December 2014

SEnine Eltham SE9

www.senine.co.uk

December 2014

Police Open House

Totally independent, serving the community for over 8 years

SEnine

Eltham Station

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It is your community, you have the right to a say in what happens

SEnine ISSUE NUMBER 97

DECEMBER 2014

Social media And instant communications increasingly becoming a way of life.

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It is not uncommon for my world wide located family to conduct interesting and fun filled conversations that include word messages, voice messages and pictures on a mobile phone application called "whatsapp". And understanding that two of my daughters are in Perth Australia, one here in Eltham, UK and my wife was actually working for the University of Greenwich in Bahrain at the time, it is amazing that we could all 'chat' in real time, together. We would all see and respond to each others messages and it is the closest thing to a face to face conversation that I have encountered in an internet type application, besides Skype (tm) that I have seen. And it is free.

CPZs

The GT

Just a year on from the last attempt by the council to increase revenue through parking zones and we are at it again.

SEnine is in receipt of a request from the council to provide the services of printing council notices, in a weekly format (like the GT).

The figure suggested in the document is £400,000.00 per annum. Funny that, as the forever humorous Chris Roberts (former leader) always insisted that the GT was saving the council millions.

Hidden in this one however is a sneaky attempt to introduce pay and display into Well Hall Road, which many feel will be the thin edge to making the high street a pay and display area.

They have already shown that they start slow and low and then change the rules to achieve what they actually wanted.

Parking controls introduced a few years ago at £15.00 for a resident permit, has escalated to £57.00 and in the CPZ EC zone they are paying a massive £82.00 per year plus £3.40 per day if a friend wants to come and visit.

However, ask the residents of Elibank Road, and surrounding area, what they think of the power of social media and you might get a different answer.

I believe that the council has got it wrong.

As a residents why should we have to pay anything beyond my council tax for the council to do their job.

It seems that if you have a mate in the next street or a 'courtesan italia', then communication via the many applications is both bringing the world closer together and driving it apart, depending on your use of the social media. It is like the old adage that 'guns don't kill', where the social media platform does not do harm, it is the way people use it that does.

We should be issued permits free of charge.

Social media had led to sackings, and a few politicians (we call them polly's in Australia, which happens to be the same nick name we attach to galahs (cockatoo)) have seen their political aspirations disappear in a 'tweet'.

OPINION, FROM MY DESK

Why should I have to pay to park in front of my house when others do not have to and enjoy free roadside parking.

This is especially true when there is little prospect of off street parking.

The council should deem the whole borough a CPZ, issue free permits and say 50 visitor permits a year to residents and then make a fortune issuing fines to those that fall foul. And do not be fooled, the council makes big bucks on parking fines, and loves it.

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. Please visit our web site to get exact dates.

Submissions: Contributions and Stories are always welcome relating to or with a connection to Eltham. They are subject to our overall editorial policy. Advertisers: SEnine Magazine does not recommend or endorse any advertiser. You should make you own enquiries as to the suitability of the service or product.

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.

Perhaps he meant the millions that they would have to spend to get the same biased and politically charged propaganda.

The other matter I cannot understand is the councils insistence that these notices need to be printed, on paper, and delivered to every letter box, when other councils, labour or other, have no problems with using other media and methods of communication with ratepayers.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Thank you all for another wonderful year of support. John and I are truly humbled.

We hope that in 2015 we continue to present the news, knowledge, history and special interest stories you Enjoy life: enjoy.

Enjoy Eltham.

Cover: Poppies in Eltham, story page 29 Cover photo by: John Webb Cameo: Police had an open house on lights up night.

It was a great success and should be repeated.

Read SPY - Isla Pinnock proudly wearing cap

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 is £36.00 per year (Outside the current delivery area a magazine is delivered by post)

Send your name, address and contact details along with payment to 'SEnine Friends' PO Box 24290 Eltham SE9 6ZP We look forward to hearing from you.

Elthamse9.co.uk is a limited company and is part of the SEnine Limited group.

This publication is subject to copyright - if you want to use something, ask we will usually grant permission

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NEWS

Planning Farce?

Increasingly the Planning Inspectorate is overruling S

legitimate and well considered decisions of the council.

Is it time to put an end to this system? Mark Wall investigates

Enine over the years has been vary wary of the Planning Inspectorate.

This group has the power to veto or overrule the local authority on planning issues. And in Eltham in the past few years we have seen this action taken many times.

This was a simple and straight forward decision. Do we want and need signs on our roundabouts?

When it is works in favour, people do not question the process. However when it works against, the unfairness of the process is painfully apparent.

How could such a bureaucrat have a better insight into what the people of Eltham want than the elected councillors who live here?

Some might remember a few years back that one of the government aims was a reduction in ‘street clutter’ including unnecessary signage on roadsides. It comes as a surprise, therefore, that the government is now allowing unsightly advertising hoardings to spring up in places previously reserved for grass and shrubs

Why should we have to accept that an officer of the Inspectorate is better informed on a matter than the people who live in the community. And surely there could be no legal or moral grounds to overturn the council's decision.

Why has an unelected government appointed career bureaucrat the power to overrule?

Meltham Park

A company, that calls itself Marketing Force, claiming ‘to work with over 100 local authorities throughout the UK on official legitimate roundabout sponsorship schemes’ has contacted SEnine. It seems they have taken offence at our suggestion that one of their clients has illegally erected advertising boards (October 2014 edition). SEnine now understands that while the council initially rejected the application, the planning Inspectorate overruled the council on the grounds, according to Market Force, that it was inconsistent with good practice.

Sorry, we missed the bit where the Planning Inspectorate over-ruled our elected officials.

Therefore our story of October 2014 was factually incorrect in that detail, as planning permission was won on one of these appeals. We apologise.

However we believe that the advertising hoardings on roundabouts are both visual pollution and unsafe as they are distracting drivers. The fact that our council had the good sense, in the first place, to reject the proposals of companies who seek to clutter our roads and roundabouts with unnecessary and mostly unwanted signs, is to their credit.

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SEnine

The future of Eltham's roundabouts?

Companies who do not get a favourable planning result have little to lose in appealing decisions and even, if things do not go their way, taking them beyond, to the high court.

The council, on the other hand, has to be a little more cautious and aware that they represent all persons living in the borough and must spend our council taxation money in a way that is beneficial to the community.

In these cases with the inspectorate appearing to ignore government guidelines about reducing street clutter, the council had little chance of winning and would have wasted money if it took an aggressive stand. It should not be that the council is often unfairly ‘bluffed’ out of standing its ground and defending its position.

The ruling in this case by the Planning Inspectorate regarding advertising on roundabouts sets a very bad precedent that says "'to oppose' .... was inconsistent with good practice", and might mean our council is powerless to stop all our streets being further cluttered with unwanted advertising signs.

A better approach by the Planning Inspectorate might be a two stage approach (1) to maintain the Status Quo, unless there is a compelling reason presented by those appealing and (2) prior decisions do not set a precedent, each case should be judged on merit and the wishes of the people.

This will also prevent councils issuing a 'soft' no. One where they say no, with a wink and a nod, to save face or avoid answering to the voters, knowing that the inspectorate will over rule their decision.

Is it time to stand up to this very undemocratic system where an appointed bureaucrat with no knowledge of where we live or what we need or desire, has the power to overrule a council and side with the commercial aspirations of companies.

If you feel strongly on roundabout and street clutter write to us, contact your local councillor or local MP and voice your opinion.

This time it may be only the public space of a roundabout, but what advertising areas will these companies seek to control next?

Children's play grounds?

Parks and open spaces?

What if they apply to put a bill board up in the Pleasaunce?

As for the company involved in all this.

Their advertising boards on the back of trucks already wander our streets, taking up valuable parking bays. Now they invade the public realms with roundabout signing. They may be following the letter of the law but they are a long way from capturing the spirit of the people.

Don't be a litter lout, find a bin

SEnine

Eltham's first Micropub

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Well Hall Road SE96SX

Opening December 2014

Next to Dominos Behind the Petrol Station.

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Locally sourced Real Ales and quality wines Snacks available

We care about you, your safety and your car.

Mon - Fri 8am to 5.30pm and Sat 8am to 1pm

Friendly, warm, cosy venue for the people of Eltham to meet and converse.

We are truly a family run business, and understand how important keeping you car running is. We offer both a comprehensive car maintenance service and a compassionate understanding when things go wrong with your car.

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Eltham Choral Society Christmas Concert

Handel Messiah (Part 1) Hallelujah Chorus

Haydn Te Deum

with Carols for Choir and Audience

Conductor: Peter Asprey The Amadeus Orchestra â–Ş Organ: Charles Andrews

Saturday 13 December, 19.30

Holy Trinity Church, Southend Crescent, Eltham

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Strong People, Strong Families, Strong Community

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NEWS

SEnine

The Long Pond Prepares to Quack its First Keg Eltham’s first micropub, which opens this month, has been re-defining the word ‘local’.

T

Proprietor Mike Wren (left) with lead builder Steve Geden

he team behind – or at the bottom - of the ‘Long Pond’, led by landlord Mike Wren, has relied heavily on Eltham skills and labour.

Mike, a life-long SE9 resident, has called in local contractors and suppliers to create the new venture, in Westmount Road.

It’s a theme that is being taken up in the pub itself. The ‘Long Pond’ itself is named after the duck pond in Eltham Park North; the walls will sport pictures of local scenes and events.

At the heart of the ‘offer’ is the local beer, mostly from Kent, with a rotating selection of guest beers from the ever-expanding army of small breweries.

The house beer, ‘Pond Life’, which is being brewed specially for Mike from a supplier in Kent, will always be available, and, like all the beers, will be gravity-fed.

In addition, up to six guest beers will be available representing a full range of types and strengths for all tastes.

Mike said: “We are offering something different here. The micropub is a new

After the opening, Mike is planning to be open right through the Christmas and New Year period, including Christmas Day and Boxing Day for short periods. formula which is working very well elsewhere and we think it will be popular.”

Events being planned include beer tastings/meet the brewer and a small area will be available for private parties.

As well as the beers, there will be house wines, a selection of cold snacks including ploughman’s lunches and pork pies and soft drinks.

Opening hours: Lunchtimes 11.30 – 2.30 Tuesday to Friday, until 3pm on Saturdays and on Sundays 12.30 to 2.30pm. In the evenings, 5 – 10pm Monday to Wednesday and 5 – 11pm Thursday to Saturday. Closed on Sunday evenings and Monday lunchtimes. The venue is not suitable for young people under 16 or dogs.

98 Riefield Road Eltham London SE9 T: 020 8333 0452 E: scott@londonandkent.co.uk

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Buy Local, Support the Town Centre

SEnine

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Fresh Cumberland Sausage Meat Range of Home Made Sausages Prime Scotch Beef Prime English Pork Prime English Lamb Salt beef

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JANE’S JOTTINGS

SEnine

That is 'Mrs Webb' to You What’s in a name? This month, I was pleased to have a word with a splendid lady called Amy who has managed to reach the age of 100.

She has lived long enough to see her name in fashion, out of fashion and then back into fashion again.

Not too long ago, anyone called Amy, Emily, Ethel, Agnes, Megan, Doris or Mabel could be dated with some certainty to the pre-War period. Not all of those names have made a return, but they’re probably only one pop celeb away from it.

But, of course, our forenames are our own possessions, to be used as we feel appropriate. As someone occasionally in need of attention from health professionals, I still feel a slight resistance to being called ‘Jane’ by a person who has only just become acquainted with my case notes, and never actually met me before. Is there a polite way of saying ‘It’s Mrs Webb to you’? Perhaps I should have a badge on my lapel which reads ‘Mrs Webb’ in the same way they have badges saying ‘Chantelle’ and ‘Laurie-Ann’.

Maybe I’m old fashioned.

It’s obviously a bone of contention.

The last time I attended a clinic, on the form there was a box which asked the name to which I would like to be referred.

Customer care in the modern NHS! Impressed!

As I write this, dust is continuing to fall onto my keyboard from a team of builders who are extending the house for us. w They’re T an experienced family company from down the road and doing a great f job. j Through the haze of the fall-out, our house will resume its studied calm.

The T leader of the pack, I suppose, I should call him ‘Mr Langley’ given my own c preferences but now they’ve worked their passage I think that Christian names are probably called for.

When I asked what I should call him, W he gave me the following maxim. ‘My w calls me Ken most of the time; then wife it’s Kenny if she wants something and Kenneth when I’m in the dog house’.

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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CULTURE

SEnine

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Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how.

9

NEWS IN BRIEF

News in Brief Society Awards The restoration of one of the area’s oldest buildings has been celebrated by the Eltham Society.

Once in the garden of a detached villa on Eltham High Street, the 18th century Orangery had been derelict and empty for many years before being converted into offices by the Greenwich Enterprise Board.

Occupied by seven local small businesses, the original features of the Orangery’s exterior have been saved.

Now, the Eltham Society has presented an award to the Board’s chief executive Michael Finlay who conceived the project seven years ago.

They said: “In the opinion of the Society, the Orangery restoration and extension provides an imaginative design that contributes to the quality and appearance of Eltham’s built environment.

“The restoration of the 18th century building and new offices demonstrates how old buildings provide for local businesses. It is accessible to all, making a very welcome contribution to a mixed and vibrant economy in Eltham.”

The Society, which is celebrating its 50th year in 2015, has a programme of events lined up for the half century. Further details and membership details can be found on its website www. theelthamsociety.org.uk

Iconic Views 2015

SEnine

'Outstanding' Awards Voluntary works have been rewarded for their efforts by St Mary’s Community Centre.

The awards, made to members of groups which meet at St Mary’s and its four satellite halls across SE9, are made each year to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the running of their organisations.

Making the awards, St Mary’s director Patrick O’Sullivan said that it was important to recognise hard work which was done by members on behalf of the community on a voluntary basis.

Up on the Hill

Michael Stafford, John Royce and Sheena Dyce, plus Tony and Shirley Wright who founded the group in 1964 and who have just retired, returned to watch the Players present an adaptation of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ at the New Eltham Methodist church hall.

Priced £4, it features pictures of the area’s most famous historic sites including Severndroog Castle, Avery Hill Winter Garden, Eltham Palace and Well Hall Pleasaunce through the seasons.

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A group of more than 30 members of the 28th West Kent Boys' Brigade Company visited the World War One battlefields as part of this year’s centenary commemorations. The group, which meets at Eltham Park Baptist Church, visited the Thiepval memorial where the names, addresses and ages of five men from the church who died in the War were read out. Member Olly Lyons placed a cross on the grace of his great uncle. The group, making its first trip abroad as a company, visited Ypres and the Somme.

On Armistice Sunday at the church, two of the Brigade explained how they had found great uncles’ grave stones and their photographs were projected onto the internal walls.

He said: “Our groups always have key individuals without whom they couldn’t function.

The individuals Research on church members who receiving these died in the war had been carried out by awards are being Judy and Tony Feasey, and Colin Barnes; recognised members of the Boys Brigade of a similar for their age to those killed read out ‘first person’ contribution epitaphs of five different soldiers as over the years.” if they were speaking from the grave.

Full transcripts of these are on SEnine’s The winners were: website www.senine.co.uk Marcus Sutton-Beynon, chair of the Greenwich Multiple Sclerosis Society; the Progress Residents Association 2015 Committee (collected by Avril Martin) and Jenny Collins and Jenny Smith for the ‘The Three original cast members, of the Snug’ at St Mary’s, a drop-in social group Community Players in New Eltham, which meets at St Mary’s on Monday and together with its two founder members, Friday mornings. have returned for a 50th anniversary celebration.

A 2015 calendar with the most iconic views of Eltham is now available.

The calendars are available from the Friends, either ring/text 07894 711765 or email wellhall@hotmail.co.uk. They are also available from the Tudor Barn, Woodheads in Well Hall Road or Londis in Westmount Road.

Thiepval Visit

The play was also watched by the Mayor and Mayoress of Greenwich Cllr Mick and Gillian Hayes.

ELTHAM 2015

Members will be taking part in the New Eltham pantomime Dick Whittington on January 10, 16 ad 17.

Join in a Community Activity

BIRTHDAY

SEnine

Happy 100th Birthday Amy John Webb Reports

A

n ample glass of sweet sherry taken before her evening meal has been the secret of a long and healthy life for centenarian Amy Gosling.

Amy, who has been a pillar of St John’s Church since moving to Eltham in the 1940s, recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

A familiar sight both at the church and numerous High Street shops until she moved to live with her daughter in Sidcup, Amy still attends services twice a week.

She moved to Eltham after a war time marriage which saw her living in Glenhouse Road where her daughter Jean was born and started to attend Eltham Church of England school in Roper Street.

It was through the school that she was introduced to the church, where she has been a staunch member ever since. Years later, she moved to a home in Roper Street itself.

For years she helped to run a stall, with friend and neighbour Joan Jeal, in the church’s lych-gate which raised thousands of pounds for the church.

She also took part in performances staged by the church at the parish hall, as a member of the Young Wives group (later just the ‘wives group’) which subsequently became the Bob Hope Theatre.

Amy says she has very much enjoyed her time living in Eltham which, despite the many changes, has remained largely the same.

Originally from Blackheath, she attended the Roan School for Girls in Devonshire Drive, Greenwich and is believed to be the last surviving pupil from this time, the school moving to its current premises in 1928.

Gaining a job as a secretary in London, her job at an agency for Swedish paper suppliers was to change her life, meeting and marrying the company’s principal.

one of her three great grandchildren, the other two living in the USA.

Jean said: “She met him at work but she had to leave for a job elsewhere to get him to make a move!

Her husband died in 1965, on the day of his retirement after which she moved to Woodington Close for a short while and then to Roper Street; she moved to her daughter’s after breaking her hip, requiring the use of a wheelchair.

A 100th birthday celebration was held at St Johns church and at an event at Sidcup Sports Club attended by members of her family, including her two grandchildren and

“As well as the church, Amy has always been enthusiastic about a healthy dose of sweet sherry before her evening meal”, said Jean, “It doesn’t seem to have done her any harm!”

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Don't be a Litter tosser, put it in a bin

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WHAT'S ON Tudor Barn Sunday Music Sunday November 30: Steve Mac and Gordon Marc Webber Sunday December 7: Trevor Newham Sunday December 14: Gordon Marc Webber and Steve Mac Sunday December 21: John Meanie Sunday December 28: Open mic night with Gordon and Steve Gentle music for Sunday nights in the Tudor Barn bar and restaurant. 6 – 8pm

Saturday 29 November William Blake - A Man Without A Mask An evening of Classical & Romantic song and poetry featuring Imogen Roose (soprano).

7:30pm, St Andrew's Church, Court Road.

Free, retiring collection for St Christopher's Hospice

SEnine

This page is sponsored by ElthamSE9 Limited Thursday to Saturday Dec 4 – 6

Saturday December 6

Consultation

Annual Christmas social and AGM

Extensions to Eltham Station (E) and Eltham Central (EC)parking zone. Consultation exhibition by Greenwich Council. Eltham Centre. 10am – 8pm and 4pm Saturday.

Progress Residents Association Progress Hall Admiral Seymour Road. 2-4pm

Thursday 4 December

Saturday December 6

Roger Beaujolais, vibes

Greenwich Youth Band Christmas Carol Concert

Eltham Jazz Club Meets at Eltham Warren Golf Club, Bexley Road Tickets £9 on the door. 8 – 10.30pm

Eltham Park Baptist Church, Glenure Road Tickets on the door. 7pm

Friday 5 December

Sunday 7 December

Christmas Fayre

Drop-in Family Activities and Stories.

Royal Blackheath Golf Club, Court Road All proceeds to Bromley Sparks Charity Handmade jewellery, scarves, bags, purses, wooden gifts, scented candles, professional photography vouchers, Body shop at home, Indian Head massage, mini manicures, mini back massages, raffle, books guess the weight of the cake and more. From 10am

Severndroog Castle ‘Santa’s snoring at the Castle!’ Wake him for songs, stories and crafts. Suitable for children under 12 with adult supervision. 11am - 12.30pm

Friday 5 December

Saturday 13 December Greenwich Community Choir and Friends Christmas Concert

Saturday 29 November

Free Concert

St Andrew's Christmas Fayre.

Eltham Park Methodist Church, Westmount Road Tickets on the door 7.30pm

Court Road Mottingham 11am- 2pm Gifts, Tombola, preserves, handicrafts, bottle stall, bric-a-brac, refreshments and lots more. Lucky programme prize.

Demelza Children’s Hospice ‘3’s Company’, local band White Hart, Eltham High Street More details www.whiteharteltham.co.uk

Saturday 13 December

Saturday 29 November

Saturday December 6

Christmas Bazaar

Christmas Fayre

St Luke’s Church, Westmount Road Christmas Bazaar Hand-made cards and crafts, tombola, Christmas gifts, toys, books, home-made cakes, bric-a-brac, CDs and DVDs, games, raffle and refreshments. Adults 50p, children free. 10.30am - 1.15 pm

Royal Eltham WI United Reformed Church, Court Road Free admission. New ready-made clothes, home-made cakes, sweets, toys, Xmas cards, fancy goods, bric-a-brac.

Refreshments and raffle. £15 to take a table. 11am – 2pm

Saturday 29 November

Saturday 6 December

Table Quiz

Annual Christmas social and AGM

Royal Eltham WI All welcome, £5 per person, tables of 6 United Reformed Church, Court Road Booking required, Sue Boner 07427 187143 Prizes, raffle, cakes, refreshments. 8pm

Progress Residents Association Progress Hall. Admiral Seymour Road. 2-4pm

Tuesday 2 December Public meeting

Eltham Park Baptist Church, Glenure Road Tickets on the door. 7pm

Discuss Kidbrooke Masterplan Organised by Eltham’s MP Clive Efford St Mary’s Community Centre, Eltham High Street 7 – 9pm

Saturdays 6 December to 31 (vocals) and Joe Fooks (sax) With The Hugh Ockendon Trio January and late night Thursday 11 December Buffet included; tickets in advance £15-00

Wednesday 3 December Quiz night at the White Hart On behalf Cancer Research Includes carvery meal £10 per ticket from 8850 1562 Doors open 6pm, quiz starts 8pm

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Saturday 6 December Greenwich Youth Band Christmas Carol Concert

Eltham Choral Society Christmas Concert With the Amadeus Orchestra Handel’s Messiah (Part One). Haydn: Te Deum in C Plus carols for choir and audience Holy Trinity Church, Southend Crescent. 7.30pm

Saturday 13 December Christmas event for families Avery Hill Park café Eldorado singers, competitions, fun. 2-4pm

Wednesday 17 December Quiz night at the White Hart On behalf of local charities Includes carvery meal £10 per ticket from 8850 1562 Doors open 6pm, quiz starts 8pm

Thursday December 18 Christmas Special Event Eltham Jazz Club Guest stars Alan Barnes (sax), Sue Rivers

‘First Impressions’ Affordable work Greenwich Printmakers Gerald Moore Gallery, Mottingham Lane (Closed Christmas and New Year) Free entry, all work for sale, 020 8857 0448 or www.geraldmooregallery.org -12 – 4pm

marionockendon@sky.com or 07752 393228 Eltham Warren Golf Club, Bexley Road - 8 - 11pm

The rest of Decembers eve n t s a n d s o m e f o r J a n u a r y 2 01 5 c o n t i n u e o n p a g e 31

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PREVIEW by Beattie Slavin

SEnine

Oh! Yes it is .....

It's Panto time of year.

No it's not .... Oh! Yes it is ....

A

nother pantomime original, Beauty and the Beast has been written and directed by John Goodwin (who also wrote and directed Sleeping Beauty 2010). He chose this tale as he loves the Disney film, the story progression, and the strong moral message of not taking things at face value. Going back to the original fairy tale where Belle (Louisa Dodd – one of the cats in last year’s Alice) has two very selfish sisters Patience and Grace (Jackie Mitchell and Nicole Tribe), he has given Belle more courage and spark. The Beast, King Leon (William Hawkes - Solyony in November’s Three Sisters) is now a lion and the Beast’s staff are also animals.

It wouldn’t be a pantomime without a dame. In this tale she is King Leon’s nursemaid Muriel Udderthwaite (Andy Noakes – Sherlock in last year’s The Revenge of Sherlock Holmes, A Musical Mystery), but King Leon called her Nanny Moo-Moo. The baddies are Wolfgang (the indomitable Stephen Clarke) and Patience and Grace’s boyfriends Mr Slade Stoneham (Philip Inns) and Mr Vernon Smallpiece (Heather Rungay).

Musical Director John Howells (MD for Oliver in May) is assisted by Steve Trill (MD for the recent Hairspray) have they have recorded a great selection of songs from family animated classics.

Choreographed by Wendy Reynolds (the Librarian in Guards! Guards! and

the choreographer of many other productions) and using the very creative Bob Hope wardrobe mistress, Jacky Webb, and her team to dress the cast, this will be brimming with dance numbers and bright costumes that add dazzle to a brilliant tale. And of course John Goodwin has made sure this is both suitable for the very young and has humour that will entertain the worldlier.

The cast ranges in age from early teens to retirees. Many of the cast are new to Bob Hope and have been supported by the cast’s Bob Hope veterans in the six weeks they have been rehearsing. With only 18 performances, that are already selling very well, any delay booking your tickets could mean you miss out.

COMIN G AT T R AC T IO N S B O B

H O P E T H E A T R E Be a good neighbour

13

SPORT

SEnine

GUR

*Ground Under Repair Story by John Webb

The sound of saw and sand being moved around the fairways has been a familiar one at Royal Blackheath Golf Club this autumn.

A

n ambitious up-grading of the 18 hole parkland course is underway, which will see the world’s oldest club also boasting one of the capital’s best courses.

Originally designed by legendary golfer and five times Open winner James Braid, the course has been in need of renovation to maintain its position among the golfing elite.

Braid, who became a prolific course architect after his competitive career, came to the course in the 1920s. It was soon after the Royal Blackheath moved from the heath itself to Court Road, previously the home of Eltham Golf Club.

W o r k i n g with leading consultants, the Royal Blackheath has embarked on a three year programme with every hole benefitting from improvements.

This year around 1,300 trees have been removed and some bunkers expanded or re-shaped to provide a fairer and more challenging round of golf.

Many of the trees being removed are among the more recent additions; some are impeding views of the clubhouse, others are sapping strength from the turf on and around the greens and fairways making it difficult to maintain them in top condition; some were affecting the play on certain holes.

Particularly damaging were some of the non-native conifers dotted around the course and the poplars, which can suck up moisture from more than 30 metres from their trunks.

The maestro himself played the course, based around the magnificent Grade 1 listed mansion Eltham Lodge, at its official opening in 1928.

Braid is credited with popularising the ‘dog-leg’, of which there are several examples at the Blackheath, not least the majestic final hole, uphill to the clubhouse.

14

course which had been lost with an artificially-tree lined look to many of the fairways.

Head green keeper Allen Blizzard said: It has been difficult to keep some of the greens and fairways in top condition because of the competition for moisture with nearby trees. This will enable the highest standards to be applied.”

It will also help show off the thousands of beautiful mature native trees in copses and avenues which are a hallmark of the parkland course.

Work on bunker modifications on the 2nd, 17th and 18th holes has already been completed and much of the tree felling also. Further bunker works will take place during the forthcoming two seasons at times which minimise the effect on golfers.

Club Secretary Gordon Hogg, said: “The club has been considering parkland restoration work for several years. The work will restore some wonderful parkland views throughout the golf

In the meantime, the Club is also hoping to raise the profile and maximise usage of Eltham Lodge itself, rooms in which are available to hire for a wide range of personal and corporate functions.

Help keep Eltham tidy! Put your litter in bins.

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15

NEWS

SEnine

Trojan Horse?

Plans by developers to build housing on a derelict sports field with a promise of new public open space and facilities are dividing New Eltham.

T

he housing saga has provoked bitter opposition among local residents who resent the proposal of the Gaelic Athletic Association to build on their former sports ground off Avery Hill Road.

Previous attempts have been refused by Greenwich Council, lost on appeal and been struck down at the High Court.

But the developers have re-formulated their proposals and are offering the carrot of community public space both on the housing site and also on the old Bardhill sports ground site in Footscray Road, which they also own, opposite Wyborne primary.

This has raised new fears about overdevelopment in the area, leading to worsening traffic chaos and overcrowding at schools.

Others believe the developers, Linden Homes, are insincere in their offer to develop Bardhill with community groups to provide new sports and recreation facilities. They believe that once the developers have pocketed million in profits, their interest in delivering the community facilities will evaporate.

Two meetings have been held between Greenwich Council’s planning department and the developers and a formal application is expected before Christmas.

The repeated engagement of planners suggest they believe a workable deal is possible, depending on the outcome of the consultation exercise held last month.

The number of homes proposed has been reduced from 261 to either 190 or 140, with a greater emphasis on ‘up-market’ dwellings, some of which might market for more than £1m. On the old Gaelic playing fields, they promise a new public open space for recreational use.

Around the corner at Bardhill, the former Royal Insurance/Millwall Football Club training ground, Linden Homes promise to work with community groups to create new facilities for children and sports teams with play areas, pitches and wildlife features.

Much emphasis is being placed on the current derelict nature of both the GAA and Bardhill sites. But opponents say that leaving them to become unsightly has been part of the developers’ game plan.

It is more than 25 years since the GAA relinquished a sporting interest in the site over which numerous housing proposals

have been put forward.

Plans to revive a longderelict New Eltham sports club are being labelled a ‘Trojan Horse’ by development protestors in the area.

The proposals to bring back the Bardhill sports ground into community use have been tabled by the Linden/Novalong group, who are seeking permission for a major housing development on the nearby, also derelict, former Gaelic sports ground off Avery Hill Road.

Malcolm Bond of RAGED (Residents Against Gaelic Environmental Destruction) said that Bardhill was being offered as a bargaining chip to get approval for building on the Gaelic ground.

Cllr Nuala O'Geary said she was deeply concerned with the proposals. "Bardhill is designated Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and should not be used as a bargaining tool for relaxing planning rules on the Gaelic ground which is also MOL. We are seeking the restoration of the GAA and Bardhill sites as sports and recreation areas."

Above and Left the Bardhill site and right the Avery Hill GAA sports ground site

16

Take a walk in the Tarn

SEnine

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NEWS

SEnine

D-Day Eltham folk clubber Jim Radford captured the hearts of the nation when he performed solo at the Royal Albert Hall’s Festival of Remembrance.

J

im, who took part in the D-Day Landings, sang his song ‘The Shores of Normandy’ written about his experiences.

His lone performance was in front of the Royal Family, national leaders, thousands in the hall and millions on television.

“I wasn’t nervous”, said Jim, aged 86. “After all, nobody was pointing a gun at me!”

Jim wrote the song three years ago and said that he worked over several months to complete it to his satisfaction.

“It’s basically my story so writing it was quite emotional”, said Jim, who regularly performs on the local folk club circuit.

“I have had hundreds of emails since and about two-thirds said that it made them cry, so it looks like the emotions came across well”.

Jim was picked after performing at the 70th anniversary of D-Day event at Albert Hall on June 6 for which he was nominated by the Normandy Veterans Association.

“Somebody picked it up from there and suggested I did the Remembrance Festival as well. I really enjoyed it. It’s every folk singer’s dream to perform at the Albert Hall and I’ve done it twice in a year.

He said: "I was brought up in a house full of singing. My whole family were singers including my parents and my brothers. I suppose it was that experience which has given me a really good memory for the words of songs.”

Jim Radford in the Merchant Navy

18

Jim was just 15 when he sailed from his home town of Hull, in 1944 as a galley boy on a deep sea tug, the Empire Larch which formed part of the HM Rescue Tug Service.

They played a crucial role in the Allied victory in the Battle of the Atlantic and in the Normandy Landings of 1944.

The tugmen towed the massive prefabricated caissons, roadways and pontoons to construct the artificial Mulberry Harbour on which the success of the invasion .depended.

The Shores of Normandy In the cold grey light of the sixth of June, in the year of forty-four.

The Empire Larch sailed out from Poole, to join with thousands more.

The largest fleet the world had seen, we sailed in close array.

And we set our course for Normandy, at the dawning of the day.

There was not one man in all our crew, but knew what lay in store.

For we had waited for that day, through five long years of war.

We knew that many would not return, yet all our hearts were true.

For we were bound for Normandy, where we had a job to do.

Now the Empire Larch was a deep-sea tug, with a crew of thirty-three.

And I was just the galley-boy, on my first trip to sea.

I little thought when I left home, of the dreadful sights I'd see.

But I came to manhood on the day, that I first saw Normandy.

At the beach of Gold off Arromanche, 'neath the rockets' deadly glare.

We towed our blockships into place, and we built a harbour there.

Mid shot and shell we built it well, as history does agree.

While brave men died in the swirling tide, on the shores of Normandy.

Like the Rodney and the Nelson, there were ships of great renown.

But rescue tugs all did their share, as many a ship went down.

We ran our pontoons to the shore, within the Mulberry's lee.

And we made safe berth for the tanks and guns,that would set all Europe free.

For every hero's name that's known, a thousand died as well.

On stakes and wire their bodies hung, rocked in the ocean swell.

And many a mother wept that day, for the sons they loved so well.

Men who cracked a joke and cadged a smoke, as they stormed the gates of hell.

As the years pass by I can still recall, the men I saw that day.

Who died upon that blood-soaked sand, where now sweet children play.

And those of you who were unborn, who've lived in liberty.

Remember those who made it so, on the shores of Normandy.

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www.celebrantlondonplus.co.uk 19

HISTORIC ELTHAM

SEnine

The Chequers John Kennett looks at one of our old established public houses

A

question often puzzling local historians is how in its village days could Eltham support so many public houses along and around its high street.

One of the surviving locations is that of the recently named Draughts pub which for most of its life was known as The Chequers.

which appears over the years to have morphed into the ‘Garden of Pleasure’ with a skittle ground and bowling green as signed on an old photograph of The Chequers frontage. On this land in 1910 was built the Parish Hall for St John’s Church, which is now the Bob Hope Theatre.

The pub, or beer house as it brewed its own beer, probably dates back to about 1730 with a record of 1756 calling it The Checkers. Eltham vestry meetings were held here and at other Eltham pubs.

On a bleak evening on 5 January 1846 was established the Loyal George Chester Lodge of Oddfellows at ‘the house kept

by Mr Styles’ – one hundred years later the friendly society was to celebrate its centenary in style with a dinner at Eltham Baths.

James Styles was to see some physical changes locally as the population increased principally after the railway came in 1866 to Eltham (now named as Mottingham) Station. To the rear of The Chequers on former farmland a new ‘L’ shaped road was laid.

For a short time it was known as Albion Road, then for many years as Wellington Road but from 1937 as Wythfield Road.

Detached villas were built on this Crown land, of which three survive, together with the adjacent large house and grounds of King's Garden now the site of King's Orchard. No doubt more customers for The Chequers!

The original Chequers in 1870 From surviving Victorian photographs of The Chequers we see that the pub, with its swinging sign, was part of a terrace of cottages that lined the narrow road between Kent and London not only attracting a local clientele but also the carters and drovers bringing their livestock to London.

Between 1823 and 1827 Edward Everett is recorded as the landlord. From the later eighteenth century the New Cross Turnpike Trust administered the road between London Bridge and Footscray and charged tolls for its use to pay for road repairs and other associated maintenance.

To aid travellers, milestones were installed within the trust’s area of administration and a stone carved one was located outside The Chequers.

The landlord from 1838 to 1883 was James Styles. On the Tithe map of 1839 James Styles rented a ‘cherry orchard and garden’ to the rear of the pub from the Crown

20

Landlord William Hoad is recorded in 1886 when he provided an ‘excellent dinner’ for members of two cricket teams who played a friendly match near the Eltham railway station in August. The teams represented the single and married men – the latter showed superior form but only scored 9 runs to the 20 by the younger competitors.

Thomas Ovenden was landlord in 1891 and Edward Miller in 1900 together with the advertised Chequers Livery stables.

A description of the pub in 1902 mentions a side external urinal with a beer cellar, and laundry to the rear, then a yard to the coach house with stables for five horses; a second block of stables for four horses, stables, and a nearby chicken house. The first annual dinner of the Eltham Park Athletic Football Club took place at The Chequers Hotel in February 1904 where sixty members and friends sat down to an excellent dinner provided by Mr Ernest Fownes the proprietor.

Around 1870, on the site of an old vicarage across the road from the pub, was built a brewery kept by Messrs Bernard & Kemp.

The fortunes of the brewery were varied and passed through several owners with a later rebuild to a distinctive style. Brewing ceased at the time of the First World War but no doubt The Chequers must have been supplied with its products being so near to the source of manufacture.

During the tenure of James Styles the Graham family bought the premises in 1862. In 1897 Christopher Graham sold the pub and four cottages, of which one was once a smith’s forge, to Algernon Meekins and Arthur Barfield for £5,250.

They made a profit of £750 when they sold out to Whitbread in 1902 who were expanding their field of operation.

The original Chequers in 1870

Only historians can alter the past

HISTORIC ELTHAM

SEnine

For some years Eltham Little Theatre and later the Bob Hope Theatre, rented the former stables at the back of The Chequers to store clothes and costumes but that ceased around 1988. Due to the efforts of the Eltham Society the historic milestone was granted Grade 2 listed status by English Heritage in 1977 as they had obviously missed it when listing other surviving structures.

1907 advert But all this was to alter when plans were drawn up to demolish and rebuild the pub and adjacent shops further back from the main road. The frontage land was sold freehold to Woolwich Borough Council for £250 by W h i t b re a d ’s for a future r o a d widening scheme. The rebuilding was probably completed

870

Grade 2 listed milestone in 2000

society clubs in the United Kingdom since starting six years ago.

Edith Nesbit’s The Red House, published in 1902, follows two cyclists from Lewisham, ‘We climbed the (Eltham) Hill and passed through the long sunny village street clamorous now with beanfeasters and superior pleasure Chequers Sign 1977 parties drawn up in front The Chequers and The Castle Hotel.’ late in 1904 and The Amateur Gentleman by Jeffery Farnol incorporated the was published in 1913 and includes historic milestone references to Eltham in Regency days at the front of the including mention of The Chequers. pub to provide a tangible link No doubt during the First World War many with the former of the regular drinkers had been ‘called to hostelry. Charles W the colours’ but there were Thompson was the extra uniformed personnel landlord of the new in the area particularly as the premises and Albert adjacent parish hall had been Tate from 1909 to taken for military purposes.

1911. In 1911 the From 1920 the High Street second annual near The Chequers was dinner was held widened to enable a new tram of The Chequers route between Eltham and Lee Provident Club to be completed. when some eighty members and John Fox was landlord from visitors ‘sat down 1929 to 1964 and during his to a sumptuous tenure in 1944 The Chequers repast’ provided by and adjacent shops were host Albert Tate. In seriously damaged when a a speech the club V1 landed across the road at was described as Hitches Garage causing loss of one of the most life after slicing the top from the spire of successful friendly St John’s Church.

past. So do it right the first time.

The premises have had many refits and repaint but in 2003 it took on a new role as the Mexican themed Cactus Tree, which survived until a fire in April 2007 after which it never re-opened. In October 2007, following repair to the fire damage, it reverted to pub use and was renamed as Draughts to continue an old tradition on this site.

Draughts beer delivery 2008 All pictures are from the John Kennett collection

21

SPORT

SEnine

Badgers Sports Club

Home of Cray Valley (pm) FC & Erith Town FC For Cray Valley: Contact Dave Wilson (Secretary) 07715 961886 wilson433@ntlworld.com or Frank May (Chairman) 07778 987579 frankmay.cvpmfc@hotmail.com

For Erith Town: Contact Paul Carter (Secretary) 07863 347587 secretary@erithtown.co.uk or Ian Birrell (Chairman) 07956 291274 ibirrell@hotmail.co.uk

December at BADGERS

Left: Joe Matthews charges away v Erith Town Right: Badgers Derby in September! Ben Healy (blue CV) and Marcus Cassius & Team mate.

Just as it had seemed that both Cray Valley and Erith Town had turned the corner in the early part of November, the weather interrupts proceedings and the Millers found themselves without a game for 3 weeks!

After going 8 League matches without a win, Paul Gross’ side finally gained 3 points with a hard fought 3-2 win over second placed Ashford United at Badgers on Saturday 8 November, defender Ronnie Vint scrambling home the winning goal in injury time. The win was a massive relief for all concerned at Badgers but we then found ourselves without a match until Saturday 29th!

Erith Town did manage to get a couple of fixtures under their belts but after a promising start for new manager Ennio Gonnella, results have slipped again. After cruising past Banstead Athletic in the FA Vase, the Dockers stumbled to consecutive League defeats Set in the grounds of Cray Valley & Erith Town Football Clubs, Badgers Sports Club is the ideal venue for a variety of functions & events.

Our professional catering & hospitality team

Saturday fixtures kick off at 3pm Midweek fixtures kick off at 7.45pm Saturday 6 Erith Town v Phoenix Sports Wednesday 10 – London Senior Cup Cray Valley PM v Metropolitan Police Saturday 13 Cray Valley PM v Beckenham Town Saturday 20 Erith Town v Corinthian Saturday 27 Cray Valley PM v Erith Town

at Beckenham Town and Holmesdale, conceding 10 goals in the process.

But December brings about the second of this season’s “Badgers Derbies” as the Millers and the Dockers meet on Saturday 27th for what should be another close encounter. The two sides fought out a 3-3 draw back in September and although the passion off the pitch may not match that of a Manchester, South London or Liverpool derby, the need to ‘get one over’ your nearest rivals is a strong as anywhere else. It’s the perfect way to get over the Christmas excesses and it will certainly be a match you won’t want to miss!

Off the pitch, there’s plenty happening in the clubhouse over the festive period with the bar open on Christmas Eve from 1pm till 11pm and stars the Backbeat Jivers playing some familiar 50s Rock ‘n’ Roll from 4pm. The bar will also be open from 12pm till 2pm

on Christmas Day before the Boxing Day extravaganza kicks off with a Charity Football match at 11am and more great live music from 3pm. And there’s 3 live football games too, including Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal, on the TV all day from noon! There’s more live TV action on Sunday 28th before our fantastic Black Tie, New Year’s Eve party. We’re open from 8pm till late and includes a disco, karaoke and a Casino! Entry is by ticket only so pick up yours from the club soon.

So for now, from all of us at Badgers, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

can tailor a package that best suits your requirements. Our newly rebuilt & refurbished Clubhouse has lifted the whole venue, now with air conditioning, while the large glass

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22

Join you local neighbourhood watch scheme

SEnine

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Remembrance Day

It was a privilege to see how proudly and humbly Eltham salutes the memory of those to whom we owe a debt of life in liberty....

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Take an interest in local events

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New patients are always welcome.

Normal Hours 9 am to 6 pm Mon to Thurs 9 am to 5 pm Friday.

Closed for lunch between 1 pm and 2 pm.

23

COMMUNITY

SEnine

Sermon on the WestMount Eltham welcomes its newest Vicar

T

wo new figures clad in black are becoming familiar sights in and around Eltham. One with two feet, the other four.

These feet belong to the new vicar of St Luke’s Church, Westmount Road, Liz Oglesby-Elong and her family’s dog, Mythos, a field spaniel.

Liz comes to St Luke’s after eight years at St Michael’s, Camberwell, a parish deep in the heart of ‘Rev’ territory.

The move outwards will not only give her and Mythos some extra breathing space but also three year old son Oscar, who has taken his place in the Royal Eltham pre-school nursery, which meets in the church hall.

She said: “St Michael’s was a very inner city urban parish and I felt like it was

time to take on a new challenge in a different sort of area.

“I love the open spaces I’m discovering in Eltham which will be ideal for exploring with the family, and Mythos.”

At Camberwell, Liz was also chaplain to a secondary school and hopes that a background in youth work is something which will drive her ministry in Eltham, as well as forging links with community groups.

Liz’s DNA has a strong religious strand as her father is an Anglican priest and her grandfather was a Methodist missionary; her husband Samuel’s father was a priest in his native Cameroon.

After studying Theology at Roehampton, University of Surrey and then a higher Theology degree at Manchester

University she discerned her vocation to the priesthood while working with children and young people on the Isle of Dogs.

Her induction service at St Luke’s was attended by the Bishop of Woolwich Dr Michael Ipgrave, Archdeacon Alastair Cutting, MP Clive Efford and the Mayor Cllr Mick Hayes.

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NEWS

SEnine

Shaggy Story Q: Scooby Doo, where are you? A: Westmount Road…

Q: Scooby Doo, who are you? A: A new dog grooming parlour.

I

t was trying to book an appointment for Ruby, her six year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, that Maxine Gadd had the idea. With a waiting time of more than a month, it seemed there was an opportunity begging to be taken.

After a little 'paws' for thought and an intensive course to gain her City and Guilds qualification, Maxine took the lead in sniffing out a shop in Westmount Road.

“I had been in retail for many years, working for other people, so I decided it was time for my own venture”, said Maxine, who heads a team of three.

For the last seven years she was area manager for a national health care and beauty chain, now Maxine is hoping to transfer her customer skills to man’s best friend.

A life-long lover of animals, Maxine was brought up locally and she and husband Andrew live within dog whistling distance of her new business.

Not only is Maxine a keen member of the local canine companion community, she and Ruby make up an unusual double act as members of the New Eltham Joggers. Ruby often does runs of up to six miles keeping up with Follow us on Facebook & Twitter@ TheWhiteHart3

her owner, who has twice completed London Marathons and jogs three times a week.

Dog grooming, she says, is becoming more popular, not just for appearances sake, but also to save the furnishings.

“Muddy paws and fur can leave their mark, particularly in the wet winter weather”, said Maxine.

For prices and a full list of services, see the website at www.scoobydooseltham. co.uk or ring 020 8859 1723.

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If you have not been out in Eltham in a while, visit the White Hart.

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legally yours.. call us on: 020 8850 6366 www.wattsandleeding.co.uk

25

PERSONAL ELTHAM

SEnine

Busy in Retirement Nursing has been a lifetime vocation for Iris Heard who has been as busy after retirement as before. Matt Bell caught up with her.

When did you start nursing?

Are you involved in other voluntary groups?

I trained as an 18 year old and went straight onto the wards at the old Miller Hospital in Greenwich. It was a great way to learn because you were involved directly with patients.

I'm also chairman of the Friends of Wensley Close which raises money for treats for the sick children at the unit. It's not the Demelza Hospice, it's a different unit called Bluebell House in the same close. We bought them a minibus, we fund parties, Christmas presents and we're putting on a panto for them. I always find the people of Eltham are incredibly generous when we fundraise.

Why does the NHS struggle to recruit nurses now?

Girls have much more career choice now, so to keep up the numbers the NHS has to recruit nurses from abroad.

When I was younger we relied a lot on bringing in nurses from Ireland.

What is Wensley Close?

How did your career progress?

I got married, had a son and didn't work until he was nine. I then became night sister at Goldie Leigh Hospital in Abbey Wood. I did that job for 22 years.

Did you have to change?

At the age of 52 my boss encouraged me to do specialist training in learning disability, so I moved to Darenth Park Hospital. My husband supported me and said 'go for it'. I was promoted to a senior post which meant I moved around to different units in the borough overseeing other staff.

Were you able to juggle work with family life?

Yes. I met my husband when we were young, he was an NHS lab worker. My son was our only child, he was well loved. He's 56 now. My husband died 17 years ago, a year after I retired.

To join or donate to the Friends of Wensley Close call Margaret Simpson on 0208 850 9829.

26

Did you stay retired?

No. Two months after my husband died my former line manager asked me to come back to sort out a problem. I went back to work for 18 months before retiring again at 68.

Has retired life been quiet?

I wanted to remain active. I got involved with the NHS Retirement Fellowship and became chairman of the Greenwich Meridian branch six years ago. We meet monthly, have speakers on various topics, go on day trips and other social outings. In the summer we had a lovely lunch with the new trust chairwoman who hadn't realised before what we did.

It’s a four bed unit that provides respite care for children, allowing parents some time to get away and take a break. It’s always in use and the staff there make it feel like a ‘home from home’ for the children.

Are you a fan of the NHS?

It's still the best system because it's free.

I'm old enough to remember when people had to pay to see the doctor so they would sometimes stay ill to save money. A good example of how it works is my friend recently called me to say he had chest pains. I said dial 999 but he said he didn't want to trouble them. So I took him to hospital locally and within 20 minutes he was in an ambulance on way to St Thomas's for specialist treatment because he had suffered a heart attack. You can't beat that for service.

Do you get any spare time?

There are 170 branches nationwide.

We recruit mainly through word of mouth, subs are £12 a year and we have 92 members in our branch from diverse backgrounds but all retired NHS workers.

I keep in touch with lots of friends from my NHS days who I socialise with. I'm also the prompt for the Hulviz Amateur Musical Society which puts on shows at the Bob Hope Theatre.

If you're interested in joining the Greenwich Meridian branch of the NHS Retirement Fellowship call Kathleen Cliff on 0208 850 4179. You can attend a free taster session.

Help keep Eltham tidy! Put your litter in bins.

SEnine

One of London’s oldest music stores. Celebrating 100 years in Eltham. am m.

We stock a large range and variety of musical instruments and printed music, including Associated Board Publications

We would like to thank all our customers for their support in 2014.

Have a happy and peaceful Christmas.

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

tel: 020 8850 1263

New Hospital Looks Good F

inal preparations for the opening early next year of Eltham’s new community hospital are taking place.

A phased start is expected during the first months of 2015 which will see two GP surgeries re-locate to the hospital from Court Road.

The upper floor of the hospital will house two wards for up to 40 intermediate care patients.

Following last month’s publicity in SEnine magazine, suggestions from the local community for names for the two wards have been rolling in to the NHS Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group, which has been responsible for the planning of the new hospital in Passey Place.

The GCCG are looking for names that reflect the best of Eltham, the

Don't find fault, find a remedy

neighbourhood or that show a connection with Eltham’s past or future.

The competition has closed for new entries and voting will take place over the coming weeks from a shortlist drawn up by the group.

Voting will take place via the GCCG’s website www.greenwichccg.nhs.uk; ballot boxes will be placed in the Court Road surgeries and at the Eltham Centre on Monday December 15.

The £13m hospital will include the Eltham Palace Surgery and Eltham Medical Practice, which will move from Court Road and serve almost 16,000 patients. The hospital’s diagnostic suites will give GPs and health professionals access to equipment including, non-

obstetric ultrasound, echocardiogram and x-ray.

In addition, to the two wards there will be out-patient consulting rooms with the capacity to treat around 32,000 people per year, as well as a minor surgery suite to deliver up to 1,500 low complexity procedures per year.

A key aim of the new hospital is to bring services closer to the community and take pressure off Queen Elizabeth hospital in Woolwich.

A variety of community services will also be relocated to the hospital, such as mental health, community nursing, physiotherapy and paediatric departments.

27

FEATURE

SEnine

Prestidigitation 'Indocilis Privata Loqui'

Glass ceilings have not been so much broken as made to disappear by Eltham’s Magic Megan.

A

t the age of just 22, Megan KnowlesBacon has been elected as secretary of that elite corps of magicians, The Magic Circle, becoming both its youngest and its first female officer in its 109 year history.

Having been a regular at Circle events since she was 10, Megan was encouraged to apply when the post became vacant this year.

Megan is delighted with her new role in a body which only accepted its first female members in 1991 and is still maledominated. She estimates there are still fewer than 100 women in the entire society, and an even smaller number who actually perform.

But to her surprise, she found herself in a vote-off against another applicant, more than twice her age. And, of course, a male.

But the 1,400 Circle members decided to saw her opponent in half and, from out of a hat, produced Megan to take a central role in their activities.

“I am extremely passionate about magic and the society is very close to my heart, so this is a chance to give something back”.

Megan has thrown herself into the art since her parents hired a magician, Roy Marsh from the Bexley Magic Society, for her eighth birthday party.

Megan, a former pupil of Henwick primary and Eltham Hill, is still trying to magic up a full time living for herself, having left university this year, but it will have to fit around her new official duties of attending meetings of the Circle’s governing body and dealing with correspondence.

She joined the Young Magician’s Club (A youth initiative of The Magic Circle) aged 10, and became a member of the Bexley Magic Society aged 14.

At 18, she became a member of The Magic Circle itself, the most prestigious magic society in the world, developing her own unique act which combines deception with ballet.

While at University, studying Wildlife conservation in Canterbury, she formed a thriving magic society and was still able

28

She said: “It’s a great honour to be elected.

I feel as though I have grown up within The Magic Circle, having been a regular attendee since I was 10 and performed in and volunteered at numerous shows.”

“I hope to move the Circle forward while respecting its traditions, values and prestige”, she said.

One of her ambitions to encourage other young people to become involved and, of course, more women.

to attend Circle meetings at their HQ near Euston station.

In amongst other achievements, her name was put forward to take up a scholarship from the Society of American Magicians to attend a magic camp in Canada where she mingled with top magicians from the States; in 2010, she was asked back to perform in Atlanta followed by a further scholarship to study performance in Las Vegas.

Her mother [Chris] said: “Megan gives her all to whatever she is doing and got a first class degree when she graduated this year. There has certainly been a great deal of hard work over the years but now it is paying off for her”.

In the meantime, Megan is available to do shows for local organisations and events; more details are available from her website at www.magicmegs.com.

Smile , it feels good

YOUNG ELTHAM

SEnine

Gandalf Greetings

Art Box Eltham

Poppies

A

L

eading pencil artist Kelvin Okafor and artist in residence Terri Hawkins attended the opening of Eltham’s arts venue the SE9 Container Gallery.

R

Sir Ian, one of Britain’s best known stage actors and ‘Gandalf’ from the Lord of the Rings film series, came to raise awareness of homophobic prejudice and bullying.

The new £130,000 addition to St Thomas More Catholic Comprehensive School will also be open to the public for exhibitions and workshops.

In front of their base at St Andrew’s Church, Court Road, they made and planted poppies in the church garden.

The school is a champion of the charity Stonewall, which campaigns and lobbies on issues relating to lesbians, gay men and bisexuals.

Made of interlocking aluminium chequer plate boxes, the contemporary space adds a new dimension to the school’s study and appreciation of art.

Sir Ian has visited schools around the country for the past five years to talk about the impact of homophobic bullying and language, answering questions from students about homophobia and also about his career.

It will be home to Ms Hawkins, who will work with students to mount exhibitions as well as displaying her own output, the first of which is an installation based on the school’s 50th anniversary celebrations this year.

touch of Tolkien magic came to Eltham Hill when Sir Ian McKellen paid the school a visit recently.

He began the day speaking with students in years 7 to 11 and later to students in the new mixed Sixth form.

Madeleine Griffin, the schools principal said “It was such a pleasure to have Sir Ian McKellen visit us. He is truly a great and inspirational speaker who is passionate about equality issues in particular in the lesbian, gay and bisexual community.

We are so proud and honoured to have had the opportunity to have him visit our school, through Stonewall. “

ainbows and brownies in Mottingham created their own Sea of Red to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War One.

The children, from the 1st Mottingham rainbows and 3rd Mottingham brownies made the poppies from plant pot sticks, cut up red plastic table cloth and black clay material.

See cover photo.

Headteacher Markus Ryan said: “I’ve long wanted to have an artist in residence and this innovative gallery will be a perfect setting for this.”

More details and opening hours can be found at se9containergallery.wordpress.com

Put your money where your house is - shop locally

Pictured below Headteacher Markus Ryan (left) Kelvin Okafor, Artist (centre) Terri Hawkins, Artist in Residence (right)

29

NATURAL ELTHAM

SEnine

Area Inof Special Character 1988 the council stated; "The Borough recognises the value and importance of Pippenhall Meadows for nature conservation and is committed to protecting this value".

F

or a suburb of the capital, Eltham is fortunate in its wide variety of natural habitats. Most notably, these include ancient woodland, parkland and meadow grassland. Less well known is wet grassland, found only at Pippenhall Meadows.

Hidden away between Bexley Road and Avery Hill Park, this area of natural springs forms the headwaters of the river Shuttle which flows westwards from Avery Hill towards Bexley.

The constant replenishment of moisture from the springs combined with the saucer shape topography has allowed a miniature pond and wetland ecosystem of plants to establish, so uncommon in the capital that it is designated one of the borough's seven sites of Metropolitan Interest.

layered hedges when most of the area was given over to farming pre-1900.

Without these animals, the area would have become overgrown with trees which would have gradually shaded the plants out, forming a canopy and drying out the soil.

Unfortunately, in recent years, this has been allowed to happen by owners Greenwich Council. The first stage of encroachment is a covering of brambles, followed by the establishment of saplings of ash and sycamore. In the wetter areas, poplars get a foothold, potentially towering over and dominating the site.

In more recent years, horses have provided the necessary grazing and some still occupy parts of the site.

However, in other parts, the land has been vacant and temporary fencing has been allowed to collapse. Already, the bramble and saplings have started to take a toll.

Hope is now in sight, with a horse grazing tenancy being advertised.

Having the right number of grazing animals is crucial. Sadly, the borough, unlike most others, doesn’t employ an ecologist, therefore, the site’s status remains under threat.

Among the many species to be found are ragged robin, plantains, bog grasses, sedges, brooklime, water cress and corky fruited water dropwort.

But the supply of fresh water topography are not enough. The habitat has been created with the help of animals; although there are some signs of arable cultivation, it is grazing which has enabled the plants to thrive.

Sheep and cattle would have been enclosed by stock-proof fencing and

The Area of Special Character and of ecological importance The estimated extent of Pippenhall Meadows. An area of about 5ha.

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Take a walk in the Pleasaunce

WHAT'S ON continued

SEnine

What's on continued from Page 12

Friday 19 December Christmas Concert Mottingham Village Concert Band Maryfield Hall, rear of Our Lady Help of Christians at junction of Mottingham Road and Leysdown Road. The programme will include popular and seasonal music with carols. Admission free with a retiring collection.

Refreshments available. 8pm.

Saturday 20 December Festive Fayre Avery Hill Winter Garden Hand-made gifts, Victorian inspired crafts.

‘Hartley Voices’; music in the garden grotto 11am – 4pm

Every Monday Opera Appreciation 7.00pm All Welcome. Royal Blackheath Golf Club. Phone Pam Norris on 020 8850 6710

Every Thursday Eltham Chess & Games Club All ages and abilities welcome. St Mary’s Community Centre, 7.30 – 9.30pm August is our quiet period and a great time for new members of any age to join.

Contact Alan 020 8355 4316

Eltham Choral Society

French Group 2pm – 4pm

Westmount Road Methodist Church at 7.30pm. New members welcome. 7.30pm. www.elthamchoral.org.uk

Second Monday of Month

Zumba Gold 2pm-3pm

Methodist Church, Westmount Road - 2pm

Friendly community based Zumba Gold Class, that lets you move to the beat of the music at your own speed! Contact: Yvonne Conway

Fourth Thursday of Month Civil Service Retirement Fellowship

Third Saturday of Month

Annual pantomime Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road Tickets £8 – 10 (plus group rates) 8850 3702 or www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk 2.30, 5.30 and 7.45

Wednesday December 31st See in the New Year

Join other Francophiles and brush up your French.

Beginners and improvers welcome. Contact: Community Volunteers Time Bank

Eltham Park Townswomen

Christmas Carol Concert Holy Trinity Church 5.45pm

Beauty and the Beast

Gardening 10.30am – 12.30pm

Every Thursday

Greenwich Concert Band

December 28 to January 24

Every Tuesday All ages are welcome to attend these sessions in which a 1 hour educational/discussion topic will be followed by a 1 hour practical session in the Goodwill Garden outside. No need to book, just turn up.

Contact Wendy Smith

Social meetings, talks and free raffle. Also open to noncivil servants. Meets United Reformed Church, Court Road Contact: Phyllis 020 8265 0810. -10am – 12noon

Sunday 21 December

2-6 Sherard Road, Eltham SE9 6EX

Fairtrade Coffee Morning The Methodist Church Westmount Road Eltham SE9 Proceeds from sale of coffee & cakes to various charities.

10.30 until 12noon

Last Sunday of Each Month (Except August and December)

Eltham Park PSA Orchestral Concerts 3pm start - Free entry. All welcome.

Eltham Park Methodists Church, Westmount Road, Eltham. Details 020 8850 8945

Every Thursday 13th Nutritional Advice 10am – 12.00 pm 1 to 1 tailored advice from our nutritionist. Booking essential.

Contact: Wendy Smith

Craft Group 10am – 12pm, first & third Thursdays, 6th and 20th Bring along your own craft project or try something new with fellow enthusiasts! Over the summer we will be concentrating on quilting, but if you want to knit or crochet, please still come along.

Contact: Community Volunteers Time Bank

Forget-me-not Singing 2pm – 3.30pm For older people, people with disabilities, those with Alzheimer's, dementia and their carers. Contact: Rose Waghorn

Tudor Barn, Well Hall Road £25 and £100 (with meal) Tickets 0845 459 2351 or www.tudorbarneltham.com/ Until 2am

Every Wednesday Blackheath Rugby Club. Kidbrooke Lane.

Singers welcome. 8.30pm

Every Friday

Thursday January 15

Every Tuesday

We offer help and support on a range of subjects to help you Keep in Touch with Technology from mobile phones, tablets, cameras to laptops.

Contact: Louise Donovan

Eltham Folk Mob

Simon Spillett, tenor sax

Greenwich Soul Choir rehearsals

Eltham Jazz Club Meets at Eltham Warren Golf Club, Bexley Road Tickets £9 on the door 8 – 11pm

Second Monday of the Month

Eltham Green Community Church, Westhorne Avenue 7.30pm, contact: 07958 612 582

Thursday January 29

British Cactus and Succulent Society

Mike Piggott, Violin

Eltham branch meet at the Lionel Road Community centre Westhorne Avenue SE96DH. 7pm for a 7.45pm start. Contact the Secretary - Jim Earles 020 8851 1076. http://www.eltham.bcss.org.uk

Eltham Jazz Club Meets at Eltham Warren Golf Club, Bexley Road Tickets £9 on the door 8 – 11pm

Every Sunday Eltham Cycle Club: rides Start Eltham Park 9.30am. All ages and abilities, varied routes. www.limitededitioncycling.co.uk

Every Monday Greenwich Community Choir Eltham Park Methodist Church on Westmount Road 7.45pm. All Welcome.

An opportunity for people aged 18+ to enjoy singing in a fun choir. It meets every Monday during term time.

Your Community is what you make it

Technology Club 10am – 11.30am

Saturday Men in Sheds Creative Workshop 1am – 3pm. Making Wooden Christmas Decorations.

Alternate Wednesdays Eltham Knitters Social craft group. St Mary’s Community Centre. 2-4.30pm

Support SEnine Membership is only £24.00 for a year.

Ad hoc gifts and donations always appreciated.

Remember us in your will, and we will remember you in a story, with pictures.

Yvonne Conway on 020 8315 1850 yconway@ageukbandg.org.uk Community Volunteers Time Bank 020 8315 1883 communityvolunteerstb@ageukbandg.org.uk Wendy Smith on 020 8294 3013 wsmith@ageukbandg.org.uk Rose Waghorn 0781 118 7490 info@forgetmenot-services.co.uk Louise Donovan on 020 8315 1850 ldonovan@ageukbandg.org.uk Steve Paxman on 020 8294 3011 spaxman@ageukbandg.org.uk

31

SEnine

020 8859 3033 Independent Estate Agents serving the SE9 area for over 50 years

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32

OPEN 7 DA DAYS AY A WEEK

SEnine

Young Clive Spin doctors squirrelling away on behalf of Eltham’s MP Clive Efford must have been working overtime recently SPY reckons.

A glowing article which appeared in the Independent newspaper’s ‘Inside Lines’ sports gossip column describes him as both amiable and interesting which, of course, we all know to be certainly true. He gets full marks, as shadow sports minister, for his party’s proposals on shaking up the governance of professional football and, the paper claims ‘he is clearly poised to become a more significant player’. So far so good. But the paper, slightly more improbably describes the whippersnapper as ‘the 48 year old MP for Eltham in Kent’, a statement which contains two significant inaccuracies, firstly geographical and secondly temporal.

SPY’s sources have it that the former cabbie celebrated his 56th birthday this summer. So how did the Independent come to such a miscalculation? Further investigations suggest this ‘factoid’ might have been lifted from the young man’s Wikipedia page, which says he was born in 1966, three weeks before the Wembley World Cup final. So, who’s been editing that then?

What a Pickle Talking of spin, SPY is able to report an amusing incident between the Royal Borough spinmeisters and those from their arch nemesis, Eric Pickles, the government’s Communities Secretary. Not only has butter melted on many occasions in ‘Branston’s’ mouth, it has settled in copious quantities on various parts of his anatomy. In between playing cat and mouse with Greenwich in his attempts to prohibit the council’s propaganda Pravda, Pickles took time out to come to the Royal borough. SPY hesitates to suggest that he, and the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, came to SE9 purely for photocall purposes, spending around an hour at the Sherard Road Medical Practice talking about their worthy integrated care initiative. However, unlike genuine photocalls, local media were not invited, including SPY, who is actually a patient of said medical practice. Indeed, the whole thing was staged to be used as footage for a national announcement the following day. Unwilling to credit Greenwich council with anything, Pickles decreed to his spindoctors that no reference be made as to the location of the pilot initiative.

In turn, the Royal Borough spin team retaliated by plonking the pork barrelshaped minister in the pages of the very

Have your say, your opinion counts

Pravda he is trying to ban, not just once but twice. History doesn’t record whether Pickles subjected himself to a cholesterol test while attending the clinic.

On the rails…

Long suffering commuters from SE9 and beyond have much not to look forward to in 2015 SPY learns. From 12 January onwards, because of re-building at London Bridge to accommodate the Thameslink expansion, trains which formerly called there en route for Charing Cross will hasten through without stopping. Those wishing to go straight to London Bridge without having to change trains, will have to catch Cannon Street services instead.

The ensuing chaos will be a joy to behold (not). One measure being proposed by Southeastern Trains is to introduce 12 car coaches on the eight trains which go to Cannon Street in the rush hour to take the passengers for London Bridge who are diverted from the 10 Charing Cross trains in that period. Let’s hope we actually see the 12 coachers this time. Although platforms have been lengthened to accommodate them, apparently the drivers’ monitors were placed incorrectly.

Southeastern now say this problem has been overcome. Possibly. The train company says it will keep an eye on passenger flows from the start date and is frantically hoping that commuters will find themselves alternative journeys to work using the tube network and Victoria.

If they don’t, it’ll seem a long time until August 2016. At that stage, the roles are reversed, with none of the Cannon Street trains stopping at London Bridge. It’ll be nice when it’s finished, sometime in 2018 SPY understands.

Also on track….

Eltham author E Nesbit’s classic ‘The Railway Children’s is being staged in London again. The ever popular tale is on at Kings Cross Station with full train effects, SPY understands.

Yalways newsy, sometimes inaccurate or irreverent, often controversial or gossip, but never the opinion of SEnine.

Tall storey..

In amongst the farrago of half-truths and vague promises given by Linden Homes regarding their plans for the two sports grounds they own in New Eltham was one which involved building a new floor on top of Wyborne School. This was a suggested in response to concerns about the school already being full without extra housing.

I wonder if Wyborne School knows about this?

Relocation SPY notes with some interest that the polish shop in Well Hall Road, Anna's Grocery, is preparing to move. It is taking over the much larger property a few doors down the road and will have a double fronted premises. SEnine wishes them well.

Well Hall Road Toilets As hard as it might be to believe, the council is putting in another bid to bring the toilets in Well Hall Road back into use.

SPY understands that the building is so derelict that it will be totally demolished and new structures built.

What a Month Parties that spilled into the streets and required police, helicopters and tactical response.

Drama at a high rise that saw 6 police cars (yes 6) attend, an ambulance and the air ambulance helicopter. Really, was all this response necessary?

SPY noted most of the police stood around and chatted for an hour (Maths = 6 Cars @ two police officers per car, equals 12 police hours chatting, well after the ambulance had left). SPY thinks they could have been doing a better job elsewhere.

Police Open House Uncontrolled parking zone..

A further chapter in the long-running parking war at Avery Hill between Greenwich and Bexley Councils is about to be written with a joint survey of commuter parking taking place in the New Year. In the meantime, residents plagued with commuters parking across their drives will be allowed to buy ‘H’ lines to maintain their access. Will it lead to a CPZ for the area? Don’t hold your breath.

And then there is 'Lights Up' night. The police had an open house at the station in Well Hall Road. SPY thinks they totally redeemed themselves, as it was the best PR event the police have pulled off locally in a long time. Well done to the organisers.

Have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year

33

MAILBOX ....... Have your say Terrapins

Summer Bike Ride

SEnine Either go to the SEnine web site at

www.senine.co.uk I am sure I am not the only person who is sick of the proliferation of wheelie bins that are littering our streets. Luckily, I have a side entrance so most of the week my bins remain hidden, however, terraced houses do not have this luxury, so their bins are often a permanent feature front of house. Come January 2015, a new EU directive comes into force requiring further separation of paper, metal, plastic and glass – currently I have one bin for all four materials, does this mean that I will soon need three more bins to add to the three I already have? I would suggest that if government (i.e. the EU) were really interested in recycling, they would be advocating a return to the thrift of the 50’s/60’s with bottle deposit returns and encouraging retailers to cut down on their packaging, or maybe charging households by the amount of rubbish generated.

To illustrate this blight, look at the new terrace of houses at the junction of Messeter Place/Elm Terrace showing how, what could have been a rather pleasing artdeco inspired new-build, has been ruined by the ubiquitous bins (and that other eyesore, the white meter cupboard).

Roberta Woods

Eltham Medical How do you get the Court Yard and Well Hall surgeries to answer the phone?

The most recent example was when my wife was in urgent need of a repeat prescription and rang for two days without success.

In the end I drove to both places and they were closed for 'training'.

Not in answering the phone, I bet. And what's the point of training people you can't contact?

Mike Park Have you had trouble contacting or getting an appointment with your doctor? Write and tell us.

34

Better late Than Never!

I just wanted to say thank you for publishing yyour Summer Bike Ride piece in August. When I first read this, it seemed something I'd enjoy trying so I put it aside to try one weekend. I've clearly been busy as it was only on the first Sunday of November, that I ventured out for a morning ride with my 15 year old nephew, Oliver.

I have lived in Eltham for over 220 years and before that another 225 in

Sidcup and New Eltham.

However, while the territory was familiar, we travelled many previously unknown routes through truly stunning scenery. Anyone who tried this in the Summer should consider another go as the ggolden colours of Autumn, both in the trees and on the ground, are spectacular.

We rode the initial 6 mile route to The Prince Frederick (it was a bit early to go in) before turning back to come home, slipping in a few variations on the return leg. The weather had been kind until we stopped to admire the view oover London from Middle Park. Unfortunately there was no view and I quickly realise that the m misty outlook was actually rain coming in and sso we sped up King John's Walk to get home to aavoid the worst of the weather. I was fortunate to get Oliver home just a little damp but was not sso lucky myself. As I cycled up Southend Crescent, the shower became a deluge and I arrived home totally drenched.

EEven with this ungainly finish, this still made ffor one of the most delightful Sunday mornings ffor quite some time. Thank you so much for iinspiring me to explore the area on my bike. I w will be trying this and other routes again.

JJulian Bartlett.

or write to the Editor at:

SEnine, PO Box 24290 Eltham SE9 6ZP

Punnet?

On page three of SEnine you encouraged us to keep on writing to you, and then on page sixteen gave me what I consider the perfect reason to do so in, "Strawberries,£1.00 a Punnet".

Having attended St. Mary's school when it was just behind Mr. Oliver's stall long before he worked there made it doubly poignant; I remember real Punnets being sold from it with the correct contents, and I have been over the years corresponding with Sainsburys now on that school site, as well as other retailers, about the false description of goods sold there, which I believe to be criminal misinformation.

A real Punnet is and always was, a chipwood basket specially made to be of a size to enable retailers to scoop up soft fruit sold loose, such as strawberries and raspberries, in such a way that provided the level of the fruit was higher than the basket top it would contain at least 1lb of fruit or more, without the necessity to weigh it, thus being efficient and time saving.

Today, in supermarkets especially, anything from a secondhand cardboard box to flimsy plastic bags are labelled as Punnets, but even more serious is that the contents are described in grams which amount to anything from 1/4 lb to 1/2 lb, rarely anything near 1 lb.

Apart from the retailers themselves, I have pointed this out to the local trading standards office which refuses to do anything about it, thus amounting to collusion, and Vince Cable's office in BIS as well as my MP. from which persons is a deafening silence.

I am British and believe in using traditional and accurate British Imperial measures rather than the conceptually flawed inaccurate European metric, which lends itself to constant and unnoticeable adjustment of weight and rip offs to customers.

The word Punt actually means both 1 lb and £1.0s.0d and has the same etymological root as the old Irish Punt (£1.00). Even crooks were more honest in those days.

Mr. T. F. Jones

SEnine does not necessarily agree with or support any letters published.

SEnine

selling homes

redefining the art of

HARRISON INGRAM  ELTHAM 

£250 Our Christmas Gift to you!

It’s been an eventful year in the property market; House prices are up, rental prices are up and viewings for both…….

Unbelievably Up! Indications are for a more stable market as we move into the New Year, yet we now find ourselves desperately short of properties to meet the expected demand. To prepare, we would like to take more instructions this December but realise some don’t want to think about this until after Christmas, so we want to pay you to decide now!

If you instruct us in December, we will give you £250 off our selling fees. This is not dependant on it selling in December we just want the opportunity to prepare the details, put up a board and be ready for the expected New Year demand.

Whether you take advantage of this offer or not, we at Harrison Ingram would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Harrison Ingram Your Local Agent for the last 30 Years!  ESTATE AGENTS  RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS  PROPERTY MANAGEMENT  156 Well Hall Road, Eltham, London, SE9 6SN T: 020 8859 4419 F: 0208 859 8207 E: info@harrisoningrameltham.co.uk www.harrisoningram.co.uk

Look after your garden, if not for you then for your neighbours You can make a difference in your community

35

SEnine

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Five Bedroom Semi Detached House Modern Open Plan Ground Floor Modern Hi- Gloss Kitchen With Integrated Appliances Cloakroom WC Two Modern Suite Bathrooms Large Loft Conversion Incorporating Two Bedrooms Converted Garage Ideal As A Home Office Or Studio Blocked Paved Driveway To Front For Two Cars

£495,000.00

Double Glazing & Gas Central Heating 120 ft Mature Rear Garden With Feature Pond To Rear Solid wood flooring throughout Converted garage which is currently being used as a photographic studio Fitted wooden shutters to both the French doors Awaiting EPC

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36

@conranestates

Pick up litter and bin it

SEnine

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£400,000.00

Three Bedroom Semi Detached House Driveway To Front Garage Ideal DIY Project Offering Plenty Of Scope For Updating & Modernization Through Lounge Upstairs Bathroom Double Glazing & Gas Central Heating

Ideally Located For Dulverton Primary Within Easy Access To New Eltham Station & Amenities Double glazed rear door leading to mature garden Hardwood porch to front. Located on a quiet residential road Chain free EPC rating D

Branches across London ELTHAM / MOTTINGHAM 42 Well Hall Road Eltham SE96SF T: 020 8378 5450 E: eltham@conranestates.co.uk

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CHARLTON / WESTCOMBE

221 Greenwich High Road Greenwich SE10 8NB T: 020 8312 8312 E: greenwich@contranestates.co.uk

46 Charlton Church Lane Charlton SE7 7AB T: 020 8293 0454 E: charlton@conranestates.co.uk

Look out for you neighbour

ASSOCIATED PARK LANE 121 Park Lane Mayfair W1K 7AG T: 020 7409 4693 E: parklane@conranestates.co.uk

LETTINGS MANAGEMENT DEPT

FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPT

221 Greenwich High Road Greenwich SE10 8NB T: 020 8312 8316 E: lm@conranestates.co.uk

221 Greenwich High Road Greenwich SE10 8NB T: 020 8312 8317 E: greenwich@conranfinancial.co.uk

37

NEWS

SEnine

Lions Football Club Eltham Lions Football Club was established on 5th January 2003 and now in its 12th year is home to football teams ranging from under 7s right up to adults.

The commitment of the club is to give each player the facilities and environment they need to become the best player they can be and is part of the fabric of SE9 with players represented from all the local schools.

The club relies on the support of local sponsors and the investment they provide is crucial to providing the club and players with the equipment needed to perform each weekend.

The LONDIS at Eltham Park South this year sponsored Eltham Lions Under 8s.

CPZ consultation is on again Barely a year on from the last consultation the council is again seeking the residents approval to introduce and in some places amend existing Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ's).

An exhibition will be held at the Eltham Centre, 2 Archery Road, SE9 1HA, between 10.00 a.m. and 8.00 p.m. (4.00 p.m.

Saturday) from Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th December 2014.

In outline the draft plans comprise three extensions to the existing CPZ ‘E’ and one extension to CPZ ‘EC’ for streets south of the High Street. Some changes are also proposed inside the existing CPZ ‘E’ in response to residents’ concerns.

One of the more controversial changes will be to change the Well Hall Road 30 minutes bays (opposite the shops) to Pay and Display, but with the first 30 minutes free.

Many see this as the thin edge of the wedge to introduce parking charges to the high street.

Charges for permits are to be set at £57.00 for CPZ E and £82.00 for CPZ EC while visitor permits run at £0.70 per day for CPZ E to a massive £3.40 per day for CPZ EC. The closing date for responding to the consultation is January 9th 2015.

SEnine will carry a more detailed story on the councils proposals in the January edition which should be in your homes between December 23rd and December 31st 2014.

New Bui Free lds quotes or

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Local Eltham contractor

ALL ROOFING

Gardener Planting, design and maintenance for family gardens. Free consultations.

Contact Tom at 07534 577 299 tjackson.horticulture@gmail.com

38

Painters & Decorators Internal & External- Dulux Approved 40 years experience, Family run Free estimates Paul 07835779167 Victor 07985547621

Gas Engineer

Home Appliance Repairs

Central Heating and Gas work.

Breakdown, repairs & Installation. Gas Safe Reg, Insured, Lives Locally.

Call Steve on Mob 07 930 327 889

Washing machines Dishwashers, Tumble Dryers, Electric Cookers David Sanderson

020 8301 0251

Not find what you are looking for?

Try www.elthamSE9.co.uk

You could have this spot for as little as £33.60 per month.

Support small business, give them a call today

HERBACEOUS

SEnine

Herbs Goes Undercover I n the autumn, vegetable plotters become criminal spotters as the culprits of a million burglaries are keenly sought.

Nerves become frayed and anxiety reaches fever pitch as long-cherished fruit readies itself for picking.

Trees which have been planted, pruned, blossomed, pollinated, evaded late frosts, then given birth to fruits which have swollen, fought off maggots and a thousand sundry pests start to ripen.

An informal version of horticultural Neighbourhood Watch kicks in. Ad hoc committees of gardeners convene, huddled around thermos flasks and biscuit tins. Where two or three are gathered together in the name of fruit, Herbaceous is sure to be there in the midst of them.

tale-pinning game. Nobody actually knows.

The criminality generally goes as follows. During September, the fruits continue to swell. Immature ones drop on the ground and are boiled up with mixed results, providing they’re garnered before the slugs get busy.

Gradually, the boughs start to sag under the weight of expectation and occasional bites are taken to test the readiness. Pips are examined for their shade of brown.

Recipes are rehearsed and menus pencilled out.

Then, one day normally towards the autumn equinox, it happens. The whole lot disappears without trace.

Often it’s overnight. Then the theories start for another year. Is it that odd-looking character from the other end of the plots?

Which particular one, comes the response?

Sometimes, even the emergency services are BOLO issued for Maurice encouraged to

The topic is always the same. Who nicked them all last year?

Every gardener has their own theory. The level of definite information reduces the exercise to a blindfold donkey

ed

p Esca

attend with SOCOs to take some dabs.

Is it a hard-up stallholder, eager to get some local produce for free? What about the local kids scrumping for fun?

So, this year, Herbaceous decided to mount a full surveillance exercise.

Kitting out a redundant F shed with 267 reddie 78 1 1 20 an armchair, 14 peep holes, recording equipment and certain substances for medicinal purposes, he mounted a vigil. For the first time, the results are published here and the co-operation of the public is requested in tracking down the suspects wanted for questioning.

The Family Business that still offers a personal service

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 Covering all areas  Pre-paid Funerals  Monumental Masons

 Private Chapels of Rest  24 Hour Service

In the care of Nicholas & Matthew Uden

Branches also at: Petts Wood, Dulwich, Forest Hill, Sidcup, New Cross & Camberwell

51 - 53 Passey Place, Eltham SE9 5DA Tel: 020 8850 2868 There is always hope, never stop trying

39

Christmas Services

Eltham parish church of St John the Baptist Eltham High Street Saturday 6th December 10am to 2pm Winter Fair. Toys, bric-a-brac, cakes, books, café and more

Holy Trinity Eltham 59 Southend Crescent Sunday 21th December 6pm Nine Lessons and Carols with the Greenwich Concert Band

Sunday 21st December Fourth Sunday of Advent: Parish Eucharist at 10am With junior church and creche and Parish Candlelit Carol Service at 6pm A traditional candlelit service with nine lessons and carols followed by mince pies and mulled wine

Wednesday 24th December 6pm The Nativity and Christingle specially for children and families

Wednesday 24th December Parish Children’s Nativity at 4pm Bring the children to hear and sing about the story of Christmas around the stable and Parish Midnight Mass at 11.30pm Thursday 25 th December Parish Christmas Day Family Eucharist at 10am. A service for all the family Sunday 4th January Parish Eucharist on the Feast of Epiphany at 10am With junior church and creche

1130pm Midnight Mass with the Blessing of the Crib Thursday 25th December 8.00am Said Eucharist 10.00am Festival Eucharist

Westmount Road/ Dumbreck Road Sunday 21st December 4.00pm Christingle Carol Service followed by seasonal refreshments Wednesday 24th December Christmas Eve 4.00pm Crib Service - all accompanied children and young people are especially welcome 11.30pm Midnight Mass Thursday 25th December Christmas Day 10.00am Festival Parish Mass Sunday 4th January 2015 The Feast of the Epiphany 8.00am Mass 10.00am Parish Mass

Wednesday 10th December 7pm Light up a Life Service (Greenwich and Bexley District Hospice) For those who have lost loved ones in the past year Sunday 14th December 11.00 am Christingle and Parade Service Sunday 21st December 11.00 am Carol Service

Eltham Park Baptist Church, Westmount Road/ Glenure Road Saturday 6th December 7:00 Greenwich Youth Band

Thursday 25th December 9.30am Christmas Day Family Service

Sunday 7th December 10:30 Brigades Parade Toy Service

Eltham Park Methodist Church Sunday 14 th December 10:30 Communion Service

Sunday December 14th 10.30 a.m. Christingle Service for all the family

Tuesday 16th December 2:30pm Carol Service & High Tea

St. Luke’s Eltham Park

Eltham United Reformed Church Court Road SE9 5AD Sunday 7th December 11.00 am Family Worship 2-4pm Messy Church Craft ,fun, games, refreshments and worship for children of all ages

Sunday 21st December 6:30pm Traditional Candlelight

Carols

Wednesday 24th December 4:00pm Christingle 6:00pm Carols at Queen Elizabeth 11:30pm Midnight Communion

Sunday December 21st 4.00 p.m. Carols by Candlelight accompanied by organ and orchestra by Wednesday 24th December Christmas Eve 4.00 p.m. Carols and Nativity Service for all the family with a story round the Christmas Tree Thursday 25th December Christmas

Thursday 25th December 10:30 Christmas Day Celebration

Day 10.30 a.m. A short family service to celebrate Christmas Day

Sunday 28 December 10:30 Service

SEnine magazine wishes everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas

SEnine - Your Community Magazine