30th April 2020

Page 515

Corbyn holds anti lockdown rally Issue 1477

Established: 1987

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April 30 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Seven care home deaths but ‘real figure higher?’

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TANKs, NHS! Spirits remain high whilst calls grow for lockdown clarity

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2 NEWS

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Contents NEWS Pages 2-15 OPINION Pages 12-13 arts Page 16 history Page 17 community notices Pages 18 PROPERTY Page 19 jobs Page 20 Public notices Pages 21-23 SPORT Page 24

During the crisis, contact us if you have a story on 07973175511 or email

Asbos AND CUCKOOING ON THE RISE

By Katherine Johnston

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Nearly 200 antisocial behaviour complaints have been reported to the council since the beginning of April as residents spend more time cooped up with noisy neighbours.

The News understands at least 182 cases were brought to Southwark Council between April 1 and the end of last week.

Some are ongoing issues involving alcohol and drugs, but a significant number are reports of residents flouting lockdown rules and failing to socially distance. Rye Lane has emerged as a particular hotspot - in part due to its narrow pavements and lack of space between shops.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council said between mid-March and April although overall crime levels fell by 28 per cent, antisocial behaviour reports were 59 per cent

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higher than in the same period last year.

In those four weeks, there were 3,200 fines issued in England - a rise attributed to people failing to follow social distancing.

In Southwark, according to council papers seen by the News, there are also fears that ‘cuckooing’ - a practice whereby a vulnerable person’s home is taken over and exploited by organised drug gangs - is also on the rise during the lockdown.

Cuckooing is a method used by county lines gangs to get a base for coordinating drug running from London into regional towns and cities.

The people targeted are often particularly vulnerable; sometimes with addictions of their own, complex mental health problems, or living on the breadline.

They can be initially groomed to consider the gang their friends, only to become exploited and abused as their

home is taken over.

In December 2019, three men from Southwark were jailed after being found guilty of beating, burning and humiliating an extremely vulnerable 49-year-old man whose home they had used to store drugs.

They turned on him after believing he had stolen their gear.

Dealers have not shut shop since COVID-19. Home secretary Priti Patel said at last Saturday’s Downing Street press conference that British Transport Police had made 70 arrests in the last month alone linked to county lines.

Signs of cuckooing include an increase in visitors to a home, more bikes outside, drug paraphernalia, lack of usual visits from health or social care, anti-social behaviour and more rubbish outside than normal.

If you are worried someone may be a victim of cuckooing, call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Southwark’s top cop: ‘Roads seeing increase in speeding motorists during the lockdown’

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Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Southwark’s top cop has warned that speeding is up during the lockdown as some motorists take advantage of quiet roads to break the speed limit.

Borough Commander Colin Wingrove

said average speeds on all roads had seen an increase in recent weeks.

The capital has seen eight fatal traffic collisions since the lockdown was announced on March 23.

Thirty per cent of roads checked by police had speeds of more than ten per cent above the speed limit, while some even had speeds more than fifty per cent over the legal limit, he said.

This is despite overall traffic being down by more than half.

“Whilst we are pleased to see that traffic volume in London has fallen by around 60 per cent in recent weeks, this does not give drivers the right to start breaking the speed limit and put other people’s lives at risk; as well as their own,” said the borough’s top cop.

“High-risk driving results in serious injuries and fatalities, which cause devastation for everyone involved.

“At this unprecedented time, dealing with road traffic accidents puts a lot of additional and unnecessary strain on the NHS and other emergency services, who are working on the frontline 24 hours a day to keep us all safe.”

He urged residents to report speeding

if they see it, saying a special Met unit has been established to catch dangerous drivers during the pandemic.

Ch Supt Wingrove also added referrals to the government’s counter-terror programme had collapsed amid the pandemic.

This is because organisations which have a duty to report extremism concerns, have either stopped operating, or are severely reduced such as schools and colleges.

He warned that the risk of people becoming radicalised would not be going away during the coronavirus outbreak – and that it may have even increased.

“Despite the reduction in referrals, we know that the threat is not going away,” he said.

“In fact, it is likely that the risk of radicalisation has increased for a small number of vulnerable people, as the pandemic is driving young people to spend more time online and is exacerbating grievances which make people more vulnerable to radicalisation – such as financial insecurity or social alienation.”

Those who have an immediate radicalisation concern should contact police on 101, he added.

Ten-fold increase in Universal Credit

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Eight hundred new claims for Universal Credit were made by Southwark Council tenants in just three weeks of this month.

According to papers seen by the News, between April 6 and Friday, April 24 the council reported a ten-fold rise in applications compared with the same time last year.

Although the total number of applications in the borough has not yet been published, it could be far higher as more people made redundant, or who work freelance, are forced to sign on as they are ineligible for the furlough scheme.

Without being paid in advance, claimants can be left with a four or five week wait for their payments to come through; in turn driving up demand for emergency support from Southwark's food banks which are already under extreme pressure.

The News understands the council has also seen an unprecedented rise in applications for council tax reductions - a figure that had been steadily falling and numbered 16,000 by the beginning of March 2020.

Since March 16, around 3,000 new applications were submitted to the local authority, with the vast majority - 95 per cent - linked to working age people's Universal Credit applications.

The council has conducted in-depth research on the impact each cohort's transition onto Universal Credit has made on food bank use and its own rent arrears.

The last figures predicted £5.6million of rent debt for the landlord, one of the country's largest.

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 Sales Manager: Tammy Jukes Advertising: 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.

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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 April 30 2020

eXCLUSIVE

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk An iconic former Soviet battle tank in Bermondsey has been given a blue makeover to thank the NHS.

The tank in Stompie Gardens, frequently decorated by graffiti artists, has been turned the shade in honour of the National Health Service.

Alongside the striking colour, a local graffiti artist has also emblazoned: “NHS – Thank You’, alongside a rainbow.

The rainbow has become the symbol of the NHS during the coronavirus crisis, with schoolchildren across the country putting a rainbow symbol in their windows to thank heroic nurses and doctors.

The striking tribute was noticed by former Bermondsey and Southwark MP, Sir Simon Hughes. “Joining the support for the NHS in London SE1 this week a slightly unexpected new supporter,” he said.

“But of course all are welcome. Thank you NHS, carers, medical scientists & key workers everywhere.”

The tank was purchased by Russell Gray, a military enthusiast and developer, as a present for his son.

Long-standing urban legend has it that Mr Gray put the tank on land at the end of Page’s Walk over a planning dispute with the council.

It has been said that he lost a planning decision with the council, so instead placed the tank there – with its guns pointing in the direction of Southwark Council.

This colourful backstory has been quashed by both Mr Gray and the caretaker in charge of the site, Peter Balazs.

“The tank was first painted in 2000, that’s how it all started,” said Mr Balasz. “Two years ago we opened it up, we figured out when it was made in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s.”

It was brought into the UK to be used in film sets, before being acquired by Mr Gray as a present for his son in 1995.

Speaking on a local history video about points of interest around the Old Kent Road recorded in 2014, Mr Gray said: “It’s got nothing to do with planning permission.

“It’s got to do with an interesting site and interesting military vehicles and a

tankS TO THE nhs! www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

The Soviet tank in Bermondsey has a colourful history and has now been painted to support the battle against coronavirus

desire to add some interest to a piece of land for which I had no plans for some years.

“I’d always used military vehicles for their intended purpose for transport and one of the dealers I was at had a T34 which I obviously had no practical use for, but I could certainly think of an interesting use for when it came to

adorning the site.

“But it did raise interest from the local authority who rose to the bait and made fools of themselves in ways I couldn’t have predicted.

“The first response from the council was that they turned up they put a notice on the tank saying it would be removed for disposal.

Fabrix Capital are proposing the redevelopment and refurbishment of the existing Blackfriars Crown Court to provide new flexible, modern workspace, a new pedestrian route through the site and a publicly accessible atrium (with pop-up retail) and roofspace.

We are seeking feedback on the detailed proposals for the Crown Court ahead of submitting a planning application to Southwark Council.

Our public consultation will take place online at:

www.blackfriars-crown-court.co.uk Please call 020 3900 3676 if you do not have access to the internet and to request a postal information pack.

NEWS 3

“As it took a 70-tonne rig to get it here … how they proposed to do it was a matter of some speculation.

“But as it’s a privately owned tank on privately owned land, they had no right whatsoever to even enter the land, so they were written to - and that’s where the Stompie name comes from, as all the letters were headed Stompie.”

4 NEWS

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Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

Domestic violence in lockdown

By Katherine Johnston and Josh Mellor

We are increasingly worried that women are not able to reach out for help due to being monitored 24/7 by their abuser

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk While overall crime drops domestic violence is rising as victims are trapped with their abusers during the lockdown.

Across London, the Met has recorded a nine per cent rise in domestic abuse incidents from March 9 to April 19, compared with the same period last year. This includes ‘non-crimes’ like rows called in by worried neighbours.

A total of 4,039 domestic abuse arrests were made in London over the last six weeks, with charges up by a quarter.

This comes as overall crime is falling - offences were 32 per cent lower in London between March 12 to April 14 than last year.

In Southwark specifically, overall crime dropped by 19.5 per cent between February and March.

But domestic abuse in our borough has risen in line with figures seen across London, says Southwark and Lambeth commander Colin Wingrove.

The courts are already seeing lockdown cases. One, heard at Croydon Magistrates’ Court this month, was a hearing for a father accused of holding a knife to his partner’s head and choking her in front of their children. Police were called to the SE5 flat on April 14 by concerned residents.

Chief Superintendent Wingrove told the News: “The Met takes a zerotolerance approach to domestic abuse.

“With people socially distancing and self-isolating, we know that this puts potential victims at greater risk.

“Domestic abuse is historically an

- Solace Women’s Aid

under-reported crime and victims are now likely to feel even more isolated, and like they have less opportunity to access help and support.

“In Central South Basic Command Unit, Southwark and Lambeth, officers are continuing to prioritise and respond to domestic abuse calls, and we continue to work closely with a range of partners to ensure victims receive the support and service they need.

“I would urge anyone, whether you are experiencing domestic abuse or you

know a friend, relative or neighbour who you think is at risk, call police right away. In an emergency, always call 999.”

Solace Women’s Aid, the largest domestic abuse support service in London, says its Southwark team has seen a spike in referral. Visits to its website have also shot up by 70 per cent.

In particular the charity has seen an increase in women who have experienced abuse for years but are only reporting it for the first time.

By Josh Salisbury

we get back to normality again,” he said.

“I don’t think anyone thinks that’s any time soon - it could take years for it to go back to normal.”

Worries have been raised that the edges of the lockdown are beginning to fray, with even council officials saying they do not know when it will be lifted.

“The reality is that people are breaking the lockdown - more people are travelling, more people are going into work.

“There’s a risk of lockdown fatigue. I understand them being frustrated by it but they will be more upset if their friends or loved ones will come down with an illness.”

He added that in some areas of the borough - naming Walworth Road and Rye Lane - some residents did not appear to be practising social distancing.

Criticism has been levied at the government over its lack of testing amid shortfalls in numbers to reach a target of 100,000 tests a day.

Last week the News revealed Southwark’s care workers were being offered just six tests a day, despite being key workers on the frontline.

Speaking hours before health secretary Matt Hancock widened the eligibility for tests to include those who need to leave home for work, Cllr John said: “It’s still not good enough if we’re honest.

“It’s still difficult to get on the website to get the appointments, there’s still too many people in Southwark who have to travel to get tested.”

Council cuts if money is not found

I don’t think anyone thinks we’re going back to normal any time soon - it could take years.

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Southwark Council’s top boss has warned “swingeing cuts” may need to be made by the town hall if the government does not stump up more cash for local authorities.

The local authority is facing a £25m funding blackhole amid the coronavirus crisis, as income dries up during the lockdown.

Earlier this month, the government announced more funding for councils but politicians have been left in the dark as to how much they will receive.

“The real challenge will come when we set the budget next year,” warns council leader Cllr Peter John.

“Because unless we get more cash [from the government] we will have to be making some really swinging cuts next year.”

Local authorities have sounded the alarm across the country about the perilous state of their finances, with some warning they could face bankruptcy without government support.

The council’s top boss starkly warned that the pandemic could go on for much longer yet - saying he did not even expect pubs to necessarily reopen by Christmas.

“It’s absolutely about when the threat of coronavirus ends and

There are also a higher number of more serious incidents, women fleeing with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and more sexual violence cases all in our borough.

Chief executive Fiona Deyer said: “We are in uncharted waters when it comes to supporting women living in enforced isolation and lockdown.

“Calls to our helpline had hit an all-time high in the days leading up to lockdown but have since dropped drastically.

“We are increasingly worried that

women are not able to reach out for help due to being monitored 24/7 by their abuser.”

The charity, which operates throughout London, has a challenge on two fronts: a dramatic increase in demand for its specialist support, and the difficulties of providing it when there are limited opportunities for women and men to get respite from their home lives.

Some families are at higher risk as the abuser may be laid off work, with financial pressures escalating existing abusive behaviour.

Its support workers are coordinating with food banks and Southwark Council’s COVID-19 emergency support to try and minimise risk, but even before COVID-19 faced ongoing cuts to services.

Its refuges are also struggling to find PPE, maintain staffing levels due to sickness, and manage COVID-19 cases.

An extra £2 million of government funding isn’t enough, the CEO has warned. The charity has now launched an emergency appeal, aiming to raise £150,000.

Since the lockdown began, across the country fourteen women and two children have died at home in suspected domestic abuse attacks.

Solace is supporting 2,300 women right now - a number it says will only rise further when the lockdown is lifted.

The Southwark Advocacy Support Service (SASS), run by Solace Women’s Aid, provides expert independent advice and support for all women and men aged 16-plus experiencing domestic abuse.

Call 020 7593 1290, email southwark@ solacewomensaid.org or visit solacewomensaid.org/get-help

‘we’ll meet again’ and party

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Plans for a free celebration at Millwall’s ground to commemorate the 75th anniversary of war’s end have been temporarily delayed amid the outbreak.#

The event would have seen up to two hundred Bermondsey and Rotherhithe pensioners gather at Millwall Community Trust free-ofcharge on May 8.

The business behind the event, Bermondsey Pie ‘n’ Mash said it hoped to reschedule the event for October or November - but amid the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, it cannot yet confirm a date.

However, it has pledged that the event will go ahead once it is safe to do so.

“We have to delay given what’s going on - we can’t give a date at the moment but we’re hoping for around October, November time,” said the business’ co-founder, Tammy Jukes.

Those who had received tickets to the event will still have those honoured, she added, with sponsors and entertainment still pledging to back the event as planned once it does go ahead.

Pensioners will be given free traditional pie ‘n’ mash, entertainment from the Cockney Knights, and refreshments when the event does take place.

Volunteers are also expected to dress up in period costume to recreate a 1945 atmosphere.

For more information, contact Tammy Jukes on 07769327683.

Alternatively, you can email thebermondseypieandmashco@ gmail.com.

Coronavirus Got symptoms – even mild ones?

DO NOT leave the house at all for 7 days.

Still have symptoms after 7 days?

DO NOT leave the house until they go.

EVERYONE else in your household must not leave the house for 14 days.

Do not go out even to buy food or essentials.

Stay at home to exercise. gov.uk/coronavirus

HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS

STAY AT HOME PROTECT THE NHS SAVE LIVES You should only go outside for food, health reasons or essential work.

2m

Stay 2 metres away from other people when you go out Wash your hands often with soap and water or use sanitiser Do not leave home if you or someone you live with has a high temperature or a new, continuous cough

www.southwark.gov.uk/coronavirus

 covidsupport@southwark.gov.uk  020 7525 5000  @lb_southwark

 facebook.com/southwarkcouncil

If you are very unwell or have symptoms that last longer than 7 days visit www.111.nhs.uk, call NHS on 111, or your local GP.

@southwarkcouncil

Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 7

concerted effort by musical neighbours

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Neighbours on a Rotherhithe street are performing a weekly concert with each resident playing a different music instrument in a show of solidarity amid the lockdown.

Every Thursday, a group of residents in Hurley Crescent take to the areas outside their front door to play their part in performing a classic.

It began with ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, in honour of the NHS, and has since been followed by Beatles songs such as ‘Yesterday’ and ‘With a Little Help From My Friends.’

Among the nine-strong group of guitarists, violinists, cellists and dummers are even professionals - with two of the residents performing in orchestras as their day job.

It was organised by residents leaning out of their windows to have a chat with each other, said one of those taking part, Paul Hagen.

“It was just a group chat, we’ve been having a weekly chat out of the window with our neighbours, it just kind of came out of there really,” he said.

“We found out some of our friends were doing something a bit different, they had put up an arrangement for Somewhere Over The Rainbow, so we did that because the rainbow is for the NHS.” Reaction to musical ensemble has been overwhelmingly positive since the band of neighbours began three weeks ago, said Paul, who plays the keyboard and drums.

One week, the musicians began ‘Beating Retreat’, the name given to the traditional arrangement played by Army Corps when retreating.

But this was anything but an admission of defeat amid the coronavirus pandemic, said Paul, who has lived on the street for fifteen years.

“It doesn’t mean give up. It’s about going to a place of safety,” he said.

“It was mainly done as a morale booster, a bit of community spirit raising,” he added. “It’s a way of getting people to feel that they’re not isolated, they’re not alone and there’s still a lot of community going on.

“We were amazed by the applause that we could hear coming in, it was amazing to see what we could hear out there.”

at least seven care home deaths

We will be rolling out testing of asymptomatic residents and staff in care homes in England, and to patients and staff in the NHS.

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk

At least seven people have died with coronavirus in Southwark care homes in a period covering two weeks, new data reveals.

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Volunteers are using 3D printers at a special ‘farm’ to supply personal protective equipment to Guy’s and St Thomas’ frontline staff.

The site, in Dartford, has brought together 3D printing companies and hobbyists to produce around 1,500 face shields a day.

Hospitals in the Trust have recently received their first delivery of face shields created at the site, which has more than 200 printers running 24 hours a day.

Once parts are made, the visors are assembled with the help of volunteers from King’s College London and Brunel University.

“It’s been incredible to see so many

The stats, released by the Office for National Statistics this week, reveal that care homes in Southwark saw seven Covid-19 related fatalities for the two-week period up to April 24.

The real figure may yet be higher, as this is based on care homes notifying coronavirus-related fatalities to the Care Quality Commission, the

different partners collaborating to get the 3D print farm up and running,” said David Lawson, who heads up procurement at Guy’s and St Thomas’.

The teams of volunteers are allowing face masks to be produced at scale, which also means masks can be given to other hospitals who need them, he added.

Hobbyists with the tech were matched up with the hospitals by PI Supply, which sells industrial electronics.

“Our company has a number of 3D printers at the office, and I wanted to see if we could use them to help out with the PPE shortages to help frontline workers stay safe,” said the company’s Aaron Shaw.

“My sister and brother-in-law are both junior doctors so it is an issue close to my heart.”

watchdog which regulates homes.

The data only covers deaths of residents who died in a care home only, and not those receiving other similar forms of adult social care such as assisted living.

Deaths of all causes in the same period in homes in Southwark is logged as fourteen - meaning coronavirus fatalities account for half of the deaths in total.

The borough has eight care homes - of which half have reported an outbreak of coronavirus to Southwark Council.

Council leader, Cllr Peter John, called for more effective testing in care homes for residents and staff.

Speaking before health secretary Matt Hancock announced government plans to allow testing for all care home residents, Cllr John said the numbers sadly did not suprise him, and that it may even be higher in reality.

“We know because of the vulnerable nature of people who live in care homes, that we if we get one case in a home then that has the capacity to

spread very quickly,” he said.

“It might even be higher. That’s why it’s critical that we get testing into our care homes as soon as possible.”

The CQC has recorded coronavirusfatalities in care homes across all London boroughs during the twoweek reporting period.

447 coronavirus deaths were found in London care homes in total. Nationally, 4,343 deaths were recorded with coronavirus.

The government said on Tuesday that it would now publish daily totals of care home deaths due to Covid-19, after pressure from operators and opposition politicians.

“Building on successful pilots, we will be rolling out testing of asymptomatic residents and staff in care homes in England, and to patients and staff in the NHS,” said Mr Hanock.

“This will mean that anyone who is working or living in a care home will be able to get access to a test whether they have symptoms or not.

“The spread of the virus though care homes is absolutely a top priority.”

3d printers for ppe

How to get help

Essential Information

help for vulnerable

GROUP Focus

If you know a vulnerable Southwark resident who is unable to leave the house and may not have friends, family or neighbours to support them, you should let the council know immediately.

Call 0207 525 5000 and choose option 3

Southwark Group of Tenants Association is an umbrella group for the borough’s Tenants and Residents’ Associations.

They can link you up with your estate or area’s TRA, many of whom are providing door-todoor support during the lockdown.

SGTO also provides dedicated advice for Southwark residents in need of financial support or housing help; including for nonEnglish speakers.

SGTO has online courses in English, finance, food hygiene, health and safety, and first aid.

For more information call 0207 639 6718, email info@sgto.co.uk, visit www.sgto.co.uk or follow @sgtoonline on Twitter.

Email covidsupport@southwark.gov.uk

You can complete an online referral form by visiting www.southwark.gov.uk/ health-and-wellbeing/public-health/for-the-public/coronavirus

Financial support for households Southwark Council’s Emergency Hardship Fund is open to people who have lost their job or are struggling financially as a result of COVID-19.

This includes support while waiting for the first Universal Credit payment.

Housing help If you are struggling with rent or rentrelated costs, and receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit, the council may be able to either give you a ‘discretionary housing payment’, or ‘extended payment of housing benefit’.

If you are living in Southwark Council temporary accommodation and need help with any Coronavirus-related issues, call 020 7525 1093.

Call 020 7525 2434 or apply via www.southwark.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/emergency-support

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If you are made homeless the emergency out of hours service number is 020 7525 5000.

Domestic and sexual abuse mental health If you are unable to afford food some food banks and organisations can arrange deliveries if you are unable to leave the house.

Free services include Southwark food bank.

You will need to be referred with a voucher to access support.

Call 020 7732 0007 or email foodbank.support@pecan.org.uk

Physical health If you are unwell and think you may have Coronavirus, use the online 111 Coronavirus service here https://111. call 111.

If you arenhs.uk/covid-19/ worried about domestic or In life-threatening emergencies, call sexual abuse, the Solace Advocacy 999. service is open to all and Support If you you need a GP women and men think aged sixteen or appointment, call your surgery - do over in Southwark. not walk in.

King’s College Hospital and Guy’s and St Thomas’ emergency departments are still open for emergency patients, Call or in need of other urgent treatment. 020 7593 1290

or visit solacewomensaid.org

Pembroke House, based in Walworth, 020 7703 3803 and info@pembrokehouse.org.uk Borough Free Fridge, St George The Martyr, Borough High Street, Tuesdays 3-5pm There is a full list of organisations on Southwark Council’s website.

If you need help with deliveries/ errands Mutual Aid Groups can be a valuable resource Southwark’s COVID-19 Mutual Aid groups have been set up by volunteers in your area to support their neighbours.

These are self-organising groups and usually not council-affiliated or charityrun. Be careful when sharing information and requests on social media.

The Southwark Facebook group is named “Southwark Mutual Aid Covid 19”.

There are also ward-level and even street-level groups on Whatsapp. To find yours, visit www.tinyurl.com/mutualaidsouthwarkmap.

In the first instance, we recommend contacting the council if you are in need of extra, or specialist support. For example, if you receive at home care or have complex health needs.

If you are struggling with support or have a problem you need help with, your MP, or your ward councillors, can also help. For example, if you are unable to get food delivered or have problems with utilities or services.

Rough sleeping If you see a rough sleeper or know someone is sleeping on the streets, alert StreetLink whose outreach workers can get them into safe accommodation.

Either download the app, call 0300 500 0914 or visit www.streetlink.org.uk If they are in immediate danger or need urgent care call 999.

The South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a support line for those in need of support, open 24/7.

Call 0800 731 2864

Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 9

children’s charity on the brink

The Maypole Project Youth Club

Supporting over 4,000 families

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk A charity that helps children with complex medical needs from across south-east London says it has suffered a 'devastating loss of funds' just when families need support the most.

For seventeen years The Maypole Project has provided specialist support for more than 4,000 families from Southwark and neighbouring boroughs.

Now the Bromley-based charity is struggling with rising demand and sharply falling funding.

The young people with whom the charity works all received their diagnoses before the age of eighteen and have a range of serious and life-threatening conditions, often presenting challenges for schooling, socialising and everyday life.

Many depend on the charity for building their confidence and meeting a network of others who can relate to their experiences.

Throughout the lockdown the charity

has continued providing virtual counselling and creative sessions for the 350 families its team currently support.

But, as all its fundraising events are cancelled or postponed, it risks permanent closure.

One supporter, Michael Storie, has already stepped up to the mark and run a half marathon on his treadmill to raise over £1000.

Michael had signed up to participate in the now-cancelled Paddock Wood Half Marathon earlier this month but seeing the charity's appeal spurred him on to raise funds while in lockdown.

“I thought there must be something I could do from the comfort of my own home," he said. "A virtual event is such a great idea, you get to raise much needed funds and also have some fun.”

The charity has had to furlough 60 per cent of its staff - including key fundraisers. Although support staff remain employed for now the charity's chief executive warns they too may have to be put on the scheme.

In an open letter to the government, CEO Sally Flatteau Taylor said although

the announcement of further financial support for charities was welcomed, it was not enough to sustain small charities like hers through the crisis.

And, although the charity does work alongside hospices, it doesn't qualify for a hospice grant in the guidelines - something she has called on the treasury to change.

"All of the families The Maypole Project support through therapies, groups and activities have children in palliative care or children who have very complex medical needs," Ms Taylor explained. "This means that their children are medically fragile and this makes them extra-ordinarily vulnerable to COVID-19.

"These families who are already already anxious, stressed and fearful, are now facing heightened fear and anxiety. The unthinkable death of their child becomes more real, they face additional emotional vulnerability of their children and whole family through this crisis.

"The respite of school, and other services, has mostly disappeared.

Families are in lockdown together exacerbating already stretched family relationships.

Travel to hospital settings for essential treatments must continue; creating complications for the whole family.

"Isolation – always an issue to be addressed – becomes more real as they are separated from extended family and the community that can support them."

She added: "Our new crisis appeal is really helping and we thank our donors for their ongoing support. This, though, we believe is a government issue and we plea with them to make the necessary creative adjustments to this package of funding to support The Maypole Project and similar charities who will otherwise have to stop services immediately – and families in crisis in absolute despair."

Visit www.themaypoleproject.co.uk

Nightingale museum snuffed out?

On the nurse’s 200th birthday the hospital attraction could fall victim to pandemic

Florence Nightingale

Old Kent Road trays approved by her Majesty The Queen

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Old Kent Road manufacturer Kaymet was honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise last week - in the international trade category.

The 73-year-old company is one of 220 organisations across the country recognised by the Queen.

The awards, announced on Tuesday, April 21, highlight excellence in international trade following the growth of the company’s global client base.

Kaymet, based at Ossory Road, now exports to around 40 countries, with its products sold by more than 140 overseas stockists. Their trays are also used by international hotels, restaurants and bars.

Already a royal warrant holder, Kaymet employs a team of twelve at its Peckham premises where it has made deluxe anodised aluminium serving trays, trolleys and electric table hotplates since 1947.

General Manager Ken Schreiber said: “My late father Sydney, who launched Kaymet 73 years ago, would have been so proud to see the company receive this award.

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Southwark GPs say they are increasingly concerned patients are putting off contacting their doctor due to Coronavirus fears.

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk A museum dedicated to Florence Nightingale and the history of nursing is battling to survive after nearly all its funding disappeared overnight.

this time are struggling and will be in danger of closing so we thank you wholeheartedly for any support you can provide," the museum's team explained on a GoFundMe page.

"We've taken numerous steps to make monthly savings but still face high operational costs totalling upwards of £20,000 per month and with no clarity over when we'll be allowed to re-open, and what the landscape for our sector will be like, we've decided to take the step to

fundraise.”

Nightingale is seen as the mother of modern-day nursing and pioneered hand washing and hygiene. The museum celebrates her legacy and that of all frontline healthcare workers.

A bicentenary exhibition due to be on display all year - Florence Nightingale in 200 objects- included the famous lamp from her time in Crimea.

Text 70085 to donate £10 or visit www.florence-nightingale.co.uk

“I am extremely happy that we are still thriving here in Peckham and sharing our wares with the world."

The company’s owner, Mark Brearley, said they hoped to celebrate properly later in the year: “The landing of this award has cheered us up at this difficult time.

“We are so lucky to have a skilled team of local people, and this honour is shared by them all.

“We look forward to welcoming the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant for Southwark to our factory near the Old Kent Road before long, for a winner’s presentation ceremony that is sure to make use of our classic trays and trolleys.

“As soon as crowds are safe again we will rustle one up to witness the hoisting of the blue and yellow Queen’s Award flag above Kaymet Works, and it will be visible fluttering from far away over the Asda car park.”

During the lockdown Kaymet's onsite team has been reduced to four but, despite the challenges, they are still manufacturing.

In Southwark, the trays retail in East Dulwich’s Roullier White and Borough Kitchen, as well as the likes of Harrods, John Lewis and Fortnum & Mason in central London.

Don’t avoid contacting your GP or going to hospital if you need to

By Katherine Johnston

By Katherine Johnston

2020 was meant to bring much celebration to the Florence Nightingale Museum, based in the grounds of St Thomas' Hospital.

This year was heralded as 'International Year of the Nurse and Midwife' by the World Health Organisation, and next month also marks what would have been the lady of the lamp's 200th birthday - May 12. But with no admissions during the lockdown, 98 per cent of the museum's revenue has now dried up.

Unless it can raise £65,000 to cover its running costs, the museum may be unable to re-open even after the lockdown is lifted.

"We know that many businesses at

Mark Brearley with Kaymet trays

The South East London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) says fewer patients have been in touch with their GP or nurse to manage existing or new physical or mental health issues since the pandemic hit London.

The NHS is worried patients are at risk of worsening conditions or not seeking urgent medical attention quick enough.

The CCG says the message is not to avoid contacting your GP if you need to.

New mums and pregnant women should also be in touch with their practice to arrange routine immunisations and if they have any concerns about their or their child’s health.

“During this COVID-19 pandemic,

we’ve all heard the message to stay at home as much as possible and it’s great that people are doing this,” said Dr Nancy Kuchemann, a Southwark GP and the clinical lead for South East London Clinical Commissioning Group.

“GPs are still here for you though and it is important that you contact your surgery for advice or to make an appointment when you need to.

“So, if you need medical advice about something other than coronavirus don’t be afraid to contact your surgery online or by telephone and they will advise you on whether you need to see a doctor or nurse.”

Although the COVID-19 pandemic means that patients are asked to contact their surgery online or by phone rather than go in person, doctors are still able to see patients via video conferencing or telephone consultation and, if necessary, can see and examine patients in person.

Southwark also has two separate hubs for suspected COVID-19 patients to be seen in separate locations.

10 NEWS

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Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

lockdown on southwark estates

NUNHEAD Rocks to the jail house The Nunhead Elvis continues to bring up the community’s spirits. Every Thursday he’s adding a bit of sparkle to Buchan TRA, singing 'Jail House Rock’ very suitable for the lockdown.

Tenant association providing support

The estate’s residents have also been busy making jelly as an added treat for selfisolating residents’ food parcels they’re delivering.

Members of Southwark Group of Tenants Association have been busy during the pandemic supporting their neighbours and bringing out the best in the community.

They’ve been working with food banks, volunteer chefs, delivery services and Southwark Council to send food in bulk to estates in need.

STGO and its tenants and residents associations across the borough are also conducting daily welfare checks on particularly vulnerable members, delivering crisis packs including blankets and tea bags, and helping provide interpreters for people who don’t speak English and are struggling to access the services they need.

And during the lockdown they’re still actively involved in politics with a new weekly Resonance FM show (104.4FM and online via Resonancefm. com) with local politicians answering questions submitted by listeners.

For anyone who wants to up their skills during the lockdown SGTO also has online courses in English, finance, health and safety and first aid - all online.

To contact Southwark Group of Tenants and Residents’ Organisations or find out more about your local TRA call 0207 639 6718, email info@sgto. co.uk, visit www.sgto.co.uk or follow @sgtoonline on Twitter.

Kingswood bunnies and St George Kingswood TRA made the most of Easter with all children on the estate given a chocolate egg.

They also ran a cake bake challenge and colouring-in activities throughout the bank holiday - with plenty of hot cross buns too. On St George’s Day they held a virtual afternoon tea with families joining in from their living rooms. One mum was so appreciative of all their support she put together this lovely bouquet of flowers with a hand-made card by her children to say thank you for their support.

Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 11

PECKHAM estate comes up tulips Queen’s Road Peckham’s ARARA has Joined forces with their local Mutual Aid group to leaflet drop hundreds of households.

They’ve also been helping with food provisions, and given more subtle support with a focus on mental health by brightening up the estate. They’ve held a sun-flower growing challenge, installed new street planters full of tulips in bloom, and organised a window rainbow competition for the kids.

Neighbourly love may flower in Rotherhithe

Thank you nhs from the Lettsom

Twenty particularly medically vulnerable neighbours are having regular hot meals delivered to their doors in the Canada Estate.

Lettsom TRA has raised £500 for the NHS.

The residents are also showing their love for the NHS with this new banner. They’re printing poster updates for people affected by redundancies and financial difficulties due to COVID-19 - directing them to support services.

They have also organised their community to write messages for frontline workers on an estate-wide thank you card, and for younger residents to draw pictures and put up in their windows to spread some cheer.

nappy run in camberwell

inter-faith food on OLD KENT ROAD

Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle was praised by Brandon 2 TRA chair as an ‘angel’ after he stepped in and donated nappies to help struggling parents. He was out delivering supplies with councillor Alice MacDonald last week.

Many TRAs are tapping into community faith networks to reach more vulnerable people and recruit volunteers.

Ashley and Cooper TRA are working with their local Mosque in Old Kent Road to help with food deliveries for shielded and particularly vulnerable residents, and supporting residents throughout Ramadan.

cooking up a treat on the rye The TRA has partnered with London Senior Social to deliver 890 hot meals across the estate and beyond.

Its members are urging people in need to pop a note through the TRA hall’s letterbox if they need extra help or would like to find out more about the support on offer.

12 OPINION

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Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

Comment Southwark

Green

from

Westminster

eleanor margolies

Eleanor Margolies writes about theatre and on environmental issues, and is an active campaigner for urban green spaces and clean air. www.eleanormargolies.co.uk @ellanOrnell

Cyclists reclaim the streets

I

n the last month, I’ve seen more people cycling in Southwark than ever before.

With far fewer cars and trucks on the road, it feels safe for older, younger, slower and wobblier cyclists.

The people cycling are more diverse than usual. And families with young children are riding together – not just around parks, but on the streets.

What stopped these people cycling before?

Streets crammed with metal boxes, bumper to bumper. Justified fear of drivers who speed and drivers with eyes only for their phones. But right now, in cities across the world, space is being made for people to walk and cycle at a safe distance from each other.

In Hammersmith and Fulham, extra walking space has been created on shopping streets, using traffic cones.

There have been some positive words from Southwark councillors; now the council must act quickly to give everyone room to move about safely.

It’s not just about exercise: key workers are commuting by bike and volunteers are cycling to deliver food and medicine. This week, I picked up some 3D printed visors from a school and delivered them to an adult social care team, then picked up fabric for a group sewing scrubs for the NHS. It probably looked as if I was just enjoying a ride in the spring sunshine – and I was doing that too!

Cycle shops are still open if you need a new inner tube, a service or to buy a bike. Southwark residents can hire bikes (for both adults and kids) at a low monthly rate from www.peddlemywheels.com/trybefore-you-bike (At the moment they are giving priority to NHS staff but keep an eye on the website.)

The Bike Project, based in Herne Hill, is a brilliant organisation that provides refugees with bikes. You can donate cycles you no longer use, buy a refurbished bike for yourself from the shop or book a virtual Dr Bike session – a one-to-one video call with a mechanic. This service is free to NHS workers. thebikeproject.co.uk The London Cycle Campaign provides free tips for returning cyclists and free membership for NHS staff, including third-party insurance lcc.org.uk And the local branch of the LCC, Southwark Cyclists, offers route guides for Healthy Rides, including a ‘Three Parks ride’ linking Burgess Park, Peckham Rye and Southwark Park. southwarkcyclists.org.uk/rideroutes

READERS’ VIEWS Lockdown sweetheart: Meet the 87-year-old Rotherhithe pensioner singing wartime songs every week to cheer up her estate

NEIL COYLE

MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark

Sally Ann, via Facebook

So sweet bless her xx

Danny Kelly, via Facebook

Brilliant you go girl xx Joanna Cannon, via Facebook

Everything’s changed including politics he global pandemic continues to dominate all our lives and activities.

Khan calls for compulsory face masks on public transport

T

The response here in Southwark has been truly amazing with people donating so much time and money to helping others worse affected in this crisis.

We are very fortunate to have a community committed to helping one another and to have a council that has acted so fast to help vulnerable local people, employers and charities supporting people through this difficult time.

Westminster is also back and is now offering ‘virtual’ access to the House of Commons for MPs for the first time ever. Last week I took part in a virtual meeting of the Work and Pensions Select Committee from my dining table at home off the Old Kent Road!

The pandemic is straining our social security system.

1.5 million people applied for Universal Credit in just a few weeks and many fear far higher unemployment levels when the lockdown ends. DWP says Universal Credit is ‘new’ but it has now been operating for seven years. Ministers have failed to fix its fundamental flaws: the five week delay before anyone gets a penny; loans which cripple people longer term; limits and penalties imposed, often erroneously; and insufficient funds leaving many people reliant on food banks.

These all harm local people and I will continue pressing DWP to fix the problems which risk damaging lives if unaddressed.

As someone who listened to voters and recognised Corbyn would not win elections, it has been a relief and massively refreshing to see Keir Starmer become Labour leader. It

As someone who listened to voters and recognised Corbyn would not win elections, it has been a relief and massively refeshing to see Keir Starmer become the Labour leader.

Monique Gibbs, via Facebook

Weeks and weeks too late.

‘Shambolic’: Just six Coronavirus tests offered a day to Southwark care workers

surprises me to see the contrast in responses from political parties to crises. In 2008 when the global financial crisis caused huge damage to economies right around the world, the Tories tried to blame the international problem on the UK Labour government. Ministers still try to blame Labour for political gain but I don’t think most people are foolish enough to fall for it anymore.

Labour’s new leader has taken a very different approach to the coronavirus crisis: constructive engagement; support for difficult measures to tackle the problem, including the lockdown; but also flagging up government mistakes, like acting late, not ensuring enough protective kit or tests have been available, and still failing to test people landing at Heathrow from New York for example.

My own schedule has changed dramatically due to the crisis.

Most meetings are on the phone or by video now, including with the police commander, council leader, community organisations and others trying to help.

My food bank has had to expand as demand has grown rapidly.

I had the virus myself and was knocked out for a few weeks but am now getting fit again by making deliveries to those in need on my bike.

The virus has changed how we all have to behave. It will continue to do so for some time.

Please stay patient. Please stay home as much as possible. Please stay safe.

Please keep being brilliant in your support for each other, for our NHS, and for all our frontline workers and charities doing so much to help so many in this unique and difficult time.

If we could get enough for everybody then absolutely agree.

They should get it every week. Might not have it one week, week yet could have it by the second week and so on.

Tina Diane Taylor, via Facebook

Yet Prince Charles got one straight away Kirk Wall, via Facebook

Working with the public and seeing how much people spit just while talking I totally agree face covering is needed. But medical grade ones, not these fashion clothes ones, because unless you’re going to wash it regularly on a hot wash with soap/disinfectant there’s no point. That's like reusing gloves - there’s no protection.

Anneka Millington, via Facebook

I work in a supermarket and people with masks on are always fiddling with them and touching their face more. Quite a lot of them remove them to talk to me.

Paula Greest, via Facebook

I have noticed some mask wearers not following safe distancing.

Unfortunately some people develop a false sense of security and stop following NHS guidelines.

Soraya Zaccaria, via Facebook

Cindy Hvid, via Facebook

He is telling everyone to wear one, but hasn’t even bothered supplying any to TFL staff.

£800 raised for King’s nurse whose bike was stolen

There a so many good people in Southwark but you do get so many that are scum of the earth.

John Basely, via Facebook

Newlands Academy goes ‘beyond what a school should do’ during the lockdown My son goes to this school. I have to say it’s absolutely amazing. Not only the head teacher but every teacher!!! The support is unreal.

Kay Green, via Facebook

Lovely to hear of such support in these difficult times.

Sandi Jean Ellis, via Facebook

Bermondsey’s Kathleen Chaplin died unable to see her family because of Coronavirus So sorry for your loss Sally. It was only a little while ago we saw you at Marks and Spencer’s. You had brought mum and her friends in for tea and cakes.

They were all laughing and having great time. Condolences to you and the family.

Mary Nolan, via Facebook

RIP Kathleen, a truly lovely lady who I knew many years ago when I worked locally, thoughts are with your family. X Rosaleen Sands Lindsay, via Facebook

What the Dickens?

SOUTHWARK NEWS DIARIST

Quiz not plain sailing We’ve previously told you of a local link to ITV’s Quiz, the dramatisation of Charles Ingram’s cheating scandal on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire.

Scenes for the hit three-part series were filmed in Southwark - and the writers tell us it wasn’t always easy.

“There’s a scene where we introduce Michael Sheen to the audience as Chris Tarrant in a restaurant,” writer James Graham tells us.

“We were scared of him getting papped while shooting and his ‘look’ leaking. So we picked Butler’s Wharf Chophouse as it has a nice view of Tower Bridge but has a nice sort of private terrace facing the river.”

“What we didn’t know was that it was the day of the Round the World Yacht race. 50 flotillas came by in camera shot followed by hundreds of supporters along the riverside with banners and horns.

“Tower Bridge kept opening up and we kept trying to get takes here and there while protecting Michael from the

hordes of people with cameras … the director was losing his mind.”

Not the kind of plain sailing that you want when shooting a glitzy drama!.

Tank warfare

This week we report on the iconic Bermondsey tank in Page’s Walk being redecorated for the NHS.

Myths have it that the tank was installed as part of a planning dispute with the council. But its owner, Russell Gray, says the dispute actually came after its installation.in 1995.

Firstly bureaucrats apparently slapped a notice on the tank saying they would remove it - despite this being a T34 needing industrial equipment to move.

Then, says Gray, the council took him to court because he was not maintaining the land appropriately.

So he went to Burgess Park to take pictures of more unkempt areas of council land to show the judge.

The ruling was in his favour. “They made fools of themselves in ways I couldn’t even begin to imagine,” he says in a little-seen video.

Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

T

www.southwarknews.co.uk/letters

OPINION 13

Time to start treating us like adults he longer we go without light at the end of the tunnel, the harder it will be for people to stay positive, as the question over when and how we come out of a full lockdown dominates the headlines.

There is still so much we don’t know about Coronavirus and the true number of victims. And many valiant health care and social care professionals, and other frontline workers, remain unable to get vital PPE. We don’t yet have a vaccine and antibody testing is far from accurate.

But the longer the lockdown goes on, the more people struggle with their mental health, domestic abuse, and the ill-effects of isolation and staying indoors. And the longer our economy suffers, and the higher the likelihood of more redundancies and businesses collapsing.

But now there’s another question we are left anxiously churning over: how will easing the lockdown work?

It’s startling to hear that even local authorities are looking ahead as blindly as we are.

This week Southwark Council leader Peter John said that Number Ten still had no news for them about potential exit strategies.

The Scottish government and many other countries have published plans showing potential routes - but Westminster refuses.

Although urgent hospital operations will be starting up again soon, there is no more information on which sectors may open up first and how this can be managed.

As a result, the council doesn’t yet have a full grasp on the likely impact in our borough, the number of people who might lose their jobs permanently or those who could be cut off from their families for up to a whole year or more if a vaccine isn’t ready.

It’s also left with a huge financial black hole from business rates and a declining council tax base as more people apply for reductions while claiming Universal Credit.

In turn, there’s more pressure on its services - a double bind.

This is through no fault of its own. Like the rest of the population it’s being told that even talking about the lockdown will give people a licence to start misbehaving.

Filling the information vacuum are conspiracy theorists. And as patience starts to wane people are beginning to break the rules and assume the worst is over. This is dangerous.

The positivity and spirit shown by the majority is truly special - but Westminster must not take it for granted.

If it wants to keep people united, we need to start planning ahead - however far ahead that is - and not just be left in limbo.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

Clues Down

Clues Across

1 Pretext for getting the old cues muddled (6) 7 Amusement before the real upset of a death scene (7) 8 Sat back before the row it’s more succulent (7) 9 Surmise round about mean person (5) 10 Does an orange car assume undue importance? (9) 12 You’ll get nothing from the juvenile (3) 13 The burden is on you and me (4) 15 Straw fowl (7) 17 Five hundred in a cry for help for layers of earth (4) 19 Drink from the fatal elixir (3) 21 Man from the ministry (9) 22 Are sails made of this material? (5) 23 Most given to selfexamination (7) 24 Belongings of a goodfornothing woman (7) 25 Less well spaced and less intelligent (6)

1 Concentrates on the passages (8) 2 Cranes are demolished in the barracks (6) 3 Hairstyle suitable for the beach? (7) 4 Somehow men go for the little creature (5) 5 Put briefly, public relations is on a way of confinement (6) 6 It doesn’t make a musician feel insulted (4) 7 Departure without authority for a European desert (6,5) 11 Used by artist and motorist alike (4) 13 Merely found in commonly held views (4) 14 Single yarnmaker (8) 16 Tease over the occasion and produce a kind of rhythm (7) 18 Remove the mark and make a plan (6) 20 Those belonging to a society can lose a thousand and still remain glowing (6) 21 Quite plain and free from guilt (5) 22 Tears send the boss out! (4)

QUICK PUZZLE Clues Across

1 Chinese boat (6) 7 Dividing (7) 8 Unconfined (2,5) 9 Chosen group (5) 10 Indignant (9) 12 Label (3) 13 Scolded (4) 15 Censure (7) 17 Look at (4) 19 Fuss (3)

21 Defy (9) 22 Kind of tree (5) 23 Finishing (7) 24 Hour for sleep (7) 25 Be present at (6)

Clues Down

1 Small birds (8) 2 Annoy (6) 3 Put in order (7) 4 Unkind (5) 5 End (6)

6 Eye amorously (4) 7 Show (11) 11 Gain (4) 13 Give up (4) 14 Branched off (8) 16 Brave (7) 18 Alters (6) 20 Punctual (2,4) 21 Seat (5) 22 Young child (4)

SOLUTIONS to last week’s Cryptic Crossword

ACROSS: 4 Clover 8 Castles 9 Beacon 10 Foreigner 11 Pipe 13 Terms 14 Pajamas 16 Session 18 Flare 19 Trot 21 Indicator 22 Oldest 23 Elastic 24 Gadget DOWN: 1 Canopener 2 Uttermost 3 Hedge 5 Leer 6 Victim 7 Ranges 9 Began 11 Palliasse 12 Patriotic 15 Point 16 Strong 17 Sordid 20 Silly 21 Isle

Quick Crossword

ACROSS: 4 Candid 8 Expects 9 Shrill 10 Delineate 11 Skit 13 Flood 14 Artiste 16 Unbolts 18 Spine 19 Stun 21 Overhears 22 Relive 23 Uproars 24 Settle DOWN: 1 Excellent 2 Semicolon 3 Steep 5 Ache 6 Drinks 7 Dilute 9 Stare 11 Simpleton 12 Itinerary 15 Stove 16 Usurps 17 Bullet 20 Traps 21 Oval

DJ Kev Locked In

14 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

Broadcasting live from Bermondsey, making you feel like you are down the boozer

Watch the video

nline

southwarknews.co.uk

By Kevin Quinn kevin@southwarknews.co.uk LockedIn broadcasting from Bermondsey DJ Kevin Sage's home is fast becoming a great way to stay connected locally and request some of those classic tunes you would have danced away to in the boozer just weeks ago.

The 45-year-old is a familiar face to pub-goers in Bermondsey, Rotherhithe and Elephant & Castle.

He is also known to a wider audience as the 2009 winner of ITV series The Biggest Loser having shed 9st 6lbs in just eight weeks.

No stranger to locking himself down for the life-changing TV show, a qualified broadcaster and lifelong pub DJ, Kev told the News that launching the radio station was a no brainer.

Available on a number of networks engaging a worldwide audience, the show for him was simply a way of bringing people together, including members of his own family.

The former Scott Lidgett schoolboy started playing at the Ancient Forrester's in the Blue when he was just fourteen years old on a Sunday night.

“My mum would say to them 'make sure he don't stay up too late, he has got school in the morning'. She had got me into it after seeing an advert from a local DJ, who wanted someone to help carry his records around for him.

"My teachers would be in the pub dancing away to the tunes we were cracking out, but this was 33 years ago.

I suppose I'd be taken into care in this day and age,” he laughed.

His love of DJ'ing became a life-long obsession and up until the lockdown he was playing a regular slot at The Rising Sun on Harper Road, off the New Kent Road, as well as at private functions, in a number of Slug n Lettuce's and on river boats.

So when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, his work dried up.

Having moved his family back to Bermondsey to take care of his disabled mother Linda, Kev had stopped his broadcasting jobs but kept his equipment. So combining his DJ and broadcasting skills was no huge feat for him, when he found himself like almost everyone else across the globe

confined to home 24-7.

“I studied broadcasting at college, did community and hospital radio, so knew the templates to use, with little to no cost. I could try to get a licence for FM etc, but that is time and money I don't have. And I am not going to ask people for money to support the station. That is not what this is about,” he told the News.

“I love to get more people tuning in and I know that some of the older people might not have access to the internet,” he said, “but more and more of them are getting on it and using Facebook so I'm trying to push that.

"At any one time we are getting 250300 people jumping into the streaming, but is always about talking as if you are

talking to one person.

"It is all about the music and being positive, but I do put out numbers like child-line and domestic violence. I know that 99 per cent of those listening might not need it, but if one person does, then that's my job done.”

Before interviewing DJ Kev the News tuned into his St George's Day broadcast with local people asking for requests and call outs, with some listeners from as far away as Leeds and even Germany, before one asked for 'Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler', the Dad's Army theme tune.

The banter and humour of the Bermondsey people is ever present on the station and you are able to tune in at anytime to hear it, with DJ Kev taking requests between 7pm-9pm each evening live.

“What's happening now is uncharted waters. It's affecting everyone.

"When I was locked down for ITV's The Biggest Loser it was an unreal situation. I would go to the gym, have breakfast, sleep and go back to the gym.

You were locked away on that show, but you knew when the end was coming.

We are getting an understanding now of what it would be like to be on any of these reality shows, Big Brother and the like. But on a reality show psychiatrists were on hand.

“I remember them saying by week four you will get depressed and want to go home, by week seven you will feel really positive.

“Everyone will be affected differently, but I have put a jingle on my station with the Queen’s Speech saying ‘We’ll

meet again’ and I have added ‘don’t forget who you are’.

“I hope we will all come out of this better. I know I will, maybe not financially, but as a person.”

The father of three says the show has been able to help him stay in touch with his eldest son, who is 22 years old and autistic, living with his first wife in Sydenham.

“He loves it and finds it a giggle,” Kev says, “and it’s difficult us being apart.”

His two other sons are in the house with him aged fourteen and five. “My youngest Harrison, you might hear him. He loves to jump in on the show,” he laughed.

And Harrison is not the only one jumping in on LockedIn, Kev has guest

DJs playing from their homes.

“They can send me the mixes, they know what to do- but might not know all about the broadcasting,” Kev explained, “so I have DJ Spiky, DJ Dave – that’s the same person he used to be called Spiky coz he had spiky hair, but now down at The Rising Sun he goes by DJ Dave, as he is as bald as a coot.

“That’s very Only Fools and Horse isn’t it.”

You can tune into LockedIn via www.twitch.tv/londonkev To follow the show or tune in via Facebook as well as send messages and requests www.facebook.com/ djkevinsage You can also call in by ringing 0208 123 8043.

Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

corbYn holds rally Watch the video

nline

southwarknews.co.uk

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Piers Corbyn, Jeremy Corbyn’s brother, led an anti-coronavirus lockdown protest in Glastonbury on Saturday – attended by an estimated fifty people.

Mr Corbyn, a Walworth-based activist, was the ‘ringleader’ of the protest, a witness said, to which Avon and Somerset Police were called.

The incident has sparked outrage among ‘responsible’ residents of the town, she said.

Footage filmed by the activists in Glastonbury’s Market Place show them arguing with police – and denying that social distancing is necessary to stop the spread of the disease.

Gatherings of more than two people are banned by law.

Mr Corbyn – who denies that there is a coronavirus pandemic – can be seen delivering a speech through a loudspeaker at the protest, which ended

after 1pm.

“We were really horrified to see it,” said the Glastonbury resident, who did not wish to give her name. “There were about fifty people at one point, there was even a fiddler playing music.

“It was like a typical day in Glastonbury – there was no social distancing at all.

Piers was the ringleader, he absolutely incited this big public gathering, and that’s completely irresponsible.”

She estimated that around six or seven police officers attended the scene of the mass gathering in defiance of the lockdown – but she did not see any arrests or action to move the residents on.

Mr Corbyn did not respond to a request for comment from the News, except to deny that police had broken up the gathering.

"They need to explain why during the course of the lockdown, why they allowed this to happen,” said the witness.

“They should’ve arrested Piers Corbyn, I think they should have thrown them all in the back of a police car.”

One video taken by an activist at the scene shows people gathering in the town’s market square in defiance of the lockdown.

Mr Corbyn can be heard in the video giving a speech opposing the lockdown amid the party-like atmosphere.

“We are gathered here today at this time and place that we choose to support those being left behind by the lockdown,” he can be heard to say.

“The lockdown has failed us. It’s caused misery .. there’s no pandemic! If you want to save lives, you should end the lockdown.”

Reputable scientists have overwhelmingly agreed that social distancing measures are necessary to save lives.

Asked by the News why arrests were not made, police said on Saturday the demonstration was ‘peaceful’ and protestors dispersed once spoken to by officers.

“We attended a small protest in the centre of Glastonbury this afternoon,” said Supt Andy Bennett.

“Approximately 30-40 people turned up and the event was peaceful in nature.

“Officers attended Market Place and engaged with the individuals concerned and explained the need to adhere to the current guidelines and the group subsequently dispersed.

“We are pleased the overwhelming majority of people are complying with the current guidelines around staying at home and social distancing.

“We continue to encourage people to follow this message to help protect our NHS and save lives.”

Neighbours of coronavirus victim Terry Coakley paint mural for him on their estate

By Kevin Quinn

Neighbours on Bermondsey's Longfield Estate have created a mural in support of the NHS with a tribute to one of their own who was taken suddenly by the coronavirus.

in lockdown in his garden, building a memorial to his son out of wooden pallets and has made another one for Terry's nan.

The garden memorials have spaces for flowers to be planted. "I have made them before and did one when my dad passed away," David said. "Terry always helped me build them. The one I have made for my mum, she can have when the lockdown is over."

"Seeing the mural with Terry's initials on them makes me such a proud dad

and it’s lovely that people have put messages on there. The support we have had from the neighbours have been brilliant including Simon Hughes."

The former MP for Old Southwark and Bermondsey lives near the family and had known Terry since he was a baby.

His funeral will be held on Monday May 11 and will be live-streamed by Bermondsey funeral directors Albins.

The News will publish the link to watch the live-stream a week before the funeral.

NEWS 15

Dulwich dad: ‘King’s got my son to walk now I’m going to feed them’

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk A father whose son is able to walk after spina bifida surgery at King's has launched a £100,000 campaign to feed the NHS.

Forty-three-year-old Oliver Bailey, from Dulwich, has set up ‘Harvest for Heroes’ to deliver fruit, veg, milk and pasta to London hospitals including King's in Denmark Hill and its other sites.

His son, Henry, was unexpectedly born with spina bifida in 2018. After a sevenhour operation he is now growing up able to walk.

“I can never thank the staff enough for their care,” he says. “Over the past few weeks, I’d seen stories of NHS workers left with empty supermarket shelves at the end of their shift, and I wanted to do

something to help.

“The Harvest for Heroes campaign delivers healthy and nutritious food supplies, sourced from New Covent Garden Market, to hospitals throughout London. We’re aiming to raise £100,000 to help NHS staff stay healthy and well.

“This is my opportunity to do my bit and show the NHS how much we all care. I’m sure the community will come together and show their support for NHS staff who are pulling out all the stops to keep everyone safe.”

Bassel Zebian, the consultant paediatric and adult neurosurgeon who treated Henry said: "We are delighted to hear that Henry is doing so well and that he has fully recovered from his surgery.

“Words cannot express our gratitude to his whole family for sharing his recovery with us, and for their support in these difficult times.

“Over the past few weeks I have been filled with pride and humbled by the passion, hard work and selflessness of all those around me who have rallied together in the face of great adversity.

“Everyone is working round the clock to deliver care in new ways amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and knowing that staff don't have to worry about going to the shops after long shifts makes a huge difference.

“We truly cannot thank our local community and all those supporting us on the ground as well as through initiatives such as this one - for their kindness."

To support the Harvest for Heroes campaign, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ harvestforheroes

Hospital boss on the 1,000s treated including Boris Johnson

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Guy’s and St Thomas’ have treated more than 1,000 coronavirus patients since the outbreak of the pandemic, its top boss has revealed, with hundreds of Trust staff isolating.

kevin@southwarknews.co.uk

The ten-foot mural, featuring a rainbow and a heart with the initials of Terry Coakley, who aged just 34 died at St Thomas' Hospital on April 2, was painted on the middle of the estate last Friday.

Terry's father David told the News how touched he was by the mural and said that the estate, on which his son grew up, was a close-knit community with many of Terry's friends still living there, that he had known since they were babies.

A young man with his whole life ahead of him, Terry's sudden death shocked friends in Bermondsey as he only suffered from a mild form of asthma.

They have raised a whopping £7,747 for a plaque and a donation to the doctors and nurses who battled to save him for over two weeks at St Thomas' Hospital.

His younger sister Toni, speaking to the News just one week after his death, said: “If you can take anything away from this, it is the need to look after yourselves, protect yourselves and do as you are told.”

His father David has also been busy

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Dr Ian Abbs, CEO of the Trust which manages the hospitals, praised the “extraordinary courage and determination,” of doctors and nurses in responding to the crisis.

In a report presented to the Trust’s board last week, Dr Abbs revealed that at the peak of the crisis in early April 1,600 staff were forced off-work to isolate.

Earlier this month that figure was down to 600 staff. Of the number of coronavirus patients treated, more than 900 had been discharged to recover safely in the community.

Despite reported shortages of protective equipment for key workers across the NHS, the Trust’s top boss said supplies at Guy’s and St Thomas’ were “sufficient.”

“The Trust has responded with extraordinary courage and determination to this unprecedented challenge and I would like to start by thanking all of the staff working across our services at Guy’s and St Thomas’, for all that they are doing and will do in the weeks and months ahead to support our response,” he said.

“All of us, whether clinical or non-clinical, are key NHS healthcare workers and are in a vital position to respond to this national and international emergency.”

To respond to the unprecedented pandemic, the hospitals – which treated Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier

this month – were forced to expand their critical care capacity dramatically.

“The medical wards, as well as those normally devoted to other specialities, have also been reconfigured to provide care to COVID -19 positive patients who require hospital level care,” states the report.

“To date the Trust has had sufficient capacity to meet the demand being placed on critical care and general and acute medical beds.”

Staff at the hospitals are being offered coronavirus tests either on-site at St Thomas’ or at a drive-through testing facility at the O2 in Greenwich.

Around 400 staff have had these tests to see whether they are safe to return to work.

As a consequence of the social distancing rules, many have been deferring seeking medical help across the NHS. “We know that fewer people are seeking help for their immediate health needs,” said Dr Abbs.

“People should not hesitate to seek medical support when they need to.”

Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals have been at the forefront of the coronavirus pandemic, as they were among the few hospitals with a specialist infectious diseases unit at the start of the outbreak.

Donations and offers of support have come flooding in. “We have been absolutely inundated with donations from individuals and various businesses in the UK and across the world,” the report states.

“All of the kind donations have contributed to making what is an incredibly challenging time a little easier for our staff and I would like to thank everyone who has donated in some way to our organisation.”

16 ARTS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/arts

Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

what’s on

in Southwark

Stayhouse is the new Playhouse

Southwark Stayhouse is a brand new online streaming service from Southwark Playhouse where they will be sharing shows and exclusive video content until their doors are able to open again on Newington Causeway, writes Michael Holland...

Photo by Catherine Ashmore

All shows are free, so you can watch them whenever you want.

Stayhouse launches with Wasted, a new rock musical about the Brontë siblings. It’s directed by Adam Lenson with music by Christopher Ash and book and lyrics by Carl Miller.

Online link: www.southwarkplayhouse. co.uk/streaming/ The world premiere of new British musical Wasted ran in The Large during September/October 2018.

Through the lens of a rock documentary, Wasted gives an accessall-areas account of the struggles, heartbreaks and triumphs of the three Brontë sisters Charlotte, Emily, Anne, and their brother Branwell.

Brought up in a remote, povertystricken town in Yorkshire, without money or opportunity, they fought ill-health, unrequited love and family feuds to write some of the most celebrated literature including Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.

Never afraid to rebel against expectations, the lives behind the pages expose a struggling, squabbling, ferociously driven, drug-fuelled crash and burn trajectory from obscurity to celebrity and ultimately to their untimely deaths.

Coupled with a rock score from Christopher Ash (Showstoppers

Playhouse - Molly Lynch, Siobhan Athwal, Matthew Jacobs Morgan, Natasha Barnes – Oliver Award winner for Best Entertainment), book and lyrics by Carl Miller (Emil and the Detectives, National Theatre), directed by Adam Lenson (The Rink, Superhero), this is

the Brontës as you’ve never seen them before.

Also live streamed is Shakespeare’s Twelfth Nigh, which ran in The Little in January 2019. It was part

of Southwark Playhouse’s annual Shakespeare for Schools initiative, which reaches over 1,500 young people every year in Southwark and Lambeth. The project aims to enable

The National Theatre has announced the next two productions that will be streamed live on YouTube every Thursday at 7pm via the National Theatre’s YouTube channel, writes Michael Holland...

streamed as part of National Theatre at Home will be announced soon.

National Theatre at Home Quiz, has also been launched. featuring familiar faces from the world of stage and screen as the quizmasters. Each quiz will include rounds of five questions on a wide variety of topics.

On the final Monday of each month people will be able join the virtual quiz directly from their homes via the NT’s YouTube channel and Facebook page live at 7pm.

The first quiz wa son Monday, with quizmasters Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Lenny Henry, Lesley Manville, and Sir Ian McKellen asking questions on topics including history, sport, nature, and of course, the National Theatre.

National Theatre at Home launched in April in response to theatre and cinema closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first stream was the award-winning production of One Man Two Guvnors which received over 2.5 million views across the seven days it was available online.

Speaking about National Theatre at Home Rufus Norris Director and

more young people to engage with Shakespeare and have the opportunity to see live theatre that is exciting, innovative and contemporary, when they might not otherwise have the chance to do so.

Whilst searching for her lost twin brother in Illyria, Viola stumbles upon something entirely unexpected – love.

But in Illyria, love’s true course is never going to run smoothly.

No one is quite what they claim to be in this strange place – male/ female, lover/fighter, happy/sad, fool/priest – which leads to all sorts of complications.

Shakespeare’s classic comedy of love and identity is given a rollicking makeover with a festival vibe and live music on stage. Grab your wristbands now before they all get snapped up!

Directed by RSC Creative Fellow Anna Girvan this production is suitable for everyone aged ten and above.

Finally, Bound written and directed

by Jesse Briton, gets a showing on stayhouse.

It ran in playhouse’s old Vault space underneath London Bridge in 2011. It follows the fortunes of six trawlermen from Devon as they embark on one final voyage. Compelled by the threat of bankruptcy, fishing trawler ‘The Violet’ is forced out into treacherous weather. Competing against the overpowering force of nature, the tribulations of life with the opposite sex and each other’s egos, will they lose more than a way of life?

Online link: www.southwarkplayhouse. co.uk/streaming

Frankenstein and the National Theatre Quiz Go Online

This is as part of their new initiative to bring content to the public accessed from their homes during coronavirus.

Productions announced include the NT Live broadcast of Danny Boyle’s production of Frankenstein filmed at the National Theatre in 2011. The production sees Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternating the roles of Victor Frankenstein and his creation. The two versions will be shown across two nights: 30 April and 1 May. Simon Godwin’s sell-out production of Shakespeare’s Antony & Cleopatra featuring the Evening Standard Theatre Award-winning performances by Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo as the famous lovers will be streamed on 7 May. Both productions will be free to stream, premiering at 7.00PM BST and then available on demand for seven days. Further productions to be

Joint Chief Executive of the National Theatre said “We’ve been completely overwhelmed by the response to National Theatre at Home since we launched at the start of April.

“We know that these are difficult and challenging times for many, and we hope that through this initiative we’re able to supply a weekly slice of entertainment for people to enjoy together, albeit digitally, when each production goes out at 7pm on Thursdays.

“We’re thrilled to be announcing the next two titles Frankenstein and Antony & Cleopatra which both feature award-winning performances and I’m sure will be enjoyed by all.

“We’re also pleased today to be launching the National Theatre at Home Quiz featuring some familiar faces posing the tricky questions.

“I’d like to thank all the artists and creatives who have continued to support us in being able to deliver this programme for free and also the public for tuning in every week and sharing their experiences of National Theatre at Home from right across the world.”

Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

Top marks for the ‘University of the East End’

After 132 years The Blackfriars Settlement, which started life as the Women’s University, is still going strong helping the borough's most needy during the current pandemic

www.southwarknews.co.uk/history

History

Members of a youth club during the 1970s One hundred and thirty-two years after being founded with the lofty ambitions of becoming “the University of the East End”, the Blackfriars Settlement is still providing vital services to some of the capital’s neediest people.

In the lockdown they have been teaming up with other organisation to bring hot food meals and information to the older population of Southwark.

The charity was founded back in 1887, the year of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, by a group of female students from Cambridge, Oxford, Royal Holloway and Bedford universities.

The scholars included Henrietta Barnett, who vowed that the Nelson Square charity – then known as the Women’s University Settlement – would “promoted the welfare of the people of the poorer districts of London and especially of the women and children.” This would be done by “devising and promoting schemes which tend to elevate them physically, intellectually and morally.”

These were ambitious aims and the group quickly set to work. While progress wasn’t rapid, the charity slowly but surely grew in reach and impact. Small gestures and events – such as providing 500 south London children with a special Christmas treat, or putting on “lantern lectures” for women in the evenings – went a long way in establishing the group in the community. A mother’s club was formed, as was a “crippled bootmaking shop.”

A ‘sheltered worker’ in action.

The founders outside the original Nelson Square headquarters.

HISTORY 17

The original student founders.

Despite being damaged by a WW2 bombing raid, the settlement continued to grow and began to move away from their ‘women and children first’ mentality. The group expanded into helping all residents, regardless of sex or age, and was renamed the Blackfriars Settlement.

As the 20th century rolled on, the influence of the settlement grew. The sheltered workshops had gained a “distinguished tradition” for producing high-quality rugs, and the youth clubs were seen as one of the major reasons for a 60 percent decrease in juvenile crime during 1974. That same year, the charity’s director Jim Radford explained how the Blackfriars Settlement had expanded beyond improving people’s lives, to having people join together to improve their own communities.

He said: “The purpose of a settlement is to encourage and enable people to move towards a vision of a caring, sharing society, to bring about the maximum involvement of the group, neighbourhood or community in solving the problems that concern them.” They began to work with unions, TRAs and protestors, helping provide support and advice, and soon moved to a more spacious headquarters in Rushworth Street. While over a century has passed, the settlement aspires today to the same ambitions of its trailblazing founders: to help vulnerable people live their lives with as much confidence, control and joy as possible.

If you are interested in volunteering to support local people please email info@ blackfriars-settlement.org.uk

18 FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS / COMMUNITY NOTICES

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

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

If you are a charitable or community-oriented organisation and want to let people know about your services, please call

Follow the fox... urbanfox.london

Our key activities helping local people make life better: Bede Learning Disabilities Service, Bede Youth Adventure Project, Bede Starfish Domestic Violence Project.

0207 232 1639 Memorials

www.bedehouse.org , tel: 0207 237 3881

To place a family announcement in the paper please call

0207 232 1639 or email katie@southwarknews.co.uk Announcements must be placed by 12pm on the Tuesday before Thursday’s publication

Book in your half price announcements For weddings, births & birthday milestones.

Social media included (when requested)

T HE

The

ESSENTIAL guide to EDUCATION

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE AND HELP US TO KEEP PROVIDING YOU WITH LOCAL NEWS AND SPORT A message to all our readers: We are continuing to bring you all the latest news on the Coronavirus and other important local issues, news, sport and local life.

As the only independent paid-for newspaper in London, we rely heavily on local businesses advertising with us to provide the revenue that pays our journalists.

Understandably, most local businesses are cancelling their advertising in these uncertain times. So we are now offering free digital advertising to all local, independent businesses.

We aim to continue publishing in print every week, and will be publishing stories online – including on the rolling blog we set up this week, to bring you constant live updates.

We would be very grateful if you would consider supporting us by subscribing online. You can either pay the 50p cover price for weekly news, (charged at £2 a month), or make a discounted 6 monthly (£11.00) or Annual (£20) contribution.

Payments are processed by Paypal so you can be sure that they are secure, and you can cancel at any time. You can also send a cheque made out to Southwark Newspaper Ltd. If you feel able to contribute regularly and help keep us bringing you the news and sport, we would really appreciate your support!

Best wishes from all of us at the News.

LEARNING SUPPORT

ASSISTANTS REQUIRED

FOR

SEPTEMBER 2020

Term Time Only, 39 weeks, 29 hours per week Salary: HAY 5 Cherry Garden is an outstanding community special school that meets the needs of children (2-11 years) with severe and complex needs including autism. We have a child centred playbased curriculum with motivating and fun learning opportunities at the centre of what we do. Please check out our Twitter account on @CherryGdnSchool to see them in action.

ARE YOU: • enthusiastic, fit and healthy with a sense of humour.

• passionate about supporting pupils with learning disabilities.

• a team player.

WE IN TURN CAN OFFER: • A friendly and supportive staff team.

• Comprehensive induction and on the job training.

• Opportunities for continual learning.

All Southwark schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to pre-employment checks, references will be sought and successful candidates will need to undertake an enhanced DBS check and have the right to work in the UK. An application pack can be found on our website www.cherrygardenschool.co.uk/ vacancies or may be requested from the School Administration Manager at admin@cherrygarden.southwark.sch.uk.

Applications should be submitted to this email address or posted to Cherry Garden School, 41 Bellenden Road, London SE15 5BB. CLOSING DATE: FRIDAY 15TH MAY INTERVIEW DATE: WK. BEG. 18TH MAY Interviews will take place remotely.

Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk

PUBLIC NOTICES 21

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (ANSTEY ROAD, HILLBECK CLOSE, MEETING HOUSE LANE, OLD JAMAICA ROAD, GLENGALL ROAD)

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (WAVENEY AVENUE)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) 1.

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

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload in: (a) Anstey Road, between Nutbrook Street and Mcdermott Road (b) Hillbeck Close at it’s junction with Old Kent Road. (c) Meeting House Lane, at it’s junction with Goldsmith Road for 100m in a southerly direction (Nell Gwynn Nursery School) (d) Old Jamaica Road, between Abbey Street and Marine Street (e) Glengall Road, at it’s junction with Bianca Road for 55m in a northerly direction

TEMPORARY WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS 1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that, because of works

by BT, it made an order the effect of which would be to prohibit vehicular traffic from waiting and loading at any time in part of Waveney Avenue.

2.

Whilst the restriction is in place, and whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to wait, including waiting for the purpose of loading and unloading at any time in: (c) Waveney Avenue, on the northern kerb line between No’s 50a and No’s 32 (d) Waveney Avenue, on the southern kerb line opposite No’s 32 to the junction of Somerton Road.

3.

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

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) Waghorn Street, Nutbrook Street. (2b) not applicable. (2c) Meeting House Lane, Carlton Grove, Queens Road, Peckham High Street.

Peckham High Street, Peckham Hill Street. Goldsmith Road. Goldsmith Road, Marmont Road, Peckham High Street. (2d) Rouel Road, Marine Street, Jamaica Road, Abbey Street.

Abbey Street, Enid Street, Rouel Road, Thurland Road, Old Jamaica Road. Abbey Street, Jamaica Road, Druid Street, Tower Bridge Road, Grange Road, Spa Road, Rouel Road. (2e) Glengall Road, Colegrove Road, Willowbrook Road, Trafalgar Avenue, Old Kent Road, Glengall Road.

4.

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

5.

The restriction will come into force on the 6th May.

6.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network & Parking Management on 0207 525 2014.

4.

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

Dated this 30th April 2020

5.

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

6.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 12th – 13th May (2b) 9th May (2c) 14th – 15th May (2d) 16th May (2e) 25th May – 13th June

7.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network & Parking Management on 0207 525 2014.

3.

Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (a) 5261/CC1W00WAQJ215GPOL1B

Dated this 30th April 2020 LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 5232/438022 (2b) 5229/438014 (2c) 5234/438037 (2d) 5236/438045 (2e) 5355/431124 LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (CRAWFORD ROAD, MERROW STREET) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) 1.

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

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload in: (a) Crawford Road, between Valmar Road and Morna Road (b) Merrow Street, between Walworth Road and No’s 1

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (ROUEL ROAD, PARK STREET) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) 1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable development works to be carried out by Legendre UK and Wates/Gas, it made an order the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from making certain movements and entering part of the above named roads

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, the existing two way traffic flow in: (a) Rouel Road, will be made one way (Southbound) between the southern kerb line of Spa Road to the northern kerb line of Dockley Road. Entry into Rouel Road from Dockley Road will be prohibited.

3.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload in: (a) Park Street, between Redcross Way and No’s 20

4.

The alternative route for affected traffic for (2a) Dockley Road, Thurland Road, Spa Road.

Rouel Road, Lucey Road, Yalding Road, Southwark Park Road, Grange Road, Spa Road.

(3a) Park Street, Emerson Street, Sumner Street, Southwark Bridge Road, Southwark Street, Borough High Street, Bedale Street, Winchester Walk, Stoney Street, Park Street.

5.

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

6.

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

7.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 18th May 2020 – 17th September 2021. (3a) 11th May – 22nd May.

8.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network & Parking Management on 0207 525 2014.

Dated this 30th April 2020 Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a)TTO/5186 (3a)5372/SEC50/PARKSTSITE

Email em@southwarknews.co.uk to place a notice

3.

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) Valmar Road, Morna Road. (2b) Walworth Road, Albany Road, Portland Street, Browning Street.

4.

The existing one way traffic flow system in Merrow Street, between Lytham Street and Portland Street, will be made two way for access and egress purposes for (2b)

5.

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

6.

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

7.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 18th May – 24th June. (2b) 11th – 12th May.

8.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network & Parking Management on 0207 525 2014.

Dated this 30th April 2020 Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 5363/442358 (2b) 5230/438017

22 PUBLIC NOTICES

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday April 30 2020

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (FRIARY ROAD, MORECAMBE STREET)

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (SUMNER ROAD, DAVEY STREET)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

1.

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

1.

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

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload in:

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload in:

(a) Friary Road, 24m from the junction of Bird in Bush Road in a northerly direction to it’s blocked end. (b) Morecambe Street, between Townley Street and East Street 3.

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) not applicable. (2b) Brandon Street, Townley Street.

4.

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

5.

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

6.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 27th – 28th May. (2b) 1st June.

7.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network & Parking Management on 0207 525 2014.

Dated this 30th April 2020

(a) Sumner Road, at it’s junction with Trafalgar Avenue (b) Davey Street, at it’s junction with Sumner Road 3.

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) as indicated by the signs displayed. (2b) not applicable.

4.

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

5.

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

6.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 15th May – 25th July (2b) 25th May – 13 June.

7.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network & Parking Management on 0207 525 2014.

Dated this 30th April 2020 Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager

Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 5270/444344 (2b) 5269/444329

Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 5262/431122 (2b) 5371/431119

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK CONTROLLED PARKING ZONE ‘G’ REVIEW The London Borough of Southwark (Parking places) (CPZ ‘G’) (No. 1) Order 20** The London Borough of Southwark (Doctors’ parking places) (No. *) Order 20** 1. Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that it proposes to make the above orders under sections 6, 45, 46, 49 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2. The effect of the orders, following a review of existing parking controls in controlled parking zone ‘G’, would be:(a) to provide a new consolidated ‘parent’ parking places Order for permit holders’, ‘shared-use’ (permit-holders and pay), ‘shared-use’ (permit-holders and ‘short stay’) and pay parking places with the extended hours of operation being between 8:30 am to 11 pm, including street name changes (i) MARINE STREET which has been changed in parts within zone ‘G’ from Rouel Road, (ii) RAIL SIDINGS ROAD which has been changed in parts within zone ‘G’ from Lindsey Street, and (iii) SUGAR LANE which has been changed in its entirety from John Felton Street; and (b) to define existing parking places for the use of doctor’s permit holders only within a separate traffic Order, taking the opportunity to amend the operational hours to match those set out by the consolidated zone ‘G’ parking Order.

3. For more information about these proposals contact Joanna Redshaw 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 the orders, and a plan of the proposals may be found online at www.southwark.gov.uk/trafficorders, paper copies may be obtained from Highways, Environment and Leisure, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH (by appt. only). 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: the 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 ‘TMO2021-003 parking zone G Review’ by 22 May 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 30 April 2020 Nicky Costin - Parking and Network Management Business Unit Manager, Regulatory Services

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PUBLIC NOTICES 23

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).

SULTRA HOUSE 29-31 PAGES WALK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 4SB (Ref: 20/AP/1120) Demolition of existing buildings and erection of a 9-storey plus basement building comprising flexible workspaces (Use Classes B1, B1a and B1c) at ground to sixth floors, and eight residential dwellings (Use Class C3) at seventh and eighth floors, together with associated public realm improvements, landscaping, private and communal amenity spaces, secure cycle storage facilities and other associated works.

This application represents a departure from strategic policy 10 'Jobs and Businesses' of the Core Strategy (2011) and Saved Policy 1.2 'Strategic and Local Preferred Industrial Locations' of the Southwark Plan (2007) by virtue of proposing to introduce residential and retail accommodation in a preferred industrial location Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ MDEP (Contact: Wing Lau 020 7525 5729) SULTRA HOUSE 29-31 PAGES WALK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 4SB (Ref: 20/AP/1120) Demolition of existing buildings and erection of a 9-storey plus basement building comprising flexible workspaces (Use Classes B1, B1a and B1c) at ground to sixth floors, and eight residential dwellings (Use Class C3) at seventh and eighth floors, together with associated public realm improvements, landscaping, private and communal amenity spaces, secure cycle storage facilities and other associated works.

This application represents a departure from strategic policy 10 'Jobs and Businesses' of the Core Strategy (2011) and Saved Policy 1.2 'Strategic and Local Preferred Industrial Locations' of the Southwark Plan (2007) by

virtue of proposing to introduce residential and retail accommodation in a preferred industrial location Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ MDEP (Contact: Wing Lau 020 7525 5729) 27 COLLEGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7BG (Ref: 20/AP/1155) Reconstruction of a chimney stack to the North Elevation of the main house. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Martin McKay 020 7525 1818) 25 DE CRESPIGNY PARK LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 20/AP/1154) Replace main front door and sidelights with timber door and sidelights (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale ) LAND TO THE REAR OF 18-20 CRUCIFIX LANE LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 20/AP/1019) Outline planning permission (with the matter of appearance reserved) for a temporary period of 5 years for: the construction of a building to be a maximum height of 9.0 metres above ground level, comprising up to 403 square metres of office (Class B1) floorspace Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ (Contact: Patrick Cronin 020 7525 5535) LAND TO THE REAR OF 18-20 CRUCIFIX LANE LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 20/AP/1020) Outline planning permission (with the matter of appearance reserved) for a temporary period of 5 years for: the construction of a building to be a maximum height of 9.0 metres above ground level, comprising up to 403 square metres of

office (Class B1) floorspace Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ (Contact: Patrick Cronin 020 7525 5535) GROUND FLOOR FLAT 15 AUSTRAL STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE11 4SJ (Ref: 20/AP/1069) Replace 3 windows (2 bays) with like for like replacements of white painted wood. (Within: Elliot's Row CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Daniel Cooklin-Smith 020 7525 5471) 6 CANNING CROSS LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8BH (Ref: 20/AP/1170) Part-one/part-two storey rear extension and creation of basement (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Lisa Jordan 020 7525 3463) 20 DENMAN ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 5NP (Ref: 20/AP/1185) Single-storey side infill extension (Within: Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Anthony Roberts 020 7525 5458) THE OLD RECTORY LIVERPOOL GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 2HH (Ref: 20/AP/1190) Erection of garden wall with lean-to greenhouse and conservatory, and refurbishment of stairs down to garden, landscaped terraces along the east elevation, and a new gate/access to the garden from the side of the front entrance.

(Within: Liverpool Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Freya Cunningham ) 11 FLODDEN ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 9LH (Ref: 20/AP/1194)

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Conversion of single dwelling to 5 self contained flats (Within: Camberwell New Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Freya Cunningham ) Dated: 28 Apr 2020 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date.

SIMON BEVAN - Director of Planning

inside

Sport Southwark

TANKS TO THE NHS Full story on page 3

Big-hearted Lions fan’s gift to daughter of Covid-19 victim

By Staff Reporter news@southwarknews.co.uk A big-hearted Millwall fan has stepped in to provide a season ticket to the daughter of a Bristol Rovers fan who tragically died from Coronavirus.

‘MILLWALL SPIRIT WILL SEE US THROUGH’ CEO on club’s support for fans and families, and Chairman’s message

By Staff Reporter news@southwarknews.co.uk Millwall CEO Steve Kavanagh has said the club is working hard to ensure season ticket holders will have free access to live-streamed games – if they go ahead behind closed doors in a bid to complete the season.

In a wide-ranging interview on the club’s website, Kavanagh said compensation was being explored, as well as the free access option, and stressed that he was aware how hard it was for fans. To not have them

at closed games would be ‘a huge miss’ as ‘football is about fans’ he said. But health and safety of players, management and supporters had to come first.

The CEO said he believed it was important for the season to be completed, for the integrity of sport and of the league, and said next season was a huge worry, though it was hard to think that far ahead in the current crisis. He confirmed that the first team players were not on furlough, but on annual leave and following fitness programmes, whilst furloughed staff at the club had been promised 100%

of their wages.

All of the club’s revenue streams had ‘ground to a halt’ he admitted, even retail, as it had been unsafe to keep staff working on this. And unlike Premier League clubs, Millwall’s revenue is almost entirely from tickets and merchandise, rather than TV money. ‘It’s tough’ he admitted, adding that the club was trying to identify new revenue streams.

He also revealed he was speaking to owner John Berylson daily, if not more, and that he had been speaking about getting over from the US if games were to be played. The Chairman

was ‘phenomenal and exceptionally supportive’ he said, adding that his message had been ‘the Millwall spirit will see us through’. And he pledged that the club stood behind the Millwall Community Trust, who had lost vital fundraising events, but continued to work with the local authority and hospitals, and would be much needed coming out of the pandemic.

And he paid tribute to Millwall fans who had passed away from Covid-19 or were seriously ill, pledging to support where possible and acknowledge each and every one when the crisis had passed.

five weeks had been for the club: “During the past five weeks the future of the club has been at risk and all our efforts each day have been spent solving the short-term financial problems without compromising our longterm future. Whilst we will go into more detail later about how we intend to overcome the challenges ahead of us I cannot tell you how moving it has been to find the door is open whenever we have called to discuss our

situation, in particular so far, London Borough of Southwark, Bulb Energy, Crystal Palace FC and our own supporters’ trust.” He said the club had planned for four different scenarios.

Referring to their offer to King’s, he said it had been made ‘due to our proximity to King’s’ whilst the NHS was ‘evaluating what it needs’. The letter does not expand on how exactly the stadium and land might be used or required.

HAMLET CHAIRMAN – FUTURE OF CLUB WAS AT RISK

By Staff Reporter

news@southwarknews.co.uk Dulwich Hamlet have revealed that they have been fighting for survival for the past five weeks since the Coronavirus crisis hit, but have pledged they ‘will survive’ and ‘will be back with our community whenever the time is right for our

sport to restart’.

The club also revealed they had offered their stadium and surrounding land to King’s College Hospital, should they require it..

In a letter to fans, Chairman Ben Clasper confirmed that, following the National League vote, the season was now at an end, and said the decision left the club free to plan for the future.

And he emphasised how difficult the past

Phil Simmons told the club website he had kept an eye on The Gas since buying a ticket for the dramatic Lions win in the west country back in April 2017.

“My family and my beloved Millwall are the two big loves in my life, and I love both unconditionally, and passionately,” Phil explained. “Football is a huge part of my life, probably like every other fan. At Millwall, we have huge respect for the football family, because without rival teams, there would be no football. I have visited Rovers’ stadium with the club on four occasions, and I attended ‘that match’ on 30th April 2017 when Millwall beat Rovers 4-3 with an 85th-minute winner from Shaun Hutchinson to put us into the Play-Offs, through which we then ultimately beat Bradford City 1-0 at Wembley to secure promotion to The Championship.

“I bought a ticket in the home end because our allocation was sold out, but I went in peace and with total respect!”

After receiving an e-mail from the Memorial Stadium, Phil responded and asked if he could purchase a season ticket for a young Rovers fan whose family could not afford it at this moment in time. And when dad Pete Broom sadly passed away from Covid-19, Phil has honoured his word and bought a ticket for his daughter and guardian to attend fixtures next season.

“I was informed by the commercial director of the devastating news that Pete had passed away, but that his daughter - same age as my youngest son - still wanted to come along with her uncle to support her football team. I am not ashamed to say that I shed a few tears on hearing that news, and of course I was delighted to pay for her season ticket, and that of her uncle for next season. I am frankly humbled and feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to help, and I will always be here for the family next season and the season after and so on.

In response to this incredible act of generosity, Bristol Rovers have invited both Phil and his son as guests to a game at the Memorial Stadium once football resumes.

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