Southwark News - November 20th 2025

MILLWALL EXCLUSIVE

Issue 1764

Established: 1987

50p

November 20 2025

southwarknews.co.uk

THE SCHOOL STREET DEBATE BROUGHT INTO SHARP FOCUS IN SE15

EXCLUSIVE

LABOUR TURMOIL See page 9

STURGE REFLECTS ON FINE START

See page 17

RETAILERS FACE THEIR LAST CHRISTMAS ON THE SOUTH BANK

See pages, 4, 5 and 6 EXCLUSIVE See page 4

A week is a long time in politics - 3 councillors resign and Cabinet Member for Housing steps down BLACK F R I D AY NOVEMBER W W W. C O M P T O I R B A K E R Y. C O . U K

CAMBERWELL MOURNS THE LOSS OF THEIR BELOVED CAKE MAKER See page 13

25 % O FF

SCAN TO SHOP NOW

ALL WORKSHOPS AND VOUCHERS

THE PERFECT GIFT

US E CODE: SOUT HWA RK 25

T& C ’ S : P R O M O C O D E VA L I D U N T I L 3 0 T H N OV E M B E R 2 0 2 5

N E X T T O L O N D O N B R I D G E S TAT I O N

2 NEWS Contents NEWS Pages 2-17 OPINION Pages 18-19 ARTS Page 20-21 HISTORY Pages 22 CLASSIFIED Page 23 FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS Page 23 PUBLIC NOTICES Pages 24-26 SPORT Pages 29-32

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By By Kumail Jaffer

Rachel Reeves delivering the Spring statement.

Local Democracy Reporter THE MAYOR of London has cautiously welcomed reports that he will be granted the power to impose a tourist levy on visitors staying overnight in the capital, and a report outlines how such a tax could work.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give Sir Sadiq Khan and other civic chiefs the authority to do so through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.

Sir Sadiq has been vocal in calling for such powers to be devolved, with estimates suggesting a ‘tourist tax’ in London could raise up to £240million a year. In 2024, London saw 89 million overnight stays.

Currently, England is the only country among the G7 where national government prevents local authorities or Mayors from implementing tourist levies. Scotland and Wales have both recently introduced different types of taxes on overnight visitors, with local authorities in the former able to set their own levy as a percentage rate of the daily bill for accommodation. From 2026, Welsh authorities will be able to collect £1.30 per night from visitors.

WHAT DOES SIR SADIQ KHAN THINK OF THE PROPOSAL?

This week the Mayor’s office appeared to welcome the proposed changes but said they would not comment on “speculation” and would wait before making any concrete preparations.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “The Mayor has been clear that a modest tourist levy, similar to other international cities, would boost our economy, deliver growth and help cement London’s reputation as a global tourism and business destination.”

HOW WOULD IT WORK IN LONDON?

The Greater London Authority (GLA) recently asked the Centre for Cities thinktank to probe promising areas for further devolution in the capital.

In a briefing released last week, the authors noted that three types of tourist levy exist across the G7 primary cities – Paris, Munich, Milan, Toronto, New York, and Tokyo.

New York City and Toronto impose percentage rate levies on stays, with the former raising £493million every year with a £14.86 average nightly rate per visitor.

Tokyo has a single flat fee for all bookings, which raises just £35million despite the

Issue 1763

Established: 1987

50p

November 13 2025

CHANCELLOR EXPECTED TO GIVE MAYOR POWERS TO IMPOSE TOURIST TAX Japanese capital having the highest number of overnight stays of any primary city.

In France and Italy, the amount paid depends on the location, type of accommodation and official ‘star rating’.

London would be more suited to either a percentage or flat fee system, the authors suggested, as Britain “lacks a statutory national ‘star’ system for hotels present in France and Italy”.

The GLA has previously estimated in 2017 that a £1 a day levy, including international visitors, could raise £91million, and that a five per cent levy could raise £240million.

The Centre for Cities briefing also concluded that “London is unlikely to see a significant drop in visitors if it introduces a levy at a rate comparable to peer primary cities”. This is due to research showing that visitors are less sensitive to levies in more popular destinations.

WOULD LONDON BENEFIT?

The Centre for Cities suggests that, if implemented effectively, a tourist levy would boost both economic growth and improve infrastructure and the business environment in London.

The fact that the Mayor would have control over the tax rate and use of revenues would also allow them to reduce or increase rates more swiftly in response to visitor patterns. It cites Toronto increasing theirs ahead of next year’s World Cup in North America.

Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for See page 4

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See page 3

The historic £8m riverside mansion that was bought for just £195,000

HERNE HELL

MARTIAL ARTIST ON TACKLING 'PICKPOCKET WITH HAMMER' ON THE TUBE MILLWALL

EXCLUSIVE See pages 6-7

NEIL DISMISSES BORO LINKS See page 2

Wheelchair users says his 45 minute commute can take up to FIVE HOURS

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Cities, told the LDRS: “It’s welcome that the Government is considering giving London and other big cities the power to implement a tourist levy.

“Many Londoners have paid this kind of levy on their own trips to European cities such as Barcelona, Milan or Paris.

"London is the largest city in the G7 without one. The model the Government should adopt is already under way in Scotland, where Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are introducing levies valued at a percentage rate on overnight stays in hotels, BnBs and shortlet accommodation.

“A key benefit of this approach is that it is flexible, and the rate can rise and fall depending on the demand for overnight stays.

"A tourist levy would benefit the capital’s tourist economy, provided the revenues go to local government – ideally split between City Hall and the boroughs – and are not ringfenced by central government for specific purposes.

“A local, flexible tourist tax would give the Mayor of London and the boroughs an incentive to grow London’s visitor economy.

More hotel rooms and more overnight visitors would generate more revenues and more jobs.

“Hopefully, introducing a tourist levy is the start of a bigger programme of devolving tax and spending powers to the capital.

"London is the most productive big city in the UK, and devolving more fiscal powers

would give the capital more policy tools to accelerate growth in the economy.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

While the Chancellor is widely expected to announce the move in the coming months, nothing has yet been formalised.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson told the LDRS: “We are always open to hearing views from local leaders on issues like this.

"Places can already choose to introduce a levy on overnight stays through the Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID) model.”

Richmond Council is looking into creating an ABID for the borough, which is home to attractions such as Hampton Court Palace and Kew Gardens.

It is understood that if a London-wide tourist levy was introduced, any existing local schemes would likely be scrapped.

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NEWS 3

GALA Festival looking to expand

By Evie Flynn

Gala Festival in Peckham Rye Park

The two new events will be in addition to the main GALA festival (22 – 24 May), which has run in the park since 2018, and the free-to-attend On the Rye Festival (25 May), which was added last year as a thank you to local residents.

Assembled GALA Ltd have applied to add an additional weekend from Friday 29 May to Sunday 31 May, which would take the number of days from four to seven.

Plans for Afrobeats Festival (Friday 29 May) and Mahrajan Festival (30 May) have been added to the line-up, with a proposed capacity of 8,000 for each event.

Afrobeats Festival plans to feature live DJs and music sets celebrating the West African music genre and Mahrajan Festival is described in the application as the ‘first-of-its-kind global festival celebrating the full spectrum of Arab music’.

Organisers have also earmarked the Sunday (31 May) for an additional festival or concert, but have not released

© Sophie Harbison

THE ORGANISERS of GALA festival in Peckham Rye Park have applied to the council to add an another three days of music events to its offering in May 2026, including an Afrobeats festival and a celebration of Arab music.

details yet.

More details about the three additional days were due to be released during community engagement sessions

happening on Wednesday 19 November.

Because the GALA team are proposing a programme of seven events, they have to apply for a new premises licence, which

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will be followed by 28 days of a public consultation period.

During this period, local residents or organisations, such as the police or

fire service, can raise objections to the application.

They are also required to produce plans on noise, waste, traffic, site protection and public safety.

Their free bank holiday Monday event, On the Rye Festival, made its debut last year and welcomed over 15,000 attendees throughout the day, including more than 2,300 children.

The day features live music, DJs, workshops and family-friendly activities, such as crafts, face painting, chess, bouncing castles and music workshops.

The main GALA festival also released 1,600 discounted resident tickets in 2025 and 246 tickets were given to local charities and community organisations.

GALA festival has been running since 2016 and has been held in Peckham Rye Park since 2018 and the music programming encompasses a mix of house, disco, techno, electronic, jazz and soul.

The 2025 event included artists like Floating Points, Caribou, Ben UFO and Avalon Emerson.

Two community engagement sessions will be taking place on Wednesday 19 November: • Session 1: 12:00 – 13:30 on Teams • Session 2: 18:30 – 20:00 at Peckham Library To register attendance to these events, contact events@southwark.gov.uk.

4 NEWS EXCLUSIVE

By Issy Clarke SOUTHWARK LABOUR has been rocked by a series of resignations after three of its councillors called time on their party membership in the space of a single week.

On Sunday councillor Darren Merrill informed his North Walworth constituents on Facebook that he had chosen to resign the party whip, joining suspended Labour councillors Ketzia Harper and Sam Foster, who also threw in the towel last Wednesday.

All three had already said they would not be standing in next May's local elections.

Merrill, who was first elected to the council in 2010, said he had decided to resign from the party in a bid to 'make a stand against the direction this government is pulling the country in'.

It came amid reports over the weekend of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s plans to bring in a raft of tougher measures designed to crack down on illegal immigration, including a visa ban on nations which refuse to take back 'criminals and illegal immigrants', and an overhaul of some aspects of human rights legislation to facilitate migrant deportations.

Alluding to his unease with the immigration reforms Merrill, who was Southwark's Cabinet Member for Council Homes for almost two years until he resigned to spend more time with his family in January 2024, went on: "The rhetoric coming from the national party capitulating to the Far Right is the one thing I cannot forgive the national leadership for…

"We talk about having zero tolerance on racial hate but when it comes to the message the government is projecting it’s the opposite of this. Moving policy to the right to quieten the hateful right is not the way to go.

"This will only normalise the hatred, alienating these hardworking individuals that are part of our community that have been though things that we cannot imagine.”

The government is fighting to defend its right flank from the incursion from Reform - but in recent weeks a growing flood of London Labour councillors have quit the party with many defecting to the Greens, citing their unhappiness with the direction of the national party.

In Southwark alone Merrill’s resignation makes him the third councillor to quit the party in just one week, after suspended councillors Ketzia Harper and Sam Foster also announced they would be resigning the whip.

The scathing statement by Harper and Foster paints a picture of a hostile, divisive culture within the Labour Party where 'independent or dissenting voices are crushed’.

Both councillors had been outspoken critics of the handling of Southwark Labour's leadership election in July, which saw the local group churn through three leaders in just a week after James McAsh’s victory was overturned and re-run online under the orders of the regional party.

In a wide-ranging statement posted on X last Wednesday (12 November) Foster and Harper took aim at the council's handling of the Aylesbury Estate regeneration and the leadership saga, as well as criticising the government's stance on trans rights, the war in Gaza and immigration.

It read: “Like thousands of others, we joined the Labour Party with the hope to bring about a political transformation following generations of failure that wrecked our social fabric and led us

CRISIS IN SOUTHWARK LABOUR AS IT LOSES THREE COUNCILLORS IN A WEEK Sam Foster

Cllrs Ketzia Harper

Sarah King, Southwark Council leader

Darren Merrill

into illegal wars. As councillors, we took that fight into Faraday, where the stalled regeneration of the Aylesbury Estate looms as a reminder of the system’s dysfunction. But Labour has abandoned any ambition to change the system.

Instead, it defends a status quo that caused the problems.”

Last month, Harper shared her concerns about the local authority’s handling of the mammoth regeneration of the sprawling Aylesbury Estate in Walworth, where she is herself a resident, claiming her attempts to sound the alarm with the council over the years had been repeatedly ignored.

Notting Hill Genesis was assigned the contract to demolish the 2,700 home estate and rebuild it from scratch, but ten years after planning permission was granted, construction lags behind schedule and almost a thousand flats are currently lying empty without a date yet for when they could be demolished.

Harper submitted a question ahead of the council meeting on July 9 asking how much had been spent on securing the estate while the regeneration remains on hold and whether any of the cost had been borne by NHG, but this was not selected for discussion.

She also questioned whether the council would consider terminating its

relationship with the developer - which it already attempted to do back in 2023 but scrapped the plans after concluding it wasn’t in a financial position to take on responsibility for the regeneration itself.

“We cannot overlook the thousand homes left empty on the Aylesbury Estate, where fires on semi-decanted blocks have hospitalised residents, because Labourled Southwark will not end a broken development partnership with Notting Hill Genesis, nor take accountability for its failures,” stated Foster and Harper.

Signed in 2014, the council’s agreement with NHG has seen 700 homes built already, of which 85 per cent are affordable, with 3,575 homes due to be completed by 2036.

The entire redevelopment, which is being delivered over four phases, will provide 50 per cent affordable housing by habitable room, 75 per cent of which will be set at the cheapest social rents.

But the first phase of the scheme – known as Plot 18 – is only on track to be finished by the end of this year, well beyond the initial deadline of 2023 – raising questions around whether the 2036 deadline is within reach.

Asked for an update on the timeline of the project, a spokesperson for NHG said they wanted “to move forward with

demolition as soon as possible” but added that there had been “delays caused by the judicial review, the Covid-19 pandemic and changes to building safety requirements.”

Alongside the regeneration, the councillors castigated the national government’s record, including the announcement last week that it would be cutting the proportion of affordable homes that private developers need to include within their schemes to obtain planning permission from 35 to 20 per cent.

The government has said this is because it needs to incentivise house building - but campaigners in Southwark warned last week that the move would fail to tackle the city’s housing crisis, which they claim is primarily driven by a shortage of homes Londoners can afford to live in.

It also comes as London councils are spending record sums on homelessness services, with boroughs currently spending £5.5 million a day, up from £4.2 million a day in 2023-24.

“Instead of addressing the cost of housing and reversing austerity in London, the government is slashing affordable quotas and cutting millions from local authority budgets,” Foster and Harper said.

Criticising the government’s national policy positions - including the arrest earlier this summer of hundreds of protestors affiliated with Palestine Action under UK anti-terror legislation - they continued: “Amidst a rising tide of racism and intolerance, Labour has demonised immigrants and attacked trans rights.

And as Israel commits the world-historic crime of genocide, Labour has backed the perpetrators and criminalised peaceful protest.”

They went on to criticise the central party’s handling of Southwark Labour’s leadership election in July this year.

The original ballot held on June 30 following the sudden resignation of Kieron Williams a few weeks earlier initially saw left-winger James McAsh elected following a closed door vote of the local party which was supervised by representatives from the central party.

But that result was subsequently called in and an online run-off was ordered, after party figures including MP Neil Coyle raised concerns about the casting of two proxy votes, which was later revealed to have been a breach of Southwark Labour's own rules.

In the run-off vote held the following Monday (July 7), the previous runner-up Sarah King was elected the party’s next

NEWS 5

All three were already due to stand down at the next local election in May, but their scathing statements paint a picture of a hostile and divisive culture within the Labour Party leader who had lost out by two votes in the first round.

King later revealed that both she and McAsh jointly wrote to Labour high command to ask for the run-off vote to be held in person. The suggestion seems to be that she wanted to preclude any allegations of a possible stitch-up, rather than because she had any doubts about the authenticity of the online voting system.

“The key thing for me was that it was difficult already, and therefore having a meeting that people felt familiar with and comfortable with was, in my view, the way it should be organised," she told us.

Yet the party brushed aside their concerns, pushing ahead with the online ballot.

King said neither she nor McAsh received communication from the party’s high command explaining why a different system had been chosen for the runoff. The Labour Party has consistently declined to comment on the entire saga.

Harper later revealed herself as one of the councillors who had voted by proxy - the other was Cllr Laura Johnson, who resigned from the party over the affair in August.

Sam Foster then sensationally stood up in the meeting of the full council two days after King's election in which she was due to be sworn in as the next leader of

the council and suggested her victory had been illegitimate.

Last month Harper and Foster were then suspended from the party for six months following an internal disciplinary investigation after they defied the party whip to vote against King’s installation.

Hitting out at former party members and calling out party officials as well as labelling Bermondsey MP Coyle 'toxic' Harper and Foster said: “Any illusion that we could run our own affairs in Southwark was shattered this summer."

Coyle hit back by suggesting the two councillors were insignificant. In a statement to us he said: “I had to look these two up. They’re not in Bermondsey and Old Southwark but one of them has missed two thirds of council meetings and the other has missed Labour winning a general election and getting on with the tough job of Government, not the never ending protest politics so desired by the wealthy hard left.

"Their departure hardly qualifies as ‘news’. Their suspension was months ago and their replacement as council candidates for next year’s election occurred weeks ago too.

"Given their lack of local track record I doubt Southwark will miss them much, but I hope the good people of Southwark are fully informed that breaking Labour rules or failing to follow the whip doesn’t

go unpunished.

"Labour is getting on with the job of fixing our country and their childish comments might make them feel briefly important but the people of Southwark know the fight ahead is Labour against Reform and all the division and damage they bring.”

Referring to Labour controversies in other parts of London, Harper and Foster continued: “From stitch-ups in Croydon, Chingford, and Ilford South, to the suspension of socialist MPs voting to reduce child poverty, dissenting or independent voices are crushed.

Concluding, Foster and Harper said they remained “committed to the people of Faraday, a ward we are deeply proud to represent, and all our focus will be on fighting for them.”

Last month, Laura Johnson resigned from Labour to sit as an independent, with a source close to the councillor revealing to us that her decision was chiefly motivated by disillusionment surrounding the party's handling of the leadership election.

She was the second Labour councillor to do so in the aftermath of the election fallout. In July 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, James McAsh continues to serve as the Cabinet Member for the Clean Air, Streets and Waste and is understood to be quietly getting on with the job with no plans to overturn the result - despite earlier suggestions that a legal challenge could be on the cards.

It remains to be seen whether either Foster or Harper will throw their lot in with another political party, which neither have ruled out.

Only the former chair of the local party Kath Whittam has jumped ship so far and is now the Greens' only councillor in Southwark but she is in good company across London. Her defection coincided with news the same day from west London that Guy Lambeth in Hounslow, also a previous Labour councillor, had joined the Greens.

This year two Labour councillors in Lewisham have also defected to the Green Party, Cllr Hau-Yu Tam of Evelyn ward in Deptford and Cllr Shrivastava of New Cross Gate ward.

Over in Lambeth Cllr Martin Abrams also jumped ship from Labour to the Greens in September having previously left the party to stand as an independent.

Also in Lambeth last week, the former Labour Mayor of Lambeth Tina Valcarcel resigned the whip to sit as a Liberal Democrat councillor.

Reacting to the resignations of Foster and Harper, Claire Sheppard, the Green parliamentary candidate for Peckham in 2024 which includes Faraday ward, said: “Good on them for standing up for their principles, Southwark needs more councillors who care about residents more than they care about the Labour Party, when it is letting their constituents down.”

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Unlike his former Labour colleagues, Darren Merrill placed sole emphasis on politics happening at the national level rather than locally, adding: "I do wish the local party all the best in the upcoming elections. And I do not mean to cause embarrassment.

"But I can not stand by and pretend that I have not seen what is happening in our community and the fear that some are facing, I am not naïve enough to think that my resignation from the party will make the government change direction."

Local Liberal Democrat opposition leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain hit out at "bitter divisions" within Labour, stating: "If even Labour’s own councillors can’t defend their record locally or nationally, why should anyone else?"

Referring to Rushmoor Council in Hampshire - which Labour recently lost control of after four of its councillors resigned from the party, stating they were "unable" to sit with the policies of the government - Chamberlain continued: "We’ve already seen in Rushmoor that these bitter divisions can cost Labour control. It’s no wonder they’re losing voters, activists, councillors and support in droves.

"Just last week in Keir Starmer’s own backyard in Hampstead, the Liberal Democrats gained a seat from Labour.

"In places like Camden and Southwark it’s clear we are the only viable alternative.

"We are working hard to bring back the largest number of Liberal Democrat councillors next time, because the last thing Southwark needs is more of this chaos and broken promises from Labour."

Neither Sarah King the leader of Southwark Council nor Southwark Labour's Chief Whip Bethan Roberts were available for comment.

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6 NEWS

SOUTHWARK'S CABINET MEMBER FOR HOUSING RESIGNS AFTER NOT HAVING THE SAME LICENCE AS RACHEL REEVES

Southwark Lib Dems had ‘investigated’ and logged a formal complaint EXCLUSIVE

By Issy Clarke

Rachel Reeves

SOUTHWARK'S CABINET Member for Council Housing has resigned after two his properties in Peckham were found not to have a selective licence, citing the same reason as the Chancellor of the Exchequer - who also fell foul of the rules last month.

Following the national controversy surrounding Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s letting agents' failure to obtain the correct £945 licence to rent out her family home in Dulwich, the Southwark Liberal Democrats contacted us and suggested that Southwark’s Cabinet Member for Council Housing Cllr Michael Situ had also not complied with the rules.

The Southwark Liberal Democrats said they had 'investigated' and 'subsequently logged a formal complaint with the council’s monitoring officer.' .

We then contacted Southwark Council to ask whether the Cabinet Member had applied for selective licences on two properties in Peckham listed on his Register of Interests.

Days after we put through our request, we were informed by the council that Cllr Situ had written to the Leader of the Council, Sarah King, tendering his resignation as a cabinet member.

In the letter, dated Thursday, 13 November Cllr Situ explained that he chose to resign from his cabinet post after revisiting his property arrangements in light of the controversy which enveloped the Chancellor last month - and said he found that his letting agent had 'allowed these properties to be let out without the appropriate licences.'

Explaining why he decided to resign, instead of simply issuing an apology, like the Chancellor did, he said: "Whilst this is a failure on behalf of my letting agent, these are my properties and I take full responsibility for allowing this situation to arise."

In his resignation letter he writes: "In light of recent media scrutiny of Southwark’s housing licensing scheme, I took it upon myself to review my own arrangements as an owner of rental properties in the borough.

“I have a contractual arrangement with a local letting agent who manage properties on my behalf which sets out that they are responsible for letting, licensing and maintaining those homes.

“The homes that I own have always been properly declared publicly in my Register of Interests.

"However, it has come to my attention that despite their contractual obligations, the letting agent has allowed these properties to be without the appropriate licences at various points and that the agent’s accounts have fallen into council tax arrears.

"Whilst this is a failure on behalf of my letting agent, these are my properties and I take full responsibility for allowing this situation to arise.

Victor Chamberlain “Moving forward I have ensured that all necessary licences are being sought and that all obligations on the properties are met."

Situ's explanation mirrors that given by Reeves, who claimed she had not been made aware by her letting agent that the property in Dulwich required a selective licence.

Southwark Council requires landlords who own properties in certain parts of the borough to apply for a £945 licence, a scheme it introduced back in 2020 to crack down on rogue private landlords.

In a week that Labour turmoil has dominated both national and local news, the resignation of Situ will further add to a picture of a political party beset by crisis.

As rumours swirl nationally about disillusioned government Cabinet Members reputed to be on manoeuvres to oust the beleaguered Prime Minister, local Labour politics remains equally tumultuous with three resignations in just one week (see pages 4-5).

Michael Situ And the week before, the former chair of the party Kath Whittam jumped ship to the Greens after resigning from Labour in the summer following the row over its leadership election, making her the first councillor affiliated with the party in Southwark for fifteen years.

Situ continued that he had chosen to resign from his cabinet post because he did not want his oversight to become a "distraction" and said he had also referred himself to the council’s Monitoring Officer to independently review the situation.

Council leader Sarah King responded in a letter to him by praising Situ's "integrity" and said he had been let down by the 'incompetency' of his letting agent.

She said: "It is my view that you had arrangements in place to properly look after the homes that you own, but that nonetheless the company you employed has fallen seriously short.

"Like too many in our borough and across the country, it appears you have been let down by the incompetent

approach from some in the sector to their responsibilities as custodians of private sector homes."

She added the council would "review its enforcement activity to ensure that both landlords and letting agents are more vigorously held to account for failing to meet the standards we require, especially in light of the government’s new Renters’ Rights Act." It comes a day after the leader reiterated that the council would not be pursuing enforcement action against Chancellor Rachel Reeves for failing to initially apply for the licence.

Asked by Southwark Liberal Democrat leader Victor Chamberlain whether the council would be fining Reeves and offering a repayment to her tenants covering the year during which the property was unlicensed, she responded that the council does not take action if a landlord applies for a licence within 21 days, and did not address the rent repayment order.

The Southwark Liberal Democrats also said they wrote to Sarah King in August to check if all councillors were complying with licensing regulations but claim they did 'not receive a reply' and subsequently lodged a formal complaint with the council's Monitoring Officer.

The council's website states: “You can be prosecuted or fined if you’re a landlord or managing agent for a property that needs a licence and do not get one.”

It also claims that tenants who have been living in an unlicensed property can apply to get 12 months of their rent back from their landlord – which in the case of Reeves’s home would amount to around £40,000.

Commenting on Situ's resignation, Cllr Victor Chamberlain alluded to the resignation of former leader Kieron Williams in June of this year months after a damning report by the Regulator for Social Housing accused the local authority of 'serious failings'.

He said: “This is the second Labour Councillor to have resigned from the Cabinet in less than 6 months over Labour’s housing crisis. They will now be forced to find their seventh housing cabinet member in just six years.

"Back in August, we asked the council leader to confirm that all Labour councillors were in full compliance with relevant landlord regulations. We did not receive a reply, and following our investigation we've found that the housing cabinet member has in fact been breaking their own rules.

"We subsequently logged a formal complaint with the council’s monitoring officer and asked her to investigate.

"Labour promised “zero tolerance” for rogue landlords. Yet when their own Chancellor knowingly failed to get a licence for more than a year, that zero tolerance became very forgiving. And now we learn one of the same councillors responsible for enforcing these rules was also a rule breaker.

"Labour have broken their promise time and again. They think it’s one rule for them and another for the rest of us.”

A Southwark Council spokesperson said: “Southwark Council requires private landlords to acquire a selective license in order to rent out properties in specific areas, and a licence in order to rent out a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

“This is to protect tenants and ensure landlords are complying with housing requirements, providing safe, wellmaintained homes.

“Licenses are acquired by sending applications to the council, which we assess and approve subject to conditions.

“When we become aware of an unlicensed property, we issue a warning letter advising the landlord that they have a maximum 21 days to apply for a license.

“Enforcement action such as fines are reserved for those who still do not apply for a licence or where a property is found to be in an unsafe condition.

“We cannot comment on individual cases.”

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Kingsdale Foundation School First Class and Top of the Class

‘Pupils achieve exceptionally well in a wide range of subjects and attain highly at GCSE and A level.’ Ofsted 2023 Applications for Sixth Form courses are now being accepted

The amazing achievement of attaining 10A*s & 4A Grades between them at A level have enabled Eve, Ben, Rosa & Freya to study Classics, Philosophy, English at Cambridge University and Economics at Oxford respectively!

Take advantage of the chance to visit Kingsdale Foundation School and see for yourself how we bring the best out of our students. A tour of Kingsdale Foundation School enables you to realise why we receive such glowing reports. In the Autumn term 2025 you will have just that opportunity as we will be holding Sixth Form Open Evenings for September 2026 entry.

Harnessing talent!

Kingsdale is a dynamic, exceptionally popular and progressive school that has invested £30m to develop an award-winning educational learning environment. In our specialist academic Sixth Form Campus, students study a combination of respected traditional, performing arts and creative A Levels in addition to alternative high value Level 3 courses. Our average class sizes are approximately ten in the Sixth Form. We also pride ourselves on our excellent links to the best higher education institutions in the world. A residential trip to Harvard and Yale in the USA is organised annually.

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Scholars receive free individual or small group tuition provided by expert professionals to the value of ~£1,000 per annum.

Prospective students are invited to come along to our Open Evenings to explore the fantastic opportunities and inspiring state-of-the-art facilities in our dedicated Sixth Form Centre. As our most recent Ofsted Report states : ‘ ‘Pupils are rightly very proud of their school. They really enjoy their learning and talk with enthusiasm about the school’s culture of mutual respect and inclusivity.’ Ofsted 2023

Sixth Form/Year 12 Open Day Dates Wednesday 26th November 2025 4.30-7pm

Visit www.kingsdalefoundationschool.org.uk, call 020 8655 9723 or email sixthform@kingsdale.southwark.sch.uk for a Prospectus

NEWS 9 EXCLUSIVE

By Issy Clarke PLANS PARTLY to close a popular shopping street in Peckham during the school run have prompted widespread concerns from local independent businesses in the area.

Parents and teachers have said the busy junction has been a cause of safety concerns since the primary school opened ten years ago

(L-R) Nicki Brightwell with her team of florists: Rhia, Julie & Hayley

The Belham Primary School

The Bellenden/Maxted Road junction

© Southwark Council

Bellenden Road in Peckham is home to almost 40 independent businesses, as well as The Belham Primary, the main entrance to which is located on the junction with Maxted Road.

Parents and teachers have said the busy junction has been a cause of concern since the school opened ten years ago and one resident interviewed by the News labelled it a 'horrific' traffic junction.

The school itself said there have been repeated near misses, and added they do not want to "wait until a child is injured or worse."

However Southwark Council's proposal to make the area around the school a 'School Street' would mean it will be closed to cars twice a day during term time, between 7:45am and 9am on weekday mornings and between 3:15pm and 4pm each afternoon.

Alarmed business owners in the area appear unanimously opposed to the idea, which they say will kill business by reducing footfall and stopping deliveries but the school and council say it will make the area safer for children.

Nikki Brightwell, of Bellenden Florist, said "every single business here will be affected one way or another" by the plans.

She says all the businesses get deliveries from central London every morning who battle through traffic and road closures to get to Peckham.

"We can’t say to delivery companies: you can’t come between 7:30 and 9:30. They just won’t bother.

“We already had one of our companies stop coming because of all the time it takes for them to get here.

"Every single business I've spoken to here is against the School Street. A lot of them didn't even know it was happening - they hadn't been told.

"The garage has said they're worried because their clients often drop off cars at between 7:30 and 8:00 in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon. Not everyone can drop their car off after 9 because they have to get to work as well.

"And there are six restaurants who now won't be able to get deliveries before 9am."

She added that closing off the junction would create 'rat-runs' on the surrounding narrow streets.

"The people on Winfield, Howden and McDermott streets are going to be living on rat runs because Sanderson and Maxted will be shut.

"There are already two zebra crossings, a lollipop lady and a 20mph speed limit.

I understand we need to protect kids, but what happens when they walk outside the area?

"All the kids are walked to school by their parents because they're under 11.

Surely the adults know how to cross a road?"

One local resident who has lived in the area for more than 40 years said the junction was 'horrific' and needed addressing, but questioned whether a School Street was the right solution for Bellenden Road.

"There is quite horrific traffic coming from all directions. The cars just treat it as a thorough way. I’ve never heard of an accident, but there have been quite a few near misses.

“There is a problem that needs a permanent solution on the junction by the school. There is a 20mph speed limit already but no one follows it as far as I’m aware.

PECKHAM BUSINESSES HIT OUT AT PLANS FOR POPULAR BELLENDEN ROAD TO BE PARTLY CLOSED

Isabelle Benyamin, of Melange Chocolate Shop, is another signatory of the joint letter “I can see why creating a School Street is a good idea in the areas where the businesses aren’t so drastically affected.

But here it will alter the neighbourhood way beyond what it will achieve in terms of safety."

Jo Johnson, the owner of the Form SE15 clothes shop, said she understood there were concerns with the safety of the junction, but likened the proposals to a “sledgehammer hitting a walnut”.

“Children’s safety is the absolute priority. But if they put this in place, it will have a huge impact. This is a commercial area, not just a residential one. As soon as you start putting in times and zones when people can’t drive through you just get people avoiding the area altogether.

“There must be some kind of middle ground - like putting in speed bumps or cameras - rather than penalising local businesses.”

There are currently 31 School Streets in Southwark and the council wants to implement more, and is currently in talks about bringing in a further 12, including the one on Bellenden Road.

Headteachers have lavished praise on the initiative: Jo Rooney, Headteacher of John Donne Primary School in Peckham, recently said: “As a headteacher, I have

Jo of Form SE15

seen first-hand the positive impact that the School Street has had on our community. The reduction in traffic at the school gates has made the area calmer, safer and more welcoming for our children and their families.”

A spokesperson for The Belham Primary School said there had been 'ongoing concerns' about the junction since the school opened ten years ago.

They added they were "aware of discontent locally" and stressed the measures would only be in place during term time and at the start and end of each school day, but acknowledged any potential "knock on impact" needed to be considered.

"We do not want to shift the danger further from the school where there are no crossings or crossing patrols.

“There have been ongoing road safety concerns since opening. The main issues are congestion, lack of crossings and pavement space. In line with these overarching concerns, the school encourages active travel to school (we have a small catchment area, most families live near enough to walk or scoot to school).

“In the last 10 years since opening we have had a bus stop removed from our

A map of the area which would be covered by the School Street school gate, an additional zebra crossing on Maxted Road added and most recently been granted crossing patrols. Ours is still a very busy junction and there have been repeated near misses - we're not wanting to wait until a child is injured or worse.

“The 20mph speed limit is great, but not enforced and the amount of traffic is also an issue - school drop off and pick up are just very busy times on the roads.

“Changes to make the Maxted junction safer will benefit to local children generally, not just Belham pupils. Many secondary and primary children cross the area to get to their school each day.”

The business owners have penned a joint letter to Southwark Council and Peckham MP Miatta Fahnbulleh pushing for a reconsideration of the plans.

The letter, signed by Jo Johnson on behalf of 36 businesses, reads: "Whilst we completely understand the intentions of the scheme, we feel extremely concerned about the plans not taking into account the nature of the area surrounding the school – Bellenden Road & Maxted Road are thriving commercial areas filled with independent businesses that make this local community so special.

"Most of us have multiple deliveries each day from different companies

and couriers. Implementing essentially ‘No Drive’ zones would have a hugely detrimental effect on us – we often have no way of controlling when and where these deliveries arrive, with most being during the restricted times in the morning."

MP for Peckham Miatta Fahnbulleh said she would be "speaking with businesses and the Council to explore what available options there are for that section of road which protects the safety of our children whilst also ensuring that our local businesses can continue to thrive."

Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets and Waste James McAsh said: “We understand that some local businesses have concerns about the proposed School Street on Bellenden Road. Our aim is to make streets around schools safer for children and families.

“In this case, parents and teachers have asked us to make the Maxted Road entrance to the school safer, particularly the crossing at the end of Maxted Road, which is busy during drop off and pick up times raising concerns about safety in the area. We recognise the concerns raised by local traders and will take their feedback onboard as part of a recent consultation. A summary of our recommendations will be published shortly.”

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NEWS 11

WATERLOO EAST AT 15

By Becca Healy WATERLOO EAST Theatre has marked a remarkable milestone — 15 years beneath the railway arches on Brad Street.

What began in 2010 as founder Gerald Armin’s bold idea — transforming an unused and derelict railway arch into a fully fledged theatre venue in under six months — has grown into one of the area’s most cherished and enduring independent cultural spaces.

From the outset, the venue turned its potential drawbacks into defining strengths. The absence of natural light, which might have discouraged others, became an advantage. When renovations began, there wasn’t even electricity installed.

Since opening its doors, Waterloo East has become a cornerstone for new writing and emerging talent. It’s a place where audiences can discover hidden gems that might otherwise never find a stage all within an intimate and welcoming environment.

To celebrate this 15-year journey, the theatre hosted a one-night Gala Concert on 14 September. The night brought together familiar faces and new friends, as special guests returned to share memories from the past decade and a half.

Gerald told me how children from an early production called the “Christmas story” returned to the event as fullyfledged 16 year olds, taking their firststeps in their careers.

“It was a great reflection. People really wanted to come back. It was a great event.”

Over the years, the theatre has staged more than 200 productions and welcomed over 150,000 audience members through

The trials and tribulations of an independent theatre

Outside Waterloo East Theatre, based in the railway arches in Brad Street

its doors — an impressive achievement for an independent venue.

Gerald said: “There’s two shows that have been transferred to New York and one that is going to be made into a film.”

But the road hasn’t always been smooth.

Like many small theatres across the UK, Waterloo East faced existential challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Forced closures and uncertainty left the

Gerald Armin at Waterloo East Theatre future hanging in the balance. A crucial grant eventually allowed the venue to reopen, but the shadow of that period still lingers.

“Audience habits have changed. People

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are booking a lot later than they would usually do. Pre-Covid, people were booking in advance.

“Because of where we are, Thursday is the new Friday. Our Friday audiences have declined but our weekends have gone slightly up.

“We have a bar in our theatre and the drinking-habits have changed. People are drinking non-alcohol or soft drinks.

We have younger audiences who aren’t drinking as much.”

On top of pandemic aftershocks, the cost-of-living crisis has brought its own pressures. Audiences are more cautious, budgets are tighter, and planning ahead has become increasingly difficult.

“It’s harder because people are holding onto their money. I’m trying to plan ahead, but it’s really much more difficult now. It depends on the productions, it depends on the show — but I’d like to say we’re ticking along at the moment.”

So what does the next 15 years hold for Waterloo East Theatre?

“Well, that’s a big, big question. We want to continue, of course, but times are hard.

The arts industry is having a really tough time with funding right now. We’re taking each day as it comes — if that makes any sense.

“I just want the government to do something to help us. It would be great to see more support for the arts industry. We bring so much to the community, but it’s getting harder to survive.”

As Waterloo East moves forward into its next chapter, the theatre remains a symbol of perseverance — a testament to what can be achieved with vision, grit, and a deep love of the arts.

Beneath the rumbling trains of Waterloo, creativity continues to thrive, one show at a time.

12 NEWS

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NEWS 13

The first Jubilee Line station to get listed status

Margaret and Bill opened their cake shop on Camberwell Road in the late ’80s. She is pictured here with loyal customer and friend Stephen Bourne

By Evie Flynn SOUTHWARK TUBE station was built between 1994 and 1996 as part of the Jubilee line extension and is the first on the line to get Grade II listed status.

TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR CAKE MAKER MARGARET WHO ‘BAKED JOY’ INTO CAMBERWELL COMMUNITY FOR OVER 40 YEARS

Margaret Akrong

By Issy Clarke MARGARET AKRONG, who ran a cake shop in Camberwell for almost 40 years and was described as baking joy into the community, sadly passed away this month aged 82.

Tributes have begun pouring in for Margaret, the beloved baker behind Margaret’s Cakes of Distinction, who died suddenly on November 1.

The octogenarian worked five days a week and was said to rarely take a holiday - running her shop right up until the end.

Margaret came over to Britain from Ghana in the 1960s as a student and made Camberwell her home in 1980 when she moved to the Wyndham Estate with her husband William ‘Bill’ Branch.

In 1989 the two went into business together, opening up a cake decorating shop on Camberwell Road, fulfilling a lifelong dream of Margaret’s.

“Margaret was in charge of the cakes, while her husband Bill took care of the business side,” remembered Stephen Bourne, a friend and customer.

Margaret’s beloved Bill passed away in 2018, which she “never really got over” according to Stephen.

She baked all kinds of goods, from sumptuous Jamaican rum cakes to classic sponges. Each cake was beautifully hand-decorated

by Margaret herself, adorned with flowers, woven baskets, footballs and other personal touches tailored to the lucky recipient.

“Last year, on my birthday, she called me and told me she had something for me,” recalled Stephen. “When I visited her shop, Margaret gave me the most beautiful birthday cake which had been pre-ordered by a mutual friend.

“I was thrilled but said, ‘Oh Margaret, I cannot eat this!’ She looked confused.

I explained: ‘It is too lovely to cut into.

It is a work of art!’ With that she burst out laughing.”

But it wasn’t Margaret’s beautiful cakes that made her such a well-loved figure in the community, although this certainly didn’t hold her back.

“She was kind, considerate and hard-working,” continued Stephen.

“She was a much-loved member of the Camberwell community and will be missed.”

Marie Staunton, the Secretary of the SE5 Forum and who knew Margaret for many years, added that Margaret

did more than just create delicious baked goods: “Margaret baked joy.

“She was always accessible, knew all her neighbours by name, traded stories with people, and quietly stitched our community together.”

Margaret first came to Britain as a little girl with her dad for a holiday and was endlessly enthusiastic about the country she adopted as her home and its people.

Interviewed for a short video segment about her life back in 2013, Margaret said she was inspired by the opportunities available in Britain: “Anything you want in this world is there, but you just have to work hard for it.

“Too many people who come to Britain don’t take the opportunities that are on offer.”

Opening a cake shop was her dream – and she had unrealised ambitions to

also start a second branch back in her home country of Ghana: “Back in Ghana people are more willing to learn. Over here, not so much.”

But where she might have felt the English fell short in their cakedecorating skills, they made up for it elsewhere: “The people here are very nice, very tolerant.”

Margaret was also an energetic participant in the annual Eat Around The World Festival in Camberwell Green, teaching free cake-decorating classes with “humour, patience and flair”, according to Marie, who also added: “As a trader and friend, Margaret championed local business, showed up for good causes and lifted others to shine.”

The SE5 Forum held a minute of silence last Monday (November 17) in honour of Margaret’s life at their meeting at the United Reformed Church in Love Walk.

They are also in discussions about organising a plaque and a memorial event to honour Margaret’s contribution to the Camberwell community.

Anyone who would like to share their memories of Margaret or make a suggestion about how to commemorate her is encouraged to drop by the community market stall on Camberwell Green which is there on Saturdays from 10–3pm.

The station was one of six brand new stations on the Jubilee line extension, which opened in 1999 and added eleven new stations, from Green Park to Stratford.

Each station on the extension was designed by a different architect and intended to have a unique identity, but use a core palette of similar materials, like concrete.

Southwark Tube station was given the Grade II status last week by the government (13 November) after advice from Historic England.

Designed by architects from MacCormac Jamieson Prichard (MJP), it is now the ‘youngest’ of 72 Tube stations inlcuded on the National Heritage List for England.

The station is memorable, with key features including the steel panelled tunnel, the blue glass screen in the concourse and the blue panelling on the exterior.

The station has been recognised for its high quality of design, finish and detailing.

The Jubilee line extension was first put forward in the 1980s, due to the development of London Docklands and Canary Wharf requiring more travel capacity than provided by the Docklands Light Railway.

The original Jubilee line, which ran from Wembley Park to Stanmore was originally named the Fleet Line, before being renamed to the Jubilee Line after Queen Elizabeth’s silver Jubilee in 1977.

After its extension in 1999, it linked Stratford, North Greenwich, Canary Wharf, and Bermondsey to central London.

Heritage Minister, Baroness Twycross, said: “Southwark’s London Underground station is a stunning example of late 20thcentury architecture. I’m thrilled to celebrate and help protect this bold design, with its striking play on natural and artificial light.

“Used by thousands every day, this station is a great reminder of the extraordinary breadth of our country’s architectural heritage.”

14 NEWS

PRINCESS OF WALES MARKS EVELINA'S ANNIVERSARY

By Jessica Khan

EVELINA LONDON Children’s Hospital is celebrating 20 years of life-changing care since opening its landmark building on Lambeth Palace Road in 2005.

Zaki at 20 years old

Ella Moth, nine, and Chloe Morley, ten, joined The Princess of Wales to cut the ribbon on the door of the Children’s Day Surgery Unit, marking it officially open.

Professor John Simpson – professor of paediatric and foetal cardiology, Evelina London The hospital has also expanded with the opening of the Children’s Day Treatment Centre in 2023.

“As I know from my visits, the building’s bright, welcoming spaces and wonderful light-filled atrium ensure children feel safe, supported and nurtured as they face whatever challenges lie ahead,” said the Princess of Wales.

Among the first patients through the doors of the new children’s hospital in 2005 was Zaki, born with a rare heart condition and treated by Professor John Simpson, who still works at Evelina today.

"I am extremely fortunate to have received the level of care and compassion that I have had at Evelina London. I feel so grateful to the team,” said Zaki.

Professor Simpson said it was “an incredible thing to now see Zaki as a young man with such a promising life ahead of him,” recalling the move to the new building as “a really uplifting experience” that inspired confidence in patients and staff alike.

The £60 million hospital was built with support from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, the NHS, and public fundraising through the Evelina Children’s Hospital Appeal.

As soon as the hospital was opened Southwark News launched a fundraising campaign to buy £100,000 worth of vital life saving equipment for extremely poorly babies.

It was a mammoth feat but the newspaper team were overwhelmed by the show of support, as the paper's

staff and local community knitted, ran, swam, climbed, sang, painted, raffled, and stripped off to raise money. Finally hitting £100,603.00 in February 2017.

Ongoing support from Evelina London Children’s Charity continues to fund new technologies and research.

This Christmas Pinocchio comes to life at Shakespeare's Globe Stan Middleton, Andrea Sadler and Lee Braithwaite in rehearsals for Pinocchio

By Michael Holland

By Jessica Khan OLYMPIC BRONZE medallist Victoria Ohuruogu visited Ilderton Primary School in Bermondsey to inspire pupils with her journey of determination and success.

As part of the school’s annual sponsored athlete event, Ms. Ohuruogu led a series of fitness circuits with pupils from Years 1 to 6, followed by a motivational assembly and Q&A session. The aim was to encourage children to be more physically active and to discover and pursue their

passions in life.

“The fitness workshop was so much fun, and having Victoria there cheering us on was great,” said student Brikti.

Children also heard about Ms. Ohuruogu’s path to Olympic success, including how she overcame a major injury to become Britain’s number one 400m runner.

“Seeing Victoria was extremely inspiring, to hear how she overcame a major injury then becoming Britain’s number one 400m runner was brilliant,” said student Amine.

The visit reflected Ilderton’s

commitment to excellence and healthy lifestyles, with Ms. Ohuruogu’s message about believing in yourself resonates strongly.

“I wish Victoria could come every year, her story was amazing to hear,” said student Sienna.

The event helped raise over £350 for new sports equipment at the school as well as support for UK athletes and para-athletes through the nationwide Great Athlete programme.

The day left pupils inspired by an extraordinary role model and eager to follow her example.

“Looking ahead, I am filled with hope for Evelina’s future. As it continues to grow, even more children will benefit from the world-class care that defines Evelina, a place where healing begins with connection, and every child is cherished,” said The Princess of Wales.

JOURNEY TO a world of endless possibilities this festive season as Pinocchio comes to life in the iconic Globe Theatre at the end of the month from Saturday November 29.

A new musical for the whole family by Charlie Josephine and Jim Fortune this is a premiere for Pinocchio at William Shakespeare's reconstructed Globe theatre in Bankside.

In the embrace of the wooden ‘O’ of the Globe Theatre, itself lovingly carved from a thousand oak trees, experience this unforgettable story of self-discovery, freedom and family, and share in the wonder of what it means to be human.

© Johan Persson

Olympian Victoria Ohuruogu inspires pupils at Bermondsey school

© GSTT

The Princess of Wales, Patron of Evelina London since 2018, sent a special message marking the milestone, praising the hospital as “a place that symbolises love, healing and hope.”

Since opening as London’s first new children’s hospital in a century, Evelina London has tripled the number of children it cares for, expanding to more than 30 specialties and becoming a leader for cutting-edge research and innovation.

“Over the past 20 years, we’ve seen extraordinary advances in children’s medicine, but what has remained constant is our unwavering commitment to putting children and families at the heart of everything we do,” said Gabby Ayida, Chief Executive of Evelina London Women’s and Children’s Clinical Group.

The hospital has achieved remarkable milestones, including developing the UK’s first 3D ultrasound imaging system to aid children with scoliosis, performing the UK’s first paediatric robotic surgery for testicular cancer, and taking the world’s first 3D MRI scans of the foetal heart to improve diagnosis before birth.

Tony Hudgell with HRH The Princess of Wales opening Evelina London Children's Day Surgery Unit. (David Tett)

Dreaming of a life beyond the confines of his traditional town, restless maverick Gepetto carves a wooden puppet and calls him Pinocchio. Together, they embark on a series of adventures with a host of weird and wonderful characters as they teach each other how to love and build a community of their own.

A surprising, funny and heartfelt new musical for ages 5+ with book and lyrics

by Charlie Josephine and music and lyrics

by Jim Fortune.

Pinocchio runs from November 29 til January 4 and tickets range from £5 to £75. Half-price seated tickets are available for under-16s at all performances.

Booking and full details: www.shakespearesglobe.com

Christmas comes to Canada Water The countdown to the Big Day is on, and things are feeling festive in Canada Water! With illuminations, carol singing and chances to meet the man in red and white, there’s plenty going on to get you into the Christmas spirit.

Canada Water’s lit Take a walk around Canada Dock and check out our twinkling illuminations.

You’ll find a 30ft tree at the end of Rafter Walk, plus a cluster of three trees outside Canada Water Leisure Centre. There are also four large 3D stars and, outside Dock Shed and Three Deal Porters, a meteor shower of three shooting stars.

Meet Santa in his magical workshop Santa Claus and his friendly elves are coming to town… and they’re bringing their free Merry Magical Workshop direct from Lapland to Surrey Quays Shopping Centre! Your little ones can dress up, meet Santa and his Chief Elf Suzie Sprinkles and become Elves-In-Training in a fun and interactive Christmas workshop they’ll never forget. Visitors can…

• dress in a festive hi-vis vest and hard hat to sort piles of gifts and letters • learn the Christmas Eve song • play festive silly games with Santa and his elf crew • take some fun photos Santa will be welcoming visitors from 11am-1pm and 1:30pm-4pm between: • Friday 5 – Sunday 7 December • Thursday 12 – Wednesday 24 December SEND sessions run 10am-11am on Saturday 6, Saturday 13 and Saturday 20 December.

It’s free for everyone and there’s no booking required – simply drop by and join in the fun.

Santa’s Merry Magical Workshop awaits your visit

Pick up some unique presents Thrive markets will be back at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre on the final two Saturdays before Christmas, 13 and 20 December. A brilliant line-up of local traders and makers will be offering handmade gifts, stocking fillers and much more. Open from 9am to 7pm.

Christmas at Corner Corner Breakfast or lunch with Father Christmas Little ones can share their Christmas wishes, receive a gift from the man himself and have their photo taken. Plus, enjoy free arts and crafts activities from The Kid’s Table (11am to 3pm) and live jazz performances throughout the day to keep the festive mood going.

Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December Breakfast with Santa: 9.30am to 12pm Lunch with Santa: 12.30pm to 2.30pm Child ticket: £18.04 (inc. booking fee) Adult ticket: £22.38 (inc. booking fee) Available from eventbrite.co.uk

Carols led by City Hope Church Bring your singing voices and join us at Corner Corner for a celebration of Christmas. Seasonal food and drink, live music and festive fun. Just turn up!

Sunday 14 December, 6.30pm The stars are out tonight at Canada Dock

Contact us:

canadawater.co.uk

team@canadawater.co.uk

0800 470 4593 (freephone)

@CWmasterplan

Canada Water Masterplan

NEWS 17

By Ruby Gregory Local Democracy Reporter A GROUP of independent businesses who trade at a popular shopping spot next to the River Thames have been told they must move out in one year’s time so the site can be cleared for demolition.

LAST CHRISTMAS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES ON THE SOUTH BANK © Facundo Arrizbalaga / MyLondon

Gabriel’s Wharf has existed at the heart of London’s South Bank for almost 40 years and is a much-loved retail destination where a cluster of small shops including art galleries and food artisans are enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike.

However this time next year, the area is set to be flattened because Coin Street, the social enterprise responsible for redeveloping the area in the early 1980s, wants to regenerate the site into a new “meanwhile use” – effectively meaning new occupants will be put there in the short-term until future plans for a nursing home come to fruition, reportedly in 15 years’ time.

The current businesses recently signed a one-year lease and must cease trading by September 27, 2026 and must clear out their units the following month for demolition, but argue their presence is the ‘meanwhile use’ the site needs while it’s awaiting redevelopment.

Businesses are potentially preparing for their last Christmas at Gabriel’s Wharf as they haven’t been guaranteed a place in the future plans.

Liz Mathews, who owns Potters’ Yard, a pottery and lettering arts studio with her partner, Frances Bingham, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “We’re feeling a bit devastated at the moment because of this being our last Christmas.

“We’ve asked for just an extension of those three months until the end of 2026 so that we can have two more Christmases [here] – they took a while to think about it and categorically refused.”

She added: “[Coin Street] keep on talking about the money but on the other hand they haven’t put the rent up for us and they haven’t discussed any other possible revenue sources.

“We feel very much that we’re not getting all of the information and that they’ve made a lot of decisions without any consultation, especially not with tenants but also not with local people.”

A spokesperson for Coin Street said Gabriel’s Wharf was always intended to be temporary, and many of the units are reaching the end of their life, which means the site must close to allow for their temporary replacement.

The spokesperson said while nothing has been decided for the new meanwhile use, they could not confirm whether it would be “suitable” for the current businesses and have advised them to find alternative sites.

Businesses have raised concerns over the plans, arguing most of the units are in good condition and do not need to be bulldozed. They said a survey was carried out on all of the units in 2024, which concluded they had between five and 10 years left before they would need to be knocked down.

Janice Bocquillon, whose hatmaking business Heads Rule Hearts has been in the area for over 20 years, said: “It’s a lovely place to work, but we were under the impression that [we would have] 5 years so I suppose that’s why we’re all a bit shocked by it.

Independent businesses at Gabriel's Wharf are preparing for potentially their last Christmas on site

Mariatu Turay-Akar has ran her independent business at Gabriel's Wharf for almost three years

“It seems like they want us out so they can do whatever they want.

Even if we can’t stay, could they do an extension or offer us something else, something temporary?”

Businesses are also worried they won’t be able to afford to trade elsewhere in London, due to currently paying cheaper rents to Coin Street, which is not-for-profit.

Mariatu Turay-Akar, who runs Travelling Artisan Popup (TAP), a collective for female artists, said: “I suspect that a lot of us won’t be able to continue in a space, definitely not in London, because the rents are ridiculous.

“A place like this where it started with a heart for independent small businesses is much needed, there’s no one really championing this. So it’s like, what happens to people like us?

It’s very challenging because finding a spot like this, there’s nothing like this for miles around.”

Lisette Davis, who owns Gabu Chocolatier, a handmade speciality chocolate shop at Gabriel’s Wharf, added: “Businesses like [this] struggle

Joanne Plumb outside her knitwear shop in Gabriel's Wharf

to exist in big corporate spaces, as I’m beginning to learn when looking at new leases and what they entail.

What’s so magical about this space is that they allow small ideas from individual people to exist because I think everyone here is individual and they put their work into their art.”

She added: “This little place reminds me of some of the places in France or Switzerland, where you can go into the shops and there might be a row of a thousand chocolate shops but they’re all so different. They might all be doing the same thing but they’re all doing the same thing differently – I feel like that’s what Gabriel’s Wharf is.”

Joanne Plumb, whose popular knitwear shop has been at Gabriel’s Wharf for over two decades and has customers from as far as Bel Air in Los Angeles, agrees with Lisette.

Joanne said: “We’re blessed to be here, we are in one of the most beautiful places in London and maybe [Coin Street] know that, maybe that’s what it is. It’s like a little gem, a hidden gem, there’s things you can’t

find anywhere else. People walk into the Wharf and they feel like they’re someone else, they feel there’s a sort of atmosphere here, there’s a beautiful zen here. It’s like you’re on holiday but in fact you’re in the city.”

Businesses have launched a change. org petition to keep Gabriel’s Wharf as it is and save it from demolition and redevelopment. At the time of writing the petition had amassed 521 signatures.

Harry, who owns Hartex, a shop specialising in vintage sportswear and alternative London souvenirs, said: “If I don’t have this place, then I’m never running a shop again. The high street is finished. It’s really hard, I think what’s sad place about this place going is that for a lot of businesses, where do we go?”

Harry added: “Gabriel’s Wharf is a great example of what London and what diversity can be, I think it’s a really good harmony of people from different walks of life. It’s super, super diverse, it’s one of the most perfect representations of London.”

When the LDRS approached Coin

Street for comment, they said: “The aim of regenerating Gabriel’s Wharf is to continue its meanwhile use as a vibrant mixed-use public space for residents, workers and visitors to enjoy.

"We are looking at a new meanwhile use for the site that will allow Gabriel’s Wharf to continue to operate for a further 10 to 15 years. We don’t know what the new use will be yet, but we will carry out a public consultation during the planning process.”

They added: “The tenants at Gabriel’s Wharf are valued members of the Coin Street community and we took the decision to keep the Wharf open until September 2026 to give tenants and the Wharf a successful final year in its current form.

“Coin Street is a not-for-profit social enterprise. The money generated by our commercial spaces goes towards running our homes, parks, nursery, family support services and youth and community programmes such as stay and play, youth club, tutoring, over 50s art group, coffee mornings, gentle gardening and community singing.”

18 OPINION

Comment

'I want to see the Chancellor put tackling child poverty at the centre of the Budget'

N

EXT WEEK the Chancellor of the Exchequer will reveal the contents of the Budget following very high levels of debate and speculation in the media about what she might announce and which steps are best for our economy and the public services all of us rely on.

The Chancellor is preparing her Budget in an extraordinarily challenging context. From 2010 until the general election last year, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats presided over stagnant economic growth and failing public services, and our economy suffered the triple-whammy impacts

HELEN HAYES

of Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and the Liz Truss mini-Budget.

Faced with the impact of these multiple challenges, the Budget is a challenging task for the Chancellor.

One of the most devastating impacts of the state of our economy over the past 15 years has been the unacceptable increase in child poverty, such that one in three children, 4.5 million, are living in poverty. Child poverty is often further exacerbated by the housing crisis and the heartbreaking impacts of homelessness and temporary accommodation on children’s lives.

In 2010 the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats decided to cut the funds available for social housing

to just a third of the previous level under Labour with a catastrophic impact for our local communities.

Labour has chosen a different path, announcing a £39 billion investment in social and affordable housing to speed up the delivery of the homes our communities desperately need.

Next week I want to see the Chancellor put tackling child poverty at the centre of the Budget. All of the evidence indicates that both the quickest way to do this, and the way that delivers the best value for the taxpayer is by

taking action to lift the two-child limit for Child Benefit and I have written to the Chancellor urging her to do this.

I have also pushed for a fairer funding deal for our local councils, pressing for the calculations on local council funding to take into account the high cost of housing in London and for measures of deprivation to properly reflect the substantial challenges that councils in inner London, including Southwark and Lambeth face.

The government inherited real challenges at the General Election last

year with an economy hamstrung by 14 years of Conservative and Liberal Democrat neglect and decay, so it is important that those of us arguing for more investment can point to how funds should be raised to deliver this.

I would like to see greater taxes on exploitative gambling to help fund the investment needed to reduce child poverty, as well as asking those with the broadest shoulders to pay a fairer share of taxes. I want to see a fair Budget delivering for our communities here in Southwark and Lambeth.

apple (Malus). It can cope with most soil conditions; there are dwarf varieties but some larger types which can reach 9 metres (30ft). All types have attractive characteristics providing either white, pink or red blossoms in spring and colourful fruits in autumn.

Malus ‘John Downie’(white flowers) is the popular one and a dwarf variety; Malus ‘Golden Hornet’ with its autumn colours has medium size golden fruits borne in great numbers on arching stems. The fruits are bitter and sharp and traditionally used to make wine or Crab apple jelly. A dwarf variety is best for most gardens unless you have lots of available space. The Crab apple also pollinates other culinary apple trees (whatever their pollinating group).

Just a note on pollinating groups for apple trees; to ensure fruit production you need to plant named varieties from the same pollinating groups which are A, B, C and D. As a rule of thumb different varieties of apples flower at different times. Group A are

early into bloom whilst B flowers later.

There are also self-fertile varieties of apples. The earliest ones into flower are in group A. Followed by B, C and D. For example, Egremont Russet and Discovery are in group B. There are several varieties in group C including Discovery (overlaps with B) Granny Smith and Greensleeves. Pollinating group D includes Golden delicious and Jonagold. There are also different root

stocks for apples – depending on which one, the tree is either a dwarfing type such as M9 root stock, this produces a compact tree suitable for containers and small gardens; a medium variety is M29 growing up to 4 metres, and larger specimens come on root stock MM111 and M25 both are vigorous growers and can reach a height of 6 meters.

As day light hours reduce and the winter months approach, new displays

for window boxes and containers will help brighten the season. Choose a collection of herbs/aromatics which are refreshing and useful such as Thyme, Rosemary prostratus, Chives and Marjoram plus the delicately perfumed Viola for outdoor displays and one or two pots of scented-leaved geraniums for indoors (treated as houseplants) should lift the spirits.

MP for Dulwich & West Norwood

Still time to garden before it gets dark

N

OVEMBER WEATHER usually brings a mix of cold, damp air and drizzle or blustery winds and heavy rain; this year conditions have been mostly mild with sunny, calm days.

British Summer Time ended on 26th October and there are currently about 9 hours of daylight – still time to get work done in the garden.

Leaf colour has been spectacular due to a warm summer and lower than average rainfall. The London Plane and Sycamore trees are holding onto their leaves, summer geraniums and roses are producing a late burst of flowers. Autumn shrubs laden with berries are giving colour and focus in the garden - and more importantly providing food for wild birds.

Finish clearing any left-over crops and tidy perennials; plan new planting of deciduous ornamentals (shrubs and roses) plus apple trees. A particularly attractive and useful tree is the Crab

OPINION 19

More stormy waters for Southwark Labour

I

n the past week the turmoil rocking the local Labour party has neatly mirrored carnage within the government. The local group lost three of its number in the space of a week: Cllrs Sam Foster, Ketzia Harper and Darren Merrill. It was a bruising week for Leader Sarah King, who also lost her Cabinet Member for Housing, Michael Situ - who reported on Thursday that he had written to her offering his resignation, after it was revealed he had committed the same licensing blunder as the Chancellor.

The reasons given by the resigning councillors were different — Merrill’s grievances were primarily with the national party, with news of the government’s immigration crackdown over the weekend proving to be the final straw. Harper and Foster, on the other hand, had grown increasingly disillusioned with the local party ever since the handling of this summer’s leadership election.

Both broke ranks back in July to vote against King’s installation as the leader of the council after the original victory of James McAsh was overturned by Labour’s regional command, who ordered a re-run of the ballot. They were subsequently suspended from the party for six months for doing so back in September.

It is difficult if you are a councillor representing the ruling party and have a grievance with the way things are being run. Most will try for a time to make a difference from within before choosing to resign. That was the experience of Harper, an Aylesbury Estate resident, who spent years trying to sound the alarm about the council’s handling of the estate regeneration, but felt her warnings fell on deaf ears.

By the same token, party and council leaders have to get on with the job of delivering for residents - and must expect some loyalty and discipline within the ranks if they are to keep things moving.

In local politics, the majority of people are in it because they want to help their constituents, not because of grand political ambitions. The job of a councillor, particulary backbenchers, is not lucrative, and is often thankless. Most will do the role in their evenings and weekends alongside full-time caring or work responsibilities, simply because they want to help their local community. And they do this in the face of an increasingly polarised, and angry society. It's no easy task.

Michael Situ was a casualty of the same council regulation which also tripped up the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves. Situ had not obtained the correct selective licence for two of his properties in Peckham; the Chancellor had also not properly licensed her old family home in Dulwich before letting it out. Both offered the same explanation: their letting agents seemingly had not realised they existed. The rules were introduced back in 2023 in a bid to give the council a mechanism for controlling standards within the private rental sector, but it seems strange that there is so little awareness of the regulations.

Situ should be commended in any event for holding his hands up and offering to resign; the Chancellor merely apologised. Political critics might say that, as the Cabinet Member for Housing, Situ had little excuse for not knowing about the rules, but it is unclear whether selective licensing was within his brief, as the monumental size of the Housing brief in Southwark meant it was split in half a few years ago.

Unlike the Chancellor, he chose not to brass it out - something that seems increasingly rare in modern political life.

Sarah King meanwhile, whose leadership has so far been beset by storm after storm, must be hoping that calmer waters lie ahead.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE Clues Across

4 Cheats at cards? (6) 8 But strong drink on Saturday and Sunday? (4,3) 10 All tear sideways (7) 11 Understand the subject on hand (5) 12 Where one cannot expect a warm welcome? (5) 13 A tailor's right to be upset about men’s clothes (9) 16 An April display presumably (5,4) 19 The battleground is some land round the north (5) 20 One needs drive to make a go of it (5) 22 Last in bed got blown up (7) 23 Hang it! (7) 24 Songbirds? (6)

Clues Down

1 Are they eaten by vegetarian cannibals? (6) 2 The way to embark (4) 3 Obviously he must be trained for the job (7 6) 5 Pharmacist who could have helped the three blind mice (6,7) 6 Sing joyfully in a US state (8) 7 Quickly surround gangster in the bar (6) 9 Heard in the alley by way of an excuse (5) 14 She upsets me in beads (8) 15 It sounds a risky caper (6) 17 Suitable instrument for playing water music (5) 18 A long speech read it out (6) 21 Came equal? Bound to! (4)

QUICK PUZZLE Clues Across

4 Reddish brown (6) 8 Everlasting (7) 10 Firedog (7) 11 Unit of weight (5) 12 Wash lightly (5) 13 Savage (9) 16 Disparaged (9) 19 Digit (5) 20 Reverie (5) 22 Dignify (7) 23 Alighting (7) 24 Unforeseen (6)

Clues Down

1 Begin a journey (3,3) 2 Edible seed (4) 3 Beyond description (13) 5 Mutual agreement (13) 6 Toughness (8) 7 Made taut (6) 9 Slow stately musical passage (5) 14 Sent back (8) 15 Greek city (6) 17 Discussion group (5) 18 Injury (6) 21 Narrative poem (4)

SOLUTIONS TO LAST WEEK’S CROSSWORD CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Pitied 7 Backers 8 Slumber 9 Rigid 10 Imperious 12 Sag 13 Orbs 15 Sousing 17 Sage 19 Ore 21 Shipments 22 Sheep 23 Kidnaps 24 Nonplus 25 Scales Down: 1 Pastimes 2 Trumps 3 Embargo 4 Scars 5 Beggar 6 Used 7 Broomsticks 11 Ease 13 Ogre 14 Subsists 16 Nomadic 18 Greens 20 Entail 21 Spill 22 Sons

QUICK

Across: 1 Barrow 7 Remorse 8 Embrace 9 Niece 10 Distorted 12 Tar 13 Sets 15 Isotope 17 Girl 19 All 21 Interfere 22 Hates 23 Obscene 24 Certain 25 Gladly Down: 1 Breeding 2 Robust 3 Orators 4 Amend Freeze 6 Mere 7 Restitution 11 Tail 13 Self 14 Severely 16 Parasol 18 Retort 20 Legend 21 Islam, 22 Hook

20 ARTS

what’s on THIS TRAGEDY IS A LOT OF FUN

One of the Bard’s most popular plays, the themes of grief, betrayal, love, loss, deceit and madness have captured the imaginations of audiences and actors alike for centuries. This most recent rendition, despite retaining the original Shakespearean language, feels thoroughly modern. It is not simply the clothes (Ophelia sports a burgundy tracksuit in one scene, while Hamlet dons a white graphic tee with ‘Boys and Tobacco’ emblazoned across it in others), but the rapid escalation of the action and almost rushed monologues at some points make this feel more suited for a Netflix adaptation than the stage.

Some people - particularly those already familiar with the script - will appreciate the energetic, lively nature of this show. But it is hard to imagine how someone who is not already well acquainted with the language of Shakespeare’s day would engage with a production which too frequently has you straining to hear what is being said.

That is not to say that the actors are not enjoyable to watch; Francesca Mills’ Ophelia and Hiran Abeyeskera’s Hamlet are both played rather comedically, emphasising the girlish naivety and teenage angst of their characters, respectively. Geoffrey Streatfeild is also particularly commanding as Polonius, making his all too sudden murder at the hands of Hamlet even more disappointing. It is hard to understand why such a pivotal scene seems to have been paced so rapidly.

Despite an overarching feeling that Photo by Mark Senior

Falls Short of Its Promise

I WENT into Gwenda’s Garage hoping to uncover a piece of queer history that had somehow escaped me - a gritty insight into the protests of the 1980s, the challenges of establishing an allwomen’s garage, and the legacy it left behind. As the production is based on a true story, I anticipated a work with documentary depth, a thoughtful narrative interwoven with music.

Instead, what emerged felt more like a checklist of social talking points from life under Thatcher’s government, inserted wherever they might, writes Luigia Minichiello.

The characters lacked emotional depth and credible representation.

A fleeting attempt to acknowledge

racism appeared in a single throwaway line, when the only Black character, Terry, was forced to tolerate apprentice Dipstick’s remark: “I have to tread on eggshells with you.” It’s 2025, we can and should expect better writing around race, even when a story is set in the 1980s.

That said, there were some humorous moments. The “job creation” sketch evoked clear memories of the YTS schemes of the era, and quips such as “If we can’t fix a car on the third attempt, we’ll call the AA”, landed perfectly. One standout comic moment came when Dipstick inspected a VW Beetle for a potential buyer, only to advise against the purchase because “it doesn’t have an engine.”

All the familiar figures were present,

National Hamlet Joe Bolland Hiran Abeysekera and Hari Mackinnon Hamlet National Theatre the whole piece could have been slowed down a little bit, it cannot be said that this performance is not exciting. The action is nonstop and the subtle wit of Shakespeare’s writing is consistently drawn out. Hamlet’s cruel rejection of Ophelia is a particularly straight women discovering their sexuality, closeted gay characters, sperm donations, and the challenges of fostering as a queer person. These themes carried real dramatic potential, yet not every one needed to be turned into a song-and-dance routine.

Some musical numbers, however, did succeed, notably the ensemble performance of Get Your Hands Dirty and Eva Scott’s moving solo, Holding It Together, as Carol, which proved a genuine highlight.

Unfortunately, the wheels truly came off in the second half, which lost both focus and energy. “Meet Me on the Bridge” leaned more towards cringe than commentary, and the show appeared to abandon its earlier promise. It failed to explore a rich and significant chapter of queer and feminist heritage with the depth it deserved.

Overall, I had hoped for a wellcrafted, thoughtfully written play with music woven through it, rather than one built around the songs.

Gwenda’s Garage takes its name from Gwenda Stewart, a pioneering and record-breaking racing driver of the 1930s. The real-life garage was founded by three female mechanics who, unable to find work in a maledominated industry, created their own space. Their legacy continues through WEST — Women in Engineering, Science and Technology — which inspires women to pursue nontraditional careers (www.westskills. org.uk).

Southwark Playhouse until November 29th.

Booking and full details: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/ productions/gwendas-garage/

Photo by Sam Taylor

HAMLET, SHAKESPEARE’S ever popular revenge tragedy, gets a grand, quick-paced and even more quickly spoken adaptation at The National Theatre, writes Melina Block.

powerful scene, a rare moment where the actors - and audience - are given space to breathe and take in the devastating emotional impact of the manipulation and betrayal of these characters. Overall, this adaptation may not always emphasise the depth

This illustrates the breadth, versatility and depth of Ancher’s art

ON A drab winter’s day, Danish artist Anna Ancher’s Painting Light collection at Dulwich Picture Gallery is the perfect antidote. Light suffuses her paintings to the point where her subjects almost seem to melt away Icarus-like in the sun, writes Barbara Buchanan.

Ancher (1859-1935) is regarded as one of Denmark’s greatest artists, yet hardly known here. This is the first time her work has featured as a large-scale exhibition in the UK. Light and colour dominate; in the first room of the exhibition, she portrays her daughter Helga knitting in Sunlight in the Blue Room (1891). Sun streams through the windows, bouncing off the back of Helga’s blonde bob onto the wall. The shadows of the windowsill plants are brought into sharp relief and light dances on the blue-beige striped carpet.

On the same wall is Ancher’s unframed Evening Sun in the Artist’s Studio at Markvej, after 1913, where she explores the rays of a low-lying sun filtering through the window. The sun is reflected on the opposite pale blue wall with thick brush strokes of peach and tangerine orange square panes. The effect is reminiscent of Claude Monet’s sunrises, an artist who influenced her after her sixmonth stay in Paris in 1889.

The painting is in stark contrast to the dark colours she uses in one of her earlier works, depicting a Skagen fisherman concentrating on his craft in Old Man Whittling Wood, 1880. The piece won her critical acclaim as a promising artist, she was 21 at the time, and it is signed Anna

some may desire from the story but it is definitely a lot of fun.

National Theatre until November 22nd.

Booking and full details: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ productions/hamlet/

Brøndum. It is in keeping with the realism style of the many artists who stayed at her parents’ Brøndum’s Hotel. They were attracted by the rugged terrain of Skagen on the northern most tip of Jutland where the Baltic and North Seas meet.

Anna started sketching when she was 12 with her future husband Michael Ancher encouraging her to persist and become a painter. Despite her conservative Lutheran background, her mother backed 15-yearold Anna’s decision to go to Vilhelm Kyhn’s school for gifted female painters in Copenhagen. Anna’s whole family, she was one of six, supported her by cooking meals and looking after her daughter at a time when women were expected to give up artistic endeavours after marriage and childbirth. She was a creative force worth nurturing, breaking the restrictive rules of her male contemporaries. Anna would paint the same domestic interior at different times, experimenting with changes in the play of light that verge on abstraction.

Among the most personal of Ancher’s paintings are those depicting her mother Ane as a solitary figure. We see her lost in her own thoughts, grieving over the untimely death of her firstborn daughter and on her own deathbed. Ancher was not afraid to tackle death and loss. In Grief, 1902, we see a female kneeling nude, head bent down by a wooden cross and opposite an older woman on the Skagen heathland. The idea came to Ancher in a dream, proving she could delve into the subconscious, and it is the first time in Danish art for a female nude to be painted by a woman. This exhibition illustrates the breadth, versatility and depth of Ancher’s art and why she’s regarded as a pioneering painter.

Booking and full details: https://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/ whats-on/anna-ancher-painting-light/

EVENTS ARTS 21

Events Arts

Heading south - our pick of upcoming events

© Out of the Shadows Choir

© Beatrice the Amazing Astronaut

A (not so) Silent Night choir performance at Woolwich Works:

Family friendly pianist concert at Blackheath Halls:

British concert pianist, Beatrice Nichols, will be performing ‘Beatrice the Amazing Astronaut’ in an introduction to classical music for children aged 4 to 11. Beatrice the Amazing Astronaut follows her journey through outer space, and combines piano performances with singing, dancing and poetry. All children are welcome to wear Outer Space themed fancy dress costumes.

Date: Saturday 22 November. Time: 14:00 - 14:45 Tickets: £9 per person, book here https://www.blackheathhalls.com/whats-on/beatrice-theamazing-astronaut/ Location: The Hearn Recital Room, Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Rd, Blackheath, London SE3 9RQ

Winter ‘Bark and Brunch’ at Enderby House:

Date: Saturday 29 November. Time: 19:30 - 21:30 Tickets: £19.25 adults, under 16s are free, book here https://www.woolwich.works/ events/a-not-so-silent-night-out-of-the-shadows-christmas-choir Location: The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 St, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6HD

Dogs and owners are invited for a brunch at Enderby House, designed for animallovers to meet, socialise and enjoy a delicious mid-morning meal. There will be treats for dogs and owners. For the pups, there will be a breakfast bowl and pancake stack, puppuccino or ice cream and a take-home treat bag. For owners, choose between eggs florentine, eggs royale, winter granola or buttermilk pancakes. If you are bringing an extra human or pup, add them on for just £10.

© Enderby House

Date: Friday 28 November Time: 13:00 Tickets: £20 per ticket, book here: https://www.enderbyhousepub.co.uk/whats-on Location: Enderby House, 23 Telegraph Ave, London SE10 0TH

FREE yoga and journalling session at Firepit Art Gallery and Studios:

Pressed flowers art workshop at The Rivershop:

Join Maddie Mellon, yoga teacher and artist, for a FREE immersive session combining yoga and journalling. Hosted in the tranquil studios at the Firepit Art Gallery CIC, the session will explore the relationship between body and imagination. You can expect a gentle and mindful yoga practice with guided journalling and art work, so don’t worry if you are not a seasoned yogi, or have never journalled before. All you need is a willingness to explore and art supplies will be provided, but do bring along any other supplies you would like to use. It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothing.

Learn how to make a wooden trinket tray using real flowers and resin, suitable for beginners and experienced crafters.

You will be introduced to the basics of resin art, types of resin, safety tips and techniques like measuring, mixing and curing. The session will be taught by a guest teacher from Botanica & Field.

© The Rivershop

Date: Sunday 23 November.

Time: 13:00 - 15:00 Tickets: Free, book here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ firepit-feels-unfold-movement-meaning-yoga-journallingtickets-1869693747329 Location: Firepit Art Gallery and Studios CIC, Ground Floor Unit, No.2, Upper Riverside, 10 Cutter Lane, Greenwich Peninsula, London, SE10 0XX

Out of the Shadows Choir are heading to Blackheath Halls for a joyful concert, filled with festive tunes and everyone’s favourite carols. Get into the festive spirit with their new arrangements, harmonies and energetic performances.

Date: Sunday 23 November Time: 11:00 - 14:00 Tickets: £80, book here https:// therivershop.co.uk/product/art-workshoppressed-flowers/ Location: TB-05, UNIT 8, Thames Side Studios SE18 5NR

CLASSIFIED & FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS 23 CLASSIFIED AND COMMUNITY NOTICES

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Memorial

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24 PUBLIC NOTICES ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1)

Goods Vehicle Operator's Licence

(AMBERGATE STREET, PECKHAM PARK ROAD, PIERMONT ROAD, NAYLOR ROAD, ROTHERHITHE NEW ROAD, SUMNER STREET)

Speedy Asset Services Ltd, of Chase House, 16 The Parks, Newton Le Willows, Merseyside, WA12 0JQ, is applying to change an existing licence as follows: To add an operating centre to keep 12 goods vehicles and 0 trailers at: Speedy Asset Services Ltd, Unit 28-32 Kent Park Industrial Estate, Ruby Street, London, SE15 1LR

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) 1.

2.

Thursday, November 20th 2025

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

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) Ambergate Street, between Alberta Street and No’s 103 (2b) Peckham Park Road, between Old Kent Road and Bird in Bush Road (2c) Piermont Road, between Upland Road and it’s blocked end (2d) Naylor Road, between No. 12 and it’s blocked end near it’s junction with Commercial Way (2e) Rotherhithe New Road, between Ilderton Road and No. 206 (2f) Sumner Street, between Southwark Street and the blue fin building

3.

The alternative routes for affected traffic will be (2a) Ambergate Street (2b) Old Kent Road, Commercial Way (2c) not applicable (2d) not applicable (2e) Catlin Street, Rolls Road, Humphrey Street, Old Kent Road, Tower Bridge Road, Grange Road, Southwark Park Road, Raymouth Road. (2f) as indicated by the signs displayed.

4.

The existing ‘one-way’ working in Ambergate Street, will be made ‘two-way’ for access and egress purposes for item No (2a)

5.

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

6.

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.

7.

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.

8.

The closure will be in operation on the following dates (2a) 1st – 4th December (2b) 1st – 5th December (2c) 3rd December (2d) 1st – 10th December (2e) 1st – 22nd December (2f) 29th November.

9.

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

Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available at www.gov.uk/object-hgv-operator-licence

You’d want to know if someone was applying for an ALCOHOL LICENCE near you, right?

Dated this 20th November 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) 18147739/Conway (2b) 86180551/conway (2c) 39386193/Conway (2d) 65004344/thames/S50 Flatley Construction Ltd (2e) 52434909/clancydocwra (2f) LBSCR14282-5/citylifting

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (ABBEY STREET, GILKES CRESCENT, GILKES PLACE) (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) Abbey Street, between Enid Street and Druid Street (2b) Gilkes Crescent, between Calton Avenue and 34 Gilkes Crescent (2c) Gilkes Place, between Dulwich Village and it’s blocked end by Gilkes Crescent

3.

The alternative routes for affected traffic will be (2a) as indicated by the signs displayed (2b) Calton Avenue, Townley Road, East Dulwich Grove, Gilkes Crescent (2c) not applicable

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) 7th – 12th December (2b) 8th December (2c) 8th December

7.

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

Yo Y ou’d want to know ow if someone was applying to DIG D UP THE RO OA AD near you,, rig ghtt? ?

ST STA TA AY Y INFORMED O RAFFIC ABOUT TR PL LA ANS FOR O YOUR COMMUNITY TY Y.

Ref: (2a) LBSCR14239/mgroup transport (2b) 12652373/conway (2c) 56851044/conway

STAY INFORMED ABOUT LICENSING PLANS FOR YOUR AREA. The Public Notice Portal is a free to use, online service that will tell you who is applying for what and where. Plus, if you register, we’ll tell you about any plans for your community before it’s too late. publicnoticeportal.uk

The Public Notice Portal iss a f ree to use, online service that will w tell hat and you who is applying ffo or wh where. Plus, if you register, we’ll tell you about any plans fo for your community ty beffo ore it’s too late.

Visit: publicnot ticeportal.uk

Dated this 20th November 2025 Ian Law Traffic Manager, London Borough of Southwark, Network Management, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529, London, SE1 5LX

Licensing Act 2003 Notice of Application for a Variation to a Premises Licence We, Best Hospitality Ltd hereby give notice that an application was made to the London Borough of Southwark on the 11th November 2025 for the variation of a Premises Licence to operate a premises at: Elliot’s 12 Stoney Street London SE1 9AD from which the following licensable activities are proposed. The Sale of Alcohol by Retail for consumption on and off the premises from 11:00 to 00:00 Monday to Sunday inclusive, and Late Night Refreshment from 23:00 to 00:00 Monday to Sunday inclusive to increase the licensable area to include the first floor of the building.

Details of the application may be inspected, free of charge, at London Borough of Southwark, Regulatory Services Licensing Team, Hub 1, 3rd Floor P.O.Box 64529 SE1P 5LX or on line at www.southwark.gov.uk Any interested party or Responsible Authority may make representations to the Licensing Section within 28 Consecutive Days of the day of application was made as detailed above. The last day for representations being the 09/12/2025 It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application and a person may be liable on summary conviction of an unlimited fine.

11/11/2025

Keeping yo Ke you inffo forrm med.

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PUBLIC NOTICES 25

Thursday, November 20th 2025

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; 17B KNATCHBULL ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 9QR (Ref: 25/AP/3019) Insertion of one Velux roof light to the front-facing roof slope of the property (Within: Camberwell New Road Camberwell New Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Tyrell Taylor) 29 SEARLES ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 4YX (Ref: 25/AP/2995) Rebuilding of a damaged garden boundary wall and the insertion of a new external door within the rebuilt wall at the above property. (Within: Yates Estate And Victory CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Nejum Hussain ) 4 RUST SQUARE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 7LG (Ref: 25/AP/3219) Construction for single storey rear extension (Within: Addington Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Gabriel Neri 020 7525 2707) BASEMENT AND GROUND FLOOR MAPLE BUILDING 128 - 132 BOROUGH HIGH STREET SOUTHWARK SE1 1LB (Ref: 25/AP/3168) Alteration to operation and delivery hours for existing use as a mixed restaurant (Class E) and hot food takeaway (Sui Generis). (Within: Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Ibrahim Azam 020 7525 2876) 153 TO 159 BOROUGH HIGH STREET SOUTHWARK SE1 1HR (Ref: 25/AP/3295) Temporary display (for a period of 15 months) of a static externally illuminated shroud

advertisement. (Within: Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA AFFECT (Contact: James Holmes 020 7525 0803) GROUND FLOOR 13 STONEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 9AD (Ref: 25/AP/3139) Installation of two air conditioning condenser units on the rear elevation of the property (Within: Borough High Street Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Joseph Vadilonga 020 7525 5341) 10 FAIR STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2XA (Ref: 25/AP/3308) Listed building consent for minor internal and external works to facilitate the temporary change of use of an existing vacant building (within ancillary use class E) to provide short term accommodation (use class sui generis) for up to 10 residents over a period of up to 5 years (AMENDED DESCRIPTION). (Within: Tooley Street Tooley Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Rosie Poser 020 7525 7924) 10 FAIR STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2XA (Ref: 25/AP/3307) Temporary change of use of an existing vacant building (within ancillary use class E) to provide short term accommodation (use class sui generis) for up to 10 residents over a period of up to 5 years, to include minor internal and external works to facilitate the temporary change of use (Within: Tooley Street Tooley Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Glenn Ruane 020 7525 5840)

1 RODNEY ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 1BA (Ref: 25/AP/3252) Erection of seven-storey building, plus basement to provide eleven dwellings with commercial and community floorspace on the ground floor, including associated landscaping, parking and refuse storage. Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ (Contact: Lara Sharpe 020 7525 7595) THEATRE VIEW APARTMENTS 19 SHORT STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 8LJ (Ref: 25/AP/3269) Alterations to the exterior of the building to change the combustible cladding materials to non-combustible cladding for fire safety.

Reason(s) for publicity: AFFECT (Contact: Joseph Vadilonga 020 7525 5341) 35 CRYSTAL PALACE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE22 9EX (Ref: 25/AP/3142) Demolition of existing timber frame ground floor extension, and construction of a new side-return ground floor extension and double mansard loft extension over the main block roof with a dormer extension to the outrigger roof. (Within: The Gardens CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Joseph Vadilonga 020 7525 5341) Dated: 18 Nov 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

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SPORT 29

SOUTHWARK YOUNGSTER FOLLOWS PATHS OF MO FARAH AND ALEX YEE

Skyla O’Brien takes gold at London Youth Games

By Sport Reporter

SOUTHWARK WON a glorious gold in the under-13 Girls race at the 2025-26 London Youth Games Cross Country this month.

With a superb standout performance, Skyla O'Brien finished the 2km race in 7min 45sec.

O’Brien was competing against young athletes from 32 London boroughs at Parliament Hill Fields at the the opening event of the season.

She was one of over 1,500 runners who made up a brilliant atmosphere on Hampstead Heath, as hundreds of schools, clubs and borough teams came together for one of the most iconic fixtures in the London Youth Games calendar.

Many of Team GB’s biggest names began their journey on this course - including four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah (Hounslow), 2024 World and Olympic champion Alex Yee (Lewisham) and double Olympic medallist Sam Reardon.

There were over 1,500 runners at Parliament Hill Fields “I remember running at the London Youth Games when I was younger,” Farah said. “Sport has the power to bring people together from all boroughs and hopefully there is some talent competing this year who can go on to great success in the future."

Joe Breeze, running for Lewisham, said: “It feels great to be able to say that you've done the same race as such great runners and athletes like Alex Yee and Mo Farah.

It's really nice to be able to put yourself in

that situation where you can represent your borough.”

Tricia Leman, deputy mayor of Camden, outlined just how important these events are for young people.

“We’ve had 32 boroughs competing with young people running in a variety of races from under 11s to under 17s. What the Games are giving them is self-confidence, it's giving them life skills, they're learning the disciplines of preparing for competition and the pleasure of being part of a community with the other young people of their age,” Leman said. “They're learning something here that really is going to stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.”

Supporters who enjoyed the LYG Cross Country event can also sign up to run for the London Youth Games Foundation charity at a future Half Marathon. These efforts will raise funds to help London Youth Games continue creating life-changing opportunities for young people across the capital. Find out more: https://www. londonyouthgames.org/run-for-charity

‘Role model’ former MCT student crowned FORMER MILLWALL Community Trust Alternative Provision Programme student George O’Neill has won the England Boxing National 80kg title in Kettering.

but with the right support and guidance, everything started to change.

“As part of his Year 9 program, he joined the Millwall Community, where he discovered how to channel his energy and passion into something he truly enjoyed - football. From there, he went on to play for Croydon FC, becoming team captain, showing true leadership both on and off the pitch.

“In a short space of time, George also took up boxing - and it completely transformed him. His confidence grew, his focus sharpened and his behaviour improved in incredible ways.

“Today I couldn’t be prouder to say that George is the England Boxing National 80kg champion.

“Watching his growth and transformation has been amazing, and I’m so grateful to all the teachers, coaches, and mentors who supported him along the way.

“The future is bright for George - this is only the beginning.”

before kick-off but took the lead in the opening minute through Luke Moore.

Luke Wanadio levelled in the seventh minute but the visitors regained the lead when Tom Beere beat goalkeeper Tony Bull in the 25th minute.

It went from bad to worse just two minutes later when Olajuwon

Ogunwamide made it 3-1 in front of an attendance of 808 in East Dulwich.

After a bright start to the season, Mark Dacey’s Hamlet have dropped to seventh place, but despite only one win in their last twelve league games they are still just two points off Chatham Town in third.

Dulwich host Hashtag United at Champion Hill this Saturday at 3pm.

Cray day for the Hamlet

By Sports Reporter

DULWICH HAMLET are three games without a win in the Isthmian League Premier Division as Cray Valley PM won for the first time in nine games with a 3-1 victory at Champion Hill on Tuesday night.

The Millers were in the bottom four

RECORD CROWD SEE ROTHERHITHE THRILLER

By John Kelly A RECORD league crowd of 432 at St Paul’s saw Fisher claim a 1-1 draw against Bearsted last weekend.

Lorenzo Duncan went close to giving the hosts the lead in the fifth minute only to find the side-netting, before Ashdon Mitford looped a header home from the edge of the penalty area to put the visitors in front on five minutes.

The Fish took advantage after Bearsted were reduced to ten men in the second half when left-back Luka Radojevic earned a second booking for stopping a quick free-kick. Jack Gibbons sent a ball down the right channel to pick out Festos Kamara who twisted and turned into space before finding Michael Sarpong arriving in the box, and he fired into the roof if the net.

Fisher lost their numerical advantage when Tyron Mbuenimo was

given a second yellow card. That was the signal for both sides to go all out try to win it and Kamara was twice denied, with penalty appeals for the latter incident waved away.

There were ten minutes of addedtime during which Jake Lovell got in behind the defence but could not get enough height on his attempt, before fellow substitute David Mata shot just wide.

Bearsted had the last chance when Richard Jimoh went around Isaac Ogunseri but the goalkeeper had forced him wide enough to give Ange Djadja just enough time to execute a brilliant intervention as he slide in at the near post to clear off the line and secure the point from a thrilling game.

Fisher are tenth in the SCEFL Premier Division table.

Ajay Ashanike’s side are in Kent Senior Trophy second-round action against Snodland at the G.I.Landscape Stadium (ME6 5DP) this Saturday (3pm).

© Dave Anderson

O’Neill, who fights out of the Don Davis Boxing Academy in Lambeth, defeated Aidan Postma of Newark by three rounds to two.

O’Neill joined MCT’s AP Programme in 2023 as a Year 9 student from Bromley Beacon Academy.

“Seeing the change in George from Year 9 through to when he departed the programme in Year 11, has been nothing short of astounding,” Joey Taylor, MCT's Alternative Provision Officer said: “George, like many of the young people we have on the programme, didn’t fit the mould of a student able to succeed in a mainstream school for numerous reasons. As his time with us elapsed, George bought into the programme

and was quickly identified as a leader and a serious candidate to be a future employee.

“He has left the programme with a full Level 2 Qualification in Employability, a Level 1 Qualification in Fitness and Physical Activity, First Aid certificate and has acted as role model for the younger students we have on the programme, along with captaining our AP representative teams in tournaments.

“We would love to take all the credit for George’s success but ultimately this has been down to George and him realising his potential despite the barriers he has faced in his journey through education and life.

“We are extremely proud of George & cannot wait to see what the future holds for this inspiring young man.”

Lana, George’s mother, said: “George’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring.

“He began his path at a behavioural school in Year 6 due to some challenges,

Michael Sarpong, right, scored the equaliser

Photo by Daver Anderson

By John Kelly

The winner finished the 2km race in 7min 45sec

30 SPORT ANALYSIS

By Will Scott THE INTERNATIONAL break came at the right time for Millwall.

Alex Neil's battered and bruised side looked to have run out of gas after that excellent October where they reeled off four wins on the bounce.

Hampered by injuries, the Lions looked exhausted in the second half against Preston North End, and did well to see out the 1-1 draw.

The two-week break has given Millwall time to recuperate as they build on their impressive start to the campaign.

After fifteen games - just under a third of the season - they sit sixth, their best start since returning to the Championship in 2017.

They return to action this weekend away at Portsmouth, a side they beat twice last season.

Amid more poor injury luck and suspensions, Neil once again faces a few dilemmas as he looks to construct a winning line-up.

SELECTION DILEMMAS FACING ALEX NEIL AHEAD OF MILLWALL’S TRIP DOWN TO FRATTON PARK

WHERE DOES THE ATTACKING SPARK COME FROM?

This has not stopped them from being a successful, mostly top-half Championship side, In the past five seasons, they have averaged just under 50 goals a season, barely over one goal a game, and have totalled a goal difference of minus two across that span.

This has not stopped them from being a successful, most top-half Championship side, but clearly, it caps their potential, and Neil spoke about wanting to readjust the balance in his first press conference as Lions boss nearly a year ago.

He has been backed in the transfer market as well, with the club signing six first-team attacking players (counting Luke Cundle, whose best position is at the ten) this calendar year.

The results have been mixed. Millwall have scored seventeen league goals so far, joint-fourteenth in the Championship. Their expected goals (xG) figure of 19.7 places them ninth, firmly above average.

However, a further examination of the numbers yields a glaring concern - namely, how do they score goals without Femi Azeez?

The winger has been in fantastic form this season, scoring four and assisting a further two in just eight appearances.

In the seven games Femi Azeez has started, the Lions have scored twelve goals.

In the eight games he either did not feature in or played only a minimal role in, they scored five.

It would be remiss not to mention that Azeez had to be replaced 35 minutes into the draw with Oxford United, and Millwall created more than enough to score a second goal in his absence. It would probably be fairer to say they scored six goals in eightand-a-half games without their talisman.

Still, that is not a particularly sustainable figure across the season.

It does not sound like Azeez will be available at Fratton Park, and there is no real like-for-like replacement for him.

He is the most direct and physically

Azeez up for goal of the month

imposing winger Neil has to pick from. He excels both with the ball at his feet and at running directly at players.

During Millwall’s four consecutive wins, he would stretch defences with run after run in behind down the right, while the slighter Thierno Ballo would provide creativity on the left, and Cundle or Will Smallbone would knit it together from the ten.

In the first game Azeez missed, Neil started Camiel Neghli on the left and Ballo on the right against Birmingham City.

Millwall finished the game with just two shots.

Against Preston, Emakhu provided the direct width on the right, Neghli moved more centrally, and Ballo returned to the left, with the athletic Zak Sturge also returning to the line-up at left-back.

This worked better, and they created chances, although not enough to say they deserved more than a 1-1 draw.

It seems likely that Neil will go with the same front four, and it provides the best balance - one direct winger and one more creative winger, while Neghli is naturally inclined to drift inside so suits the number ten role.

There are still questions as to whether the Lions will be able to stretch Pompey vertically. Ballo has the intelligence and anticipation to make runs in behind, but does not have Azeez's athleticism, while Emakhu is best when the game is in front of him.

The goalscoring burden may therefore fall on Mihailo Ivanovic, who has two goals in his past six and could be the key to unlocking Portsmouth's defence.

The last time Millwall visited Fratton Park in January, he scored the game's sole goal in a 1-0 win for the Lions.

It was a fantastic finish, a chipped finish over the goalkeeper after racing onto a well-weighted ball in behind supplied by...

By Will Scott

winger took it down before curling it into the top corner from well outside the box.

FEMI AZEEZ’S phenomenal longrange strike against West Bromwich Albion has been nominated for the Championship Goal of the Month award for October.

With the Lions up 1-0 against the Baggies on October 4, Billy Mitchell pumped the ball forward to Azeez. The

WILL RA'EES BANGURA-WILLIAMS FEATURE?

Ra'ees Bangura-Williams' career has not quite continued on the trajectory he would have hoped for back in March.

After a really bright first two months in first-team football that earned him an England under-20s call-up in March, Bangura-Williams suffered an ankle injury on international duty that eventually ruled him out for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old signed a new contract over the summer, just four months after inking a long-term deal in January, strongly indicating the club saw him in their longterm plans.

Bangura-Williams has struggled for game time so far this season, playing just 61 minutes of Championship football across five substitute appearances. He also started two EFL Cup games and came off the bench in another, particularly impressing in a deeper role at Selhurst Park.

The attacking midfielder has returned

AZEEZ'S FELLOW CONTENDERS ARE: •

• •

Jaden Philogene (Ipswich Town) v Norwich City Joe Gelhardt (Hull City) v Leicester City Aaron Ramsey (Leicester City) v Hull City

to match-day squads after recent injuries, and a nine-minute cameo against Preston before the break, but has not been granted a lengthy run-out in a Championship game since he scored a late equaliser against Charlton Athletic on September 13.

He is match fit after completing several 90s with the under-21s, and fans have been clamouring for the 21-year-old to get a look in after several underwhelming attacking performances.

Bangura-Williams’ technical prowess and ability to create moments of magic seem to be a tailor-made solution to Millwall’s lack of creativity and incision in the final third, but Neil seems to prefer other options.

Neil was asked by this paper what he needs to do to feature more regularly.

“He's come on now in the last couple of games,” Neil said.

“I think what people need to remember with Ra'ees is that I gave him his debut.

Nobody recognises Ra'ees' talent as much as me. I see him on a daily basis.

“I just think that there are other little bits to his game in terms of defensive structure, in terms of more running, more aggression.

But he's got that capacity to do that. I don't think there are any doubts about that.

“He came on against Charlton, had a really good impact in the game. Albeit they were down to ten men. But he's certainly got qualities.

“The job for him is to make sure every day when he's training that he shows that The winner will be announced on Friday.

Azeez was also shortlisted for the Championship Player of the Month award for October, while Alex Neil was one of the contenders for Manager of the Month. Those awards were won by Coventry City’s Brandon Thomas-Asante and Frank Lampard, respectively.

he deserves to be in the team, and if he gets there, then brilliant.”

Neil’s words certainly do not rule out Bangura-Williams getting a chance to impact the game from the bench, and it seems likely he will be introduced if Millwall are pushing for a goal.

However, a start seems far less likely, and the front four I mentioned earlier will probably be the ones tasked with finding the opener.

WHAT DOES THE BACK FOUR LOOK LIKE WITHOUT JAKE COOPER?

Jake Cooper is Millwall's ironman. The giant centre-back rarely misses games due to his extensive work off the pitch.

Last season was the first he had started fewer than 40 games in a campaign since 2018-19, after he was felled by a knee injury last November that ruled him out for ten weeks.

Yet, the Lions will be without him at Fratton Park through suspension, meaning Neil will have to fill a hole in the back four.

Cooper has not missed a game this season and has been a consistent goal threat from set-pieces, scoring twice and assisting another.

Caleb Taylor was signed to be the Cooper replacement, and Neil has already intimated he will slot in beside Tristan Crama at centre-back.

Then the question remains, who will be the fourth member of the back line?

Ryan Leonard has started most games at right-back but is out with a calf injury, leaving either Wes Harding or the recently returned Danny McNamara at right-back.

Harding has started two league games this season, 4-0 losses to Coventry City and Birmingham City, and did not cover himself in glory in the latter.

McNamara is only just returning from a ten-month lay-off and has played just one full 90 since January - for the under-21s.

Neither would be the ideal solution.

There is a third: Kamarl Grant has impressed in three EFL Cup starts, scoring against Coventry City in the Second Round, and did not look out of place against Premier League opposition Crystal Palace the next round.

However, the 22-year-old centre-back has yet to play a minute of Championship football and it would be a tough introduction to the league.

It would necessitate moving Crama to right-back and starting Grant alongside Taylor, who also has limited experience in the second tier.

It is hard to imagine that Neil would opt to start two inexperienced centrebacks beside each other, especially away from home.

Another option would be to move to a back three as he did against the Eagles, with Grant and Taylor either side of Crama, and Harding and Sturge along the wings.

However, switching to a relatively unfamiliar system for a league game seems unlikely, especially one that will involve removing another forward.

Either Harding or McNamara will start, with the decision based entirely on where McNamara is in his recovery.

If he is deemed ready, expect him to be suiting up on Saturday.

SPORT 31

By Will Scott ZAK STURGE found himself in an unfamiliar position.

A quick exchange of passes with Thierno Ballo freed him down the left, and he bore down on West Bromwich Albion's goal in front of Cold Blow Lane.

“The first thing that was going through my mind was: I always do this, which is I look across to see if there's anyone to pass to”, Sturge told this paper. “I can just square it to someone in a better position than me. But then no one’s there.”

None of Millwall’s forwards could keep pace with the rapid left-back, who instead went alone.

“I just thought, you know what, let me just put my foot through it and hope for the best, really,” Sturge added.

Sturge’s first-time strike rocketed past Josh Griffiths and into the roof of the Baggies’ net. 3-0 Millwall, three points secured.

The 21-year-old wheeled away to celebrate the first goal of his professional career, which was particularly special due to who was in the crowd.

“It was an amazing feeling,” Sturge said.

“My first professional goal, my first goal that I've scored in probably a very long time as well.

“My family were there as well, watching.

I know my parents and family were going crazy up in the stands, which is a nice feeling.”

That strike against West Brom has been one of the highlights of Sturge’s nascent Millwall career, which has far exceeded expectations.

Sturge first signed for the Lions on loan in January from Chelsea’s academy, but was unable to dislodge the veteran Joe Bryan at left-back for most of his stint.

He got his chance when Bryan went down with a groin injury, putting in three good performances in the final three games of the season.

Those 269 minutes of football convinced Millwall to sign Sturge permanently over the summer, who again had to wait to stamp his claim on the starting left-back spot.

Fellow summer signing Alfie Doughty started the first two games of the season, but pulled up 64 minutes into the second.

With Bryan still recovering from another knock, Sturge stepped into the breach and performed well in the next two games.

Bryan returned and started the following four league matches before getting rotated out for Sturge in the Baggies' win before the October international break.

Since then, Sturge has started five of the next six matches, none of which Millwall lost, while consistently impressing down the left.

Sturge’s playing time has surprised even him.

“To be fair, I didn't think I'd be gaining as many minutes as I have so far, but this is

STURGE REFLECTS ON FINE START

© Millwall FC

EXCLUSIVE

Neil thinks Pompey will be ‘aggressive’

By Will Scott ALEX NEIL thinks Portsmouth will be up for it ahead of his side’s trip to Fratton Park on Saturday

The left-back breaks down his impressive form, chemistry with Thierno Ballo and pre-game routine Zak Sturge celebrates his strike against West Brom football; you have to be prepared for the unexpected,” he said.

Sturge looks comfortable at the level despite making thirteen professional appearances before the season.

What does he attribute his leap to?

“I'd say probably the environment and changing room,” he said. “I go on about it a lot, and it's a really good environment.

“Everyone kind of feels comfortable, and the boys will trust each other - they back each other. We know that on the pitch, we're going to do what we need to do. The environment really helps that.”

It is one thing to succeed at the under21s level. To do so in the highly competitive Championship shows how much of a leap he has taken, although Sturge thinks firstteam football suits him better.

“The under-21s is a lot more focused on development and growing as a player – learning and things like that,” he said.

“The first team environment, there's a lot more emphasis on you need to be winning your games, and there's a lot more hunger, which I like because we want to win, we want to do the best we can. There’s a big difference.”

He still had to adjust to the speed of

matches.

“The tempo in the Championship is very upbeat,” he said. “There's a lot going on.

You could be winning - then all of a sudden there's a goal and it changes.”

Sturge has not had to navigate the step up on his own. He previously spoke about working closely with Bryan, who has made well over 200 appearances in the second tier, and he credits the experienced defender for helping him to improve.

“I speak to Joe Bryan a lot, and he gives me a lot of tips,” Sturge said. “Things like opening up, looking down the channel, being defensive-minded first because I like to go forward a lot.

“Having that defensive mindset of no one gets past me and then I can go forward after that - that's helped a lot as well.”

Sturge has also struck up a good relationship with Ballo, who signed for the club on loan in the dying days of the window.

Sturge constantly bombs forward and surges past Ballo, whose ability to pick a pass resulted in that goal against West Brom.

The Austrian winger also spent time at Chelsea’s academy, and Sturge thinks that

has helped develop their chemistry on the pitch.

“I'd probably say so, because we both got the same education and playstyle,” he said.

“We've got that connection on the pitch, we kind of know what each is going to do.”

“In the build-up to a match day, we'll be doing our preparation, and we'll discuss different options of things that we can do on the pitch, which may help us score goals.”

Sturge now feels comfortable at the Championship level, part of which is down to his pre-game ritual.

“I like to have porridge usually,” Sturge said. “If it's a home game, I'll probably have some porridge. I feel like that always fills me up nicely.

“I think a key thing for me is probably just my music. I'm really into my music. It just keeps me calm, settles in my nerves.

Gets me just going with the game. I'm ready.

What soundtracks Sturge’s routine?

“It ranges, to be fair,” he said. “Recently, I've been listening to a bit of garage music, oddly, but it seems to be getting me going.

“It seems to be working, so I'm going to stick with it.”

Pompey have lost four of their past five games and have only picked up three league wins this season.

They are perilously near the drop zone in 20th, only four points above 22nd-place Sheffield United.

John Mousinho’s side have been kept winless in their last three matches at Fratton Park, and will be looking to bounce back against the Lions.

“I think it'll be a difficult game,” Neil said. “I like Portsmouth.

John's got them well organised.

At home in particular, they're a tough prospect.

“They've not been in great form recently, which is going to make for a really good atmosphere. More importantly, they'll be at it, and they'll be aggressive.

They'll run and they'll fight. We need to match all those qualities.

“Most of their games up to this point this season have been by the odd goal. There haven't been loads in the games. I've watched a lot of the games recently, particularly at home. We know we're going to have to perform well if we want to win the game.”

Portsmouth

VS

Millwall Championship Saturday, November 22 (3pm) Possible Millwall starting XI: 4-2-3-1 Crocombe; McNamara, Taylor, Crama, Sturge; De Norre, Mazuo-Sacko; Emakhu, Neghli, Ballo; Ivanovic.

Last meeting: Championship (April 5, 2025): Millwall 2–1 Portsmouth ( Ivanovic 57’, 87') (Dozzell 80') Match odds: Portsmouth 17/10 Draw 11/5 Millwall 13/8

Chris Waddle recalls sole visit to The Old Den

By Will Scott CHRIS WADDLE recalled getting "dogs abuse" during his sole trip to The Old Den, but said he still has "happy memories" of the 5-0 thrashing his Tottenham Hotspur side handed out to Millwall.

Waddle, now 64, enjoyed a lengthy career in England and further afield during the 1980s and 1990s, with spells

at Newcastle, Spurs, Marseille and Sheffield Wednesday.

He also earned 62 England caps and was part of the squads that made quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup and the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup, missing the decisive penalty in the shoot-out defeat to West Germany in the latter.

Waddle travelled with Spurs to face John Docherty’s Lions in a First Division

match in April 1989, with a Paul Stewart hat-trick and goals from Paul Walsh and Vinny Samways sealing an emphatic 5-0 win.

"I only played at the Den - the Old Den - once, with Tottenham," Waddle told SheKicks.net. "We won 5-0 and we got dogs abuse. When we came out of the ground at the end of the match, the tyres on our bus were let down, and we had to wait ages for replacements. I think they

were punctured and we ended up stuck in the players’ lounge until it was fixed.

"But I’ve got good memories of playing there - we absolutely hammered them! I used to say the same thing about these kinds of clubs. You go to some grounds, and you get slaughtered by the fans, but really, it’s a bit embarrassing. But it’s their way of putting you off your game, and sometimes it’ll work, and so they keep doing it.

"But I never had a problem with Millwall. It was a bit intimidating, but so was West Ham. So were Liverpool, Everton, Newcastle. These are all tough places to go, but I’d tell myself, they’re not on the pitch, there’s nothing they can really do. They can shout from the terrace or whatever, but the action is on the grass between the players. Some players get intimidated, but I just have happy memories of going there."

INSIDE

Sport Southwark

SOUTHWARK YOUNGSTER FOLLOWS PATHS OF FARAH AND YEE

REINFORCEMENTS ARE COMING

Femi Azeez celebrates after netting against Queens Park Rangers

Up to four players could return against Pompey as Lions boss Neil admits break came at right time

EXCLUSIVE

By Will Scott MILLWALL STAND to gain a significant boost after the international break concludes, with up to four players set to return from injury.

Femi Azeez, Steven Benda, Danny McNamara and Alfie Doughty are all back in first-team training and could be in contention to feature against Portsmouth on Saturday.

It will be welcome news for a Millwall side that stumbled into the break without a win in November after being beset by yet another injury crisis.

Will Smallbone, Billy Mitchell, Ryan Leonard, Massimo Luongo, Azeez and Doughty all picked up injuries between

the October international break and the Lions’ 1-1 draw with Preston North End on November 8, while Benda and Josh Coburn were ruled out leading up to the 2-1 win at Loftus Road on October 18.

Neil expects to have some of those absentees back soon.

"Alfie's been on the grass, Steven's been on the grass," Neil told this paper. "We've got a couple coming back this week.

"It's just going to be a case of, can we get enough volume and training load into them to make them ready and prepared for the games? That'll be a decision that will get made later in the week, because obviously we don't know what's going to happen today [Tuesday], what's going to happen Thursday, what's going to happen Friday. Then we'll take it from there.

"But the lads are making good progress. Femi's been on the grass, again.

There’s a question mark as to whether Saturday might be too soon for him, but again, he's not far away."

McNamara was a longer-term absence, undergoing surgery on a serious knee injury he suffered in January.

He participated in light training over the summer and was in full first-team training last month.

The full-back has made several appearances for the under-21s in the past three weeks as he builds up his match fitness, completing 90 minutes for Kevin Nugent's side last Tuesday.

"He certainly ticked off a couple of boxes," Neil said. "He needed 90 minutes under his belt, which he's done, and he needed a full week of training with the

team, which he will have by the end of this week. Dan won't be far away come the weekend."

Asked if he could start against Pompey, Neil said: "Let's see."

Millwall's extensive injury list derailed a strong run of form. Four wins on the bounce were followed by two draws, either side of a chastening 4-0 thumping away at Birmingham City.

Neil was asked if the international break came at the right time.

“Yeah, I feel so,” Neil said. “The last one, if memory serves me right, I think we didn't really want that one to come.

“This one we certainly wanted it to come because we've lost a few bodies, which is disappointing. We want to try and go into this next batch and try and pick up as many points as we can.”

PAGE 29

Duo withdraw from international duty EXCLUSIVE

By Will Scott ALEX NEIL explained why Mihailo Ivanovic and Daniel Kelly withdrew from international duty, citing the slight knocks they picked up.

Ivanovic and Kelly were called up for Serbia and Scotland under-21s respectively, but dropped out of their squads before the first game of the international break.

Kelly recently returned from a hamstring injury sustained in midSeptember, replacing Derek MazouSacko in the 89th minute of the 1-1 draw with Preston North End before the break.

Ivanovic looked to have picked up a knock in the same game, but was deemed fine to continue and played the majority of the match.

"Both of the lads picked up knocks," Neil told this paper. "Dan is still feeling his quad and his hamstring. He didn't really train enough for us to involve him in the last game, but we did because we had a lack of numbers in that area.

"Mihailo went down and sort of looked as if he twisted his knee. He got another kick on his ankle as well.

So there were a couple of little bits and bobs for him that, unfortunately, they haven't done as much training as we would've liked.

Asked if it could impact his availability for Millwall's trip to Portsmouth on Saturday, Neil said: "We'll see how the rest of the week pans out.

"We're expecting him to train today, so we'll see how he looks today. But I don't want to say yeah and then he's not available. Or vice versa."

Mihailo Ivanovic THE RECYCLED PAPER CONTENT OF UK NEWSPAPERS IN 2014 WAS 83.5%