Southwark News - August 14th 2025

MILLWALL EXCLUSIVE

Issue 1750

Est: 1987

50p

August 14 2025

southwarknews.co.uk

LIONS REJECT EMAKHU BIDS

NO BOUNDARIES!

SEE PAGE 10

How one woman started all female cricket teams

ROY ON FILM

See page 14

LATEST UPDATE IN QUADRUPLE STABBING

EXCLUSIVE See page 3

EXCLUSIVE

See page 7

See page 4

Biopic hopes to create debate on what it means to be a hero

OUR MAP REVEALS ALL COUNCIL HOMES BUILT IN LAST 10 YEARS

2 NEWS Contents NEWS NEWS Pages Pages 2-17 2-14 OPINION OPINION Pages 18-19 Pages 16-17 ARTS ARTS Page 20 Page 19 EVENTS Page 21 EVENTS Page 20 HISTORY Page 22 HISTORY Page 21 PROPERTY Page 23 CLASSIFIED CLASSIFIED Page 22 Page 22 PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES Pages 24-27 Pages 24-27 SPORT SPORT Pages 29-32

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SECOND LABOUR COUNCILLOR RESIGNS FROM PARTY FOLLOWING LEADERSHIP DEBACLE EXCLUSIVE

By Issy Clarke A SECOND councillor has resigned from Southwark Labour, as the fallout from last month's controversial leadership election continues to send reverberations through the local party.

Laura Johnson, the councillor for Chaucer ward, quietly resigned from the Labour Party at the start of the month and is now standing as an independent councillor.

Johnson was one of two councillors who cast a proxy vote during an internal election of the local Labour group to choose a new leader on June 30 following the resignation of former leader Kieron Williams.

The election led to the appointment of James McAsh, the socialist councillor for Goose Green Ward, as Southwark Labour's next leader. However, the central Labour Party called in the results of the election and ordered a re-run after concerns were raised, including by MP Neil Coyle, over the decision to permit the use of two proxy votes - a breach of the local party's rules.

An online run-off election was scheduled for the following Monday (July 7) with Cllr Sarah King, who narrowly lost out to McAsh in the first round, clinching victory by a margin of two votes.

During a meeting of the full council held the following Wednesday (July 9) to confirm Sarah King as the next leader of the council, three Labour councillors defied the whip to rebel against her installation - Cllrs Sam Foster, Ketzia Harper and Johnson, with Harper and Johnson subsequently identifying themselves as the two councillors who had cast proxy votes.

Johnson's decision to leave the party makes her the second Labour councillor to do so in the aftermath of the election process. Last month the former chair of the local Labour Party, Kath Whittam, issued a sensational email announcing her resignation to colleagues, in which she likened herself to a 'momma bear' who had been 'shot in the head'.

Meanwhile, defeated leadership candidate James McAsh is quietly getting

Issue 1749

Est: 1987

50p

MILLWALL EXCLUSIVE

August 7 2025

southwarknews.co.uk

MORO BACKS LIONS TO CONTEND

LAND OWNED BY PRINCE WILLIAM TO BE USED TO HOUSE HOMELESS

See page 4

Editor: Kevin Quinn Reporters: Issy Clarke, Evie Flynn Sports Editor: John Kelly Sports reporter: Will Scott Arts Correspondent: Michael Holland Digital Transformation Editor: Katherine Johnston Media Partnerships: Anthony Phillips Advertising: Clarry Frewin Design: Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen Finance: Em Zeki - Tel: 0779 883 3758 em@cm-media.co.uk Subscriptions/Announcements: Katie Boyd Managing & Commercial Director: Chris Mullany Managing & Editorial Director: Kevin Quinn Published weekly on a Thursday at: Community Matters Media Ltd 1 Bermondsey Square, London SE1 3UN. News and Sport: 020 7231 5258 Advertising: 020 7232 1639 News: news@southwarknews.co.uk Advertising: hello@cm-media.co.uk Printed by Iliffe Print. Tel: 01223 656500 www.iliffeprint.co.uk

on with his job as the Cabinet Member for Clean Streets and Waste and is not thought to harbour any plans to dispute the result - despite previous suggestions a legal challenge could be on the cards.

A source close to Johnson told the News she had already decided not to re-run as a councillor in next May's local elections, and said the decision to abandon her

CUFFED BY CUTS EXCLUSIVE

See page 3

See pages 8, 9 and 10

Southwark could lose last remaining 24 hour police front counter See page 4 24 new officers drafted in, but 1,700 lost across the Met Council wants to impose new orders, in bid to help police combat anti-social behaviour

IS THIS THE BEST WAY TO TRAVEL IN FROM KENT? ARTS

See page 19

SEASON OF THEATRE SHORTS TO START

Labour Party membership was over the party's management of the leadership contest.

"It left her feeling undervalued, and just feeling that the whole episode had been handled in very poor taste," the source said. They added that people had been "asking questions about why she was still a member", with Johnson finding it

increasingly difficult to answer why. "She used to think the party was a broad church, but the leadership contest disproved that for her."

It is not thought that the new left-wing party launched by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana last month played into Johnson's decision to resign the Labour whip.

The new party, which is not yet officially established, is rapidly gaining momentum, and has seen 600,000 people join its mailing list within the space of a week.

Last week, a Labour member of Coventry City Council became the first councillor to jump ship from Starmer's party to Corbyn and Sultana's left-wing alternative.

"None of those people who raised concerns [about the use of proxy voting] had done the same about similar issues in the past," the source continued, referring to the decision by MP Coyle, who is to the right of his party and has clashed with Labour's Corbynite left in the past, to flag the use of proxy votes in the election. "If you’re going to run an election because someone has voted by proxy, why didn’t you do the same a year or two years ago?

I think the objections were raised to suit a certain agenda.

"The decision wasn't to do with Sarah it's about how the process was handled.

Laura felt she had been disenfranchised."

While proxies have been used as standard practice within elections of the Labour Group for many years, concerns were raised that the proxies had been only signed off by the Chief Whip, despite the party's Standing Orders stating that permission is required from two officers.

Johnson's resignation comes amid indications of depleting morale among Labour councillors, in response to last month's leadership turmoil and dissatisfaction with the performance of Keir Starmer's government, which has faced criticism over its handling of welfare reform and its position on Gaza.

Turnout at campaign events, where Southwark Labour councillors are asked to visit a specific seat to canvass on behalf of a candidate, has been low in recent weeks - despite warnings that Labour risks losing its grip on the capital in next May's local elections, outflanked by Reform on the right and the Green party on the left.

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

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

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

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NEWS 3

‘THE GUY IS A GENUINE HERO’ Biopic will examine what it means to be a hero in modern Britain EXCLUSIVE

Left - Leo Gregory (L) with Roy Larner (R)

By Issy Clarke

Below - Dougie Brimson (centre left) and Roy Larner (far right) together at a recent Millwall match

ROY LARNER, 54, heroically tackled knife-wielding Islamist terrorists to the ground during the 2017 London Bridge attacks while crying out: “F*** you, I’m Millwall!”.

Despite sustaining severe stab wounds and saving countless lives in the process, Larner was never formally recognised for his bravery. Two racist incidents – one before and one after the attack – are widely speculated as the reason why he was denied compensation or a George Medal for bravery.

Now, an acclaimed director hopes that his new film about Larner will help to resuscitate the Millwall fan’s marred reputation and get the powers that be on his side.

Dougie Brimson, the creator of the Green Street football hooligan movie, who is the brains behind the biopic of Larner, said the film will examine “what it means to be a hero and how we perceive heroes”.

He said: “The guy is a genuine hero.

I’m a veteran and to me he’s a proper hero because he did something which was out of the ordinary.”

Like Roy’s biography of the same name, the movie is called ‘The Lion of London Bridge’ and will open with the dramatic events which unfolded on 3 June, 2017. The script has been written

by Brimson and will differ from Roy’s book, which focused heavily on his life leading up to the attack.

“The thrust of the story will be really what happened after the incident and the injustice that was served on him” said Dougie. “Because it’s a side of the story that I don’t think the general public are aware of, and I think they should be.”

He added that Roy was “very much a victim of what happened” and said the film would “get viewers on Roy’s side”.

“We want to let people answer the question – was it fair what happened to him? I believe it wasn’t, but I have left it up to the viewer to make their own opinions.”

When asked if the film would touch on the racist incidents, for which Larner has since apologised, Dougie said: “We’re not shying away from anything.

It’s a warts and all movie.”

Although the script is now complete, the film does not yet have a specific release date, as it is awaiting funding before it can start shooting.

Brimson refused to share what the budget for the film was, but revealed he had covered half of the costs incurred so far himself. “I’m just so passionate about this story and I think it needs to be told.”

The film will hopefully have a cinema release and initial screenings will be held around Bermondsey. “We want the locals to see the film first – because it’s about one of their own” said Brimson.

“Millwall is a very important factor in this film, and it’s something else we’ve tried to portray. That kind of loyalty and friendship and sense of community, but also the sense of protectiveness that surrounds Roy from within that community.”

rmg.co.uk/ISRD Roy Larner

Free entry Brimson was tight-lipped when asked if he had lined up any potential filming locations around Southwark, but said his preference was to keep filming as “real as possible – because we want people to recognise the locations and places.”

Roy will be played by Leo Gregory, who played Bovver in Brimson’s critically acclaimed 2005 movie Green Street.

“Leo and Roy speak on WhatsApp every day – they’ve gotten quite close” said Brimson.

He added that Roy and Leo have a “strange likeness”.

“I’ve known Leo a long time – it’s remarkable how he picks up on people.

To all intents and purposes, it will be Roy on screen.”

Speaking to the News, Roy Larner, with whom Brimson consulted closely while developing the script, described feeling “let down and brushed aside by the powers that be” after the attack, but said he was amazed that his story had gone “worldwide”.

He said: “I’ve had some bad times. I nearly died on a London street saving people's lives. I was angry, I was let down by the people who are supposed to be looking after you, like the MPs. I needed help and it didn’t come.

“It is amazing that the story has gone worldwide. I’m up for the George Cross as well, and hopefully that will come.

And Millwall football club give me free season tickets, which wasn’t the worst thing… I think the film will hopefully show how you do something good and you’re let down, cast aside – but in the end, it all comes good.”

Women's cricket in Bermondsey See page 10

UNESCO International Slavery Remembrance Day Saturday 23 August | 11.00–17.00 National Maritime Museum | The Queen’s House Join us for a collective gathering filled with workshops, screenings, and discussions honouring the enduring legacy of the enslaved and their descendants, with the day concluding in an emancipation ceremony at the River Thames.

Royal Museums Greenwich National Maritime Museum | Cutty Sark | The Queen’s House | Royal Observatory Greenwich Pier

Greenwich (only 8 mins from London Bridge)

4 NEWS

PRINCE OF PECKHAM OWNER URGES PUNTERS

Clement Ogbonnaya, founder of the Prince of Peckham and Queen of the South pubs

'SAVE OUR QUEEN’ IN BID TO BUY TULSE HILL FREEHOLD

The inside of the Queen of the South

By Issy Clarke A SOUTH London publican who has made a real name for himself in Peckham fears that his dream pub in Tulse Hill will be whipped away unless he can get the cash together to buy the freehold.

The future of the Queen of the South pub, which is run by the owner behind the Prince of Peckham, hangs in the balance after a major pub chain which owns the freehold allegedly ordered him to either buy the land – or leave the premises.

The Queen of the South on Norwood Road was opened in 2023 by Clement Ogbonnaya, who runs the hugely successful Prince of Peckham pub on Clayton Road.

After the success of the Prince of Peckham Clement told us, before taking on Queen of the South, his ultimate aim was to open five more community pubs in as many years.

First stop was Tulse Hill and taking over the long-closed White Hart pub and transforming it into the Queen of the South was a popular move. Chuffed to being open in Tulse Hill, Clement told us at the time: “Like Peckham, Tulse Hill is a community-driven area, which is integral to our business model. At the core of

Prince of Peckham

everything we do is a goal of providing an inclusive space for the local community.

“Ultimately, we want to give Tulse Hill residents a home away from home, and something they can call their own.

“Tulse Hill is the area my wife grew up in and where I owned my first property.

Through selling it, I was able to fund the opening of Prince of Peckham, which started my journey into pub ownership.

This feels like coming full circle.”

But in a video posted on his Instagram two weeks ago, Clement revealed that Young’s Pubs, which became the freeholder of the Queen of the South after taking over the City Pub Group in 2024, had issued him with a deadline to either purchase the freehold – or risk losing the premises.

But in an update posted to his Instagram last Wednesday, 6 August Clement revealed his bid to buy the freehold had been rejected during a meeting with representatives from the pub company earlier that day.

While he did not disclose the figure he offered to buy the freehold, the crowd funder is seeking to raise £100,000 in total.

On Friday he told us: “Today was our deadline to meet with the pub company and tell them what our intentions are.

“We gave them our second offer – which

is actually our final offer – which they rejected” he continued, adding: “It looks like we could lose this pub.”

Reflecting on the possible future of the site, Clement said in the video: “Is it going to become flats? Is it going to become a Tesco? Who knows.

“But what I do know is what Queen of the South represents (which) far supersedes what they want this place to be. This is about community, this is about togetherness. You survive alone or you thrive together.”

Young’s was quick to tell this newspaper that they had “not had any conversations with any other potential bidders” apart from Clement and keeping pubs was ‘an important part of their ethos.’

Calling on viewers to “Save our Queen”, Clement urged punters to donate to a crowd funder to keep the pub open, which has raised £5,671 so far towards a target of £100,000.

The pub’s crowdfunder page said the freehold of the pub had been “recently bought without our knowledge or consultation to a large, multi-millionpound pub group.

“They’ve given us an ultimatum: buy it back within a tight deadline, or risk losing Queen forever. As an independent team, we simply don’t have the resources

to compete with corporate buyers — not without help.”

“This isn’t just about saving a pub. It’s about protecting a vital, inclusive space that belongs to the community.”

In Peckham and Tulse Hill Clement says he works collaboratively with local businesses and charities to create the pubs as a hub where people can come together and create positive change.

His is one of just a few public houses in Southwark which is used as a warm hub for those struggling to pay their energy bills.

In both establishments he aims to create an events-led space, with activities programmed for every day of the week, giving local creatives a chance to showcase their talent. They run traditional pub activities like quizzes and comedy shows, but have been keen to put on art exhibitions, dance performances, wellbeing classes and panel discussions.

Clement said he had been overwhelmed by the response to the fundraiser, stating on Instagram: “The biggest joy that has come out of this whole experience is the way you have all rallied around us.. the love, the championing of what we have been doing for the last eight or nine years has been incredible. If we were to lose this pub tomorrow, what we have

station at 50 Tooley Street on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. It had previously been expected to open on Thursday, August 28.

The name is believed to reference one of the wharves east of London Bridge where imports from Australia once arrived.

Work on the new pub began earlier this year inside the premises, which

were occupied by London Dungeons until 2013, when the attraction moved to County Hall on the South Bank.

Network Rail has previously complained that the space was hard to let. In 2017, the rail provider wrote: “The residual premises provide a very poor quality environment.

”The former user (London Dungeon) was somewhat unusual in so far as the poor quality environment was its main attraction.

“NR Commercial Property has been unable to identify other potential D2 users willing to lease the residual space in its current state.”

done is unite a community. I think the journey to acquire more pubs really begins now.”

“It’s about more than a pub, this is about a community, this is about displacement, about gentrification and representation. David can beat Goliath.

Survive alone, thrive together.”

A spokesperson for Young’s said: “We recognise the significance of the Queen of the South pub in Tulse Hill as an important part of the local community and have been engaging with Clement Ogbonnaya to reach an agreement that will ensure its continued operation under the current management.

“We remain in exclusive negotiations with Clement regarding the freehold of the pub and have not had any conversations with any other potential bidders regarding the site.

“At Young’s, ensuring pubs remain vibrant parts of their local communities is an important part of our ethos. Following our acquisition of City Pub Group in 2024, it was always our intention that this pub remain independent to best serve its community, and we sincerely hope that a solution can be reached that will enable the pub to continue to thrive.”

Clement said that he was waiting to hear confirmation on whether his offer had been finally rejected or not.

Opening date for London Bridge Wetherspoons pushed back to September

By Issy Clarke

THE OPENING date for a new Wetherspoons pub in the former London Dungeon on Tooley Street has been delayed until September.

The Sun Wharf will open inside the arches outside the main entrance to the

NEWS 5 EXCLUSIVE

By Issy Clarke HUNDREDS OF residents in Bermondsey have thrown their support behind a small garage in a railway arch, which they argue is a “beacon of resilience against the tide of gentrification” in the area.

The garage, squeezed in between a new development of flats and the Bermondsey Beer Mile, has faced an increase in rent to the Arch Company, which manages the space on behalf of Network Rail.

Raj Patel, who has run General Autos at 171 Abbey Street for 18 years, was informed last year by his landlord, The Arch Company, that his nine-year lease would not be renewed when it ran out in December. His landlord said that if he wanted a new lease, it would be increasing his rent and inserting a break clause into it.

Raj said he was battling Stage 3 cancer at the time when he was sent the terms of the proposed new lease by the Arch Company, instantly realising that the rent increase would run his business into the ground. Raj told us he tried contacting the Arch Company to negotiate the terms, but claims they “dragged their feet”.

Confusingly, since the start of this year Raj claims he has still been invoiced by the landlord under the terms of his old lease, even though it expired in December. But at the end of May he received a notice ordering him to vacate his premises by Monday, June 30.

Despite this, Raj is staying put under the advice of his lawyer, who is investigating whether there could be legal grounds on which Raj could challenge the notice

GARAGE OWNER FIGHTING EVICTION SEEN AS A ‘BEACON OF RESILIENCE AGAINST GENTRIFICATION’

Raj Patel, the owner of General Autos (circled) and son Vijay Patel (Left) ordering him to leave.

Raj, who claims he has never been behind on rent, runs one of the last remaining car repair services in the area, and his business is sustained by a loyal base of local customers. “All the small businesses which used to be here have turned into bars which are only open at the weekends” he said.

“All the motor trade has been pushed out [of the area]” added Raj’s son Vijay, who has worked for his dad at General Autos since 2007. “There used to be

a bike shop across the road, and a motorbike MOT.” “There is a repair shop on Druid Street, but they only do Porsche’s – but most people around here don’t drive Porsche’s, they have normal cars. After us, the only option is to drive into the congestion zone or towards Millwall.”

The previous lease already contained a built-in annual rent increase – despite Raj claiming that the arches have remained virtually in the same condition since he opened the garage. “This place

was all shut down when I started the business, there was nothing here. I built it up from scratch. I don’t get any help with the repairs, I do it all myself. I put up all the shutters outside the arches.”

The pair have been looking for another location in the area but have not been able to find anywhere viable to move into. Raj, who claims he is “ten years off retirement”, will most likely have to open a new garage closer to where he lives in Stratford.

Desperate residents have launched

Hello Peckham.

We’re here for you.

Our Money Confidence Experts can help you manage your money to get more out of life.

a petition to save the garage, with 335 signatures received so far, describing it as a “cornerstone of the local community” and a “beacon of resilience against the tide of gentrification threatening to wash away the traditions and livelihoods of the working-class residents who call Bermondsey home.”

A spokesperson for The Arch Company said: “General Autos is a longstanding customer and we are continuing discussions with them to reach an agreement which works for all parties.”

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NEWS 7

MAP SHOWS WHERE EVERY SINGLE COUNCIL HOME BUILT IN SOUTHWARK SINCE 2014 IS LOCATED Aylesbury Estate

EXCLUSIVE

By Issy Clarke THE NEWS can reveal where every single home built by Southwark Council over the last ten years is located in the borough.

Since 2014, Southwark has been working towards a target of constructing 11,000 council homes by 2043 - the equivalent of building 379 new homes a year for 29 years - in a bid to tackle the borough's burgeoning housing crisis.

So far the council has either finished or is in the process of building 3,060 homes across the borough, including 1,804 family homes. Meanwhile, the number of people on the council's waiting list for a new home recently passed 19,000.

That number includes 2,145 homes which have been fully completed - the equivalent of 195 homes finished each year.

A further 915 homes are currently under construction - leaving just under 8,000 still to be completed over the next 18 years if the council is to reach the target.

WHERE ARE SOUTHWARK'S NEW COUNCIL HOMES?

Of the 3,060 homes currently completed or under construction, the vast majority are located on the regenerated Aylesbury Estate in Walworth (581).

The next biggest chunk comes from the Tustin Estate - 355 council homes which is currently in the middle of a major transformation set for completion in the 2030s. 262 council homes are also currently under construction in Ledbury Towers on the Ledbury Estate in Peckham.

The other sites which have contributed a large chunk of the homes built since 2014 are: ● Commercial Way (74 council homes) in Peckham ● Flaxyard (96 council homes) in Peckham ● Sumner Road Workshops (66 council homes) in Peckham ● Albion Street (39 council homes) in Rotherhithe ● Rennie Estate (49 council homes) in South Bermondsey

`Many of these sites where the bulk of the new council homes are located were earmarked for infill housing a few years ago - a council policy of wedging new homes onto the green space within existing estates, and which was previously seen as a key to making progress towards the 11,000 target.

The Rennie Estate in Peckham was slated for 49 extra homes via a new housing block, and Lomond Grove on the Elmington Estate now has 22 new council homes on what was formerly a grassy woodland area.

The Flaxyard site was a particularly controversial example - the council obtained planning permission in 2021 to build 168 homes, including 96 councilrent, on the green space between Sumner Avenue, Jocelyn Street and Melon Road. At

the time, some locals protested against the plans, which they said would lead to a loss of outdoor space used by residents of the surrounding estates.

QUESTION MARK REMAINS OVER 11,000 TARGET

If the council wants to meet the target by 2043, it would need to start building the equivalent of 492 homes a year until 2043.

However last year, the local authority failed to start work on a single new home - although it did complete more council houses than any other London borough.

Southwark Council continues to state that it is working towards the target of building 11,000 new homes. However in an exclusive interview with the News last month, outgoing council leader Kieron Williams cast doubt over whether the policy would be achieved, and seemed to suggest it could be scrapped under his successor, Cllr Sarah King.

“The (11,000) target allowed us to focus on going big in the long term,” Williams said, adding that “since we set that goal, we have had to deal with the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, the need to invest in our existing housing stock.”

Pushed on whether the 11,000 target could be scrapped, Williams replied: “That’s a question you will have to ask my successor.”

Cllr Helen Dennis, Southwark Council’s Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, blamed the council's stalling progress on housing starts in recent years on "reasons out of our control including soaring costs in the building trade, inflation and a flat housing market. Despite that we’ve delivered thousands of council homes and have hundreds more being built now."

She added that she was "optimistic that with recent government announcements on funding and cutting red tape around right-to-buy receipts we will be able to keep delivering new much-needed council homes, as well as secure homes for social rent through the planning system."

HOW MANY OF THE NEW COUNCIL HOMES HAVE PEOPLE LIVING IN THEM?

When the News asked how many of the completed homes had tenants living in them, the council said it was unable to provide us with an exact answer at this point because it "does not record this

The Ledbury Estate data in a way that is easily compiled and shared".

However a spokesperson for the council assured us that the "vast majority of completed homes either now have tenants in them, or in the case of homes completed very recently, will have tenants in them soon once the homes have been allocated”.

Empty homes are a key driver of the housing crisis in Southwark, with 2531 homes across the borough lying empty as of November 2024.

Although the majority of empty homes are private sector housing, figures published by the Ministry for Housing for 2024 revealed that 1,238 of the empty homes in Southwark were council-owned – almost 25 per cent of all empty properties in the borough. And last year, an FOI conducted by housing activist Kwajo Tweneboa revealed Southwark had the 2nd highest number of empty council homes in the UK.

HOUSEBUILDING ACROSS THE BOARD IS FALLING NATIONALLY COMPARED TO LAST YEAR - BUT SOUTHWARK IS BUCKING THE TREND

The national Labour government is also working towards an ambitious housebuilding target of constructing 1.5 million new homes across the country over five years.

Unlike Southwark’s goal, this target includes both private and affordable homes, and would require the borough to build 2,914 dwellings a year.

However since Labour took office in the middle of 2024, the number of new

homes in England has fallen according to the BBC, which tracked the number of new homes based on applications for Energy Performance Certificates.

In the 12 months to June 2025, 201,000 homes - including 1,766 in Southwark received the certificate, down by 8 per cent nationally from the previous year.

However Southwark bucked the national trend, with 591 more homes receiving an energy certificate than in 2024.

The number of applications to build new homes was up by 49 per cent compared to the year before, with Southwark Council granting 89 per cent of planning applications in the year to March 2025 above the national average of 74 per cent.

Cllr Helen Dennis, Southwark Council’s Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said: "Safe, decent, affordable homes are vital for living good lives and we know how important genuinely affordable housing is for local people.

“As one of the largest local authority home builders in the country, we have over 3,000 new council homes either built or currently under construction across our borough,

including 1,804 family-sized homes.

“In recent years building new council homes has been immensely challenging for reasons outside our control, including soaring costs in the building trade, inflation and a flat housing market. Despite that we’ve delivered thousands of council homes and have hundreds more being built now.

“We’re optimistic that with recent government announcements on funding and cutting red tape around right-to-buy receipts we will be able to keep delivering new much-needed council homes, as well as secure homes for social rent through the planning system.

“Last year more homes for social rent were completed in Southwark than anywhere in London. We will keep doing everything we can to build as many muchneeded council homes and homes for social rent as possible in Southwark.

“Over the past year it’s been a pleasure to visit new council homes on the Salisbury Estate, the Aylesbury, on Nunhead Lane, the Flaxyard site in Peckham, the Folajimi Apartments in Bermondsey and Lomond Grove in Camberwell.”

8 NEWS

LIFE AT ONE BERMONDSEY PRIMARY WHERE EIGHT SCHOOLS AROUND IT HAVE CLOSED IN THREE YEARS

By Ruby Gregory

Local Democracy Reporter IT’S A Friday lunchtime in July, and the playground at Galleywall Primary School in Bermondsey is packed full of kids playing and having fun.

The school, which opened under City of London Academies Trust in 2016, is preparing for the end of the academic year and everyone is in good spirits as the summer break is about to begin.

Come September, the school will open its doors again, but next year will feel slightly different as there will be one less Reception class full of kids. This is because Southwark is one of a growing number of inner city London boroughs which has seen a sharp decline in pupil numbers at its schools in recent years, and is forcing some of them to close because they simply can’t afford to stay open anymore.

In Southwark, the number of schools to have closed since 2022 has now jumped to eight.

Charlotte Sharman Primary School in Elephant and Castle and St Mary Magdalene Church of England Primary in Peckham became the seventh and eighth schools to shut, after Southwark Council made the “difficult” decision to agree to close them during a Cabinet meeting in June.

Other boroughs, including Hackney and Islington, have also seen several schools close down for good, despite efforts from campaigners and the local community to keep them open.

Various factors, including Brexit, the pandemic, the cost of living crisis and an overall lack of affordable housing in London are causing families to move to outer London boroughs or outside of the capital completely.

Yet despite the bleakness of it all, Galleywall’s Head Teacher Martin Blain believes there’s still a positive that can come from it for families. Mr Blain told

© Facundo Arrizabalaga / MyLondon

Galleywall Primary head says the upside is parents can come from greater distances and get in, so have the freedom to be a little more picky where they send their kids

Galleywall Primary School in Southwark The school was rated Outstanding' by Ofsted in January Martin Blain, headteacher of Galleywall Primary School

the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “One thing that is challenging us is the numbers of children in Southwark going down.

“We’ve had to reduce our number just because that is the number there is, but I just feel if I was a parent living a mile a way, normally you wouldn’t get into a school like this, you can’t be too far but these days you actually could, you could come a greater distance so you could be a little more picky.”

He added: “You could find a school which looked like it was doing exactly what you wanted to do and apply from a greater distance and get in, so in some ways this is a big advantage for parents but at the moment it’s just a bit of a challenge.

"We’re mostly full, most year groups are full, it’s just the ones that are coming through which are the ones where there’s that gap in numbers.”

Mr Blain went on to say because most of the places are now allocated on distance, rather than having siblings there for instance, the school is seeing more families coming from further afield due to there being capacity. He explained: “We’ve got people that come in at all different levels, what we’ve seen is as we’ve worked with them year-on-year, we’re able to achieve better things.

“So the aim is that this will be a school with the highest of outcomes but with a very, very mixed intake so to me that is the ideal of what a school should do; we’re not selective in any way, whoever applies, gets in.”

In January 2025, the school was rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and was praised

A spokesperson said at the time the new venue would ‘play a major role in establishing this part of the Elephant Park masterplan as a new food hub for London’.

The founder of Mercato told the News at the time that MMY Factory would “provide a place for an ongoing dialogue between local people, farmers, chefs, retailer and artists, and we cannot think of a better place to build upon this community with a new approach to urban retail than Elephant Park.”

Mercato abandoned the venture in early 2024, and the space has since been occupied by EPK Social, which retained a number of the independent

traders from MMY Factory Elephant and Castle is currently in the middle of a 15-year regeneration programme, which has seen entire estates demolished to make way for new housing and office developments – including Elephant Park, the 2.5 billion project to transform the site of the former Heygate Estate into thousands of new homes and commerical spaces.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Mercato Metropolitano on Newington Causeway is set to be demolished to make way for 900 new homes spread across four skyscrapers.

A decision on the planning application for the new Sainsbury’s is expected by September.

by inspectors for looking after its pupils well and creating a happy and inclusive space.

Inspectors picked up on the school’s “high-quality cultural enrichment” and said performances at St Paul’s Cathedral along with projects on puppetry workshops help to enrich the curriculum. Inspectors said: “The school wants its pupils to be aspirational. Its commitment to providing pupils with the best possible experience permeates the excellent curriculum.

“Pupils respond to this by working hard in lessons. They succeed highly across all subjects and achieve exceptionally well in writing by the end of Year 6.”

Mr Blain said the school has “a lot to

celebrate”, and added: “If you look on our website and the weekly newsletters, there’s a lot of things that we’ve done and I’m very proud of that because it’s hard work for the staff but it’s incredibly beneficial for the children.

“Some of them wouldn’t necessarily go to a museum, their parents may not think of it or they might not have the resources to do it, but we are providing all of this stuff so when they leave by the end of Year 6 they will have a really good experience about living in a London suburb or inner city London and doing everything there is to do within the area.”

Galleywall Primary School is located on Galleywall Road, Bermondsey, and is for ages 4 to 11.

Old Mercato Metropolitano venue is now set to become a Sainsbury’s Local

By Issy Clarke

A PLANNING application has been submitted to convert a venue formerly occupied by Mercato Metropolitano on Walworth Road into a Sainsbury’s Local.

The space, which is just off the Walworth Road and is part of the Elephant Park development, was formerly occupied MMY Factory, a foodie venture launched by Mercato Metropolitano, in 2019.

When it opened, it was hoped that the new foodie space would help put the new Elephant Park on the map and encourage people to visit the area, while giving a boost to local traders.

NEWS 9

Peckham Youth Club spruced up by nursery builders with a community conscience

By Evie Flynn

A YOUTH club in Peckham had all its vital repairs done free of charge by a South London construction company, whose team used leftover materials after they finished building a brand new nursery in nearby Dulwich.

SB Construction Company, owned by South London-born Brendan O’Sullivan, has been working on building a new East Dulwich branch of N Family Club – a chain of private nurseries. As part of an ongoing partnership, the N Family team asked Brendan to select a local community project to support after the build.

Over the course of a week, they filled a skip with rubbish, painted, tiled, pruned outdoor areas, and completed essential guttering and electrical repairs at the Bradfield Club in Commercial Way. SB Construction and N Family Club put aside materials from their own construction work and sent their team in to complete the repairs.

Although the materials and some budget came from the nursery project, a lot of the labour and additional resources were also covered by SB Construction.

The Bradfield Club is a vital community space offering activities and support for

Brendan and Daniel children, young people, and adults in Peckham.

“Being a South London boy myself, it’s nice to come and do something for the community,” Brendan said. “A lot of my friends still live in Peckham and Daniel and the team at the Bradfield Club couldn’t say thank you enough.”

Daniel Campbell, who has managed the Bradfield Club since 2020, said the

repairs carried out by the SB team have been essential. “We’re in an old building with high running costs,” he explained.

“When someone like Brendan comes along and ticks so many things off your list, it really helps. He’s an angel in disguise.”

Daniel himself used to attend the club as a young man, later joining as a youth worker before getting the manager’s

Box office 020 8463 0100 • blackheathhalls.com •

job. He said: “The works have been so important because they are in spaces that are heavily used. It feels like it’s from the heart and that we are in safe hands with Brendan and the team.”

As a registered charity, the club relies on fundraising and grants to fund the range of activities it runs and pay staffing costs. Daniel explained that this often means that repairs to the building

are de-prioritised. He said each summer, volunteers from financial firms or big companies come to help paint the walls at the club, or do small maintenance tasks. This year, Daniel told us that this isn’t needed, due to the hard work and commitment of Brendan and their support from N Family Club.

They not only ticked off all the jobs on Daniel’s list, but went even further, bringing in external contractors and constantly suggesting further improvements. “Initially what were small building jobs turned into bigger things,” Daniel said. “Brendan kept suggesting things and he helped us get a sign, a skip and someone to do our tiling.”

N Family Club has locations all across London, in Camberwell, Beckenham, Brixton, Greenwich and further afield.

They have used SB for their construction work for the last four years and continue to insist that they help local community after each new build.

The next project for N Family is a nursery in Blackheath, where Brendan will be selecting another community project to help.

If you, or someone you know, runs a charitable or community initiative in Blackheath, get in touch with SB construction by sending an email to info@sbcdb.co.uk.

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10 NEWS

THERE ARE NO BOUNDARIES FOR WOMEN'S CRICKET IN BERMONDSEY Read how one woman started a women's and girls team in Southwark Park which is going from strength to strength

Photo courtesy of SPCC

By Abigail Finney WHEN FLORA Jungman joined the Southwark Cricket Club (SPCC) eight years ago, she was the only woman.

This struggle was nothing new as each time she joined a club it was the same thing, a group of mainly white men. And as a black woman from Paris, she certainly felt a little at odds with the situation.

Flora had never stepped foot on a wicket until she was an adult. She had always been sporty, and decided to pick up the game in order to try it out. Learning the ropes of cricket while playing with men proved to be a major mountain to climb.

“The physical difference or the speed of the ball when we receive it, it's very different. So when you're very new to it, well, even if you’re not very good, it’s difficult. You know, [the ball is] 60 miles per hour.”

It was clear to her that there needed to be a space for women to play with other women, rather than being left standing out in a flurry of men. She contacted the chairman of the club and SPCC's first women’s team was put into motion.

But how did she do it? Well, she told us that it was a giant undertaking to say the least. Creating a cricket team on top of her already busy schedule caused her to have more than a few late nights and she set into marketing mode straightaway.

In order to have a team, you need to find

players, she said. So social media posts, posters, calling friends, Flora tried it all.

Her hard work paid off, and it was obvious that there was a demand for women’s cricket in the area.

“Today, we have a squad of 32 and girls from the age of 16 to 55,” Flora said. “There are over ten different nationalities, which is great and also from some countries where cricket is not a thing.”

It was important to Flora that anyone could join the SPCC, no matter ability level, income, or gender.

Unlike many clubs, SPCC doesn’t have a membership fee. However, there are costs that come along with playing. The Southwark Park Pitch costs £120 per game and the team also has to supply balls and tea for both teams.

The costs add up, and the money has to come from somewhere, so to cover everything, the women’s team must pay a flat fee of £5 for away games and £12 for home games. But, if a player cannot pay the team works to cover the cost, to ensure that everyone has a chance to participate.

“I think sport is beyond, well should be beyond, where you come from. It's always something different,” Flora said.

“It's about the mind, it's about, the skills, the tactical, the technical. It shouldn't be related to how much money you have in your bank account.”

The issue that comes with making the

club an option financially is keeping up with facilities. Located in the south of Southwark Park, the field and wicket are a public space. Each time the team practises they have to take a few minutes to ask people to leave the area and pick up loose trash that’s been left behind.

A bigger issue is the holes in the field and the state of the wicket. Large holes are scattered throughout the outer edges of the field, causing worry for injury.

Typically, the ground would be completely flat, but seeing as the club is in a park it’s nearly impossible.

Before the club's season began, the council decided to spruce up the wickets.

However, the situation is now worse rather than better.

“I don’t know what they’ve done,” Flora said. “It’s worse than when we left it last year. There’s sand all around it.”

The lack of grass surrounding the wicket has not only made practising difficult, but also managing home games. This season marked a major milestone in the women’s team’s journey.

The SPCC women’s team has received a special exemption from the Surrey Cricket Foundation, allowing them to join a hardball league in 2025. Prior to this, the team was not allowed to play due to having a wicket with synthetic turf.

However, the club cannot afford the high maintenance costs that come along with a natural wicket, so until now the team had

been limited.

Even before joining the league, the team was succeeding. Last year, the ladies team participated in several competitions, including the Belhurs CC charity softball match, where they narrowly lost by one run. A key achievement was securing third place at the ‘Super Smash It’ festival at the Kia Oval.

In an inspiring moment, the team hosted its first home game just last month, marking a huge stepping stone. Despite the relentless heat glazing the field, it was a joyful day that was celebrated with a picnic postgame.

While Flora works hard for the women's team, she also helps SPCC's youth team.

While the group is mainly boys, two girls also come every week. Diya Berry, 9, and Mia Bellos Freire, 10, play just as well as the boys, and they enjoy proving it.

"Why don't boys and girls play together?" Mia asked. "There's always the boys, then the girls. Why not just see who is the best of the best?"

This ideology has carried Mia and Diya through the season. The boys sometimes complain about having girls on their team, the girls said, not seeming discouraged whatsoever. As we sat on a picnic blanket one of her teammates came by and sprayed the girls with a water gun.

Matching their energy, they flew up from the ground and gave chase before they sat back down and were digging back into

their pizza.

While Mia is determined to be a swimmer when she grows up, Diya is set on becoming a professional cricket player.

"The last time I went to a cricket match I got four signatures on my bat," she raved.

"They're my favourite cricketers."

Flora likes to make sure she's around so the girls can have a grown woman to look up to. They always ask her were she went if she misses a practice.

Both girls plan to continue cricket in the autumn and are quite excited about it.

While the team accepts girls, there is no team once they turn 12. Sophie Dorleta did Dynamos and Juniors, but aged out of both. However, there is no age category for ages between 12-18. So, in order to play she had to join the women's team.

A 12-year-old playing with women who are in their 20s, 30s and 40s is obviously quite difficult. She went to a practice, but felt really out of place.

Her mother, Maria Dorleta, has been absolutely crushed to see her daughter not be able to play. On the other hand, other clubs are far away and can come with a high price tag. For now, she has no idea what to do.

While SPCC is growing, there are still bumps in the road and the club is slowly smoothing them over. SPCC plans to continue to advocate for accessibility within the sport, even when that comes with challenges.

NEWS 11 EXCLUSIVE

By Issy Clarke A STREAM in Rotherhithe has been reduced to a 'pile of green sludge' by the record-breaking levels of heat this summer - with residents claiming it could have been avoided if the council had listened to their pleas earlier this year.

A dry spring followed by scorching hot weather in June and July has emptied the Albion Channel, which runs between Canada Water and Surrey Water, turning the pleasant stream into a dried-up stretch of mud and grass, choked by reeds and seemingly devoid of wildlife.

It is not the first time hot weather has led water to evaporate from the canal the channel previously dried out during the hot summer of 2022.

Residents have been calling on the council to install a pump to channel water from either Surrey Water, which is located at one end of the channel, or Canada Water Dock at the other end, into the stream to prevent similar scenes from occurring again.

In 2022, normal water levels were restored after Southwark Council reached a deal with British Land to pump water from Canada Water Dock, which British Land controls, and the aquifer beneath Deal Porter Square, into the stream.

"The last two summers have been so wet so it wasn’t a problem - but the minute we get long dry spells, the water just evaporates" said Rotherhithe resident Darren Bryant, who walks past the canal most days. It has also filled

ROTHERHITHE STREAM REDUCED TO 'A STINKING PILE OF GREEN SLUDGE' DESPITE RESIDENTS' PLEAS the area with the unpleasant stench of rotting vegetation "like the smell when you clean your pond out", he added.

In May the council said it had earmarked £200,000 to be spent on revitalising the channel in the autumn - which, while welcome, was not the speedy response residents had been hoping for.

"[At the time] I thought - that's good news, but what about now? It can't wait until the winter" said Mr Bryant.

"It is now completely dry and it's just a pile of green sludge at the bottom. It is really depressing because it could so easily be fixed if the council had acted on this three months ago."

Martin Blain, headteacher of Galleywall Primary School

The other concern is for the wildlife residing in the waterway. The channel is home to ducks, coots and moorhens, who are struggling to survive with their chicks due to the lack of water.

Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said: “Albion Channel is

a valued local landmark in Southwark, we recognised this by recently issuing £200,000 in CIL funding towards improving and maintaining the Channel.

“This is part of a wider £425,000 allocated funding for works which will start in the autumn after the nesting season, and will include over 10 weeks of works on the clearance of overgrow to help water flow freely from Canada Water via the weir.

"We are also working with British Land to help the flow of water from Canada Water, and bring Albion Channel back to its best.”

12 NEWS

MAYOR KHAN HAS BEEN LAMBASTED FOR NOT KEEPING HIS MANIFESTO PLEDGE Walworth Police station saved, but 18 front counters will close

By Kumail Jaffer Local Democracy Reporter SIR SADIQ Khan has been accused of failing to honour a manifesto promise to maintain a police front office counter in all 32 London boroughs.

Susan Hall

© London Assembly webcast

At the meeting at Lower Road

Walworth Police Station due to a lack of funding.

“We could not have forseen that two years ago, when New Met for London 1 was written, the scale of the gap was going to be as big as it was at the end of 2024,” he said.

“Savings have to be made somewhere – this is the least worst option. Looking at the overall financial picture, which is really challenging – if we can save £7million by reducing a service for which demand has reduced significantly over the last decade, that seems like the right thing to do.”

He said Londoners will still have the option of using stations which have their front counters closed to make a phone call.

Conservative leader Susan Hall accused Khan of being a “coward” by sending his Deputy Mayor to face the London Assembly, adding: “He made a promise that he would have a 24/7 police station in every BCU, he has always said he will keep them open.”

Later, Comer-Schwartz, who admitted she found out about the scale of the cuts “in June or July”, could not give give a guarantee every borough will retain at least one police station.

Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Hina Bokhari responded: “It begs the question really, what is the point of having a deputy mayor for policing and crime if you are not going to intervene on behalf of Londoners when these massive changes are being proposed.”

Reform UK Assembly Member Alex Wilson told the Local Democracy

© Greater London Authority

In Southwark there was a great sigh of relief that it's only remaining front counter at Walworth Police Station was saved from the axe but 18 across the Capital will close including Plumstead, Wimbledon, Lavender Hill, Mitcham and Twickenham in South London.

In his manifesto prior to last year’s election, the Mayor of London pledged to “ensure the Met is able to effectively respond to the public, including maintaining a 24-hour police front office counter in every borough.”

However, the Metropolitan Police have now confirmed that 18 out of 37 counters will be closed, with a single one in Wood Green in Haringey reopening – leaving just 20 open across the capital.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist today told the London Assembly that the move will save the force £7million in its bid to fill a £260million funding gap.

He justified the closures by suggesting crime reporting at station counters has significantly reduced to just five per cent “as people have shifted to the use of phones and online means.”

Twist added: “At some front counters, we see less than two and a half crimes a day reported. At the busiest, in Charing Cross, we see 15 crimes.

“The average is four crimes a day reported across three shifts, which are often staffed by two people.

“We’ve made deliberate choices to protect neighbourhood policing and services that matter most to Londoners.

“Whilst we are shrinking overall, we are changing the shape of our organisation to better serve the public and meet increasing demands for policing.

“This is about making the Met more accessible and visible in neighbourhoods at a time when the organisation is shrinking – and to do so, we need to cut the pie a bit differently.

“We are making the decision to reduce an underused resource to allow us to continue to strengthen neighbourhood policing teams.”

The Mayor of London was not present for the extraordinary plenary session at City Hall regarding the closures today, instead sending Deputy Mayor of London for Policing and Crime Kaya Comer-Schwartz to face questions alongside Assistant Commissioner Twist.

Conservative Assembly Member Thomas Turrell asked if it was “irresponsible” for the Mayor to have made the commitment in last year’s manifesto.

Comer-Schwartz said: “The Mayor’s manifesto is clear about the importance of restoring visible neighbourhood policing and building safer, more confident communities in London.

“The Mayor has shown a dedication to keeping Londoners safe.”

The 14 full-time counter closures included Edmonton, Harrow, Kensington and Chingford, while four which were already operating on reduced hours will also be shut.

Twist said the move will also save 3,752 hours of police officer time per month.

Non-specialist staff currently have to backfill front counter shifts that can’t be resourced by Public Access Officers.

The Met took into account front counter demand, accessibility and geographic spread, and operational alignment to custody suites and investigative teams when deciding which ones to close.

Twist confirmed that Khan’s front counter pledge, which was also included in the New Met for London plan, was broken

Sadiq Khan out on a police patrol in Covent Garden Reporting Service: “Having a visible and accessible counter in each borough was a manifesto pledge – it’s a sorry situation to do this for the amount of money this will save.

“London is lawless – yet Sadiq Khan’s response is to close half of London’s Met Police front desks.

“He says he hasn’t got the money to keep them open. That’s not true. He spends £1.4 billion a year on Net Zero and just £1.11 billion a year on crime.

“Saving these front desks would cost just 0.36 per cent of his climate budget each year.”

Conservative London Assembly Member Keith Prince told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It’s apparent they have not thought this move through – it’s not just crime that’s reported at front counters, some see them as places of safety.

“The Mayor not being here underlines the contempt with which he holds the Assembly.”

In a statement, the London Liberal Democrats said: “As a result of these closures, the Mayor has betrayed Londoners and broken his manifesto pledge to keep a police counter open in every borough.

“This will come as a real kick in the teeth for local communities in the midst of growing public concern about crime.

“These police counters are essential not only for victims reporting a crime but also to provide much needed visibility and reassurance for local residents.

“Despite the fact the Metropolitan Police have continuously warned about financial pressure, the Mayor has failed to act.”

A Met spokesperson said: “Just five per cent of crimes were reported using front counters last year, with only one per cent of these being made during the night. At the busiest front counter in London on average 15 crimes are reported a day – less than one an hour – and in the least busy, only 2.5 crimes are reported a day.

“Londoners tell us they want to see more officers on our streets. The decision to reduce and close some front counters will save £7million and 3,752 hours of police officer time per month allowing us to focus resources relentlessly on tackling crime and putting more officers into neighbourhoods across London.”

THE MET POLICE CONFIRMED THE FOLLOWING POLICE STATION FRONT COUNTERS WILL BE SHUT:

1. Kentish Town (Camden) 2. Tottenham (Haringey) 3. Edmonton (Enfield) – replaced by Wood Green** 4. Harrow (Harrow) 5. Bethnal Green (Tower Hamlets) 6. Dagenham (Barking and Dagenham) 7. Chingford (Waltham Forest) 8. Kensington (Kensington & Chelsea) 9. Hammersmith (Hammersmith & Fulham) 10. Twickenham (Richmond) 11. Lavender Hill (Wandsworth) 12. Wimbledon (Merton)

13. Hayes (Hillingdon) 14. Plumstead (Greenwich) A further four currently reduced front counters will close.

15. Barking Learning Centre (Barking and Dagenham) 16. Church Street (Westminster) 17. Royalty Studios (Kensington and Chelsea) 18. Mitcham (Merton)

THE 20 POLICE STATION FRONT DESKS WHICH WILL REMAIN OPEN

1. Charing Cross 2. Acton 3. Romford 4. Brixton 5. Lewisham 6. Bromley 7. Sutton 8. Islington 9. Wembley 10.Colindale 11. Stoke Newington 12. Ilford 13. Forest Gate – Stratford will remain as temporary front counter until Forest Gate reopens 14.Kingston 15. Hounslow 16. Walworth 17. Bexleyheath 18. Croydon 19. Wood Green – currently closed as front counter but proposed to re-open 20. Pinner – is a volunteer site opening limited hours and will remain.

NEWS 13

MP LASHES OUT AT MET FOR DELAY IN FINDING NEW POLICE HUB IN ROTHERHITHE EXCLUSIVE

By Issy Clarke THE MET is still no closer to finding a police hub in Rotherhithe, six months after officers were instructed to leave their base in Seven Islands Leisure Centre.

Local officers were asked to leave their old hub in the leisure centre, which has been earmarked for council homes on March 26 by Southwark Council, as exclusively revealed by Southwark News.

But despite being given 12 months’ notice of the council’s plans to redevelop the leisure centre, the force ‘failed to prepare’ for its closure, and officers are now based 45 minutes away at Southwark Police Station, on Borough High Street, and the station is closed to the public.

This is despite the Met’s rules which state that neighbourhood officers must be stationed within 20 minutes' walking distance of the area they patrol.

It is understood that alternative local spaces were offered, including one inside Surrey Quays shopping centre, but were found to be unsuitable by the Met. It has been alleged by MP Neil Coyle that other sites have not been visited since turning down the space inside the shopping centre.

In a scathing critique of the Met’s delay in finding a new police base, Coyle claimed: “Despite concerns being expressed very clearly and directly, it is another disappointment that [the Met] just hasn’t looked at any. “[They] appear to think it’s ok for the police to outsource locating a new unit to the council which is inappropriate and does nothing to assure me that [they] understand the policing needs of Rotherhithe.”

A spokesperson for the Met responded that the force had not been offered any alternative sites since March 2025, adding: “The Met continues to police Rotherhithe. Emergency officers are not affected by the move and neighbourhood teams continue to police their wards.”

The spokesperson said: “Previous suggestions from British Land were unfortunately not suitable for operational purposes, and were only offered on a temporary basis, which does not provide stability for our officers."

“We continue to work with Southwark Local Authority to find a long-term location that could provide a suitable and financially sustainable base that works with our £260m funding gap."

The loss of Seven Islands and the move to the former Southwark station on Borough High Street, which is closed to the public, places into sharp focus the future of the permanent police hub originally promised by developer British Land when the Canada Water Masterplan was approved in 2020.

Emma Bond, the Borough Commander for Lambeth and Southwark, recently told the News that the force remained committed to establishing a base once the development was finished, stating: "There is going to be a space within the new build for a police hub, but I don't know where that will be and what that looks like." She added that the location of the new base was "still being discussed with the local authority."

However, when we asked British Land when a potential future space could be available by, a spokesperson said proposed changes to the planning application to comply with building safety regulations meant they were "unable to confirm further details or construction timescales at the moment".

The 27,000-strong population of Rotherhithe and Surrey Docks is

expected dramatically to increase with the construction of the Canada Water masterplan – double by some estimates, with accompanying concerns that this could lead to a spike in crime.

Rotherhithe’s former police station on Lower Road shut down in 2017 and staff covering Rotherhithe, Surrey Docks and South Bermondsey moved to the space within Seven Islands Leisure Centre.

It meant Walworth was and is the only police station in the borough to have a front counter open 24 hours

7,144.

The Mayor’s office also said there was a 19 per cent reduction in knife crime, though this could not be independently verified as the data is not yet publicly available. Overall, the number of crimes reported across the board in London fell from to 236,972 to 234,523.

However, further analysis of the Met Police figures shows that other offences, such as possession of weapons, rape and drug trafficking all increased in the same period.

Sir Sadiq said: “The latest figures show robbery, theft, residential burglary and knife crime are down in London, but there’s still a long way to go before I’m satisfied. Backed with record funding from City Hall, the Met is putting highvisibility policing at the heart of fighting crime.”

But he has come under attack from critics after recent analysis showed a huge surge in knife crime during his

time as mayor.

The number of offences surged by 58 per cent in just the three years between 2021 and 2024, their analysis showed.

The anaysis published last month by Policy Exchange showed Knife crime soared by 86 per cent in London in a decade.

The Mayor's analysis came just days after the Met Police laid out proposals to close almost half of police station front counters in London.

Critics of the plan said the move would have a “devastating” impact on Londoners while only saving £7million, compared to the £260million funding gap the Met Police currently have.

Last month Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the force was “getting smaller but more capable” and was focused on “driving down crime on issues that matter most to Londoners”.

The Mayor of London has pledged a

Computer-generated image of the Canada Water Masterplan a day, seven days a week. In 2017, then-Inspector Jim Cole of Southwark Police said cash saved from the sale of Rotherhithe Police Station would go ‘towards keeping officers equipped with modern technology, allowing them to spend more time working in the local community’. A spokesperson for British Land said: "British Land is currently proposing amendments to the masterplan for the Canada Water development through a Section 73 (s73) application, which allows for changes

to the original planning permission granted in 2020. The adjustments to the development will ensure that the project complies with the new building safety regulations and adapts to rising construction costs.

"We are in ongoing discussions with the Metropolitan Police about the delivery of a Canada Water ‘hub’ for local services as part of the Canada Water masterplan, but the s73 application means that we are unable to confirm further details or construction timescales at the moment."

By Kumail Jaffer

Local Democracy Reporter SIR SADIQ Khan has admitted there is a “long way to go” when it comes to fighting crime in London, despite a drop in some serious offences like robbery and burglary.

The Mayor of London boasted of “record funding” for the Metropolitan Police from City Hall as new analysis showed an annual fall in knife crime, residential burglary, personal theft and personal robbery.

The figures, compiled by the Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime, showed theft from a person declined from 25,272 between April and June 2024 to 21, 937 in the same months this year – a 13 per cent decrease.

Robbery of personal property went from 7,106 to 6,209, a 13 per cent change, while residential burglary dropped 10 per cent from 7,974 to

© Noah Vickers

LATEST FIGURES: MAYOR SAYS KNIFE CRIME IS DOWN 19 PER CENT, WHILE THEFT AND ROBBERY ARE DOWN BY 13 PER CENT

Sadiq Khan on a visit to Tottenham policing blitz on London’s 20 most blighted town centres for shoplifting,

Computer-generated image of the Canada Water Masterplan

robbery, knife crime and antisocial behaviour this summer.

14 NEWS

Man charged after quadruple stabbing

By Issy Clarke

PLUMSTONIAN TO ETONIAN

A 31-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with murder following the quadruple stabbings on Long Lane, which led to the deaths of father and son, Terry and Brendan McMillan.

Hassan Cevik, 31, of Mount Pleasant Lane, Hackney, has been charged with the murder of Terry and Brendan and with grievous bodily harm in relation to a third man, aged 47.

Cevik was arrested after being taken to hospital, and appeared before Croydon Magistrates' Court this week.

Officers were called at 1:00 pm on Monday, 28 July to reports that four people had been stabbed at a business unit in Long Lane, Bermondsey SE1.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics and police, 27-year-old Brendan died at the scene. His 58-year-old father Terry from Chislehurst, Bromley, sadly died shortly afterwards in hospital.

Cevik was discharged from hospital on Saturday, August 9 and charged on Sunday, August 10 with two counts of murder, Section 18 grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.

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

Brendan McMillan Instagram / ocrfc

businessman. His son Brendan, 27, who worked at Terry’s company, was educated at Colfe’s School in Greenwich. In a tribute his old school’s rugby club described him as “one of the kindest, funniest, most genuine people you could ever meet.”

15-year-old boy charged with stabbing teen

By Issy Clarke

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy has been charged with grievous bodily harm after a stabbing in Camberwell on Sunday, which left a 17-yearold in hospital recovering from injuries initially feared to be ‘lifethreatening’.

Police were called to Tindal Street, off Langton Road, on Sunday, 10 August shortly after 1:00 pm to report of a 17-year-old boy with a stab wound.

He was rushed to hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. He remains in hospital for treatment but police have now said he is stable.

Officers arrested two boys, aged 14 and 15, on suspicion of grievous bodily harm the following day. The 15-year-old boy was charged on Monday, 11 August with grievous bodily harm. The other boy was released without charge.

Enquiries are ongoing. Please call police on 101 with the reference 3350/10Aug if you have any information which may help.”

The south east London schoolboy who secured fully funded place at Eton College

By Evie Flynn FROM WOOLWICH Polytechnic to the halls of Eton, gifted student Judah Cummings has a funded place at the prestigious Sixth Form fit for princes, inspiring boys from South East London to follow in his footsteps.

Judah, 17, from Plumstead in Greenwich, attended Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys, but his life changed course when he achieved the Orwell Award: a Sixth Form scholarship at Eton for boys whose opportunities have been limited by circumstance.

Woolwich Poly, like many South East London schools, faces the challenges common to areas with high economic deprivation. But Judah’s journey, from Plumstonian to Etonian, can serve as an inspiration to other South East London boys striving for more.

The 17-year-old joined the historic Eton College last September, an institution that has educated 20 British Prime Ministers and members of the royal family, including Princes William and Harry.

He has just completed Year 12, studying Physics, Economics and Further Maths. Due to his academic ability and exceptional GCSE performance at Woolwich Poly, Judah took A Level Maths two years early in Year 11 and achieved an A*.

During term time, Judah boards alongside 50 other boys and during the holidays, he comes back to London where his mother (a primary school teacher) and his father (an electrician) live with Judah’s older sister and two younger brothers.

Despite coming from a working class

background, Judah had no problem fitting in with the other boys at the £63,000 per year school, describing the other boys as “very welcoming and very warm.”

Life at Eton has broadened Judah’s horizons in ways he hadn’t anticipated.

“The way I talk and present myself has got better since joining Eton,” he explains.

“There are amazing speakers who come in to give talks, and loads of societies to join.”

Judah has made the most of all Eton has to offer, becoming part of the economics, politics and sport societies. He’s learnt how to play the piano and was even selected to be part of the prestigious Eton Society: a body of 20 prefects selected by students and teachers.

“I feel like my election to the Eton Society was really significant,” Judah says.

“I’d only been at the school for under a year at that point.”

Not just academically gifted, Judah is also a keen sportsman and was selected to play for Eton’s First XI football team.

“Football was a big part of my life prior to joining Eton and it helped me a lot with settling in,” Judah tells us. “I had to go to Eton a week early for pre-season, so by the time term started I had met lots of the boys.

“There was so much other stuff going on, including football training three times a week and other things to do that I found it easy to settle into the boarding aspect.”

He’s also noticed other odd quirks about attending a boarding school versus Woolwich Polytechnic. During the winter months, lessons stop from 1pm-4pm, allowing the boys to use the daylight hours for extra-curricular activities, before resuming in the late afternoon.

Judah Cummings

Judah first learned about the Orwell Award through his aunt, a former head of Sixth Form, who encouraged him to apply after one of her former students had successfully received the award.

The application process was long and challenging at times, but worth it, according to Judah: “You have to apply quite early, write a personal statement, share your reasons behind the subjects chosen and then thirty boys are shortlisted for interviews and tests at Eton,” he explains.

“You then have to go to Eton for a couple days and we were interviewed by the head of each subject we chose and then I found out about my place in mid-December.”

Twelve boys receive the award each year, and means they don’t have to pay a penny towards tuition fees.

The next step in Judah’s already flourishing academic career is University and he has got big plans to eventually work in the finance sector. “I plan to apply to Cambridge to study economics,” he says “I might also apply to America as well, I’m still on the fence.”

These big dreams for his future are made possible through Eton, where he can receive tailored support previously unavailable: “Anything you want to do there will be someone who can help or someone’s that done it before who can offer you some insight.”

“I think it’s been a really successful year, I’ve settled in really nicely and managed to make the most out of all the opportunities provided for me there.”

Judah manages to come back to Photo courtesy of SPCC Woolwich often enough, given the opportunity most weekends, and school holidays, which are longer than typical state schools. He has even been invited back to Woolwich Poly, which itself is rated outstanding by Ofsted, and has been asked to help the next cohort of boys who want to apply for the Orwell Award, following in Judah’s footsteps.

We asked Judah if he had any advice for South East London boys who are academically gifted, but see barriers to University within their own life. “You just have to go for it,” Judah urges. “If you work hard, you’re motivated and disciplined, you can achieve whatever you want.”

To be eligible for the Orwell Award, boys in the UK need to meet the following criteria: Attending a UK state school whose lack of achievement may have been held back due to personal circumstance Based on academic potential and against specific criteria e.g refugee status, Looked After Child, first generation of his family to go to university, if he is in receipt of the Pupil Premium or if he currently attends a school Ofsted has identified as ‘requiring improvement’ or in ‘special measures’ Applications for September 2026 entry are now open. The deadline for applications is 21 September 2025.

Students need to be entering Year 11 to apply.

To apply, visit: www.etoncollege. com/admissions/scholarships-andawards/orwell-award/

\

MAKE YOUR MOVE...

Courses available for: 16-18 year olds Adult Learners Higher Education students

16 OPINION

Comment Pleased to see new teams and powers for police

L

AST MONTH saw the awful killing of two men at their place of work on Long Lane, Bermondsey.

Terry and his son Brendan McMillan were well known locally. A man has now been charged with their murder.

I am grateful to the local police who acted swiftly and professionally, as well as to the paramedics who tried so hard to save lives that day.

There was an increased police presence around the site and I have been out in the immediate area to reassure people living nearby.

Thankfully, isolated attacks like this remain rare and Southwark is usually safe from awful incidents like this.

But I’m relieved that after years of neglect and cuts that began with the LibDem/Tory Coalition in 2010, Southwark is getting a new police resource to tackle crime hotspots like

London Bridge and local tube stations.

This extra ‘town centre’ team will be a visible deterrent to some crimes and specifically work in set locations, which will also free-up our over-stretched Safer Neighbourhood Teams to deliver their more local presence and efforts.

This is in line with Labour manifesto commitments to make our high streets and town centres safer across the country and I’m pleased to see it delivered in our community.

I’m also keen to see the implementation of new powers to restrict the movements of known criminals and to lock people up faster for causing repeat antisocial behaviour or crimes blighting areas under the Government’s ‘Respect Orders’.

The Tories cut the police, shut courts and failed to build prisons so it will take time to turn around our criminal justice system but progress is underway.

Speaking of naughty behaviour,

Young people need spaces - and they’re telling us that loud and clear

W

ALKING THROUGH Peckham during the summer, you see young people making do.

They are hanging out on the corners of estates. Taking turns on Lime Bikes.

Climbing back over school fences to get onto the sports courts — not because they want to be back at school, but because there’s nowhere else to go.

Too many are left to improvise with their time. The youth clubs that are open are brilliant but overstretched. Activities book up fast. Waiting lists are long. The message that sends is clear: there simply isn’t enough provision to meet the need.

This is the result of over a decade of cuts. Nearly a third of youth clubs in London shut between 2010 and 2019. The Institute for Fiscal Studies found that in areas where

clubs closed, young people became more likely to commit crime and did worse in school — especially those from low-income families.

When youth services disappear, so do opportunities.

That’s why I’ve made rebuilding youth provision one of my top priorities.

This summer, I have been meeting with local community organisations and young people to hear more about the power of youth-led work in Peckham and how we can make the case for investing more in it.

I visited the Damilola Taylor Youth Centre with Janet Daby, the Minister for Children and Families. She met young people and community partners delivering the MyEnds programme. The young leaders running football, boxing, mentoring

from

Westminster

NEIL COYLE

MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark Southwark LibDems claim they ‘saved’ the Borough High Street Post Office.

I held a public meeting at Southwark Cathedral on the post office’s future inviting the 750 people who signed the local Labour petition on this issue.

At the meeting it was made clear that the Post Office staff affected have heard nothing from the LibDems, nor had the Post Office, Ministers, or the trade union involved (the CWU), or even the new owner, Elliot Jacobs of UOE. I’m used to dealing with misinformation from the far right and the myths peddled

by Reform, but surprised to see LibDems

claim such easily disprovable nonsense.

Their desperation to hold off the growth of the Greens in Southwark is no excuse for making false claims, pretending to have lifted a finger when they had done nothing.

I am using Parliament’s summer recess to hold more advice and support meetings across our whole community, including in the rain in Borough last week ( see photo right).

If you’d like one on your street or estate please email me at: Neil.

Coyle.MP@parliament.uk

MIATTA FAHNBULLEH

MP for Peckham

and creative sessions did Peckham proud. In a powerful roundtable, we heard about how vital these spaces are to young people's mental health, safety, and sense of purpose.

I was also lucky to be joined by Sixth-formers from St Thomas the Apostle College in Parliament as part of the Elevated Minds programme, leading frank, thoughtful conversations about what we can do to improve justice, fairness and opportunity in our community. Members of the Southwark Youth Parliament also came

to Westminster to talk about the issues they care most about: youth poverty, employability, climate, mental health.

They had ideas. They had ambition.

What they need now is backing.

Again and again, I heard the same thing: young people want to lead, and they want spaces that reflect who they are.

In Peckham we are lucky to have brilliant community-led youth groups who provide invaluable youth services for the people who need them.

But this work needs real support.

We can’t rely on passion alone. We need long-term investment, proper infrastructure, and a national commitment to youth work that matches what local communities are already trying to deliver.

My goal is simple: every young person in Peckham should have access to a youth club or safe space within a short walk of their home. I am working hard to bring together more resource to support our community groups to do this.

Let’s give them the space to thrive.

OPINION 17

Could a film on Roy Larner really prompt a retrospective reckoning from government?

W #

HAT DOES it mean to be considered a hero in modern Britain? The question is the key theme with which a new biopic about the 'Lion of London Bridge' hero Roy Larner will attempt to grapple.

Recently the News caught up with the director behind the film, which will invite viewers to consider whether Larner’s treatment in the aftermath of the 2017 terror attacks was justified.

Roy was briefly lauded as a national hero back in June 2017, after he leapt on knife-wielding jihadi terrorists as they marched into the Black&Blue pub in Borough Market, yelling ‘F*** you, I’m Millwall”.

Roy saved many people’s lives in 2017. Roy sustained eight stab wounds and saved countless lives in the process. But unlike others who were later commemorated for their bravery after the attacks, Roy never received any official recognition and was passed over for a George Cross - the most illustrious accolade awarded in recognition of outstanding acts of civilian bravery.

The Cabinet Office has never formally commented on why Roy was denied the medal, but it has been widely speculated that two racist incidents – which took place either side of the attack - were the reason he was snubbed.

Film-director Dougie Brimson is firm about which camp he sits in. He told us he views Roy as a “genuine hero” and has financed a large chunk of the film’s development out of his own pocket, purely out of his conviction that the story needs to be told.

Many people share his view – not least the 23,000 who signed a petition a few years ago to get Roy nominated for a George Cross.

But Roy’s story raises several questions – not least the extent to which it is possible to separate an individual act of gallantry from the character and actions of the individual responsible.

Dougie has said his film “won’t shy away” from the racist incidents – and it will be interesting to see how his movie addresses the tension between Roy’s heroics during the London Bridge attacks and his past actions.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other – how would you feel if you were the victim of Roy’s abuse and saw him receiving an award, or how would you feel if he had helped to save your life at London Bridge and saw him miss out?, A big part of the reason Dougie said he was motivated to make the film was to bring Roy's story to the wider public. It remains to be seen whether the film will prompt the government into a retrospective reckoning of its decision to pass him over for a medal.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE Clues Across

1. Liver concoction for the head (4) 3. Unusual price ring by America is very valuable (8) 9. What the Pied Piper’s music proved to be? (3-4) 10. Observed to have been scored? (5) 11. Bill follows delightful flower (5-7) 13. They are held up for brides! (6) 15. One who is after a different search (6) 17. Clearly a job for men of craft (12) 20. The vice of a number in tents (5) 21. Fifty in the street, maybe, giving support for the board (7) 22. Remove from a lofty perch from the other end (8) 23. Love personified in the rose-garden (4)

Clues Down 1.

2.

4.

5.

6.

7.

A priest is disturbed about a hanger-on (8) In the manuscript it left a name (5) Make better repertory atmosphere (6) This contains a wicked light! (6-6) Not within the regulations for criminals (7) It is often required to weaken the spirit (4) 8. Stationery for what journalists are doing (7-5) 12. In newspapers half the rogues make some advance (8) 14. Transversely what has changed painting (7) 16. Endless fruit for the ruler (6) 18. Kind of section to put underground (5) 19. Put on sweet paste as a piece of nice decoration (4)

QUICK PUZZLE Clues Across

1. Diversify (4) 3. Muster (8) 9. Generous (7) 10. Lock (5) 11. Break up (12) 13. Pang (6) 15. Strip (6) 17. Temporariness (12) 20. Tapestry (5) 21. Object (7) 22. Mirth (8) 23. Narrate (4)

Clues Down

1. Ratify (8) 2. Gowns (5) 4. Vendor (6) 5. Exorbitant (12) 6. Respire (7) 7. Simple (4) 8. Sinner (12) 12. Airy (8) 14. Depraved (7) 16. Collision (6) 18. Recess (5) 19. Scourge (4))

SOLUTIONS TO LAST WEEK’S CROSSWORD CRYPTIC

Across: 4 Discus 8 Saviour 10 Antenna 11 Annum 12 Rouse 13 Dimension 16 Unsettled 19 Osier 20 Ounce 22 October 23 Elastic 24 Earner Down: 1 Island 2 Even 3 Commensurable 5 International 6 Conjugal 7 Skates 9 Radii 14 Minister 15 Morose 17 Share 18 Drench 21 Nuts

QUICK PUZZLE

ACROSS: 4 Stages 8 Arrange 10 Rampart 11 Lower 12 Endue 13 Perimeter 16 Attempted 19 Roost 20 Notes 22 Coracle 23 Feature 24 Steals Down: 1 Gallop 2 Grow 3 Ungrarammatical 5 Temperamental 6 Grandest 7 Setter 9 Erect 14 Recourse 15 Tricks 17 Thief 18 Dispel 21 Taut

ARTS 19

what’s on

FROM DEVON TO DEVASTATION AND BACK AGAIN

© Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

THE NATIONAL Theatre's War Horse has been galloping around the globe for almost two decades so anything said now has already been said about this magical show, but I'm going to say it all again because it deserves it, writes Michael Holland...

We are transported back to a market town in the West Country where estranged farming brothers are trying to outbid each other for a horse at auction; Ted Narracott (Karl Haynes), the drunken gambler of the two, pays far too much for the animal that is not even bred for farm work, and uses the mortgage money to close the deal! Wife Rose (Jo Castleton) is not happy but son Albert (Tom Sturgess)sees himself riding the thoroughbred across the downs, so quickly makes the beast Joey - his own.

Brother Arthur (Gareth Radcliffe) mocks Ted for his foolish purchase and lures him into a bet that the horse is not able to plough a field. The task of getting a racehorse to wear a collar and pull a plough is left to Albert and he has a week to do it or they lose Joey.

Of course, with much anxiety and hard work the pair manage to do the impossible and that would be the perfect end to a lovely story. But this only takes us to news of Britain declaring war on Germany, which ends the first half.

Joey is commandeered by the army for war duty and Albert, too young to enlist, is left bereft. But not for long as he runs away to lie about his age and get to the front in order to search for Joey. All he has to take with is a drawing of Joey done by one of the officers.

Albert shows everyone he meets and asks if they've seen his beloved horse.

This adaptation of Michael Morpugo's

Wimbledon The cast of War Horse. Matthew Lawrence, Rafe Young, Felicity Donnelly (Joey). book by Nick Stafford keeps people as secondary characters while never holding back on showing the horrors of war and how horses were just as much fodder for the German cannons as were the soldiers.

And the magnificent mechanical marvels that are the horses are without doubt the stars of the show. Each one has three puppeteers bringing them to life and skillfully create emotions through movement. It does not take long before they become invisible as

you become mesmerised by the steeds.

Those puppet-masters too are the stars and need to be name-checked: Joey: Rianna Ash - Chris Milford - Samuel Parker: Topthorn: Tom Quinn - Michael Jean-Marian - Michael Larcombe; Joey as a foal: Eloise Beaumont-Wood Clara Lioe - Jordan Paris.

Excellent direction from Tom Morris and Katie Henry (revival director), who had a truly wonderful cast putting everything they had out there for them.

I was particularly taken with Sally

Swanson's performance as The Singer, her soulful folk was delivered in a creamy smooth timbre that carried the story onwards.

War Horse is the perfect play because it appeals to all ages and has earned every one of its awards and accolades.

New Wimbledon Theatre until 16th August.

Booking and full details: www.atgtickets.com/shows/war-horse/ new-wimbledon-theatre/

A WEDDING day in which not all goes entirely to plan inevitably promises a certain amount of comedy, and the portrayal of an ex-mining Nottinghamshire family gearing themselves up for an afternoon and evening of ‘big-day’ moments for little sister Sylvia provides that, writes Eleanor Thorn...

Beth Steel’s Till the Stars Come Down arrives with something of a buzz in the air in the West End, with its prestigious history of theatrical success from the National, under the continued directorship of Bijan Sheibani.

Two rows of audience on stage at rear and sides create an in-the-round effect despite the classic architecture of the theatre. We are onlookers to the most intimate dressing-room, corridor and back-door moments of events, spared of any aisle-walking slapstick, though the play does have its share of such humour.

It is the East Midlands workingclass speak that holds our attention, and the show-stealing arrival of curler-adorned Aunty Carol (Dorothy Atkinson) into the mix who hilariously lowers the tone: “So excited she’s

© Manuel Harlan

We left uplifted and breathless amidst the debris

pissing glitter”, being one of the milder examples of quotes.

Sylvia (Sinéad Matthews), Hazel (Lucy Black) and their more elusive 4-times-married-now-single sibling Maggie (Aisling Loftus) are brought together for the occasion. Sylvia, rather than being upset at her dress not fitting, is actually relieved, little imagining her sense of foreboding could be a sign of worse to come - her father fainting being a minor detail. In a moment of the magic realism that makes fleeting appearances, Sylvia dances on the chair with joy and, like in her dream, her fingertips meet to momentarily halt the passage of time. Lights become stars and we see ourselves as part of the wider universe… Drenching rain,

too, is provoked with the meeting of fingertips. Little Sarah's toy space shuttle and dreams of going to the moon tie in nicely.

Social observations (some rather clichéd) abound, as does commentary connected to the influx of Poles to the coal-mining area: groom Marek (Julian Kostov) is one, as was my theatre-companion for the evening, a connection that took us by surprise, and gave us further reason to reflect.

Were we laughing at or with this family and their wedding woes? Was it their way with language? Their outlook on life? Their ability to hurl knickers to the crowd, shag on stage or go heavy on the vodka? The interval left us slightly uncomfortable.

All is redeemed from the moment the second half begins: the gear shifts up more than a notch as the mayhem whips up: Explanations of sibling rivalry (between Dad/Grandad Tony – Alan Williams – and Uncle Pete – Philip Whitchurch); illicit love interest (Hazel’s husband John – Adrian Bower – and Maggie as well as Aunty Carol and Tony); irresistible dishonesty from teenager Leanne (Ruby Thompson) with severe consequences - a beatenup, hospitalised groom and a blooddrenched bride; Hazel’s unhappy marriage, Sylvia’s detecting of the lie, Maggie’s unexpected forthrightness - enough to explode these Three Sisters (think Chekov) in irretrievable directions. It is after the interval that the skill of the actors really begins to shine.

But it is the note of hope in Hazel’s final agonising cry as big-sisterin-chief that leaves us uplifted and breathless amidst the debris.

Theatre Royal Haymarket, Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4HT until 27th September.

Booking and full details: http:// tillthestarscomedown.com/

A theatrical revival of pub culture

FIRST PERFORMED in 1989, Jim Cartwright’s play Two invites audiences into an evening at a classic British boozer, where two actors take on the roles of both landlord and landlady — and a whole cast of regulars, visitors, and late-night dreamers.

From the old woman whose only respite from caring for her bed-bound husband is a nightly drink at the pub, to Maudie and her philandering boyfriend Moth who can’t resist chatting up everyone else in sight, the pub plays a central role in the lives of these characters - whether full of potential or full of regret, united in love or trapped by circumstance, the shared space sits at the heart of their lives.

Cartwright wrote the play at a time when the steady loss of traditional British pubs was really taking hold. From the 60s to the 80s, the pub was the beating heart of countless local communities across Britain.

Friends and neighbours would gather to socialise, debate, rant, flirt, laugh, and bond, but in the late 80s' pub culture came under threat and the decline began. An estimated 69,000 British pubs operating in 1980 had reached 60,000 by 2000, and with the trend continuing and the damage of the pandemic, that number is now closer to 45,000 – a drop of 35%.

Greenwich Theatre’s new production is designed to celebrate these threatened third spaces where communities can unite.

At a time when not only pubs but theatres, libraries, event spaces and more are also closing or at risk of closure, when we live under a government with no dedicated arts minister, when the uniting community force of local newspapers is being replaced by the isolating echo chambers of social media, when even parks and open spaces are at risk of development, now is the time to stand up and champion the importance of shared experience.

For this theatrical celebration, Greenwich Theatre is creating an immersive space - The Clock and Compass - at the heart of their historic building, welcoming audiences to buy a pint, play classic pub games and relive the experience of a 1980s pub, with the show unfolding around them.

James Haddrell, Artistic Director, says: “Jim Cartwright’s voice remains one of the most recognisable in British theatre, with shows like The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Road showcasing his unmistakably lyrical blend of poetry and the harsh realities of everyday life.

Two is a moving, comic picture of a classic British pub and those who pass through it, and the prospect of staging it in a new space specially created at the heart of our historic theatre is an exciting one for us, immersing the audience in the lives, the struggles and the hopes of these unforgettable characters and celebrating the spaces that play a crucial role in holding communities together.”

There will be a Gin Tasting Masterclass in partnership with Greenwich Gin on selected dates during the run.

The Café-Bar, Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, Greenwich, SE10 8ES from 21st August - 12th September. Tues-Thurs: 7pm Fri-Sat: 8:30pm Sunday: 5pm. Admission: £22.50 (includes a drink voucher). Booking and full details: greenwichtheatre.org.uk/events/two/

20 EVENTS

Events

Heading south - our pick of upcoming late summer events Crypt Open Day, St Alfege Church: The ‘hidden spaces’ tours at St Alfege Church allow you to explore and discover places usually closed to the public and hear about the colourful lives of those who served and worshipped there.

You get a chance to visit the crypt’s vault and get a 360-degree view of the church and its suspended ceiling, which was the largest in Europe when it was built in the 18th century.

Date: 16 August. Time: 11:45am Location: St Alfege Church, 3 Greenwich Church Street London SE10 9BJ Tickets: £9, book here: https://www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/hidden-spaces-tours-of-st-alfege-churchgalleries-crypt-tickets-219897478277?aff=ebdsop orgprofile

Fashion Illustration Workshop: Bring your fashion idea to life at a beginnerfriendly illustration session led by fashion designer and educator, Silja Manninen. You will learn simple but effective techniques for figure drawing, styling, rendering garments and creative collage in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Perfect for budding designers and creative hobbyists alike—no experience needed.

Materials are provided, but feel free to bring your own favourites.

Date: 20 August 2025 Time: 18:30 - 20:30 Location: Firepit Art Gallery, Unit 5 Ground Floor, Greenwich Peninsula, London, SE10 0XX Tickets: £15 per person

Greenwich Fair: Greenwich Fair is back as part of Greenwich and Docklands International Festival with family-friendly street theatre, circus, dance, and game installations, with the best view of London on the top of Observatory Hill.

Events include Lady Garden, helping you explore the enchanting world of flowers and contribute towards a unique flower arrangement. Epiphytes is an all-female circus company that takes inspiration from the life of trees to put nature centre-stage.

Date: 23 August Location: Greenwich Park, General Wolfe Piazza by Statue of General James Wolfe, Observatory Hill, Greenwich, London, SE10 8XJ Time: Events from 13:00 - 19:00 Tickets: Free, no booking required

Boppin’ Bunnies: This parent and baby music event, Boppin’ Bunnies, returns for another show this summer and will showcase their mastery on a variety of instruments. Attendees can participate on any of the following: Violin, Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, Guitar, Ukulele.

The music is complimented by everyone singing together, designed to be fully interactive with percussion instruments for babies, toddlers and adults to use together.

Date: 23 August Time: 10:45 - 11:25 Location: Woolwich Works (Ropekeepers Studio), 11 No.1 Street, Woolwich, London, SE18 6HD Tickets: £5 per adult, £10 per child, £5 per sibling

Bat Walk at Woodlands Farm: A guided night walk around Woodlands Farm, equipped with bat detectors to hear the different species that live at the farm. Also, there will be a chance to learn more about the farm and the other night wildlife along the way. Participants are advised to wear long trousers, bring a torch with them and wear insect repellent.

Suitable for children aged 6 and above.

Date: Wednesday 20th August and Friday 5th September Location: The Woodlands Farm Trust, 331 Shooters Hill, Welling, London, DA16 3RP Time: Meet in the farmyard at 7:30pm Tickets: £5 per child, £7 per adult.

Book here: https://the-woodlands-farm-trust. sumupstore.com/product/bat-walk

HISTORY 21

History © Debra Gosling

THE FASHIONABLE MEN OF BERMONDSEY WHO DIED IN WORLD WAR ONE © John Tinseth 2014

© Debra Gosling 2014

The Welch Margetson factory

© John Tinseth 2014

© John Tinseth 2014

The lost memorial

Welch Margetson trade mark

The company was initially making just ties, but then carried on to all the other luxury products

By Debra Gosling

George Pollard was just twenty-one when he died at Thiepval in 1916. He was an office clerk with the company and would have walked the short distance every day from his house near the Bricklayer's Arms to Long Lane. He was one of seven children and had two older brothers, Bill and Harry, as well as John, the youngest who, thankfully, was too young to join the conflict. It is unknown whether George's brothers survived, but how awful, if they had all not returned?

Whether Sidney Fern met up with George at Thiepval will never be known; they were from different regiments, but it is likely. They both died there within a day of each other. Sidney's father Fred also worked at Welch Margetson as a collar cutter and Sidney had been a porter there.

dressing gowns, pyjamas and even umbrellas. Bertie Wooster would have approved!

Much of the work undertaken was outsourced to home workers. Imagine how lovely it must have been for little children to see all the colours, fabrics and patterns taking up the space in the parlour. Lots of paisleys and stripes and flowers for them to sort out before Mum ran them all up into swanky ties, cravats and silky neck scarves (known locally by the Costers as chokers).

The art of correct gentleman's dress has been watered down to jeans and a quick squirt of Lynx today, but there remain a few sharp dressers around, mainly to be seen in a tailored suit and vintage accessories. It used to be de rigueur to wear a collar and stud, tie, cufflinks, sleeve braces, trouser braces, sock suspenders, a waistcoat, pocket watch, hat, scarf and gloves! Good grief, how did anyone ever make the bus?!

Welch Margetson was a big part of the gentlemen's fashion scene, such as it was.

The company arrived in Bermondsey in 1890, initially making just ties but then carrying on to all the other luxury products. They had various other sites in the City of London but of course, all

Welch Margetson pyjamas

Welch margetson ties © John Tinseth 2014

THEY WERE just names on an old postcard I bought at a collector's fair, but they were special; these men were all casualties of The Great War. They had worked for Welch Margetson, a firm in Long Lane that produced high quality menswear to be sold in classy West End shops.

Joseph Fitzgerald was another who had brothers, all living in Cherry Garden Street – did they come back? So many young men cut down before they even got to their prime. Joseph was the errand boy in the collar department; they must have missed his cheeky banter when he dropped off and collected work. Now it was silent. He fell at Doiran, aged just twenty.

It is a little unclear what happened to Frank Bridges; there are so many with the same name who died it is hard to tell which one he is. He lived in Waterloo Street, Camberwell and was on the marketing side of the firm.

Younger brother Ernest was a factory assistant, and must have made it home as his name is not on the memorial.

The company itself was in business from 1824 to 1963. Joseph Welch was an expert shirt maker of his time and by 1876 the company had a large factory in Londonderry. There were also eight department stores throughout England. The store in the City of London obviously stood out as having the best in high quality menswear for all those bowler-hatted, rich City gents. Any upper class male calling in could expect to see whole departments devoted to socks, ties, sock suspenders, braces,

Welch Margetson Slippers good things come to an end. In 1950 the factory was rebuilt; all the local firms were having a bit of a makeover after the damage from the war. Two years beforehand, Viyella had bought out Welch & Margetson but it took another twenty years or so before the silky socks and slippers walked out of Long Lane for good. The building is still there, now named Blue Lion

Court, so at least there is a reminder of all those lovely things that now fetch smart prices on Ebay.

It is sad however, to think of those four young men who sacrificed themselves for their country and how they never got the chance to saunter along the Tower Bridge Road, a pretty girl on their arm, in a nice tie and matching handkerchief.

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24 PUBLIC NOTICES Licensing Act 2003 Application for a Premises Licence Name of Applicant: Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd. Address: Sainsbury’s, 1 Walworth Road, London, SE17 1GA. Licensing Authority: London Borough of Southwark Council. Licensing Authority Address: Licensing Team, London Borough of Southwark Council, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH (where a record of the application may be inspected during normal office hours). Licensing Authority Website: www.southwark.gov.uk. The applicant has applied to the Licensing Authority for a premises licence for the above premises for the following licensable activities:To allow for the sale of alcohol between the hours of 0700 and 2300 daily for consumption off the premises. Any person or responsible authority (as defined by the Licensing Act 2003) may make representations to the Licensing Authority no later than 3 September 2025. Any representations made to the Licensing Authority must be in writing to the address above or by email to licensing@southwark.gov.uk. It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is an unlimited fine.

Dated: 6 August 2025 Winckworth Sherwood LLP, Arbor, 255 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 9AX. Ref: AGS/26508/02254/RPB Solicitors and authorised agents for the applicant

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

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

Transport for London Public Notice

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 SECTION 123(2A) NOTICE OF INTENTION TO GRANT A TEN YEAR LEASE OF THE BOWLS PAVILION AND BOWLING GREEN AT PECKHAM RYE PARK PECKHAM RYE LONDON SE15 3UA PART OF WHICH IS OPEN SPACE

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 THE A201 GLA ROAD (LONDON ROAD, LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) ORDER 2025 1. Transport for London in consultation with the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that it has made the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.

2. The purpose of the Order is to enable telecom repair works to take place at A201 London Road in the London Borough of Southwark.

3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle except pedal cycles from: (1) proceeding on St George’s Circus between the extended southern kerbline of the eastbound carriageway of Borough Road and the extended north-eastern kerb-line of the north-westbound carriageway of London Road; (2) proceeding in a south-westerly direction on London Road between its junctions with St George’s Circus and Elephant and Castle.

(3) proceeding in a westerly direction on Borough Road between its junctions with Newington Causeway and St George’s Circus access will be maintained to Rotary Street and Library Street.

The Order will be effective at certain times on the 14th August 2025 between 7.00 PM and 11.59 PM or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibition will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.

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

5. At such times as the prohibition is in force an alternative route will be indicated by trafc signs via Borough Road, Newington Causeway, Elephant and Castle, St George’s Road and Westminster Bridge Road to normal route of travel.

Dated this 14th day of August 2025 Andrew Sherry Co-Ordination Manager, Transport for London Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Southwark intend to exercise powers pursuant to Section 123(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 to grant a ten year lease of land at The Bowls Pavilion and Bowling Green Peckham Rye Park Peckham Rye London SE15 3UA part of which is open space.

A copy of the map showing the location and area of the land to which this Notice relates can be inspected at the offices of the Council in the Chief Executive’s Department, 5th Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH (Reference: Paul Harte). Appointments are available between the hours of 10:00am to 4:00pm Tuesday to Friday.

Anyone wishing to make objections to the intended grant of a ten year lease of the land should make them in writing no later than 4:00pm on 4 September 2025 at the address above (quoting the reference) or at paul.harte@southwark.gov.uk, stating the grounds of the objection.

Dated this 7th day of August 2025 Doreen Forrester-Brown Assistant Chief Executive – Assurance and Governance

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I / we Dockley Road Kitchen Ltd Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of Dockley Road Kitchen, 1 Dockley Road, London, SE16 3AF The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are Days

Start time

Finish time

The retail sale of alcohol:

Monday - Friday Saturday Sunday

12pm 11am 11am

11pm 11pm 10pm

Opening hours:

Monday - Friday Saturday Sunday

12pm 10am 10am

11pm 11pm 10pm

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

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (DRUMMOND ROAD, DEANS BUILDINGS, DENMAN ROAD, STORIES ROAD, PARK STREET, BRAMCOTE GROVE, VARCOE ROAD, UNION STREET, ST JAMES ROAD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

1.

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

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in: (2a) Drummond Road, northbound lane of carriageway, between Perryn Road and Jamaica Road (2b) Deans Buildings, vehicle and cycle closure, between No’s 19 and Flint Street (2c) Denman Road, between Talfourd Place and No’s 73 (2d) Stories Road, cycle lane closure between Grove Lane and Stories Mews (2e) Park Street, between Redcross Way and Stoney Street (2f) Bramcote Grove, between Verney Road and Varcoe Road (2g) Varcoe Road, at it’s junction with Bramcote Grove (2h) Union Street, between Borough High Street and Redcross Way (2i) St James Road, between Lucey Way and Rail Sidings Road

3.

Thursday, August 14th 2025

The alternative routes for affected traffic will be (2a) Drummond Road, Tranton Road, Keeton’s Road, Jamacia Road. (2b) Dawes Street, East Street, Flint Street. Deans Buildings, Flint Street, Rodney Road, Stead Street, Orb Street. (2c) Denman Road, Talfourd Place, Talfourd Road, Lyndhurst Grove. (2d) Stories Road, Grove Lane, Grove Hill Road, Camberwell Grove, Stories Road. Stories Road, Camberwell Grove, Bromar Road, Pycheley Rd, Grove Vale, Dog Kennel Hill, Grove Lane, (2e) as indicated by the signs displayed. (2f) & (2g) Verney Road, Varcoe Road. (2h) as indicated by the signs displayed (2i) as indicated by the signs displayed

It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark.gov.uk) and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below.

Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

Date of application: 21/07/2025

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK DEAN’S BUILDINGS NEW ‘ZEBRA’ PEDESTRIAN CROSSING The London Borough of Southwark (Waiting restrictions) (Dean’s Buildings) Order 2025 1.

Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that on 14 August 2025 it has made the above Order under sections 6 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2.

The effects of the Order, will be in DEAN’S BUILDINGS on both sides from a point 2.5 metres south-west of the south-western kerb-line of Flint Street and a point 5.5 metres south-west of the common boundary of Nos. 25 and 27 Dean’s Buildings (outside English Martyrs’ Roman Catholic Primary School & Nursery) and for the purpose of accommodating the new raised ‘zebra’ pedestrian crossing, to remove a total of 65 metres (north-west side 33.5 metres and south-east side 31.5 metres) of existing ‘at any time’ waiting restrictions (double yellow lines).

Notes: (1) ‘at any time’ means at all hours on every day of the week. (2) All measurements are approximate.

3.

Copies of the Order, which will come into force on 18 August 2025, and of all other relevant documents are available for inspection at Highways, Southwark Council, Environment, Sustainability & Leisure, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH, by appointment only. E-mail traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk or call 077 3132 4742 for booking details.

4.

Any person desiring to question the validity of the Order, or of any provision contained therein, on the grounds that it is not within the relevant powers of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 or that any of the relevant requirements thereof or of any relevant regulations made thereunder has not been complied with in relation to the Order may, within six weeks of the date on which the Order was made, make application for the purpose to the High Court.

The existing ‘one-way’ working in Union Street, between Redcross Way and Omeara Street, will be made ‘two-way’ for access and egress purposes.

4.

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

5.

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

6.

The closure will be in operation on the following dates (2a) 1st – 14th September (2b) 1st – 2nd September (2c) 1st – 29th September (2d) 1st September – 17th October (2e) 2nd – 3rd September (2f) & (2g) 3rd September – 5th November (2h) (2i) 28th – 29th August between 22:00hrs and 06:00hrs

7.

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

Dated this 14th August 2025 Ian Law Traffic Manager, London Borough of Southwark, Network Management, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529, London, SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) SLM081166903-40 (2b) 30399082 (2c) SA-2352013-01 (2d) 46589755 (2e) LBSCR14094-1 (2f) 49876669 & (2g) 86913019 (2h) LBS14224 (2i) LBS14189

Dated 14 August 2025 Steven Grayer Interim Head of Service - Highways, Environment, Sustainability & Leisure

View all weekly and archive public notices at www.southlondon.co.uk/category/ public‐notices/

Thursday, August 14th 2025

PUBLIC NOTICES 25

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended) PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT 1990 (as amended)

The planning applications listed below can be viewed on the planning register at https://planning.southwark.gov.uk/online-applications/ You can use facilities at your local library or 'My Southwark Service Points' to access the website.

How to comment on this application: You should submit your comments via the above link. Comments received will be made available for public viewing on the website. All personal information will be removed except your postal address. Online comments submitted without an email address will not be acknowledged and those marked 'confidential' will not be considered. Written comments can be submitted to; Southwark Council, Planning division, Development Management, PO Box 64529, London SE1 5LX. Reason for publicity. The applications are advertised for the reasons identified by the following codes: AFFECT - development affecting character or appearance of a nearby conservation area; OR development affecting setting of a nearby listed building(s); DEP - departure from the development plan; EIA - environmental impact assessment (these applications are accompanied by an environmental statement a copy of which may be obtained from the Council - there will be a charge for the copy); MAJ - major planning application; PIP - application is for Permission in Principle; S106 - ; STDCA development within a conservation area; STDLB - works to or within the site of a listed building; 276A AND 276B CAMBERWELL NEW ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 0RP (Ref: 25/AP/1589) Listed building consent for replacement of all existing windows with timber-framed sliding sash units, utilising single 6.8mm lowE laminated glazing to closely match the existing. (Within: Camberwell New Road Camberwell New Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB STDLB (Contact: Adeleh Haghgoo 020 7525 0474) GROUND FLOOR 64 TOWER BRIDGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 4TR (Ref: 25/AP/1612) Change of use of part of the ground floor from co-working space (Class E) to additional hotel accommodation (Class C1). (Within: Bermondsey Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale 07513 137967) ALLEYNS SCHOOL TOWNLEY ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE22 8SU (Ref: 25/AP/1690) Replacement netball and tennis courts including associated retaining wall and fencing, extended pathway, low-level lighting and landscaping on the School's Top Field. (Within: Dulwich Village Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale 07513 137967) 31 SUTHERLAND SQUARE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 3EQ (Ref: 25/AP/2027) Adding a new window to the rear elevation at first floor level. Removal of non-load bearing internal wall. Remodeling bathroom. (Within: Sutherland Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Ibrahim Azam 020 7525 2876) 31 SUTHERLAND SQUARE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 3EQ(Ref: 25/AP/2028) Listed building consent for proposed summary as follows: - Adding a new window to the rear elevation at first floor level. - Removal of nonload bearing internal wall. - Remodeling bathroom. (Within: Sutherland Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Anna Poulose 020 7525 3174) 269 - 271 WALWORTH ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 1RL (Ref: 25/AP/2117) Change of use from a coffee bar (Class E(b)) to a bingo hall (Sui Generis) (Within: Multiple Walworth Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity:

STDCA (Contact: Susherrie Suki 020 7525 0646) CAMELOT PRIMARY SCHOOL BIRD IN BUSH ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 1QP (Ref: 25/AP/1818) Replacement of the existing upvc/timber framed windows and doors to the Ancillary Building with new aluminium framed windows and doors.

(Within: Kentish Drovers And Bird In Bush Kentish Drovers And Bird In Bush CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale 07513 137967) SUTHERLAND SQUARE AND LIVERPOOL GROVE SUTHERLAND SQUARE LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 25/AP/1926) Proposed Local Listed Building Consent Order for the installation of solar panels on grade II listed residential properties in the Sutherland Square and Liverpool Grove Conservation Areas (Within: Sutherland Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng 020 7525 3244) ARCHES 45 TO 51 WARDENS GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 0HT (Ref: 25/AP/2214) Change of use of 7no. railway arches from Car Park (Sui Generis) to use class B8, E(d) and E(g)(iii) and associated external alteration works including installation of new roller shutters, steel doors and a pedestrian door; installation of new replacement brick walls and concrete block walls; and installation of new insulated roof panels. Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ (Contact: Zaib Khan 020 7525 0311) 11 GRANGE WALK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 3DT (Ref: 25/AP/2230) Listed building consent for two non-heritage style rooflights currently in place on the inner facing slopes of an M-shaped roof (not visible from the street). These have failed and are now leaking. The proposal calls for the replacement of the two damaged rooflights with new rooflights from the Velux Heritage Conservation range.

The proposed rooflights have a slim elegant profile, a vertical glazing bar, and an increased thermal performance. There will be a like for like replacement, so far as possible, to fit the existing rooflight dimensions.There will be a like for like replacement, so far as possible, to fit the existing rooflight dimensions. (Within: Bermondsey Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact:

Rosie Poser 020 7525 7924) ADDISON HOUSE NEWCOMEN STREET LONDON SE1 1UL (Ref: 25/AP/1953) Prior approval notification for demolition of the existing timber lean-to structure and the construction of a new glazed single-storey extension on the same footprint. The extension will form part of the proposed new ground floor of Addison House and will provide an informal study space for students of Kings College London. (Within: Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: AFFECT (Contact: Susherrie Suki 020 7525 0646) 20 DULWICH COMMON LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7EX (Ref: 25/AP/1900) Demolition of existing single-storey rear addition and construction of a larger single-storey rear extension. (Within: Dulwich Wood CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: James Holmes 020 7525 0803)

Listed building consent for the construction of a home art studio to the rear of the property (Within: Holly Grove Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng 020 7525 3244) 9A BLENHEIM GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 4QS(Ref: 25/AP/2259) Construction of a home art studio to the rear of the property (Within: Holly Grove Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Alex Lambert 020 7525 1353) Dated: 12 Aug 2025 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date (or 14 days for Permission in Principle, 30 days for EIA development).

STEPHEN PLATTS Director of Planning and Growth

3 WEST SQUARE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE11 4SN (Ref: 25/AP/1543) Demolition of existing dwellinghouse (use class C3). Construction of 2No. dwellinghouses (use class C3) with associated amenity space, cycle storage, refuse storage, landscaping and enabling works. (Within: West Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Sean Gomes 020 7525 0666) 74 UNION STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 0NW (Ref: 25/AP/1969) Retrospective temporary use of the site for an operational period of two years for use as a food court (change of use from car repair garage and car park (sui generis) to E(b)), including outdoor seating, cycle parking and other works associated with the temporary use. (Within: Union Street Union Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: James Holmes 020 7525 0803) 256 TURNEY ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7JP (Ref: 25/AP/2263) Replacement of existing rear dormer and erection of L-shaped dormer to rear outrigger (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Gabriel Neri 020 7525 2707) 9A BLENHEIM GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 4QS(Ref: 25/AP/2260)

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26 PUBLIC NOTICES

Thursday, August 14th 2025

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK GLENGALL ROAD AREA IMPROVEMENTS The London Borough of Southwark (Free parking places, Loading places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping restrictions) (Glengall Road area) Order 202* 1.

Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that it proposes to make the above Order under sections 6 and 124 of, and Part IV of, Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2.

The effects of the Order, for the purpose of facilitating the uses of the re-developed building at the site of former Nos. 49-53 Glengall Road, will be to:(a) install two new inset ‘unlimited stay’ Disabled Persons’ parking places side-by-side in GLENGALL ROAD (each 6.6 metres in length) on the north-east side opposite Nos. 68 – 72 Glengall Road which would operate ‘at any time’ and may be used without time limit by vehicles displaying a valid Disabled Persons’ 'blue badge'; (b) install new inset loading bays operating every day of the week, for the purpose of loading only between 7 am and 7 pm (40 minutes maximum stay, and no return within 2 hours) in (i) BIANCA ROAD on the south-east side 47.5 metres north-east of the north-eastern kerb-line build-out of Glengall Road (13.5 metres in length), and (ii) GLENGALL ROAD two loading bays on the north-east side opposite Nos. 76 – 80 Glengall Road (15 metres in length) and opposite the side of No. 6 Brideale Close (13.5 metres in length); and (c) to remove a total of approximately 55 metres of existing ‘at any time’ waiting restrictions (double yellow lines) in BIANCA ROAD and GLENGALL ROAD to accommodate the new inset ‘unlimited stay’ Disabled Persons’ parking places and the new inset loading bays, and at the locations described above.

Notes: (1) ‘at any time’ means at all hours on every day of the week. (2) All measurements are approximate.

3.

For more information contact the Council's Highways team Highways@southwark.gov.uk

4.

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

5.

6.

Anyone wishing to make any representations either for or to object to the proposals, may use our consultation portal https://consultation.appyway.com/southwark or send a statement in writing to: Traffic Order Consultations, Highways, Southwark Council Environment, Sustainability & Leisure, P.O. Box 64529, London SE1P 5LX or traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk quoting reference ‘TMO2526-016 Glengall Rd area’ by 5 September 2025. Please note that if you wish to object to the proposals you must state the grounds on which your objection is made.

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

Dated 14 August 2025 Steven Grayer Interim Head of Service - Highways, Environment, Sustainability & Leisure

Transport for London Public Notice ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 THE A201 GLA ROAD (BLACKFRIARS ROAD, LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC AND STOPPING) ORDER 2025 1. Transport for London in consultation with the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.

2. The purpose of the Order is to enable crane operational works to take place at A201 Blackfriars Road in the London Borough of Southwark.

3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any: (1) vehicle except pedal cycles from entering, exiting or proceeding on Blackfriars Road between its junction with Scoresby Street to a point 5 meters south of the extended common boundary of Nos.78 and 79 to 80 Blackfriars Road, local access to be maintained between its junctions with Southwark Street and Scoresby Street and between St George’s Circus and the northern vehicular access to Vaughan House, Nelson Square; (2) vehicle from entering, exiting, proceeding or stopping on Union Street from its junction with Blackfriars Road to the eastern vehicular access point to Roland Hill House, Union Street; (3) vehicle except pedal cycles from entering, exiting, proceeding or stopping on The Cut between its junctions with Blackfriars Road and Joan Street.

The Order will also allow: (1) two way working on Union Street between its junctions with Gambia Street and the eastern vehicular access to Roland Hill House.

The Order will be effective between the dates of 30th August 2025 and 31st August 2025 and 4th October 2025 and 12th October 2025 every Saturday at 7.00 AM until Sunday at 7.00 PM or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibition will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.

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

5. At such times as the prohibitions are in force alternative routes will be indicated by trafc signs for trafc travelling in a Southerly direction on Blackfriars Road via Stamford Street, Waterloo Road and St George’s Circus to normal route of travel. for trafc travelling in a northerly direction via Borough Road, Southwark Bridge Road and Southwark Street to normal route of travel.

Dated this 14th day of August 2025 Andrew Ulph Co-Ordination Manager, Transport for London Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ

Please email hello@cm-media.co.uk to place a public notice

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SPORT 29

Oval Invincibles 174-5 defeated Birmingham Phoenix 152-6 by 22 runs

By Matt Somerford THE OVAL Invincibles put their indifferent form behind them at Edgbaston as they racked up the third-highest Hundred score in the history of the women’s competition to beat Birmingham Phoenix by a comfortable 22 runs on Tuesday.

Twenty-eight ball half-century helps visitors to 22-run win

to effectively put the game beyond Phoenix’s reach.

Ailsa Lister and Amy Jones battled hard, the Scottish batter in particular impressing with an unbeaten 18-ball 33 including four fours and a six, but the Phoenix ended up well short and

well beaten.

Meerkat Match Hero Capsey said: “It’s nice to get a win on the board after two close losses. The openers were brilliant. One of our reflections after the first two games was that we bat so deep we can take some more

ECB Images

The Invincibles’ 174-5 was also the second-highest total this season – men or women – behind the 176-5 they themselves conceded to London Spirit on the opening day.

Having elected to bat, the Invincibles set their stall out early, Lauren WinfieldHill and Meg Lanning breezing to 54-0 in the 25-ball powerplay. Lanning’s dismissal for 36 off 19 merely brought in Alice Capsey, who was barely inconvenienced by the loss of WinfieldHill and Marizanne Kapp, raising a 28ball half-century as Paige Scholfield also motored along at the other end.

The two of them treated Aussie legend and Phoenix captain Ellyse Perry with something approaching disdain while Hannah Baker avoided the worst of the onslaught, finishing with a creditable 2-24 from her 20 balls.

When Phoenix batted, Aussie starlet Georgia Voll, who had conceded 20 from her five balls as a bowler, got off to a flyer but the experience of Marizanne Kapp and Amanda-Jade Wellington started to tell.

Emma Lamb and Perry gamely attempted to keep up with the spiralling rate but Wellington had her compatriot smartly held by WinfieldHill behind the stumps for 29 off 16

BRILLIANT CAPSEY FIRES INVINCIBLES PAST PHOENIX

Amanda-Jade Wellington of Oval Invincibles is congratulated by team mate Lauren WinfieldHill after taking the wicket of Ellyse Perry of Birmingham Phoenix

calculated risks.

“They took the game on so nicely and it made my job pretty easy – to keep the momentum going and keep putting pressure on. The pitch played better than I thought it would and came on pretty nicely.

“Getting over the line was the main thing and now we go back to the Oval – we can take a lot of confidence and we love playing there.”

The Invincibles host Welsh Fire this Saturday at 2.30pm, in a doubleheader with the men who start at 6pm.

‘Fat slob’ Livingstone has last laugh on Invincibles Birmingham Phoenix 182-6 defeated Oval Invincibles 180-8 by four wickets

By ECB Media A BRILLIANT unbeaten 69 from Liam Livingstone saw Birmingham Phoenix chase down Oval Invincibles’ total of 180-8 with two balls to spare in a tense finish in the men’s Hundred competition at Edgbaston.

South African Donovan Ferreira blazed a spectacular 63 from 29 balls for the Invincibles but was upstaged by the Phoenix skipper who hit five sixes in his match-winning 27-ball

innings.

Inserted by the home side, Invincibles lost Will Jacks second ball and reached 31-2 after the 25-ball powerplay.

The score quickly became 34-3 after the loss of Sam Curran before the Invincibles recovered through Jordan Cox and Sam Billings to reach 70-3 at halfway, losing Billings soon after.

Enter Ferreira, who started positively, depositing Tim Southee for a maximum over wide long-on to bring up the Invincibles’ 100 after 65 balls.

Cox fell for 44, but Ferreira continued unperturbed, reaching his half-century off 24 deliveries with another huge six.

The Invincibles finished strong, the penultimate set from Mousley conceding 25, including two sixes and

two lots of five wides, while Rashid Khan (16) contributed two maximums of his own as the Invincibles closed on 180-8.

The Phoenix run chase started slowly, Aussie left-armer Jason Behrendorff bowling the first 10 balls straight through and conceding just five.

Saqib Mahmood then took the big wicket of Ben Duckett with his third ball, but Will Smeed wrestled some of the initiative back with back-to-back sixes.

Smeed (51 off 29) was bowled by Nathan Sower one ball after reaching his fifty to see the score 91-3, Jacob Bethell then went 20 runs later.

Livingstone responded by smashing

By John Kelly

DULWICH HAMLET made it two wins from two in the new Isthmian League Premier Division season as they won 1-0 at Wingate & Finchley on Tuesday night.

DILLIAN WHYTE has been warned it won’t be a “long night” by rising star Moses Itauma ahead of their heavyweight contest in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Saturday.

Gaspar Mico scored the only goal of the game in the 22nd minute to maintain new boss Mark Dacey’s

perfect start.

The Hamlet began their campaign with a 4-0 victory against Dartford at Champion Hill last weekend. Lonit Talla opened the scoring before Luke Wanadio scored a hat-trick in front of a 2,067 attendance.

Dulwich top the table and travel to Ramsgate this Saturday for a 3pm kick-off.

he did so I'm kind of happy with that.

“We needed it, it’s been a bit of a disappointing start to the tournament.

“It’s nice to lead from the front and hopefully that gives the boys a bit of momentum and a bit of confidence.

“I was trying to be there at the end, it’s something I haven’t done a lot of in my career, so it was in the back of my mind, but we still needed to take some risks.

“It’s massive. There’s no hiding in this competition. If you lose a couple of games, you’re right up against it. Hopefully this gives us a bit of confidence going forward, it’s an incredible win from where we were.

It’s nice to be on the board and get that first win.”

Whyte receives worrying warning

Hamlet keep foot on Gas

By John Kelly

Khan for 26 in five balls and combined with Mousley to leave three needed from five.

Mahmood then removed Mousley and Louis Kimber with successive balls, but Benny Howell drove the hattrick ball through cover to secure the win.

There was an edge to the contest with Tom Curran appearing to celebrate in the direction of Livingstone after he dismissed Jacob Bethell for eight, when Livingstone was on sixteen.

"I have no idea why Tom started to spray me," Livingstone said.

"He is one of my good friends and he called me a fat slob or something so I thought 'let's hope you don't go for a few if you come back at the death' and

Whyte, 37, is aiming to become the first boxer to beat Slovakia-born Itauma (12-0), whose family moved

to Chatham when he was a young child.

Itauma’s ambition is to fight undisputed heavyweight legend Oleksandr Usyk.

"Dillian is a big name, good opposition," Itauma said. "It's for me to go in there and do the job. I've got to box to a game plan. If I box to the game-plan, it shouldn't be a long night.

"This is my first headline show, it's in Saudi Arabia against Dillian Whyte and I'm only 20 years old.

"Just having that comes with pressure, but I love a bit of pressure.

I acknowledge it, but I don't feel it.

I know it's there, but I don't let it sink in - only because it does me no favours.

“I’m ready to perform Saturday night."

30 SPORT

MACCA BREAKS LIONS’ CARROW ROAD CURSE Macaulay Langstaff strikes late as Millwall stun Norwich City on opening day of the season

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP Norwich City - 1 Sargent 55’ Millwall - 2 Neghli 51, Langstaff 83’' Date: Satuday 9 August 2025 Man of the match: Billy Mitchell Referee: Adam Herczeg Attendance: 26,546 (1,949)

By Will Scott MACAULAY LANGSTAFF scored an 83rd-minute winner as Millwall beat Norwich City 2-1 on the opening day of the season, the Lions' first win at Carrow Road since 1968.

After a slow first half, Millwall exploded into life in the second, taking the lead through Camiel Neghil's volley before Josh Sargent equalised three minutes later.

With the game winding down in the August heat, Neil sent on Langstaff, who bagged the second of his Millwall career within three minutes after he was put through on goal by Alfie Doughty.

The Canaries attempted a late fightback, but the Lions held on, buoyed by a raucous and energetic away support, to secure all three points.

Millwall have now won six out of their last league games, stretching back into last season, and are in fine form heading into a tricky opening schedulde.

The Lions' surge up the table last season was in part driven by Alex Neil's switch to two up front, and Josh Coburn and Mihailo Ivanovic started again, with summer signings Doughty and Steven Benda also getting the nod.

Norwich started well, getting in behind Millwall's defence a few times before having the first chance of the game in the 10th minute. A ball into the box caused all sorts of problems for the Lions' defence, and Tristan Crama did well to deflect Jeffrey Schlupp's effort at the back post before Japhet Tanganga dove to his right and blocked Mirko Topic's shot from outside the box with his chest.

The Canaries continued to apply pressure, with most of the match being played in the Lions' half, and Jacob Wright had a free kick saved by Steven Benda in the 21st minute.

Norwich continued to apply pressure but failed to really test Benda, with a

Macaulay Langstaff scores the decisive goal dipping Amankwah Forson free kick in the 37th minute the closest they came to a breakthrough.

The Lions were on the back foot for most of the half but grew into the game and had some promising moments in Norwich's half, with Femi Azeez especially looking dangerous when he got on the ball.

One of the winger's balls into the box resulted in the best chance for either side in the half. In the 43rd minute, Azeez's cross was cleared straight to Neghli, whose curving strike forced out a sprawling save from Vladan Kovacevic.

Millwall carried their momentum coming out of the dressing room, starting the second half strongly, and soon had the breakthrough.

In the 50th minute, Crama burst down the right before firing in a cross that bounced to Neghli at the back post, who had time to

Millwall to honour former manager

By Will Scott MILLWALL AND Queens Park Rangers have announced plans to honour former manager Gordon Jago MBE, who passed away at the age of 92 on July 7, when the Lions visit Loftus Road on October 18

There will be a minute's applause before kick-off, and both sets of players will wear black armbands. The Rangers' matchday programme will also pay tribute to Jago.

Jago was appointed QPR manager in January 1971, initially on an interim basis, and guided the club to promotion to the First Division in 1972-73.

The Poplar-born coach left the Rangers in September 1974. He joined the Lions two months later and battled to keep them in Division Two, but they finished in 20th, three points adrift of safety.

He led them back to the second tier the following season as they finished third in Division Three.

Jago moved stateside later that decade, taking charge of North American Soccer League side Tampa Bay Rowdies between 1978 and 1982. He later served two stints as head coach of indoor football team Dallas Sidekicks, stepping down in 1998.

He then worked as executive director of international youth tournament, the Dallas Cup, from 2002 to 2012.

take a touch before volleying the ball into the back of the net.

The Lions were only ahead for four minutes before Norwich restored parity. Sargent chased down Benda as the goalkeeper went to kick it long and managed to get his boot on it, and the ball bounced into the net.

Despite the Canaries' equaliser, the game was far more even as they headed into the final 30 minutes, and it turned into a backand-forth affair.

Both sides looked to turn it over and counter quickly, with the Lions frequently looking to play the ball over the top for Ivanovic or Azeez to run on to.

Their best chance, however, came shortly after a period of possession in Norwich's half. The Canaries recovered the ball near their goal, but Ivanovic managed to steal in and nick it before cutting it back to Azeez,

who curled it over from yards out.

Norwich had a good chance of their own five minutes later when Cooper could not quite clear a cross into the box, allowing substitute Matthias Kvistgaarden to steal in and poke the ball goalwards, forcing out a good save from Benda.

Three minutes later, Sargent picked up the ball following a set piece and set off on a storming run from the edge of his own box to the edge of Millwall's before being tackled by Doughty, and Crnac's follow-up was blocked by Tanganga.

With the Lions looking a bit leggy, Alex Neil made a double substitution on the 80th minute, bringing on Macaulay Langstaff and Luke Cundle for Josh Coburn and Camiel Neghil.

Neil's changes bore fruit three minutes later when Doughty put Langstaff in on goal with a beautifully-weighted ball, and the

striker calmly finished through the keeper's legs.

Langstaff had the chance to double his tally in the 90th minute, but his effort was blocked.

against Sutton United, and he took that form into the Lions' season opener.

“He scored the exact same goal away at Sutton United," Neil said. "Exact same goal.

"Alfie feeding the ball down the side.

Macca, great run into the channel. He just opens it up and slides it into the bottom corner with his right foot.

"I've been onto him about stopping trying to hit the top corner. Have poachers finishes, the ones where you slide them under the goalkeeper. I'm not taking any credit for the finish, by the way, but the point I'm making is that's what he is. That's what he's really good at, and he took his chance really well. So delighted for him."

Neil discussed what Langstaff can do to continue to succeed at the Championship level.

"I think consistency, confidence," Neil

said. "I think believing in what he is and what he can do. The fact that we play in a front two, I think helps him.

"Playing in the one in the Championships is a tough old role.

You're up there, you need to lean into two big centre-backs. You need to try and take the ball in, and you need to try and create something. You've got loads of work to do.

Asked if he thinks Langstaff could score double figures in a season, Neil said: "I think under the right circumstances, yeah.

"If you create the right opportunities for him, I don't see why not, because irrespective of what level you can finish at, you can finish, if that makes sense.

The goal is the same size. As far as that's concerned, um, I think it's just getting the type of opportunity that Macca thrives on, and today was one of them."

Millwall: 4-4-2 – Benda; Crama, Tanganga, Cooper, Doughty (Leonard 93); Neghli (Cundle 80), Mitchell (Luongo 93), De Norre; Azeez (Emakhu 93); Coburn (Langstaff 80), Ivanovic Unused Substitutes: Crocombe, Sturge, Grant, Bangura-Williams Norwich City: 3-4-2-1 – Kovacevic; Darling, Cordoba, Medic; Stacey (Fisher 84), Topic, (Nunez 70), Wright, Schlupp (Chrisene 70); Forson (Kvistgaarden 60), Crnac (Makama 84); Sargent Unused Substitutes: Diallo, Gibbs, Grimshaw, Schwartau

Neil delighted for Macca and reveals advice to striker

By Will Scott ALEX NEIL praised Macaulay Langstaff after he scored the winner against Norwich City, the striker's second goal of his Millwall career.

Langstaff was substituted on in the 80th minute with the game level at 1-1, and within three minutes gave the Lions the breakthrough after he ran onto Alfie Doughty's ball over the top and finished the ball through Canaries keeper Vladan Kovacevic's legs.

The striker joined Millwall last season after breaking goalscorer records in the National League and winning the golden boot in his sole season in League Two, and scored one goal in 34 Championship appearances.

Langstaff enjoyed a strong pre-season, scoring a quick first-half hat-trick

SPORT 31

Date: Tuesday 12 August 2025 Attendance: 3,670 (871) Referee: Scott Oldham Man of the Match: Aidomo Emakhu

By Will Scott at Rodney Parade MILLWALL BEAT Newport County 1-0 in the Carabao Cup First Round.

Ryan Leonard's 60th-minute strike, his first goal in nearly five years, was the only thing that separated the two sides in what was a surprisingly close contest, with the League Two side proving to be stiff opposition for Alex Neil's heavily rotated side.

Millwall were deserved winners in the end, however, and had several opportunities to double their lead in the final 30 minutes of the match, with Aidomo Emakhu forcing several saves from Jordan Wright.

The Lions have now won two games on the trot heading into their home opener against Middlesbrough this Saturday, August 16.

Regardless of the two-division gap between the sides, the Exiles certainly were not going to let the match be a formality, and started strongly, pushing high and sustaining possession in Millwall's half.

They had the game's first effort on goal, with Cameron Antwi curling wide following a short-corner routine in the sixth minute.

When the Lions did get forward, they looked more threatening - in the eighth minute, Zak Sturge fired in a low ball following a neat give-and-go with Aidomo Emakhu that was just about scrambled away before Ra'ees Bangura-Williams could get a shot off.

Four minutes later, Millwall had their first clear sight of goal following a rapid counterattack. Ra'ees Bangura-Williams won the ball back after a Newport set-piece, passed it out wide to Ryan Leonard, who found Massimo Luongo in acres of space.

The veteran midfielder timed his pass perfectly to find an onrushing Luke Cundle, who squared it into the box, but Macaulay Langstaff's effort was blocked.

The game remained open, and Newport nearly put the cat among the pigeons in the seventeenth minute. Leonard was penalised for a late challenge on the left flank, and Newport's set-piece was met by an open Courtney Baker-Richardson, whose glancing header forced out a remarkable reflex save from debutant Max Crocombe. The Exiles got to the second ball first, but the effort was blocked on the line and then eventually cleared after it pinballed around the box.

The game continued at a frenetic pace in the 28-degree Celsius heat, with the intensity of the match only interrupted by a referee-mandated water break in the 22nd minute.

Millwall started the stamp their authority on proceedings as the half wore on, with the Lions having a number of half-chances in transition and from chipped balls into

LIONS EDGE NEWPORT IN CLOSE CLASH

Millwall progress to EFL Cup Second Round after Lenny’s first goal in five years.

Photo by Brian Tonks

CARABAO CUP FIRST ROUND Newport County - 0 Millwall - 1 Leonard 60’

By Will Scott ALEX NEIL was pleased to give minutes to players who Millwall "need to get more minutes into" against Newport County, but admitted that the close contest limited opportunities for under-21s on his bench.

Ryan Leonard celebrates after scoring

the box that they were unable to convert into anything more threatening.

Newport were rightfully clapped off the pitch for a resolute and spirited first-half performance, but Millwall were unlucky not to have a lead heading into the interval.

It was, however, the Exiles who had the first chance of the half. In the 46th minute, a ball over the top bounced awkwardly and was not cleared by the Lions' back four, allowing Bobby Kamwa to pull it back to the onrushing Baker-Richardson, whose thundering shot was blocked by Jake Cooper. The ensuing long throw bounced to James Clarke at the back post, who sidefooted wide.

Millwall had the next chance of the game in the 54th minute, with Emakhu driving at his defender before unleashing a fierce shot that Jordan Wright palmed away.

The Lions still looked nervy at times in the 56th minute, Leonard's sprawling attempt to head it back to Crocombe bounced just short of the goalkeeper, and Grant had to sprint back to shepherd the

ball back.

Millwall were more comfortable four minutes later, however, as they finally got the breakthrough on balance they probably deserved. Emakhu cut the ball back across the box following a throw-in, and Leonard was on hand at the back post to curl the ball in.

Neil opted to make a triple change shortly after, bringing striker Kevin Nisbet on for his first Lions appearance in just over a year, after the Scotsman spent most of last season on loan at Aberdeen, his countryman Daniel Kelly, and Wes Harding.

The two Scots combined neatly eight minutes later to work it to Langstaff on the edge of the box, whose swivelling volley forced out a fingertip save from Wright.

The game was certainly played at a lower tempo as the half went on, but Emakhu continued to operate at breakneck speed, forcing another two saves from Wright with stinging shots in the 77th and 82nd minutes.

Newport had a few half-chances in the

closing stages of the match, with Kamwa acrobatically firing over the bar and substitute Michael Reindorf firing in a bouncing effort that was easily gathered by Crocombe.

Millwall nearly doubled their lead in the 90th minute following a rapid counter attack, but Emakhu was once again denied a deserved goal by a sprawling Wright save.

Taylor have all committed their futures to the club.

Whitby and Mansor are central midfielders, Forbes and Taylor operate at centre-back, while Beaumont plays out wide.

All five featured for both the under18s and under-21s last season, and

have been training with Kevin Nugent's under-21s since the start of pre-season.

Academy Director Scott Fitzgerald told the club's website: "I am really pleased for all five of the lads. All of them are exciting players, and we're proud to have these players developing with the club and sign their first professional

contracts."

He added: "A few of them have already impressed with the Under 21s side last campaign, so I hope they can continue to develop their game further now they have moved to Calmont Road full-time, working with Kevin Nugent and Paul Robinson."

Newport County: 3-5-2: Wright; Evans, Clarke, Baker; Ogunneye (Spellman 75), Whitmore (Brennan 75), Antwi (Jenkins 55), Lloyd, Glennon; Kamwa, BakerRichardson (Reindorf 64) Unused substitutes: Tzanev, Brennan, Greaves, Davies, Alexander-Walker, Sanca Millwall: 4-4-2 - Crocombe; Leonard, Grant, Cooper, Sturge (Harding 64); Bangura-Williams (Kelly 64), Luongo, Cundle, Emakhu (Kendall 96); Coburn (Nisbet 64), Langstaff (Matthews 87) Unused substitutes: Benda, Crama, Lamptey, Howland

Five scholars sign professional deals

By Will Scott FIVE OF Millwall's second-year scholars from the 2024-25 season have signed their first professional contracts with the club.

George Beaumont, Elias Mansor, Dean Forbes, Oliver Whitby, and Harry

Neil plans more youth minutes in next round

Neil’s starting eleven included two debutants, Max Crocombe and Kamarl Grant, alongside Massimo Luongo, who made his first start for the club after a brief injury-time appearance against Norwich City last weekend. Ajay Matthews also made his first-team debut after coming off the bench in the 87th minute.

Kevin Nisbet, who spent last season on loan at Aberdeen, came on in the 64th minute, as did 19-year-old midfielder Daniel Kelly, who joined the club last summer and made four substitute appearances in his first campaign.

Under-21s players Jack Howland and Rafiq Lamptey were unused substitutes, while Sheldon Kendall was introduced in the last minute of the game.

"We've got some other lads that we need to get more minutes into, Nisbet and Dan Kelly, and that coming onto the pitch, which was good for them," Neil said.

"Unfortunately, I didn't get some of the younger ones on. If the game was a bit more comfortable, we would have probably got them on.

"Hopefully, in the next round, I'll have an opportunity where I can maybe get them some more minutes.

"But I think winning at this stage for us just now is really important, because you want to make it a habit. You want to breed confidence throughout the rest of the players as well. There are a lot of lads that played in that game who were unfortunate not to get an opportunity at the weekend to start."

Leonard was another who made his first start of the season against Newport, and his decisive goal was his first since October 17, 2020.

"It's always nice to score a goal," Neil said. "Really well taken from Lenny.

Lands exactly where I would want him to land for the goal, which is great."

Sky Bet Championship Millwall

VS

Middlesbrough Saturday, August 16th Possible Millwall starting XI: 4-4-2 Benda; Crama, Cooper, Tanganga, Doughty; Neghli, De Norre, Mitchell, Azeez; Coburn, Ivanovic Last meeting: Championship (April 12, 2024): Millwall 1-0 Middlesbrough (Neghli 65’) Match odds: Millwall 13/10 Draw 21/10 Middlesbrough 21/10

INSIDE

Sport Southwark

MILLWALL REJECT BIDS FOR EMAKHU

BRILLIANT CAPSEY FIRES INVINCIBLES PAST PHOENIX Aidomo Emakhu in action against Newport County

By Will Scott MILLWALL HAVE rejected two bids from Wycombe Wanderers this summer for Aidomo Emakhu, this paper understands.

The 21-year-old winger made 25 league appearances for the Lions last season, six of which were starts, and recorded two assists.

Emakhu featured in every pre-season friendly, scoring a brace against Sutton United with two curling finishes, and he frightened the U's defence with his pace and intent.

However, Emakhu faces heavy competition for places this upcoming campaign amid an abundance of attacking talent at Millwall, and this paper understands the Irishman is keen for regular playing time.

Femi Azeez and Camiel Neghli started on the wings in the Lions’ opening day 2-1 win against Norwich City, while

summer signing Alfie Doughty will also compete for minutes in the forward positions once left-backs Joe Bryan and Zak Sturge return to full match fitness.

Emakhu was substituted on against the Canaries in the 89th minute, replacing Azeez.

He started the Lions’ 1-0 win against Newport County in the EFL Cup First Round on Tuesday, August 12, and was a constant threat on the left wing, forcing three fine saves from Exiles goalkeeper Jordan Wright.

Asked about Emakhu’s future after Millwall’s win in South Wales, Neil said: "Aido's our player. We want him to be our player. He's going to be really important for us this year, and that remains the case."

Millwall signed Emakhu in January 2023 from Shamrock Rovers for an undisclosed fee, and he went on to make his first-team debut against Burnley on February 21, coming off the bench in the 86th minute.

During the 2023-24 season, he

Massey loaned to Wealdstone

By Will Scott ALFIE MASSEY has joined National League side Wealdstone FC on loan until January 3.

Wycombe Wanderers’ two attempts to sign the winger turned down as Neil insists Millwall have no intention of selling EXCLUSIVE

PAGE 29

played 663 minutes of league football across 21 appearances, scoring once and setting up another goal.

Emakhu is an exciting talent who has shown flashes of real talent throughout his Millwall career, but has struggled with injuries in the past, and Neil is keen to handle him carefully.

The Irishman missed two months last season with a groin injury he sustained against Norwich on Boxing Day, after making his first start of the campaign against Blackburn Rovers five days prior.

Speaking to this paper on February 25 about reintroducing him to first team football, Neil said: "If you look at the last 24 months, Aidomo’s not played a lot of football, then spike played loads of football, broke down, not played a lot of football, spike played a lot, broke down.

"The difficulty we’ve got is he’s not got that robustness in the fact that we need to steadily build these minutes.

"So for instance today [Tuesday,

February 25] we’ve got an under-21s match, Aidomo will play in that because he needs to get 60, 70, 80 minutes in his legs. Then we need to build him up again. Then we need to build him up again without breaking him down.

“The game we played against Blackburn, he’s played 90 plus minutes, which is his first 90 minutes in months.

He then goes to Norwich, and after 17 minutes, he throws a hamstring. And if we do that with him, he’s going to have the exact same cycle.

“So people need to understand that if he’s not playing sometimes, it’s not because we don’t rate him or he doesn’t deserve to play, it is because if we flog him too early, he’s gonna break down and you’re not going to see him for two or three months.

“He’s a high-energy player. He’s really, really quick and those types of players you need to be careful with, particularly at the start until they build that level of volume in terms of minutes in their legs.”

The nineteen-year-old midfielder was a regular for Kevin Nugent’s under-21s last season, while also being in and around the first team squad. He made two cup appearances and often traveled with Alex Neil’s side to games, featuring in eleven match-day squads.

Promoted from the under-18s last summer, Massey signed a long-term contract shortly before he made his senior debut against Portsmouth in the EFL Cup First Round on August 13, 2024.

He trained with the first team this pre-season, starting in the Lions' 3-0 friendly win against AFC Wimbledon on July 22.

Massey joined Millwall’s academy aged fourteen after spells with West Ham and Arsenal, and started in the final as the under-18s won the Professional Development League Cup in 2024.

Neil thinks the loan will aid his development.

“We did the fans forum not long ago, and we spoke about different categories of players in terms of lads who have done under-21s football,” Neil told this paper. “Alfie has certainly done under-21s football.

He's not going to gain any more from that, I don't think. He's going to get restricted minutes with the first team just now.

“I think the only logical step is to get him out, get him minutes at a competitive level, and that will help him. Going further in his career, it'll show everybody where he is.

Hopefully, he does great, comes back, and can then do great for us.”

Alfie Massey in pre-season

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