5th December 2019

all you need to know ahead of polling day Issue 1457

Established: 1987

50p

December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk

NEIL COYLE: CORBYN FACTOR WILL DERAIL US HELEN HAYES: MY HARASSMENT HELL

SEE PAGES 15-29

HORROR ON

LONDON BRIDGE

SEE PAGES 33-37

2 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Contents NEWS Pages 2-13

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

Eighth teen arrested in murder case

election special Pages 15-29 OPINION Page 31 London bridge attack Pages 33-37 family announcements Page 38 arts Page 39 HISTORY Page 40 PROPERTY Pages 41-43 Jobs & classified Pages 44-45 Public notices Pages 46-49 SPORT Pages 50-56

MP talks of her harrassment hell

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk

By Katherine Johnston

An eighth teenager has been arrested by detectives investigating the murder of Clinton Evbota.

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Helen Hayes has publicly spoken for the first time about her harassment ordeal by a constituent who bombarded her with emails about penises.

The sixteen-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on Tuesday morning (December 3) on suspicion of murder and remains in custody at a police station in south London.

Eighteen-year-old Clinton was found fatally injured on Grimsel Path in the Brandon Estate, near Aberfeldy House, on Thursday, October 10, at 8.21pm.

He was pronounced dead at 9.41pm.

Seven others, all male, aged fourteen to eighteen, have been arrested.

A fourteen-year-old has been released with no further action and the other six bailed pending further inquiries.

Officers are still appealing for information from anyone with information, or witnesses, by calling 101 or going to Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

Brigade tells restaurants clean your dirty fans

By Katherine Johnston We are a London Living Wage employer Do you have a story

for our news team?

Call 0207 231 5258 You can WhatsApp us on 07494 070 863.

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk The London Fire Brigade has warned restaurants regularly to clean their extraction fans after a fire in Peckham on Sunday.

The takeaway on Peckham Park Road is believed to have been caused by fat

and grease in the extraction system catching alight at around 1.20pm on December 1.

The fire was under control just over an hour later after crews from Peckham, Old Kent Road, New Cross, Dockhead, Deptford and Brixton arrived at the scene.

There were no reports of injuries, but

the extraction system was “completely destroyed” and some timbers and electric cables also damaged.

A spokesperson for the brigade said: “Restaurant and takeaway owners should always take care to make sure their extraction systems are kept clean as a built up of fat and grease within the filters can lead to fire.

The Dulwich and West Norwood MP’s inbox was bombarded with more than 500 emails from the man between September 2018 and April 2019. He had previously been banned from her weekly constituency walk-ins after concerns over his behaviour.

The daily email barrage continued even after he had a police warning, and included explicit images of a naked man, and a picture of the Cerne Abbas chalk-man; a giant outline of a naked man with an erect penis carved into a Dorset hillside.

The constituent was given a prison sentence. In a separate harassment case, another person has been handed an injunction.

MP Hayes told the News that although she regularly received threats, abuse and disturbing emails, safety concerns had not led to her considering standing down.

“On a day-to-day level I’ve never felt that I had to organise life around what the worst person might possibly do because most people aren’t like that,” she says in our election interview, on page 25.

Neil Coyle has previously told the News he has received death threats and has to carry a personal alarm but Harriet Harman has said that she does not experience the level of abuse or threats experienced by her colleagues.

The Southwark News is proud to be the only independent, paid for newspaper in London Editor: Kevin Quinn Deputy Editor: Katherine Johnston Chief Reporter: Josh Salisbury Sports Editor: John Kelly Arts Correspondent: Michael Holland Weekender Series Editor: Laura Burgoine Media Partnerships: Anthony Phillips Advertising: Tammy Jukes; Clarry Frewin; Lorraine Wood, Samantha Ratcliffe Design: Dan Martin; Aurelio Medina Finance: Em Zeki Subscriptions/Announcements: Katie Boyd Managing & Commercial Director: Chris Mullany Managing & Editorial Director: Kevin Quinn Published weekly on a Thursday at: Unit A302, The Biscuit Factory, Drummond Road, Bermondsey, London SE16 4DG. News and Sport: 020 7231 5258 Advertising: 020 7232 1639 News: news@southwarknews.co.uk Advertising: ads@southwarknews.co.uk Printed by Iliffe Print. Tel: 01223 656500 www.iliffeprint.co.uk

Southwark News started life as the Bermondsey News in 1987, as an A-4 photocopied sheet of paper and rapidly grew to cover the entire borough and the surrounding area. As the borough grew, so did the newspaper.

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

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

Both directors live in the borough. A dedicated team of staff work tirelessly to cover as much of what is going on as possible and strive to ensure that a community-led, independent newspaper can survive and excel in a market dominated by national and multinational media groups.

Follow our social media to be updated on South London news

southwark-news

@southwark_news

Southwark News is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK’s magazine and newspaper industry). We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think that we have not met those standards and want to make a complaint, please contact 0207 231 5258.

If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about IPSO or the Editors’ Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit www.ipso.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 3

two of a kind: Jasper & Edgar Val and daughter Elizabeth, who inspired her best-selling book

Jasper the Firefighting Dragon

Val recently posted pictures of her twin girls

John Lewis’s Excitable Edgar

Was the most anticipated advert of this Christmas season inspired by a Bermondsey mum’s bedtime story?

Thirty-three-year-old mum turned best-selling children’s author Val Blackburn’s Jasper the Firefighting Dragon story is not a million miles away from John Lewis’s Edgar, who ruins festivities with his fiery breath.

The retailer’s two-and-a-half-minute ad called Excitable Edgar is the first joint campaign with Waitrose and ends

rs

10% OFF

line Orde n

kevin@southwarknews.co.uk

with Edgar putting his fire-breathing excitement to good use by lighting the Christmas pudding.

But well over two years ago when Val penned her book for her eldest daughter Elizabeth, who was a toddler at the time, she had to come up with a very similar ending for her creation.

She told the News: “Like most parents I make up stories for my children. “I’ve got lots of different ones and that night I was given a request that she wanted a story about a dragon and a fire engine.

“The only way I could think of doing that without making the dragon a baddie was to have him as a water-breathing

O

By Kevin Quinn

dragon to help the fire brigade. “We had it so the dragon didn’t fit in with the other dragons as there were camping trips with camp fires getting water sprayed on them, so he was feeling lonely.

“Then he saw a house fire and sprayed water on it and when the fire brigade turned up the house had already been saved.

“Everyone was pleased with him and they asked him to join the fire brigade, and in winter he also freezes the town square and they ice-skate on it.”

It made it onto two Amazon bestseller lists and she found out while pregnant

with her second daughter Imogen.

Val has since released the second book in the series, Jasper the Dragon and the Fiery Sneeze, and also given birth to twin girls, Juliet and Freya, aged six months.

Just a couple of week ago Val posted on her Facebook page her excitement at bringing out a third book before Christmas, Jasper the Dragon and the magical circus. Unfortunately days later she was taken ill and is recovering in hospital with sepsis.

To follow the adventure of Jasper go to www.facebook.com/ thejasperdragonseries

Val recently posted a picture from her hospital bed

4 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

teen ‘stabbed in the head during screening of Blue Story’

Rotherhithe

Borough High Street was closed again for a suspected acid attack Borough High Street was on lockdown once again after a suspected substance attack on Sunday afternoon, writes Katherine Johnston...

It was nearly 48 hours after the whole area was brought to a standstill after a terrorist attack on London Bridge , although there is no connection.

A teenager approached officers and said he had been sprayed with a substance, at around 3.37pm, outside a Sainsbury's.

Believing the incident to be a possible acid attack, police and paramedics were urgently called along with the London Fire Brigade.

The victim is said to have not suffered any injuries and as yet the type of substance has not been determined.

Inquiries are now underway to establish what happened. So far, no one has been arrested.

Cordons were in place either side of the bridge but were reduced and roads re-opened by Sunday night.

Stabbing on Lower Road, SE16 A man was rushed to hospital after a stabbing on Rotherhithe’s Lower Road on Sunday evening, writes Josh Salisbury...

The man, in his twenties, was rushed for medical treatment, but is not thought to have suffered lifethreatening injuries.

Nobody has yet been arrested in

connection with the incident, and police could not give further details about what happened.

Pictures taken at the scene appear to show a large police response, and the Met says it was called to reports of the stabbing shortly before 7.15pm.

Police said their inquiries into what happened were still ongoing.

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk A boy in his late teens was stabbed at the Odeon in Surrey Quays on Saturday night after a ‘brawl’ erupted.

The victim – who was reportedly stabbed in the head – was taken to hospital for a “minor stab wound,” said police.

The incident happened at around 8.45pm.

The News understands that the film Blue Story had been playing in

the cinema at the time, which has previously been linked to outbreaks of violence at cinemas. However, the police said they could not confirm any link between the incident and the film playing at the time.

Blue Story has become the centre of a violence row after teens in Birmingham were arrested following a fight at a Vue cinema.

The chain later pulled the film, saying it had been linked to 25 “significant incidents” relating to the showing.

However director, Rapman – real name Andrew Onwubolu – has

questioned the motives of those who have pulled the films, questioning whether there were “hidden reasons” for the film being blamed.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “Police were called at 20.47hrs on Saturday, 30 November to a commercial premises in Surrey Quays Road, SE16.

“Officers had received reports of a fight and one victim, a male in his late teens, was taken to hospital with a minor stab wound.” No arrests have been made.

Odeon have been contacted for comment.

An opportunity to view our proposals for the redevelopment of 25 Lavington Street, Bankside

To take a tour of the site, scan the QR code on your smartphone

Landsec is hosting a second public exhibition to seek feedback on proposals for an ecologically focused, low carbon development.

The mixed-use development will comprise offices and diverse retail and leisure including bars, restaurants and creative spaces for arts and cultural events.

Public Exhibition

www.lavingtonst.co.uk

Monday 9 December 5.30pm – 8.00pm Bankside Community Space 18 Great Guildford Street London SE1 0FD

winter sale 50% off

Most beds can be delivered next day. Single, Double and kingsize mattresses in Stock.

100s of models to choose from.

GUARANTEED DELIVERY B4 CHRISTMAS

MAXI rOyAl DOuble DIVAN

DOuble FAuX leATHer STOrAGe beD Normally £300

prICe:£149.99

SAle

MeMOry COlleCTION DOuble DIVAN

SAle

prICe:

Normally £380

£189.99

prICe: £219.99

SAle

leD OTTOMAN STOrAGe beD

SAle

prICe:

£89.99

3+2 reClINer

SAle

prICe:

prICe:

£849.99

Our lowest price

Normally £1700

Jerry SOFA SeT 3+2

MeTAl buNk beD

SAle

Normally £1000

prICe: £549.99

includinG mattrESS

Normally £380

prICe:£129.99

SAle

Normally £1100

prICe: £99.99

SAle

Normally £200

TrIple Sleeper

includinG mattrESSES

SAle

prICe:

£339.99

Normally £680

MeMOry FOAM MATTreSSeS

£99.99 prICe: £549.99 £189.99 Open Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 6.00pm • Sunday 11am - 5pm 384 WalWorth road, london, SE17 2nG Tel: 020 7701 9900 SAle

Normally £260

DOuble MeTAl FrAMe

SAle

SINGle DreAM DIVAN

Normally £160

Normally £440

quIlTeD DOuble DIVAN

SAle FrOM

Drawers, slide storage and headboards are extra.

Illustrations are for guidance only.

READY TO CARRY HOME

6 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

KENNINGTON MAN JAILED after FATAL ‘90mph’ HIT AND RUN

Celia, 24, died at scene from her injuries as Blackwood-Jones drove off and abandoned his car - before handing himself in after appeal

By Kevin Quinn kevin@southwarknews.co.uk A man from Kennington, who struck and killed a pedestrian while driving at speeds of around 90mph has been jailed for ten years.

Thirty-one-year-old Aaron Blackwood Jones, 31 of Vauxhall Street, SE11, was sentenced to at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, 2 December.

He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision. As well as being jailed, Blackwood Jones will be disqualified from driving for ten years on his release.

In the early hours of Saturday, 12 January this year, a blue VW Golf being driven by Blackwood Jones collided with 24-year-old Celia Ines Betrouni as she crossed the road in Brixton Hill, at the junction of New Park Road.

Officers, London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance all attended but Celia, a French

Aaron Blackwood Jones

national, died at the scene from her injuries.

Blackwood Jones failed to stop following the collision and abandoned his car in nearby Harriet Tubman Close, in Brixton.

After a media appeal was circulated asking for the public’s assistance to locate him, Blackwood Jones attended a police station on Monday, 14 January and was arrested.

Detective Sergeant Richard Budd from the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command led the investigation and said: “Blackwood Jones was driving at around 90mph in a 30mph zone – his excessive speed meant there was only one outcome when he struck Celia.

“His actions have utterly shattered Celia’s family who will have to deal with their loss for the rest of their lives.

“Blackwood Jones will now spend a significant period of time in prison. His reckless actions offer a clear indication of the devastating impact driving at excessive speed can have.”

Celia Ines Betrouni

 kebabs  burgers  chicken

20% OFF

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Up to 19th December Collection only Excluding Meal deals

152 Lower Road, Surrey Quays, London, SE16 2UG OPENING TIME 7 Days a week: 12 Midday - 12 Midnight Ready

15min

Telephone orders welcome

0207 237 8064

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 7

9-yEAr-old wins award for history of rubber

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk A nine-year-old from Dulwich has won a top public speaking award after giving a talk described by the judges as “very wellresearched and utterly fascinating”.

Ellie-Rose Heimans, from James Allen’s Preparatory School, is one of ten students across the country to receive the English Speaking Board’s highest commendation, the Young Speaker of the Year award.

She was selected from 12,000 youngsters to take part in the competition and won after a performance about the history of rubber, which judges said was “very wel l -researched and fascinating”, d e s c r i b i n g her as “simply a

Ellie-Rose Heimans

Hands on London in completed polytunnel

edible growers need your help

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Edible Rotherhithe has launched a fundraising campaign to start a new yearlong project at Surrey Square School.

Edible Rotherhithe has worked for the last three years with young people at schools across Southwark and older people at Age UK’s Yalding Centre, to help them learn more about healthy food, nutrition and the environment, while helping build their confidence and gain new schools. The community group hopes to raise £26,000.

“By hitting the funding target, we can operate five after-school workshops each week for one year, reaching at least 100 individual children”, said Christina Wheatley.

This month Christina was named Volunteer of the Year 2019 at the Southwark Stars Awards for her work at Edible Rotherhithe.

The group also hopes to run special whole school assemblies, and put on events and performances around food growing, the environment and arts and crafts through their links with London Dreamtime storytelling, The Really Big Pants Theatre and former Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins.

To make your pledge, visit www.spacehive.com/ food-growing-arts

Surrey Square food growers

naturally gifted public speaker and very attentive listener”.

Ellie-Rose said: “This has been a really special day for me and my family, and I really enjoyed doing my talk on The Story of Rubber. It was also great to hear all the other Young Speakers at the Showcase.”

ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw, said: “Communication skills are at the heart of successful lives and careers and these youngsters demonstrated exceptional abilities to communicate their ideas clearly and confidently.”

The Dulwich pupil was selected from 12,000 youngsters to take part in the competition

8 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019 ADVERTORIAL

Christmas gifts with a difference Can you help to buy gifts for children and young people being cared for at Evelina London this Christmas?

Our play specialists have selected a range of gifts that will make children smile during the holiday season. Visit the virtual gift shop where you can donate towards board games, cot mobiles and playsets.

These gifts will bring joy and comfort to young patients, making a stay in hospital that little bit easier. To find out more or to buy a gift go to www. christmassmiles.org.uk.

Game supports lifesaving research A patient with the Biobanking Game on a tablet device

A new game has been launched to get more patients taking part in life-saving cancer research. The app, which has been developed by the King's Health Partners Cancer Biobank at Guy’s and St Thomas’ in partnership with Focus Games, will help patients understand what biobanking is and why their consent is important.

Biobanks store blood and tissue samples for use in medical research.

They play a critical role in helping scientists understand diseases and find new treatments. However, they cannot collect and save samples without the explicit consent of patients.

The Biobanking Game is a unique app that explains the consent process to patients – it is available on tablet devices in a clinic or it can be downloaded for

free from an app store.

Dr Cheryl Gillett, head of biobanking at Guy’s and St Thomas’, and King’s College London, said: “We know that many patients struggle with the amount of information they receive when facing a cancer diagnosis. This often means that information explaining the biobank and patient consent can be overlooked.

“That’s why we’ve worked with Focus Games on a new approach to avoid us missing people who want to sign up and help support life-saving research.

Patients and visitors were involved in developing the app from the outset and they pulled no punches telling us what they liked, didn’t like and what they wanted.”

The game was created with funding from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity. To find out more visit www.biobankinggame.com.

Exercise classes for older people Have you had a fall or nearly fallen? One in three people over 65 years old have a fall each year.

That’s around 16,000 people in Southwark and Lambeth boroughs.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ runs more than 30 exercise classes free of charge in the boroughs. The classes help to prevent falls in people who can get out and about – people who need more support attend groups at the Whittington Centre in Streatham.

By regularly taking part in strength and balance classes you can: • feel more steady when walking • reduce your risk of a fall • improve your ability to do everyday tasks like housework, shopping or gardening.

If you’re worried about falling or interested in joining a falls prevention class call 020 3049 5424. Calls from family and friends are welcome.

Listen to Guy’s and St Thomas’ staff choir

Experience the beautiful voices of Trust Harmonix on Thursday 19 December at The Church of St George the Martyr in Southwark.

The free performance will take place from 7.30pm and no booking is required.

Expect a mix of traditional festive songs alongside some contemporary pop, soul and R&B classics.

Trust Harmonix is Guy’s and St Thomas’ staff choir, which is run by Breathe Arts Health Research.

ELITE FISH BAR 020 7237 6409

Traditional fish & chips

OPEN Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri 11am-10pm, Sat 11am-9pm & Sunday CLOSED

2A Ambrose Street, Bermondsey SE16 3NY (opposite TSB bank)

SPECIAL OFFER*

FISH & CHIPS REGULAR COD & CHIPS

*Limited time only

NOW £6.00 CLOSED SUNDAYS

EAT IN OR TAKE AWAY

SPECIAL DEALS

Cod & Chips Rock & Chips Haddock & Chips Plaice & Chips Skate middle & Chips Skate wing & Chips Scampi & Chips

£9.80 £10.80 £10.80 £10.80 £14.30 £13.30 £8.80

£6.00 £8.00 £8.00 £8.00 £13.00 £12.00 £7.00

Battered sausage & Chips Jumbo sausage & Chips Saveloy & Chips Fishcake & Chips 6 Nuggets & Chips Pie & Chips

£4.30 £4.30 £4.30 £4.30 £6.80 £5.80

£3.00 £3.00 £3.00 £3.00 £5.00 £4.50

Chips Regular £2.30 Large £4.50 Tea & Coffee available

36 seater restaurant, eat in or take away - same price

THE LEATHER EXCHANGE SUNDAY ROASTS £13.50

Book in advance and present this advert to get 10% off your food bill. Special price of £11 for OAPs if they book in advance.

Samuel Bevington room available for Christmas functions.

Follow us on Facebook to find out what we’re doing for New Year’s.

Function room: Perfect for birthday parties, baby showers, corporate events, funerals, business meetings, and other events. We can cater anything from a casual buffet to a 3-course meal, with an open fire, screen, and view of the Shard.

(Mention this ad when booking to get a FREE bottle of wine.)

We show all major sports

www.leatherexchange.co.uk

Email info@theleatherexchange.info for all bookings

10 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

Grandad poster boy for swimmers

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk A 77-year-old man who was saved by lifeguards whilst having a heart attack in The Castle Leisure centre pool has become a poster boy for a national swimming campaign.

Retired university lecturer Jim Bourlet swims twenty lengths every other day at the Elephant & Castle pool.

As the News reported in February, pool staff gave him poolside CPR after he had a heart attack in the water. He was given two defibrillator shocks and was unconscious for twenty minutes.

Miraculously the grandfather-of-four went on to make a full recovery after spending two weeks in hospital and being fitted with a resynchronisation therapy defibrillator to prevent a further attack.

Medics told him after he’d had a “one in a million” chance of surviving. He says it was the quick thinking staff and his good fitness levels that helped him recover so well.

He was back in the water in April, doing two gentle lengths at first before building back up to twenty over the next few weeks.

Jim has now been chosen as an ambassador for Swim England’s Just

Swim Campaign, encouraging more people to get in the water and take regular exercise.

“I can’t recommend swimming highly enough,” he said. “Quite apart from the benefits of the exercise, swimming brings me a great deal of pleasure.

“Many people my age remember swimming from their younger days when pools weren’t perhaps as good as they are today.

“Many don’t realise that modern swimming pools are in warm buildings and designed so that the water is the same level as the pool edge.

“Hot showers, steam rooms and coffee shops all add to the overall enjoyment of swimming at many facilities.

“As for my health, swimming is the perfect exercise for me. My heart doctor told me any exercise that makes your heart beat faster is good.

“In addition, swimming is a great breathing exercise as you need to take rhythmic, energetic breaths when swimming and deep breaths afterwards.

“I have an excellent lung capacity for my age!”

Trevor Pardoe, Everyone Active’s general manager, said: “Seeing Jim recover so well and go on to resume his twenty-lengths every other day has been wonderful to watch.

“He certainly inspires other members and now, through taking part in the Just Swim campaign, he will spread the word even wider. All credit to him!”

To find out more about the benefits of swimming and how to get started, visit swimming.org/justswim

New course for diabetes sufferers

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk People living with Type 2 diabetes in Southwark will now be able to refer themselves to specialist support courses rather than going through their GP.

The launch of the new ‘Diabetes Book & Learn’ services coincided with Thursday's World Diabetes Day (November 14), raising awareness of both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

It is hoped the new scheme will help people manage their condition and reduce the risk of serious complications, such as blindness and amputation.

The project, from NHS Health Innovation Network, also aims to up attendance by making the courses

easier to book and more flexible, with face-to-face or online options.

All can be booked by phone or using the dedicated website.

According to the latest estimates, 23,812 people across the borough have a Type 2 diabetes.

The specialist support courses for patients are proven to lead to lower blood glucose levels, reduced cholesterol and blood pressure, improving levels of physical activity, better self-management skills, and weight loss and also offer peer support.

But despite clear benefits, take-up across London is low. Although more than two-thirds of those diagnosed with the condition are offered a place on a structured course, only 9.4 per cent attended.

Dr Jonty Heaversedge, NHS England, London’s medical director for primary care and digital transformation, said: “It’s great to see south London’s NHS, GPs, hospitals and innovators working together to bring access to practical health care into people’s lives using everyday technology.

"Diabetes Book & Learn is enabling people to not only live better, healthier lives but to stay ahead of their condition and reduce their risk of serious health complications.

"It couldn’t be easier to learn about how to manage your diabetes if you live in south London thanks to this service.”

For more information, visit www.diabetesbooking.co.uk

95 YEARS SOUTHWARK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS CELEBRATING

OF SUPPORTING BUSINESS IN SOUTHWARK

Join us for the festivities from 6pm on 16 December WITH A KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY SIR SIMON HUGHES

Book your ticket for £25 at https://celebrating-95-years-of-supporting-business.eventbrite.co.uk Sponsored by

Supported by

LSBU Business School Learning Lounge, Level 1 105 Borough Road London SE1 0AA

You could vote for business as usual, or you could….

green MPs will: > Deliver a People’s Vote and campaign for Remain > Lead the way in tackling climate chaos and hold other parties to account on their green credentials > Battle inequality in our society People have lost trust in toxic politics, but you can trust the Green Party to do things differently.

Vote Green. If not now, when?

Promoted by Judy Maciejowska on behalf of the Green Party, both at The Biscuit Factory, Unit 215 J Block, 100 Clements Road, London, SE16 4DG.

Green Party Co-Leaders: Jonathan Bartley and SiÂn Berry

The St George's Tavern have been raising funds for Guts UK in memory of customer Tony Gaughan.

Tony passed away in July from oesophageal cancer.

Left to right: Christy, Betty and Eilish

Paul Yates doing the 160ft bungee jump

Guts UK fund research into diseases of the gut, liver and pancreas.

A benefit night and bungee jump were held and the total amount raised came to £2351.87

John Gaughan, Michael O’Hagan, Henry Gaughan & Mary Wells

Christy with Geraldine & Pat from The Little Crown, Deptford

Aaron Mulholland and friends

Christy Fagan & Arthur Nougher with landlord Christy Forde

THE ST GEORGE’S TAVERN Live Irish & Mixed Music to cater for all tastes.

Open throughout Christmas with entertainment over the festive period.

Wishing all our customers a Merry Chistmas and a prosperous New Year.

St George’s, 14 Coleman Road, London, SE5 7TG 343 from New Cross & 136 from Lewisham both come down Southampton Way Tel: 07999 528 379 / Email: thegeorgese5@gmail.com

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 13

illuminate parade brightens spirits

The dazzling display took place less than an hour after the London Bridge attack

By Kevin Quinn kevin@southwarknews.co.uk Despite the drama unfolding two miles away at London Bridge, a planned Lantern Procession celebrating the history of the Thames ahead of the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower from Rotherhithe, went ahead last Friday.

For months community groups and schools have been making their creations and for the first time in its three year history it was expanded to Rotherhithe and Bermondsey. Starting from St Mary’s Churchyard, where the captain of the Mayflower is buried, who took the founding fathers of America

to the New World - the procession finished at St James’ Church in Bermondsey off Jamaica Road. Another procession route, which started at the Blue Market Square on Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey, joined their Rotherhithe counterparts at St James’ Church at 4.30pm just two hours after the terror attack on London Bridge.

The parade is a culmination of the events honouring its close links to the Mayflower story. Throughout November they held a family barn dance at the Mayflower Hall, in Neptune Street, Rotherhithe; a collection of creative writing and art work at Canada Water library, a Tales and Songs of Migration Concert and film screening at Sands Films

in Rotherhithe. On Saturday, the day after the procession the Finnish Church in Albion Street, Rotherhithe held a community show.

In time for the 400th Mayflower anniversary, the group are planning for six historic Rotherhithe buildings to be illuminated as part of the celebrations.

The buildings are: • The Brunel Museum • The Sands Building – three cranes on the side • St Mary Rotherhithe Free School – school pupil figurines on the outside • The Mayflower Pub • St Mary’s Church • The Thames Tunnel Mills chimney • Courtyard, looking out onto the Thames

FREE

For kids.

Saturday 7th and 14th December 12 noon to 5pm.

First floor in front of La Bodeguita.

More information on our events can be found on Facebook.

Search: Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre

The Bakerloo line extension from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham will transform the lives of thousands of people who live and work in Southwark.

Back the Bakerloo to make sure it happens!

BacktheBakerloo.org.uk

Better transport links

1000s of new jobs and homes

Improved accessibility

Reduced pollution and congestion

@southwarkcouncil

What do Southwark foster carers look like?

HC1246 02.19

Like you, like us‌

Southwark foster carers living in Southwark can claim 100% council tax relief #SouthwarkFireworks

@lb_southwark

facebook.com/southwarkcouncil

i southwark.gov.uk/council-tax-relief

@southwarkcouncil

Care to join us?

0800 952 0707 southwark.gov.uk/fostering Support 24/7, training and allowance provided.

1246 half page Ad_southwark news 265x160 FINAL AW.indd 1

11/02/2019 15:02

General election

12 DEC

2019

all you need to know ahead of polling day

n o i t is c s Ele aly an

Newsthe d n u o r a s t o l l a b

What t bookie he s say

Ca in nd te id rv at iew e s

16 ELECTIONS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

How will the parties fare compared to the last General Election in 2017?

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk It was all looking so good for the Lib Dems in Bermondsey and Old Southwark.

Back in September, when Labour MP Neil Coyle was facing an uncertain trigger ballot result, the bookies said Humaira Ali was odds-on favourite to retake the seat in an early election.

Three months later, Labour have taken over as favourites, at 4/6.

In 2017, YouGov’s MRP model accurately predicted 93 per cent of election results in the 2017 poll.

It now predicts the Tories would win 359 seats, gaining an extra 42, becoming their best performance since 1987.

Labour may lose 51 – its worst performance since 1983. They expect all Southwark’s Labour MPs will hold their seemingly unshakable seats.

In 2017, Coyle almost tripled his majority, against Simon Hughes.

Helen Hayes held her seat with 39,093 votes with the Conservatives coming in second with just over 10,000.

Harriet Harman also held a strong lead, with 44,665 votes compared to the Tories trailing at 7,349.

With a week to go, can the Lib Dems salvage their campaign? The commitment to Revoke Article 50 will go down well with ultra-Remainers, but is failing to sweep up the middle ground.

The Remain alliance hope gains in the European election will put them on a similar course; assuming it’s all about Brexit. But it’s also about their leaders, their party

A meaty mistake After hearing Green Party coleader Jonathan Bartley in a Radio 5 live interview, one Dulwich and West Norwood constituent as yet undecided on how to cast her vote told the News he was “the most sensible and genuine politician I’ve heard speak in a while – but he did say a couple of daft things!”

In one election clanger he said he supported banning halal meat, quickly described as “Muslim-bashing” by outraged listeners.

He swiftly issued an apology and clarification on social media: “I have replied to some comments directly today, but also wanted to publicly apologise further to being asked on the BBC this morning about my views on Halal meat in which I expressed my personal view that the practice of killing non-stunned animals should be ended.

“I did not make it clear that I believe this should apply across the board, and not just apply to non-stunned Halal meat.

“I also didn’t reference the fact that most Halal meat in this country features stunning before slaughter.”

divisions, local grievances and some of the most radical manifestos we’ve seen in a long time.

It seems obvious Labour’s promised huge investment into public services is going to be a winner. The real question is how close the competition will be.

In Bermondsey and Old Southwark, Ali has to sweep up all those voters who supported Hughes but defected to Labour in 2015 and again in 2017.

Does she have the oomph needed? If voters aren’t convinced about Ali, will leader Jo Swinson persuade them?

Both Camberwell and Peckham and Dulwich and West Norwood had the Tories second in 2017. Can they repeat and consolidate or will they haemorrhage centrist voters to the Lib Dems?

What happens to Tories who can’t stand Boris, and Labour voters frustrated by Corbyn, or Lib Dems unsure about Swinson?

In all constituencies there is a sizeable minority who voted Leave. Will they go Tory or Brexit Party? Or even Labour?

The Greens and Lib Dems say they can’t give each other a free run in every seat, hence no one standing aside in Harman’s.

In reality it’s practically impossible either party could take it.

But maybe, in Dulwich and West Norwood Jonathan Bartley, who has exposure as the party’s co-leader, could overtake the Tories for second place.

He has exposure, a strong track record in opposition on Lambeth council, and the Green’s policy on giving estates a ballot on regeneration is a strong pitch.

Either way, it looks like Southwark will stay red. Maybe.

Bermondsey & Old Southwark Bermondsey & Old Southwark

Labour

31,161

Lib Dem

18,189

Conservatives

7,581

UKIP

838

Green Party

639

Independent

113

Camberwell & Peckham Camberwell & Peckham

Labour

Dulwich & West Norwood

44,665

Conservatives

7,349

Lib Dem

3,413

Green Party

1,627

Christian People’s Alliance

227

Workers Revolutionary Party

131

Dulwich & West Norwood

2017 results

Labour

39,093

Conservatives

10,940

Lib Dem

4,475

Green Party Labour Independent

1,408

Independent

103

121

what the ballots?

Not easy being green

Writing’s on the wall

On a similar note of candidate blunder, the Green Party candidate for Bermondsey, Hannah Graham, stood down early in the election campaign to help the Lib Dems – less than 24-hours before saying “F**k the Lib Dems.”

One SE16 graffiti artist made their view of prime minister Boris Johnson clear as the election gets into its final stages.

She had not been aware of the Remain Alliance agreement, which has seen several parties step aside to bolster remain candidates in Southwark constituencies, before the sweary outburst.

The party insisted that it had selected her as a candidate to make sure they were not seen to only be standing paper candidates (despite withdrawing her candidacy less than 24 hours later.)

Ms Graham later insisted that she fully backed giving Green votes to the Lib Dems in Bermondsey and Old Southwark.

Slice of voters’ pie It’s a killer question that could cause some lost votes among Bermondsey pie purists.

The News asked the Bermondsey and Old Southwark candidates how they have their pie ‘n’mash – and where they buy it from.

“Manze’s, that was the first pie and mash when I moved to Bermondsey!” says Liberal Democrat candidate Humaira Ali. She does not stick to the true traditionalist recipe of pie with liquor – “I’m a dry pie kind of person,” she says.

Equally likely to offend purist sensibilities is Labour candidate, Neil Coyle.

He last bought his pie ‘n’ mash from Manze’s, Tower Bridge Road. No liquor for him either, as he has his with gravy and peas.

Most shocking, however, was Andrew Baker, the Conservative candidate for the constituency, who looked blank when asked.

He’s not a pie person he says – and is more likely to be eating mango from Pret a Manger.

Could it be the pie wot wins it?

In large, bold white letters at the top of a block of flats on the Abbeyfield Estate, they wrote: “F**k Boris.”

It has gone swiftly viral.

“I don’t condone graffiti but this might help those who claim my language on Twitter sometimes doesn’t reflect the local community sentiment,” says Labour candidate Neil Coyle.

But lest the good people of Southwark be accused of unfair political bias, residents have swiftly taken to Photoshop in their own preferred political musings over the graffiti.

Also being widely shared over the internet is an adapted version of “F**k Corbyn.” Let no-one say that Bermondsey voters mince their words.

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

ELECTIONS 17

Runners and riders - what the bookies say: Bermondsey and Old Southwark

Pollsters YouGov, whose MRP model, which correctly called 93 per cent of seats in 2017, currently shows the Tories with a strong lead nationally, but with all three Labour MPs in Southwark comfortably retaining their seats.

They put Bermondsey and Old Southwark as “likely Labour” with Lib Dems second, followed by the Brexit Party.

Ladbroke’s head of politics, Matthew Shaddick, describes this seat as “one of the most competitive betting contests of the entire election.”

“It would be a huge surprise if this were anything other than a Labour hold, but it will be interesting to see how well Jonathan Bartley for the Greens does, with the Lib Dems having agreed to stand down here as part of a national remain alliance pact.”

Polls show Remain voters are increasingly switching over to Labour,

All polls expect Labour to hold onto one of their safest seats, which has spent nearly 40 years with the ‘mother of the House of Commons’ as its member.

“Harriet Harman is seen as an absolute betting certainty to be re-elected,” says Shaddick. “The only real interest here is whether the Lib Dems can overtake the Tories into second place.”

The News would be wary of dismissing the Greens entirely. Their candidate is well-known in the area with a big community following.

But the bookies now think Labour will retain the constituency, a much-prized scalp from 2015’s Liberal Democrat and Tory coalition collapse. “The Lib Dems started off the campaign as favourites, but all the money has been for Neil Coyle to hold on, leaving Labour odds-on to win the seat.”

Although many voters retain loyalty to the former Lib Dem MP Simon

Hughes, how successful Humaira Ali will be depends on whether swing voters will turn out for a relative newcomer, and how well they respond to the leadership’s campaign.

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson, increasingly becoming political marmite, has been criticised by Leavers and Remainers alike for committing to revoke Article 50 if a majority government is secured.

4/9 13/8

Labour Lib Dems

Dulwich and West Norwood

as it narrows the gap nationally with the Tories. This could put Hayes on course to even extend her sizeable majority.

YouGov says the alliance is failing to pay off. Their data backs up Ladbrokes, showing the Greens rivalling the Conservatives for second place, but unable to garner enough support to overtake Labour.

1/20 8/1 20/1 100/1 500/1 500/1

Labour Greens Conservatives Brexit Party Christian People’s Alliance UKIP

Camberwell and Peckham

1/100 25/1 25/1 100/1 100/1 200/1

Labour Conservatives Lib Dems Brexit Party Greens Workers Revolutionary Party

100/1 100/1

Brexit Party Conservatives

18 ELECTIONS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

General 12 DEC election 2019

bermondsey & old southwark

Neil Coyle Neil’s Key Pledges • To build 100,000 more council homes and 50,000 new housing association homes every year under a Labour Government.

• To fight against Brexit and for the Remain option if there is a second referendum, with both Leave and Remain options on the table.

• To push for the numbers of police that have been cut from Southwark since 2010 to be replaced.

Other key manifesto policies that are included on the platform Coyle is standing on include: • An immediate 5% pay rise for public sector workers.

• Introducing a “real living wage” of at least £10 an hour.

• Renationalise rail, mail, water and energy.

• A second homes tax.

• Reducing the voting age to 16.

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk You might expect Labour’s Neil Coyle to be tired of elections by now.

Having been elected to the seat in 2015, this will be his second general election battle in under three years, alongside the referendum, EU elections and local elections.

While he did not vote for this month’s snap poll, he insists that’s not the case.

“No-one wanted this [the election],” he says – but swiftly adds that he has been relishing the opportunity to speak to people on the doorstep.

Coyle first got involved in formal politics as a councillor for Newington Ward from 2010 to 2016, and won the parliamentary seat first in 2015 and then in 2017.

(At the latter, he increased his majority to a respectable 13,000 votes.)

During that time, he has garnered a reputation as a fiercely outspoken backbencher.

On Brexit, Coyle is among the Labour Party’s most vociferous opponents of leaving the EU, and he has billed himself in this race as “the most Remain candidate.”

Labour Party policy is to renegotiate the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and put it back to the people in a final say referendum, with a Remain option.

This could, then, still lead to the country leaving the EU under a Labour majority government.

But despite criticism levelled that this makes Labour a ‘Brexit Party’, Coyle sees no contradiction between the party’s policy and his own personal stance that we should revoke Brexit.

“Brexit can be and only will be damaging to this constituency,” he says.

“It’s appalling for any Government to undermine the people they serve.”

He is aware, he tells the News, of businesses not choosing to invest in Bermondsey and Old Southwark already, and jobs lost.

“I’m the most Remain candidate because I voted against triggering Article 50 – yes, Labour policy is for a referendum based around a deal that

looks like single market alignment,” he adds.

“There will be a Brexit option and a Remain option, and I will continue to fight for the Remain option. The vast majority of Labour members will be campaigning for Remain.”

There is, he argues with a half-smile, an irony for Brexiteers in Bermondsey and Old Southwark.

Given Liberal Democrat policy – the most likely challengers for the seat – is to revoke Article 50 unilaterally if they win a majority, he insists the “realistic” option for Leavers is to vote for Labour.

“If people still want Brexit, [it’s] realistically the only way to get it in this constituency,” he says, as they would get a final-say choice and could choose to leave.

Another topic on which he has frequently spoken out is what he sees as failings by the leadership of his own party.

How does he square standing as a Labour candidate – which could help Jeremy Corbyn become PM – when he has frequently declared he does not think Corbyn is up to scratch?

“The manifesto I’m standing on would make a real difference to our community,” he responds.

“We’d get more police, we would get more investment in our schools, and we’d be able to stop the damage of Universal Credit.”

But Coyle says he is a pragmatist – and with just days before the election, he does not see Labour getting a majority.

“It’s the realism to know that at best, we will be delivering some policies from opposition, which we had secured, or in coalition government.”

He speaks of his frustration of the Labour Party not being in office – and “absolutely” agrees the fault lies at the leadership’s door.

“The aim has always been to have a Labour party that’s in a strong position…

I’m deeply disappointed we’re not in a stronger position in this election,” he says.

“Many of our policies are very popular.

But it does not take long knocking on people’s doors to find out what they

Born: Luton, December 1978, one of six children Studied: Wenlock, Ashcroft and Bedford schools and Hull University.

Career: A variety of policy roles in the third sector before becoming a councillor and an MP, including Head of Policy at National Centre for Independent Living and Director of Policy and Campaigns at Disability Rights UK. Was a councillor for Newington ward between 2010-2016.

Coyle lives in Walworth with his wife, Sarah, whom he married in 2014, and daughter Esme. His partner is a Landscape Architect. think of the leadership.”

Particular issues close to his heart that he thinks especially affect Bermondsey and Old Southwark are crime, universal credit, and housing.

He accuses the Government of failing to address the national problem of violent crime, but also stresses that crimes that police would consider “low-level” are also blighting people’s lives – such as drug use, anti-social behaviour and muggings. He is especially scathing of Boris Johnson’s promise of 20,000 more police officers – saying the Government has cut 21,000 since 2010.

“It’s an admission they have screwed up badly and damaged people’s lives.”

Coyle vows to fight to get the full number of bobbies restored to the borough which he says have been lost as a result of cuts.

It’s a realism to know that at best, we will be delivering some policies from opposition, which we had secured, or in coalition government. .... I’m deeply disappointed we’re not in a stronger position in this election. Many of our policies are very popular. But it does not take long knocking on people’s doors to find out what they think of the leadership .... The issues I have championed are exact ones that people come to my surgery with.

His anger at the roll-out of Universal Credit is palpable as he shows the News the foodbank that his staff operate from his surgery. (16,000 people in Southwark are on Universal Credit.

“It’s families with very young children who need nappies, mums who need toothpaste, it’s baby food… it’s life’s essentials that [aren’t there] because of errors in Universal Credit,” he says.

Housing is by far the most consistent issue he has faced as an MP – and he proudly points to Labour’s pledge to build 100,000 council homes a year, alongside 50,000 housing association homes.

“It’s exactly what a community like this one needs,” he says. He also points to a commitment by Labour to ensure that developments have homes on which local residents have first rights.

Coyle has previously come in for criticism for turning the air blue on social media, particularly around issues he cares strongly about.

He concedes that “there are some spats that probably shouldn’t have happened,” and has before told the News that he would moderate his language online.

But striking a more defiant tone, he says: “I don’t think I talk dissimilar to the vast majority of local people.

(He jokes: “There was once a man

who called for straight-talking, honest politics.”) “[But] if someone gets upset about something I tweeted, it’s not a big priority – there’s so much going on in real life.”

Given that he has been an MP for the seat since 2015, are there any regrets he has about his time so far in office?

“One part of the job that’s surprised me has been the guilt,” he admits. “There’s always more you want to do.

“And on a personal level, if I did all of the things I’d like to do, I would feel guilt towards my daughter.” He has a young daughter, Esme, with his wife, Sarah.

“If I could back to ’15, I’d try to learn to prioritise better,” he adds.

But he lists things that he is fiercely proud of.

“I’ve made changes to Universal Credit that have benefitted local people, I’ve made changes to Personal Independence Payments that have benefitted local disabled people, I’ve changed the law on terror insurance,” he says.

“Judge me on my record, I’m proud of my record,” he tells News readers. “The truth is that if they look at my record, their priorities are my priorities.

“The issues I have championed are the exact ones that people come to my surgery with.”

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

General 12 DEC election 2019

ELECTIONS 19

bermondsey & old southwark

Andrew Baker Andrew’S Key Pledges • To work with the government to build homes that locals can genuinely afford. To fight to support renters and crack down on rogue landlords.

• Fight Labour’s plans to end the academy programme and scrap OFSTED. • Support efforts to improve air quality, back clean public transport and fight to address the greatest crisis of our age: climate change.

• Provide a passionate and modern form of Conservatism that is democratic and will deliver Brexit.

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Politics is something of a family affair for Bermondsey and Old Southwark Conservative candidate, Andrew Baker.

But while he and his brother are both standing as Tories in the general election, his father is a serving Liberal Democrat in Teddington, south-west London, where they grew up.

“It always makes for interesting dinner table conversation!” he laughs. “So there’s a bit of family disagreement there.

“But it’s nice having a brother doing it, because you get to talk about things in confidence and lean on each other.”

The 28-year-old studied politics at Durham, before starting his career in finance law, and has lived in Bermondsey for four years (after a stay in Clapham post-university “just like everyone else.”)

He is a school governor with the Bridges Federation, which runs Snowsfields, Tower Bridge and Robert Browning primary schools, and volunteers with a charity based near Shad Thames which gives mentoring to children from deprived backgrounds.

“When it came to the election, I thought well, throw my hat into the ring, didn’t apply for anywhere else, only here,” he says. “I thought I could make a halfdecent local candidate.”

What then does he think are the issues affecting Bermondsey and Old Southwark voters?

He admits that when he started the campaign, he thought this would be the Brexit election – but the number one issue he gets canvassing on the doorstep is housing.

“Of course it’s housing,” he says. “And it’s frustrating because you’re fighting from a general election campaign position, but all the issues that are coming up are essentially local council issues.

“So our argument is very much is that we should be using this election to hold Labour-run Southwark Council to account as well.”

(The Conservatives do not have any representation on Southwark Council, which is controlled by Labour and has Liberal Democrat opposition.)

He lists common housing problems that voters mention on the door-step: poor lighting, leaking roofs, cracks in walls.

But isn’t this something worsened by tightened local authority budgets, which ultimately comes from central Government?

“If you look at where Southwark Council is spending their money,” Baker responds, “yes there have been financial constraints from central Government, but Southwark Council is spending its money so badly because no-one is holding them to account.”

This is something he would do, he pledges, if elected, and says he has already butted heads with the local authority over its “mind-numbing drudgery.”

Baker says he would like to be a thorn in the side of the local authority over housing; and questions if Southwark’s three Labour representatives have really been challenging their colleagues.

Closely-related is whether development is benefitting local people, says Baker, mentioning the Canada Water Masterplan.

“It’s the largest development to happen in Southwark’s borough. It’s frustrating, people need to be heard when it comes to developments like this.

“They’re not NIMBY-ists – their concerns are hugely legitimate.”

Residents have recently started proceedings that could lead to a legal challenge over the approved plan, amid fears of housing segregation and overwhelmed local transport.

Crime is another area which he is concerned about. “We have in our manifesto a commitment for 20,000 more police officers, which will help,” he says.

“But we kind of need to change the narrative a bit. We need to be careful not to demonise certain a groups and have an approach to crime that works with the community as well.”

Another key concern, which he thinks is widely shared by younger voters, is the environment.

“Southwark has the worst air pollution in London, SE1 is the worst area for it,” he says. “And it’s something that when I raise it on the doorstep, people are genuinely concerned about.”

The green group, Extinction Rebellion, attempted to organise a local hustings on climate change and the environment, which he says he would be really keen on.

But it did not go ahead.

“So I emailed all the candidates about it… and the only party refusing to take part was Labour and Neil Coyle,” alleges Baker.

“You’re meant to be the MP for the area with the worst air pollution in London, and you won’t go on and have a hustings on the environment?”

Baker faces a challenge as a candidate

Our argument is very much is that we should be using this election to hold Labourrun Southwark Council to account as well for the party which has been in Government for nearly a decade. Does he accept that austerity will have exacerbated the very problems he now raises?

He robustly defends the Government’s record. “We’ve built over one million homes in the last five years, we’ve built more social homes than Labour did in their time in office,” he says by way of example.

Baker rapidly lists the Right to Buy ISA, cutting stamp duty, a life-time deposit scheme for renters and a ban on No Fault evictions, as well as lifting the borrowing cap on local authorities to build more social homes, as evidence of the Party’s commitment to housing issues.

“What we’re doing at a national level is pushing for more building and helping to get people on the property ladder and helping renters as well,” he argues.

More generally, he accuses Labour candidates of having a very short-term memory of 2010 – insisting that cuts were a necessity to sort out the economy.

Baker hasn’t always been a Conservative.

He was previously a Liberal Democrat – and says he was “quite happy with the coalition, thought it did really some good things in education and rebalancing the

economy” – and joined the party after the Brexit referendum.

“I voted remain, campaigned for remain,” he says. But now he is standing to get “Brexit done” in a borough that was very heavily remain. Doesn’t that make him out of step with local voters?

He rejects that. “The position people had in 2016 is not necessarily the view they have now. My view now is that it does need to be done,” he says.

“I think ultimately, people were turning out in numbers they hadn’t done before, and they put a lot of trust and hope into that vote.

“And the damage to our democracy to turn around now and just say, ‘no thank you’, would be huge.”

He points out more than one in four Southwark voters voted Leave.

“My question is, who’s representing them? Let alone those who voted remain and think we should honour the result.” he argues.

(He does not accept that this would be the Brexit party candidate: “Unlike the Brexit party candidate, I am local to the area,” he tells the News.)

The seat is widely seen as a two-horse race between Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

“My betting odds are about 100-1 outsider,” Baker readily admits. “But Brexit has changed a lot of things.

“People’s party allegiances have changed.”

He says being an outsider for the seat is liberating.

“We’re getting out there, we’re doing any public event, we’re doing hustings, anything,” he says.

“So in a way it’s quite liberating because you can be much more versatile.”

I voted remain, campaigned for remain,” he says. But now he is standing to get “Brexit done” in a borough that was very heavily remain. Doesn’t that make him out of step with local voters?

Born: Teddington, South West London Age: 28-years-old Studied: Politics, Durham University Career: Works in finance law in Bermondsey, and is a governor to the Bridges Federation which runs three primary schools in the area.

He also volunteers as a mentor to SEO, a charity which provides mentoring to talented children from disadvantaged backgrounds

20 ELECTIONS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

General 12 DEC election 2019

bermondsey & old southwark

Humaira Ali HUMAIRA’s Key Pledges • Revoke Article 50 and stop Brexit if the party wins a majority. This would deliver £10bn a year to spend on public services says the party. If it doesn’t win a majority, it would continue to campaign for a ‘People’s Vote’.

• Free childcare for children aged two-to-four, 35 hours a week, 48 weeks a year.

• Ambitious target to generate 80 per cent of UK electricity by renewables by 2030.

• Hire 20,000 new teachers across England’s schools by the end of the Parliament.

• Build 300,000 new homes a year across England.

• Legalise cannabis.

• Raise £35bn for the NHS and social care through an extra 1p in the pound ringfenced increase in income tax.

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Hoping to turn Bermondsey and Old Southwark yellow is the Liberal Democrats’ Humaira Ali.

Born in Lewisham and growing up near Bromley, Ali has been living in Bermondsey for the past decade – and since 2017 has been representing West Bermondsey and London Bridge as a councillor.

She was a late-comer to politics, she says.

“On the TV, I used to see middle-class, upper-class white men sort of bawling at each other across the House of Commons, it just never entered my frame of reference that I could be someone sitting there.”

Ali has enjoyed a career in change management since 2000, a form of consultancy, working with clients across the public sector, private and charities.

It was a friend who got her into politics, she recounts, who had been selected to stand for the party in Lewisham.

With her encouragement, Ali decided to get involved in the Liberal Democrats in Bermondsey.

She challenges the News when asked her age: “Why is age important?” she shoots back.

“We need representation from all walks of society, across all ages, all races, genders, abilities.”

(Ali points out that she is the only woman standing on the ballot paper for Bermondsey and Old Southwark.)

The three hot-button issues facing the constituency are housing, crime, and a lack of opportunities for young people, the candidate believes.

Housing is key among them, she says – “it’s has always been the number one issue.”

It’s simply too expensive, not enough of it, and sometimes of very poor quality.

“The most fundamental is that people cannot afford homes and we’re seeing the break-up of communities here and it has a knock on impact.

“And that’s a shame because what I love about Bermondsey and why I fell in love with Bermondsey was that sense of community.

“So many of my [ward] residents and people across the constituency who are born-and-bred here say that community is gone now.”

Crime is something else which preoccupies the current local councillor.

In her own ward, she says that they have only one-and-a-half local safer neighbourhood officers when there had been seven or eight.

“Police not only patrol the streets, they do an awful lot of great work in liaison in schools in the community and they build relationships in the community,” says Ali. “If there’s not enough of them to do that then all they’re doing is reacting to an increasing sense of crime.”

Closely linked, she says, is a lack of opportunities for young people.

She mentions the Brandon Estate, part of which falls into the constituency. There has been a horrific three murdersof teenagers on the estate in the past year.

“We would want to restore funding for local authorities so that we can put money back into youth services. Not necessarily clubs but services that work for young people,” she tells us.

But she takes care to say that Brexit – “the issue of our time” – is a significant barrier to funding for youth services, education, or for green measures.

The party estimates that it would have an extra £10bn a year if Article 50 was revoked.

If it is revoked, we can “start focussing on other things like the key issues in our community like housing, crime, opportunities for young people,” says the candidate.

Ali refuses to accept the idea that voting for Labour would be a vote for Remain – despite opponent Neil Coyle being among the party’s most outspoken Brexit critics.

“We are the only party of Remain,” she insists. “Labour aren’t on a Remain manifesto and if you’re standing for a political party, you stand on that manifesto.

“So irrespective of that [Neil’s position], I would say there’s no such thing as a Labour Remain MP.” Squeezing the Remain vote could be a winning strategy: Southwark voted 72 per cent to remain in 2016’s Referendum.

But there is still a sizeable minority who voted to leave – over 30,000 Southwark residents. (Not all of whom will live in this particular parliamentary constituency.)

Given that Ali and the Liberal Democrats are billing themselves Remainers-par-

I’m Humaira, not Simon – I’ve got more hair, my feet aren’t as big as his,” she laughs.

“Simon is an incredible role model and champion of social justice and I’ll certainly be continuing that work. excellence, aren’t local Leave voters being ignored, and their vote betrayed?

“Our policy to revoke comes on the back of the Liberal Democrats winning an outright majority,” she says, alleging that “people know they’ve been lied to and betrayed” in 2016.

“If we don’t win an outright majority, we will continue to campaign for a People’s Vote. It’s like when you get offered a job.

You’re not going to accept it without seeing the contract.

“Whatever any government of the day has been negotiating is the contract, and surely once that’s been negotiated, the people should have the final say over whether they want that contract or the one they’ve got?”

She denies that it would be a betrayal of Leavers’ votes. “There are people beyond that who insist they still want to leave,” she adds.

“I want them to know that if I’m elected to Parliament I will be the MP for everybody, I’m not selective in who I would be the MP for.”

Bermondsey and Old Southwark has previously been held by the Liberal Democrats in the form of Simon Hughes.

The now Chancellor of London South Bank University held the constituency and a predecessor since the infamous Bermondsey by-election of 1983 until 2015.

He was ousted by Labour’s Coyle, who increased his majority at the last election.

Despite telling this paper that some residents have pledged a vote “because they miss Simon,” Ali insists she is not standing as Hughes’s would-be heir.

“I’m Humaira, not Simon – I’ve got more hair, my feet aren’t as big as his,” she laughs.

“Simon is an incredible role model and champion of social justice and I’ll certainly be continuing that work.

“But I’m also the 2019 Liberal Democrat candidate and while we share the same values, I think that the world has moved on considerably.

“Some of the issues he fought for I will continue to fight for because that’s partand-parcel of liberal values. But I’m not Simon, and I won’t necessarily be doing things his way.”

Among the differences residents would notice as a Liberal Democrat MP, she pledges, is a straight-talking manner.

“I’m going to tell it as it is, and I think people deserve the respect of being given a straight answer.”

But not so straight-talking that she would become disparaging, she promises – calling her manner “collaborative.”

She despairs at what she calls the “tribal” nature of modern politics.

“When I look into politics I find it quite immature, I find it quite tribal and it’s 2019,” says the 42-year-old.

“If you’re in the community or the workplace and you’ve got a problem, you don’t divide yourself into two teams, people come round the table around a tea or a pint and they discuss with a diverse range of backgrounds.”

Is this something she thinks is lacking in the seat at the moment? “Listening” she says is something that’s “been a weak point for this constituency.”

“The job of an MP is very hard,” she concedes. She praises Coyle’s work on Universal Credit and benefits.

But it is clear that Ali wants to burnish her green credentials, as she criticises a lack of action on environmental issues such as air pollution as “really out of touch with the majority of the population in Southwark.”

Transport is another area on which she feels Coyle has been weak; and she

reserves criticism too for his style.

“I’ve seen Neil being quite scathing to quite a lot of groups of different people, on Twitter he’s quite offensive and insulting to other groups,” she adds.

“Maybe that’s driven out of passion, but actually that’s not how people operate in the modern era.”

We are speaking relatively early on in the campaign. The party has conducted internal polling about their chances in the seat, and Ali remains tight-lipped on what exactly it says.

But it seems she is expecting a tight race.

“It’s close. It’s going to be very close,” she says. Just how confident is she that she can overturn Coyle’s solid 13,000 majority?

“It’s half-and-half – actually let’s say 51 per cent, I’m going to say 51 per cent [confident].”

As a relative newcomer to the political arena, Ali says she expected to have more time to prepare for the election.

“I was selected in the summer and I thought I had two-and-half years to knock on every door in the constituency to introduce myself to people, to reach out,” she says.

“An election has come much sooner than we had expected. But I am very much ready to become the voice of Bermondsey and Old Southwark in Parliament.”

Name: Humaira Ali Age: 42 Born: Lewisham, grew up in Bromley. Moved to Bermondsey eight years ago.

Career: Has worked in change management, a form of consultancy, across the private, public and third sectors since 2000.

Has been a Liberal Democrat councillor for London Bridge and West Bermondsey ward.

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

General 12 DEC election 2019

ELECTIONS 21

camberwell and peckham

Harriet Harman harriet’s Key Pledges

Born in London to a doctor and a former barrister, she was educated at St Paul’s Girls’ School and studied politics at York University.

Vital public services • Fighting for our NHS, schools, after-school clubs, childcare and all our crucial council services.

After qualifying as a solicitor she took her first legal role at Brent Law Centre in 1974.

Homes and safety • Insisting on more genuinely affordable homes, police officers and firefighters for our community.

In 1982 she was elected as a Labour MP for Peckham while seven months pregnant, after a by-election, and is the longest serving woman MP

Giving people the final say on Brexit • Only Labour can and will get Brexit sorted by giving people a final say vote, in which I’ll back Remain.

Her many cabinet and shadow cabinet roles between 1984 and 2015 include: shadow minister for health, shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, secretary of state for social security and minister for women under Tony Blair, and as shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport during the coalition.

Tackling the climate emergency • Cutting emissions, including with better insulation and improved public transport.

Skills, jobs and the economy • Giving everyone a right to lifelong education to get jobs and improve living standards and the economy.

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Harriet Harman says experience is her superpower, believes being a “safe pair of hands” will keep her longstanding supporters, and claims her constituents are not confused over Labour’s Brexit stance.

“It is absolutely not the time for me to be bailing out,” she says, arguing constituents want a “known quantity whom you can rely on when everything else is changing.”

When asked why supporters should continue voting for her after 37 years in the job, she says: “It’s a time of real political turbulence.

“There’s going to be a very big change because of the number of people standing down, even leaving aside the number of people who might lose their seat. We are going to have an influx of new people irrespective of the status of the parties after the election.

“In and amongst that you need people with accumulated experience in what is a very troubled time.

“There is always a lot of support in Camberwell and Peckham but people are really affirming their appreciation. I provide that reassurance. “ After her unsuccessful Speaker campaign, did she contemplate a career change or retirement?

“Definitely not.”

She dismisses claims her bid split her constituency members, some of whom said it would take her away from case work and were aghast it would leave them without a strong voice in parliament.

Those reports “didn’t at all reflect the views of constituents or members”.

“The Speaker’s role is very important especially if there is a hung parliament and in very turbulent times.

“I feel very strongly that the House has to continue to change.

“I put forward an unashamedly reformist agenda and it turns out the House of Commons doesn’t want that.

“It’s for the House to choose what sort of speaker they want. I’m sure Lindsay

will do an excellent job and I will support him.”

Was it an opportunistic attack by Momentum? “It was completely immaterial”.

Labour has now narrowed the gap with the Tories but polls say it isn’t on course to take power. Is she seeing a similar picture locally?

“There is such a strong sense from people in Camberwell and Peckham that they need a change in government, they don’t want to go on like this.

“Things are just getting harder. People say ‘you’ll be certain to get in’, ‘best of luck, not that you need it’, but they are also saying more strongly that they really hope Labour gets in power.”

Aren’t they confused about Brexit and considering the Lib Dems or Greens?

“The position that negotiates a better Leave deal but puts it back to the people with Remain on the ballot paper - and I would strongly campaign for Remain - is probably the best option.

“People who are strongly Remain are saying that just cancelling Article 50 is not the way to do it.

“We have to get past the issue that we lost in the 2016 referendum.

“The argument that an election cancels a referendum well, it does and it doesn’t.

“This is a more grounded way of doing it. We have to make sure what happens next has legitimacy. It’s about taking people with you not just getting in and doing it.

But aren’t people confused when leader Jeremy Corbyn says he’s “neutral”?

Committing to a second referendum with Remain on the ballot is a relatively new policy.

“At the time of the 2016 referendum some people didn’t know whether we were leave or remain and I was very concerned about that and that’s why I went out on the Remain bus because I was very worried that Labour didn’t have a clear Remain position - which we did.

This time I think people do know that our position is to have another vote, that some of us would be arguing for Remain. I

A lot of the arguments I was making in the 80s have now been generally accepted and have stood the test of time. The people who were jeering at me saying childcare was nothing to do with politics, they were wrong. The arguments have been accepted but the reality is yet to change.

I’ve got the gratification that people agree but the frustration that now we still need to get on and flipping do it. would campaign for Remain.

“I have not had people ask my policy on Brexit, but I have had people say we should have decided that sooner or that it should be stronger. I don’t think people aren’t clear about it.”

Is this a Brexit election?

“There are many other things people are very worried about. Our manifesto is changing the dreadful erosion and squeeze on public services and investment.”

For most people the election is about health, housing, standards of living and policing, she says, its “across the board” promised investment and “holistic approach” that is appealing to them.

On the Tory’s approach: “It’s got to the point where it’s cruel. If you have a family with two children with autism, living in a too small council flat, one parent has given up work, their care package has been cut at a time of their needs growingthat’s cruel. I do what I can to help them but it’s cruel to even be faced with that.

“I see people facing up heroically to horrific odds and I feel complete admiration and frustration.”

Housing is a huge issue for her constituents. Since the last election four in ten people to contact her have done so about their accommodation, often due to overcrowding. Nearly ten per cent of them over lack of heating and hot water.

She says a campaign to take a derelict, caved-in church on Wells Way and restore

it and create new housing association homes is one of the achievements of which she is most proud in her seat.

But will voters support Labour’s manifesto when the cost to the public purse is so high?

“I think it’s ambitious but I think people realise that just going on how we are is not okay, when we are in a deep hole you’ve got to take action to get out of it.

“The quest nationally is to build support for that manifesto. It is supported here and I will get elected.

“Getting that manifesto delivered is the quest elsewhere in the country.”

She says she has mainly stayed put in her own constituency for campaigning purposes - even though it’s billed as the safest Labour seat in London. Reading between the lines, one of the best known Labour faces seems to have decided not to go around the country, supporting a leader politically miles away from the Blairite project she was such a key part of.

How does she feel about the Greens saying a vote for them is a vote to push Labour to do better on climate change?

“I agree, on the climate emergency, they have had a catalytic effect in politics but there are still a lot of the radical policy agenda I have pushed that still hasn’t happened.

“We can’t abandon those. We have to make sure the fundamental issues like the health service are sorted out.”

Another aim in parliament is getting

Harman currently sits on the human rights joint committee and was solicitor general from 2001-2005, Gordon Brown’s deputy leader, and has twice been Labour’s acting leader after Brown and Ed Miliband’s departures.

Aged 69, she is married to fellow MP Jack Dromey. They have three children and live in Herne Hill. the law change needed to ban the ‘50 Shades of Grey’ defence in court used by men who said their partners died during consensual rough sex.

“Most of the issues that I take up either arrive through the constituency or reflect back into it.

“For example I’ve done a lot on violence against women and girls, but that’s not separate from my constituency.

“A lot of the arguments I was making in the ‘80s have now been generally accepted and have stood the test of time.

“The people who were jeering at me saying childcare was nothing to do with politics, they were wrong.

“The arguments have been accepted but the reality is yet to change.

“I’ve got the gratification that people agree but the frustration that now we still need to get on and flipping do it. People still can’t afford a nursery place.”

Another task will be helping new MPs be as successful as they can as soon as they enter the House.

“You can’t get up to speed for three years,” she explains.

“I’ve got a sixth sense of being able to absolutely and incredibly quickly work out what the nature of the problem is.

“Thirty years ago or something it might have taken me longer to work out what needs to be done and what is going on.

It’s instant now. “Those years have given me an insight for new challenges and longstanding problems.

“Experience is superpower.”

22 ELECTIONS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

General 12 DEC election 2019

camberwell and peckham

Peter Quentin peter’s Key Pledges • 20,000 extra police officers on the streets, equipped with the powers to tackle violent crime, including enhanced stop-and-search measures.

• Transferring the local success of high schools in Camberwell and Peckham over to primary schools and nurseries.

• More alternative provision in schools, “because it works,” and push to have an ‘Onside’ youth zone in the constituency.

• Reducing business rates for small business with a community focus, such as pubs and cafes.

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Peter Quentin is the Conservative challenger for the election in the uber-safe Labour seat of Camberwell and Peckham.

The married 36-year-old works as a policy adviser and is an Army reservist with its base just off Camberwell New Road.

He has a daughter aged four-monthsold, which keeps him busy alongside working full-time and fighting a general election campaign: “I’m shattered!” he laughs.

“I guess it’s through my origin that I came into politics,” he says.

Originally from near Solihull, West Midlands, Quentin’s parents came over to the UK from South Africa, setting up a business in Redditch.

This, he says, was “politically formative,” lambasting those on the left whom he says seem to think employers are somehow intrinsically exploitative.

He studied politics at Girton College, Cambridge, but says formal politics wasn’t his scene when he was a student.

(He was, however, the President of his junior common-room committee.)

His family has always had a strong sense of community spirit, he says, which has stuck with him throughout his life.

“That’s why I joined the Army,” he says.

“Because for me it’s a life-long experience working with a whole range of people you otherwise wouldn’t.

You’re just as a much a social worker as anything else.”

He has trained recruits in Afghanistan, and ended up as an advisor to William Hague as a result of his research work.

“It was through that I realised how much you can do as an MP,” he says.

Despite not living in Camberwell and Peckham – he is a leaseholder in Westminster – Quentin insists he has local links to the seat.

Quentin first lived in the seat in 2006, and lived there variously between postings before moving to Westminster and says he spends a lot of time still there. “It [the seat] is a lot more entrepreneurial than people give it credit for, there’s a lot stronger community than people give it credit for.”

He has a mountain to climb to victory.

Southwark is somewhat of a Tory-free zone, and nowhere more so than in red

Camberwell and Peckham.

Harriet Harman holds a massive Labour majority of more than 37,000 votes. How can that possibly be overturned?

Quentin strikes a pragmatic note: “There’s still a lot of Conservative voters [in Southwark], it’s just the distribution of them,” he says.

“I’m very realistic about previous results in the constituency.

“But I will do everything I can to promote the idea that Conservatism has a place in Camberwell and Peckham.”

This brand of Conservatism, says Quentin, is one-nation, compassionate, and caring. He backed Boris Johnson as party leader, having helped his campaign.

“I can see why people drag up things from the past, but he connects with voters. He’s far more one nation than people give him credit for,” he says.

This has been dubbed the Brexit election and Southwark voted overwhelmingly to remain. Quentin is standing on a policy platform to ‘Get Brexit Done’.

Doesn’t this make him out of step with potential voters, the News asks?

“Brexit is the reason we’re having this election, but no general election can be single issue,” he says.

“When you canvass people on the street it’s not what they want to focus on.” People want Brexit over with, he adds. And despite voting for Remain in 2016, so does he.

If we leave on January 31, as the Conservatives are promising, he says: “It’ll go on for a while… but it’ll be off the front pages, and we will have fulfilled the democratic mandate of the referendum.

“MPs voted ten-to-one to have a referendum, including the MP for Camberwell and Peckham [then Harriet Harman],” he argues. “When it came back, they voted four-to-one to invoke Article 50.

“To my mind, the UK can be a great society in the EU, or it can be a great one outside of the EU, but it can’t be one as long as it doesn’t make up its mind.”

What then, are the issues he thinks Camberwell and Peckham voters would rather talk about than Brexit? He lists three priorities: crime; education; and building communities.

On crime, the first priority he lists, he favours a stick-and-carrot approach.

Through his work with Civitas, a thinktank – “it really opened my eyes to lots of issues” - he became involved with the London Boxing Club, as its academic coordinator. The club gave boxing coaching to those at risk of crime.

“A lot of successful criminal justice stuff comes from a sense of dignity and self-worth,” he tells this paper.

By providing opportunities to young people – not just boxing, he stresses.

However, he also supports giving police greater powers, particularly to challenge those who may be carrying knives.

When he goes out onto the doorstep, people tell him they always know who is causing trouble in the neighbourhood – although he swiftly adds that “it’s a small minority.”

He backs a “sensitive and targeted” use of stop-and-search to crackdown on repeat offenders, meaning that those have already been convicted of a recent serious offence can be stopped and searched.

“It means for the local population, they know that those causing trouble can be challenged when they need to be challenged while the rest of the population remain unchallenged when going about their business,” he says.

On education, he sings the praises of secondary schools in the seat, especially Harris Academy, which runs some of the borough’s most successful schools.

“There’s a really good Conservative story we can tell on this,” he says.

“A hundred per cent of secondary students [in Camberwell and Peckham] are in good and outstanding schools according to Ofsted.”

More work needs to be done on

That’s why I joined the Army ... a life-long experience working with a range of people you otherwise wouldn’t. You’re just as much a social worker as anything else. primary schools, Quentin says: “We’re actually below the national average there, so we need to focus on that.”

He calls for a transfer of the successful strategies seen at secondary schools in the seat to primary schools, and is particularly keen on the importance of alternative provision.

Housing and high-streets are his final two priorities. On housing, Quentin believes it’s “too important an issue to get into party politics on.”

The Conservatives are pledging to build one million houses in five years, between the private sector and public.

“In Camberwell, it’s about social housing – since we have come in, social housing has increased forty per cent more than under Labour,” he says.

The candidate also calls for a reform of planning processes and a cut in business rates for small businesses on the highstreet which help foster community, like cinemas, pubs and cafes.

In the safe Labour seat, there will no doubt be some who would accuse the Conservatives of worsening all three areas with a programme of austerity.

“It would be crass to suggest that

people have not had a tough decade but I would challenge that that’s the result of an unfeeling Tory party,” he responds.

He insists that it was a necessity of the position that the Conservatives inherited in 2010, and that at this election there is a “clear” ending to austerity while still managing public finances.

“It’s not what anyone wants to be doing, making cuts. Any party has got to have humility about what we have achieved and what we haven’t achieved.

“But for me as a one-nation Conservative it’s about investing in the people who’ve had the most difficult time over the last decade.

“If you’re not trying to help the least well-off, what do you exist for?”

Age: 36

Born: Solihull, West Midlands Studied: Politics, Girton College, Cambridge University Career: Has worked as a lieutenant in the Army overseas including Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where he helped train the Afghan National Army.

Previously he had worked as a researcher for Civitas, a thinktank. He currently works as an adviser to William Hague, and is still a member of The London Regiment’s London Irish Rifles, based off Camberwell New Road.

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

General 12 DEC election 2019

ELECTIONS 23

camberwell and peckham

Julia Ogiehor Harriet Harman is a great, well respected MP but it is up to all sitting MPs to keep proving themselves. I believe I can be a real challenger.”

JULIA’s Key Pledges Stop Brexit • A Lib Dem majority government will revoke Article 50.

• Reinvest £50 billion Remain Bonus in public services and tackling inequality.

Housing • Build 300,000 homes a year across the country, including 100,000 social homes to rent.

• End rough sleeping within five years.

NHS • One penny on income tax will mean investing £35 billion over the next five years on the NHS and transform mental health treatment.

Build a fairer economy • Free childcare from nine months.

• Give every adult £10,000 to spend on skills and training throughout their lives.

• Give every child the best start in life.

• Recruit 20,000 more teachers as part of an extra £10 billion a year for schools.

• Tackle the climate emergency.

• Generating 80 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2030 and insulating all low-income homes by 2025.

Knife crime • Use her experience in Haringey Council to find new ways to tackle knife crime and youth violence with strong community policing that doesn’t alienate young BAME people.

Representation • Be a voice for underrepresented people in parliament and stand up for black women politicians, and BAME communities.

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk “I was eighteen when I could first vote and that’s when I first supported the Liberal Democrats,” says Julia Ogiehor, a 33-year-old Lib Dem challenger to Harriet Harman.

She believes she can help unlock a Lib Dem vote - pro-European, pro-freedom of movement - among BAME communities in Camberwell and Peckham.

Ogiehor, a former Lewisham College student, grew up in Queen’s Road and later moved to Walworth and Kennington before graduating from the University of Hertfordshire with a law degree in 2009.

She had a stint as a paralegal and held some public relations and public affairs roles, but it was an internship for Simon Hughes, in 2013, that ignited the possibility of a future in politics.

“I’m from an estate – black and working class and everyone votes Labour. I wanted to figure out why and what they were voting for.

“I want to get across that it is ok to not vote Labour. We are not a monolith.

“What appealed to be about the Liberal Democrat party is the notion of saying that you can be anything you want to be, your life circumstances should be the same, with the same opportunities as someone from a wealthier background.

“It was the idea of not being spoon-fed and being allowed to progress.

“Growing up you are always told you don’t know as much as others and they know more than you.

“While working with Simon I had ideas and I was told they were good ideas, now go and put them together. I felt like my

views mattered.

“In a way, it took me by surprise that it’s really not that hard to get into politics, you just need someone to direct you a little bit at first and give you that encouragement.”

The Lib Dems may still hold some sway in Bermondsey, but can they really gain a footing in one of Labour’s safest seats?

“A lot more people are getting into politics because of Brexit. Everyone keeps saying Camberwell and Peckham’s a safe seat but in this election who knows?

“Harriet Harman is a great, well respected MP but it is up to all sitting MPs to keep proving themselves. I believe I can be a real challenger.”

She says she has has even been helped

by Harman in the past.

The Labour stalwart intervened after her mother was stopped while travelling from Nigeria to the UK and prevented from entering the country for a month.

Border agents didn’t believe her children were hers.

Brexit has given her party an opportunity, she says, and these experiences and others could chime with swing voters or those disillusioned with Labour: “The EU referendum piqued people’s interest in the Lib Dems again, and then the 2017 snap election and European Parliament election gave people the opportunity to support us.

“I have been homeless and living in temporary accommodation. It happened because my mum’s relationship with her partner had broken down and it was impossible for us to rent privately. We just didn’t have that kind of money.

“Your situation has to be very dire to get rehomed right away and ours wasn’t dire enough.

“We were put in temporary accommodation near Walworth Road and then during my A Levels moved to Kennington and my mum is still there now with my brothers.

“My formative years were all spent in Camberwell and Peckham “Both of my parents are Nigerian. I was born in the UK and then from two to twelve lived in Nigeria but came back for secondary school.

“I’m a Londoner with a Nigerian heritage and I’m British. I’ve had a few people say “but where are you from? You’re not from here’.

“Our heritage is multifaceted - you should be able to describe yourself as Scottish and from the UK and a European, for example.

“I feel that when you are asked ‘where you are from?’ it’s based on skin tone.

“Would someone ask that if you weren’t black or brown? I am as much British as you are.”

The big question is whether she can win over those who still feel betrayed by the Lib Dems’ time in power with the Tories - especially when the Remain and leftleaning vote will be split in this seat.

“I was upset about how we were criticised for our record in coalition,” she says. “Often the people having a go were the people who voted in the Tories.

“I was vocally against tuition fees and when it backfired I felt that Labour made it into the Lib Dems being liars and what everyone forgot was that Labour introduced and increased tuition fees.

“The party has new faces. We wouldn’t hold Labour and the Tories to what happened many years go. We should all move on. There are new, young, more diverse people in the party now.”

In May last year she was elected as a Lib Dem councillor in Haringey and won a target seat.

“In that time I’ve learnt a lot about how to be really firm with what I want,” she explains.

“I am the shadow communities spokesperson and that gives me a platform to talk about youth crime.

“I have two brothers who are tall and black and growing up in London right now. They live on a notorious estate. One has been robbed, chased with a knife, and stabbed. Within a year in my ward in

Haringey I got preventative measures in place, more CCTV, redecoration in certain areas and redeployed the community police to hotspot areas.

“Local police are calling me up about kids being groomed. A lot of people do not have that kind of relationship with the local police. We are getting more safe havens with local businesses – places where young people can go and stay there and know that they are safe. This was an idea for Muswell Hill and I am trying to expand it all over Haringey.”

Is she concerned about standing as a black woman MP given the extreme abuse others experience - especially as a newcomer to politics?

“I get more misogynist, racist and ageist abuse than some people,” she says.

Earlier this year she gained huge support after sharing online details of racist abuse she suffered while travelling on the tube from two men who refused to accept she was from London and described her as “uneducated”.

“I call out abusers online. I have a podcast with eight black and mixed race women from four parties coming together.

We wrote an open letter signed by Diane Abbot calling for more support to end abuse against women politicians.

“That is how I will fight - agreeing to respectfully disagree. I will not engage in personal attacks, for my own mental health and safety as much as anything.

“I’ve already had my mum chased and shouted at when she’s been out with me.”

A key priority if elected is tackling youth violence with evidence-based solutions.

She is very concerned the narrative that tougher enforcement measures are the answer will alienate young people, including those stopped and searched.

“More police is not the panacea - it is a plaster over a crack that is getting bigger.

Prevention costs the government less.

“The people who commit crime often have had substandard education, some have special educational needs, mental health problems or have experienced abuse.

“And there is an unconscious bias if you’re a black male.

“Young people do not know where to go to hold the powers that be to account. We need to change with the times.

“If you make it really hard for them then

they will give up.

“Even if I don’t win, I want to show that they can get out there too and get involved in politics.

“Harriet has paved the way for me. Being a woman is not an issue and being black is not an issue.”

She is clear that “this is a Brexit election” and thinks the Lib Dems will benefit from their unequivocal stance.

“Our position has always been clear.

People mocked us for calling for a second vote on a deal. Why would we not want to revoke? We want to stop Brexit and then we can move on.

“That means funding more youth services, reversing cuts, tackling knife crime and building genuinely affordable homes.

“I believe if we leave the EU the impact on people in Camberwell and Peckham will be worse than the impact of austerity.

“We have wasted three years. I don’t blame people for being fed up but this is the time to push yourself and give it your everything. I want to be able to look back and think I did everything I could.

“Everyone should do that whether they are Leave or Remain.”

Born in east London to Nigerian parents, spent her early childhood in Nigeria before coming back to Southwark for secondary school.

Julia spent her teens in Peckham, Walworth and Kennington, attending Lewisham College.

Studied law at the University of Hertfordshire and worked as a paralegal and in PR and public affairs after graduating in 2009.

Interned for Simon Hughes in 2013 and became an active member of the Lib Dems.

Elected as a Lib Dem councillor for Muswell Hill on Haringey Council in 2018, with a focus on knife crime.

Experienced homelessness growing up, and moved into temporary accommodation.

One of her brothers has been stabbed.

Co-hosts a podcast presented

by BAME women in politics and has campaigned for an end to the online abuse of female politicians.

24 ELECTIONS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

General 12 DEC election 2019

camberwell and peckham

Claire Sheppard CLAIRE’S Key Pledges Defend the NHS • Four years ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I was treated with supreme care at local hospitals but I could see our NHS was creaking at the seams. That’s why I support the Green Party policy of protecting and investing in the NHS. We pay for public services, we use them, they belong to all of us.

Yes to Europe • Inequality, austerity and lack of investment in communities were the underlying reasons people voted to leave the EU. The Green Party will tackle those problems head on. We need a People’s Vote to let voters have the final say on their future, based on the facts as they are today.

No to climate change • The Green Party’s Green New Deal will replace fossil fuels with clean energy, build energy efficient new homes and create hundreds of thousands of jobs. Only the Green Party is committed to making Britain carbon neutral by 2030. Vote Green to make our society work for everyone.

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Being a new mum with cancer trying to claim Universal Credit makes me the MP for Camberwell and Peckham we need, says Claire Sheppard, arguing the constituency has been seen as a safe labour seat for too long.

The constituency is the only one in Southwark where the Greens and Lib Dems are competing against each other given Unite to Remain pacts in Bermondsey and Old Southwark and Dulwich and West Norwood.

“We can’t give them a free ride in every constituency,” as she says.

Sheppard will be a familiar face to many readers.

She stood as an independent in the last council election in 2017, which she describes as a “personal experiment to see if I could break the Labour stronghold on the council and to gain campaigning experience under my belt.”

She wasn’t successful but claims Labour’s grasp on the constituency could be slipping.

A relative latecomer to party politics, Sheppard joined the Green Party in 2015. “That year I had a few major life events happen. Having my son and then serious health issues shifted my perspective,” she explains.

“I was always an armchair activist but with the climate emergency we can’t just sit around doing nothing, and lots of people agree with me.”

Since then she has lobbied Southwark Council to commit to the climate emergency and has supported plastic free Peckham and other environmental groups.

She is perhaps best known for corunning Nunhead Rocks and helping set Nunhead’s Women’s Institute and organising fundraising and collections for the Grenfell Community.

“In Camberwell and Peckham we are in quite a privileged position as the

Tories can’t get in. People can vote with their heart,” she says.

“The Green Party has been leading the way for about 30 years and is the political home for policies other parties have adopted, like Labour’s new green deal.

“Lots of people are now looking at the Green Party with fresh eyes and seeing it as an alternative to Labour.”

She says voting Green is the only way to hold other mainstream parties to account – and get future electoral reform.

“We need reform because in this two party system views aren’t being represented and we need more green voices in positions of power just to make sure that it actually happens.

“It’s one thing to say there is a climate emergency, but another to take the radical steps we need – it’s all mouth and no trousers.

“In the London Assembly Caroline Russell and Sian Berry have held Boris Johnson and Sadiq Khan to account.

People can see what Green politicians can do.”

But if Harriet Harman is toppled – will it really be a Green candidate to do it?

“We have had the same MP for nearly 40 years now. I’m somebody really embedded in the community, it’s my home and I’m really passionate a--bout it,” she says.

“It is a shame if people stop trying to run because they think it’s a safe seat. I admire Harriet Harman hugely and her record of reform.

“Going into parliament as a pregnant woman at the time she did must have been hugely intimidating.

“But she has said that she doesn’t want to be a role model as such, as she wants the next generation of politicians to do better. So I thank her for throwing down the gauntlet!”

Forty-three-year-old Sheppard grew up in a council estate in Norfolk. She studied English Literature and Politics at the University of Sunderland,

I was one of the first people in the country moved onto Universal Credit in the first trial in Southwark. I am probably the only politician standing to have been to Peckham job centre. If I can’t get through that system when English is my first language and I’m computer literate, then how can anyone else? graduating in 1998.

A leaseholder in a social housing block in Peckham Rye, she has lived in south London for 24 years and runs her own market research business, alternating working from home with pitching up with her laptop in the Bussey building.

Her husband runs his sports massage business from Holdrons Arcade.

Their four year-old son, Joe, started at Ivydale School this term. Not long after he was born, she had the devastating news that she had cancer, an experience that politicised her.

“They found my cancer at my twelve week check-up. It is a very unusual cancer, anal cancer, with symptoms they initially thought were to do with giving birth. They sent me to King’s and that’s where I was diagnosed,” she says.

“I had my treatment in 2016 at Guy’s and it really politicised me because every day I was going in passing the junior doctors who were on strike.

“I owe my life to the NHS. I had radiotherapy and chemotherapy for six weeks. I’m clear now but still having regular check-ups. In 2020 these are going down to yearly ones, rather than every few months, which for someone who has had cancer is the most exciting thing imaginable.

“After my treatment my husband ran the London Marathon and we raised £7,000 for Guy’s and St Thomas’.

“The big problem after my diagnosis and treatment was the return to work.

Childcare costs are bigger than a mortgage.

“After four months of trying I gave up on my Universal Credit application.

I was calling for hours a day speaking to people based in centres around the country and that was precious time I could have been working or spending with my son.

“The system is particularly hard for self-employed people as there is a different way of doing things and invoicing and they just didn’t understand it.

“I was one of the first people in the country moved onto Universal Credit in the first trial in Southwark and I am probably the only politician standing to have been to Peckham job centre.

“If I can’t get through that system when English is my first language and I’m computer literate, then how can anyone else?

“Out canvassing people’s eyes light up when I tell them about how I found it, because they see I actually understand what they’re going through.”

Sheppard believes the Greens – and her personally – are the perfect antidote to the current system of

MPs parachuted into safe seats who dominate our politics.

“We don’t have a party whip, okay we only have one MP at present but hopefully we’ll soon have more.

“It’s a refreshing and unique way of doing things and means that if elected in parliament I could vote with my constituency and with my conscience.”

But is capitalising on people’s disenchantment with mainstream parties going to cut it when faced with racial ideas – like legalising drugs?

Last month she was the only politician or candidate to attend a knife crime symposium organised by Mark Webb, the safer neighbourhood chair for Camberwell Green, a turnout she says left her baffled.

“Knife crime is a difficult and knotty problem, but ignoring it won’t make it go away. Politicians can’t ignore events and be scared of walking around meeting people. We need to focus on social justice.

“Our policy on drugs is to legalise and treat it as a public health issue.

The war on drugs isn’t working and it is decimating communities already squeezed by austerity. County lines is a huge problem in Camberwell and Peckham.

“If we follow America’s lead we are just going to end up with thousands and thousands of children in prison who are not going to have a second chance at life.

“Something has to give - we need to support parents with a living wage and provide childcare, not pass judgement if they’re going to work or staying at home.

They’re being judged whatever they do.

“I’m one of the last generation of people to get a free degree and I’m not happy to just pull the ladder up.

We are discouraging our brightest and best from getting the education they deserve.

“Everyone should be entitled to decent social housing. Affordable is a disingenuous term as you need incomes of £90,000 or more.”

She thinks that after a thirty minute politics chat with two locals in the Ivydale pub last month, one of them may well be voting Green for the first time in his life.

She also believes a raft of climate commitments from Labour, the Tories and Lib Dems won’t cut it.

“We have ten years to decarbonise our economy. Politicians can say anything but people know flannel when they hear flannel.

“Brexit has been a distraction. Most people care about the environment and the NHS. David Attenborough is trusted more than most politicians.

Grew up in Norfolk and studied English Literature and Politics at the University of Sunderland, graduating in 1998.

Runs her own market research business and has worked on high-profile public awareness campaigns including on drink driving, and ‘Talk to Frank’.

Lives in Peckham with her husband and four-year-old son. After his birth she was diagnosed with cancer, and has now made a full recovery.

Co-runs Nunhead Rocks, helped set up Nunhead Women’s Institute and is a local fundraiser for the Grenfell community.

Joined the Green Party in 2015 and stood as an independent candidate at the 2017 council elections. This is the first time she has stood as a parliamentary candidate.

“I do not think it is a Brexit election.

It is a climate election and we have to work across political homes.”

But some people will see it as proxy Brexit poll – so why vote Green and not Lib Dem? “We are pro-Remain but it is important to put whatever deal Boris Johnson has back to the people rather than hypothetical rainbows and unicorns.

“Give people the actual deal - I don’t think you can have too much democracy.

“To all the people who are thinking of maybe not voting, I would say: the times when you feel that your vote does not count are often the times when it counts the most.

“If you vote for the Green Party, I will be trying to make positive changes and will work with all parties and all politicians.

“You should vote for who you think will work the hardest for you.”

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

General 12 DEC election 2019

ELECTIONS 25

dulwich and west norwood

Helen Hayes HELEN’s Key Pledges Brexit • Labour is the only party which can deliver a People’s Vote and stop Brexit. I will campaign to Remain in the EU in all circumstances.

Education • We have brilliant schools, but they have suffered the worst cuts under the Tories and Lib Dems anywhere in the country.

It is a genuine privilege to do this role every single day. We are in an extraordinarily difficult and complex time in our politics but it is still the best role that I’ve ever had and could ever imagine having. I’ll be here as long as voters want me to be.

• Our schools have on average lost £771 per pupil since 2010, and after nearly a decade of austerity our local schools face a shortfall of £10.9M next year.

Played a key role in securing Dulwich Hamlet FC’s future.

NHS

Co-sponsored the Homeless Reduction Act, which puts more statutory responsibilities onto councils to prevent homelessness.

• Our local NHS staff work incredibly hard every day to provide the vital care we all rely on, but they have been consistently let down by this Government, cutting budgets and increasing privatisation.

• A Labour government will invest £40 billion pounds in our NHS to end staff shortages and waiting times, rebuild crumbling hospitals, fund proper mental health services and invest to improve children’s health.

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Helen Hayes pulls no punches when it comes to the election pact that has pitched her constituency, the UK’s most politically pro-European seat, as a key battleground.

“The whole Unite to Remain situation is a nonsense really. It is very, very clearly about trying to secure political advantage for minority parties rather than stopping Brexit.

“If it was about stopping Brexit then they wouldn’t be standing candidates strategically against pro-Remain candidates like me and Neil [Coyle, in Bermondsey].”

In Dulwich and West Norwood the Liberal Democrats have stood aside to give the Greens’ Jonathan Bartley a clear run and there are no independents or Change UK candidates standing. “[Lib Dem leader] Jo Swinson is making a false promise to the county when she says make me Prime Minister and I’ll revoke Article 50.

“Our system cannot possibly deliver that. She is offering a lie really, and I think it’s a dangerous lie. The idea that we can just turn our face to the parts of the country that voted leave and pretend it didn’t happen is a dangerous course of action. We have to find a democratic way through and out of Brexit that’s about winning the arguments. The Remain alliance would have a bit more credibility if they were standing against Tory Brexiteers.”

And she pours scorn on the idea the Greens are a Remain party parachuting in to save the day.

“The Greens did no campaigning locally in 2016 for remain. One of the most prominent national Green politicians Jenny Jones, a Southwark councillor several years ago, campaigned for leave.

“They are rewriting history with this

absolute nonsense about being the only Remain party that is simply not true.”

But can you blame the public for being confused about Labour’s have-it-bothways stance on Brexit and Corbyn’s lacklustre Remain campaign?

“Labour is offering the only way out of Brexit for those of us who want to remain - and that is a democratic way out of Brexit,” she presses.

“Our commitment in this election is to a final say referendum with remain on the ballot.”

A whopping 77 per cent of people in Dulwich and West Norwood voted to remain in the EU. From the referendum result onward Hayes has campaigned for another vote.

“Only 23 MPs voted in 2017 for a second referendum, and people’s recollection is that many more MPs voted against triggering article 50 than actually did,” she says.

Hayes was elected in 2015 with a landslide win after Tessa Jowell stepped down. At that point she had spent several years as a Southwark councillor after a shock result against the incumbent Tory college ward councillor in 2010.

Can Labour buck the trend nationally this time, despite what the pollsters say?

“College ward was a conservative ward since before I was born, so my very first experience of an election taught me that any democratic event can have unexpected consequences. We were told there was no possibility of a Labour councillor being elected and then I was.”

Born in Lancashire, she went to a state school, before studying politics at Balliol College, Oxford, graduating in 1996.

A formative work experience trip to Chicago over a university summer vacation sparked an interest in planning and how change can affect communities as she joined a campaign to save blackowned businesses on Chicago’s south side. It led her to a 20-year career in

An ex- College Ward councillor from 2010 until 2015, Hayes has been the sitting Labour MP since 2015, after party grandee Tessa Jowell stepped down.

Voted against triggering Article 50 and consistently campaigned for a People’s Vote on any final deal.

• A Labour government will build a National Education Service to give 30 hours’ free childcare to all two to four-year-olds, reverse school funding cuts, scrap tuition fees and provide free adult education.

By Katherine Johnston

Born in Lancashire, went to a state school and studied politics at Balliol College, Oxford, before a 20-year career in local planning.

Emerged as a strong campaigner in support of the Windrush generation. planning.

She has now lived in south London for more than half her life, first in Brixton, before moving to Crystal Palace where she lives with her partner and their two children, aged eleven and fourteen.

An effective record in opposition has seen her co-sponsoring the Homelessness Reduction Act and forcing the Tories to U-turn on a supported housing funding shake-up.

This year her planning and affordable housing bill also had its first readings in the Commons. If passed it would change what she describes as the “broken definition of affordability” and stop rampant land speculation.

At the beginning of the year, Hayes committed to getting a reception for Windrush elders at the Speaker’s House and a debate in Parliament to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their arrival in the UK and contribution to public life.

Soon after the resulting scandal engulfed the government. She says immigration cases are some of her biggest challenges as an MP. “Not long after the 2015 election my case workers started saying they thought there was a problem with older commonwealth citizens who were suddenly being asked for proof of their right to be in the UK. What we didn’t know was it was happening on a national scale. As soon as it broke in the news we recognised it instantly.

“There are thousands of immigration cases I’ve worked on over the last four years. The impact of the wider hostile environment is on people’s inability to resolve status and the utter misery and hardship that causes for years. There are even cases I inherited from Tessa Jowell.

“This government keeps people in total limbo with their status and their ability to work and access benefits.

“As an MP the issues come to you because the job is about representation,

but I always try to think what the bigger change is I want to achieve and in terms of the Windrush scandal it’s education.

“It’s partly about teaching our children an accurate and complete version of British history, but it is also that migration as a prism for teaching history is very equalising. I know very little about my family history more than two generations back, but I have an Irish surname, my family is from a migration city, Liverpool, I grew up in a town with a Viking name, Ormskirk.

“None of us have always been here. If you can understand that that’s the case then I think it can cut through a lot of the prejudice and discrimination.

“Labour is committed to those reforms if we get into government.”

Meanwhile, extra police and more money isn’t the only answer to stopping the serious youth violence devastating families, she says.

“I have spent a lot of time supporting one mum living in my constituency whose child was murdered, and it was very difficult to get the mental health support that she needed. When tragedies happen as a consequence of serious violence the ripple effects in terms of trauma are very wide.

“We need that access to support to be there for people without having to fight it. If you look at the ages of those getting caught up in violence now, they have grown up in this decade of austerity.”

Labour has pledged to row back austerity, redesign the economy with its decarbonising Green New Deal and throw in added sweeteners like its nationwide broadband giveaway.

Can the spending splurge really attract swing voters who think our economy wouldn’t be in safe hands with Labour?

“What we have seen over the last ten years is the absolute false economy of austerity. We are so far the only party that has produced a full costed set of proposals for our manifesto, so the

Lives in Crystal Palace with her husband and two children – who are climate school strikers.

idea that we are just making spending commitments with no regard to delivery just isn’t true.”

She dismisses claims only a Green vote will get the action we need on climate change, or that the Lib Dems and Tories’ commitments are enough.

“In 2006-08 I was working on a Labour government-funded project about climate change, to drive change and policy and practice, making the climate the prism through which we see everything else. It was life- changing and shifted my perspective from seeing the climate as an issue of concern to seeing it as absolutely the first consideration in everything we do. Sadly coalition government archived it. This election should be talking about ten years of positive progress but instead we are revisiting policy legislation I was working on more than ten years ago.

When you take resources away, change stops.”

This August a constituent was jailed after a campaign of harassment which included bombarding her team with hundreds of emails, including ones with sexually explicit images. Another person has been handed an injunction.

Did she hesitate about standing again?

“There was no doubt at all, it is a genuine privilege to do this role every single day,” she insists.

“We are in an extraordinarily difficult and complex time in our politics but it is still the best role that I’ve ever had and could ever imagine having. I’ll be here as long as voters want me to be.

“On a day-to-day level I’ve never felt that I had to organise life around what the worst person might possibly do because most people aren’t like that.”

26 ELECTIONS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

General 12 DEC election 2019

dulwich and west norwood

Jonathan Bartley jonathan’s Key Pledges

Grew up in Streatham, where he still lives, went to Dulwich College and studied at the London School of Economics, graduating in 1994.

Remain in EU • The party has committed to a people’s vote with remain on the ballot, and is calling on voters to support the Unite to Remain candidates, saying staying in the EU is vital to keep environmental protections, workers’ rights and maintaining freedom of movement.

He worked in parliament in the ‘90s, including in John Major’s 1995 leadership campaign before leaving to raise funds for aid agencies.

Climate action • Commit to investing £100 billion a year in transforming our economy and society to prevent climate chaos – by 2030.

Campaigned for his son, Samuel, who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, to attend a mainstream school in Lambeth, succeeding after the Secretary of State intervened.

Housing • Give residents a ballot on the future of their estates and build thousands more eco-friendly sustainable council homes.

Income

In 2012 selected as Green candidate for Lambeth and Southwark in the London Assembly Elections.

• Everyone would be entitled to a universal basic income and the lowest wage would be increased to at least £12 an hour.

Drugs • Legalise buying and using certain drugs, to take power and money away from organised criminal syndicates.

Politics • Give the vote to sixteen-year-olds and above, and shake up the House of Lords so people can chose who represents them in the upper house.

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk The co-leader of the Green Party, Jonathan Bartley, grew up in Streatham and went to Dulwich College, briefly, he says, crossing over with fellow alumnus Nigel Farage.

Needless to say, they aren’t pals.

After graduating from the London School of Economics in 1993 he spent the next few years working in parliament on a cross-party basis, but was turned off by the experience.

“I was taught to weigh up your arguments, be objective and reasonable, but politics is so different to that.

“It was just a set of arguments about trying to bolster their own parties, and I found that tribal and disruptive.”

Bartley stepped out of Westminster and spent the next few years campaigning and fundraising for international aid agencies, raising over a million for large agencies such as CAFOD and Oxfam online.

But it was starting a family that brought him back into a politics – after a chance encounter with David Cameron.

Bartley’s son, Samuel, was born with Spina Bifida. In 2010 they were at Evelina Children’s Hospital for an appointment when he realised David Cameron was making an election campaign visit, too.

“Cameron was giving a speech and one of his aides saw me and my son in a wheelchair and asked for a photo with Cameron. TV cameras appeared from nowhere and started live broadcasting.”

In the exchange that followed Cameron claimed the Tories supported mainstream schooling for SEN children, but it was later proven he “didn’t know his own policies”, as Bartley puts it. The clip went viral.

Samuel, who is now seventeen, is

studying music at Croydon College. His parents were told at their 20-week scan their second child had a hole in his spine.

“It was a really hard experience. Our daughter was there, and suddenly we had people leaving, coming and going, and then someone said: ‘we have something to tell you’.

“We both looked at each other and said we really, really wanted to keep him. Now the idea of having had an abortion is unthinkable.”

It was the “transport apartheid”, as he describes the lack of wheelchair access across London, and the progressive policies on education that led him to the Greens.

“I’m probably the only person to have joined the Greens first because of transport and education and the climate second.

“We had to take the council [Lambeth] to a tribunal to get Samuel into a mainstream school. The Secretary of State intervened in the case and we won.

“They saw him as a set of numbers and problems. He had started at school and it went well, but it was all about this fear that it would cost money to support him that they did not have.

“Looking back, his presence in that school changed it for the better.

“It was at his first sports day, at age six or seven, when he powered his wheelchair for a “running race” and everyone ran up the track and Sam pushed his chair forward and got half way round and suddenly everyone was chanting his name.

“That’s when it became not about winning but about the taking part. And I know we always say that but it really did become about taking part.

“When we have a more diverse country,

If you vote for labour you are voting for Jeremy Corbyn and a deal that will sacrifice freedom of movement. Even when voting for a Remain MP, that is how your vote will be interpreted. when we embrace difference, we become richer,” he says.

Since then he has risen fast in the ranks to become co-leader. He became co-leader of the party in 2016 first with Caroline Lucas and then Sian Berry.

In 2015 he stood as a Green parliamentary candidate in Streatham, Chuka Ummuna’s ex Labour seat – gaining 8.9 per cent of the vote. He was elected onto Lambeth Council in 2018 and is now leader of the opposition.

Bartley, who has a blues rock band, the Mustangs, who have performed at Glastonbury and had their first ever gig at the Half Moon in Herne Hill, describes himself as “not a career politician”.

Dulwich and West Norwood is seen as a rock-solid Labour seat. Are the polls wrong? “It’s the only seat in London where the Lib Dems have stood aside.

That speaks volumes.”

It took weeks of negotiation to set up the Unite to Remain pact – which Labour rejected joining.

And he hopes to win round voters who may nationally support Labour but are angry at council policies.

A cornerstone local Green pledge is to give every estate’s residents faced with regeneration a ballot on their homes’ future.

“Dulwich and West Norwood is a very progressive place with a lot of pride and identity in the area, and well-loved green spaces. It deserves a very progressive MP,” he says.

“We need an opposition voice in councils and in parliament. The Gipsy Hill community has been left neglected with the threat of their homes in Central Hill being demolished.

Why should voters leave Labour and go Green when both are advocating a second vote with Remain on the ballot? Clarity, he says.

“My position has always been that I am unequivocally pro-migrant, pro-asylum seeker, and pro-refugee.

“I want our country to be proud of taking people in who want a better life.

We need them and they need us.

“I like [Labour candidate] Helen, I know her – she even went out with my best man. But there is a difference between us.

Labour are not a Remain party. Ultimately their MPs are subject to a whip.

“In 2015 they pledged to control migration and two years ago Labour described migrant workers as undercutting wages.

“If you vote for Labour you are voting for Jeremy Corbyn and a deal that will sacrifice freedom of movement. Even when voting for a Remain MP, that is how your vote will be interpreted.

“And if you want to sacrifice freedom of movement – I don’t want your vote.”

But is making it all about Brexit risky in a general election?

“The referendum result was a howl of rage that capitalism isn’t working”, he says, arguing that safe seats that never change hands have left voters disillusioned.

“It is an absolutely seismic change, things have been turned on their head. It is a Brexit election.

“For us, remaining in the EU is crucial for tackling the climate emergency and to make the protection stick rather than the race to the bottom that would inevitably follow after leaving.”

He also thinks their policies on knife crime – focusing more on prevention and rehabilitation – will appeal to voters over tough talk on sentencing.

“Even my daughter knows more about who is in a gang and who is at risk at her school than the local police,” he argues, saying community policing isn’t working without the right support.

Stood as a parliamentary candidate for Streatham in 2015, losing to Chuka Ummuna but increasing support for his party fivefold.

Became co-leader of the Greens in 2016 and was elected onto Lambeth Council, representing St Leonard’s ward, in 2018, becoming leader of the opposition.

Arrested on his 48th birthday in October at an Extinction Rebellion protest.

We need the Greens holding Labour’s feet to the fire. If you want Labour to be bold in parliament then we need Green MPs. Bartley has been arrested for protests – most recently with Extinction Rebellion.

Going fully carbon neutral by 2030, as the Greens commit to, decades ahead of the other parties, would cost one trillion. But how can we pay for it?

“The facts haven’t suddenly changed, the science hasn’t suddenly changed. We need to borrow money to do this for all our children’s benefit.”

He says Labour’s green credentials are “moving in the right direction”, but HS2 – “I can’t think of a more greenwashed project”, which Helen Hayes voted for, won’t be carbon neutral for 120 years, meanwhile damaging or destroying ancient woodlands.

Other Green policies, such as a universal basic income and decriminalising drugs, underpin “a massive transfer of wealth from richest to poorest”.

“We need the Greens holding Labour’s feet to the fire. If you want Labour to be bold in parliament then we need Green MPs.” “Out canvassing, people are telling you why they are voting Green before we can even ask them who they’re supporting.”

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

General 12 DEC election 2019

ELECTIONS 27

dulwich and west norwood

Jane Lyons jane’s Key Pledges Build safer communities • I will back the Government’s plans to put 20,000 more police officers on our streets to deliver a visible police presence and keep our communities safe.

Strengthen our NHS • I will work to ensure the £33.9 billion Conservative investment pledged to our NHS over the next five years is delivered to local hospitals and GPs. Stand up for local tenants • Local councils have neglected our estates and failed residents. I will fight to ensure their voices are heard.

Support every child • Conservatives have pledged an increase of £14 billion in education over three years. I will make sure our children benefit from this investment.

Improve public transport • Too many people in our community have poor local transport. I will lobby Sadiq Khan to introduce better and more accessible transport links.

Improve air quality • The Government has set aside £3.5 billion to tackle air pollution.

I will work to better manage traffic near our schools.

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Jane Lyons is the kind of lifelong Tory you may be forgiven for thinking had gone into hiding in Dulwich and West Norwood.

She describes the 2018 local elections, which saw Southwark go almost entirely red, as a “total wipeout”.

Can they recover?

“At the time we blamed Brexit and Windrush hitting within two to three weeks at the time. Obviously one didn’t want to blame oneself.

“I was really upset because I am very local and I am not in favour of one party states of any description.”

But, straight off the bat, she admits: “I think it’s unlikely that I will win. It’s a 27,000 majority, let’s not mince our words.

“I just think it’s important to have someone recognised as a Conservative voice who stands locally.”

At fifteen Lyons was already politically active and attending election hustings in Hendon, where she grew up.

“I was very involved in politics as a young person. I’m in that 1979 election winning poster ‘Labour isn’t working’.

“I was an active Tory supporter and activist in north-west London. We had no idea at the time how iconic it would be.”

Now, 64-years-old, she stood in council election at the age of 21 in north-west London and “took twenty years off” politics to have three children and run her own business.

Thirty-odd years ago she crossed the river and landed in Southwark, living in Peckham for around a decade before settling in Dulwich, where she raised

her family.

She worked in PR and corporate communications, mainly in retail and consumer health and now runs the rare cancer charity, Cancer 52.

About ten years ago David Cameron put out a call for more ‘ordinary people’ and especially women to get involved in politics.

She was elected to Southwark Council, as a Village ward councillor, in 2014.

Did she hesitate about standing for the Tory party after so many moderates stepped down?

“I think we are in a political situation that I don’t remember witnessing before, a lot of the base rules have changed.

“I was brought up in an era of tribal politics. What is happening now though is that both the big parties are historically broad churches but they’ve gone too broad for many, maybe to the left maybe to the right.

“The core beliefs of being Conservative, I have to dig a bit deeper to find them.

“They are things like opportunities for all, it doesn’t matter where you come from, it is about where you’re going.

“What is lost a lot in the messaging currently is that there is a huge amount of compassionate Conservatives who want the best for everybody and believe that how you do that is by getting out of this scenario and going back to the domestic agenda.

“I, for the record, voted remain like 80 per cent of the constituency.

“I wouldn’t vote for a no deal and I would seriously question the ‘oh I

It’s really not the time for collaborative nice-guy politics.

At the moment we need leadership. Does everyone like the leader? Probably not. didn’t like the result of the vote last time can we all go back and do it again view’ which I just really struggle with.

That’s undemocratic if you ask me.”

On Unite to Remain and Labour’s Brexit stance she says: “There’s a lack of clarity, sort of like it or lump it. The Conservative message on this issue is very clear. It’s not going to be the most popular round here.”

Lyons hopes she comes across as “as a fairly reasonable, pragmatic, centrist Conservative who would now like to see the domestic agenda moved on and Brexit handled appropriately and firmly”.

She hopes the Tories will make some gains in Southwark thanks to Brexit and achievable spending commitments.

“We may well pick up a lot of people who just want to leave, we may pick up Lib Dems who don’t want to go as far as Labour. I think it is a Brexit election but the next big issue is the NHS and social care.

She maintains there are rock solid pledges and commitments already there on health and social care.

“The NHS plan has been in place for nearly a year. There is a five year funding settlement and a ten-year plan.”

Isn’t the crisis facing our public services a problem of the Tories’ own making?

“I would have to push back on that, there are a lot of factors at play demand being one of them - and an older population.

“The funding scenario has been more than challenging. No one wants any individual to lose out.

“Having said that, in terms of pledges and commitments already in place, we can’t move on and do any of these commitments in terms of fixing this stuff if we don’t get through the initial political crisis.

“The debate about whether the bank account was empty in 2010 - I don’t know what another government would have done in terms of managing the budget and looking at services.

“I can only say that the future looks much better.”

Referencing the coalition years, and legacy of austerity, she argues: “I do think things couldn’t have gone on as they were.

“Somebody has to grasp the nettle and manage their way out of the economic mess that we were in.”

And her response to the numbers flying around Labour’s manifesto?

“It just seems difficult to believe that level of funding is going to appear and be spent on lots of lovely things.”

She admits free WiFi would be a welcome policy in the “broadband

black hole of Dulwich Village” but is sceptical, describing Corbyn’s manifesto as “Christmas in a bag.”

Has she found it hard canvassing with Boris Johnson as leader?

“I do not have trouble aligning myself to the Prime Minister from the point of view of the hope he offers to get this fixed and get the focus back on the domestic agenda and getting things done,” she says, confirming her support for him in the leadership contest.

“There are some things as a woman you might think could have been handled better but I am not about to go into a personal commentary on the PM. “The reason he won the leadership election, I think, is an awful lot of people just said ‘this is where we are and the best person to move us out of this is Boris Johnson’.

“It’s really not the time for collaborative nice-guy politics. At the moment we need leadership. Does everyone like the leader? Probably not.

“For the nation as a whole I honestly believe we need somebody who will get us out of the current paralysis.”

What about his deal being worse than May’s and suspending parliament?

“I think I am focused on the ends rather than the means at the moment, and I think I’ll leave it at that.”

Lyons is well aware knife crime and tackling youth violence is a burning issue. But in a liberal seat, how well does the party’s tough talk on sentencing and increased stop and search chime with voters?

She points to commitments to tackle drug-related crime and investment in proactive agencies: “We will use a set of sensible measures to tackle drug use and drug-related crime by investing in youth services and schools, legislating for stricter sentencing laws to keep criminals off the streets, better rehabilitation for repeat offenders, and strengthening National Crime Agency to tackle county lines gangs.”

If elected, a key priority would

be making sure Dulwich and West Norwood gets “more than its share” of those extra 20,000 police Johnson has promised.

One area it’s harder to argue financial prudence is the climate emergency.

Although they are committing to going carbon neutral by 2050, isn’t it too little too late? Don’t we need huge upfront spending to make the longterm savings?

“There is a very strong pressure within the party, elements very, very focused on the green agenda.

“If in power, this is something that can be sped up and [we can] become more passionate about.

“I don’t think it’s a lone priority, I think it is a high priority. One of many high priorities at the moment.”

Born in London and grew up in Hendon.

Went to a grant-funded school and didn’t go to university.

Started working after her father died when she was in her teens.

Stood as a councillor in northwest London in her 20s.

Built a career in communications and ran her own company.

Moved to Southwark 30 years ago with her young family, and still lives in Dulwich.

Elected as a Village ward councillor in 2014’s local election.

Runs the charity Cancer 52, raising awareness and funds for rare cancers.

28 ELECTIONS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

General 12 DEC election 2019

bermondSey & old southwark

Alex Matthews

By Josh Salisbury

alex’s Key Pledges • Have a “clean break” Brexit and introduce a points-based system for immigration.

• Raise £200bn by scrapping HS2, redirecting foreign aid budget and keeping money sent to the EU. • Increase police numbers with focus on “violent crime”.

• Have a Royal Commission on the NHS to decide how to protect its future, but commit to NHS being free at point of use.

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Representing the Brexit Party in Bermondsey and Old Southwark is Alex Matthews, a 36-year-old who lives in Barnet, but works on Southwark Bridge Road in recruitment.

He has previously worked as an SEN teacher and has taught English in Japan.

It is the first time he has stood for election, and he has previously been a card-carrying member of the Labour Party for six years.

Unsurprisingly, Brexit is the biggest issue which preoccupies him as a candidate – and he is determined to challenge stereotypes of his views.

“Leaving the EU has absolutely nothing

General 12 DEC election 2019

to do with race,” he tells the News. “It’s about democracy and self-governance.

“Brexit’s a proxy for something else, it’s about democracy. It’s the idea that people don’t have control over their life or their country.

“I just think it would be a disaster if we did not go through with the referendum result.”

Matthews knows it’s highly unlikely that the Brexit Party will win the seat.

When asked how much money he would bet on himself winning, he laughs: “Not very much!”

But especially important for him is to represent the voice of Bermondsey and Old Southwark’s Leavers, he says.

It’s a minority, albeit a not insignificant one – 28 per cent of Southwark voters

chose Leave in 2016.

Matthews also rails against the established political parties as betraying those they should represent.

“If they [the major parties] were companies, they would be sued. The Labour Party isn’t a Labour movement anymore, it’s a party for bourgeois middle-class liberals,” he says.

“What I hear [from the Conservatives] is ‘Get Brexit Done’ – but this isn’t the end, it’s the beginning.”

He especially criticises MPs who voted to have a referendum, but not to invoke Article 50 to leave, naming front-runner Neil Coyle as among them.

“What he’s saying is, ‘yes we will have a debate on the topic – as long as it goes my way,” he says.

Outside of Brexit, Matthews names housing and the NHS as the two key issues facing Bermondsey and Old Southwark residents.

“Housing is huge,” he says. “It’s a national issue so there needs to be national building plan. We haven’t got anywhere near enough social housing, we need to replace the social housing that we’ve lost.”

Among the party’s other policies is to have a Royal Commission on the NHS, to see how it could be reformed, says Matthews.

“I think it’s a good idea, because the NHS has been used for a political football for so long. At the moment it’s surviving on the goodwill of the fantastic people who work for it.”

camberwell and peckham

Cass Jean-Claude Cass-Horne Cass’ Key Pledges • The Brexit Party promises to deliver a “clean-break Brexit” without an extension.

• Crack down on illegal immigration and reduce annual immigration, creating a points system.

• Farage has vowed to cut net annual migration to 50,000 a year.

• Scrap HS2 and redirect 50 per cent of foreign aid budget to public services.

• Abolish inheritance tax and cut VAT on fuel.

• Free broadband in deprived areas, and scrapping the BBC licence fee.

• Introduce 24-hour GP surgeries, readmitting nursing and midwifery training to non-graduates.

• Abolish interest on student loans.

• Make it easier to build housing on ‘brownfield’ sites.

General 12 DEC election 2019

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Camberwell and Peckham’s Brexit Party candidate is Cass Jean-Claude Cass-Horne, who says he has stood in previous elections in both the UK (for Labour, an as an independent) and in South Africa for the Democratic Party. in the past he has worked for the NHS as an advisor.

In a series of tweets using the handle @HorneCass, he said: “I believe in the NHS. I believe in

helping the younger generation with employment. I believe in support for disabled, senior citizens and care in the community. I believe in tenant rights.”

In what appeared to be a limited grasp of the thorny issue of the Irish backstop, he explained: “What the UK government should have done is to say we are unconditionally offering a free trade deal to continue with Ireland.

“The World Trade Organisation will back the UK… We know no deal is better than a bad deal.”

dulwich and west norwood

Julia Stephenson JULIA’s Key Pledges • Spearhead a worldwide carbon sink tree-planting campaign.

• Stop HS2 and devastating destruction of ancient woodlands.

• Ban live transport of animals on leaving the EU. • Stop EU super-trawlers decimating fish stocks.

• Build on brownfield sites not green fields.

• Revitalise the High Streets by slashing business rates on local shops and pubs.

• Stop exporting plastic waste abroad.

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Dulwich and West Norwood’s Brexit Party candidate is a high-profile former Green Party spokesperson who says remaining in the EU is bad for our environment’s future.

Julia Stephenson, an animal rights activist and founder of the Julia Stephenson Trust For Animals, previously stood as a Green candidate in Fulham and Chelsea in two general elections and three local elections.

She even acted as Animal Welfare Spokesperson from 2002 to 2008 but has now joined the Brexit Party to take on Helen Hayes.

An environmental columnist for the Independent for four years with

the weekly Green Goddess column, Stephenson is also a patron of Greek Animal Rescue.

Her memoir, Letting Go of the Glitz: One Woman’s Struggle to Live the Simple Life in Chelsea followed her attempts to live sustainably in central London, rescuing battery hens, gaining planning permission for the first wind turbine and solar panels in Chelsea, and giving up flying.

She says: “While it is a challenge representing the highest Remain voting constituency after Gibraltar, I feel it is imperative to nail my colours to the mast as a Brexit candidate.

“I passionately feel that the top-down dogmatic EU project promoting endless industrial development and growth doesn’t fit with the green vision of a future lived on a more human scale.”

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

General election

independents

Joshua Ogunleye

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Standing for the radical left Workers Revolutionary Party in Camberwell & Peckham is 30-year-old Joshua Ogunleye.

He is the party’s General Secretary.

The party calls for a British and worldwide socialist revolution, and calls the election a “crisis election, in a situation where the worldwide crisis of capitalism is deepening rapidly to explosion point.”

Ogunleye, who works in the public sector, has previously stood for the seat in 2015 and 2010.

“In the last ten years we have seen essential services needed to keep our communities vibrant and thriving cut and slashed,” says Ogunleye.

CAMBERWELL AND PECKHAM “Those working within our public sector do so with minimum support and resources. I am standing to end all these cuts.

“I will fight for investment in the community, in the youth centres, libraries, building new council housing, for safe and affordable homes, and reopen closed mental health facilities.”

The party calls for an immediate withdrawal from the EU without compensation, as the beginning of “the British socialist revolution that must go on to nationalise the banks and the major industries putting them under workers’ management.”

On housing, empty properties must be taken over by Workers Councils of Action, says the WRP, to be given out to the homeless.

Anthony Hodgson

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Standing in Dulwich and West Norwood, 52-year-old Anthony Hodgson is unusual among Southwark candidates.

As he is asking for votes on the Christian People’s Alliance slate, he is the only one standing for a religious party.

Originally from Whitby, Hodgson is an artist and musician who works freelance with people with learning disabilities.

He is a father-of-two, both of whom attend local schools, and lives in West Norwood. This is his first time standing in a General Election, he says, and he has crowd-funded his £500 deposit.

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Standing for the UK Independence Party in Dulwich and West Norwood is John Kenneth Plume.

• Put NHS before foreign aid

viable future,” he adds.

“The kind of future we all want cannot be provided under this bankrupt capitalist system.

“I am proud to stand for a socialist future, for a fully funded NHS, free education, investment in our public infrastructure, funded by nationalised banking system.”

Where the party is not standing, such as in Bermondsey and Old Southwark and Dulwich and West Norwood, it urges voters to back the Labour Party candidate.

However it adds that those backing Labour should demand candidates who didn’t back an election be replaced with new candidates who back leaving the EU and who would be opposed to any second referendum.

“I’m not a politician. But I just thought, ‘Someone has to do it’”, he tells the News.

“Because I do believe it’s important to vote and lots of people fought for that right over the years, but then I felt unable to vote for anyone.

“I just felt like I should stand this time.”

The party wants to leave the European Union – but have another referendum in five years - a ‘turnover tax’ on big corporations, and believes “marriage and the family are the fundamental building blocks of society.”

“Natural marriage,” it believes, is between one man and one woman.

This is among the traditionalist views that may prove contentious.

Another is around abortion, which

inspires fierce argument in either side of the ‘pro-life’ and ‘pro-choice’ debates.

The party is “uncompromisingly” opposed to abortion. “It’s kind of state-sponsored elimination of unwanted minorities,” says Hodgson.

He accepts that the view will be controversial to many.

Crime and poverty are two issues that are very close to Hodgson’s heart. “Someone I know saw a knifing at West Norwood station, and I got involved in contacting the police,” he says.

He later visited the sixteen-year-old youth in prison – even sending him a Christmas present of an NVQ training manual - and believes strongly in restorative justice. (It reduces crime, he says.)

Food-banks are another issue he feels strongly about. He calls the fact that food banks are needed, including in Dulwich & West Norwood, “just a joke.”

“We’re one of the richest cities in the world and we’ve got people using food banks. It shouldn’t be happening, it’s a joke,” he says. The CPA pledges free night shelters for every homeless person, and to raise the minimum wage in line with the cost-of-living.

If you are a Southwark resident who has a different faith, or none at all, why would you vote for the CPA? “It’s Christian, but the values are much wider than that,” he says.

“You don’t need to be religious to appreciate that society needs to be built on solid foundations.”

CAMBERWELL AND PECKHAM

By Josh Salisbury

• Scrap BBC licence fee

(Southwark has been estimated to have around 6,000 homes sitting empty in the borough.)

The WRP, which is standing in six seats across the country, also pledges to nationalise the “building land and building industry,” in order to build millions of new council homes “for rents that can be afforded by all working class families.”

The Workers Revolutionary Party also calls for a minimum wage of £12 an hour for those over sixteen; voting age to be reduced to sixteen; and an end to all university fees and a restoration of all grants.

Ogunleye, who works with young people in the area, says they “want a future more than anything.”

“Zero contract hours, low wages and unaffordable rents [is] not a

CAMBERWELL AND PECKHAM

John Plume

• Deliver clean-break Brexit

ELECTIONS 29

He has previously stood as a Lambeth local election candidate in Thornton ward and for Streatham South.

Unusually, the party is also standing against the Brexit party, which also calls for a complete withdrawal from the European Union.

Mr Plume did not respond to requests for an interview before the News went to press.

However the party, formerly led by Nigel Farage, the now-leader of the Brexit Party, calls for a “complete and

total withdrawal from the European Union” with no compensation paid, no jurisdiction of EU laws over the UK, and an end to free movement.

The party does not accept that the withdrawal agreement that has been negotiated by Boris Johnson is satisfactory, saying: “UKIP will continue to fight for the UK’s total independence from the EU, and to fully restore the UK’s former status as an independent, self-governing, sovereign state.”

For the NHS, it pledges to keep the service free at the point of use, but argues that it is a “national health service and not an international health service.”

The NHS is open to widespread abuse by non-UK citizens,” states the manifesto. “We will end ‘health

tourism’ by foreign nationals.”

UKIP believes that “mass uncontrolled immigration” has been damaging to Britain, and calls for it to end.

In its place would be “a selective and limited Australian style pointsbased immigration system,” Immigration for permanent settlement would also be strictly limited. Immigration is closely linked to housing for the party, as it says: “The UK does not have a housing problem - it has a demand problem, with demand being fuelled by mass uncontrolled immigration.”

It calls for an introduction of a five-year residency qualification in certain areas, including prime London spots, for non-UK buyers to

purchase property.

Alongside this is a pledge to million new homes on brownfield sites.

On education, UKIP supports the expansion of new grammar schools, which it says are a proven route to success for working class children, but supports expansion alongside a different system of vocational schooling.

Perhaps controversially it also opposes compulsory LGBT-inclusive relationships education in primary schools, which has been the topic of ongoing protest in Birmingham.

Other key pledges also include a commitment to scrap HS2, bolster manufacturing industries and to limit the use of zero hours contracts except where it is mutually beneficial to employees and the employer.

EAT, DRINK, PLAY, LEARN, WORK, CREATE. FIND US BEHIND PECKHAMPLEX Peckham Town Centre Carpark , 95a Rye Lane, SE15 4ST

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

Comment

www.southwarknews.co.uk/letters

OPINION 31

Dual crossword

The very fabric of our society is so much stronger than what the terrorists would have us believe

Y

et again the nagging fears about terrorism are right here on our doorstep, front and centre in our thoughts – as just over two years after the last attack claimed the lives of eight innocent victims we are horrified to see another two added to the death toll in Southwark.

Friday’s attack, at a prison rehabilitation event in Fishmongers’ Hall across from us at London Bridge, has sparked tit-for-tat accusations over the policies that saw the perpetrator, Usman Khan, released from jail.

Convicted for his part in a 2010 plot to bomb targets including the London Stock Exchange, it has been reported that last year he had taken part in deradicalisation schemes before being released.

Why he should have been released at all and how, despite being constrained by more than twenty licence conditions, and being monitored by police and MI5, he was still able to launch the attack, is of course the question on everyone’s lips.

It is understood that the government is now launching a review of more than 70 terror offenders currently out on licence and that two have so far been recalled to prison.

The Conservatives have now pledged to review security at venues across Britain after years of campaigning by terror victims and their families. They are questioning why this did not take place before this latest atrocity, although opposition parties point out they have had a decade in power to effect such changes.

In the report released after the 2017 London Bridge attack the Chief Coroner called on the government to consider a review of protective security. Figen Murray, the mother of the Manchester bombing victim Martyn Hett, has long been calling for a law in her son’s name that would see scanners and other protective measures introduced at venues. But earlier this year a petition signed by 23,000 was rejected by the government.

So given these events it is perhaps inevitable, if depressing, that political debate among our national leaders has descended into a tit-for-tat exchange in the past week.

But how much more dignified a response – how much more affirming – would a united front between the parties have been?

To respond to these acts by saying that whoever was in government after next Thursday would try to find consensus with opposition parties and work together to eradicate this cancer in our society?

Tempting as it is, politics should not be led by events, by emotion, but by calm and rational thinking.

Bizarrely these are the very same words we expressed in the News in the edition after the 2017 attack as people were heading to the polls.

Again we hope that in the days and weeks that follow, the new government works responsibly to make us safe by doing just that.

And again we always ask our readers on election day to go out and vote. In spite of all the grief, the anger, the horror, please find time to do so.

The chance to choose our political leaders, to reaffirm our belief in our democratic system in the face of those who would have it otherwise, should not be something that we give up lightly.

The very fabric of our society is so much stronger than what the terrorists would have us believe.

The instant bravery of those who apprehended Usman Khan and so likely saved the lives of more potential victims cannot be downplayed.

Likewise the survivors, eye-witnesses from last Friday and two years ago at London Bridge, should be ensured ongoing support and counselling, and we as a community must come together to protect and nurture them, whenever we can.

A specific page has been set up online to give people from the London Bridge attack advice: www.gov.uk/guidance/london-bridge-attack-november-2019-support-for-people-affected Two books of condolences have been put in place for anyone who wishes to pay their respects to victims and all those caught up in the attack. One is now in the nave of Southwark Cathedral, and another at the council’s offices in Tooley Street.

cryptic Puzzle Clues Across

1 A clear red colour is found in wax (6) 7 Authorisation of availability with regard to a contract (7) 8 Giant flying creature after mother! (7) 9 A net for a French river (5) 10 Wide extents which could be high ones with a turn of the head (9) 12 She picked fruit the day before (3) 13 Game turned back by what beaters do (4) 15 A tribe at variance with rebel leader he will mediate (7) 17 A high time, one way or the other (4) 19 Got off a vehicle on fire (3) 21 A singer for a dance, unusually staid (9) 22 Heather one in a backward area of land (5) 23 Distinguished but incompetent? (7) 24 There’s equipment in the gang for a bandit (7) 25 Mast on cars that’s been realigned (6)

Quick Puzzle Clues Across 1 Method (6) 7 Opposite of windward (7) 8 Passivity (7) 9 Smallest (5) 10 Not entirely (9) 12 Longing (3)

13 Dispatched (4) 15 Sitting (7) 17 Locality (4) 19 Insane (3) 21 Wingless crawling animal (9) 22 More pleasant (5) 24 Storage space 24 Decayed (7) 25 Appearance (6)

Clues Down

1 All company slain, centre wiped out lodge a protest (8) 2 With regard to a speck in the distance (6) 3 Duck incorporating a ring is a child’s toy (7) 4 A polished explanation? (5) 5 Where to gamble that’s an offence in company (6) 6 A lake as seen in a summer evening (4) 7 Unruly head lords in a state (5,6) 11 He was terrible and awfully vain (4) 13 In this network, there’s a. Swedish girl (4) 14 A castle fixed on a headland (8) 16 Lace it’s variegated and flexible (7) 18 Source of circle on dress in fashion (6) 20 Wooden head of mallet found in ancient river (6) 21 To prohibit nearly everything is trivial (5) 22 Place of isolation for the Spanish graduate (4)

Clues Down

1 Loose shoes (8) 2 Wine (6) 3 Weave (7) 4 Stomach (5) 5 Empty (6) 6 Prepare for publication (4) 7 Anarchy (11) 11 Trial (4)

SOLUTIONS to last week’s Cryptic Crossword

Across: 4 Gratis 8 Shyster 9 Angler 10 Argentine 11 Sell 13 Scrap 17 Neutral 16 Feature 18 Bandy 19 Argo 21 Malingers 22 Tiered 23 Reserve 24 Radish.

Down: 1 Character 2 Esperanto 3 Vesta 5 Rune 6 Tiller 7 Stroll 9 Annex 11 Strangler 12 Landgrave 15 Tread 16 Factor 17 Agreed 20 Dives 21 Mews

Quick Crossword

Across: 4 Glider 8 Bayonet 9 Misses 10 Catamaran 11 Pare 13 Tends 14 Scarlet 16 Placate 18 Snout 19 Here 21 Antiquity 22 Emerge 23 Elector 24 Matter Down: 1 Bagatelle 2 Cowardice 1 Legal 5 Loin 6 Dismal 7 Russet 9 March 11 Pronounce 12 Reduction 15 Stone 16 Phlegm 17 Arrest 20 Villa 21 Ague

13 To photograph (4) 14 Apartment (8) 16 Inauspicious (7) 18 Flower (6) 20 Adulterate (6) 21 Rogue (5)

FREE EVENTS FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNIT Y Every week Pop Brixton hosts a range of free community events for everyone to enjoy.

For more information please visit our website www.popbrixton.org/events or pop into the office for a chat.

MONDAYS

THURSDAYS

Tai Chi

Pop Farm Urban Gardening

Community class open to all ages and abilities

12:30pm - 1:30pm

Weekly free workshops, where members of the community can come along to care for the plants

Sensory Dance

10:00am - 11:30am

Sensory dance for people with disabilities

Tech Mates

1:30pm - 3:00pm Dates vary, check website

An introduction to computers, smartphones and IT for our older neighbours

Impact Brixton:

10:00am - 11:00am

Open Project Night Learn and trade new skills for your project or business

SATURDAYS

6:30pm - 9:30pm

Krafty Kids

Kundalini Yoga & Gong Bath

Bring the little ones down to learn new skills and make their own mini terrariums, kites, sculptures and more

Designed to inspire and give you the tools to transform your life

11:00am - 12:30pm

7:00pm - 8:30pm

MONTHLY

TUESDAYS

Let's Dance

Karate Kids

Friendly freestyle dance for a mixed crowd of all abilities

Join Ming from Koi Ramen as he provides an intro to this ancient martial art

1:45pm - 3:00pm

4:30pm - 5:30pm

@popbrixton

Dates vary, check website

/popbrixton

@popbrixton

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 33

LONDON BRIDGE ATTACK

They were killed for daring to help Jack: ‘Believed in redemption Saskia: ‘Wanted to and rehabilitation, not revenge’ change the world and make it a better place she already did’

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk

Victims Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, had both been working at the Learning Together conference where convicted terrorist Usman Khan launched his cowardly knife attack on Friday, before being shot dead by police.

The conference, run by the University of Cambridge at Fishmonger’s Hall, brings together convicted offenders and those in higher education in an attempt to rehabilitate.

Khan was one of the conference’s attendees.

Named by his doting father as the first victim on Saturday, Jack Merritt had been a

course co-ordinator on the scheme.

The 25-year-old was a vociferous advocate of criminal justice reform; he had written his University of Cambridge dissertation on the overrepresentation of young men from ethinic minorities in the prison system.

Previously he had completed a law degree at the University of Manchester.

Tragically he was killed by one of the very people in the criminal justice system he had worked so hard to help.

Tributes have poured in for popular Jack in the week since his death.

In a heart-breaking statement, his parents described their beloved son as “our beautiful, talented boy” who “lit up our lives and the lives of his many friends and colleagues.”

“Jack lived his principles; he believed in redemption and rehabilitation, not revenge, and he always took the side of the underdog,” said the family.

“Jack was an intelligent, thoughtful and empathetic person who was looking forward to building a future with his girlfriend, Leanne, and making a career helping people in the criminal

justice system.”

Friends and colleagues have remembered him movingly too.

“Your life had so much enjoyment in it, and you gave us so much happiness,” wrote one friend.

In the moving post, she said she went to the pub, half-expecting him to turn up.

“I can’t believe I got to call you my best mate, I can’t believe I got the privilege of your love, I can’t believe I didn’t tell you enough,” she said. “You were quite simply the best thing, completely golden.

“Your voice won’t be lost, you will never be lost and I won’t let you be forgotten.”

Close friend Ellie Brown added: “Jack was one of my best and dearest friends.

“Every time I met him, he greeted me with a big hug, a casual ‘you alright mate?’ and a smile that glinted behind his eyes. His kindness and love was boundless.”

In the wake of the 25-yearold’s death, a row has broken out over the sentencing of Usman Khan, the killer. Calls have come for tougher sentencing for those convicted of terror offences - led

by Tory leader Boris Johnson.

This, say the Merritt family, would go against everything Jack believed and stood for.

“Unlike many of us, Jack did not just go to work. He lived and breathed fire in his pursuit of a better world for all humanity, particularly those most in need,” wrote his father, Dave, in The Guardian newspaper.

“If Jack could comment on his death – and the tragic incident on Friday 29 November – he would be livid. He would be seething at his death, and his life, being used to perpetuate an agenda of hate that he gave his everything fighting against.”

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Saskia Jones was named on Sunday as the second victim of the knife-attack.

Like her friend and colleague Jack, the 23-year-old had been dedicated to improving the criminal justice system, and had been working at Learning Together as a volunteer.

She had hopes of joining the police graduate scheme, and especially wanted to focus on victim support.

This, say the Jones family, was typical of Saskia’s caring character. “Saskia was a funny, kind, positive influence at the centre of many people’s lives,” said Saskia’s family.

“She had a wonderful sense of mischievous fun and was generous to the point of always wanting to see the best in all people.

“She was intent on living life to the full and had a wonderful thirst for knowledge, enabling her to be the best she could be.

“This is an extremely painful time for the family. Saskia will leave a huge void in our lives and we would request that our privacy is fully respected.”

Saskia’s incredible thirst for knowledge and kindness has also been paid tribute to by the director of the Institute of Criminology at Cambridge, Professor Loraine

R Gelsthorpe.

“Saskia’s warm disposition and extraordinary intellectual creativity was combined with a strong belief that people who have committed criminal offences should have opportunities for rehabilitation,” she said.

“Though she completed her MPhil in Criminology in 2018, her determination to make an enduring and positive impact on society in everything she did led her to stay in contact with the Learning Together community.”

“They valued her contributions enormously and were inspired by her determination to push towards the good.”

The 23-year-old’s fierce intellect led to her scoring a remarkable 100 per cent on her final year dissertation.

“She was incredible, a warrior, she had a vision,

she wanted to change the world, and also she wanted to make the world a better place, she already did before she even left university,” said course leader at Anglia Ruskin University, Colleen Moore.

Others who have paid moving tribute to Saskia, who was from Stratford-UponAvon, include the community at her former school, Bloxham School, near Banbury, Oxfordshire.

“Saskia was a much loved member of our community and will be remembered fondly for her generosity, kindness of spirit and commitment to serving others,” said the school in a statement.

“Saskia will be greatly missed and we will carry with us the burden of her loss.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Saskia’s family and loved ones at this very difficult time.”

University of Cambridge ‘devastated’ by deaths The faculty of the University of Cambridge has spoken of its devastation to have lost two of talented staff and alumni.

Jack Merritt was a course director at its Learning Together programme, while Saskia Jones had been volunteering at the event.

Both had recently completed MPhils in Criminology at the University.

“I am devastated to learn that among the victims of the London Bridge attack were staff and alumni of the University of Cambridge, taking part in an event to mark five years of the Learning Together programme,” said Vice-Chancellor Stephen J Toope on Sunday.

“What should have been a joyous opportunity to celebrate the achievements of this unique and socially transformative programme, hosted by our Institute of Criminology, was instead disrupted by an unspeakable criminal act.

“I am sad beyond words to report that course coordinator Jack Merritt and former student Saskia Jones were killed.

“Both were Cambridge graduates. Among the three people injured, whose identities have not been publicly released, is a member of University staff.”

One of the three injured was a man who was released from hospital on Sunday.

The other two, both women, remained in hospital as the News went to press, in a

“stable condition.”

The University completely “condemns this abhorrent and senseless act of terror,” added Professor Toope.

“Our condolences, our thoughts and our deepest sympathies are with the victims and their families.

“We will be providing all the support we can to our colleagues, including counselling for staff and students who are affected by the event.

“We are grateful to the Metropolitan Police, to local emergency services, and to those members of the public – including students, staff, alumni and other participants at the event – who selflessly intervened to contain the incident.”

34 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

who was this ‘lone killer’

The judge at his original trial said Usman Khan was working towards ‘a more ambitious and more serious jihadist agenda’ - but he was allowed out

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk killer Usman Khan was known to the authorities.

Born-and-raised in Stoke-on-Trent, West Midlands, the 28-year-old had previously been convicted and jailed for his role in a group who plotted to bomb the Stock Exchange.

The nine-strong group from Stoke, London and Cardiff, inspired by al-Qaeda, had engaged in plans to place a pipe bomb in the Stock Exchange, potential attacks on Stoke pubs, and establishing a jihadi-training camp in Pakistan.

The conspiracy took place over six weeks in 2010, before the authorities swooped on all nine men in December, including Khan.

All of the men pleaded guilty to a variety of terrorism offences on the eve of their trial in February 2012.

The trial judge in the case thought Khan was so dangerous that he handed him an indeterminate sentence.

Mr Justice Wilkie referred to Khan’s “serious, long term, venture in terrorism,” as part of the plot, and labelled

Khan and two others in the Stoke cell as “working to a more ambitious and more serious jihadist agenda.”

The sentence would have meant that Khan could have stayed behind bars for as long as it would be felt necessary for the public safety, beyond his minimum term.

But in 2013, that judgement was overturned at the Court of Appeal. Instead Khan, then 22, was given a 16-year fixed sentence and ordered to serve at least eight years of it.

The presiding judge in that case had found that the original sentence had “wrongly characterised” him and the two other defendants as more dangerous than the other defendants, who were eligible for automatic release.

He was then released automatically on licence at that point, meaning he was released in December 2018.

The Parole Board had no involvement in his release.

Khan appears “to have been released automatically on licence (as required by law), without ever being referred to the Board,” it said in a statement following the attack.

Taking questions from reporters in the aftermath of the attack last week, the Met’s AC Neil Basu said that Khan had been subject to a number of licensing conditions, and had prior to the attack had been complying with them.

Khan condemned by his family The family of terrorist Usman Khan, the man who killed two and injured three more during Friday’s attack, have said they are “shocked” and “totally condemn” his evil actions.

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, relatives of the convicted terrorist shot dead by police after his attack at Fishmonger’s Hall on London Bridge, said their thoughts were with the families of those killed.

In a brief statement released via Scotland Yard, the family said: “We are saddened and shocked by what Usman has done.

“We totally condemn his actions and we wish to express our condolences to the families of the victims that have died and wish a speedy recovery to all of the injured.

“We would like to request privacy for our family at this difficult time.”

Khan was born in 1991 in Stoke-on-Trent, west Midlands, to Pakistani parents, and was the youngest of three children.

He reportedly turned to radical Islamist views as a teen, and was later arrested for his role in a terror plot to bomb the Stock Exchange among other things.

In 2012 he was sentenced for public protection for sixteen years, and would have only been considered for release if deemed not a risk by the Parole Board.

However, that sentence was overturned in successful appeal in 2013, and Khan was released from prison in December last year.

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 35

LONDON BRIDGE ATTACK

witnesses talk of the horror of the stampede

Borough Market seller called for the bus to empty as police gunned down Khan

By Kevin Quinn kevin@southwarknews.co.uk Borough Market seller Nadia Saad was among fellow Londoners and tourists caught up in a stampede of people running for their lives as police shot a knifewielding terrorist on London Bridge last Friday afternoon.

The 43-year-old had jumped on the 388 bus heading northbound over the bridge only seconds before Usman Khan raced from Fishmonger’s Hall and over the road barriers, chased by brave members of the public, some who may have seen him moments earlier stab two men and three women.

The convicted terrorist, who took the lives of Cambridge University graduates Saskia Jones, 23, and Jack Merritt, 25, was not visible to Nadia.

In her mind the carnage unfolding was possibly a road traffic accident up ahead.

“The bus got half way over the bridge and then I heard sirens, which I thought they were from a fire engine and thought I best get off the bus and walk,” she told the News.

“The bus driver said ‘you can’t get off sorry – the barriers’.”

But within moments everything changed as the terrifying sound of gun shots overlapped with calls from the police to ‘run and not walk off the bridge’.”

The police were so incredible they were all over it and that gives you a sense of comfort when all those terrible thoughts of what is really going on races through your mind

“I heard three or four gun shots, a gap, then three or four more gunshots, possibly an echo from the first. I immediately shouted ‘that was gun fire’ and turned to the other passengers and told them ‘we need to get off the bus’.”

“I knew that there was only one passenger upstairs because I had just come down and shouted at him to get off too. I ran to the bus behind us and was banging on the windows telling them to get off. I even ran up to a couple of cars and did the same.

“The police had blocked the bridge so quickly, in about 90 seconds. They were so quick. We found ourselves outside the Barrowboy and Banker pub. The police were like, move down. Borough Market was packed that afternoon, but these officers had everything very much under control,” she said.

Among the cars and buses at a standstill on the busy bridge was a white van that had stopped diagonally.

Police swooped onto the van to check it contents, but it was not part of any plot.

As a police helicopter could be heard overhead armed, officers turned up.

“They were shouting, there was no asking, shouting and rightly so,” said Nadia.

Nadia and others had made their way right down to a café on Beadle Street. “I started telling people to get away from the window, because it was just glass.

“The café staff were just great, they

were giving everyone water.

“Everyone was just looking after each other. I was talking to some young tourists and telling them that it was okay, the police were taking care of it. And they were, those guys are amazing.”

But Manchester-born Nadia admitted that the ordeal was absolutely terrifying: “It’s the stampede that’s so scary, because you don’t know exactly what you are running from,” she explained to the News.

“But the police were so incredible they were all over it and that gives you such a sense of comfort when all those terrible thoughts of what is really going on races through your mind.

“This is the best city in the world and Londoners are the best, that is how I felt amid all the fear and panic.”

Twenty minutes later Nadia found herself walking back to Borough Market

to check on her work colleagues situated in the centre of the foodie attraction.

“Borough Market was like a ghost town, most had been moved down Southwark Street, right the way past Menier Chocolate Factory and on past Southwark Bridge,” she said.

While some traders in Borough Market were forced to leave their businesses unattended and flee, others had opened their doors to let people come inside and hide on lockdown.

Nadia told the News that this was especially difficult for those who bore witness to the night of bloodshed in Borough Market in June 2017.

“I was not working at the market

back then but I know people who were.

“A good friend of mine last Friday found herself again behind closed doors.

“She was unable to look out and hiding with other people she cried as she heard the stampede of people race by, some banging to be let in, without her knowing what could really be going on the cobbled street outside.”

The following day Nadia and her fellow market traders were back selling their wares and she says she was pleased to see tourists, locals and even families return in their hundreds to Borough Market and show once again that terrorism will not prevail in London.

firecracker going off.

“We were so scared when we were lying on the floor and you hear all these stories of people pretending to be dead.

“Then in about two or three minutes it all happened again and people were running the other way.”

Police had entered the market from the opposite end and told diners to clear the area, said Mr Underwood, a 65-yearold freelance broadcaster.

Only moments before, his wife, Suzanne, had remarked on a helicopter hovering overhead the market, but had thought nothing more of it until the incident began.

“I’ve never been so scared,” said Suzanne, who works as a nurse. “I’ve never felt anything like it, it was chaos basically.”

“Before the helicopter was hovering and I asked: ‘why is that?’, and then it all happened.”

The couple told of how tourists visiting London got separated from their families during the chaos, including a

13-year-old American who could not find her parents.

The Underwoods helped to call her parents, as she could not do it on her mobile phone.

Mrs Underwood praised the quick actions of police and pubic who rallied together, saying: “The police have been remarkable.”

“We all know what’s happened here in the past,” added Mr Underwood.

Another witness, Olivia Bizot, told the News how she heard what she thought was an explosion as she was coming up nearby Tooley Street on her bike.

“I was on my bike coming on my way here when I heard this explosion,” the 22-year-old student said. “But I didn’t realise it was gun-shots. The police came and I saw massive floods of people running.

“I was petrified. I hope people weren’t injured.”

The Met’s Neil Basu said on Friday the force’s “heart-felt sympathies” was with those anxiously awaiting news of their

loved ones during the terror attack.

Tragically two were later revealed to have been killed and three injured.

He revealed that the authorities found a bomb strapped to suspect Usman Khan to have been a “hoax explosive device.”

In June 2017, eight innocent victims

were killed in a terror attack on the bridge.

The three terrorists involved, who had driven a van into pedestrians before stabbing innocent people indiscriminately, were shot dead by the authorities.

Dining couple dive to the floor and run for their lives

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Witnesses told how they feared for their lives as police raced to Friday’s terror attack on London Bridge.

Usman Khan was shot dead at the scene while two innocents were killed – Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones - during the reported stabbing at around 2pm on Friday. Police established wide-ranging cordons to prevent further risk to the public, and had asked that the area be avoided.

Among those affected were husband and wife, Rob and Suzanne Underwood, who had been having lunch in Borough Market on a day-trip from Lincolnshire when the terror incident unfolded.

“There was an awful moment, there was a shout and you saw everyone running for their lives,” he told the News at the scene.

“We dived to the floor, we saw a yellow flash and a sound, it was like a

36 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

LONDON BRIDGE ATTACK

how the attack unfolded

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Shortly before 2pm, police were called to Fishmonger’s Hall, on the city-side of London Bridge to reports of a stabbing.

Minutes later, the knifeman would be shot dead by armed police after being chased out of the hall by courageous members of the public.

The man, later revealed by the authorities to be Usman Khan, was shot dead by police on the bridge.

In the early stages of the attack, police said they could not confirm whether it was terrorism related, although they had responded as such as a precaution.

It swiftly became apparent that terror had indeed come back to London Bridge; Khan had a previous conviction for terrorism offences, and had been wearing a fake dummy suicide belt during his stabbing rampage.

Wide-reaching cordons were set up across swathes of Southwark near to the bridge.

Cordons stretched from mid-way down Tooley Street, across the Bridge to take in Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral, as police sought to make sure there was no further risk to the public.

People were advised to stay away and London Bridge station was closed.

Slowly a picture began to emerge

of the terror that had taken place at the Learning Together conference at Fishmonger’s Hall, a prisoner rehabilitation event run by the University of Cambridge.

Armed with knives, Khan – attending the conference – attacked several of the participants. Two have since died, and three were injured.

The attacker then fled the building onto London Bridge, after being pursued by heroic attendees of the conference. One grabbed a narwhal’s tusk off the wall to challenge him; another a fire extinguisher to let off in his face.

Khan was pursued and bravely detained by the public as well as a plain-clothed British Transport Policeman. Those heroes have told how they kicked him in the head and stamped on his wrists to force him to let go of his weapons.

The plain-clothed policeman snatched the knife from his hands to prevent further bloodshed.

Armed police from both the City of London and Metropolitan Police arrived on the scene within five minutes, during which time members of the public were holding Khan to the floor.

They shot him dead on the bridge, and recovered what was later determined to be a fake suicide vest from his body.

investigation so far

heroes of London Bridge

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Heroic members of the public rushed towards danger to tackle killer Usman Khan, despite the fact he was wearing a convincing suicide vest at the time.

Their quick-thinking actions have won plaudits from the authorities, politicians and those who knew the victims, and undoubtedly prevented further bloodshed.

Their swift detainment of the cowardly terrorist meant he could be shot dead by armed police before causing more casualties.

Among those rushing into danger was a plain-clothes British Transport Police officer, who snatched Khan’s murder weapon from his hands, preventing him from stabbing more.

“He ran through traffic and jumped the central partition to tackle the attacker with several others,” said George Robarts, an eyewitness. The account was later confirmed by the British Transport Police.

“The courageous actions he took when faced with the horrors of this attack are remarkable. He, as well as other members of the public, should

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Scotland Yard’s counter-terror detectives say they are working “around the clock” to establish the full circumstances surrounding the deadly attack that began at Fishmonger’s Hall.

The investigation “continues at pace” said police on Monday. So far officers have uncovered no evidence to suggest that anyone else but Usman Khan was involved in the attack.

“However, detectives, working closely with the security services, continue to make inquiries to ensure there were no others involved,” said officers in a statement.

“The investigative priority remains to ensure that there is no related outstanding threat to the public.”

be extremely proud of what they did to stop this man on London Bridge,” said Chief Constable Paul Crowther, of the force.

Other brave heroes used a narwhal’s tusk – grabbed from the wall of Fishmonger’s Hall – and a fire extinguisher to tackle the killer.

“A guy who was with us at Fishmongers Hall took a 5’ narwhal tusk from the wall and went out to confront the attacker,” said witness Amy Coop.

Toby Williamson, the chief executive of Fishmonger’s Hall, paid tribute to his staff who charged towards danger without a thought for their own safety.

“He’s the guy who cleans glasses down in the basement… the scream was so loud, that he makes a choice and he goes towards the trouble.

“It’s pretty clear there’s a bad guy, he’s got two knives in his hand, there’s blood, there’s screaming, there’s chaos.”

That man has since been named by media as Lukasz, a Polish national.

During grappling with the attacker, he takes five stab wounds to the left side.

On Tuesday, as the News went to press, courageous Lukasz clarified that he was not the man wielding a

The probe into the circumstances surrounding Khan’s attack has stretched as far as the Midlands.

Khan had been living in Stafford, and was given permission to visit London for the Learning Together conference.

Police have searched a property in Wolverhampton Road, Stafford, where Khan had been living prior to the barbaric attack, as well as an address in Stoke-on-Trent.

Officers now say that their searches have been completed at the addresses, and thanked West Mids police for their help, as well as the local community in Staffordshire.

Forensic officers were continuing their work at Fishmonger’s Hall as the News went to press, which remained closed to the public. “This is being done as quickly as possible, it is expected to take several days to complete,” said the Met.

narwhal’s tusk, as had been reported by media.

“I and several others tried to stop a man from attacking people inside the building,” he said. “I did this using a pole I found. Someone else was holding a narwhal tusk.

“The man attacked me, after which he left the building.”

“A number of us followed him out but I stopped at the bollards of the bridge. I had been stabbed and was later taken to hospital to be treated.

“I am thankful that I have now been able to return home.”

The heroic porter said his condolences and thoughts were with the victim’s families and everyone else affected by the “sad and pointless attack.”

Met police chief, Cressida Dick, paid tribute to their heroism on Friday, saying: “I want to thank the members of the public who have helped, either by showing extraordinary courage by stepping in or by following the instructions they’ve been given by officers at the scene and in the area.

“This support from our public assists us more than you could know.” Mayor Sadiq Khan added: “We saw the very best of Londoners.”

The force added that while “statements from scores of witnesses who were present at Fishmongers’ Hall,” had been taken, it still needed to hear from witnesses at the hall who had not yet contacted them.

While work was still ongoing on London Bridge to recover evidence, the bridge was re-opened on Monday morning.

CCTV and video has also formed a large part of the authorities’ inquiries.

Hundreds of hours of CCTV footage has been gathered by cops in their bid to piece together Khan’s final movements, while members of the public have sent in more than 500 videos and images of the attack for officers to review.

Police have urged anyone with pictures or videos of the attack can send them to the investigation team via www.ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk.

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 37

LONDON BRIDGE ATTACK

the 2017 lion of london bridge calls for Friday’s heroes to be honoured

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Roy Larner, the Millwall fan who bravely tackled jihadis in June 2017, has said the heroes who challenged Friday’s terrorist killer at London Bridge should be given bravery medals.

Despite being passed over for official recognition himself after his bravery during the June 2017 atrocity, Roy told the News: “They should definitely get bravery medals for what they did.”

Heroic members of the public used a narwhal’s horn – grabbed from the wall of Fishmonger’s Hall, where the terror attack started – and a fire extinguisher to challenge terrorist Usman Khan.

Their quick-thinking actions in detaining him meant he could be shot dead before further bloodshed could be caused.

Two innocent victims were killed during the attack, while three were taken to hospital for treatment. The two tragically killed have since been named as 25-year-old Jack Merritt and 23-year-old Saskia Jones.

Speaking to the News on Saturday, Millwall fan Roy, who was dubbed the ‘Lion of London Bridge’ for shouting “F**k you I’m Millwall,” during 2017’s atrocity, said yesterday’s events brought back painful flashbacks of two years ago.

“It all brought back memories of that night,” he said. “I was up until 3am last night watching the news that things were happening so close to home again.

“Then you find out two people have died and it brings back a lot of memories of two years ago.

“Why was it allowed to happen again?

Terrorism is terrorism and he shouldn’t have been let out at all.”

Suspect Usman Khan, from Staffordshire, had been convicted in

I’ll be back down there on Monday just to try to ensure it doesn’t affect me going to all these places.

You’ve just got to keep going on, we have just got to stay strong.

2012 for his role in a terrorism plot to bomb the Stock Exchange.

His indeterminate sentence was overturned by the Court of Appeal the following year, and police have said he was released from prison in December 2018.

He was on a tag at the time of the attack.

Roy, who lives in Peckham, paid tribute to the quick-thinking heroes yesterday, saying: “No-one can knock them for trying to fight him off.

“I wish I’d had more people helping me that night. But then you can’t knock people who run away, because it’s not an everyday thing to happen.”

He called for people to continue to work and shop around London Bridge in a show of defiance against the terrorists, and said he would be going back down to the scene on Monday.

He added that he is expecting his flashbacks to get worse, as it is hard to avoid hearing about Friday’s horrific events.

But he said on Saturday : “I’ll be back down there on Monday just to try and ensure it doesn’t affect me going to all these places.

“You’ve just got to keep going on, we have just got to stay strong.”

how to send your condolences to the victims

By Katherine Johnston

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Two books of condolences have been put in place for anyone who wishes to pay their respects to victims and all those caught up in the attack.

One is now in the nave of Southwark Cathedral, and another at the council’s offices in Tooley Street.

Speaking on Friday, councillor Peter John, leader of Southwark Council, said: “It is devastating to hear that people lost their lives in the dreadful incident on London Bridge today, which also brings back painful memories from the terrorist attack in Borough and London Bridge in 2017.

“As ever we are so grateful to the incredible work of the emergency services, and the public for their bravery, and our hearts go out to all those affected.

“Terrorism has no place in our great city, and as before, we will not let this cowardly act change the way we live our lives in unity and positivity.”

The Very Reverend Andrew Nunn, The Dean of Southwark, said it was “hard to begin to come to terms with the fact that there has been another attack on the community”.

In a message to worshippers he said: “I was just returning to the cathedral after leading a retreat on the ‘four last things’ – heaven, hell, death and judgement – meaty topics as we approach advent.

“As I walked along Clink Street it felt it felt as though time had suddenly shifted and I was back two and a half years ago as I was faced again with people literally running away from the direction of the cathedral.

“I, of course, went against the tide and got into the cathedral just as a lockdown was being put in place.”

He went on to describe how he led prayers for those unable to leave the cordon until the coast was clear.

“We know that Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge and the Borough Market are special places, embodying so much about the nature of our great city, holding to a belief in the strength that comes through diversity, always knowing that acts of terror can never defeat acts of love – but at the moment it hurts.”

A specific page has been set up to give people from the London Bridge attack online: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/londonbridge-attack-november-2019-supportfor-people-affected

© Joe Giddens/PA Wire

The family of Jack Merritt take part in a vigil at the Guildhall in Cambridge to honour students Saskia Jones and Jack Merritt, who were both killed in Friday's London Bridge terror attack

38 FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS / COMMUNITY NOTICES

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

CAMBERWELL CONSOLIDATED CHARITIES THE TRUST COULD PROVIDE YOU WITH FINANCIAL HELP IF YOU:

• •

•

Are over 65 years old Have lived in the Old Parish of Camberwell (which includes Dulwich and Peckham) for more than 2 years Receive only a state pension

Please ask the Hon Clerk for an application form.

Janet McDonald Telephone: 07538 071 457 89 Worship Street, London EC2A 2BF Please let other people know about us too Registered charity no 208441

Dockland Settlements Centre Rotherhithe Dockland Settlements Community Centre Astroturf pitch for hire £30/hour Fridays and weekends Sports hall, dance studio, meeting room available for hire info@docklandsettlements.org.uk

0207 2317108

1 FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMUNITY NOTICES

Thinking of you always, miss you loads, love Nan & Arthur xxx Missing you today, tomorrow and always, forever in our hearts.

Lots of love to you in heaven.

Harry & Harvey xxx Twinkle Twinkle little star, up in heaven is where you are.

And when the stars are shining bright, I’ll blow you a kiss and say goodnight.

Fly high.

Lucy & Finley xxx

Our key activities helping local people make life better: Bede Learning Disabilities Service, Bede Youth Adventure Project, Bede Starfish Domestic Violence Project.

www.bedehouse.org , tel: 0207 237 3881

www.southwarknews.co.uk

If you are a charitable or community-oriented organisation and want to let people know about your services, please call

0207 232 1639

Southwark News

Memorials Memorials

In loving Memory of

Jon Goude 13/06/98 - 06/12/18

When the stars shine up in the sky, I miss you. When the sun rises and sets, everyday I miss you.

When the rain falls and everything looks bright and beautiful, I miss you.

Everyday, every hour in everyway, in everything I do.

I miss you.

Love always Mum xxx One year has gone, miss and love you always, lots of love, Auntie Linda xxx

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/arts

ARTS 39

what’s on God performs miracles in railway arch in Southwark

Tonight I found out that God is a lesbian who wears silk pyjamas, furry sandals and gets mistaken for Sharon Osbourne’s niece. I saw, too, that Heaven is a dank railway arch enriched with an aroma of stale incense and a great big bed where the magic happens, writes Michael Holland...

And I mean real magic. Magic that involves water turning into wine. Proper magic like God disappearing before our very eyes on stage, and seconds later resurrecting herself off stage!

David Javerbaum’s An Act of God has its European premiere here after an awardwinning run in New York, and it really is an evening of revelations.

Benji Sperring’s direction gives us a deity, bored with the old Ten Commandments, who feels it is time to bring them more up to date to fit our modern times. So, as God discusses the reality of the old commandments she also reveals who came first out of the chicken and the egg; the truth about Noah’s Ark, Abraham sacrificing his own child, plus, why cucumbers do not vibrate.

Zoe Lyons is great as The Almighty. You can see how much she relishes the role.

You can see the twinkle in her eye as she exposes Cain and Abel’s incestuous lifestyle in their quest to kickstart the human race. And as for talking snakes!

Ssshhhut up!

God has two archangels to help her perform miracles, Michael and Gabriel, who mingle with the audience to draw questions from them. Hence our collective discovery of why God hates Arsenal, the pointlessness of footballers praying to her - Except Maradona and that now she has been working with Steve Jobs we can look forward to Universe 2.0.

An Act of God is an evening of miracles, magic and mirth. A night of believers finally seeing the light as God vanishes.

Zoe Lyons, a true Goddess, says, ‘It would be a sin to miss this show; seriously, a sin.’

An Act of God is on at The Vaults Theatre, Launcelot Street, London SE1 7AD until 12th January. Times: Tuesday to Saturday 8pm; Saturday and Sunday matinee 4pm.

Admission: £20 – £35. Phone: 0844 815 7141. www.actofgodlondon.com

Festive events December 2019

JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET

CHRISTMAS TEA DANCE TUE 17 DEC 1.30pm

THU 19 DEC 7.30pm

TICKETS: £20

TICKETS: £7

TICKETS: £8 | £6 conc.

SUN 8 DEC 8pm

FISHERMAN'S FRIENDS 12A

BLACKHEATH HALLS CHRISTMAS CONCERT SUN 15 DEC 7.30pm

BOX OFFICE

TICKETS: £17 | £15 conc £7 under 12s /Blackheathhalls

@Blackheathhalls

020 8463 0100 @blackheathhalls

Monday-Friday 10am-5pm blackheathhalls.com

40 HISTORY

www.southwarknews.co.uk/history

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

History

Lord Haw Haw: from Dulwich to Nazi Germany katherine@southwarknews.co.uk The last person to be hanged for high treason in the UK was a much-derided Nazi hate figure, executed in 1946, who lived and peddled his hateful anti-Semitic views in Dulwich Village.

William Joyce was born in 1906 in Brooklyn to Irish-American parents.

The family moved to Ireland when he was young before landing in Dulwich when William was seventeen.

His father was a Roman Catholic, from Galway, while his mother was from a well-off Anglo-Irish Protestant family.

As a fifteen-year-old Joyce was recruited as a courier for the British Army’s intelligence in Galway, working for the Black and Tans, which led to an unsuccessful IRA assassination attempt.

After moving with the army to Britain and then being dismissed after it was realised he was underage, Joyce stayed in England with his family to escape any reprisals in Ireland after the establishment of the Irish Free State.

The teenager lived with his parents in Dulwich’s Allison Grove. Academic, he studied English Literature at Birkbeck, graduating with first class honours and worked as a teacher.

At various times he supported Conservative candidate election candidates, but mainly gave his allegiance to fascism, joining the British Union of Fascists, led by Oswold Mosely, in the 1930s.

Joyce rose up within the party’s ranks throughout the next decade, joining Mosley’s staff and even becoming director of propaganda and making use of his renowned public speaking skills and erudition.

But in the next few years Joyce became frustrated at the stymieing support – blaming Mosley. In 1937 he left the movement and set up a rival party; the National Socialist League, in Dulwich.

Perhaps surprisingly given Southwark’s left-wing reputation today, the National Socialist League had a stronghold in Dulwich, where Joyce peddled his anti-Semitic and anti-communist vitriol.

The group held regular meetings in Dulwich Library, and had a soap box where Joyce addressed large crowds at the corner of Carlton Avenue. St Barnabas Church’s parish council refused him the hire of its hall for the meetings.

Joyce married twice, and had two children by his first wife, Hazel.

His second, Margaret Cairns, had also been a member of Mosley’s party, and together the couple moved into a home in Dulwich’s Farquhar Road.

Their marriage was a tempestuous one (at one point they divorced and remarried) and was blighted by heavy drinking, infidelity and public rows.

They moved to Germany in August 1939, on the cusp of the outbreak of the World War II, to support the Nazis, after deciding not to flee to the

The last man to be hanged for high treason peddled his hateful anti-Semitic views around Dulwich

Source: Imperial War Museum (non commercial license)

By Katherine Johnston

William Joyce’s arrest.

Irish Free State, after believing they would be arrested for treason.

Incidentally, his family’s home on Allison Grove was among the first to be destroyed by the Luftwaffe’s bombing campaign.

In 1940 Joyce began radio broadcasts from Germany. He was nicknamed “Lord Haw-Haw”, coined by a Daily Express journalist, due to the much-imitated, natal pseudo-aristo tone in his delivery of “Germany calling, Germany calling”.

Joyce and his wife both spewed out Nazi propaganda, aiming to undermine British morale and try to win the public round.

Setting the tone for all WW2 comedy shows since, the programme

was initially at least unintendedly hilarious.

Eventually it became so popular that more than nine million people tuned in, with Goebbels describing its success as “astonishing” and HawHaw as the “best horse in my stable”.

Having initially lived a life of luxury in Berlin, the pair had spent the final months of the Allies’ campaign destitute and starving. In 1945, the Allied forces captured Joyce and sent him for trial in England, for treason.

Joyce was hanged in 1946, but it took some detective work for prosecutors to try him for treason.

The case rested on a vital fact – was Joyce actually a British subject?

Joyce did indeed have a British

passport, obtained in 1934 before he took German citizenship in 1940.

But this had been gained under false pretences, as he faked his birthplace, claiming to have been born in Allison Grove – and not New York.

The prosecution was led by Sir Hartley Shawcross, another Dulwich man who was taught at Dulwich College and later became its chair of governors.

The judge took the decision that even if he was not truly entitled to British citizenship, the fact he was in possession of it at the time was enough to see him hang. The Court of Appeal, and House of Lords, both upheld the conviction.

Joyce’s wife, who was detained in

Belgium, was never tried despite her nationality – she was born in Carlisle – never being in question.

She survived until 1972, dying it is said in London from alcoholism.

It is now believed Joyce made some kind of deal with the British security services to save his wife, sharing information on British fascists with top ranking officials in MI5.

Joyce was executed on January 3, 1946 in Wandsworth Prison. He was 38. His body was then buried in an unmarked grave.

In 1976 then Home Secretary Roy Jenkins gave permission for his remains to be exhumed and then interred in the protestant section of Bohermore New Cemetery in Galway.

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/property

PROPERTY 41

HOMEWARD BOUND New builds, luxury flats, affordable housing and what’s up your street

Old Kent Road:

‘Very substantial investment’ for buyers An industrial site in Bermondsey which is set to be redeveloped into a striking new residential scheme has been sold for £9.75million by leading South London estate agent Kalmars and joint agent Kingsbury.

Purchased by housebuilder Optivo in a joint venture project with housing association Skillcrown, the Hatcham Road site is located at the junction Ilderton Road, part of the Old Kent Road Opportunity Area, and has resolution to grant planning permission for a nine-storey building providing new homes and commercial units.

Sold on behalf of developer Aitch Group, the proposed Hatcham Road scheme is for 86 homes as a mixture of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments, with

two large commercial units on the ground floor.

Designed by borough based architects Alan Camp, the scheme will provide 61,000 sq. ft. of residential space and 7,600 sq. ft. of commercial space in total, and the site received resolution to grant planning permission in November 2018. The purchaser was introduced by Kingsbury, with Kalmars’ extensive local knowledge and experience guiding the deal.

The purchased Hatcham Road site totals 0.45 acres across three parcels of land; a single storey building which contains three commercial units at 62 Hatcham Road; yard space at 60A Hatcham Road; and a two-storey industrial building with yard space at 134-149 Ilderton Road.

Hatcham Road is located just

0.4 miles from Old Kent Road which is undergoing extensive redevelopment with plans for 20,000 new homes and workspace for 10,000 new jobs, replacing low-rise retail warehouses and factories.

The Old Kent Road Opportunity Area and new Action Plan is a 20 year investment strategy to strengthen the area’s appeal, build stronger communities and provide substantial highly-sought-after homes and workspace.

Kalmar’s recently highlighted in a focused research report that the Old Kent Road regeneration plans have a GDV of £10.7 billion, with the Bakerloo Line Extension and location’s growth potential proving hugely attractive to investors and developers.

The estate agnent said “The

Hatcham Road site could prove a very substantial investment as land values along Old Kent Road and throughout the surrounding area are rising; the site at Hatcham Road sold for circa £159 per sq. ft. when based on the potential consented residential space of 61,000 sq. ft.,” Kalmar’s report says that new-build private home schemes along Old Kent Road are achieving between £700 up to £800 per sq. ft. once completed.

Kalmars are handling a number of high profile deals in the ‘Old Kent Road Opportunity Area’, having recently completed on the sale of a 53 unit development that sold out within a month of practical completion at prices achieving within three per cent of the £800 per sq. ft. asking terms.

Sebastian Kalmar, Director of Residential Development at Kalmars, said: “We are delighted to have guided the successful sale of Hatcham Road, an industrial site that is set to be transformed into new-build homes and commercial space. The area within the Old Kent Road Opportunity Area is seeing significant investment and we expect the area’s appeal to grow over the coming years.

“Given the potential increase in land values once a scheme is completed, Hatcham Road could prove to be a very substantial investment.”

For further information on the sale of Hatcham Road or other KALMARs instructions in the Old Kent Road Opportunity Area, please contact please contact KALMARs at www. kalmars.com or call 0207 403 0600.

44 CLASSIFIED & RECRUITMENT

Call Clarry on 020 7232 1639

to advertise on this page

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Wanted Records ROCK, POP, PUNK, INDIE, REGGAE, SOUL...

LPs AND SINGLES - WHOLE COLLECTIONS WELCOME

Call: 07956 832314 / 020 8677 6907 Or Email: vinylwanted@aol.com ALSO INTERESTED IN NON CHART CD COLLECTIONS

EXCLUDED

FROM SCHOOL OR STRUGGLING Study at own pace without attending classes and initially by email

£3/week

EMAIL MR COLES MA

walter.coles@btinternet.com

Recruitment

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

CHRISTMAS FAYRE Saturday 7th December 2019 at the English Martyrs Parish Hall 1 Stead Street, SE17 1BF at 12.00PM Entry 50p Adults, Children (free) Children must be accompanied by an adult who will stay with them the entire afternoon.

CHRISTMAS FAYRE GRAND RAFFLE TO BE DRAWN AT THE FAYRE PRIZES: 1st ................... £250 2nd......................£50 3rd/4th................£25 and 15 Consolation Prizes of £10 Raffle tickets on sale at the church and on the day of the fayre Promote your service in by far the highest circulation of newspapers across Southwark, Greenwich, Lewisham and Lambeth

+ ONLINE to over 50,000 unique visitors each week.

Call: 020 7232 1639

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/jobs

RECRUITMENT 45

“Wishing all our patients and staff the very best for the festive season”

New Year, new you? Make your 2020 resolution to begin a rewarding career with us!

However you’re celebrating the holidays, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust wants to wish everybody all the very best for the festive season and throughout the coming year ahead.

Why not explore the great range of careers and opportunities we can offer you by registering to attend our nursing Expo on Tuesday 14 January 2020, at: www.facebook.com/GSTTNMJobs/ Diary Date: Meet the TRU team at our Band 5 Assessment Or email our team to discover more about this event, at: Nursing.Info@gstt.nhs.uk “Join usyou and all together will doand great things”Christmas Centre 8th May, details at: http://bit.ly/GSTTJobs We wish a verywehappy healthy andonNew Year.

XMAS_Dec2019.indd 1

29/11/2019 15:25:11

Accountancy – Finance Directorate

Finance Assistant (Scale 5) £24,030 (incl. London Weighting) Employment Term: Fixed Term Contract Opportunities available (35 hours per week) Location: Woolwich Centre We pride ourselves on being a well-managed and well-run authority and our Accountancy Service plays a vital role in achieving this. These posts present an excellent opportunity to develop your career within the Council’s corporate Accountancy Service.

The Accountancy Service of the Finance Directorate currently has vacancies for Finance Officers (Scale 5), to be part of teams providing accounting and business support across a range of financial services.

Do you want to be part of a unique nursery that supports creative learning experiences?

Roles have generic job descriptions across the department’s full range of accounting services, providing flexibility for the organisation and the individual.

Successful candidates will be matched to the area where their skills best fit.

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for Early Educators who are passionate about enabling children to achieve their potential.

Our current vacancies include:

Finance Assistant responsibilities include: •

Responsibility to provide support for a defined range of financial processes e.g. budgets, monitoring, reconciliations, maintaining financial records, transactions and controls • Provide advice to service managers and others on agreed financial procedures • Work on your own and with others to utilise your capabilities with Excel, other IT and communication skills to analyse and prepare financial information in a clear and timely manner.

When completing your application please ensure you detail how your skills and experience meet the requirements for the role, as set out in the Person Specification.

There are 3 opportunities available - 2 x 2-year Fixed Term Contracts and 1 x 6 month Fixed Term Contract. If shortlisted, you will be asked to confirm your preference at interview stage.

If you are an enthusiastic team player and want to join us, apply now at www.royalgreenwichcareers.com

Interested? Find out more: info@1stplace.uk.com www.1stplace.uk.com @1stPlaceCentre

QUARTER PAGE ADVERT_130 mmx160 mm .indd 1

21/03/2019 12:53

46 PUBLIC NOTICES

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

LICENSING ACT 2003 APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF PREMISES LICENCE

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

DISTORTION BREWING COMPANY LTD has applied to the London Borough of Lambeth for the grant of a Premises Licence, in respect of the following premises: DISTORTION BREWING COMPANY LTD, 647 PORTSLADE ROAD, BATTERSEA, SW8 3DH which would authorise the following licensable activities: THE SALE BY RETAIL OF ALCOHOL FOR BOTH ON AND OFF SALES: FRIDAY 17:00 – 23:00 SATURDAY 12:00 – 23:00 SUNDAY 12:00 – 23:00 The record of this application may be inspected during normal office hours by an appointment at the Licensing Section, London Borough of Lambeth, 3rd Floor, Civic Centre 6 Brixton Hill London SW2 1EG, or via the licensing authority’s website, at www.lambeth.gov.uk/licensing A responsible authority or any other person may make representation to the licensing authority in respect of this application. Representations must be made in writing, either by post to the above address, or by email to licensing@lambeth.gov.uk and must be received no later than 03/01/2020.

It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with a licensing application, and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for that offence shall not exceed level 5 on the standard scale (£5,000).

QUEEN ELIZABETH STREET AREA IMPROVEMENTS The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'G') (No. 22) Order 2019 The London Borough of Southwark (Waiting and loading restrictions) (Amendment No. 96) Order 2019 1. Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that on 12 December 2019 it has made the above orders under sections 6, 45, 46, 49 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2. The effects of the orders are, within CPZ ‘G’, in:(a) BOSS STREET south-east side, (i) add 12 metres permit holders’ parking, and (ii) extend by 2 metres and reposition an existing ‘pay and display’ parking place; (b) QUEEN ELIZABETH STREET (i) north-east side to reduce in length by 3.5 metres and relocate an existing permit holders’ parking place to new location outside Candishe House, and (ii) south-west side, extend by 2 metres and reposition an existing permit holders’ parking place opposite Candishe House; and (c) to amend existing waiting restrictions to accommodate the above-mentioned changes to parking in BOSS STREET and QUEEN ELIZABETH STREET. 3. Copies of the orders, which will come into force on 16 December 2019, and of all other relevant documents are available for inspection at Highways, Southwark Council, Environment and Leisure, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. E-mail traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk or call 020 7525 3497 for details.

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

Dated 12 December 2019 Nicky Costin - Parking and Network Management Business Unit Manager, Regulatory Services LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003

DISABLED PERSONS PARKING PLACE – FRIERN ROAD The London Borough of Southwark (Free parking places) (Disabled persons) (No. 75) Order 2019

Please take notice that I / we C & C Coffee Ltd Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of Crol and Co London Bridge, 66 Newcomen Street, SE1 1YT The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are Days

Start time

Finish time

The retail sale of alcohol:

Monday to Sunday

12:00

22:30

The provision of regulated entertainment:

Monday to Sunday

14:00

23:00

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday Saturday to Sunday

07:30 08:00

23:00 23:00

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

1. Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that on 12 December 2019 it has made the above order under sections 6 and 124 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2. The effect of the order is, to provide a new disabled persons parking place in FRIERN ROAD (northwest side, outside No. 300 Friern Road). The bay, 6.6 metres in length, would operate at any time and may be used without time limit by vehicles displaying a valid disabled persons 'blue badge'.

3. Copies of the order, which will come into force on 16 December 2019, and of all other relevant documents are available for inspection at Highways, Southwark Council, Environment and Leisure, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. E-mail traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk or call 020 7525 3497 for details.

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

Dated 12 December 2019 Nicky Costin - Parking and Network Management Business Unit Manager, Regulatory Services

It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below. http://www.southwark.gov.uk/business/licences/how-to-lodge-a-representation Note: it is an offence to knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK TANNER STREET WEIGHT RESTRICTION The London Borough of Southwark (Weight Restriction) (Tanner Street) Traffic Order 20** 1. Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that it proposes to make the above order under sections 6 and 124 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2. The general effect of the order would be to introduce a 7.5 tonne weight restriction for all vehicles throughout the entire length of the railway tunnel linking Druid Street with Maltby Street, on TANNER STREET from its junction with the north-eastern kerb-line of Maltby Street and a point 57 metres northeast of that kerb-line. Any vehicles having a maximum gross weight of 7.5 tonnes or more would be prohibited from entering in or proceeding in this section of highway at all times.

Date of application: 27th November 2019

Call Em on 020 7232 1639 or email em@southwarknews. co.uk to place a public notice

3. For more information, contact the council's Highways team Highways@southwark.gov.uk .

4. Copies of this notice, the proposed order, a statement of the council's reasons for making the order and a plan of the proposal may be found online at www.southwark.gov.uk/trafficorders, paper copies may be obtained from or viewed at Highways, Environment and Leisure, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. Email traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk (or call 020 7525 3497) for details.

5. Anyone wishing to object to or make any other representations regarding the proposal, may use the form labelled 'Parking - Road traffic and highway schemes - responding to statutory consultation notices' at www.southwark.gov.uk/statutoryconsultationnotices or send a statement in writing to: Traffic Orders officer, Highways, Southwark Council, Environment and Leisure, P.O. Box 64529, London SE1P 5LX or by e-mail to traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk quoting reference ‘TMO1920-035 Tanner Street’ by 9 January 2020. Please note that if you wish to object to this proposal you must state the grounds on which your objection is made.

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

Dated 12 December 2019 Nicky Costin - Parking and Network Management Business Unit Manager, Regulatory Services

December issue out now pick up a free copy! www.urbanfox.london

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark PUBLIC NOTICE: ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 16A THE (RESTRICTION OF TRAFFIC) SPECIAL EVENTS ORDER 2019

PEDAL CYCLEWAY 35: BERMONDSEY TO PECKHAM The London Borough of Southwark Cycle Tracks Order (Pedal Cycleway) (No. *) 20**, The London, Borough of Southwark (Prescribed routes) (Commercial Way and Sumner Road) Traffic Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Waiting and loading restrictions) (Amendment No. *) Order 20**.

1. Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that it proposes to make the above orders under sections 6 and 124 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, or in the case of the cycle tracks order, under section 3 of the Cycle Tracks Act 1984, as amended, following the procedure set out in the Cycle Tracks Regulations 1984.

2. The general effect of the prescribed routes and the waiting and loading restrictions orders, would be in:(a) COMMERCIAL WAY to prohibit vehicles, except pedal cycles using the segregated two-way cycle track, from entering into or proceeding in that part of Sumner Road which is north of its junction with Commercial Way; (b) SUMNER ROAD to prohibit northbound vehicles, except pedal cycles using the segregated two-way cycle track, from entering into or proceeding in that part of Sumner Road which is north of its junction with Commercial Way; (c) introduce new, and convert existing single yellow line waiting restrictions to, ‘at any time’ waiting restrictions in: COOPER’S ROAD both sides at its junction with Rolls Road, south-east side at its junction with Harmony Place and its junction Mawbey Place; GLENGALL ROAD north-east side at its junction with Old Kent Road, and across the pinch-point north of Bianca Road; MAWBEY PLACE both sides at its junction with Cooper's Road; MAWBEY ROAD both sides at its junction with Mawbey Place; OXLEY CLOSE both sides at its junction with Rolls Road; and ROLLS ROAD both sides at its junction with Cooper’s Road and at its junction with Oxley Close so as to accommodate the provision of a new footway and carriageway layout in the Cycleway route and the traffic calming measures detailed below.

3. The general effect of the cycle tracks order, in conjunction with the powers conferred by section 65(1) of the Highways Act 1980, would be to introduce two-way segregated cycle tracks for use of pedal cycles only each of 2.5m in width and on the western footway at the following locations:- (a) west of Trafalgar Avenue, between a point 6 metres south of the southern kerb-line of Neate Street to a point 29 metres south of that kerb-line; (b) west of Trafalgar Avenue, between a point 51 metres south of the southern kerb-line of Neate Street and the northern kerb-line of St George’s Way; (c) west of Sumner Road, between the southern kerb-line of St George’s Way and the northern kerb-line of Davey Street; (d) west of Sumner Road, between the southern kerb-line of Davey Street and the north-western kerbline of Sumner Road (o/s No. 40 Sumner Road); and (e) west of Sumner Road and across its junction with Commercial Way, between a point 4 metres north of the northern kerb-line of Commercial Way and a point 12 metres south of the southern kerb-line of Commercial Way. 4. Southwark Council hereby GIVES FURTHER NOTICE under sections 90A to 90I of the Highways Act 1980 and in accordance with the provisions of the Highways (Road humps) Regulations 1999 and the Highways (Traffic calming) Regulations 1999, propose to: (a) construct speed tables of flat-top construction having a maximum height of 100 millimetres and covering the entire width of the carriageway, at the following locations:- COMMERCIAL WAY and SUMNER ROAD junction (i) in COMMERCIAL WAY, from a point 12.5m north-east of the common boundary of Nos. 93 and 95 Commercial Way extending north-eastward for a distance of 23.5m, and (ii) in SUMNER ROAD, from a point 11m south-east of the north-western wall of Henry Amon Court extending south-eastward for a distance of 26m; DAVEY STREET from the western kerb-line of Sumner Road extending westward 9m; GLENGALL ROAD from a point 48.5m north-west of the north-western kerb-line of Bianca Road extending north-westward for a distance of 9m; ROLLS ROAD across its junction with COOPER’S ROAD – extending from a point 7.5m north-west of the north-western kerbline of Cooper’s Road to a point 3.5m south-east of the south-eastern kerb-line of Cooper’s Road the raised table extends into COOPER’S ROAD south-westward for a distance of 9m; ROLLS ROAD across its junction with OXLEY CLOSE – extending from a point 9m north-west of the north-western kerb-line of Oxley Close to a point 10m south-east of the south-eastern kerb-line of Oxley Close the raised table extends into OXLEY CLOSE north-eastward for a distance of 11m; ST GEORGE'S WAY from the western kerb-line of Sumner Road/Trafalgar Avenue extending westward for a distance of 10m; SUMNER ROAD (i) from a point 9.5m south of the southern kerb-line build-out of Davey Street extending south-eastward for a distance of 8m, and (ii) from the south-western kerb-line of Sumner Road/Willowbrook Road extending south-eastward for a distance of 16m; and (b) place new road hump of sinusoidal cross-section construction, approx. 3.7m in length, having a maximum height of 100 millimetres and covering the greater width of the carriageway, centred at each point, at the following locations:- COOPER'S ROAD 8m south-west of the south-western kerb-line build-out of Fortune Place, GLENGALL ROAD 7m south of the common boundary of Nos. 1 and 3 Glengall Road, GLENGALL ROAD 22m north-west of north-western kerb-line of Bianca Road, JOCELYN STREET 27m south-west of the south-western kerb-line of Pioneer Street, MAWBEY PLACE 2.5m south-east of the common boundary of Nos. 8 and 10 Mawbey Place, SUMNER ROAD 10.5m south of southern kerb-line of St George's Way, SUMNER ROAD 22.5m north of the northern kerb-line of Daniel Gardens, SUMNER ROAD 3m north of the northern kerb-line build-out of Shield Street, SUMNER ROAD 25m south of the southern kerb-line build-out of Shield Street, SUMNER ROAD 11.5m north of the north-western kerbline of Nutt Street, SUMNER ROAD 15m south-east of the south-eastern kerb-line of Garnies Close, SUMNER ROAD 6.5m north-west of the north-western kerb-line of Rosemary Road, SUMNER ROAD 24.5m south-east of the south-eastern kerb-line of Rosemary Road, SUMNER ROAD 10m north-west of the north-western kerb-line of Jowett Street, SUMNER ROAD 18.5m south-east of the south-eastern kerb-line of Jowett Street, SUMNER ROAD 31m north-west of the north-western kerb-line of Commercial Way, SUMNER ROAD 1.5m south-east of the common boundary of Nos. 250 and 252 Sumner Road, SUMNER ROAD 5m south-east of the common boundary of Nos. 262 and 264 Sumner Road, SUMNER ROAD 7m south-east of the common boundary of Nos. 271 and 273 Sumner Road, WILLOWBROOK ROAD 22m south of junction with Sumner Road. Existing speed tables and road humps at or in the vicinity of these locations would be removed.

5. For more information contact Donovan Johnson of the council's Highways – Transport Projects team Highways@southwark.gov.uk .

PUBLIC NOTICES 47

1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that it has made the above named Traffic Order under section 16A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specified in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.

2.

The purpose of the Order is to facilitate General Election operations, as indicated in the schedule to this notice.

3.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit any vehicle from:(a) entering or proceeding in the length of street specified in the schedule to this notice on the date and between the hours specified in that schedule; (b) waiting (including waiting for the purpose of delivering or collecting goods or loading or unloading a vehicle) in the length of street specified in the schedule to this notice. (c) stopping in the loading, unloading and disabled persons vehicle bay outside No’s 160, A200 Tooley Street. (d) Shand Street will be made two way for access and egress purposes

4.

The prohibitions will not apply in respect of: (a) any vehicle being used for the purposes of that event or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes; (b) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by the Council of the London Borough of Southwark.

5.

The alternative route for affected traffic will be via: a) Crucifix Lane, Bermondsey Street, Tooley Street. b) Tooley Street, Tanner Street, Druid Street, Crucifix Lane or as indicated by the signs displayed.

For information regarding this order please contact: Network Management on 0207 525 2014.

Dated this 12th December 2019 Nicky Costin Network Management, Business Manager Southwark Council, Environment & Social Regeneration, SE1 5LX Ref: 4212/4213 Schedule: Road Barnham Street

Extent Date of event and Prohibited Hours Tooley Street – Crucifix Lane 12th December 08:00hrs – 13th December 08:00hrs

Shand Street

Tooley Street – Crucifix Lane 12th December 08:00hrs – 13th December 08:00hrs

READ IT HERE FIRST Check out our website for the latest breaking news, and the chance to see more photos and videos of the stories you have read in your Southwark News...

6. Copies of this notice, the proposed orders, a statement of the council's reasons for making the orders, and a plan of the proposals may be found online at www.southwark.gov.uk/trafficorders, paper copies may be obtained from or viewed at Highways, Environment and Leisure, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. Email traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk (or call 020 7525 3497) for details.

7. Anyone wishing to object to or make any other representations regarding the proposal, may use the form labelled 'Parking - Road traffic and highway schemes - responding to statutory consultation notices' at www.southwark.gov.uk/statutoryconsultationnotices or send a statement in writing to: Traffic Orders officer, Highways, Southwark Council, Environment and Leisure, P.O. Box 64529, London SE1P 5LX or by e-mail to traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk quoting reference ‘TMO1920-034 Cycleway 35’ by 9 January 2020. Please note that if you wish to object to this proposal you must state the grounds on which your objection is made.

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

Dated 12 December 2019 Nicky Costin - Parking and Network Management Business Unit Manager, Regulatory Services

Call Em on 020 7232 1639 or email em@southwarknews.co.uk to place a public notice

www.southwarknews.co.uk

48 PUBLIC NOTICES

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended) PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT 1990 (as amended) The planning applications listed below can be viewed on the planning register at http://planbuild.southwark.gov.uk You can use facilities at your local library or ‘My Southwark Service Points’ to access the website.

How to comment on this application: You should submit your comments via the above link. Comments received will be made available for public viewing on the website. All personal information will be removed except your postal address. Online comments submitted without an email address will not be acknowledged and those marked ‘confidential’ will not be considered. Written comments can be submitted to; Southwark Council, Chief executive's department, Planning division, Development management, PO Box 64529, London SE1 5LX. Reason for publicity. The applications are advertised for the reasons identified by the following codes: ACA-development affecting character or appearance of a nearby conservation area; ALB-development affecting setting of a nearby listed building(s); CNA-development within a conservation area; DDPdeparture from the development plan; LBA-works to or within the site of a listed building; MPA-major planning application; EIA-environmental impact assessment (these applications are accompanied by an environmental statement a copy of which may be obtained from the Council – there will be a charge for the copy).

CHADWICK COURT 15 HATFIELDS LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 19/AP/6861) Removal of existing signage and installation of new signage around the entrance of the listed building. Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Daniel Cooklin-Smith 020 7525 5471) MAYFLOWER 117 ROTHERHITHE STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE16 4NF (Ref: 19/AP/6863) Listed Building Consent for a new retractable roof structure to rear decked area. (Within: St Marys Rotherhithe CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Ewan Lawless 020 7525 1264) BUTLERS WHARF BUILDING 36 SHAD THAMES LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2YE (Ref: 19/AP/6946) Amendment to previously granted planning permission 19/AP/2128 (Installation of 1 x condenser unit to the roof) to change the location of the approved condenser unit (Within: Tower Bridge CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA STDLB (Contact: Catherine Jeater 020 7525 5375) THE OLD DISPENSARY 325 CAMBERWELL NEW ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 0TF (Ref: 19/AP/6960) Construction of an additional storey at front of building to create a new two bedroom dwelling.

(Within: Camberwell Green CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Lasma Putrina 020 7525 7708) BUTLERS WHARF BUILDING 36 SHAD THAMES LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2YE (Ref: 19/AP/6946) Amendment to previously granted planning permission 19/AP/2128 (Installation of 1 x condenser unit to the roof) to change the location of the approved condenser unit (Within: Tower Bridge CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA STDLB (Contact: Catherine Jeater 020 7525 5375) BARCLAYS BANK 147-149 RYE LANE PECKHAM LONDON SE15 4ST (Ref: 19/AP/6967) Installation of shopfront roller shutters (Within:

Rye Lane Peckham CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Anthony Roberts 020 7525 5458)

duct to restaurant (Within: Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Abbie McGovern 020 7525 0254)

CAMBERWELL NEW CEMETERY BRENCHLEY GARDENS LONDON SOUTHWARK SE23 3RD (Ref: 19/AP/6777) Change of Use from local authority office [disused since 2013] to Cafe; installation of kitchen fittings; level changes adjacent front entrance door to achieve accessible entry.

Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Tracy Chapman 020 7525 1948)

UNIT 5 12-16 BLENHEIM GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 4QL (Ref: 19/AP/7087) Display of 1 x Internally illuminated projecting sign and 2 x window vinyls applied to the inside of glazing (Within: Rye Lane Peckham CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Daniel Cooklin-Smith 020 7525 5471)

THAMES TUNNEL MILLS 113 ROTHERHITHE STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE16 4NJ (Ref: 19/AP/7066) Repairs to cracks in external masonry. (Within: St Marys Rotherhithe CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB STDCA (Contact: Martin McKay 020 7525 1818) BARROWBOY AND BANKER 6-8 BOROUGH HIGH STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 9QQ (Ref: 19/AP/7052) Relocation of existing externally illuminated projecting sign into new location (Within: Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA STDLB (Contact: Louise Dinsdale ) BARROWBOY AND BANKER 6-8 BOROUGH HIGH STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 9QQ (Ref: 19/AP/7050) Relocation of existing externally illuminated projecting sign into new location (Within: Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale ) 4 CHAMPION GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8BW (Ref: 19/AP/6980) Construction of a single storey rear extension and a two storey front extension. (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Zaib Khan 0207 525 0311) 12 STONEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 19/AP/7070) Replacement of extraction system and external

185 TOWER BRIDGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 19/AP/7042) Change of Use of the Ground Floor and Basement from B1 to A3/A4 and Partial Removal of Internal Wall at Basement Level (Within: Tower Bridge CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA STDLB (Contact: Martin McKay 020 7525 1818) 185 TOWER BRIDGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 19/AP/7042) Change of Use of the Ground Floor and Basement from B1 to A3/A4 and Partial Removal of Internal Wall at Basement Level (Within: Tower Bridge CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA STDLB (Contact: Martin McKay 020 7525 1818) FIRST FLOOR THE COUNTING HOUSE 53 TOOLEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2QN (Ref: 19/AP/7108) Office fit out by using plasterboard walls and glass partitioning, new joinery, perimeter blinds & floor power and ceiling raft and lighting alterations. (Within: Tooley Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB STDCA (Contact: Richard Craig 020 7525 0436) 34 CAMBERWELL GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 19/AP/7144) Construction of a rear basement extension. (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Danielle Campbell 020 7525 2427)

APARTMENT 10 SUSSEX HOUSE 3 MAIDSTONE BUILDINGS MEWS LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 1GF (Ref: 19/AP/7111) Increased bathroom dormer; New dormer at mezzanine level; New windows on north-west elevation; New rooflight on north-east elevation; New privacy screen; Extended lobby boundary.

(Within: Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Abrar Sharif 020 7525 3992) Dated: 10 Dec 2019 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date.

SIMON BEVAN - Director of Planning

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk

PUBLIC NOTICES 49

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

CYCLE HANGARS

MINOR TRAFFIC SCHEMES – Q2

The London Borough of Southwark (Cycle hangars) (No. 7) Order 2019, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (Car club) (No. 30) Order 2019, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'EC') (No. 10) Order 2019, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'GR') (No. 14) Order 2019, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'NC') (No. 11) Order 2019, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'P') (No. 4) Order 2019, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'PR') (No. 6) Order 2019, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'Q') (No. 2) Order 2019, The London Borough of Southwark (Waiting and loading restrictions) (Amendment No. 95) Order 2019.

The London Borough of Southwark (Cycle lanes) (No. *) Traffic Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Free parking places) (No. *) Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Free parking places) (Disabled Persons’ Parking Places) (No. *) Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Free parking places) (Solo motor cycles) (No. *) Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (Car club) (No. *) Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'B') (No. *) Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'C1') (No. *) Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'GR') (No. *) Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'HH') (No. *) Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'M1') (No. *) Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'M2') (No. *) Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'PR') (No. *) Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ 'TS') (No. *) Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Prescribed routes) (Kimpton Road) Traffic Order 20**, The London Borough of Southwark (Waiting and loading restrictions) (Amendment No. *) Order 20**.

1. Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that on 5 December 2019 it has made the above orders under sections 6, 45, 46, 49, 63 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2. The effects of the orders are:- (a) to provide cycle hangars on the carriageway, each 2.55 metres in length, 2.05 metres in width and aligned parallel to the kerb, at the following locations:- AMOTT ROAD the north-west side, outside No. 14 Amott Road; ANN MOSS WAY the south-east side, opposite No. 17 Ann Moss Way; ANSDELL ROAD two hangars on the north-east side, opposite No. 6b and 8a Ansdell Road; ATHENLAY ROAD the west side, opposite No. 27 Athenlay Road; BELLENDEN ROAD the north-west side, opposite No. 197 Bellenden Road; BRABOURN GROVE the north-west side, opposite No. 1 Brabourn Grove; BROMAR ROAD the south-west side, outside Flats 1-6 Hill House, No. 24 Grove Hill Road; BRUNSWICK PARK two hangars on the south side, outside No. 2 Brunswick Park; BUSHEY HILL ROAD the north-east side, outside No. 99 Bushey Hill Road; CHAUCER DRIVE the north-west side, outside No. 10 Chaucer Drive; CHESTERFIELD GROVE the south side, outside No. 34 Chesterfield Grove; CRANSWICK ROAD the west side, outside Flats 1 to 6, No. 42 Cranswick Road; CROFTON ROAD the west side, outside No. 32 Crofton Road; CRYSTAL PALACE ROAD the north-west side, outside No. 292a Crystal Palace Road; ELFINDALE ROAD the south-west side, outside No. 42 Elfindale Road; FRANKFURT ROAD the south-west side, outside No. 60 Frankfurt Road; GROSVENOR TERRACE the south-east side, opposite No. 108 Grosvenor Terrace; HICHISSON ROAD the north-west side, opposite No. 53a Hichisson Road; HINDMANS ROAD the south-east side, outside No. 79 Hindmans Road; IVANHOE ROAD the east side, outside No. 79 Ivanhoe Road; JENNINGS ROAD the south side, to the side of No. 266 Crystal Palace Road; LINWOOD CLOSE the north-west side, outside Nos. 1 to 11 Linwood Close; LYNDHURST GROVE the north side, outside No. 41 Lyndhurst Grove; MARMORA ROAD the north-west side, outside No. 4 Marmora Road; OAKHURST GROVE the west side, to the side of No. 50 Tyrrell Road; PARKHOUSE STREET the north-west side, outside No. 7 Parkhouse Street; REEDHAM STREET the north-east side, outside No. 43 Reedham Street; ROTHERHITHE STREET the south-east side, outside Nos. 1 to 35 Tideway Court, Rotherhithe Street; RYEDALE the south-east side, outside No. 7 Ryedale; SAWYER STREET the south-west side, opposite the southern-most vehicular access road of Southwark Fire Station, No. 94 Southwark Bridge Road; STUBBS DRIVE the north side, opposite Nos. 6 to 28 Monet Court, Stubbs Drive; UPLAND ROAD the north-east side, to the side of Station House, No. 97 Crystal Palace Road; WAGHORN STREET the north-east side, to the side of Francis Bacon Lodge, Waghorn Street; WAVENEY AVENUE the south-east side, to the side of Nos. 1 to 28 Waveney House, Peckham Rye; WOODFARRS the south-west side, opposite Nos. 1 to 17 Hunter Court, Crossthwaite Avenue; (b) to provide cycle hangars on the footway, each 2.55 metres in length, 2.05 metres in width and aligned as described below, at the following locations:- FINLAND STREET on the footway on the southwesternmost end of the central area, aligned parallel to the north-easternmost edge of the footway the between 17 Finland Street and Nos. 17 to 23 Aland Court; FINLAND STREET on the footway on the north-easternmost end of the central area, aligned parallel to the south-westernmost edge of the footway the between 42 Finland Street and Nos. 45 to 51 Aland Court; VARCOE ROAD on the northern footway of the main west to east arm of Varcoe Road, aligned parallel to the southern edge of the footway, opposite No. 76 Varcoe Road; The measures in 2 (c)-(j) are so as to accommodate the provision of the new cycle hangars referred to above. (c) in BRUNSWICK PARK the south side, to re-locate westward by 5.5 metres an existing car club parking place; (d) to split an existing permit holders' parking place in PARKHOUSE STREET and reduce in length an existing permit holders' parking place in BRUNSWICK PARK (in CPZ ‘EC’); (e) to reduce in length an existing ‘shared-use’ parking place in CHAUCER DRIVE (in CPZ ‘GR’); (f) to reduce in length an existing ‘shared-use’ parking place in GROSVENOR TERRACE (in CPZ ‘NC’); (g) to split an existing permit holders' parking place in ELFINDALE ROAD and reduce in length an existing permit holders' parking place in WOODFARRS (in CPZ ‘P’); (h) to split an existing permit holders' parking place in BUSHEY HILL ROAD, and reduce in length an existing permit holders' parking place in CROFTON ROAD (in CPZ ‘PR’); (i) to reduce in length an existing permit holders' parking place in IVANHOE ROAD (in CPZ ‘Q’); and (j) adds new lengths of ‘at any time’ waiting restrictions in Amott Road, Ansdell Road, Athenlay Road, Bushey Hill Road, Chaucer Drive, Chesterfield Grove, Crystal Palace Road, Elfindale Road, Frankfurt Road, Hindmans Road, Jennings Road, Lyndhurst Grove, Parkhouse Street, Rotherhithe Street and Ryedale; and formalises existing lengths of ‘at any time’ waiting restrictions in Marmora Road and Oakhurst Grove.

3. Copies of the orders, which will come into force on 9 December 2019, and of all other relevant documents are available for inspection at Highways, Southwark Council, Environment and Leisure, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. E-mail Highways@southwark.gov.uk or call 020 7525 3497 for details.

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

Dated 5 December 2019 Nicky Costin - Parking and Network Management Business Unit Manager, Regulatory Services

Your guide to what’s happening around south London Out now - pick up a free copy!

www.urbanfox.london

1. Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that it proposes to make the above orders under powers of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2. The effect of the orders would be, in:- note: ‘permit parking places’ refer to parking for holders’ of valid parking permits within the CPZ listed; and ‘shared-use’ parking places’ refer to parking in which holders’ of a valid permit for the CPZ listed or paid ticket holders’ are permitted to park within the permitted hours. All measurements are in metres ‘m’ and are approximate. (a) FRIARY ROAD south-west side o/s No. 28, reduce existing 'short stay' parking place by 6.6m; (b) GREAT GUILDFORD STREET north-east side o/s No. 21, extend existing solo motorcycle parking place by 6m; (c) HIGHSHORE ROAD north side in CPZ ‘B’ o/s Nos. 28 and 30, reduce existing permit parking place by 5.5m; (d) KIMPTON ROAD, between its junctions with Harvey Road and Camberwell Church Street (i) introduce a new mandatory south-bound contraflow cycle-lane, and (ii) update the existing north-bound ‘one-way’ restrictions to exclude pedal-cycles travelling in the contraflow lane; (e) MILLSTREAM ROAD north-west side in CPZ ‘GR’ o/s No. 19, reduce existing ‘shared-use’ parking place by 6m; (f) NORWOOD ROAD in CPZ 'HH' (i) east side o/s Nos. 71 to 77, to reposition existing ‘short stay’ parking, in the Order only, to reflect more closely what is in the street and (ii) north-east side o/s Nos. 41 to 69, to convert an existing ‘short stay’ parking place to provide a ‘stop and shop’ parking place) and, in which either:- (a) vehicles may be left free of charge for up to 30 minutes, or (b) vehicles which have paid the parking charge £3.25 per hour (diesel fuelled), or £2.75 per hour (non-diesel fuelled) may be left for up to 4 hours, the first 30 minutes of which parking session would be free of charge; provided no vehicle may return to a parking place within 2 hours, between the hours of 7 am and 5 pm on Monday to Saturday inclusive, and to consolidate the parking place Order to include ‘stop and shop’ parking. note: a parking session must be registered with the Council’s ‘Pay by Phone’ provider to obtain the 30 minutes free of charge parking in addition to a longer charged-for stay. The ‘Pay by Phone’ provider will calculate the total parking charge for the parking session payable automatically upon registering. (g) ORB STREET in CPZ ‘M2’ south-west side opp. Dawes House, remove existing 'shared use' parking place (15m); (h) STEAD STREET in CPZ ‘M1’ south-east side near Nursery Row Park, remove 6m existing permit parking place; (i) SWAN STREET north-west side o/s Redwing Court, relocate existing solo motorcycle parking place south-westward by 24m; (j)TALFOURD PLACE in CPZ ‘PR’ north-west side o/s Curlew House, reduce by 6.6m existing permit parking place; (k)TROTHY ROAD in CPZ ‘TS’ north-east side o/s Monnow Road Baptist Church, reduce by 6.6m existing permit parking place; (l)UNION STREET in CPZ ‘C1’ (i) north-east side o/s Rosler Building, convert an existing pay parking place to a permit parking place (13m), and (ii) north side o/s No. 90, reduce an existing permit parking place by 12m to add a pay parking place; (m)provide new single car club parking places, in which qualifying car club vehicles may be left at any time in: STEAD STREET in CPZ ‘M1’ south-east side near Nursery Row Park, and WADDING STREET north-west side opp. Blendon House; (n)add new disabled person’s blue badge holders’ parking places (DPPP) 6.6m in length and may be used at any time by vehicles displaying a valid disabled persons 'blue badge' in the following locations: FRIARY ROAD south-west side o/s No. 28, new ‘limited stay’ DPPP (max stay 2 hours, no return within 30 mins); TALFOURD PLACE north-west side o/s Curlew House, new 'unlimited stay' DPPP (no time limit); and TROTHY ROAD north-east side o/s Monnow Road Baptist Church, new 'limited stay' DPPP (max stay 2 hours, no return within 30 mins); and (o) add new or amend existing 'at any time' (AAT) waiting restrictions – double yellow lines (DYLs), also adding new loading restrictions only where specified, in the following locations: ALSCOT ROAD (including ‘AAT’ loading restrictions for all but the part of the north-east to south-west arm which is between this arm’s north-eastern extremity and a point 15m south-west of that extremity) o/s Buckley Court both sides, CHESTERFIELD GROVE both sides at its junction with Melbourne Grove, COMMERCIAL WAY south-east side between its junctions with Peckham Hill Street and Buller Close, CONSORT ROAD west side between its junctions with Peckham High Street and Clayton Road, GREAT GUILDFORD STREET north-east side o/s No. 21 (see 2b), HEBER ROAD (including loading restrictions which operate 8 am to 5 pm on Monday - Friday) south side o/s Heber Primary School, HIGHSHORE ROAD north side o/s Nos. 28 and 30 (see 2c), ILIFFE STREET north-west side across its junction with Peacock Yard, KINBURN STREET both sides, across and opp. its junction with Galleon Close, LITTLE BORNES both sides of its bend o/s No. 6, LYALL AVENUE north side extend across Dulwich Wood Primary School – Schoolkeeper’s House, MELBOURNE GROVE east side across its junction with Chesterfield Grove, MILLSTREAM ROAD north-west side o/s No. 19 (see 2e), MOUNT ADON PARK north-east side (south-east of No. 50) across park access route, ORB STREET southwest side opp. Dawes House (see 2g), PECKHAM RYE west side o/s No. 168 extend southward of its junction with The Gardens, SWAN STREET north-west side o/s Redwing Court (see 2i), and WADDING STREET north-west side opp. Blendon House remove 6m DYLs (see 2m).

3. For more information about these proposals please contact Tobias Allen of the council's Highways – Transport Projects team Highways@southwark.gov.uk .

4. Copies of this notice, the proposed orders, a statement of the council's reasons for making this chance and plans may be found online at www.southwark.gov.uk/trafficorders, paper copies may be obtained from or viewed at Highways, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. Email: traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk (or call 020 7525 3497) for details.

5. Anyone wishing to object to or make any other representations regarding the proposal, may use the form labelled 'Parking - Road traffic and highway schemes - responding to statutory consultation notices' at www.southwark.gov.uk/statutoryconsultationnotices or send a statement in writing to: Traffic Order Consultations, Highways, Southwark Council, Environment and Leisure, P.O. Box 64529, London SE1P 5LX or by e-mail to traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk quoting reference ‘TMO1920-033 MTS Q2’ by 3 January 2020. Please note that if you wish to object to this proposal you must state the grounds on which your objection is made.

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

Dated 5 December 2019 Nicky Costin - Parking and Network Management Business Unit Manager, Regulatory Services

Want to profile your business around Southwark? Why not speak to the Southwark News team, to find out about our competitive advertising prices? Call us on: 020 7232 1639 to find out more or email ads@southwarknews.co.uk

50 SPORT

www.southwarknews.co.uk/sport

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

Lynn duo book finals date

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk LYNN ABC have two fighters gearing up for the Alliance Class A National Finals this Sunday after two third-round stoppages last weekend.

Nathan Angel was boxing in the cruiserweight division against Richard Bio from St Albans ABC. Angel put in his best performance to date as he used his boxing skills to wear down his opponent where in previous bouts he has always had a brawl.

He stopped his opponent inside the distance.

Ajibola Oluna faced a heavyweight clash against Martin Herdman from Camberley ABC. Oluna boxed with class from the first round making his opponent miss and then making him pay.

In the third round Herdman was given a standing eight count. His coaches then told Oluna to put the pressure on his opponent and he followed the instructions as the bout was stopped in the third round.

Coach Terry Pearson said: “I could not be any

Ajibola Oluna and Nathan Angel

prouder of both men. The improvement they have both made from last season is amazing and this is credit to their hard work and also the hard work from our coaching team.”

The finals will take place in Walthamstow on Sunday, December 8.

Legends see off spirited London United BASKETBALL: NATIONAL LEAGUE RESULT Southwark Legends 60-55 London United

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk SOUTHWARK LEGENDS defeated London United 60-55 in a top-of-the-table clash last weekend at the Damilola Taylor Centre to improve their record to 9-1 for the season.

Coming off a disappointing loss the previous week, Legends were eager to get their season back on track after an 8-0 start to the campaign.

Legends started the game strongly and went into a 16-5 lead. Starting his first game of the season, Joel Chigbo was a notable contributor.

Southwark Legends UNDER-16s defeated Brent Ballers in the CBL last weekend

london cup third round RESULT Elite Development 3-2 Ballers FA Youth

Fish slump continues

Ballers battle to the end

However, London United came back into the game off some good transition offence. The game ebbed and flowed and a clutch three-pointer from Downqiue Downwer and some timely baskets from Malachi Jim-Lawson ensured that Legends took a five-point win to stay top of the league.

Malachi Jim-Lawson led all-scorers with 29 points.

Legends under-18s take on London Greenhouse Pioneers on December 14. It will be the final home game of 2019. Doors open at 10am and tip-off is at 11am.

By John Kelly

johnk@southwarknews.co.uk FISHER SUFFERED their eighth defeat in sixteen SCEFL Premier Division games as they lost 2-0 away to Sheppey last weekend.

Danny Leonard and Dan Bradshaw scored either side of the break to secure three points for the hosts.

The Fish are fifteenth in the table with fourteen points.

Fisher will be aiming to halt a three-game losing streak when they host Erith & Belvedere at St Paul’s in Rotherhithe this Saturday.

It is London Non League Dogs Day with people encouraged to bring their canine friends with them this weekend.

rESULT: LONDON CUP LAST 16 Peckham Rye 2-2 Enate United Rye win 3-1 on penalties

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk BALLERS FA Youth slipped to a 3-2 defeat to Elite Development in the third round of the London Cup last weekend.

Nahshon Bedeau-Francis and Ronnie Watson were on target but it wasn’t enough for the visitors.

Ballers fell behind before Bedeau-Francis levelled with a fierce drive.

Ballers were hit with two quick goals before half-time but rallied again and Mecca MaximeSamuels had the ball in the net only for it to be disallowed.

Skipper Watson tapped home from close range late on but the hosts hung on to progress.

Ballers coach Charlie Pearce said: “Although this is the team’s first defeat since being formed, the boys can certainly hold their heads up high. They can take so many positives from the game.

“Congratulations to Alex Kakoulli for his man-of-the-match performance. He made some key interceptions and blocks and won some good headers.

“We would like to wish Elite Development all the best in the next round.”

Ballers are back in cup action this weekend against Blackheath Wanderers.

Rye spot-on to reach last eight

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk THE RYE squeezed through on penalties to reach the quarter-finals of the London Cup at Mottingham playing fields last weekend.

Yusef Ozkan was still deputising for the injured goalkeeper Mick Holman and he was called into action with an early double save.

Peckham responded well and with the returning Bobby Redwood and Malik Ouani impressing and the in-form Duke Binitie they were always a threat going forward.

However, after Enate took the lead from a corner,

Rye boss Danny Gibson switched to a 3-5-2 formation and the hosts gained control in midfield.

Captain Ben Phillips started to dictate the game and they were level when Binitie sprung the offside trap to finish. Peckham were behind again after a scramble in the box but they came back and when Micheal Newton curled in a corner Ouani volleyed into the top corner. The Rye held their nerve in the shootout to go through.

Gibson said: “What a game, a game of two halves, a Sunday morning battle and we’re just happy to get the win.”

Follow the journey this season and go to Peckham Rye TV on Twitter for highlights.

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.southwarknews.co.uk/sport

SPORT 51

dulwich hamlet fc

Hamlet bring Christmas cheer to sick kids

By Ben Henderson

sport@southwarknews.co.uk DULWICH HAMLET will deliver Christmas presents on children’s wards at King’s College hospital in Denmark Hill on Monday, December 23.

Photo by Ollie Jarman

There will also give out Hamlet memorabilia with the money to be raised for gifts through an online crowdfunding page and a bucket collection that will take place during Hamlet’s fixture at Champion Hill against Dartford this Saturday, December 7.

The money will be used to purchase gifts from an Amazon wish-list put together by the children, and they will be presented to the kids by players from the club’s men’s and women’s teams.

The initiative was organised by Dulwich Hamlet’s community branch (DHFC Community) in partnership with the King’s College Hospital Charity.

Co-chair of the community branch, Rob Hyneman, said: “As a club, we pride ourselves in making sure that we’re at the centre of our community. But, in order to achieve that, we must ensure that the community is at the centre of what we’re doing and all of our decision-making.

“This idea was originally suggested by fans a couple of years ago, so we’re listening to what the fanbase is saying and acting upon it. As a club, we need to be more than just Saturday at three o’clock on a football pitch.”

Rob, who is deputy head of Cobourg Primary School in Southwark, urged people to donate.

be like for parents to have children in hospital during the Christmas period.

“So the least we can do as a club is to bring a bit of joy or happiness or relief to those families.

Obviously, we can’t click our fingers and solve all of the problems but even if we can give those children one or two minutes of happiness I think that it’s a worthwhile cause.”

“These are children in our community at their time of need. As a fanbase we must show that we support them,” he continued. ““It’s a great opportunity too for our players from the men’s and women’s teams to get involved in the local community.

“Christmas for everyone means family. Having a young child myself I can only imagine what it must

DHFC_EarlyDec19_SouthwarkNews_v2.pdf

Dulwich rack up unwanted dirty dozen

By John Kelly

johnk@southwarknews.co.uk It is now twelve league games without a win as the spectre of a relegation battle hangs over Dulwich Hamlet in their second season in National League South after their latest defeat.

02/12/2019

00:34

EARLY DECEMBER @

DULWICH HAMLET FOOTBALL CLUB

Photo by Ollie Jarman

It seems a long time ago that the Hamlet began the league season with three consecutive league wins and it is just one victory in fourteen since then and none since August 24 after their 2-1 loss at Oxford City last weekend.

Gavin Rose’s side only had themselves to blame as they lost to two penalties. They hit the woodwork and had a goal ruled out and they are now just two points above the bottom two in nineteenth place.

Dulwich started well and Lionel Ainsworth sent in two early crosses that his team-mates just failed to connect with before he combined with Dominic Vose whose effort hit the bar.

The hosts had done little in an attacking sense until they were gifted a chance to open the scoring after Kyran Lofthouse had been fouled. Nana Owusu found the back of the net from twelve yards to give City an eighteenth-minute lead.

Dulwich regained their composure and levelled in the 36th minute when Vose found the far corner.

The home side were next to hit the woodwork as Zac McEachran beat Preston Edwards with a shot that smacked off the crossbar. Just before the break the Hamlet pressed for the lead and City goalkeeper Craig King denied Nyren Clunis and Ainsworth.

Early in the second half David Ijaha and Clunis saw efforts blocked before Dulwich were the authors of their own downfall again in the 55th minute as Richard Orlu was penalised for an apparent shove on Elliot Benyon. Owusu repeated his success from the spot.

King denied Danny Mills but otherwise the visitors were finding it difficult to create clear chances as Oxford looked comfortable.

Ben Dempsey and Ijaha tried to find a way through but Oxford had plenty of players back and

then Christian Smith fired wide when he should have hit the target.

But Oxford, defending deep, saw out the game to condemn Dulwich to an eighth league defeat in eighteen games.

The Hamlet have one more chance before Christmas to win a league game at home when they host Dartford at Champion Hill this Saturday.

Kick-off is 3pm against the sixteenth-placed side.

2

The visit to King’s is part of a busy festive schedule for Rob and the DHFC Community.

Carrying on from previous years, the club ran a Christmas card competition for local children.

The winning card will be sold at the game this Saturday, with the proceeds split between the club’s charity partners for the 2019-20 season, Football Beyond Borders and Red Thread.

Another community success story is the club’s involvement in the under-11 six-a-side schools competition. The tournament, run in conjunction with Cobourg and Alleyns primary schools, pits local boys’ and girls’ schools teams against each other. The winner of the local tournament will go on to represent Dulwich Hamlet in a national sixa-side competition in 2020. The local tournament will take place this Friday, December 6.

The club is running a collection for Crisis at Christmas, a homelessness charity providing blankets and other provisions to those who need it most over the winter months.

Meanwhile, the club has been nominated for the Football Supporters’ Association’s ‘National Game Community Award’ for community outreach work by non-league clubs. The result will be announced on December 16.

People who want to donate to the funding page can do so at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ dhfcchristmas2019 Rob also encouraged anyone who wishes to get in touch with DHFC Community to do so on Twitter @DHFC_Community or via email: community@ dulwichhamletfc.co.uk.

3.00PM

SATURDAY 7TH VS DARTFORD MEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

£12 / £5 CONCESSIONS

2.00PM

SUNDAY 8TH VS QUEENS PARK RANGERS WOMEN’S LEAGUE £4 / £2 CONCESSIONS

SATURDAY 14TH

CHRISTMAS PARTY 7PM ‘TIL LATE

IN AID OF REDTHREAD AND FOOTBALL BEYOND BORDERS

UNDER 13’S ARE ALWAYS FREE GET ADVANCE TICKETS AT SEETICKETS.COM BUS: P13, 37, 40, 42, 176, 185 & 484 TRAIN: EAST DULWICH CHAMPION HILL STADIUM, EDGAR KAIL (IN MY HEART) WAY, DULWICH, SE22 8BD

52 MILLWALL

www.newsatden.co.uk

Shaun Williams celebrates his goal with Jed Wallace and Ben Thompson

By John Kelly at St Andrews

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP BIRMINGHAM - 1 Clarke-Salter (79’) MILLWALL - 1 Williams (61’)

johnk@southwarknews.co.uk SOME HABITS are harder to change than others.

Date: Saturday 30 November, 2019 Attendance: 19,715 Man of the match: Shaun Williams Referee: Andy Woolmer

THE LINE-UPS 27 Trueman 5 Colin 7 Crowley

4-4-2

4 Roberts

14 Clarke-Salter

34 Sunjic

22 Bellingham

Dean 26'

3 Pedersen

17 Villalba Rodrigo Bela 55’

24 Giménez

10 Jutkiewicz

Montero 66'

10 Smith

Bradshaw 85'

26 Skalak

Bödvarsson 85'

6 Williams

3 M Wallace

5 Cooper

4-4-1-1

7 J Wallace 16 Molumby 15 Pearce

8 Thompson O'Brien 89'

12 Romeo

33 Bialkowski

Head to Head 59% 10 3 5 13

Possession Shots Shots on target Corners Fouls

41% 11 5 3 11

The effect of Gary Rowett’s influence on Millwall’s playing style is becoming more evident. There was one sequence of play in the first half at St Andrews that illustrated it.

Alex Pearce received possession deep in his own half on the right and passed to his centre-back partner Jake Cooper.

Under Neil Harris Cooper would usually have looked for a long diagonal ball towards Matt Smith, who would be moving to make the angle.

Instead, Shaun Williams immediately made a diagonal run deeper into his own half towards the left-back area, a space that had been vacated by Murray Wallace who was moving up the left flank.

Williams helped the ball on to Wallace, who was immediately closed down and forced back. But there was no panic as he shifted the ball back inside to Cooper who was under pressure from Alvaro Gimenez.

At that point you wouldn’t have blamed Cooper for getting rid, but instead he went past Gimenez and found Jayson Molumby, who had moved back closer to his defence to provide an option.

The Lions had beaten the Birmingham press and Molumby was now advancing towards the Blues half with the space opened up in front of him.

It was a snapshot of how Rowett wants more from his players on the ball. He wants players to provide more passing options for their team-mates and not just lump it up the pitch and hope to pick up the second ball.

Williams was at the forefront of Millwall’s play both with and without the ball last Saturday. He probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his ability to press high up the pitch.

He’s not the quickest but his footballing

Saints and sinners

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

Scorching opener followed by familiar old failing

Matt Smith saw his header spectacularly saved by Connal Trueman

intelligence allows him to spot an opportunity for a turnover. And when he went forward Molumby was behind him to cover any Blues counter-attacks.

Millwall played with real attacking energy, typified by Jed Wallace. He was at the heart of most of their best moves.

Wallace is playing at a consistently higher level than at any time in his Millwall career and the only concern is that he is sure to attract the attention of clubs with deep pockets in January.

Rowett has released even more of his attacking verve and he now has greater end product.

He created Millwall’s best chance before the break. Again the Lions won possession in their opponents’ half when Wallace pinched the ball from Fran Villalba. Wallace went past Maxime Colin before curling in a superb ball on his weaker left foot. It was the type of cross Smith dreams about and there was surely only going to be one outcome as he powered a downward header towards goal, until Connal Trueman

produced an exceptional save.

Trueman was in action soon again to palm away Ben Thompson’s left-footed half-volley.

Birmingham played their part in an effervescent game. Blues boss Pep Clotet thought his side should have had two penalties. Jude Bellingham claimed one when he felt defender Wallace made contact with him in the box. The second, after the break, looked more clear-cut and the Lions were fortunate referee Andy Woolmer didn’t point the spot after Cooper had clearly pulled back Gimenez.

Millwall had dominated the end of the first half but Blues took control early in the second and Lukas Jutkiewicz twice missed the target from close range.

Millwall took the lead in style in the 61st minute, a move and finish that showcased their attacking confidence.

Mahlon Romeo found Thompson down the right and continued his run forward to distract defenders. Thompson slipped the ball back to Jed Wallace who

skipped inside Kristian Pedersen before finding Williams. The Ireland midfielder hadn’t scored since last March but you wouldn’t have thought it as he lashed a shot into the left corner from 25 yards.

Millwall had a great chance to double the lead when Smith should have taken advantage of a collision between Jake Clarke-Salter and goalkeeper Trueman by trying to roll the ball in from a tight angle. Instead he waited for support but the chance was gone and Trueman recovered.

But that habit of conceding late – 34 points dropped from winning positions now since the start of last season – was there again at St Andrews.

The visitors let their lead slip in a way they wouldn’t have expected and from a scenario they had previously been so comfortable dealing with. Dan Crowley took a corner from the right and Clarke-Salter got above all the giants in the Millwall box to head past Bart Bialkowski.

Blues could have won it late on.

Substitute Jefferson Montero, previously a scourge of Millwall for Swansea, dispossessed Jed Wallace and passed to sixteen-year-old Bellingham who was a whisker away from finding the far post with a low left-footed effort.

Rowett didn’t have the last laugh on his previous employers, but could take plenty of satisfaction from the afternoon’s work.

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk JIRI SKALAK has admitted he thought about leaving Millwall after a long spell out of the team – but he is now raring to impress new boss Gary Rowett.

Skalak, 27, has made just six league starts since joining from Brighton in August 2018, and had to go off in the 39th minute at Fulham in the first month of the season after suffering a heel injury.

He was in Rowett’s starting lineup for the first time at Birmingham last Saturday. The Czech Republic international was surprised he played 85 minutes, his longest spell of league action in a Lions shirt.

“It was a great feeling after a long time out,” Skalak told the News this week. “Last season was a tough season for me. This season I got injured for eight or ten weeks so it was great to be back.

“It was a heel injury and we didn’t know what was going on. They said it would be two or four weeks and I had some injections. We had to take our time with it.

“It was a bad type of injury because every day you walk on it and it’s sore all the time. Rest didn’t really help me. I was on crutches and we tried different things.

“I’m happy to be back. I was quite surprised [to play 85 minutes]. Every week I feel better and better. I work hard. The first half was tough but we had a couple of minutes rest [due to Marc Roberts’ injury] so that helped me.

“I felt very good with my fitness.

“It’s been really frustrating. I signed here last year and I didn’t play a lot of games. From January I didn’t play until the last game of the season.

“It was a really hard time for me. I didn’t play for the national side either because I wasn’t playing here. It was a tough year.

“I went on holidays and I told myself I would work even harder. I didn’t have any days off because I hadn’t played for a long time so I didn’t need a rest. I trained really hard and came back in really good shape.

“I had a good pre-season. We played West Brom away and won that cup

www.newsatden.co.uk

Jiri’s Euro goal Czechs to play England at Wembley next summer

Jiri Skalak: 'I must show why this club bought me'

game and then we played Fulham and I got injured after 25 minutes.

“Hopefully this season will be better than last year and I get more chances to show what I can do for Millwall.

“After the half year I didn’t play I was thinking I would have to go somewhere on loan. Of course I was thinking about that in the summer as well.

“But I came back and Neil Harris wanted me to be here, a lot of players had left. I said, ‘okay, if you give me a chance’. I like this club, it was no problem for me to stay. I love to play for Millwall.”

Harris, the manager who signed Skalak, left Millwall in October.

“A lot of players were sad, but that’s life, you know? It was his choice to leave this club,” Skalak said. “I understand. I cannot be sad it was his choice.

“If he’d got sacked it would be different. It was his choice so I agree with that. It’s his life and he changed, now he’s in Cardiff. It’s another part of his life now so let’s see how he’ll do.

“I can’t be sad about that if it’s his choice.

“Fans can see straightaway we play different football with more passes [under Rowett]. We’ve changed shape away and at home. I really enjoy that because for the players it’s better if you have more of the ball and you try

League Two Newport have former Millwall goalkeeper Tom King in their squad. King has been called up to the Wales squad this season.

Lions right-back Danny McNamara is also on loan at the Welsh club, but he won’t be granted permission to play by his parent club.

Newport are eleventh in the fourth tier. Michael Flynn’s side defeated Grimsby 2-0 in a first-round replay before winning 1-0 at Maldon & Tiptree in the second round.

Newport reached the fifth round

last season after beating Leicester and Middlesbrough at home. The previous season they defeated Leeds at Rodney Parade before losing to Tottenham at Wembley in a fourthround replay.

Rowett watched the draw at the club’s fans forum on Monday evening.

“Some of the fans at the forum were hoping for a big club, I heard some of them mention Arsenal at home,” Rowett said.

“For me, you want a game where there’s an opportunity to get through

to play more football. I prefer that.

“One hundred per cent it’s a new challenge for me with the new manager and now I must show why this club bought me.”

Skalak has extra motivation to perform more regularly for Millwall this season. He is in Czech Republic manager Jaroslav Šilhavý’s thoughts having been recalled to the squad in August.

The side were drawn in Group D in Euro 2020, with England, Croatia and a play-off winner. The meeting with England will be at Wembley.

“If I play well here I can play for the national team in the Euros here in England. It’s my target now and I’ll

Rowett sees good chance for progress

By John Kelly

johnk@southwarknews.co.uk MILLWALL WILL play recent giant-killers Newport County in the third round of the 2019-20 FA Cup.

It will be the sides’ first meeting since February 1985 when Millwall won 2-0 at home in a Division Three fixture.

The clubs have met 60 times in their history, with the Lions winning 29 and fifteen draws.

Full third-round draw:

• • • • • • • •

Leicester vs. Wigan QPR vs. Swansea Fulham vs. Aston Villa Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest Wolves vs. Manchester United Charlton vs. West Brom Rochdale/Boston United vs. Newcastle Cardiff vs. Forest Green Rovers/Carlisle

• • • • • • • •

MILLWALL 53

Oxford United vs. Exeter/Hartlepool Sheffield United vs. AFC Fylde Southampton vs. Huddersfield Liverpool vs. Everton Bristol City vs. Shrewsbury Bournemouth vs. Luton Brighton vs. Sheffield Wednesday Bristol Rovers/Plymouth vs. Coventry/Ipswich

• • • • • • • •

work really hard for that,” Skalak said.

“I was happy with England. I texted my friend with the national team before the draw and said, ‘100 per cent we’ll have England in the group, so we can stay here’.

“Some of them are great players, [Raheem] Sterling, [Harry] Kane, you could name all of them. They played very well in the World Cup. They’re one of the best teams in the world.

“If I play games here there’s a chance I’ll play for the national team. Most of the players are from the Czech league but the manager prefers players who are playing. If I’m not playing here I’ll have less of a chance. If I am, I will get that chance.”

Danny McNamara

to the next round and have a run.

“It will be a difficult game. Michael Flynn has done a really good job with Newport, particularly in the cup. He text me [Monday] night trying to get Danny McNamara to play.

“We’re going to have to be at our best. They’ve knocked quite a few sides out of the cup, I know it’s slightly different at their place. Nevertheless you’re going to get a motivated team with a good recent history in the cup.”

The ties will be played the weekend beginning Friday, January 3.

Eastleigh/Crewe vs. Barnsley Manchester City vs. Port Vale Middlesbrough vs. Tottenham Reading vs. Blackpool Watford vs. Tranmere Preston vs. Norwich Millwall vs. Newport County Crystal Palace vs. Derby

• • • • • • • •

Solihull Moors/Rotherham vs. Hull City Brentford vs. Stoke Fleetwood vs. Portsmouth Arsenal vs. Leeds Gillingham vs. West Ham Burton vs. Northampton Burnley vs. Peterborough Birmingham vs. Blackburn

54 MILLWALL

www.newsatden.co.uk

EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk MILLWALL’S JED Wallace revealed the squad already have “total trust” in Gary Rowett – and explained the tactical tweaks the Lions boss has made since replacing Neil Harris. Rowett takes charge of his seventh Millwall game this Friday aiming for a fourth win when Nottingham Forest arrive in South Bermondsey.

Wallace explained a lot of the work on the training pitch is around transition, which is the time immediately after the team has either lost or regained the ball. If the team loses the ball players have to quickly shift to defensive mode, either trying to win it back straightaway or dropping deep.

When the team wins the ball back they either retain possession and patiently look for an opening, or try to immediately attack the opposition to take advantage of players out of defensive positions.

Millwall’s goal at Birmingham last weekend came from Jayson Molumby winning possession back in his own half and the side rapidly moving the ball forward through Ben Thompson and Mahlon Romeo before Wallace set up Shaun Williams for the opener.

“I think under Neil we were more hustle and bustle, you saw us out-fight teams and that’s how we got a lot of our success,” Wallace said. “Which, by the way, is no problem at all. Cardiff did that and got promoted above a footballing team in Fulham that made 800 passes a game. Football is about winning games, especially at Millwall.

“The key word now is ‘control’. He wants us to have more control to try to take the game away from people.

In the transition moments it’s about not being so gung-ho all the time.

Naturally you’re going to fatigue in games.

“He wants me to play higher and more inside so that when we do transition I’m in a position from where I can hurt teams. A lot of my goals here have been counter-attacking goals, I think back to Derby away, Middlesbrough away.

“When we do sit in that deep block, transitions and set-plays are our two ways of scoring goals. It’s hard to transition when your team’s on the edge of your own box, so we’ve tried to transition higher up the pitch just so when we win it back we have that control but also we can score.

“At Swansea we had a great counterattack in the first half when I cut it back to Connor [Mahoney] and he had a chance. The manager stressed he wants us to be in a position where if we make three or four passes we can end up with a shot. Sometimes it’s only the difference of being ten yards higher up the pitch.

“We’re improving every game. We’ve got a young ambitious manager and if it’s a group that can match his ambition then we’re going to be a good team.

“I’ve had a lot of joy making that run from right to left and I don’t know if the fans see it but people like Willo put in the hard yards, Thommo, they cover for me which allows me to go and do that.

“We have a lot of very good characters in the dressing room. You see clubs that have much better players than us that are down the bottom of the table because maybe they don’t have that character side of it.

“At a club like Millwall that’s the most important part of it, the togetherness of the changing room. The manager

Lions learn new tricks

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

Wallace enjoying new manager’s tactical changes has been refreshed by that, to be honest, he’s been delighted with our togetherness. He said it himself that Neil Harris left us in a great place. It’s a rare thing that a manager does leave and the group is in a good place, which we were under Neil.

“It’s about new ideas, a fresh voice and if the gaffer said now he wants to play seven up front or eight at the back the lads would go with it. We’ve got total trust in him. We’re enjoying the tactical side of things, we’re enjoying learning new things and I think we’re a good team at the moment.”

Wallace has scored seven goals and has four assists this season. He has been nominated for the PFA player of the month award for November, which is decided by a public vote.

Wallace explained why assist statistics don’t mean a whole lot to him, and why personal accolades aren’t top of his list of priorities.

“I don’t really look into these [awards] too much, my missus looks into it more than me and says the bigger clubs usually win,” Wallace said. “I’d imagine [Aleksandar] Mitrovic will tweet it to the whole of Serbia and probably win.

I’m not bothered, really.

“Sometimes the assist stats I don’t read too much into. For example, first half [at Birmingham] I tackled someone, put it through someone’s legs, put a great cross in and Smudger [Matt Smith] nearly scores a great header. Then you pass it sideways to someone and they smash it in from 30 yards, like Willo. Numbers-wise I’m

Jed Wallace celebrates his goal at Swansea not someone that looks too much into them.

“I’ve always said I wanted to score more goals. I haven’t scored enough goals since I’ve come here. The penalties have definitely given me more confidence.

“Whether I’ve played badly or well for Millwall I don’t go hiding. I’m always the one that’s willing to try and play that killer pass, try and go past someone. That will never change.

“We’ve had a good turnaround and a good total in points and when the team’s doing well individuals are going to do well as well. I’ve managed to contribute a little bit recently and we’ve been on a good run since the new manager’s come in.

“We look like we’re improving every

week, we’ve come a long way in a short period of time. That was proved on the journey home [from Birmingham] when we were disappointed we only got a point away.”

Millwall have six league games in January, starting with Friday’s televised fixture against Forest.

“Individually I think more than any other team they’ve got players that can hurt you in this league. [Lewis] Grabban Millwall know about, Joe Lolley, [Sammy] Ameobi, [Joao] Carvalho. We’ll have to be right up for it and I always fancy us at home, especially against the bigger sides.

“We need to turn up, win that game and all of a sudden we’re certainly looking up and seeing what we can do in the second half of the season.”

Southwark News, Thursday December 5 2019

www.newsatden.co.uk

VS Nottingham Forest

MILLWALL 55

Lions aim to start Forest fire Championship preview

By John Kelly

johnk@southwarknews.co.uk

Millwall

The Den December 6 Kick-off: 7.45pm

# Team

Ben Thompson has shown his versatility this season

GARY ROWETT’S selection options are limited by injuries for the visit of Nottingham Forest to The Den on Friday night.

Rowett will likely pick the same back four that started in the 1-1 draw at Birmingham City last Saturday, with Shaun Hutchinson a doubt with a rib injury.

Millwall’s midfield performed impressively at St Andrews, with Ben Thompson showing how well he can operate on the right side of a four-man midfield, another new position for him this season. He got involved from that wide area and tested Connal Trueman with a first-half effort.

Four midfielders were involved in the Lions’ goal, with Jayson Molumby breaking up an attack, Thompson being involved twice before Jed Wallace assisted Shaun Williams after Mahlon Romeo had also contributed.

Millwall have lost just once in Rowett’s six games in charge and are unbeaten at home.

Sabri Lamouchi’s Forest were unbeaten in five games, including four wins, before losing 1-0 at home to Neil Harris’ Cardiff last weekend.

They are fourth in the table, but only six points ahead of Millwall.

“I think they’re a good side, they’ve got lots of good forward players,” Rowett said. “They have lots of other good players but I think particularly in forward areas they’ve got the ability to win games and open you up.

“At home they play slightly differently to away from home. Away from home they tend to defend very deep and be very tactically organised. Lamouchi has proved that he’s a very good coach.

“They’re a very good side on the transition and counter-attack so we have to be mindful of that. We’re going to have to be wary of what they’re going

Millwall offer thoughts for Afobe MILLWALL JOINED the football family in passing on their condolences to former Lions forward Benik Afobe after his two-year-old daughter Amora died last Friday.

Amora passed away in hospital after developing a severe infection.

In a statement, Afobe said: “The entire family have been left totally devastated and heartbroken, and would like to ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.”

Afobe, 26, played five times for Millwall on loan from Arsenal in 2013.

The club tweeted: “Everyone at Millwall is thinking of former loanee Benik Afobe and his family at this incredibly difficult time.”

Former Wolves and Bournemouth forward Arobe joined Bristol City on loan from Stoke this season and scored three goals in five games. He is expected to miss the rest of the season after injuring his knee in September.

matCh details Possible Millwall starting XI:

4-4-1-1: Bialkowski; Romeo, Pearce, Cooper, M Wallace; Thompson, Molumby, Williams, Skalak; J Wallace; Bradshaw.

Match odds:

Millwall 6/4 Draw 11/5 Forest 19/10

Last meeting:

December 29, 2018: Millwall 1-0 Nottingham Forest (Tunnicliffe, 9)

Den diary Benik Afobe

Lions youngster in FA charge MILLWALL PROFESSIONAL Development defender Harry Ransom has been charged by the Football Association after an incident in a Professional Development League game against Queens Park Rangers.

Ransom was charged for an alleged breach of Rules E3(1) and E3(2) in relation to an incident involving QPR’s Lewis Walker, son of former Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and England defender Des. In a statement, Millwall said: “The club conducted an immediate investigation of its own, liaising will all parties including QPR, and has fully assisted with The FA’s inquiries into the matter.

“A full written response to the charge is currently being formulated and the club can confirm it will be contested in the strongest possible manner. The club remains in complete support of Harry.

“No further comment will be made at this time.”

Pl

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1 West Bromwich Albion

19

12

6

1

36

19

17

42

2 Leeds United

19

12

4

3

28

10

18

40

3 Fulham

19

10

5

4

31

19

12

35

4 Nottingham Forest

18

9

5

4

24

14

10

32

5 Bristol City

19

8

8

3

31

27

4

32

6 Preston North End

19

9

4

6

31

23

8

31

7 Brentford

19

9

3

7

29

14

15

30

8 Swansea City

19

8

6

5

24

20

4

30

9 Sheffield Wednesday

19

8

5

6

26

18

8

29

10 Cardiff City

19

7

7

5

27

25

2

28

11 Blackburn Rovers

19

8

3

8

26

27

-1

27

12 Hull City

19

7

5

7

30

26

4

26

13 Millwall

19

6

8

5

23

25

-2

26

14 Derby County

19

6

7

6

20

25

-5

25

15 Birmingham City

19

7

4

8

19

24

-5

25

16 Queens Park Rangers

19

7

4

8

28

37

-9

25

17 Charlton Athletic

19

6

5

8

26

26

0

23

18 Reading

18

6

3

9

22

23

-1

21

19 Huddersfield Town

19

4

6

9

22

31

-9

18

20 Middlesbrough

19

3

8

8

16

27

-11

17

21 Luton Town

19

5

2

12

25

40

-15

17

22 Wigan Athletic

19

4

4

11

17

31

-14

16

23 Stoke City

19

4

2

13

20

33

-13

14

24 Barnsley

19

2

6

11

21

38

-17

12

to try and do and make sure we don’t open up too many spaces too early in the game.

“But, we’re at home and we’ll have to take some gambles in certain areas, play with the tempo we want to play with.

It’s up to us to make the running to try and win the game.”

Ryan Leonard, who had been expected to be back for the Christmas schedule, has suffered a setback with his knee and could miss an extra month.

Jason McCarthy is also several weeks away from a return from a foot injury.

Ticket details for Boxing Day reunion MILLWALL HAVE been given an allocation of 1,580 tickets for the Boxing Day clash against Cardiff City.

The fixture is an intriguing prospect as it will be the first time ex-Lions boss Neil Harris will have managed a team against Millwall.

Harris left the club in October after fourand-a-half years in charge.

Tickets are currently on sale to seasonticket holders and members. They are priced at £21 for adults, £16 for over-60s, £11 for ages 16-21 and £9 for under-16s.

Tickets will go off sale at 2pm on Monday, December 23.

Wheelchair/Ambulant Disabled supporters should call 0207 740 3470 to book tickets between the hours and 9.30am5pm Monday-Friday.

Tickets can be bought at www. millwalltickets.com (booking fees apply); by phone on 0844 826 2004 and selecting option 2; or in person/by post at the Millwall Ticket Office.

Forest had 32 shots on goal against Cardiff but only two on target. Lamouchi had no complaints about the result.

“The numbers, they are clear,” he said.

“But we can do no more than that. We can only try to hit the target. We did create big chances.

“Normally we are very efficient with the goals we score from the number of chances we create. This time it was the opposite.”

Forest sold their initial allocation of 1,023 for the fixture before securing an extra 607 tickets for the North Stand.

Chance to work for the Lions MILLWALL ARE currently recruiting a Supporter Liaison Officer.

The Lions had a fan on the board but Micky Simpson stepped down from that position this season.

Millwall said on their website. “A great opportunity to join a leading London Championship football club and play a vital role in the operation of the Marketing and Communications departments, the selected candidate will be primarily based at The Den and will be visible and accessible as the first point of contact to all supporters requiring personal contact with the club.

“This includes all home match-days and selected club events throughout the year.”

Those interested should visit www. millwallfc.co.uk/news.

Applications including a CV and cover letter should be sent to Sammy Catchpole (scatchpole@millwallplc.com).

Closing date for applications is Monday, December 16.

inside

Sport Southwark

Rumours won’t change Jed

EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk JED WALLACE has reaffirmed his commitment to Millwall – after claims Aston Villa have been monitoring him recently.

A national newspaper report this week said Villa had sent scouts to Swansea, where Wallace scored the winner from a free-kick.

The report also claimed Millwall would put a £10million valuation on attacking midfielder Wallace, who has scored seven goals this season, three in Gary Rowett’s first six games in charge.

Wallace has previously been the subject of transfer interest, after Middlesbrough bid for him and George Saville in August 2018. Saville left that

Attacker on speculation he is being scouted for a big transfer

window for £8million.

Wallace, 25, has made 147 appearances across three spells at Millwall and scored 23 goals.

“I’ll keep doing what I’m doing now, play every week. I’ve signed here three times, people know how committed I am to Millwall,” Wallace told the News.

“Whether I play good, bad or

indifferent I think the reason the fans respect me is because I leave it all out on the pitch every game. I try my hardest.

“Whoever wants me or doesn’t want me it isn’t going to change how much effort I put into Millwall.

“I’ve got a great manager, I’ve got some of my best friends in that changing room. I’m excited to see what we can do in the future.

“Hopefully we can push on, keep winning games and climb the table.

“Financially the club’s stable. We’ve got a solid chairman and the foundations are there for the club to be successful.

“There’s no reason when you look at what [sixth-placed] Preston are doing why we can’t do the same.”

Lions boss Rowett told the squad when he took over from Neil Harris that he was excited to be working with them.

Wallace added: “That instils confidence.

Visit www.newsatden.co.uk for all the latest Millwall news online

Hamlet to make kids’ hospital Christmas visit

PAGE 51

Young pair on their toes

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk GARY ROWETT has told James Brown and Billy Mitchell: Be ready if you’re needed.

There’s always one team that surprises.

We had a great season the first year we came up. Last year was always going to be difficult but we want to improve every year.

“I don’t think we’re going to win the league but there’s no reason why with the players we’ve got and the togetherness we have that we can’t be ambitious. You’ve got West Brom, Leeds, Fulham, but I don’t see loads of outstanding teams this year. It’s a very tight division, more so this year.

“There’s a busy period coming up and we want to get as many points on the board as soon as possible. We shouldn’t be happy with just staying up, we’ve got better players than that, we should be looking to push on.” *Full interview with Jed Wallace on page 54 where he explains how Gary Rowett is changing Millwall’s playing philosophy.

Brown, 21, has yet to make a league appearance for Millwall but would be the likely option were Mahlon Romeo to be out through injury or suspension.

Mitchell, 18, made his league debut on the last day of last season at Wigan and also played in the second round of the EFL Cup at Oxford in August.

Mitchell was close to a start at Swansea before Ben Thompson made a late train dash from hospital where his partner had given birth.

Brown and Mitchell have both been on the first-team bench for league games this season.

“At the moment Brownie is the only other player that can play right-back, really, unless you play players out of position. So he has to be ready and available,” Rowett said.

“And Billy Mitchell would have played against Swansea if Thommo hadn’t made it.

“They’ve been training well. The side’s playing sufficiently well enough at the moment for them to stay out of the team.

“They’re young players and they’re good players and have been training with the first team all the time. The plan is if they’re needed they either get into the team through default or they get into the team because they’ve been performing so well and the team’s not been performing well.

“It’s as simple as that. They’ve been around the first team and they’ll continue to be around it.”

The recycled paper content of UK newspapers in 2014 was 83.5%