SEnine Eltham SE9
www.senine.co.uk
JUNE 2013
Time to get fit
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Full range of beauty treatments. Dermalogica速 stockists. Gift vouchers. Graham Webb salon 202-204 Eltham High Street Eltham SE9 1BH Telephone 020 8850 6311
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New Eltham Joggers with support from the SEnine Magazine raising funds for the Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice
Eltham Park 5 Enjoy a serious run through Eltham Parks North and South and Shepherdleas Wood in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Multi-terrain accurately measured course. Make it a fun family event. Why not challenge work or school mates or enter a team to compete. Refreshments and changing facilities available. Medals to all finishers and prizes for 5 mile race including spot prizes.
Sunday June 9th 2013 Eltham Park South Glenesk Road SE9 1AH 2
10.00 am 3.5 km run starts 10.30 am 1 mile family fun run starts 11.15 am 5 mile run starts
It is your community, you have the right to a say in what happens
SEnine ISSUE NUMBER 79
JUNE 2013
The December 2006 carried just first edition of SEnine in
15 advertisers. After many months of work, that was the number that I was able to convince that the magazine was here to stay. Six and a half years and Seventy nine issues later the point has been made. Glancing through that first issue I noted those that appeared in that issue; Mayday Cars, Alan's of Eltham, Normans Music and San Fairy Anne, are still up and running. The shocking thing is that the rest, eleven of them, no longer trade. Now that is just sad. Some may have sold and moved on but most just closed their doors and gave up. I have 'harped on' over the years that we must try as best we can to support our local businesses. It is not always possible to do so, but where we can, supporting local businesses is helping to support the community we live in. The next time you need something, before you jump in the car and head out of town, or on the internet to order, phone a local business and see what they can do for you. Apart from those advertising in the magazine you can find almost all the high street businesses,
with phone numbers, listed on the web site www.elthamse9.co.uk. Give it a try, you have nothing to lose.
Those
that follow my meandering on this page will know that the first wave of summer guests had arrived. Six weeks on they are now back in Australia and we have a break before the next group arrive in July. While they were here they insisted on taking us out for drinks and meals on a number of occasions. We did it all in Eltham. They could not get over the fact that we could walk to so many local establishments for food and drink, something alien to a suburban dweller of Perth, Western Australia.
They were delighted by the atmosphere at the White Hart, and thoroughly enjoyed the meal. It was there that I tried hard to educate them on the benefits of real ales, my favourite at the White Hart being Doom Bar, in palce of their usual tipple of larger. While one of the group did persevere, I could not get the others to embrace the concept of beer at room temperature. On another occasion we ventured out to Gusella's Ristorante on the high street. I had not been there in a while, but my guests and I were delighted with the
OPINION, FROM MY DESK meal and service. In fact the waiter on the night had us in fits of laughter with his witty repartee as the orders were taken and meals served. In all a delightful experience. If, like me, you have not visited them in a while, put them on your list for the next time you want a lovely meal in Eltham.
In to this issue I noted that I had
putting the finishing touches
trouble squeezing in all the 'What's On' events coming up this summer. We are very fortunate to have so many local organisations delivering so many quality events during the year, and especially the events during summer. St John's has its festival on again this year and the local parks will also be hosting their array of activities. Bob Hope, as usual, has a great series of shows lined up. The great Summer Concert at the Royal Blackheath Golf Club is always a sell out and there are a variety of one off events in the offering. Have a look and join in. Try something you have never done before, or just go along to your favourite and give them your support.
Enjoy life: Enjoy Eltham.
Totally Independent Main Office
Mark Wall
mark@senine.co.uk
Editor:
John Webb
editor@senine.co.uk
Advertising
Mark Wall
mark@senine.co.uk
Phone: Web: Publisher:
020 8333 7493 (For all matters) www.senine.co.uk SEnine Ltd: PO Box 24290, Eltham, SE9 6ZP
Closing Dates. All copy must be received by about the 15th* of each month to appear in the next edition. Contributions and Stories are always welcome from the residents of Eltham. Submissions are subject to our overall editorial policy.
Cover: A walk in the park - Eltham Park South in spring time glory. Cover photo by: John Webb Cameo: Jogging Track - page 14
Friends Membership. Support for the magazine is always appreciated. You can help the magazine with an annual Friends Membership The standard membership is £24.00 per year (in the delivery area) Royal Mail membership £36.00 per year (Outside the current delivery area and delivered by messenger or post)
Send your name, address and contact details along with payment to 'SEnine Friends' PO Box 24290 Eltham SE96ZP
*Some months do vary, check our web page www.senine.co.uk for exact dates. We only use the very best industry standard vegetable oil based inks. We use environmentally friendly papers, from a sustainable source, with a chain of custody from well managed forests through the supply chain to our printer.
Or visit our web site www.senine.co.uk to pay on line. We look forward to hearing form you.
This publication is subject to copyright - if you want to use something, ask we will usually grant permission
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SPY SPECIAL NEWS
SEnine
Spy Development Special T
he final scenes of the epic drama of the Coronet cinema’s redevelopment are to be shot this month SPY understands.
Attempts to create a cinema were not possible because of the confined space and the costs of conversion to a restaurant were prohibitive. A take-away Pizza Hut will be opening in one of the vacant shop units in Well Hall Road and Cathedral hope to attract a coffee shop for the final unit to complement the gymnasium.
Plans to transform the iconic frontage into a community gymnasium are to be considered by Greenwich Council. If approved, it would bring to a conclusion 13 years of debate and argument about the building’s future since it closed in 2000. It would also mark an end to hopes of installing a small screen cinema and restaurant on the site, promised when planning permission was won for the now-completed flat development. The seven day a week facility would be able to accommodate at least 30 keep-fitters at a time on two floors, with a spectacular new glass frontage enclosure looking out onto Rochester Way. A local private company is set to invest heavily in the new venture backed by developers Cathedral. The rounded Art Deco glass frontage, which was one of the first of its kind in the 1930s, will be restored and regalvanised, to make the stairwell of the new facility. Two new apartments will be created above from the old projectionist’s quarters in the cinema. Cathedral believe that creating a gymnasium will be a good viable option for restoring the cinema, keeping it in public use for recreational purposes.
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Cathedral said: “The use of the site as a gymnasium will allow for the building to be operated as a community facility, which will provide new employment opportunities, and most importantly bring a vacant listed building back from a position of dereliction and neglect.” Four full time and five part time staff would be employed. The gym would be open from six o’clock to 11 o’clock seven days a week.
with a replacement, currently being objected to by nearby residents, being created nearby in King’s Orchard. Money has been earmarked for the re-development under its new school building programme. Governors say they will take a decision on whether to remain on their existing site in the best interests of the children. However, they will come under pressure from the council to move if an alternative site has been identified. To the south of SE9, two historic pubs are coming under threat of redevelopment. SPY understands that residents in Mottingham are claiming a ‘Round One’ victory in their fight to save the Porcupine pub in the village centre. Bromley Council has blocked Lidl’s plans for demolition until they have had redevelopment for a new store approved.
Plans for the re-location of Eltham CoE school in Roper Street are still being developed, SPY learns. The council covets the school’s town centre location and hopes to move the school elsewhere in order to implement its Masterplan for Eltham. This year and next mark the school’s bicentenary, with 1813 and 1814 being key dates for its planning and completion.. In the Masterplan, the suggested a move to a site alongside St John’s Church, taking over the site currently occupied by Ancaster’s Nissan garage and Tesco’s filling station.
A similar campaign is underway to save the Dutch House pub on the A20 which McDonalds have applied to turn into a restaurant and drive-through, along the lines of their operation at Eltham Green, formerly the Yorkshire Grey hostelry.
council
The church’s vicarage in Sowerby Close could form a part of the site,
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We operate our Full Grill and Restaurant menu 7 days a week. We have a buffet menu available for private functions and hire. Our secluded beer garden is perfect for relaxing with a pint of good real ale or a chilled glass of wine. We also host a Charity quiz night on the first Wednesday of the month
Cut & Blow Dry's Short Hair £36.95 Long £39.95 Highlights (Bleach) with Cut & Blow Dry (foil) Short Hair £75.00 Med Hair £85.95 Long Hair £95.95
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2 Eltham High Street Eltham London SE9 1DA
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NEWS
SEnine
Poetry Compitition Copped Story by Amy Duffin T he awards ceremony for Eltham in Verse, a brand new competition aimed at celebrating the town’s best attributes in poetic form, took place at the Eltham Centre.
Organised by Eltham Town Centre Partnership (ETCP), Eltham in Verse encouraged local writers to submit their own work for review by a judging panel from nearby University of Greenwich. “All of the poems submitted evoked a love, passion and enthusiasm for Eltham and were a fascinating read”, said Andrew Lambirth, Professor of Education in the School of Education at the University of Greenwich. Lambirth was chair of the judging panel for Eltham in Verse, and said he was very impressed by the sheer number and quality of poems submitted. Scott Lander, whose poem I Used to go to Eltham, was commended by the judges for “conjuring up a terrific atmosphere of nostalgia by using very effective language to evoke images of old Eltham.” Lander, a keen writer, was delighted with his win. “I haven’t written a poem for years”, he said “but when I heard about a poetry workshop taking place locally, I decided to go along and was encouraged to enter the competition. . I am very surprised to have won, and am thrilled!” Second place was awarded to Sergeant Marianne Catmull of the Met Police for her poem Snapshot of Eltham by a Copper.
Lambirth said the poem was “effective and unique in character – a snapshot of life from a bobby on the beat, which shows the warmth of those living in Eltham.”
Finally, third place in the adult category was presented to Mick Cohen, who penned Recession 'The Dark Destroyer' versus 'Battling Eltham High Street'. “This poem has a great idea, a contemporary subject and we really liked the extended metaphor to demonstrate the battle Recession “The Dark Destroyer” versus “Battling” Eltham High Street by Mick Cohen of businesses in Eltham”, Recession stood there scowling, his face was black as thunder commented Lambirth. He snarled and glared at the High Street and whispered, “Son you’re “We cannot fault the community involvement with this project”, said Gaynor Wingham, ETPC Arts Representative and organiser of Eltham in Verse. “We didn’t know if this sort of competition would take off in Eltham, but the response has been fantastic! We received 150 entries, more than we ever expected, and involved so many people from the community.”
98 Riefield Road Eltham London SE9 T: 020 8333 0452 E: scott@londonandkent.co.uk
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‘Snapshot of Eltham by a Copper’ by Sgt Marianne Catmull The women whose handbag was stolen Two boys fighting, their faces swollen An elderly man just wants a smile Schoolgirls at the bus stop in single file Teary eyed boy crying his dog is missing Young lovers on a bench kissing Little girl who can’t find her mum Lonely pensioner feeling glum Noisy teenagers shouting on the bus An angry shopkeeper making a fuss The builder carrying a heavy load The hum of traffic on the road In the sunshine, in the grey Today, tomorrow, any day A snapshot of Eltham High Street And ME, a copper, on the beat!
going under” Eltham took a backward step, not a hint of fear in his eyes ”It matters not what you try to do, we have the power to survive You may have taken Allders, Woollies and the Co-op too But we’ve still got M & S and Debenhams to carry the fight to you” Recession hit back quickly, with pawn shops and closing-down sales He laughed out loud and triumphantly cried “Austerity never fails!” “There are other ways we can beat you; we’ve history on our side We’re the Royal Borough of Greenwich, so take that”, Eltham quickly replied “Henry V111 and Eltham Palace are the jewels within our crown And with Sainsbury’s and Next to help us, you’re the one that’s going down” Eltham took a deep breath and swung a mighty punch And Recession fell to the canvas; it was the end for the credit crunch.
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One of London’s oldest music stores. Aproaching 100 years in Eltham. am.
We stock a large range and variety of musical instruments and printed music, including Associated Board Publications
Spring into Summer with a new musical instrument. Huge range always available. Why risk buying from the internet or a catalogue shop when you can buy from the specialists? Free advice and guidance on all our products before and after your purchase.
www.normansmusic.co.uk 32 Well Hall Road Eltham SE9 6SF
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A massage which combines of meridian acupressure and use of essential oils; which are prescribed to each individual need and manipulated deep within the body Meridian Acupressure Massage tissue achieving Full Body Massage 70 minutes £45 total relaxation and Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage helping reduce any 30 mins £30 or 45 mins £40 Foot Reflexology Massage 45 minutes £30 muscular pain. Beauty Facial Treatment Classic Facial (60 mins) £38 Intensive Facial(90 mins) £48 Mini Facial (35 mins)£18 Special Head Treatment: Deep Scalp Massage (30 mins)£25 Pedicure, Manicure, Eyebrow Treatment & Waxing also are available. Offer ends July 15th All treatments by Appointment
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JANE’S JOTTINGS
SEnine
Gadgets W
hen it comes to food, I’ve never been all that adventurous. “It’s a Plain Jane”, is sometimes my chef (husband)’s response to a query about what’s for tea. This is a reference to the menus of my upbringing, in which each day of the week was allocated a particular fare. Roast on Sunday, cold meat on Monday, stews on Wednesday, fish on Fridays, and so on. Even now, sausages taste of Saturday. So some of the foods now on sale leave me floundering. At the charming Chinese deli in Westmount Road you can buy spring rolls. Even in the autumn! And bird’s eye chillies are among the exotics for sale down Eltham Hill. Are they like Birds Eye peas? I know chillies are sweeping the country. But shouldn’t they be called hotties? No, that’s something else. OK, I’m not that daft, and I don’t mind the odd chilli flake hitting my plate. Just as long as I can’t taste it, mind you.
But new foodstuffs take time to gain acceptance. I read from the M&S archives, customers were initially sceptical of the avocado. They were peeling and boiling them with disappointing results. Prawns took a long time to leap from the baskets where they were served up as scampi, considered a rather daring restaurant choice in my youth. Apparently, the bosses at Marks decreed in the ‘60s that the British weren’t ready for garlic. And washed salad in a bag would never catch on.
WW2, children had to be told how to eat them. Now we are told that eating the skins is very nutritional. Times change, even if people take a while to catch up. I
reckon the traditional British Sunday dinner can’t be beaten. Apparently, foreigners can’t see it, but maybe that’s only because they don’t know how it’s cooked.
But I’m not sure I’m ready yet for some of the fare in the new Polish shop in Well Hall Road. Take zapietaka, flaki and sopocka, even if they’re probably just their words for a sandwich, soup and smoked pork.
When the company opened their shelves for self-service, leaflets were produced explaining to customers how the new system worked. And I’m told that when bananas reappeared after
Jane Webb has lived in Eltham since '85 with her husband and daughter. She has taught at several local primary schools'
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Vote at elections, it is your right
SEnine
New Eltham Butcher Finest Fresh Produce Friendly Friendl ly service ser viice & advice adv vice
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Disclaimer: * The figure quoted is a percentage share and is a guideline and may vary according to individual incomes and circumstances. Your home is at risk if you fail to keep up repayments on a mortgage, rent or other loan secured on it. Please make sure you can afford the repayments before you take out a mortgage. Terms & Conditions apply, see www.lqgroup.org.uk for details. Industrial and Provident Society 30441R exempt charity. **Souce www.tfl.gov.uk. Details correct at time of going to print May 2013.
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Join in a Community Activity
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WHAT'S ON
SEnine
Tuesday 28 May to Saturday 1 June Saturday June 15 ‘Grease’, the musical Ravensbourne Light Operatic Society Bob Hope Theatre Wythfield Road £11.50 (£13.50 Fri and Sat) www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk or 8850 3702 7.45pm (plus 2.30pm Sat
‘Bring your memories of the Progress Estate’ Event in preparation to the 2015 Centenary celebrations Progress Hall, Admiral Seymour Road Plus cakes and drinks - 1 – 4pm
Sunday June 16 Sunday June 2
‘Celebrating Bond’
Well Hall Pleasaunce Fun Day
Shane Hampsheir, Tess Burraston and band 50 years of songs from ‘007’ James Bond movies Tickets £15 (£13 conc) Bob Hope Theatre. - 7.45pm 0208 850 3702 or www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk
Range of entertainment, catering stalls, music and dance Entrance free 10am to 5pm
Saturday June 8 Variety concert
Thursday 20 -22 June
Greenwich Academy of Music and Drama With the Greenwich Concert Band Blackheath Halls. 7.30pm
St John’s Church Annual Patronal Festival
Saturday June 8 Plant sale Mottingham Horticultural Society Methodist Hall, junction of Court Road and Mottingham Road - 9.30 -12 noon
Eltham High Street
Thursday: Organ Recital - Richard Moore, scholar at St Paul’s Music including Bach, Mendelssohn and Elgar Tickets £6 (conc £5) - 7.30pm
Friday June 28th Metropolitan Police Male Voice Choir & Soloists Summer Concert Enjoy a bargain night out in the West End with tunes to suit every taste. - Regent Hall, 275 Oxford Street, W1C 2DJ - Doors Open 7.00pm - Tickets £15.00 Tickets 020 7091 5271 or www.metpolicechoir.co.uk Proceeds to Evilin a Children's Hospital
Saturday June 29 Eltham Choral Society summer concert Music by Haydn, Vaughan Williams and Mozart Conducted by Peter Asprey, organist Charles Andrews with The Amadeus Orchestra. Holy Trinity Church, Southend Crescent. Tickets £12 or £10 conc. from 020 8850 3532, or Norman's Music www.elthamchoral.org.uk 7.30pm
Sunday June 30th
Friday
Baby and Toddler Nearly New Sale
Piano Recital - Maksim Shtshura Music from Haydn, Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin. Tickets £7 (conc £6) - 7.30pm
Clothes, toys and general baby things Holy Trinity Church Hall, 59a Southend Crescent 2pm - 4pm, £1 entry for adults, children go free.
Sunday June 9th ‘Songs of Praise’
Saturday 22 June
Join in an evening of joyful hymn singing The theme is "Eltham and the World". Student volunteer Lucy Bidgood will talk about her forthcoming year in Malaysia - 6pm Eltham United Reformed Church, Court Road, SE9
Classical vocal and piano
Sunday June 9 Plant sale Eltham and Avery Hill Garden Society Many unusual and specialist varieties Details www.eahgs.org.uk 118 Eltham Hill (next to school) - Entry free
Tamara Thompson-Brock, accompanied by James Graham Music from Mozart, Poulenc, Gershwin. Tickets £9 (conc £7) - 7.30pm
Saturday June 22
Sunday July 7th Summer Concert & BBQ Greenwich Concert Band and guest vocalist Grand Marquee, Royal Blackheath Golf Club, Court Road Advance tickets only from the club house 020 8850 1795 or Normans Music £15.00 inc BBQ supper.
Summer Show Mottingham Horticultural Society Maryfield Hall, Leysdown Road, Mottingham 2.30pm-5pm
Sunday June 23
Alternate Wednesdays Eltham Knitters Social craft group. St Mary’s Community Centre. 2-4.30pm
WednesdayJune12toSaturday15June The Trees of Well Hall
Every Thursday
‘Cider with Rosie’
Eltham Chess & Games Club
Play based on Laurie Lee’s famous book Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road Tickets £9 (conc £8, not Fri or Sat) - 7.45pm
Guided walk, by borough arboriculturalist Joe Woodcock. Organised by Eltham Nature Club Well Hall Pleasaunce Meet at the gates in Well Hall Road, opposite the Co-op. £1.50 members, £3 non-members - 2-4pm
Thursday June 13th
Thursday June 27th
Eltham Jazz Club 8.30pm - 11pm Woodcroft Club (Eltham Conservative Club) 254 Eltham High St SE91AA. Tickets £9.00 contact 07752 393 228 or marion@ntlworld.com
Saturday June 15 Summer Fair St John’s, Eltham Parish Church Eltham High Street Stalls with books, linen, crafts, plants, toys, raffle, tombola - 10am – 2pm
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Eltham Jazz Club 8.30pm - 11pm Woodcroft Club (Eltham Conservative Club) 254 Eltham High St SE91AA. Tickets £9.00 contact 07752 393 228 or marion@ntlworld.com
Thursday 27 to Sunday June 30 Walt Disney’s ‘Jungle Book’ Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road - Tickets from £10. 7.30pm (plus Sat 2.30pm, Sunday 2 and 6pm)
All ages and abilities welcome. St Mary’s Community Centre, 7.30 – 9.30pm (Recess all Aug & Sep 1st) Contact Alan 07944 445 322
Every Thursday Eltham Choral Society St Luke’s Church, Westmount Road, New members welcome. 7.30pm. www.elthamchoral.org.uk
Second Monday of Month Eltham Park Townswomen Methodist Church, Westmount Road - 2pm
Fourth Thursday of Month Civil Service Retirement Fellowship Social meetings, talks and free raffle. Also open to noncivil servants. Meets United Reformed Church, Court Road Contact: Phyllis 020 8265 0810. -10am – 12noon
Eltham has something for everyone
PREVIEW by Beattie Slavin
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Success on Two Fronts C
alendar Girls was both an infectious romp of merriment and a very successful fund raiser for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. The actresses playing the lead parts brought warmth, humour and sadness to the stage. It was a riot to watch, but tinged with sorrow. Sales of the calendars at the performances raised £2500. Sponsorship for Val Youngman, the actor who played John, to have his head shaved, was £890. The quiz night at the White Hart Pub raised £400 and takings from the first night of the show raised £1000. With the match funding from BP International of £3800, the grand total raised was £8540. Calendars are still available at the theatre box office and at the White Hart pub. They will also be on sale at the bank holiday fayre at Well Hall Pleasance on 2nd June. Impressive all on fronts.
Cider with Bob and Rosie
J
une brings Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee to Bob Hope. This is experienced director Graham Johnson’s directorial debut at Bob Hope, though you’ll have seen him in many productions. He played Herbert Soppett in the recent When we are Married, and was the conductor in Brassed Off. He picked this production as he has always found this stylised vision of rural life interesting. And though it doesn’t cover everything in the book, it is very true to its essence, capturing the scents and sounds of Laurie’s early life. The cast of nine range in age from teens to forties, and play large age ranges - children to eighties. The three leads are Eric Whiting as Laurie Lee, Fiona McGahren as Mum, and Liam Edwards as Loll, the young Laurie. Heather Claisse as Rosie also covers three other roles. The remaining five actors (Maddy Tunstall, Ria Mahady, James Thomas, Paul Marshall, Tony Daniel Templeton)
have over twenty characters to master, an impressive feat. They have been rehearsing since March and are working hard to convey the small world of the early twentieth century, and how it was swept away by progress. They will be accompanied by David Horsburgh playing keyboard to evoke the mood, on a very simple set adorned with rustic props to suggest rural life, using lighting to establish each scene. The costumes will be authentic to the period. This is suitable for children of eight or nine upwards, but especially appropriate for anyone studying the book. How wonderful to welcome British summer with an uplifting peek into the simple rural life of a bygone age, that is just out of reach of our collective memories. This is a wonderful adaptation for stage, which captures the imagination and really should not be missed.
C O M IN G AT T R ACT I O N S B O B H O P E T H E A T R E Be a good neighbour
13
NEWS
SEnine
Hit the Track Eltham joggers can now test their times, thanks to an initiative from Run England. Adam Gillham reports.
T
hree permanent running routes have been marked out in Sutcliffe Park as part of a plan to get more people in the town active. Run England and Greenwich Council have teamed up as part of the national 3-2-1 Scheme which is to make running more accessible. Three different routes have been marked out around the park which is at the junction of Kidbrooke Park Road and Eltham Road. Organisers hope that it will encourage residents in the town to have a try whether they want to run, jog, or just stroll around the park paths.
The routes are mainly flat with slight slopes so they are open to all users including people in wheelchairs.
These groups can cater for all jogging/ running abilities and meet each week at the track reception.
Lynne Atkinson, Run England Activator for Greenwich, said: "The routes are open to anyone to use, whether you want to walk round, jog or run.
There is also a new Buggy Runners group due to start which will be on a Thursday at 11.15am. Sutcliffe Park was transformed from a traditional open park into an awardwinning flood alleviation scheme in 2004.
"They have been designed to be as inclusive as possible. So people in wheelchairs would also be able to use them.
It is now wetland site rich in wildlife and is home for a variety of birds, animals and plants including dragonflies, damselflies, herons, Little egrets, kingfishers and reed warblers.
"The path surface is either tarmac or pebbledash. The tarmac paths are wide enough to allow for easy passing, suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs, with benches along the route. The path on the remainder of the route is narrower but still suitable for all users."
The central area of the park, the flood water collection area, was declared a Local Nature Reserve in 2006. The routes run around the outside of the wetland area.
Each route is a different length. There is a measured half mile and a one kilometre, which run clockwise around the park while the third route - 1.25km runs anticlockwise.
There are currently five Run England groups based at Sutcliffe Park which will make use of the routes;
For further details and contact information for all of these groups can be found on the Run England website www.runengland.org
* Sutcliffe Tuesdays at 6.45pm * Sutcliffe Thursdays at 6.45pm * Sutcliffe Saturdays at 10.30am The distances have been worked out * Sutcliffe Junior Running at 12pm on a Saturday to allow users to easily measure longer * Running Sisters at 6.45pm on a Thursday runs such as one mile, three kilometres and five kilometres.
Eltham Parish Church of
St John the Baptist Summer Fair Saturday 15th June from 10am-2pm Books, bric-a-brac, toys, cakes, plants and more
Concerts (programmes for sale in church and on the evening) Thursday 20 June at 7.30pm (programme £6, concessions £5) Organ Recital by Richard Moore Richard is an organ scholar at St Paul’s Cathedral Including music from Bach, Mendelssohn and Elgar.
Friday 21 June at 7.30pm (programme £7, concessions £6) Piano recital by Maksim Shtshura
Summer Festival Celebrating the birth of John the Baptist From Thursday 20th to Saturday 22nd June the church is open from 9.30am to 2.30pm - With the Eucharist at 10am each day Exhibitions and refreshments plus concerts in the evening
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Saturday 22 June at 7.30pm (programme £9, concessions £7) Tamara Thompson-Brock sings with piano accompaniment from James Graham ‘Critics remark that Tamara’s performances are “touching and sympathetic” and “deliver world-class vocal fireworks’. Including music from Mozart, Poulenc, Gershwin.
Exhibitions
Maksim has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Estonia, Russia, Germany, Austria, Holland and the United Kingdom. Music from Haydn, Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin.
Include work from Eltham Church of England Primary School and Ealdham Primary School and an exhibition of the church called ‘look around you’.
Patronal Festival Eucharist Celebrating the birth of John the Baptist on Sunday 23 June at 10am
Help keep Eltham tidy! Put your litter in bins.
SEnine
Eltham Jazz Club AT THE WOODCROFT
GREAT JAZZ AND SWING Thursday Nights The Hugh Ockendon Trio and Guests Guest Artists - subject to change without notice 30 May Tracy Mendham-Sax, Chris Gower - Trombone 13 June Roger Beaujolais - Vibes. 27 June Digby Fairweather - Trumpet/Vocals Julian Marc Stringle- Clarinet/Sax 11 July Henry Lowther-Trumpet, Mick Foster- Baritone 25 July Dominic Ashworth- Guitar, Nick Beston-Sax 08 Aug Leslie Alexander- Vocals, Dave Bowdler-Sax 22 Aug Derek Nash- Saxes 05 Sept Jo Fooks -Sax, Buster Birch - Drums 19 Sept Matt Wates - Alto Sax, Andy Flaxman - Trombone The Woodcroft (Eltham Conservative Club) 254 Eltham High Street, Eltham, SE9 1AA 020 8850 8659
Make a difference in your community
Music 8.30pm to 11pm
Admission ÂŁ9.00 Contact - 07752 393228 marion200@ntlworld.com
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BOOK REVIEW
SEnine
People in crowded London It Shouldn’t Happen to a….Social Worker?
S
ince James Herriot started the genre, with tales of difficult deliveries, eccentric rustics and awkward animals, few paid employees have left their jobs without wondering if there was a book in it. But in Jean Ramm’s six short stories, a long and varied career shouldering the burden of other people’s problems was just an inspiration.
related to any cases I dealt with at work. In any case, over the years there have been problems suffered by my own family, friends, neighbours....that’s life.” “It’s an attempt to show how people often need others to help make decisions and take action.” The point is made through depictions of daily problems faced by people living busy lives. For Neil, it is the regular journey from the north to see the folks in Plumstead. “The cheerful woman came out to him at the back and said she was worried about his parents. She didn’t think they were coping.” ‘Can’t you and the family get together on it.?’ Her tone was friendly. ‘I am the family’.
Her home on Shooters Hill looks out across a crowded south east London full of the real life struggles which are on all our doorsteps. There’s elderly George, living in ‘cloud cuckoo land’. Ethel, an old dear, defying the pigeons, Frank seeking what might seem like solace in his garage, and Diane who has to make an agonizing choice, not to mention little Tommy, fed on fast food while his mother looks for romance on the screen. Avoiding the temptation of selfjustification, Jean describes her world through the prism of a ‘Bird and Fortune’ dinner party where solutions to complex problems flow easily with the pudding wine. Between each kitchen sink saga, there are snippets of dialogue of the type familiar to most families behind the rows of suburban front doors across SE9 and surrounding neighbourhoods. “It’s all fictional and certainly not directly
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She looked at Neil and saw a man in a good suit. Expensive car. Only son. Only child. All the privileges. In 13 pages of Neil’s story, Jean packs an awful lot together with awful ending. But simply told with detail, without cliché. Originally from Lincolnshire, Jean and musician husband, David, spent 12 years in Australia before returning to the UK bringing back their young son and needing to be closer to their own parents. “These stories about people in crowded metropolitan London struggling to cope with various domestic situations may have come about because they seemed intriguingly different from the problems I remember in rural Lincolnshire where I grew up on a farm,” she said. “There were problems there but not the same.”
Sydney University and obtained Bach. Social Science Degree and Social Work Diploma. Four very stimulating years. Following this I worked in the NSW Parole Service. Interesting indeed. Very thorough reports covering the prisoners’ plans on release and their attitude to their crimes had to be presented to the Parole Board.” “These included many home visits checking out families often in the outback to make sure, for instance, that they were willing for the prisoner to return home.” On return to the UK, Jean’s social work career took in the many and varied problems of people and families across south east London. A recent pleasure has been the Eltham Centre combining, as it does, the scope for physical recreation and books. In her case, meeting friends for a swim and coffee and more recently for the monthly book group in the library. This, her love of reading, and various short stories and articles published in the past, led her pen to strike paper in earnest. The result is a snap-shot of early 21st century life in urban Britain which readers can develop for themselves.
‘Passing the Baton’ by Jean Ramm is available from Pen Press, priced £7.99. Also Waterstones, Amazon and The Book “Certainly the 12 years in Sydney had Depository postage free and on Kindle a big impact on me. There I attended
Take a walk in the Tarn
ROUND-UP
SEnine
New, New Eltham Village Sign
and a village sign helps to do this”, added Rose. NERA is proposing the sign be erected in two locations; at the New Eltham crossroads and at Clare Corner, where Green Lane and Footscray Road meet.
SEnine readers have helped to re-design New Eltham’s proposed village sign. Amy With the project estimated to cost Duffin reports. New Eltham’s proposed village sign has generated significant interest, according to its residents association. The feedback received has been used to produce a second draft, which takes in the life and soul of the village and community. The first draft was featured in the March edition of SEnine and the feedback has caused the New Eltham Residents Association make changes. Thanks to the Cooperative Community Fund, NERA succeeded in gaining most of the funding it needs, meaning it can advance plans for the new design, unveiled at their recent AGM. It makes references to The Beehive pub, greenery, sports, transport and local houses. “We wanted the sign to be as broad as possible, reflecting both older and newer things about the community”, said John Rose, NERA committee member. A crown is also pictured at the top of the sign, referencing Greenwich borough’s new royal status. “We want residents in New Eltham to feel as if they belong and are involved in the community,
Join a local community group
£4,500, NERA still has some fundraising to do to get the project off the ground, not to mention securing planning permission for the proposed sites. Follow the sign’s progress at www.nera-se9.com.
Retinitis Pigmentosa Retired Eltham head teacher Cass Farrar spoke to Greenwich Rotary Club last month about the blindness condition retinitis pigmentosa. Accompanied by wife Bethan, Mr Farrar attended a club meeting at Charlton Athletic’s football ground to talk about the fight against the condition, which affects his daughter Lucy. Rotary made a £50 donation to the charity which raises money for sufferers and members sponsored his son James for £75 for taking part in this year’s London Marathon. The club meets monthly and has members from amongst the business and professional community, both current and retired. www.rotarygreenwich.org.uk
Plant Sales A weekend of plant sales is in prospect on Saturday and Sunday June 8 and 9. Garden enthusiasts from two local horticultural societies will be selling off their surplus specimens. On Saturday, Mottingham Horticultural Society will have a sale at the village’s Methodist Hall in Mottingham Road from 9.30 – 12noon. The following day, on Sunday June 9th, a range of unusual and specialist varieties will be available for sale from the Eltham and Avery Hill Garden Society at a member’s house, 118 Eltham Hill from 1 – 4pm. Entry to both events is free.
Messeter Place If you have not been down that way in a while, you might be surprised at the pace this development has moved ahead over the past month. The former site of the Eltham Fitness Centre was sold with planning permission for the construction of six 3 bedroom town houses, two 2 bedroom flats and two 1 bedroom flats all with allocated parking. The building, rising up over three floors, is now clearly visible above the hoardings surrounding the site. Great location if you like living in the town centre.
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17
REVIEW
SEnine
Bread and Roses: Nontheism and the Human Spirit Taking a break from algebraic symbolism, 86 year old Muriel Seltman has written a book on nontheism. SEnine’s Eloise Chaffers spoke to her.
T
ucked away, not far from Eltham High Street, Muriel Seltman’s home is surprisingly tranquil given its accessible location. Muriel explained to me how she’d put her foot down about the location. “I’d always lived so far from a bus route, this time I didn’t want that.” A very practical thought for one whose thoughts focus heavily on the abstract and theoretical. At 86, Muriel is proud to have just finished her fourth book, ‘Bread and Roses: Nontheism and the Human Spirit.’.
Muriel has long links to this area, her father having been born in Woolwich. Muriel took a job as teaching mathematics at Avery Hill College in 1968, moving here ten years later. In 1981, she took early retirement but continued to work part time there for 20 further years. “The way t h i n g s worked out, they didn’t have anyone to teach the history of mathematics so I used to go down the hill until I was 75.”
of her mind-frame. “I go on writing and trying to express myself because that’s what gives meaning to my life”. The book is self-published by Matador. “Why didn’t I look for a publisher or agent? Because I didn’t know how much time I had left”. The book is a discussion of nontheism, which Muriel differentiates from atheism ‘as the word atheist carries a lot of baggage and sounds as if it’s a very black and white issue.” Muriel decided to write about her relationship with religion, as a ‘MarxistHumanist-Nontheist-Quaker’, because of her dissatisfaction with the current literature on the subject.
After a couple of years in the making, Muriel took time off from her usual field, the history of mathematics, and has ventured down the lines of semiautobiographical. Previous tomes, which sell for up to £170 on the internet, have been on Jean Piaget and Thomas Harriot and attract readers from the academic community.
Previously, in the mid ‘60s, as fire-brand left wingers, she and her husband had worked briefly in North Korea and China, an account of which can be found in her memoir ‘What's Left? What's Right? A Political Journey via North Korea and the Chinese Cultural Revolution.’
She describes her latest project as a ‘cross between a series of essays and a memoir’.
She still attends and speaks at rallies for the group 'One Law for All', which campaigns on behalf of Muslim women.'
“The main purpose of the book is to indicate the spiritual joy available to nontheists from a variety of different aspects of the universe, but especially from freedom of thought. The word 'spirit' is used in the same way that you would use it in the phrase 'human spirit'”, she explained.
Muriel has a history of writers in her family, with a journalist father and sister. This might help to explain her determined work ethic that drives her to write long into retirement.
“I’ll go back to the history of mathematics” she told me. The subject is the emergence of algebraic symbolism, particularly in the Renaissance.
“I always do any work first thing in the morning, when I wake up when I’m fresh”. Muriel quite emphatically told me how her determination is also the result
I’ll look out for Muriel’s future publications so I can identify who’s to blame for years of secondary school mathematical misery.
Despite being born in Stamford Hill,
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Not comparing her work nor discrediting others, Muriel said, ‘they are superb some of them’, but she couldn’t help but feel they ‘came over as dogmatic, and somewhat comfortless.’ The intriguing title ‘Bread and Roses: Nontheism and the Human Spirit’ evolved from a group of women textile workers who went on strike in 1912 who had a banner that said ‘give us bread but give us roses too’. As I finished my cup of tea, we talked briefly of Muriel’s plans for the future.
Be active in your community
SEnine
E L T H A M
C O L LEGE
LARGE ENOUGH TO EXCEL SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE
LARGE ENOUGH TO EXCEL SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE
Zorro’s Theme, performed by the opening batsman.
Senior School Open Morning Sat 15th June 10.00 am – 12.30pm (Registration from 9.45am)
At Eltham College, everyone is someone else. ;OL LJVUVTPZ[ PZ H JYVZZ JV\U[Y` Y\UULY ;OL ÄYZ[ violinist helps out at the local care home. The tennis captain designs websites. In a challenging yet caring environment, we nurture each pupil’s skills and talents. All of them. We develop well-rounded individuals.
Eltham College, Grove Park Road, Mottingham, London, SE9 4QF Telephone 020 8857 1455 www.eltham-college.org.uk
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19
HISTORIC ELTHAM
SEnine
Milk on the Doorstep John Kennett writes about a disappearing service
W
ith farms surrounding the village of Eltham it was no surprise that the inhabitants were never far away from a lactating cow. Enterprising farmers, ever keen to guarantee their product a market, organised a delivery service near to their farm as the product had a limited shelf life before the days of
the farm, or a pony and trap for outlying homes. Milk purchasers would attend the milkman with a large covered bowl, into which the milk was dispensed, or be offered the milk in a metal container which would be hung from the cart; enterprising farmers offered a twice daily delivery.
Eltham Dairy delivery cart and milk churn in the High Street refrigeration. The cows were gathered in from the fields and milked by hand in cowsheds; the milk was poured into a contraption similar to a car radiator which cooled the milk before it was put into a large metal churn which also kept it cool. The churns would either be rolled onto a push handcart, for delivery near
Some local farms also operated dairy shops in the High Street where their farm produce, including milk, was sold. In the early 1900s The Eltham Dairy (now site of Specsavers) run by John R Howe sold milk products from Belmont Park Farm at New Eltham (now around the Montbelle Road area), William
Lily Farm Dairies delivery vehicles, Elibank Road
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Corp’s Lyme Farm (now the Page estate off ff Eltham Hill) had a dairy shop now occupied by FORYOU, Charles Ridewood’s Chapel Farm Dairy was on the site of La Scarpa, and at 18 The Broadway, opposite Southend Crescent, was James Grace’s Pippenhall Farm Dairy (now Light & Grow). Milk contractor F W Webb ran the Lily Farm Dairies from 168 Westmount Road with a yard in the rear garden now used by Eltham Park Motors, Elibank Road. In Mottingham Village a dairy business was established around 1899 by James Pollock in premises near Mottingham Library now used as Etiquette Hairdressers. During the First World War owner Albert Norman of Mottingham Farm engaged ladies to deliver the milk when the men were at The Front. After the war the dairy was owned by Edwards & Sons Ltd who in the 1920s was associated with United Dairies whose name appeared outside the shop from 1929 until closure in 1960. A former resident remembers the 1930s when the dairy was run by Miss Norman who, “seemed to glide around as if she was on skates and always said ‘what can I do for you today?’ It was a small, cold, very clean shop full of bottles of milk, cream, butter and jars of transparent golden honey that shone in the light from the window.” The doorstep milk delivery changed dramatically with the introduction of the glass bottle with initially its circular cardboard cap. More mechanised production methods were required and the small farms could not compete with the big combines who were now bottling milk on an industrial scale. The United Dairies first local distribution depot was in Greenvale Road in premises now used by Mobile Petfood. With more residential growth in the area they acquired a larger site in Green
HISTORIC ELTHAM
SEnine company was able to bring in fresh supplies to avoid a milk famine. The business expanded throughout London with dairy shops, milk rounds and their own model dairy at College Farm, Hendon. They often expanded by acquiring existing dairy businesses and from 1908 Express Dairy delivery in Purneys Road, 1950s, were in premises in courtesy Stephen Sopp Mottingham Village Lane, near the A20 Sidcup Road, where alongside that of Albert Edward a new depot was built. It was officially Norman of Mottingham Farm, whose opened by local MP Sir Kingsley Wood farm they ran from 1935 till the early on 14 October 1931 who inspected the new facilities and the thirty orange 1960s; the cows have gone but the coloured horse drawn carts used by the buildings survive at the Mottingham roundsmen to deliver the milk. Later Farm Riding Centre, Mottingham electric floats were introduced but Lane. The village premises were rebuilt the smell of the horse occupation of after Second World War bombing and the stables was still evident when the used as a milk distribution depot until depot closed in 1981 to be replaced 1985; since 2002 Warrs have supplied by a business park. From the 1920s to Harley Davidson motor cycles from the the 1960s United Dairies had shops at adapted premises. 124 Westmount Road (now Westmount Estates) and 125 Eltham High Street (part of Eltham Wines & Grocery). The Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society was also a big supplier of doorstep milk from their own farms. Horse drawn carts were succeeded by electric floats and the attraction of receiving dividend on milk purchases was an incentive to trade with the Co-op. The other big multiple was Express Dairy, founded by George Barham in 1864 in Museum Street near Kings Cross Station who also brought milk by train to the capital from outlying counties. In 1865 the Government ordered the destruction of all London cattle due to an outbreak of rinderpest and the
Co-op milk float at Philipot Path, 1981
Express Dairy delivery in Mottingham Village, 1981 1947 to keep thirty Ayrshire cows which produced about 20-35 gallons a day of hand-drawn milk and a delivery round was established serving Eltham Palace, Court Road, Wythfield Road and the Eltham Park area. Extra milk was bought from the Nestles depot at Bow as the farm was not large enough to supply the local demand. Milk was bottled at the farm and the bottles bore the inscription ‘King John Lane Farm, Eltham, W. J. Mitchell’. The milk rounds were sold to United Dairies in 1960 but milk was still supplied to a dairy at Streatham. The last cattle left the farm in 1988 and the site is now used for the stabling of horses.
The march of the supermarkets with After the Second World War (on the site their competitive price marketing has of the present Post Office and Sorting seen the doorstep delivery decline Office) the displaced milk rounds from together with the problems of milk the bombed depot at Mottingham were housed at Court Yard. Milk was delivered by push cart, horse drawn float, or electric float from Well Hall roundabout to Mottingham Estate using thirteen roundsmen with a foreman to six men until 1949 when the rounds returned to Mottingham. A milk bottling plant was installed at Court Yard United Dairies float in Larchwood Road 1970 just after the war and milk was supplied by rail to Mottingham Station where a being left on doorsteps until residents special dock was installed in 1948 but return from work. The Co-op, Express the operation only survived for a few Dairy and United Dairies names have years. all disappeared from doorstep milk After selling his milk delivery business at North Cray Mr WR Mitchell returned to Eltham at King John’s Walk Farm around
deliveries with the only survivor being Dairy Crest’s ‘Milk & More’ service. All pictures are from the John Kennett collection
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FEATURE
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Call the Hypnotherapist! Roz Britnell meets hypnobirthing practitioner Chantal Fabrice.
A
wise woman once said “death and taxes and childbirth! There’s never any convenient time for any of them”. She was right. But one SEniner is on a mission to fix this (well the childbirth part anyway). Birth psychologist and sound therapy practitioner Chantal Fabrice has been running a successful home practice in Eltham since 2009. Using the Mongan Method, Chantal delivers customised private sessions for women on the brink of parenthood.
So, if you’re expecting Chantal to lull you into a pre-labour snooze then you are going to be disappointed. Hypnotherapy offers an alternative to pain relieving drugs by tapping into your body’s natural anaesthesia, there are no hypnotically induced sleeps involved.
Chantal is not a midwife she often works closely with them, and reflecting on the key differences she says “I do not attach so much importance on what could go wrong because we want to stay focused on the positive, if you focus on the negative then that’s what you’re going to attract in your life”.
Although hypnobirthing isn’t widely available on the NHS there are a growing number of encouraging testimonials. The best time for pregnant women to start on a course is around 28 weeks. Does it guarantee a drug free birth? “Most couples who come to me want to avoid the use of drugs. That’s not guaranteed and it’s about managing risk and knowing when assistance is needed. However hypnobirthing will reduce the need for pain relief and help you to cope with any necessary medical intervention” says Chantal.
Whether it’s your first or fourteenth, the sessions will equip you with techniques that will help you prepare for labour and beyond. The closest I’ve ever come to a hypnotic state was when I had to concentrate on finding Wally in the Where’s Wally books, so I was slightly sceptical before meeting Chantal. Chantal clarifies: “There are huge misconceptions about hypnosis. In relation to hypnobirthing we are talking about self-hypnosis and giving women the techniques to practice. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. I can facilitate the process but I can’t make anyone become hypnotised. It is about achieving an intense focused awareness”.
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With so many expectant mothers dreaming of a tranquil labour, why are we glued to TV shows about dramatic childbirth? Chantal explains: “Calm and relaxed births would not make a good story for TV! Lots of women are told all the negative stories often by women who have had traumatic births. Those women have not been listened to and that’s a shame because they would really need the support”. So what makes hypnobirthing so successful? “It’s about having a positive outcome despite the birth journey” says Chantal. “There are always going to be unpredictable factors during a labour. Hypnobirthing allows women to be open to any changes that happen”. Mums-to-be looking for a positive birth experience should consider hypnobirthing especially when compared with the more risk approach courses currently available on the NHS. Although
The hypnobirthing course also comes with material for your midwife in case they aren’t familiar with it. The benefits of hypnobirthing range from shorter labours, helping with breast feeding as well as the long term health of the mother. Studies have shown that 55% of those who tried hypnosis required no medical pain relief at all. The way we are born shapes us forever so if you are going to make an investment in your baby’s future, the very beginning would be a good place to start.
You can contact Chantal on 020 8265 4308 and her website www.soundbirthing.co.uk
Join you local neighbourhood watch scheme
NEWS
SEnine
Park Sculptures C
hildren from the Gordon, Haimo and St Thomas More primary schools had an audience with leading author Jacqueline Wilson when she came to Eltham to unveil the new sculptures in Well Hall Pleasaunce. The park is the former home of children’s novelist E Nesbit and the three sculptures are based on characters from her imagination; Jacqueline Wilson’s new book, ‘Four Children and It’, also features one of the characters, the Psammead. Her new characters interact with those from Nesbit’s original novel, ‘Five Children and It’, which was written in 1902 at Well Hall. With the 75 Eltham pupils in the audience, Dame Jacqueline spoke to children from more than 320 schools across the country from the Tudor Barn via a live webstream organised by publishers Penguin and each left with a copy of the new book signed by the author.
“If Edith Nesbit’s ghost is floating around Well Hall today, she will surely be smiling”, she said, before reading extracts from her book and taking questions from her young audience. The sculptures, commissioned by the park’s Friends group, depict a Psammead, the sand fairy which is the ‘It’ of the books; a phoenix and a dragon. They were paid for from the Fields in Trust award scheme to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee. Other improvements arranged by the Friends include a new Jubilee avenue of beech trees alongside E Nesbit Walk, an arbour, a re-planted and renovated alpine garden and 20 new specimen trees, coming into leaf for the first time this spring.
Sue King, chair of the Friends said: “We are absolutely delighted that the history and culture of Well Hall will be kept alive with these imaginative sculptures. Edith Nesbit is one of the country’s leading authors and she wrote her most famous works while living at Well Hall. “We’re proud that Jacqueline Wilson has built on her work for a new generation and came to Well Hall to unveil the works.” The sculptures are of sweet chestnut and are by Cornish artist Reece Ingram.
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Fi Fitness Classes St. Luke’s Church, St Westmount Road, W W Wednesday 7-8 pm TThursday 7-8 pm 5 plus Ladies 50 Classes (all levels) C EEltham Park Methodist Church M Westmount Road, W Monday 11.00am - 12.00pm Wednesday 2.00pm - 3pm
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23
TRIBUTE FEATURE
SEnine
Someone Quite Exceptional
by John Webb
This month, the national carers’ movement celebrates its 50th anniversary. John Webb tells the remarkable life story of the Eltham woman who was its founder.
I
n Falconwood cemetery, alongside a path, there’s an unmarked patch of grass. The crematorium records tell us that, on 29 May 1969, the ashes of Ruby Mary Webster were scattered on that spot.
The funeral oration by the then minister of Eltham Congregational Church (now URC), the Rev Ronald Ward, needed no contorted explanation that this lady knew about a thing called ‘society’, or inappropriate political references.
the word ever existed, it not appearing in dictionaries until the 1980s. Mary Webster expressed a problem at a time when people were ready to hear it and single-handedly forced the issue onto the national agenda.
Described in the lists as ‘unmarried’ and ‘aged 45’, there is little to distinguish her life from the many others that have ended there.
He said: “Whoever she met, her generous heart and her very genuine concerns and interest in other people evoked a response.
That was early in 1963. Her life until then had been a preparation for that moment. Born in Plumstead in 1923, her family moved to Eltham when she was young, to a new semi-detached house in Westhorne Avenue, opposite what is now McDonalds at Eltham Green. Her father had a steady job at the Royal Arsenal Co-op and Mary, a clever girl, won a place at Eltham Hill grammar school for girls. On the outbreak of war, she was evacuated to north Wales, then won a place to study at King’s College, part of the University of London, during the height of the German V-bomb campaign.
One clue would be in the letters ‘M.A.’ after her name. Unusual, but not unknown, for a female leaving education in the middle of World War Two. Another comes on the line beneath. The job description is ‘Clerk in Holy Orders’, in other words, an ordained priest; very unusual. A reading of the local papers in the week following her death opens the book on her life. One which must rank among Eltham’s finest, a person whose legacy will outlive most. The headlines read ‘We Simply Loved Her’ and ‘A Special Brand of Courage’.
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“Her many qualities included goodwill and affection, essential cheerfulness, a happy way of expecting the best from people and a real zest for life. “She was good to be with. She made us feel more alive and we simply loved her. She was no ordinary person and her achievements were not ordinary. How she worked. How many ideas she had. Some of us who lacked her capacity sometimes thought she had too many ideas. “Her poor little body did not serve her very well but when we speak of her will and spirit, her strength served her well.” Her legacy was to found a national movement for ‘carers’. That was before
But it was her subsequent attendance at a revolutionary college on Merseyside, St Paul’s House, which was to point to her future career. Long before the ‘feminist’ movement began, the college, under the auspices of the Congregational Church, aimed to train young women to be ‘home missionaries’ in deprived areas of the country, then recovering from conflict, and encouraging them to become priests. Mary, brought up in the Church of England – the family attended St John’s – was attracted, and saw the potential to become a minister in the Congregational Church, in a way then unthinkable in the denomination of her upbringing.
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TRIBUTE FEATURE
SEnine A further degree, in theology, at St Hugh’s College, Oxford, followed and her first posting was as a 27 year old to the Congregational Church in Twyford, Berkshire, where local records show a picture of her induction in 1950, one of the country’s first women ministers. But after just four years, her tenure was abruptly ended. Both her father and mother had become ill and unable to cope without ‘care’. It fell to Mary to sacrifice her future dreams, resigning her posting to look after her parents.
After a stellar education, training in community work and leading a female charge into the church, she suffered a deep sense of loss and helplessness, a life of looking after two sick dependants ahead of her. But it was the lack of support, as a ‘carer’, and isolation she felt, which hurt most. Her father died in 1959 and, towards the end of her mother’s life, she entered 1963 on a mission. A blizzard of publicity-seeking letter writing followed, targeting media outlets, a one-person PR campaign in an era before such a concept existed. It struck a chord. Thousands of people across the country, trapped in conditions which Mary described as ‘house arrest’, identified with her situation. Interviews in The Guardian and the ‘Home Service’ (Radio 4) alerted politicians that something had been left out of the post-war ‘welfare state’. A visit to the
When in doubt, do the right thing
Today carers can benefit from a variety of support organisations. Greenwich Carers’Centre has been providing a variety of services since 1991, and built up a comprehensive knowledge base of carers’ needs and issues, as well as the expertise required to offer effective support. The Organisation is a registered Charity is one of over 100 independent centres connected to the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. It aims to provide a 'One Stop Shop' service to all carers living within the borough providing individual support through information, advice, emotional and practical support, representation, advocacy, and consultation opportunities. The Centre is financed by a variety of funding partners and donors, mainly the council’s Social Services Department but also corporate and private donors. The Greenwich Carers Centre office hours are Monday to Thursday 9am - 4pm and Friday 9-1pm. Greenwich Carers Centre, Suite 9, Gunnery House, Duke of Wellington Avenue, Woolwich SE18 6SW. Adult Carers support 020 8301 8459/8461 Mobile: 07411 190 920; Main office number: 020 8301 8457 - Fax: 020 8301 8456 London School of Economics followed where she met Baroness Seear who remarked afterwards that within five minutes she “knew Mary was someone quite exceptional’. By June, the campaign had become unstoppable. A meeting in the House of Commons in July 1963 led to the formation of the ‘National Council for Single Women and her Dependants’ with Mary as its chairman. The group lobbied the Treasury and quickly set the agenda which would led to such women gaining tax allowances, pension rights, and paving the way for today’s system of attendance allowances. As important, the Council propagated the provision of support services for those left caring for relations at home with social groupings formed, the possibility of holiday relief and bereavement counselling.
Mary was struck down in her early 40s by cancer. After her death in 1969, a notice in the Guardian spoke of the Rev Mary’s ‘personal concern for an understanding of the psychological as well as financial problems of members. “She could communicate her deep religious faith. Even during her last few months, when breathing and sometimes speech were difficult, she ended every conversation ‘God bless’.” During her years of caring, Mary did manage some part time teaching, both in Plumstead and at Stockwell teacher training college in Bromley. There’s a message from a former student, unanswered, on the College’s Friends Reunited site which reads as follows:
M i s s We b s te r D o yo u re m e m b e r M i s s We b s te r ? She taught Divinity? I thi nk s he l i ved i n El tham. S h e wa s re a l l y k i n d.
But while the Council, later to become the Carers’ National Association, prospered and flourished, Mary herself did not.
Greenwich Carers Centre and Oxleas Trust will be acknowledging Mary Webster's work and dedication at a Special Carers Day Event in Woolwich on Tuesday 11th June from 9.45 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. With the theme "PREPARED TO CARE", carers can have the opportunity of giving their thoughts and ideas on services and meet some of the officers from Health and Social Care Services. There will be FREE massage sessions, health checks, information stalls, discussion tables and a light lunch.
Never strong, and carrying a physical disability which required operations at an early age, and throughout her life,
For venue and catering purposes please contact Kay Clapham on 0208 8459/8361 or email Kay. Clapham@greenwichcarerscentre.org.
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PERSONAL ELTHAM
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Guerrilla in the Garden Russell Bowes is a 'guerrilla gardener'. It's not illegal. He has helped brighten up some parts of Eltham. Matt Bell spoke to him. Is it an on-going project? Yes, once you've started you can't just leave it. I've also branched out (excuse the pun) to the small garden area at the foot of the church's bell tower. It was full of brambles and weeds. What happens if you are away? I've no time to be constantly fussing with the planters so everything I plant is as tough as old boots. Most plants do much better if you just stick them in and let them get on with it. The people in the church call me the 'mystery gardener'. Who inspired you? A man called Richard Reynolds set up a website (wwww.guerrillagardening. org) after he planted in abandoned flower beds around his flats in Elephant and Castle.
Anywhere else? My allotment is at Pippenhall in Bexley Road, where outside is an old water trough.. It looked awful so I cleaned it out and planted some bulbs in it. Now it's completely bare again so I need to do something about it.
How did you get started? I was frustrated at the poor state of the planters on the war memorial outside St John's Church in Eltham High Street. I tried to find out who was responsible for maintaining them but kept being passed around between the vicar, Greenwich Council and the Royal British Legion.
Do you garden at home? I live in a flat with a balcony 16 feet by 6 feet. It's part of the communal walkway. I usually have more than 50 pots of various sizes. The postman threatened to come armed with a machete just so that he could get through.
Did you get a positive reaction? The Royal British Legion were delighted to have someone volunteer. A few people think I’m being a vandal but most just walk on by and assume I'm allowed to be doing it.
How did you get into gardening? In 1997 I wanted a change of career so I did a Royal Horticultural Society course on practical gardening techniques which included a module on history of garden design. It inspired me so I enrolled on a one day a month course at the Museum of Garden History and by
lunch on the first day I was completely hooked. I then did a longer foundation course in historic gardening at Birkbeck College, London. Do you use your knowledge? Yes, now I give around 60 talks a year to special interest groups and societies, large and small, and have also given talks at bigger venues like Blenheim Palace, the National Portrait Gallery and the Eden Project. Do you advise others? I've given advice to people with period properties who want an authenticlooking garden to match the age of their house. Some TV dramas and films use food and flowers out of their historical context. Jane Austen adaptations seem particularly prone to poor research garden-wise. Should gardening be taught in schools? Yes. Children can learn so much from it, including where their food comes from, biology, design and history. I know more schools have their own allotment which is great. Children love seeing something they planted as a seed grow into a flower or a piece of food. If anyone gets wants to brighten up a public space, what should they do? Just do it. Russell will be speaking to the Eltham Nature Club on the title ‘Say It With Poison’ on Tuesday July 23. To find out more about Russell's guerrilla gardening or his lectures go to his website www.capabilitybowes.com
Welcome 'Change Here' L aurie Baker reports that after finding the right person to talk to at Southeastern Railway, they have made a big improvement for people who have to use the ramp to get to or from Platform 2 for trains towards Dartford.
When they use a 5-carriage trains they used to stop right at the end of the platform meaning people who had to
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use the ramp – people with buggies, luggage, wheelchairs or whose leg joints just do not bend as well as they once did – had to walk a long way between the train and the ramp. Now, after our representation, Southeastern moved the place where 5-car trains stop on 14 May to the same location as 4-car trains thus avoiding
the long walk. Thanks to Southeastern, for making this simple change.
Help keep Eltham tidy! Put your litter in bins.
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EDUCATION
SEnine
Greenwich Free School Construction is due to start on a new 700 pupil comprehensive secondary school which is designed to serve young people from the local area.
T
he Greenwich Free School is one of a new generation being set up under the government’s policy of trying to widen the parental choice of state schools beyond those run by the local council. Already operating from temporary buildings on Shooters Hill Road, the Free School has received permission for a three storey development which will enable it to become fully operational during 2014. The school is the first in the borough to be up-and-running under the government’s reforms. In September, the Free School’s first cohort of 93 pupils entered the school, who are enjoying a school regime radically different from that offered by local comprehensives. Every day, school starts at 7.45am and for three days a week finishes at 5.30pm. Additionally, on alternate Fridays, pupils have the opportunity to visit social, spiritual and cultural locations across London It’s a formula which Headteacher Lee Faith says is proving popular. From this year’s council secondary admissions process, in which the Free School competes for recruits alongside the existing state schools, and has received over 600 applications for the 100 places on offer from September. This will enable the Free School to recruit from a tight geographical area of within about a mile of the new school, which will gradually emerge from Adair House, opposite
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the Royal Herbert Pavilions apartment complex. New blocks will flank the 1930s neo-Georgian building, originally a nurses’ home to the old military hospital, which closed in 1978. Given the limited facilities currently on offer in the temporary premises and a hefty construction programme in prospect over the coming 12 months, it’s a remarkable vote of confidence in the Free School’s ability to deliver a better standard of education than what’s already on offer. But Mr Faith rejects the suggestion that high demand will enable the school to ‘cherry-pick’ more able pupils. “As part of the local authority’s common admission system, pupils come equally from across the five ability bands and will be selected by them”, he said, with geographical proximity to the school a key criteria. The school is being funded directly by central government which, amongst other freedoms, he says, enables the school to reduce pupil-teacher ratios, with a maximum of 25 per class. “Our focus is on delivery of depth rather than breadth”, he said, “with a focus on English. Mathematics and Science.
To excite and engage the pupils, Mr Faith says the longer school day enables a greater variety of experience, including code-breaking, debating, arts and music. A greater freedom is allowed on the curriculum, which means that subjects such as economics, politics and philosophy can be introduced from Year 7. This is complemented by ‘enrichment’ activities on Fridays which has seen the students travelling to the British Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe and Greenwich Observatory. Mr Faith says the school’s ethos focuses on high expectations, no excuses and no short cuts and the underpinning values are ‘growth, fellowship and scholarship’. The new building, once completed, will include a sports hall and outdoor games area. The space will allow for the formation of a sixth form starting in September 2014 and an intake of 100 students each September.
To the east of Adair House, on the crossroads of Well Hall Road and Shooters Hill Road application site is Victoria House, formerly officers’ accommodation for the military hospital. Planning permission has been granted for it to be turned into a 75-bed care home.
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YOUNG ELTHAM
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IB Studies First A centre for sixth form students to study the International Baccalaureate is being created at the newly re-built Eltham Hill school.
F
rom this September, the school will be the first in the borough to offer the qualification, which is an alternative to A levels, offering a broader curriculum and community engagement. The opportunity will be within the school’s renovated and refurbished accommodation which formed part of the original school buildings backing on to Queenscroft Park. The 100-strong intake into sixth form, which will include both boys and girls, will occupy the new premises. Under the IB, sixth formers study six subject groups, including at least two languages with a greater emphasis on personal development and inquirybased learning. The IB diploma is increasingly sought-after by leading universities as an alternative to traditional A-levels. IB coordinator at Eltham Hill Rosie Osborne said: “This is an exciting development for Eltham Hill. We will be the centre for IB in the borough and it will be the first time that students will have had the chance to gain the qualification locally.” By September, the entire school, with purpose built sports centre and catering
block will have been re-built under the previous government’s Building Schools for the Future scheme. Places in the sixth form are still available; more information from the school on 020 8859 2843 or rosborne@elthamhill. greenwich.sch.uk.
Eltham Hill School students support Malala Yousafzai
The sleep over event which began at 6pm on Friday; saw an action packed evening of activities including taking part in a beauty boutique, a disco, a wacky science session to a treasure hunt and cooking before all students settled in their sleeping bags for the night. Madeleine Griffin, Eltham Hill School Principal, said: “It was a successful evening of events that saw all the
Students in Eltham Hill’s Year 10 organised a mass fund raising sleep over for their peers in Years 7 and 8, to raise awareness and money for the Malala Yousafzai campaign. Over 100 students took part in the sleep over which raised over £600. The event was to support 15-year-old Malala Yousafzai who was shot in the head, in a failed attempt to silence her for becoming a leading voice for girls' education and the right of all children in Pakistan to go to school.
students working together. I am so proud of the girls who organised, managed and promoted the event. It has taken them months to plan from the moment they first came to me with the idea, wanting to support the Malala campaign. I am pleased that so many Year 7 & 8 students participated in the sleep over and supported such a great cause.”
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NATURAL ELTHAM
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Bee A Ware T
oo many bees or not too many bees? That’s the question on the lips of beekeepers across the capital. The hobby has taken off, in particular with trendy companies in the centre of town putting hives on their roofs to burnish their environmental credentials and motivate their staff.
seen in gardens from red tailed to buff tailed and white tailed, forest cuckoo and common carder. That’s nothing compared with the 265 types of solitary bee, who don’t live in hives or colonies but, as their name suggests, in their own nests. Common
According to the London Beekeepers Association, the number of hives has doubled over the last four years to more than 3,300 and there are worries that there might not be sufficient flowers to go around. That’s honey bees, of course. And it is honey bees which are experiencing the wellpublicised problems of decline in terms of population numbers and the yield of hives. But honey bees are just one of the three main types of bees. Most types of the other two, bumble bees and solitary bees, are doing just fine. For those who like to mark off species, there are 23 types of bumble bee to look out for, 12 of which are commonly
types of garden solitary bees include the Miners, Masons, Megachiles, Cuckoos and Sweets. And then there are hornets and hover-flies, again, similar but different. There are various theories about the decline of the honey bees, which more
A
guided walk around the trees of Well Hall Pleasaunce is to be held by the borough’s senior arboriculturalist. The park is home to some of the oldest trees in SE9 and contains large number of unusual and specimen trees. Over the past two years, a further 25 species have been added as part of a strategic development of the species in the park. Joe Woodcock, who heads the borough’s tree service, will lead the walk, which is
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closely resemble wasps, as both can sting; the difference being that honey bees are hairy, tend to be longer and are not aggressive. One theory is that diseases, such as the varroa mite, are reducing their vigour. Another is that they are losing habitat, particularly in farming areas where they are less able to cope with monocultures. A further one is the neonicitinoid pesticides, which are soon to be banned. Gardeners are being urged to help, either by becoming b e e k e e p e r s themselves, providing nest sites for solitary bees, putting up bumblebee nest boxes or growing flowers that honey bees will like. These are nectar rich single-flowered plants such as Californian poppies, cosmos, forget-me-not and nigella. Try planting some and enjoy identifying the different species.
being organised by Eltham Nature Club, starts at 2pm on Sunday June 23. It is £1.50 for members and £3 for nonmembers Further details from www.elthamnatureclub.org.uk or 07894 711765. Meet at the gates opposite the entrance to the Co-op in Well Hall Road. In July, the club will have an illustrated talk ‘Say It With Poison’ by local garden expert Russell Bowes. It will be at St Mary’s Community Centre, Eltham High Street on Tuesday July 23 at 7.30pm.
Take a walk in the Pleasaunce
SEnine
A Market for Change T
he prestigious Awards Ceremony of The Guild of Professional Estate Agents was held on the 8th May at the Millennium Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London.
BUSINESS ELTHAM
“In a highly competitive region, they have consistently engaged with their clients in new and interesting ways, often ahead of market trends,” they commented.
Marcus Whewell, CEO of The Guild of Professional Estate Agents, said: “It is my honour and privilege to be able to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our member agents, who are great ambassadors for The Guild Conran Managing Director, Simon Hughes with Marcus Whewell and the Estate Agency industry. The quality of award entries this year was the highest ever, indicating Conran Estates won ‘Best Estate Agent The judges were particularly impressed how our organisation is moving London Region’. The agency received by Conran Estates’ clear focus, forward and assisting its agents to its Award from Guild CEO Marcus dedication, and consistent business give a truly outstanding service to the Whewell in front of a large audience strategies, using outstanding marketing public. My sincere congratulations go who had come together to celebrate to help sell their clients’ homes, while to Conran Estates who should be very the outstanding achievements of their simultaneously building a professional proud of winning this hard-fought and prestigious award.” fellow agents across the 700-plus strong and enviable lettings business. network. Members of The Guild of Professional Estate Agents from across the UK attended a Gala Dinner following the most important day in the year for the Guild – its Annual Conference – the theme of which was ‘A Market for Change’.
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SEnine
Travel Sickness… A part of the borough suffering from this occasionally fashionable objective of 'green travel' is Avery Hill where the council’s decision to impose a ‘green travel plan’ on the University when it granted permission for the expanded student residencies. Unfortunately this had the effect of flooding surrounding streets with cars, rather than paying in the Uni’s parks. A problem which the council is now seeking to resolve through imposing a Controlled Parking Zone in the neighbourhood. Sadly, Bexley Council, whose residents would thereby suffer the inevitable spill-over, are not to be bullied by their nuisance neighbours. A high level battle is being fought out between the two which will end up in arbitration by Boris and chums at the GLA. Bexley may feel they have an advantage there.
Censors censored.. SPY has some regret that his bête noire Greenwich Time is to be axed by Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary’s sledgehammer legislation. If the council had just produced a regular sheet with straightforward information about local happenings and facilities, there would have been no issue. The problem is that the council seems to be unable to differentiate between information, hype and overblown rhetoric.
The Oracles have spokes… Democracy Greenwich-style turned to comedy this month, as council officers made clear their determination to plonk a cycle path in Avery Hill park exactly where everybody said they don’t want it. Campaigners seeking a fair and reasonable outcome to this project, costing £450,000 in all, backed by the good and true people No parking for park... Another entirely foreseeable consequence of the Eltham Society and also Greenwich of this folly was that the council’s own car Cyclists, put forward an alternative park at Avery Hill, alongside the Winter scheme only to be told it doesn’t count Gardens, which is meant to be a free as their suggestions aren’t in the council’s provision for people wishing to stroll their consultation document. Yes, true. That’s dogs, children and themselves around because officers didn’t put them there. the pleasant surroundings of Avery Hill, is Only responses containing the word ‘yes’ packed to the gunwhales with students’ are permitted apparently. And they are cars, park users unable to get a look-in. in a hurry to implement because it has All progress on this is snagged until the been discussed already for five years. By CPZ row is resolved, sometime never. Let’s them that is, not the community, whose hope that the problem is overcome by thoughts are allocated only weeks the time the University’s ambitious Winter to work through. Council officers are reluctant to admit that a decision has Garden restoration is completed. already, in effect, been taken, despite the fact that their proposals have been costed Pointless answer, in great detail and the precise amount of what was the question? If there is an MP in the country with a money already applied for from Boris’s higher local profile than Eltham’s, SPY cycling chest. The reason being that the would like to meet them. Sadly, despite his non-decision was taken in secrecy and appointment by Ed Miliband as a shadow lead councillors were not informed of spokesman, and PR forays on topics such any objections or counter-proposals as the Corky Fruited Water Dropwort, the from the Eltham Society, a clear breach name ‘Clive Efford’ clearly is not on the lips of civil service protocol. Therefore, a sham outside the confines of SE9 and adjacent consultation was organised to make it streets. Regulars to the BBC tea-time all appear proper. Let’s hope our elected show ‘Pointless’ will know the object is for representatives have the wisdom to see contestants to think of obscure names on through this fog. various themes, hoping to outwit a studio audience of 100. Unfortunately for the Nobles not obliging... bearded one, the topic chosen was ‘MPs Trouble among the shrubbery at Eltham whose names begin with E’. Neither the Palace SPY learns. The 'garden only' ticket, contestants, nor the 100 others came up which allowed locals to stroll around from with the answer which, to SEniners, would £4.20 a time has been scrapped. Instead, have been obvious. every ticket must be for both house and
Have your say, your opinion counts
Yalways newsy, sometimes inaccurate or irreverent, often controversial or gossip, but never the opinion of SEnine.
gardens, even for regulars who have seen the interior on many previous occasions. Originally considered to be a 'perk' for the community to engage with its local English Heritage attraction, it now looks a public relations own goal, with Palace courtiers being on the thick end of numerous written and verbal complaints since the new rule came in this spring. The official explanation is that extra funds are needed to pay for refurbishments at the Art Dec/Medieval combo, which will see an extended closure period from November to March this winter. But SPY thinks it sounds more like a loss of revenue, and goodwill. Patience on SPY's desk had already run thin, when a Palace flunky requested freebee space in SEnine to advertise their events, the budget seemingly able to extend to paying for staffing, etc, but not a quarter page ad every so often to enable the local community to know what's going on. The truth is, of course, they really just want your £48 a head annual direct debit and email address.
Hope springs eternal… Congrats to those who bared all at the Bob Hope for the near sell-out run of Calendar Girls, including the pin-up boy who bared his scalp to take part. The total raised for charity was more than £8,000 with about as many laughs per performance. A version of Laurie Lee’s Cider with Rosie and Disney’s Jungle Book provide dramatic promise for July. Spikey customers… Further congrats to the Porcupine protestors, who had lobbied Bromley Council to put a ‘stop’ notice on Lidl’ threats to tear down the closed public house in Mottingham. Apparently, the supermarket giants hadn’t even lodged a planning application for their proposed store, leaving the possibility of there being an empty hole in the village centre for a prolonged period. Can Greenwich follow suit and turn down McDonald’s ambitions for the Dutch House?
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MAILBOX ....... Have your say SPY got it wrong
Eltham Station Platform
The Porcupine pub pub. I read the bit in Spy about the pub and whether people would have known what a porcupine was back in the day. The word has certainly been known back in England back as far as Shakespeare - its used as the name of the inn in The Comedy of Errors (although the word was actually "porpentine" then), so that gets it back to 1594 which was the first performance, and probably a bit back further since Comedy of Errors is thought to have been written sometime in the late 1580s. Certainly they would have been a fairly familiar - if exotic - creature as stuffed ones were commonly displayed in apothecaries' shops as part of a general "stock in trade" of exotica to use in remedies of one kind of another - although personally I think that the quills were probably used as needles during surgery.
Would you consider a story on the platform extension at Eltham Station. Might this finally mean that we get long awaited enterance midway between the former Eltham Park Station and the old Well Hall Station?
Russell Bowes
Hill Parking Issues It is time Eltham Hill got residential parking. The newly built Eltham Springs contractors and builders have been using Eltham Hill along with Carnecke Gardens and Sherard Road as their own parking zones. When they leave at the end of May we still have to contend with staff from the surrounding offices and Eltham Hill teachers parking outside our homes. It will be argued that as long as they have tax they can park, but what of the residents who pay tax on their cars and are prevented from getting to their homes on a daily basis. I know that Sherard Road has some permit parking but what about the rest of us? Some residents are disabled and need to park near to their homes but non residents, who may have a badge, park in the disabled zones preventing the very person who applied for the bay from using it. Its time our roads to be parked in by the residents who live here, not non residents. How would they feel if this was happening to them? Lisa Poyner
SEnine Year S Once more many thanks for another year of the wonderful SEnine Magazine. How would we know what was going on in Eltham without it! Kind regards. Elizabeth Clay
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Mrs C Bradshaw. Has been noted and we will see what we can find out - Editor Either go to the SEnine web site at
www.senine.co.uk or write to the Editor at:
SEnine, PO Box 24290 Eltham SE9 6ZP Do you have an opinion? Do you have a 'pet' groan? Have you had a good or bad experience? Why not write and tell us?
SEnine
Scooting Along I some streets ((usually In ll where h the h roadd isi rather narrow), some car owners tend to park their cars half on and half off the pavement. I can understand why they do so but it would be helpful if they would consider those who have to resort to getting about in mobility scooters and leave a good 30" gap so that they can pass. The same plea might also go out to those whose front hedges protude way out across the pavement. I can vouch for the fact that it's very unpleasant to be smacked in the face by an overgrown hedge - especially after rain or snowfall! Many thanks, Marion Langham.
Co op
Eltham Park Station It would ld be b nice i to t see a wine i bar, b coffffee shop h or restaurant where the old Eltham Park Station was situated. Chris & Dot Cole
SEnine Delivers I hhave pleasure l in i enclosing l i my cheque h for f my annual subscription to SEnine Magazine. SEnine is worth every penny - very informative - if it wasn't for you, most of us would have no idea what is happening in Eltham, especially now that the 'News Shopper' is no longer delivered and hasn't been for probably a couple of years or more.
Wh ohh when When, h will ill a SSainsburys i b local l l or Tesco T Metro open near New Eltham Station? After work I sometimes get off at New Eltham and get a bus to the high street - I sometimes make the mistake of attempting to 'pop in' to the Co op there and generally it's a mistake! The selection is poor and overpriced and there is usually a very long queue which makes me annoyed and stressed, as at this point I want to get home and not be delayed! Only last night it was the same story - I have written to co op HQ and told them about this and there has been a slight improvement but it seems to revert to the same depressing scenario time and time again. I think its appalling to treat customers in this way and would love there to be some serious competition for the co op. Maureen Davey
I look forward to receiving our magazine and it's very well read. Thank you, Jane Harrison
Excellence C Congratulations l i on maintaining i i i suchh an excellent magazine
What is your opinion?
Ross Mountford.
SEnine does not necessarily agree with or support any letters published.
SEnine
selling homes
redefining the art of
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37
NEWS
SEnine
A Century of Progress T
he starting gun for the Progress Estate’s 100th anniversary is being fired this month.
as much information as possible about living on the estate through the years.”
A tea and cakes session is being organised by the Estate’s residents association to compile ideas for the celebrations and memories of the past.
There will be a post-it note board for you to contribute your ideas for the 19152015 celebrations.
The Estate will have its anniversary in 2015, a hundred years after its hasty construction for Woolwich Arsenal workers during the First World War.
Keith said: “Everyone’s contributions and photographs will be very welcome as potential items for the centennial book that is to be published.”
David Hallam, former resident and local estate agent, who has an extensive knowledge of the area, will assist in a memory-jogging discussion, which will be held at the Progress Hall on Saturday June 15 from 1 – 4pm. Committee member Keith Billinghurst said: “The Residents Association would like to welcome all residents past and present. We’re hoping to capture
Originally named the Well Hall Estate, The Progress Estate was built in 1915 to provide housing for the many additional workers needed to manufacture the armaments required by the services during the First World War. Conservation Area status was granted in 1975, in recognition of its unique architectural character.
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Contributions to the cake or raffle stalls are welcomed. Cash voucher prizes will be given to an adult and a child for the best cakes. Further information is available from Rita Billinghurst, telephone 07947 043479 or Keith at 56 Arsenal Road or 8856 5593 or 07962 877389 or keith.billinghurst@btinternet.com
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HERBACEOUS
SEnine
Potting Around at Home T he current fashion is for ‘grow your own’ and, for a man whose clothing mostly dates back pre-War, being fashionable is a welcome novelty.
So Herbaceous has been enjoying browsing around some of the new shops he has noticed have sprung up to supply the hobby which is sweeping the nation.
details about ‘what to do if arrested’ and a list of telephone numbers of local solicitors. Although he’s had the occasional dispute with fellow plotholders, he’s nearly always stopped short of going to law to resolve the problem.
But a couple of recent visits to ‘horticultural supply companies’ and ‘grow your own specialists’ have perplexed him a bit, leaving with the impression that he hasn’t quite got the plot, as it were. Some of the objects on display, he couldn’t quite see the relevance. For example, why would any gardener want a hat with a miners’ lamp attached. For midnight weeding perhaps?
It seems that darkened rooms and basements are recommended by the new wave growers, which sparked Herbs’ mind racing about laying a claim to the spare bedrooms.
And, while there are times that an odour filtration system could be useful, for example when he takes his boots off after a long day’s digging, at £450 it seemed a bit excessive.
Some of the lingo employed by the staff left him puzzled too. ‘This is good for
The current trend for hydroponics, growing plants in water, also seemed to be popular in some of these new stores, it seemed.
propagating, you know, err, tomatoes, sir’. Communications seemed to involve an awful lot of nudging and winking, even by the male staff, normally hirsute hippy types. For somebody very interested in terracotta, though, he was re-assured that there seemed to be plenty of chat about pots. He did make one important purchase though. ‘This is our finest Canna’, the assistant told Herbaceous ‘Ah yes’, lovely lilies, said the Old Man, who is planning it a central feature for his bedding display this year.
And he was curious at some hand-out leaflets on the counter giving precise
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020 8859 3033 22 Well Hall Road Eltham SE9 6SF
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
FREE VALUATIONS Thinking of selling? Phone for an appointment for one of our experienced valuers to call.
M O R T G A G E FACILITIES
OPEN DAY Saturday 8th June 2013 10am - 2pm Please call in to our office at 22 Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9 6SF
Need an update on the mortgage situation? Contact us to speak to our Independent Financial Adviser.
Where our friendly sales staff Amanda and Scott are available to discuss any property requirements you may have for now or in the future
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Andrew, our financial adviser is on hand to provide helpful advice if you are thinking of selling, buying, are a current landlord or it’s a new venture to consider a buy to let property
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LETTINGS Considering letting your home? Phone for advice on lettings and rents.
Have a chat to our surveyor, Ian, he has years of experience in the business both as an estate agent and an FRICS surveyor. Want some advice on the different types of survey available then he’s your man! And last but not least we have our lettings assistant Anita, any information you may require as a current or new landlord, then step in and have a chat For any potential clients considering a sale or letting, we will be offering a discount on our usual fees on production of this advert
020 8859 3033 mail@bernardskinner.co.uk 22 Well Hall Road Eltham SE9 6SF
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