The plants and sculptures that are featured in Haven, not only attract more wildlife, but also add a colorful pop to the grey buildings that make up the centre.
to grow on a balcony near the entrance of Queen Elizabeth Hall until 2027. The space acts as an urban home and escape for the various creatures that call Southbank home. Polkinhorn, a landscape and garden designer based near
According to Plantlife International, approximately 97% of flower-rich meadows have been lost since the 1930s, and with them, vital food and habitat needed by wildlife. This piece was placed in the centre to directly combat this.
in North West Essex, teamed up with Dorset-based artists Denman + Gould who focus on sustainability through public and community-based projects. Together they formed a piece
The Southbank Centre acts as the UK’s largest arts centre, occupying 11 acres along the river and its four venues anchor London’s most vibrant cultural quarter on the South
When Haven’s residency comes to an end at Southbank Centre in 2027, its substrate of wood and soil will be repurposed. Plants will be offered to local community gardens and one of the oak wildlife pods will be moved to a new home in the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden.
By Ruby Gregory
Local Democracy Reporter
THE DECISION to close two primary schools in South London has been rejected by the government’s Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA) after it found the process to be “unlawful”.
Plans to close Fenstanton Primary School and Holy Trinity C of E Primary School in Tulse Hill have been thrown out after the watchdog found the steps leading up to it did not follow the correct legal process.
According to a 19-page report published on July 17, the OSA said Lambeth Council’s decision to close both schools – but not officially finalise it –and be open to another plan involving a possible merger “was not a decision open to the council”.
Cllr Ben Kind, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families at the council, said: “We acted on external legal advice at every stage, and while the OSA has taken a different view on one part of the process, we remain committed to learning lessons and moving forward constructively. We also apologise to the parents, pupils and staff at both schools.”
The OSA has urged the Labour-run council to contact parents and everyone who has been informed that the schools will close in September 2026 and explain to them that this is not what has been determined, and that they will both remain open.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) previously reported that the head teachers of both schools had wanted them to merge in order to preserve primary education in the area, address falling pupil numbers and prevent 344 kids having to find new schools from next year.
However during a meeting of the Lambeth leadership on November 4, 2024, their plans were rejected with cabinet members going on to approve
By Charlotte Lillywhite Local Democracy Reporter
FIRST PHOTOS show a brand-new attraction that opened at Kew Gardens last Friday (July 25), with 6,500 new plants and 35 trees.
The Carbon Garden shows visitors how carbon helps to sustain life on Earth, along with the scale of the climate crisis and how plants and fungi can be used to combat it.
Visitors with a ticket to Kew Gardens can enter the garden at no extra cost. They are welcomed with a colourful display of plants reflecting the dramatic rise in average global temperatures over time.
A feature showing layers of soil, a rocky outcrop and a layer of coal in the earth’s crust with fossilised plants then reveals the hidden world of carbon underground.
A circular route leads visitors through the main zones of the attraction, including a dry garden with droughtresistant plants to show how nature can be used to adapt to climate change. A rain garden and ditch lined with plants highlights ways to manage water flow, prevent soil erosion, reduce flooding and put moisture back into soil.
There is also a fungi-inspired pavilion in the centre of the garden, with a sloping canopy directing rainwater into the rain garden and sheltered space to host school visits and community activities. The garden has grasslands, wildflower meadows and native hedgerows.
Kew said the attraction was one of its most ambitious garden projects in recent
the closure of the two schools, unless they bought forward “viable proposals” to the council – within an unspecified timeframe – for an amalgamation.
The OSA said following the November 2024 meeting, the governing bodies appeared to be “encouraged” by the council to develop the “unlawful proposal”, as they went on to produce their own amalgamation plan, which involved closing Fenstanton and keeping Holy Trinity open and relocating it to the Fenstanton site.
The OSA ruled this as unlawful, as the council’s decision imposed “conditions” which it said are not capable of being imposed, as Fenstanton is a community school and the governing body there has no legal powers to propose its own closure.
On May 16, 2025, the council rejected the school merger plan and announced
that it was moving on with the closure of the two schools, despite previously being open to the amalgamation proposal.
On May 23, lawyers representing the Diocese of Southwark, which is responsible for Holy Trinity, submitted a request to the council that both proposals be referred to the OSA. However in its ruling, the OSA rejected the two proposals meaning both schools will remain open.
A third proposal, published by the Diocese, involves closing both schools and opening a new voluntary aided school. The council is the decision maker of this proposal, however it is yet to be determined. The LDRS has contacted both schools for comment.
Cllr Kind added: “The council’s approach, set out in 2022, was endorsed at the time by trade unions, school leaders and the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education as a way to respond
to falling pupil numbers while protecting jobs and avoiding sudden and disruptive school closures.
“That collective, borough-wide process, where schools would come together rather than work against each other, is now at risk. However, we respect the OSA decision and will now consider what it will mean for our approach to tackling the excess of school places in Lambeth.”
This is not the first time the OSA has rejected Lambeth Council’s decision to close a school, after plans to shut down St John the Divine Church of England Primary School were thrown out last month after it found “notable deficiencies” in its decision-making process.
Lambeth’s cabinet members had previously approved a proposal that the school should close, instead offering its pupils places at another school called
Richard
the
and
said: “The Carbon Garden offers a unique opportunity to showcase our ongoing research, combining scientific insight with thoughtful design
and beautiful planting to highlight the role of carbon in our lives, how it moves through the environment and how plants and fungi can help us tackle climate change. "We hope the Carbon Garden inspires visitors to act and join us in shaping a more sustainable, resilient future for life on our planet.”
Christ Church Primary SW9.
Commenting on the July OSA ruling, opposition councillor, Matthew Bryant, who leads for the Liberal Democrats on Children’s Services, said: “Most people recognise that we have surplus primary school places in Lambeth. As a result, some schools may need to join together to continue to provide the highest quality of education that our children deserve.
“But bungled decision-taking means that the pupils, parents and staff of Holy Trinity and Fenstanton schools now face a further period of uncertainty.”
Cllr Bryant went on to say the Lib Dems are still in support of the amalgamation of the two schools, and have called on the council to work with the schools to make this happen.
The Lambeth Labour Group has been approached for comment.
By Harrision Galliven
Local Democracy Reporter
“IT’S BECOMING the new Croydon.” That’s a common refrain among Sutton locals when describing the changing face of the town centre. It can refer to crime or construction but it’s the latter that’s being done with intent.
Cranes now dominate the horizon in the South London town, marking a wave of housing developments that are reshaping how thousands live, shop, and travel in the borough. Council Leader Barry Lewis believes this transformation will breathe new life into the town centre while preserving the suburban heartlands that draw people to Sutton.
During a walk around with the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Cllr Lewis shared his hopes for the regeneration effort and why residents should not fear change.
“Building more in the town centre means that Wallington, Worcester Park, Carshalton and Cheam can hang on to their nice gardens and family houses,” he said.
Much of the development is centred on large-scale schemes rising along Sutton’s sloped High Street. Projects such as Beech Tree Place, Elm Grove and Chalk Gardens are leading the change.
Beech Tree Place on St Nicholas Way is among Sutton’s flagship developments, set to provide 92 affordable homes where 1950s housing for older residents once stood. “It is really coming along,” said Cllr Lewis, gesturing towards the rising structure overhead.
Progress has not come without setbacks. A major delay followed when the original developer, Real LSE, entered administration in August 2023.
Work stalled for almost nine months, costing Sutton Council more than £730,000. Construction has now resumed, with completion expected by June 2026. The council also plans to add safer crossings to connect residents to the town centre via the busy St Nicholas Way. Cllr Lewis admitted that road and crossing upgrades may come after the opening of Beech Tree Place. “It will never come all at the same time,” he said, suggesting improvements would be phased in.
Across the road is St Nicholas House, formerly home to Riva Bingo. Plans have been approved for 281 shared-living homes on the site of the now-vacant 1960s tower block.
While demolition has been slow, Cllr Lewis believes the shared-living model could offer flexible options for those staying temporarily in Sutton. “At its worst, it could be a massive HMO, but at its best, it is almost hotel living,” he said.
Further down the high street, the Elm Grove Estate is set for complete redevelopment, with around 300 homes planned, half of which will be affordable. This redevelopment for new and existing residents will also include a new pedestrian route linking Sutton High Street with Throwley Way.
Across town, the redevelopment of the Gibson Road car park and Secombe Theatre site is set to deliver 740 new homes, with half designated as affordable. However, construction is not expected to begin until the 2030s.
The borough is facing a severe shortage of social housing, pushing many residents to seek accommodation elsewhere. Sutton’s current housing target, set by the Mayor of London’s plan, requires 469 net additional homes each year.
The council is delivering more than 500 affordable and social homes
over the next five years. Earlier this month, Sutton’s Liberal Democrat administration reaffirmed its opposition to building on green belt land, meaning new development will need to focus on existing urban sites.
At the top end of the High Street, the Chalk Gardens development has stirred strong opinions. Some residents mourn the loss of the long-standing B&Q store that once dominated the site. The scheme will bring 970 homes, with 35 percent affordable, along with landscaped gardens and space for a possible health facility.
“If you are under a certain age, you will know there is a big need for housing,” said Cllr Lewis. “And if you are older, you will know we are building because your children need somewhere to live.”
While an influx of new residents will bring investment into the town centre, it also raises concerns about pressure on local services such as schools and GP surgeries. Last year, GPs at the nearby Robin Hood Health Centre warned of rising demand due to population growth.
Cllr Lewis, however, said the town centre is prepared. “People ask, will there
be enough school spaces, and the answer, almost sadly, is yes,” he said. “We are not in the same boat as inner London, where schools are closing. At the moment, we are at a peak in secondary schools.”
He added that primary schools are just about full, and that without more people moving in, pupil numbers could decline. The council said infrastructure, including sewerage, is reviewed during the planning process. “We will be able to deal with the increase in poo traffic,” Cllr Lewis joked.
In 2021, the council purchased the 4.7acre St Nicholas Centre for £26 million, with plans to create a new civic hub alongside shops, restaurants, bars and affordable homes.
“If we did not acquire it, someone else would,” said Cllr Lewis. “And we would have had little control over what happened to such an important town centre site”.
The former Debenhams will become the council’s new headquarters, with all departments relocating by 2029. Retail tenants like Primark and Pandora will
remain, forming part of the town’s wider leisure offer.
Cllr Lewis believes combining council services with retail will boost footfall and help revitalise the high street. “The more people you have, the friendlier it is,” he said.
But concerns about safety remain. This week, a stabbing at K1 Barbers near the bottom of the High Street sparked renewed debate over visible policing.
Cllr Lewis insists Sutton is still one of London’s safest boroughs but acknowledges the need for a strong police presence. While the 24-hour front desk at Sutton police station will remain, the town centre team has been reduced from 11 officers to just four.
“Our police are brilliant, but they are under immense pressure,” he said, noting he had written to the Home Secretary to ask for more officers on the beat.
Sutton has some of the lowest TfL coverage in the capital. With no Tube or Overground stations and only one tram stop in Beddington, residents are heavily reliant on buses, trains,
cars, and bicycles.
Cllr Lewis supports better investment in trains and buses, particularly for areas like Carshalton Beeches, where journey times to Central London have worsened. “It used to be 35 minutes to Victoria,” he said. “Now it is 45. We have gone backwards.”
He also expressed support for extending the Overground from West Croydon to Sutton, but stopped short of making any commitments.
Cllr Lewis, a keen cyclist, also backed micro-mobility schemes such as Forest e-bikes, which are now more widely used in Sutton than in Kingston. However, when asked about Lime bikes, he was less enthusiastic.
“The more people you get using them, the more you open yourself up to people abusing them,” he said.
During our discussion, Cllr Lewis remarked how much his hometown had changed in recent years. “It’s hard to remember what it was like from when I was coming round here at 18.”
While most development is focused on the town centre, the coming decade will bring transformation across the wider borough. In Belmont, the planned expansion of the London Cancer Hub promises significant investment and growth in Sutton’s greener southern areas.
However, with tens of thousands of new residents projected and more private developments on the way, Sutton is undeniably facing an unprecedented period of change. The coming years will be a true test of the borough’s infrastructure, services, and planning.
By Charlotte Lillywhite Local Democracy Reporter
SOUTH LONDON leaseholders have won a legal battle to prove they do not have to pay service charges for a concierge and other facilities used by their wealthy neighbours.
A group of 25 leaseholders at Viridian Apartments, in Nine Elms, brought the tribunal against Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) in May as part of a dispute over the fees, which has lasted more than a decade.
Leaseholders in affordable housing at the development have seen bills rise as high as £7,000 a year to cover a concierge service and garden meant for wealthier neighbours..
Jennifer Docherty, 47, who led the case on behalf of the leaseholders, said: “This is the best outcome we could have hoped for, so I’m really happy with it, but it’s a very short-lived joy because now you realise we won the case but there’s so much more to do – this is just the tip.”
The residents are still unclear exactly what the ruling means for what they do and don’t have to pay.
The leaseholders, who live in a block of shared ownership flats on the development, which was built in 2008, were told in 2012 their service charges would rise to include the 24hour concierge and maintenance of the communal garden used by the luxury blocks next door, which they could not access.
They eventually saw their annual fees rise from around £80 for a one-bed flat and £105 for a two-bed when they moved in, to around £5,000 for a one-bed or £7,000 for a two-bed.
They maintained that their leases showed they did not have to pay these fees, and the lease between NHG and the development’s management company – the superior landlord, which runs the estate – required the housing association to pay these costs. When the discrepancy was discovered in 2012, the management company began distributing the extra costs among leaseholders – with NHG collecting the higher service charges.
The leaseholders disputed the charges, maintaining that NHG’s “mistake” in signing a “bad deal” with the management company should not be passed on to them.
They previously described the fees to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) as a “second mortgage” which, on top of rising rents and mortgage rates, were unbearable. They added they were left with no choice but to pay the service charges in protest to avoid their homes being repossessed.
TRIBUNAL
Judge Tagliavini has now ruled in leaseholders’ favour, after a First Tier Tribunal took place over two days in May.
The leaseholders said they took NHG to tribunal as the housing association made is so difficult to challenge the service charges.
The judge found NHG was not allowed to recover through service charges, money
it paid to the management company for parts of the development the leaseholders could not access or enjoy. She said sales documents made it clear residents of the block were not originally allowed access to the concierge or communal gardens. The block is separate from the rest of the development with its own entrance, also known as a ‘poor door’, and residents said they were only given full access to the main entrance with the concierge leading into the communal garden late last year. They described this limited access as inconvenient as the development was not designed with this in mind, and stressed they ultimately did not want to use or pay for these services – in line with their leases.
Judge Tagliavini found the leases only
By Abigail Finney
THE RSPCA rescued a pet corn snake that was mistaken for a python from a Greenwich fish and chip shop earlier this month, The chippy was visited by a slithering serpent on the run from home on Wednesday, July 9. The takeaway staff was shocked to find the snake and contained it in the back of the shop before calling RSPCA for help.
“They’d described him as a python, but he was actually a juvenile corn snake, a non-venomous species that is often kept as a pet,” RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Adam Tasker said.
Once Tasker saw that there were flats above the shop, he guessed that the snake was simply a pet on a field trip on the look for a snack. In hopes of finding the owner, he posted a lost and found poster.
“By the next day, we had a response from a concerned owner whose son had lost their snake a couple of weeks before,” Tasker said. “After asking
them a few questions about the size and markings of their snake, I was very happy that this matched the description of the rescued reptile.
Having feared the worst, the snake’s owner was over the moon that he had been found.”
The scaly explorer was returned home safely and the family was given advice on how to prevent future adventures.
“If anyone finds a snake they believe is non-native the RSPCA’s advice is to keep a safe distance, monitor the snake and visit the charity’s website for advice on what to do,” Tasker said.
This incident is just a part of RSPCA’s brace for a surge in reports.
Snake incidents reported to the RSPCA peak in the warmer months of July, August and September. Last year, there were 383 during that period alone, an 18% rise compared to 2023 (323 incidents). In the face of this upward trend, the RSPCA fears totals for this summer could rise again.
“Many of the snakes the RSPCA’s officers are called to collect are thought
to be escaped pets,” RSPCA senior scientific officer Evie Button said.
“Others turn out to be an iconic part of Britain’s wildlife - native snakes such as grass snakes and adders that have been misidentified as stray exotic pets.”
RSPCA also deals with a lot of snakes that are abandoned by their owners. It seems that a lot of people don’t understand the commitment that comes with owning a snake, ending in people leaving them behind or releasing them.
Most exotic animals kept as pets are unlikely to be able to survive in the wild in Britain and non-native species could pose a serious threat to our native wildlife. It is illegal to release, or to allow to escape, any species that are not normally native to the UK.
The warm weather makes snakes more active and RSPCA encourages owners to be more diligent in closing enclosure and caring for their pets. For more information on what to consider before adopting a snake, visit the RSPCA’s website: www.rspca.org.uk/ adviceandwelfare/pets/other.
allowed NHG to recover the costs of repairing, maintaining and providing services directly to the block the affordable homes are located in. She said the leases did not allow the housing association to recoup the costs of the concierge, maintenance of communal areas and other costs only related to the development.
The judge also dismissed NHG’s counterclaim to vary the leases, which it filed in case she found it had not been allowed to recover the fees so far. She said the fact NHG may have entered into a “poor bargain” with the management company did not mean the subleases should be varied.
Ms Docherty told the LDRS that while the judge’s ruling was the “best outcome”
possible, the group must now confirm what they do and do not have to pay and write to NHG about next steps. They are also waiting to find out whether the housing association will appeal the judge’s decision.
She added: “It would just be great to tell people of the case, how we won it and if there’s anyone else that could use it as an example to help them in their situation. That’s exactly the outcome that we had wished for at the beginning.”
A Notting Hill Genesis spokesperson said: “We acknowledge the decision of the tribunal and are working through implications and our next steps. As we do this, we will continue to engage fully with our leaseholders and the leaseholder-run management company.”
I LAST saw Ms Pike delivering all the best lines in the extraordinarily brilliant Saltburn, but now she is delivering all the best lines in Suzie Miller's Inter Alia, a play that eases through the first section with some fine comedy, then slowly invites us into the poignant realism of family life, writes Michael Holland Stomping drums and sharp guitar provide soundtrack for the start as a bewigged and gowned Jessica Parks rises up through a Stars In Their Eyes mist and screams into the handheld mic, 'F*ck the patriarchy!' What follows is a diatribe against the man-heavy world of law, the court system and, in this world of so-called equality, how a woman is expected to run the home while doing one of the most important jobs in a developed country.
While Jessica is presiding over a violent rape trial she is also planning a dinner party, fretting over bullies bothering her son, and trying to get
her husband(Jamie Glover) to pull his weight a tad more.
Inter Alia (Among others things) is a potted history of Jessica's relationship with her son (Jasper Talbot), recalled against a backdrop of her contemporary court cases.
At first she is furiously funny, making light of juggling being a mum and wife along with being a judge. Pike shows off excellent comedic skills while having nobody to play off to help with timing, using only movement and props like a Chaplin or Keaton of our day. She makes a steam-puff from an iron a moment of hilarity.
After switching naturally from morning mum to holding court and putting someone in jail for many years before clearing up after the family on the same day, Jessica lets her hair down with Karaoke, but is always checking her texts, always concerned that all is okay at home.
As her son enters his teenage years,
the comedy lessens. She tries to guide him as best she can about #metoo; her husband merely wants to teach him sports and musical instruments.
The power struggles she deals with in her court with male defending counsel in a system devised by men over centuries, mirrors the power struggles she has at home with her King's Counsel husband and stroppy son growing up in a world guided by the internet more than by parents. Inter Alia becomes seriously sombre.
But there are so many spoilers to ruin the nail-biter scenes that I will stick to Pike's fantastic performance. Surely award-winning.
Yes, the men are consigned to bit parts but their contribution is absolutely crucial to how we see and understand Jessica. This is absolutely all about her and how she manages all the 'other things' as well as uphold the law.
The play is written by Suzie Miller who once practised law and interviewed
ALEX URWIN'S Brixton Calling ticks off three boxes for me: a true story, good music and South London, so I have been looking forward to seeing this play adapted from Simon Parkes' memoir of how he blagged his way to the top of the live music food chain when he bought Brixton Academy for £1, writes Michael Holland.
Simon (Max Dunham) bounces on stage to a soundscape of cool guitar and introduces us to his posh schooldays as the son of a family rich from fish. He didn't fit in at school so spent a lot of the time fighting bullies. He also didn't fit it in at home, resenting the life-plan mapped out for him: school, work experience on the family's fishing boats and in their fish factories, then business school in readiness for taking over the firm.
Of course, the young Simon rebels, runs away to see Chuck Berry playing live in London and pretty much decides he wants to be in the capital watching live music for the rest of his life: 'F*ck the fish,' he cries, 'I wanna be in London!'
Simon becomes a party animal, taking everything going and washing it all down with alcohol. He says he has been
chucked out of every decent music venue while living a life crowdsurfing between mosh pits.
One day he sees the decrepit, dilapidated, abandoned 1920s' Astoria cinema in Brixton but can see beauty in its architecture. He tracked down the building's owners and guardians, and offered to take this money-eating
many top female judges to get a rounded, panoramic picture of their lives, so we know that what happens in Jessica's life has happened to someone in her position.
For me, Inter Alia is definitely one of the best plays I've seen this year, and unquestionably one of the best performances.
Sublime direction from Justin Martin and Miriam Buether's set is amazing.
Tickets will be very hard to come by now the reviews are out but the
This is when Brixton Calling turned up the dial to 11 and rushed us through the next years when the two friends stood up to promoters who wouldn't book their bands south of the river, lowlife locals who couldn't earn a pound on their own but in numbers tried to bully the boys out of their earnings. Death threats, tear gas and bomb scares were a regular occurrence, but they never gave up, forever pushed onwards and upwards, always thinking of ways to get music played live in Brixton. They needed good security and got it in the form of ex-military men and an Irishman with no surname.
National Theatre will be broadcasting the September 4th performance live to cinemas around the UK. I highly recommend you get a ticket somehow - even if you have to end up in court to get one!
Screening link: https://www.ntlive.com
National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX until September 13th.
Booking and full details: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ productions/inter-alia/
through the rave scene and Acid House and all-nighters by The Chemical Brothers, accompanied by rock 'n' roll, reggae, soul, hip-hop, dance and punk music from two performers playing both instruments and everyone they ever met, faced down or done a deal with.
Brixton Calling is a tale of a chancer. A music-loving chancer and a friend who always thought they could do something if they tried. They tried and they succeeded by winning venue of the year twelve times and eventually sold up at a 2,500,000% profit...
monster off their hands for the princely sum of £1. Simon had ideas to get it up and running as a place that he couldn't get thrown out of.
This audacious boy of 23 had no money but he did have chutzpah, and with the help of a local boy, Johnny Dawes (Tendai Humphrey Sitima), went on to create one of the world's greatest music venues.
Johnny Dawes talked UB40 into doing a gig, but most managers only saw Brixton as a place with a higher murder rate than The Bronx. Simon began selling it as a place to rehearse 'just 15 minutes from Buckingham Palace'. Some of the best did want to rehearse there so Simon and Johnny would get their own private shows by the Stones, Led Zeppelin, Clapton and Dire Straits. Slowly the venue became a place that bands wanted to be in once it was recognised for its 'great acoustics'. The Clash, Blondie, Dylan, all played there. Hawkwind recorded their magnificent Space Ritual album there. Springsteen came, saw and conquered. U2 began life there, The Smiths played their final show at Brixton Academy.
Dunham and Sitima take us tripping
If you love a true story and good music, then this is the show for you.
PS. Simon Parkes did all this with one arm and Max Dunham re-enacted that fantastic story with one arm also.
PPS. I saw The Pogues and The Charlatans at the Academy and had tickets to see Bad Manners, but the tragic events of 2022 when two people died in the crush to get in to a concert put a stop to that. Reports blamed poor security taking backhanders for free entry.
Southwark Playhouse Borough until August 16th.
Booking and full details:
https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/ productions/brixton-calling/ Link to the book: https://www.ebay. co.uk/itm/315325493050
This free ‘welcome day’ at Greenwich Park Learning Centre will let you explore the history and archeology of Greenwich Park. Drop in throughout the day to learn more about the most recent archaeological discoveries at Greenwich Park and uncover what objects can tell us about the people who have been here before. Uncover buried artefacts, watch and learn how finds are cleaned and processed and identify historical artefacts.
Date: 2 August. Time: Various events between 11:15 and 14:45
Location: Greenwich Park Learning Centre, Greenwich, London, SE10 8QY. Price: FREE
Experience the vibrant spirit of the Caribbean at the Rhythm of Hope Reggae and Gospel fundraising concert at Woolwich Works. This charity event is dedicated to supporting Food for the Poor (FFPJA), which is the largest charity in the Carribean. The headliners include Etana, Teejay and Rondell Positive.
Date: 10 August. Time: 19:00 - 22:30
Location: Woolwich Works, The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 St, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6HD. Tickets: General: £35, Student and seniors: £20
This summer, Greenwich Park are offering a free drop-in activity perfect for families, nature-lovers and budding environmentalists. Solve clues on the detective trail to celebrate summer wildlife, take a closer look at nature specimens at the mini museum and get creative with wild crafts and nature inspired games.
Date: Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 August. Time: 11:00 - 15:00 both days
Location: Greenwich Park (Next to Greenwich Park Bandstand), Greenwich, London, SE10 8EJ
Tickets: Free, book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/greenwich-park-natureroadshow-tickets-1336627812769
Head to the Charlton House and Gardens for a fun-filled series of family craft sessions during the summer holidays. Taking place in the beautiful and historic surroundings of the house, each session offers children the chance to get hands-on with themed arts and crafts. Children can enjoy the freedom to move from one activity to the next, creating their very own masterpieces. It;s in the stunning rooms of Charlton House the Dutch room, Grand Salon, and White Room.
Date: 31 July, 7 August, 21 August and 28 August.
Time: Sessions run twice per day for two hours, at 10:00 and 14:00.
Location: Charlton House & Gardens, Charlton Road, Charlton, London, SE7 8RE
Tickets: £5 per ticket, book here: https://www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/summer-holiday-craft-sessions-at-charltonhouse-tickets-1358290907669?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&u tm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp
An afternoon of fun, music and mingling with summer vibes and a DJ spinning your favourite tunes. Meet your neighbours, other members of the community and make new friends with an LGBTQ Social at Woolwich Works.
Date: Saturday 9 August. Time: 16:00 - 19:00
Location: Courtyard, Woolwich Works, The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 St, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6HD
Tickets: Free, no booking required
I’ve found loads and loads of reports of explosions in local factories - some are really horrific with many casualties, but usually the information about them is available because of the detailed research done by Majendie and his team –which was then reported in the press...
In 1887 there was another accident at the Robson and Dyern firework factory. As I said in the earlier article they had a house and offices on the site which is now the chip shop in Woolwich Road - and there was a footpath which went back into the works and consisted of lots of little wooden huts with tarred roofs spaced out in a field. Inside the hut was a wooden floor covered with oil cloth, with the portion near the door covered with a thin sheet lead and a work bench which ran round the interior of the building.
One of the regulations was that explosives had to be handled in small buildings with only one or two people working in each. These workers were required to wear special woolen clothing and were forbidden to have any pockets.
The ‘fireworks’ they made were not just for fun. A major part of their work was making the distress flares which every ship needed to carry.
On 11th June 1887 Catherine Allman was at work in one of the isolated huts at Robson’s. With her were an older woman, Mary Masters, and also Anne Lake and Elizabeth Millman, the forewoman. Most of these women lived locally in a small community in Blackwall Lane –many of whom were Irish immigrants. Catherine was a lodger with the Mahoney family whose daughter, Mary, had died in an explosion at
the works five years previously.
Mrs. Millman had already made an explosive preparation for green star Roman candles in another shed. She had brought it in to be dampened with methylated spirits and made into stars in copper moulds. These candles were used as signals on the South Western Railway Steamers from Southampton and the chemicals used were an unusual mixture. Mary Masters was filling ‘lights’ with layers of different coloured ‘composition’. Anne Lake was filling small paper cones with ‘red fire composition’.
Catherine Allman was pressing bright stars for ‘Very Signal Cartridges’ to be used as part of a large order for the Jubilee Naval Review.
The explosion, when it came, was ‘like the firing of a pistol’.
It took a great deal of detective work on the part of the Government Inspectorate to work out exactly what had happened. First they examined the shed in which the work had been carried out. It was not structurally damaged but the windows were broken and the tar had melted from the roof. Inside everything was scorched. They then visited the women in hospital and asked where the explosion had come from. They carefully noted down what each said and then tried to plot the right spot in the shed. They also compared the burns which the women had suffered and worked out where each of them had been.
It was concluded that the problem was Mrs Millman’s green stars. It was a very hot day and experiments in the laboratory at Woolwich were able to prove that some of the ingredients might have become unstable when warmed. In addition it was probable that she was working
‘briskly’ – unconsciously jolting the explosive. It was shown that Mrs. Millman, a very skilled workwoman and highly praised by everybody, could not possibly have known this and no blame could be attributed to her.
Catherine Allman and Mrs. Millman although badly burnt were protected by their special clothing and lived. Five years earlier Michael Mahoney had had to identify his daughter’s body but this time he was spared. Both women were well enough to give evidence at the inquest into the deaths of the other two, Anne Lake and Mary Masters. Once again the cause of death was ‘exhaustion following burns’.
Majendie’s annual reports to the government on explosives and explosions list every conceivable related incident in the British Isles. His reports are models of clarity and common sense. Six years later he referred to the accident at East Greenwich in his report on an explosion at the huge Brock factory in South Norwood. Brock’s was an old established fireworks business
originating in the 17th century and which lasted until recently when it was finally sold to a Chinese company and the British works closed down. They had works on several sites and the South Norwood one had been set up to provide displays at Crystal Palace.
In this accident George Nurse was doing work ‘not considered dangerous’. He was shifting ‘stars’ from one box to another when something caused them to ignite. The only cause for the explosion seemed to be the sun’s rays, which were ‘pouring in at the door’. Mr. Brock talked about the advice he had received from the Government Inspectors in the Royal Arsenal. Majendie and his team ‘were very stringent’ but were quite unable to account for the cause of the explosion.
Captain I. Thompson, was an inspector under the Explosives Act, who worked under Colonel Majendie. He had thoroughly examined the scene of the accident and as far as he and Colonel Majendie could see,
everything was satisfactory. Some experiments had been carried out, to determine whether it was likely that the explosion was caused when emptying crimson stars from one box to another. He reported that every chlorate mixture containing sulphur was liable to spontaneous ignition –including the amber, purple, and green stars. Thus with a high temperature, the spontaneous combustion and ignition took place in the box containing the stars. ‘They had been there since the occasion of the Royal Wedding, during which period the weather had been hotter than at any time since the Jubilee year’.
Majendie lived at 23 Victoria Way and I have yet to find out where that building was - it must have been one of the large houses to the south of Wellington Gardens. Thanks to Pauline at Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust who has found that when he died he was living at a house called Springfield with the address of Charlton Road. It was on the corner with Charlton Church Lane where the Springfield flats now are –obviously
Supporting older people in Southwark for over 35 years.
Offering advice, support, activities, rooms for hire and a voice for older people
Contact us on 020 7708 4556 or info@southwarkpensioners.org.uk
Or pop into 305 -307 Camberwell rd, Camberwell Green, SE5 0HQ
Dear Mum we wanted to wish you a belated 99th Birthday on 26th July.
Gone are the days we used to share but in our hearts, you are always there.
Never more than a thought away Love and remembered every day Unforgettable that’s what you are From Glen's girls and their families XXXXX
To place a funeral announcement, birthday, death notice, birth, anniversary or memorial in the paper, please email katie@cm-media.co.uk and she will price it up for you Announcements must be placed by 4pm on the Tuesday before that week's publication
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A202 GLA ROAD (CAMBERWELL NEW ROAD, LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.
2. The purpose of the Order is to enable Thames Water mains maintenance and repair works to take place on A202 Camberwell New Road.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from entering, exiting or proceeding on the westbound carriageway of the A202 Camberwell New Road between its junctions with Brixton Road and Harleyford Street/Kennington Park Road.
The Order will also allow all vehicles to turn right from the A202 Camberwell New Road onto Brixton Road.
The Order will be effective between 10:00 AM on 20th August 2025 and 8:00 PM on 24th August 2025 or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibition will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.
4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:
(1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes;
(2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.
5. At such times as the prohibition is in force an alternative route will be indicated by trafc signs for eastbound trafc via Brixton Road, Kennington Park Road (northbound), Kennington Lane, Kennington Road and Kennington Park Road (southbound) to normal route of travel.
Dated this 1st day of August 2025
Andrew Ulph
Co-ordination Manager
Transport for London, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
PUBLIC NOTICE
place
LICENSING ACT 2003 – APPLICATION FOR A NEW PREMISES LICENCE
An application has been made by: Stephanie White for the premises 45 The Oval, Sidcup, DA15 9ER On the date of: 29/7/25
Summary of the proposed licensable activities and the proposed hours of opening: The supply of alcohol on the following days: every day - 10:00 - 21:30
Any person wishing to view details of an application may contact the Licensing Partnership on 01732 227004 or email them at: licensing@sevenoaks.gov.uk or visit http://pa.sevenoaks.gov.uk/online-licensing
Any person wishing to make representation about the application should make them in writing on or before the: 26/08/25
To: Licensing Partnership, Council Offices, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1HG Email: licensing@sevenoaks.gov.uk
It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. The offence is punishable on summary conviction by a fine of any amount.
Notice of application for a Premises Licence
Notice is hereby given that Jalinder Singh Ahuja has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at Putney Local Store, 218 Upper Richmond Rd, Putney SW15 6TD for the Sale of Alcohol, 07:00-23:00 Hours, Sun-Thurs, 07:00-01:00 Fri&Sat. Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 20th August 2025 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5DX or by email: licensing@merton.gov.uk The record of this application may be inspected Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) by prior appointment at the offices of Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5DX between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. Information on all new and variation applications received by the Licensing Authority can be viewed on the Council’s website www.wandsworth.gov.uk It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application, punishable upon conviction by an unlimited fine.
LICENSING ACT 2003
Naomi Penn has applied to the London Borough of Lambeth for the grant of a Premises Licence, in respect of the following premises: The London Eye, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB which would authorise the following licensable activities: Tattoos on the London Eye
The record of this application may be inspected during normal office hours by an appointment at the Licensing Section, London Borough of Lambeth Town Hall, Basement Room B08 & B09, 1 Brixton Hill, London, SW2 1RW, or via the licensing authority’s website, at www.lambeth.gov.uk/licensing
A responsible authority or any other person may make representation to the licensing authority in respect of this application.
Representations must be made in writing, either by post to the above address, or by email to licensing@lambeth.gov.uk and must be received no later than 22.08.2025
It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with a licensing application, and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for that offence shall not exceed level 5 on the standard scale (£5,000).
Notice of application for a Premises Licence.
Notice is hereby given that QA TRADE LTD has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at Shah's Halal Food, Unit 4, 92A Balham High Road, London, SW12 9AG for Late Night Refreshment – Indoors and Outdoors – Monday to Sunday – 23:00 hrs to 02:00hrs Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 25th August 2025 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX or by email: licensing@merton.gov.uk
The record of this application may be inspected Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) by prior appointment at the offices of Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. Information on all new and variation applications received by the Licensing Authority can be viewed on the Council’s website www.wandsworth.gov.uk
It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application, punishable upon conviction by an unlimited fine.
Notice of application for a Premises Licence.
Notice is hereby given that Mr. Mansoor Heidari has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at No 1 Grill, 249 Mitcham Road, London, SW17 9JQ for Late Night Refreshment – Indoors and Outdoors – Monday to Sunday – 23:00 hrs to 02:00hrs
Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 25th August 2025 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX or by email: licensing@merton.gov.uk
The record of this application may be inspected Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) by prior appointment at the offices of Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. Information on all new and variation applications received by the Licensing Authority can be viewed on the Council’s website www.wandsworth.gov.uk
It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application, punishable upon conviction by an unlimited fine.
THE GLA ROADS AND GLA SIDE ROADS (CITY OF WESTMINSTER) (RED ROUTE CONSOLIDATION TRAFFIC ORDER) 2008 A501 GLA ROAD (MARYLEBONE ROAD) VARIATION ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London in consultation with the City of Westminster, hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Order under section 6 of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984.
2. The general nature and effect of the Order will be to:
(1) shorten the existing No Stopping on any day Any Day 8am - 7pm Except loading or unloading max 20 mins Loading Bay at the southern kerb-line of the A501 Marylebone Road, outside Nos. 153 to 173 Marylebone Road by 15.5 metres at its western end;
(2) introduce a No Stopping, Any Day, 8AM – 7PM, Except Doctors Vehicles Bay at the southern kerb-line of the A501 Marylebone Road, outside the Nos. 153 to 173 Marylebone Road, replacing the western 15.5 metres of the existing Loading Bay;
(3) introduce a Transport for London Red Route No Stopping At Any Time control, at the western kerb-line of Harewood Avenue between its junction with the A501 Marylebone Road and a point 12 metres north-west of the extended south-eastern building line of Nos. 242 to 246 Marylebone Road. This replaces the existing City of Westminster controls;
(4) shorten the existing No Stopping At Any Time Except Ambulances Bay at the southern kerb-line of the A501 Marylebone Road, outside the Nos. 153 to 173 Marylebone Road by 10 metres at its western end.
3. The roads which would be affected by the Order are the A501 GLA Roads and Side Roads – Marylebone Road and Harewood Avenue in the City of Westminster.
4. A copy of the Order, a statement of Transport for London’s reasons for the proposals, a map indicating the location and effect of the Order and copies of any Order revoked, suspended or varied by the Order can be inspected by visiting our website at https://haveyoursay.t.gov.uk/tro and selecting the relevant borough and reference the Trafc Order relates to or by appointment during normal ofce hours at our ofce at the address below. To arrange an appointment please email trafcordersection@t.gov.uk. Copies of the documents may be requested via email at trafcordersection@t.gov.uk, or by post at the following address quoting reference SNO/REGULATION/STOT/JW/TRO/GLA/2025/0038:
•Transport for London Streets Trafc Order Team (SNO/REGULATION/STOT)
Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road London, SE1 8NJ
5. All objections and other representations to the proposed Order must be made in writing and must specify the grounds on which they are made. Objections and representations must be sent to Transport for London, Streets Trafc Order Team, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ or by emailing trafcordersection@t.gov.uk quoting reference NP SNO/REGULATION/STOT/JW/TRO,GLA/2025/0038 to arrive before 22nd August 2025. Please note due to Hybrid working access to post is restricted and requests for documents and conrmation of your objections or representations may be delayed. Objections and other representations may be communicated to other persons who may be affected.
Dated this 1st day of August 2025
Andrew Rogers Planning and Performance Manager Transport for London, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A2 AND A102 GLA ROADS (ROCHESTER WAY RELIEF ROAD, EAST ROCHESTER WAY AND BLACKWALL TUNNEL SOUTHERN APPROACH, ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH AND LONDON BOROUGH OF BEXLEY) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC AND STOPPING) (NO.2) ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London gives notice that it intends to make the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph.
2. The purpose of the Order is to enable carriageway maintenance works to take place on Dartford Bypass, East Rochester Way, Rochester Way Relief Road and Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from:
(1) enter, exit, proceed or stop on the A2 Dartford Bypass, East Rochester Way and Rochester Way Relief Road between the administrative boundary of the London Borough of Bexley with Kent County Council and its junction with Westhorne Avenue;
(2) enter, exit, proceed or stop on the A2 Rochester Way Relief Road between its junctions with Westhorne Avenue and Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach;
(3) enter, exit or proceed in a northerly direction on the A102 Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach between its junctions Rochester Way Relief Road and the unnamed on-slip connecting Blackwall Lane with the northbound carriageway of Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach;
(4) enter, exit or proceed in a southerly direction on the A102 Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach between its junctions with the unnamed off-slip connecting the southbound carriageway of Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach with Blackwall Lane and its junction with Rochester Way Relief Road;
(5) stop on the A102 Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach between its junctions with Rochester Way Relief Road and Blackwall Lane;
(6) enter or proceed on the Kidbrooke Park Road on and off slip roads connecting Kidbrooke Park Road/Henly Cross with the A2 Rochester Way Relief Road;
(7) enter or proceed on the unnamed on and off-slip roads connecting Woolwich Road with the A102 Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach;
(8) enter or proceed on the unnamed on and off-slip roads connecting the circulatory trafc system at the junctions of Shooters Hill Road, Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach and Rochester Way Relief Road commonly known as Sun in the Sands Roundabout with the A102 Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach and the A2 Rochester Way Relief Road;
(9) enter or proceed on the unnamed on and off-slip roads connecting the A2 Rochester Way Relief Road with Westhorne Avenue;
(10) enter or proceed on the unnamed on-slip road connecting the A2 Rochester Way Relief Road with Rochester Way;
(11) enter or proceed on the unnamed on and off slip roads connecting Rieeld Road with the A2 East Rochester Way;
(12) enter or proceed on the unnamed on and off-slip roads connecting the East Rochester Way with Danson Road, Lodge Lane and Keslake Road with the A2 East Rochester Way;
(13) enter or proceed on the unnamed on-slip road connecting with Upton Road and the eastbound carriageway of the A2 East Rochester Way;
(14) enter or proceed on Southwold Road between its junctions with the westbound carriageway of the A2 East Rochester Way and Bourne Road. Access will be maintained between Bourne Road and the vehicular entrance to the Holiday inn, Bexley;
(15) enter or proceed on the unnamed on and off-slip roads connecting the eastbound carriageway of the A2 East Rochester Way with Bourne Road;
The Order will also permit all vehicles eastbound bus lane on A2 East Rochester Way between the on and off slips to Bourne Road.
Works will be phased such that some restrictions will apply only at certain times. Restrictions will only apply for certain dates to allow for cyclic routine maintenance of the highway. Local access to Kidbrooke Park Road will be maintained.
The Order will be effective at certain times from 12:01 AM on 1st August 2025 until 11:59 PM on 1st August 2026 or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibitions will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.
4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:
(1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes;
(2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.
5. At such times as the prohibitions are in force alternative routes will be indicated by trafc signs. For closure between Blackwall Tunnel and Westhorne Avenue via Blackwall Lane, Bugsby’s Way, Achor and Hope Lane, Woolwich Road, Woolwich Church Street, John Wilson Street, Grand Depot Road, Woolwich Common, Academy Road, Well Hall Road, Westhorne Avenue or reverse and return to normal route of travel. Trafc at intermediate junctions will be diverted along the remaining open direction of travel to join diversion route. For closure between Westhorne Avenue and the London of Bexley boundary with Kent County Council via Westhorne Avenue, Sidcup Road, Sidcup By-pass, Swanley By-pass, M25, A2 Dartford Bypass or reverse to normal route of travel. Trafc at intermediate junctions will be diverted along the remaining open direction of travel to join diversion route
Dated this 1st day of August 2025
Gary Oliver Area Manager South – Asset Operations Transport for London, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A3203 AND A3036 GLA ROAD (LAMBETH BRIDGE, LAMBETH ROAD, LAMBETH PALACE ROAD AND ALBERT EMBANKMENT, CITY OF WESTMINSTER AND LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) ORDER 2025 5
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it has made the above-named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.
2. The purpose of the Order is to enable resurfacing works to take place on the A3203 Lambeth Bridge, A3203 Lambeth Road, A3036 Lambeth Palace Road and A3036 Albert Embankment.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from:
(1) entering, exiting or proceeding on the A3203 Lambeth Bridge between its junctions with Millbank and Albert Embankment/Lambeth Palace Road;
(2) proceeding in an easterly direction on the A3203 Lambeth Bridge between its junctions with Millbank and Albert Embankment/Lambeth Palace Road, except for pedal cyclists;
(3) entering, exiting or proceeding on A3203 Lambeth Road between its junctions with the roundabout at the junction of Lambeth Bridge/Lambeth Palace Road/Lambeth Road/Albert Embankment and Lambeth High Street;
(4) entering, exiting or proceeding on the roundabout at the junction of Lambeth Bridge, Lambeth Palace Road, Lambeth Road and Albert Embankment;
(5) entering, exiting or proceeding on A3036 Lambeth Palace Road between its junctions with roundabout at the junction of Lambeth Bridge/Lambeth Palace Road/Lambeth Road/Albert Embankment and Royal Street;
(6) entering, exiting or proceeding on A3036 Albert Embankment between its junctions with roundabout at the junction of Lambeth Bridge/Lambeth Palace Road/Lambeth Road/Albert Embankment and Black Prince Road;
(7) turning left from Horseferry Road onto Millbank;
(8) turning left from Millbank onto Horseferry Road;
(9) turning left from Lambeth Palace Road onto Lambeth Road;
(10) turning right from Millbank onto Horseferry Road;
This Order will also:
(11) close the bus lane northbound on A3036 Albert Embankment from outside No. 10 Albert Embankment to the roundabout at the junction of Lambeth Bridge/Lambeth Palace Road/Lambeth Road/Albert Embankment;
(12) close the pedestrian crossings on A3202 Lambeth Road, A3036 Lambeth Palace Road and A3036 Albert Embankment at the roundabout at the junction of Lambeth Bridge/Lambeth Palace Road/Lambeth Road/Albert Embankment. Alternative pedestrian routes will be indicated by trafc signs.
Works will be phased such that some restrictions will apply only at certain times.
The Order will be effective between 12:01 AM on 1st August 2025 and 23:59 PM on 1st December 2026 or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibition will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.
4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:
(1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes;
(2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.
5. At such times as the prohibition is in force an alternative route will be indicated by trafc signs for eastbound trafc via Millbank southbound, Vauxhall Bridge, Bridgefoot, Vauxhall Cross, Kennington Lane and Kennington Road to normal route of travel. Or via Millbank northbound, Abingdon Street, Parliament Square, Bridge Street, Westminster Bridge Road and Kennington Road to normal route of travel. For westbound trafc in reverse to the diversion route above. Or via Kennington Road, Kennington Lane, Durham Street, Harleyford Road, South Lambeth Road, Parry Street, Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall Bridge and Millbank to the normal route of travel.
Dated this 1st day of August 2025
Andrew Ulph
Co-ordination Manager
Transport for London, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
FOR GRANT OF PREMISES LICENCE
Danny Watson has applied to the London Borough of Lambeth for the grant of a Premises Licence, in respect of the following premises: Riverside Walkway, Riverside Central and Riverside West Wooden Cabin by Oxo Tower Wharf, London SE1 9PP which would authorise the following licensable activities: Supply of alcohol off the premises, recorded music
The record of this application may be inspected during normal office hours by an appointment at the Licensing Section, London Borough of Lambeth Town Hall, Basement Room B08 & B09, 1 Brixton Hill, London, SW2 1RW, or via the licensing authority’s website, at www.lambeth.gov.uk/licensing
A responsible authority or any other person may make representation to the licensing authority in respect of this application.
Representations must be made in writing, either by post to the above address, or by email to licensing@lambeth.gov.uk and must be received no later than 25th August 2025
It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with a licensing application, and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for that offence shall not exceed level 5 on the standard scale (£5,000).
To place a notice, please email hello@ cm-media.co.uk
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH
Notice Under The Town and Country Planning Acts
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council is considering applications as set out below under the following categories;
FUL = FULL PLANNING PERMISSION
LB = LISTED BUILDING CONSENT
VOC = VARIATION OF CONDITIONS
Written representations should be made within three weeks of the date of this advertisement to the Director of Planning, PO Box 734, Winchester SO23 5DG. Any comments made are open to inspection by the public and in the event of an appeal may be referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Confidential comments cannot be taken into account in determining an application.
Application plans can be viewed online at www.lambeth.gov.uk/searchplanningapps – search using the reference number at the end of each application listing.
5 Russell Grove London SW9 6HU Replacement of all existing windows with double-glazed uPVC windows and existing doors with double-glazed uPVC and composite doors. 25/02200/FUL
2 Ferndale Road London SW4 7SF Application for Listed Building Consent for the replacement of all existing windows with single glazed timber windows - like for like. (Associated full planning with reference number: 25/02263/FUL received). 25/02264/LB 158 - 160 Kennington Park Road London SE11 4DJ Creation of a rear terrace over flat roof together with the installation of slatted decking, privacy screens and replacement of rear window with UPVC double-glazed door (to Flat 3). 25/01841/FUL 100 Black Prince Road London SE1 7SJ Llike for like replacement of natural slate pitched roofs, rolled lead flat roofs, and metal framed glazed rooflights within the boundary identified in the planning drawings; Associated rebedding of ridge tiles and copings, or like for like replacement where necessary; Associated ancillary repairs including raking and repointing of masonry parapets and chimneys, replacement lead flashings, and like for like replacement of rainwater goods where necessary; The introduction of new cowels over existing chimney pots to prevent water ingress; Where required, replacement of timber roof structural elements which have suffered water ingress damage. 25/02175/LB
7 Fieldhouse Road London SW12 0HL Erection of rear dormer together with the installation of 1 rooflight to front roofslope.
25/02162/FUL
158 - 160 Kennington Park Road London SE11 4DJ Replacement of all timber single-glazed box sash windows with matching doubleglazed windows. Replacement of rear bathroom window with matching UPVC window (to Flat 3). 25/01840/FUL
Pavement Outside 152 Waterloo Road London Display of 1x internally illuminated Digital panel within Communications Kiosk.
25/01737/ADV
Pavement Outside 152 Waterloo Road London Replacement of the existing Telephone Kiosk with 1x Communications Kiosk incorporating an integrated digital advertisement display. 25/01736/FUL
56 Cleaver Square London SE11 4EA Evacuation to create basement and erection of a rear extension, relocation of front door from the side to the front elevation, installation of iron railing boundary treatment and installation of 2 rooflights to the front roof slope.
25/02101/FUL
Footway Build Out Adjacent To Brockwell Lido London SE24 0PA Installation of a Santander Cycle docking station (30 docking points) and terminal on the Dulwich Road footway build out adjacent to Brockwell Lido.
Reconsultation: Updated OS Map and layout 25/01029/FUL
212 Acre Lane London SW2 5UG Variation of Condition 2 (Plans) of planning permissions 24/02629/FUL & 24/02630/LB
(Refurbishment of the property, involving the erection of a part one/part two-storey rear extension, the formation of a patio, steps and planter to the rear, re-instatement of the original roof of the rear extension, window and door replacement at ground floor level, installation of two new timber windows and replacement of the existing window at first floor level at the rear elevation and all associated works. Internal alterations involving plasterboard and insulation, repair and re-instatement of all timber flooring, installation of a new woodburner, cupboard replacement, wall infill, together with the conversion of the kitchen into a utility room and shower/sauna room, and bathroom into a bedroom and other associated works) granted 19.12.2024.
Variation sought: minor changes to the rear and glass box extensions, as follows;
- include a rooflight to the flat roof of the rear extension
- relocate the garden steps to just outside the small side patio doors.
- change the proposed patio level to remove the brick upstand around the glass box extension allowing the sliding doors to be level with the internal floor - change the bi-fold patio doors from white painted timber framed to aluminium framed
25/02144/VOC
14 Milton Road London SE24 0NP Replacement of all existing windows with double-glazed timber windows; installation of new round window into the existing wall rear closet wing; conversion of existing lower ground floor rear window with a double glazed door and the making good of existing valley roof.
25/02067/FUL
City Of London Almshouses Ferndale Road London Removal of existing CCTV cameras and installation of new CCTV cameras, wireless devices and an integrated antenna receiver at Freemen's House Block 1, Freeman's House Block 4 and Grade II Listed East Lodge, together with adjustments to pedestrian and vehicular gate accesses to Ferndale Road including fob controlled access gates; and removal of existing security spikes to boundary wall with Trinity Gardens and provision of anti-vandal scaling barrier. (Please note: The reference number for this Listed Building Consent application is 25/02192/FUL but there is also an associated application for Full Planning Permission related to these works with reference number: 25/02193/LB). 25/02193/LB Dated this Friday 01/08/2025
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 16A
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE BRIXTON STATION ROAD – FOR THE BIG SHIFT CAR FREE DAY SOCIAL EVENT 1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable a social event in connection with The Big Shift Car Free Day to take place, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth has made an Order the effect of which will be to temporarily ban vehicles from entering or waiting (including waiting for the
length of Brixton Station Road on those days.
Dated 1 August 2025 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager SCHEDULE
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14 TEMPORARY TRAFFIC AND PARKING RESTRICTIONS
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE – SALTER’S HILL
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable street lighting installation works to be carried out, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth has made an Order the effect of which will be to temporarily ban vehicles from entering in that length of Salter’s Hill which lies between Kingston Square and Gipsy Road.
2. The bans will only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of traffic signs.
3. Alternative routes will be available for affected vehicles via Gipsy Road, Elder Road and vice versa.
4. The Order will come into force on 7 August 2025 and will continue for 1 month, or until the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. In practice it is anticipated that the Order will only have effect on 7 August 2025 and 8 August 2025 between the hours of 8pm and 2am, but if the works cannot be completed or carried out during that time the Order will also have effect on subsequent dates within that maximum period of 1 month.
Dated 1 August 2025 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager
LICENSING ACT 2003
APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PREMISES LICENCE
Take notice that we: Funkey Bee Lounge UK Ltd have made an application to Lewisham Council acting as the Licensing Authority, for a Variation of a premises licence in respect of A2 Delicious 77a –79 Rushey Green SE64AF
The details of the application are as follows:
To change the premises name to Funkey Bee Lounge
To Extend the hours on the current licence as follows:
Plays, Films, Indoor Sporting events, live music, recorded music, performance of dance and anything of a similar description, Late night refreshment & Alcohol for consumption on & off the premises
02:00 – 04:00 Friday & Saturday, Sunday Until 03:00 Monday on a bank holiday
To amend the opening hours: 02:00 – 04:00 Friday & Saturday, Sunday Until 03:00 Monday on a bank holiday
To remove conditions 7, 14 & 15 & to reword condition 9
All licensable activities on New Year’s Eve to cease at 04:30 hours and the premises to close at 05.00 hours.
The application and the Licensing Authority’s public register can be inspected at: Lewisham Council, Safer Communities Service, 9 Holbeach Road, London, SE6 4TW by appointment between Monday to Friday (except on public holidays) and between the hours of 9.00 am to 4.00 pm; or at www.lewisham.gov.uk
The last date by which responsible authorities or other persons may make representations to the Licensing Authority in relation to this application is: 31st July 2025
Any representations must be made in writing to the above address or by emailing licensing@lewisham.gov.uk
It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction is unlimited.
LICENSING ACT 2003
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE
Name of applicant: Cheam Food Centre Ltd, Registered office at 20 Palmer Avenue, Cheam, Sutton, England, SM3 8EG
Postal address of premises 2 Station Way, Cheam, SM3 8SW
Application Details:
An application has been submitted for the grant of a new premises licence for the retail sale of alcohol (off the premises).
The proposed hours for licensable activities are as follows:
Monday to Saturday 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 pm Sunday 07:00 am to 11:00 pm
Full details of the application can be inspected on the licensing register, online at www.sutton.gov.uk or in person at the address given below.
Deadline for representations 26th August 2025
Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Authority by post: Licensing Team, London Borough of Sutton, Civic Offices, St Nicholas Way, Sutton SM1 1EA or by email: licensing@sutton.gov.uk
It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. The maximum penalty on conviction of such an offence is an unlimited fine.
Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 NOTICE UNDER ARTICLE 13 OF APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION
Proposed development at: Units 18-19, 16 Porteus Place, London, SW4 OAS
Take notice that application is being made by:
Organisation name Burgess Mee LLP
Applicant name Jonathan Hicks
For planning permission to: Installation of air conditioning units (with associated acoustic enclosure) to roof.
Local Planning Authority to whom the application is being submitted:
London Borough of Lambeth, Civic Centre, Brixton, SW2 1 EG
Local Planning Authority address: London Borough of Lambeth, Civic Centre, Brixton, SW2 1 EG
Any owner of the land or tenant who wishes to make representations about this application, should write to the council within 21 days of the date of this notice. Signatory:
Signatory: Mr. Rob Hewson
29-07-2025
Statement of owners' rights: The grant of planning permission does not affect owners' rights to retain or dispose of their property, unless there is some provision to the contrary in an agreement or lease.
Statement of agricultural tenants' rights: The grant of planning permission for nonagricultural development may affect agricultural tenants' security of tenure.
'Owner' means a person having a freehold interest or a leasehold interest the unexpired term of which is not less than seven years.
'Tenant' means a tenant of an agricultural holding any part of which is comprised in the land.
Once completed this form needs to be served on the owner(s) or tenant(s)
The inaugural Vitality Blast winners
By Jon Batham at the Kia Oval
GRACE HARRIS’S sparkling 63 from 33 balls led Surrey to a five-wicket win over the Bears as they became the inaugural Vitality Blast Women’s champions in front of their home fans at the Kia Oval at the weekend.
The Australian all-rounder grabbed hold of a final which needed a heroine, striking two sixes and seven fours to steer the home side to victory.
Fittingly, Southwark-born Kira Chathli, who watched her heroes here as a child, made the winning hit with 20 balls to spare. Amu Surenkumar and Emily Arlott took two wickets apiece.
Earlier, The Bears struggled to build partnerships with player of the match from the semi-final Issy Wong top scoring with 31 and Laura Harris Sister of Grace a typically ferocious 25 from eleven. Phoebe Franklin was the pick of the Surrey attack with 2-16, while two superb runouts helped to further restrict the Bears.
Meg Austin caressed the first ball of the innings for four only for Alexa Stonehouse to bowl her with an in-swinger.
Davina Perrin’s miserable day with the bat was completed when Capsey castled her for nought and it was hero of the eliminator Issy Wong who gave the powerplay momentum with four boundaries and a five from an overthrow.
Stonehouse ended her fun with another ball that hit the stumps and Sterre Kalis was run out by a magnificent throw from the deep by Ryana MacDonald-Gay.
Natasha Wraith played nicely for 23 but she and Surenkumar fell in the space of four balls, the latter to a lightning quick stumping by Kira Chathli off Franklin.
Laura Harris, was dropped early on and went on the offensive, twice clearing the ropes. Three other boundaries took the Australian to 25, but going for another big hit off Dani Gregory she found the hands of Franklin in the deep.
Franklin removed the dangerous Emily Arlott too, but Millie Taylor (20 not out) marshalled the tail, leaving Surrey 154 for the title.
Surrey’s chase suffered an early setback when Danni Wyatt-Hodge, prolific in the competition, lost the chance to be leading run-scorer as she holed out in the deep.
Skipper Bryony Smith swept and pulled
Chathli made the winning hit with 20 balls to spare
strongly, but fell to the last ball of the powerplay from Surenkumar and when Wraith whipped off the bails to stump Capsey off Hannah Baker, Surrey were floundering at 42-3.
Three Sophia Dunkley boundaries from Millie Taylor’s opening over raised hopes for the side playing on their home ground and the England international hit Baker back over her head for six in the next.
That was as good as it got for Dunkley who overbalanced trying to hit Surenkumar over the top, Wraith’s fast hands doing the rest.
Grace Harris though took up the baton to play the match-defining innings, driving fours cleanly through cover and mid-off.
Emily Arlott was dispatched to the sightscreen for six and swept for four, but Paige Scholfield perished in the deep trying to imitate the shot to give the bears renewed hope.
Harris though remained to reach 50 at a strike rate of 200, before clubbing Taylor into the seats at midwicket as Surrey scampered home.
"Sometimes it is harder to chase 140 than 160 because you think if you just knock it around, you'll just get the runs, whereas with 160 you have to go to
pick up a boundary an over,” Harris said.
“Teams can get too complacent with 140 and I've been involved in a team which has done that before chasing 120 in a final with the heat ands we lost to Adelaide Strikers because we just knocked it about and didn't really take the game on.
"So it was fantastic to make sure we stayed with that run chase. Fair play to the girls on what was a very good squad effort.
"It was a fairly nice wicket, so our bowlers did very well to set up that game.
"I was a little bit nervous (When her sister Laura Harris was teeing off). I was thinking at long-off just hit it down
someone else's throat. You want her to do well and it's not like I would have hashed the job but if I'd caught it I would have been a little bit disappointed.
"I'm happy she got out when she did because it could have been a 180-chase if she'd hung on.
"I think Phoebe has genuinely been our player of the season. Each game she's either taken a crucial wicket or hit 20 off ten at the back end and given us a bit of momentum in lower scoring games. In any other team she would bat a lot higher and get a lot more opportunity than what she does, but when given the opportunity, she is definitely a player that's taken it. She
has done so well in this T20 tournament and I have been rather impressed with her skill set. It's not just the fact she can hit a line and a length, it is the fact she can bowl slower balls as well or come up with a Yorker when required. Then at the back end with the bat she fully owns her scoring shots.
"I probably get more nervous on the side-lines than I do out in the middle. When I am in the centre I'm like 'This is good fun. How good is it to get a chance to bat. Sitting on the side-lines I say to our group alright introverts you are going to have to leave because I've got to chat or I'm going to find this day tough."
By Sports Reporter
SOUTHWARK AQUATICS Swim Club provided ten of the thirteen athletes who represented Southwark Borough in the London Youth Games Aquathlon event at the London Aquatic Centre on June 29.
The event, a combined swim and run, was attended by over 275 young athletes from Years 7-11, representing
27 boroughs.
Southwark Aquatics athletes helped propel Southwark Borough to a seventh-place place finish, with strong finishes across board.
Particularly notable results from the Southwark team included Ella Driver with a fifth-place finish in Yr 9 females, Noah Lansing (pictured far right) with a fifth-place finish in Yr 10 males and Tehila Choy with a sixth-place finish in Yr 11 females.
By John Kelly
FISHER STRUCK twice late on to start their SCEFL Premier Division season with a 2-0 win at Tunbridge Wells on Saturday.
Chibueze Echem in the 78th minute and Kelvin Bakare just a
minute later secured the points for Ajay Ashanike’s beaten play-off finalists last season.
The Fish finally made the breakthrough when Echem, on his debut, cut in and shrugged off his marker before placing the ball wide of the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.
Just after the restart, Kesna Clarke went down the right and outpaced his opponent before sending in a low cross that found Bakare as he nipped in ahead of the defender, took one touch and then rifled home from twelve yards.
Clarke almost added a third but was denied by the visiting goalkeeper.
The Fish relatively comfortably saw the game out, with Conor Darwish and Don Macaulay first to everything in defence.
Fisher host Camberley Town in the FA Cup extra preliminary round on Saturday. Kick-off at St Paul’s in Rotherhithe is 3pm.
By Will Scott
RYAN LEONARD hopes Millwall can carry their strong finish from last season into the upcoming campaign.
The Lions won five games in six as they reeled in the play-off chasing pack, before falling just short on the final day of the season away at Burnley, losing 3-1 at Turf Moor.
As a result, Millwall finished just two points outside the top six, after being dangerously close to being dragged into a relegation battle when Alex Neil was appointed Lions boss on December 30, 2024.
When asked by this paper if he was optimistic heading into the season,
Millwall's vice-captain Leonard said, "Yeah, of course you have to be. It’s a season where we want to build on last year. We ended the season really strongly last year, and we obviously just missed out.
"But we need to continue what we did last year and build on it from there, and I think it's shown in pre-season. We've tried to do that, and we'll continue to try and do that."
Neil's first full pre-season with his squad is in full swing, and the Scotsman has been implementing tactical ideas he had little time to instill during the hectic Championship schedule in his first five months in charge.
"The gaffer is big on shape, he's big on how we want to play, and we've been working really hard on that," Leonard
Ryan Leonard on why Millwall
"The manager has got his ideas, and we're working on a few things. The aim is just to be ready for two weeks today, Norwich. So, as long as we're ready and raring to go for then that's all that matters."
It has been more than a month since Millwall returned for pre-season training in late June, a period that included a week-long training camp in Murcia, Spain, and Leonard thinks the mood in the dressing room is positive ahead of the Lions' season opener away at Norwich City on August 9.
"We've signed a few players, we've kept hold of a lot of players from last year, which is really good," Leonard said.
"We've got a really good group at the moment. We went to Spain last week, which was a real good team bonding for the week, and we had some fun out there. And like you say, it's just getting the lads fit, getting the lads minutes.
"We just try and continue to show what Millwall is. It’s a football club, it's a familyrun club, and it's something that we kind of try and push, and we try and strive towards that and keep it going."
on last
said. "We've been doing a lot of stuff to work on how we can hurt the opposition.
"I think it’s shown in pre-season, we've scored some really good goals, and we've been good at the back so far as well. So it's been a really enjoyable pre-season.
"It's been tough, but it's been one that we kind of worked hard on. A lot of tactics, a lot of fitness and, like you say, we've got two more friendlies to go, and then we're ready to go really, can't come quick enough now."
Millwall's attacking combinations were evident in the Lions' 2-1 friendly win against Bromley on Saturday, July 26, with Neil's side scoring two well-worked goals finished by Mihailo Ivanovic and Ra'ees Bangura-Williams against the League Two side.
"It was a good run out. It was nice to
By Fergus Sowrey at Hayes Lane
MILLWALL BOSS Alex Neil
was satisfied with his side’s performance in their 2-1 win over Bromley on Saturday, July 26.
Goals from Ra’ees Bangura-Williams and Mihailo Ivanovic secured victory for the Lions over the League Two outfit, as Millwall stepped up their preparations for the 2025-26 campaign.
“I thought we were the dominant side in the game,” Neil told this paper. “First half, we created probably four or five good opportunities.
“Right towards the end of the first half, they had a shot that the keeper saved for us, they had a header from a set-play, they had a corner which was deflected.
So I thought the last two minutes of the first half, they got a little bit of momentum behind the ball.
“But all in all, we probably should have taken the lead in the first half. We didn’t, and it was just really a case of being patient and making sure we try and take the next opportunity that comes our way.
“We scored two very similar goals, we got down the sides of them, cut it back and managed to finish. And that sort of settled the game for us, we’re a bit calmer at that point.”
Neil, however, did admit that Bromley caused Millwall problems late on, following a lengthy stoppage for Ravens defender Carl Jenkinson’s injury.
Neil said: “Bromley were a bit more physical in the last 30 minutes. We
didn’t cope as well as we had done.
“They get a set-play, which is a bit scrappy from our perspective, we didn’t deal with it well enough, and it got a little bit messy towards the end.
“I thought the pitch started to dry up. The pitch has been left a little bit longer [in grass length], I think, than what it would normally be. But all in all, good exercise, a good test for us, and we came through it well.”
Millwall: 4-4-2: Crocombe (Benda, 62); Crama, Tanganga, Cooper (Harding, 46), Leonard; Cundle (Luongo, 62), Neghli (Bangura-Williams, 46), De Norre, Azeez (Emakhu, 62; Matthews, 81); Ivanovic (Howland, 81), Coburn (Langstaff, 62).
Unused Substitutes: Evans, Mayor,
come to one of the local games as well, which is nice to see a lot of fans turn out," Leonard said.
"[We scored] two good goals.
Disappointed with the goal we conceded, but this is pre-season – we're here to improve, we're here to get fit, and it's good to win the game and get some minutes."
Leonard, typically a right-back, started on the left against the Ravens due to injuries, a position he filled in at a couple of times last season.
"We've got a couple of injuries, and for me it's just to try and fill in when I can and try and help the team," Leonard said.
"It's enjoyable, to be fair, it's a different position for me. Played most positions now, but it's one where you see a different side of the game. You can cut in and try and help in that way.
Millwall have now made six signings this summer transfer window: Josh Coburn, Zak Sturge, Max Crocombe, Massimo Luongo, and Alfie Doughty on permanent deals, and goalkeeper Steven Benda on loan.
"I think they add quality; you've got a couple of lads coming back from injury as well, which will feel like new signings this year," Leonard said. "They add quality at the top of the pitch, and they're good lads.
"The main thing is we've got good lads, and we've got really good players. And I think if we continue to have that mix, it's only going to strive us forward as the season goes on."
A key part of fully integrating into Millwall's squad is singing a song for the rest of the squad, although Leonard was not impressed by the musical talent on display.
"We had a few on tour, a few too many," Leonard said. "It was a terrible standard to be honest, so me and Coops [captain Jake Cooper], we cut it short at one point.
"Max [Crocombe] was good, Max the keeper was really good. But other than that, all the young lads, it was not great."
What did Crocombe sing that impressed Leonard so much?
"Ain’t no mountain high enough, I think," Leonard said. "It was a good standard.
"It's good just to get that team spirit and team bonding together, and just to get the lads all talking on the same hymn sheet type of thing, really.
"So yeah, we’ve got some really good lads, and we've enjoyed it."
Sutton United - 2
Millwall - 6
(Nadesan 25’, 60’) (Langstaff 11’, 16’, 23’, Emakhu 50’, 70’, Coburn 83’)
Date: Tuesday 29 July 2025
Man of the Match: Macaulay Langstaff
Referee: Harrison Blair
Attendance: 1,860 (785 away)
By Will Scott at Gander Green Lane
MACAULAY LANGSTAFF scored a hat-trick and Aidomo Emakhu grabbed a brace as Millwall beat National League side Sutton United 6-2 in a pre-season friendly at Gander Green Lane on Tuesday, July 29.
Millwall were heavily rotated with a number of first-team regulars being rested, but still got out to a quick start, with Langstaff scoring all three of his goals in the first 23 minutes of the match.
Sutton pulled one back through Ashley Nadesan on the cusp of halftime before Emakhu, who had several opportunities to score in the first half, restored the deficit to three goals early in the second half.
Nadesan scored again in the 60th minute to threaten a close game, but goals by Emakhu and Josh Coburn late on ensured Millwall left south-west London with an emphatic mid-week victory.
Lions fans got their first glimpse of their latest signing Alfie Doughty, who started at left-back and put in a number of excellent balls into the box, while fellow summer signings Massimo
By Will Scott
Luongo and Steven Benda also made the starting eleven.
Despite the match's friendly status, it was an intense affair from the off, with both sides playing direct and often attempting to play it over the top of the other team's back line.
Millwall broke the deadlock in the eleventh minute after one of the several balls in behind finally came to fruition.
Doughty played Langstaff in, and the striker made no mistake, calmly placing the ball past Jack Sims.
Langstaff had his second five minutes later. Femi Azeez again aimed a corner towards Jake Cooper at the back of the box, who headed the ball into a crowded area of the box. The ball pinballed around before it fell to Langstaff, whose swivelled volley somehow found the back of the net from a tight angle.
He completed his hat-trick in the 23rd minute, capitalising on a poor attempt to play out from the back by Sutton and seizing on a loose ball, before finishing well into the bottom corner.
In what was quickly becoming a goalfest, Sutton United pulled one back just four minutes later. Kane Crichlow stole the ball off of Wes Harding before curling it into Ashley Nadesan's path with the outside of his boot. The striker
capitalised on a defensive mishap to tap it past Steven Benda in the Millwall net. Sutton continued to show plenty of intent and caused Millwall problems as the half went on. In the 37th minute, Sutton won the ball high up the pitch, and Crichlow managed to work it to Nadesan, whose effort from a tight angle was deflected just wide. From the resulting set-piece, Lewis Simper forced out a low save from Benda after a long-range effort.
The U's continued to threaten after the break, with David Ogbonna hitting the post after a darting run through Millwall's defence.
The Lions, however, restored their three-goal advantage in the 50th minute after Aidomo Emakhu got in behind Sutton right-back Will Tizzard and beat him for pace, before curling the ball past Sims and into the bottom corner of the net.
Three minutes later, substitute Camiel Neghli drove forward before cutting it back to Langstaff, and the striker's drilled strike was deflected over the bar.
Sutton reduced the deficit again in the 60th minute, after a long throw bounced through the penalty box before being poked home by Nadesan.
MILLWALL HAVE confirmed the signings of midfielder Massimo Luongo on a free transfer and goalkeeper Steven Benda on loan.
The duo were officially announced by the club on Thursday, July 24, becoming the Lions fourth and fifth signing of the summer transfer window.
Both were substituted on during Millwall’s 2-1 friendly win over
Bromley on Saturday, July 26, before both started against Sutton United on Tuesday, July 29.
Luongo, 32, agreed a one-year deal with the club following a trial spell where he featured in friendlies against Crystal Palace, Northampton Town and Elche, the latter two in the Lions’ training camp in Murcia. The Australian international joined the club following his release by Ipswich Town, where he spent two and a half seasons and helped them secure promotion to the Premier
League in the 2023-24 campaign.
Luongo has made 414 club appearances, scoring 34 goals, across spells at Swindon Town, Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield United and Ipswich.
He also has six goals in 45 appearances for Australia.
Benda is the second goalkeeper to join the Lions this summer following the addition of Max Crocombe, with the club needing to recruit two experienced showstoppers with last season’s number one Lukas Jensen
By Will Scott
ALEX NEIL called Millwall's performance in their 6-2 friendly win against Sutton United on Tuesday, July 29, "really pleasing".
The Lions got off to a quick start, with Macaulay Langstaff scoring a twelve-minute hat-trick as Millwall led 3-0 after 23 minutes. Sutton pulled a goal back shortly after through Ashley Nadesan, and threatened Steven Benda's goal a few times in the final stages of the first half, before Aidomo Emakhu restored the Lions three-goal lead five minutes into the second half. Nadesan poked home another goal in the 60th minute, but Millwall were soon out of sight after Emakhu scored his second, and substitute Josh Coburn rounded U's keeper late on to bag the Lions' sixth.
Neil thought his side did well in a potentially tricky fixture.
Neil introduced another four substitutes off the bench shortly after, and the game maintained its manic intensity.
Ten minutes later, Emakhu had his second, taking advantage of another misplaced pass around the back by Sutton. The ball fell to the Irishman on the left flank, and he cut back inside before curling the ball through the legs of a U's defender and into the back of the net.
The game continued at a relentless pace, and Sutton should have had a third in the 77th minute when the ball was lofted into the box, but Henri Sandat somehow headed past the post from just yards out.
Millwall scored their sixth in the 83rd minute after centre-back Kamarl Grant stormed the midfield, before slipping in Coburn, who rounded the goalkeeper and tapped the ball into the empty net.
Millwall: 4-2-3-1: Benda; Harding, Grant, Cooper (Drake 60), Doughty (Mayor 60); Mitchell (Lamptey 46), Luongo; Azeez (Neghli 46), BanguraWilliams (Matthews 60), Emakhu; Langstaff (Coburn 60) Unused Substitutes: Crocombe, Evans, Baker, Massey, Howland.
out with an Achilles injury and after Liam Roberts’ departure to Mansfield Town.
Benda has Championship experience with Swansea City –where he worked with Millwall goalkeeper coach Dean Thornton –and Peterborough United.
He has made four cup appearances for Fulham.
Benda, Crocombe and George Evans are set to fight it out to start the first game of the season at Norwich City on August 9.
"Really pleasing," Neil told this paper. "To score six goals is always pleasing.
"If you look at some of Sutton's results, they've been really good over the course of the pre-season. So they're not an easy team to beat. Particularly here, it's a tight pitch.
"We knew they were going to play a back five, the spaces were going to be down the side, so that's why we went with Femi [Azeez] and Aidomo [Emakhu] in terms of trying to stretch them and get them behind them, which we did really well.
"For the first 35 minutes, we were terrific, I thought we were really good. And then I thought when they scored, the goal was disappointing. We gave the ball away cheaply. We don't defend the next sort of phase well enough.
"Then it became a little bit scrappy. It became a bit set-piecey right before half-time. Then we started the second half brightly, got the next goal. Then it was a little bit messy. We made a few changes. They made a few changes. The goal we conceded was really poor.
"I thought for five minutes, they looked more threatening than we did, just in terms of pressure and throw-ins and corners and free kicks. But, thankfully, we then wrestled back control, got the next goal, and then from there, we went on and comfortably won the game."
Neil was keen to praise Langstaff, who had previously yet to score this pre-season and had a goal ruled out against Elche.
“I think he's deserved more goals across pre-season,” Neil said. “I think he's been a bit unfortunate. Maybe a lack of composure in just a certain couple of moments, or at times maybe not selecting the right finish. But I thought tonight, he got the goals that he deserved, and that was really pleasing for him.”
By Keith Gillard
OLIVER GLASNER has expressed his frustration at Crystal Palace’s lack of transfer activity - with the Eagles in the middle of another summer besieged by clubs wanting to take their star players.
The FA Cup winners have so far only signed goalkeeper Walter Benitez on a free transfer and Croatia international left-back Borna Sosa for £3million.
Arsenal are reportedly stepping
By Will Scott
MILLWALL WILL now host Preston North End on Saturday, November 8, at the earlier kick off time of 12:30pm, and the match will be broadcast on Sky Sports+.
Later that month, the Lions will face Sheffield Wednesday at The Den on Wednesday, November 26, instead of Tuesday, November 25, due to The Owls' fixture against rivals Sheffield United being moved for television broadcast. The game will kick off at 7:45 pm.
Millwall's away fixture against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, December 20, will also kick-off earlier at 12:30, and will be shown on Sky Sports+.
The Boxing Day match against Ipswich Town will kick-off earlier at 1pm, following an agreement between the two clubs.
The Lions' trip to Loftus Road to take on Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, October 18 had previously been moved to the earlier kick off time (12:30 pm) and will now be broadcast on Sky Sports Football.
up their interest in the scorer of the only goal against Manchester City at Wembley, Eberechi Eze. The Gunners are willing to pay £60million for the England international.
There is also still speculation that Liverpool are preparing an offer for captain Marc Guehi.
Last summer, the Eagles managed to hold on to Guehi after rejecting multiple bids of up to £70million from Newcastle United.
Michael Olise moved to Bayern
Munich a year ago for £60million and Palace do not want to lose their two best attacking players in successive summers.
Palace made a slow start to last season, winning none of their first eight Premier League games.
“Even though all the players are still here, we haven’t made the most of the transfer window so far,” Glasner said. “I was promised that we would be more active and bring in the new players earlier this year.
“As of now, I have seventeen outfield players. I hope we don’t lose any more. If that happens and we get four new ones on deadline day like last year, another false start is possible.”
The sheen has been well and truly taken off their FA Cup win. Palace have been demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League after Uefa said they breached multi-club ownership rules. That has affected their transfer activity this summer.
By Will Scott
MILLWALL WILL travel to face Newport County at Rodney Parade in the Carabao Cup First Round on Tuesday, August 12, with the match kicking off at 7:30pm.
The Exiles beat Barnet on penalties in the preliminary round last night, with the match finishing 2-2 and the Welsh side emerging 4-2 victors in the shootout.
Newport currently play in League Two after narrowly avoiding relegation last season, with the Exiles finishing in 22nd.
