7th May 2020

VE DAY Looking back 75 years on History: pages 24-25 Issue 1478

Established: 1987

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May 7 2020

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d-day rerun for 96-year-old len

Elephant & Castle pensioner is raising money for his care home - see what else is going on in lockdown - pages 16-17

southwark’s death toll area by area is revealed

Full story on page 13

Peckham is the worst hit for COVID-19 deaths Lock ‘n’ Roll Right note

interview

Isolated and alone, Fabian struggles to bury his wife

SEE PAGE 8

2 NEWS

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Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

Blood plasma coronavirus treatment is underway

Contents NEWS Pages 2-21

A potential treatment for Covid-19 using plasma from recovered patients is to be trialled by doctors at London’s Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital, writes Kevin Quinn...

OPINION Pages 18-19 arts Page 22 history Pages 24-25 jobs Page 26 PROPERTY Page 27 community notices Page 28

traders to get cash boost as Mp steps in

Public notices Pages 29-30

By Josh Salisbury

SPORT Page 32

Traders at Borough Market have hailed the reversal of a government loophole which means they are now eligible for coronavirus financial aid.

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josh@southwarknews.co.uk

An extra £617m of grants was announced by the government over the weekend to help small businesses struggling with the lockdown.

Previously, those who did not pay business rates – including market traders – were not eligible for the support, leaving some of Borough Market’s best-known

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get cash boosts of up to £25,000.

“I am glad the government have listened to my representation,” he said.

“The original scheme to help businesses was too narrow in scope and excluded Borough Market traders by ommission.

“Its extension is very welcome and I’m pleased to have helped correct the mistake and ensure more support is put in place for our community.”

The Market has seen a drop of 90 per cent in visitor numbers amid the lockdown, although it continues to trade.

Access is limited to 800 customers and social distancing guidelines are in place, it says.

Cemeteries will be closed at short notice

By Katherine Johnston

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk

We are a London Living Wage employer

names facing financial ruin.

The move came following a campaign by Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP, Neil Coyle.

The market’s managing director, Darren Henaghan, said: “Our traders had effectively fallen through the gaps in the floorboard of the government scheme for small businesses and have suffered considerably as a result.

“Thankfully Neil Coyle was alive to the issue and campaigned to get this loophole closed. We are hugely grateful to him.”

Mr Coyle said he was glad the government had reversed its position, which means 120 traders are expected to

Southwark's cemeteries may be closed at short notice during the lockdown to protect people attending funerals.

Due to the number of funerals taking place, Camberwell New Cemetery and Honor Oak Crematorium are only open to visitors on Sundays - but could be closed if funerals take place on those days, too.

Camberwell Old Cemetery and Nunhead Cemetery are open from 8.30am - 9pm throughout May unless services take place.

Honor Oak Recreation ground remains open for people to use.

Councillor Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said: “These are such tough times for those who have recently lost loved ones and cannot grieve for them, or celebrate their lives, in the way they would normally be able to.

"We have to close cemeteries temporarily while funerals are taking place, for the safety of those who need to be shielded from the virus, and also so relatives and friends have the peace to grieve during the funeral.

"However, as anyone who has lost

someone close knows, feelings of grief do not disappear overnight and families still wish to visit the memorials and pay their respects to loved ones.

"Sometimes, this will clash with a funeral happening, and I’m very sorry that we can’t accommodate both at the same time.

"I very much appreciate people’s understanding and cooperation while the immediacy of a funeral takes priority over visiting graves for a short while.

"I hope that things will get easier as we all work to manage this crisis over time, and I extend my heartfelt sympathy to all those who have lost someone.”

The first donations of the plasma have been collected and transfusions will begin in “the coming weeks”, the hospital’s Biomedical Research Centre said in a statement.

It is hoped the potential treatment, known as convalescent plasma, will help patients whose bodies are not producing sufficient antibodies to fight the virus.

The hospital says if the trials prove the treatment to be effective, NHS Blood and Transplant will begin a national programme to deliver up to 10,000 units of convalescent plasma per week to the NHS, enough to treat 5,000 patients each week.

Private hospital opens its doors to NHS

A partnership between the NHS and the private London Bridge Hospital has kept ‘80 per cent’ of urgent, time-critical care going despite the CoVID-19 outbreak, writes Katherine Johnston...

In March the independent health sector announced it would help ease pressure on the NHS and free up beds for Coronavirus patients by transferring high-risk patients into its own hospitals.

London Bridge Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK, has been working with King’s College Hospital and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital to look after patients with complex cancer care and in need of urgent cardiac surgery.

Newsreader praises King’s College Hospital

BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has revealed he was off work for three weeks recovering from suspected coronavirus and praised the staff at King’s College Hospital, writes Kevin Quinn...

At the start of this month, the Welsh newsreader, who lives in Dulwich, announced that he had spent time in the hospital recovering from pneumonia.

Now, writing in Welsh language publication ‘Barn’, the 58-year-old said a doctor who treated him was “totally convinced it was Covid-19” and that he returned to work “having fully understood what the illness was”.

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.

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Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

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NEWS 3

Photos by Tom Leighton

Camberwell Rainbow is a big hit

By Katherine Johnston

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk A rainbow mural is bringing some sunshine to Camberwell during the lockdown.

Hand drawn by 35-year-old electrician Louis Young, using just crayons, it appeared last week in Ada Road and has already become an instagram favourite.

Louis told the News he was inspired to create the piece after his dad, who was in hospital due to a long-term serious lung condition, was discharged home.

“I was driving and walking around and kept seeing all the rainbows people were putting up for the NHS and it just sort of came to me that it would be a great idea to turn a whole street into a giant rainbow,” he said.

After checking with his neighbours he

picked the spot at the end of his own terrace on St Giles Road, where he’s lived for the last six years.

It took a whole day to complete - and a lot of frustration trying to find enough matching crayons.

Since then dozens of passersby have had their photo taken underneath the arc and shared the images online, thanking the NHS. “Lots of people have popped by and stopped under it. For such a simple thing it really does make people from nine to 92-years-old happy.

“I can’t take much credit for it. It’s my first ever bit of artwork and it’s just a Crayon rainbow,” he laughs, “but everyone knows that right now rainbows are about goodness and kindness, and represent the NHS.” Find @thecamberwellrainbow on Instagram

Mural to NHS is super

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk A mural in tribute to NHS workers has been unveiled near to Southwark tube station – of a superhero costume bearing the words ‘NHS’.

The artwork is on Cornwall Road underneath Waterloo East railway station and the location was chosen because of its closeness to St Thomas’ Hospital.

It was completed on Friday by street artist Lionel Stanhope, who observed social distancing rules while painting the piece.

“Network Rail saw a small version of this mural I had done just for myself and gave me the opportunity to do a much bigger version on a wall, to say thank you to all our incredible NHS

staff,” he said.

“The location means I can do the work and can still distance myself so this is really the least I can do.”

Lionel has also painted other murals across south-east London from Brockley, Hither Green and Forest Hill.

It takes the total number of murals unveiled on Network Rail property to more than thirty.

The company’s Eddie Burton works with communities to use public art to improve railway arches and bridges.

He said: “We’re really proud of our job carrying NHS workers to their jobs and our stations at Waterloo, Waterloo East and London Bridge are next to key hospitals in London.

“We hope seeing this gives our health workers a boost as we know what an unbelievable job they have been doing.”

4 NEWS

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Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

cats are being dumped over fears they carry coronavirus

300 flats by millwall

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Plans for more than three hundred homes near The Den were approved this week.

Can you name this little fella?

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Cats are being abandoned by their owners who think the pets are likely to pass on coronavirus, says a Bermondsey rescue centre.

Barbara Black, of London Persian Rescue in Tooley Street, said the centre had received at least ten cats because owners were worried of contracting coronavirus, or which were not given a home over coronavirus fears.

Among them are a white male cat taken to the home on Wednesday last week, she said – who she invited News readers to help name.

“I’ve had one today, I’ve got another one coming tomorrow. I just don’t

know where it’s going to end,” said Ms Black.

“Other rescues are having a bad time as well because of the cats being abandoned. There’s been a massive uptick of calls because people think cats can carry it on.

“People are ignorant of the facts, they just panic and then they do the opposite of what they should do and they put the cats out on the streets.”

While there have been a few confirmed cases of cats getting coronavirus, the symptoms appear to be very mild.

And scientists have advised it is highly unlikely that pets can pass on Covid-19 to humans, with no confirmed cases to date.

However, pet owners should regularly wash their hands when interacting with pets, as they should in normal times.

“We’re advising cat owners not to

worry and to take sensible precautions, as we would advise at any time, such as washing your hands before and after stroking your cat,” said Dr Samantha Gaines of the RSPCA. “Like human hands, pet fur could carry the virus and so it is important to adopt good hygiene when interacting with our pets.”

Ms Black, who has been with the rescue for over forty years, said the cat she received yesterday was shaken by being abandoned. He is aged around six.

“He came to us and he was looking traumatised,” she said. “I do think if this goes on and people aren’t being paid, people will be faced with a choice of whether to feed themselves or their animals.

“When we come to the end of this, there’s going to be a lot of animals on the streets. I think it’s something people should know about.”

The proposed development on the corner of Ilderton Road and Zampa Road in South Bermondsey will see two towers created, separated by a children’s play area.

The first of the buildings will rise up to 28 storeys in parts, while the latter will have a height of up to 13 storeys.

312 homes are to be created, 35 per cent of which are designated ‘affordable’ as well as commercial and retail space.

The bulk of those affordable homes, 25 per cent, are designated as social rent homes, with the remaining being shared ownership.

A report placed before Southwark town hall’s planning committee stated: “In conclusion, the level of affordable housing proposed is a very positive aspect of the proposals.

“The proposed development would make a very positive contribution to the landscape through the creation of a new public children’s open space and high quality landscaping.

“Improvements would also be

provided to the local Ilderton Primary School where the developer has agreed to fund the provision of a green living wall to the Ilderton Road boundary of the school.”

It stated that if approved the pavements surrounding the development would be widened, because of crowds flocking to The Den – noting the “challenging crowd management” sometimes faced by police in dealing with away fans at the ground.

It adds additional security will be provided on match days.

The Club has voiced its support for the scheme in principle.

“Whilst the Club is generally in support of the principle of this application and the wider regeneration of the surrounding area, it is critical to ensure that the Club can continue to thrive in this location,” states the report.

The area immediately surrounding The Den – including the stadium itself – is due to be redeveloped in a scheme promoted by Lewisham Council.

The separate New Bermondsey scheme would see 3,500 new homes, a new Overground station near Surrey Canal Road and a new indoor sports centre.

five post boxes are painted blue for the NHS And the London one is just outside St Thomas’ Hospital

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Royal Mail has unveiled five post boxes painted NHS blue as a tribute to the NHS, including directly outside St Thomas’ Hospital.

All five are painted the distinctive shade of blue used by the health service and say: “Thank you NHS.” The other four post boxes are located close to hospitals in Manchester, Edinburgh, Wales and Belfast.

The locations were chosen to make sure all four UK countries are represented, says Royal Mail, including the spot outside Trafford

General Hospital, which is the birthplace of the NHS. “We are showing our support and thanks to the many NHS workers across the UK who are working tirelessly to help those affected by the coronavirus crisis,” said Shane O’Riordain of the Royal Mail.

“The special blue post boxes are a small token of our thanks for the exceptional service NHS workers are providing across all four UK nations.”

The move comes after a successful campaign by schoolboy Rafferty Collis. The youngster had started a petition for the colour-change inspired by the gold colour change during the 2012 Olympics.

CORONAVIRUS MILLIONS MORE ELIGIBLE FOR TESTS It’s easy to book a test at www.gov.uk/coronavirus if you or anyone in your household has symptoms This applies to: Essential workers Anyone who must leave home for work People over 65

PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION

Coronavirus: Helping each other

Extraordinary kindness The United Kingdom is pulling together as one, with people from all regions and all four nations of the country helping each other through the coronavirus pandemic.

As we all know, we must only leave our homes if we are key workers or cannot work from home, to do essential shopping

and for one period of daily exercise.

By doing this we will all help protect the NHS and save lives.

Despite the absolutely necessary restrictions on our normal lives, people are being encouraged to help neighbours in need where possible. This has led to some amazing acts

of kindness on every street, in every village and town across the country. Communities have never felt stronger. Today, we shine a light on just some of the people from communities across the country to showcase examples of ordinary people doing extraordinarily kind and helpful things.

CASE STUDY GAIL REDMOND

CASE STUDY NEIL MUSGROVE

A CHARITY that supports families has noticed a sharp rise in requests for help due to widespread redundancies.

Gail Redmond of Via Wings’ in the County Down town of Dromore, in Northern Ireland, says the charity normally gives out 85 food bags a month to people in need.

“But last week we gave out 105 already, many of which are going to people who are self-isolating,” she said.

“One guy who contacted me on Friday, said: I have never asked anyone for help like this before.

But I have lost my job and can’t afford to feed my kids right now.’ You could tell that he was absolutely mortified and so humble. So many people have lost their jobs.

“We have told pensioners not to answer their door when we deliver, but one old lady insisted.

We told her she shouldn’t be doing that, but she replied: I just want to say thank you’.

“The older generation are so apologetic when asking for help, they all say:

AN ULTRAMARATHON runner is putting his best foot forward after several running events planned for this year had to be cancelled or postponed.

Last year Neil Musgrove ran seven ultra-marathons and with none looking likely for this year he is running one in his back garden.

He is doing a mile a day in his back garden according to his running watch and is hoping to reach his goal of the 30 mile starting distance for an ultra marathon by the end of April.

For every mile completed, Neil is donating £5 to Leeds Cares and hopes that friends and family will join in with the challenge at their own homes and donate after every mile completed.

He said: “With no ultra-marathons to run I thought I’ll run one of my own. Any experience I’ve had with Leeds Hospitals in the past has been positive, I want to support all of our amazing NHS staff who are currently under huge pressure and working in extremely tough circumstances.

“It is quite a few laps.

All being well this takes me to a 30 mile ultra marathon distance.

Yes it might get a little tedious but I am thinking of it as an ultra with a checkpoint, food and drink at every mile.

“My young niece and nephew have already got involved and I’m hoping to get my own

GAIL REDMOND: ‘Dromore area hit hard by redundancies’.

I’m sorry to bother you’.”

Christian charity Via Wings is offering food deliveries and befriending to anyone who is self-isolating, elderly, vulnerable, an NHS employee, key workers, or those financially impacted by Covid-19.

Volunteers observe social distancing guidelines and food is carefully wiped down before being packed.

Food and toiletry donations can be made

at Eurospar, Supervalu and Vivo in Dromore and Tescos (Boulevard) and Lidl in Banbridge.

Via Wings works with local schools and churches, social workers, care workers and other agencies.

“Working in unity is what our grandparents used to do, and that is what we need to get back to doing, caring for each other,” Gail added.

“There is no ownership, we are just working together.”

Nominate a community hero Do YOU know a volunteer who deserves to be recognised for making a change in their community?

The Prime Minister recognises one person a day with a Point of Light award.

Read more or nominate someone at www.pointsoflight.gov.uk/

MARATHON MAN: Neil Musgrove putting his best foot forward for an ultra marathon in his back garden in Leeds.

PIC COPYRIGHT - NEIL MUSGROVE/SUBMITTED BY LEEDS CARES

kids involved too. I’m sharing the challenge with my colleagues and running club teammates so hopefully lots of us will get involved.

Make it as interesting as you like. I am thinking about obstacles, singing, dancing, whatever. I would love it if people joined in. The only rules are it has to be a minimum of one mile. It has to be fully within your own property boundary. If you don’t have a garden, special dispensation is given to use your street but remember the two metre rule.”

All funds raised through Neil’s challenge will go towards Leeds Cares’ Support Your NHS Hospitals Appeal and provide vital support to frontline staff at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

This includes, paying for care packages, assistance with travel

and accommodation where needed, as well as helping to fund other health and wellbeing initiatives to boost morale across the wards. He set a target of £750 on his JustGiving page and has raised more than £550 already.

Leeds Cares is the official charity partner of Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

The organisation supports NHS staff to deliver the best care for patients and their families, by raising funds for equipment, services, education and research.

Leeds Cares works collaboratively with all of the hospitals across Leeds (including Leeds Cancer Centre, Leeds Children’s Hospital, St James’ University Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary) to identify charitable projects and causes.

WITH THE UK GOVERNMENT

Coronavirus: Helping each other

across our communities CASE STUDY HARRY RAGLESS

CASE STUDY STENHOUSEMUIR FC

A BOY with spina bifida and his father are both doing their bit for the community - but in completely different ways.

Harry Ragless usually spends 80 per cent of his time in a wheelchair due to his condition, which means his spine did not form properly in the womb and he has neurological damage to his legs and back and cannot feel his feet.

But inspired by the efforts of 100-year-old war veteran Captain Tom Moore, which have seen him raise around £30million for the NHS, Harry decided to raise money by walking with his frame and leg supports.

The determined sixyear-old from Oaksheath Gardens in Durrington, near Worthing, has raised £2,400 and rising within days of his parents launching a fundraising page for his efforts - smashing his £100 target.

He said: “I feel really good. I was shocked.”

His proud mother Selina Ragless said: “He has shocked us all.

Because of his condition he tires easily but the other day he walked from our house to Vancouver Road, which is really far for him. We couldn’t believe it.”

As word of his exploits spread, Selina said people were coming out of their homes to applaud Harry, who attends West Park School in Marlborough Road, Goring, when he went out for a walk.

She said: “I feel overwhelmed to be honest. We owe the NHS so much; they have been there for him since he was born and will be there for him for the rest of his life. If we can give something back, that is all we want.”

In fact, Harry’s exploits grabbed the attention of Captain Tom himself - and his

A FOOTBALL club initiative is supporting hundreds of families by delivering school meals to pupils during the coronavirus lockdown.

With the season shut down indefinitely, Stenhousemuir FC set up its community help hotline in mid-March to assist the most vulnerable members of society as the effects of the global pandemic began to take hold.

A 30-strong squad of volunteers was assembled in the first week to carry out everyday tasks like shopping or dog walking for those in isolation or for whom such activities would prove difficult.

Since then, the number of volunteers has hit 80 although extra help remains welcome.

Government guidelines mean the volunteers can leave their homes to help a vulnerable person and, with almost every volunteer already assigned to an individual, more support is likely to be needed in the weeks ahead.

The idea has been well received by those who live in the Stenhousemuir and Larbert areas and beyond, so much so organisers opted to branch out and ease the strain on mums and dads by collecting and distributing school lunches purchased by Larbert High School to youngsters stuck at home.

Pupils from Larbert High and its cluster primaries are benefitting

WALKING TALL: Harry Ragless has raised £2,400 with the help of his father and his walking frame and leg supports.

picture was featured on the Second World War veteran’s Instagram page.

Harry is not the only person in his family who is raising a smile in the community.

By day, his dad Steve is a warehouse manager but during his daily walk, he dons his Stars Wars outfit to bring a bit of fun to the neighbourhood.

The 45-year-old said: “I love it. From my own experience, I remember the first Comic-Con I went to in Birmingham and I saw all these stormtroopers standing outside, and I went into full fanboy mode.”

The opportunity for him to get his own suit arose when a friend was selling theirs.

He said: “When I finally put it on, I just

STAR MAN: Steve in his dramatic outfit.

felt amazing in it. I love seeing the looks and smiles, and people tooting their car horns and waving. It brings a few smiles in these very strange times.”

Selina came up with the idea for him to wear it after they were put in lockdown, and during their walks around the estate Steve has posed for ‘socially-distant’ photos with some of the children who have come out to see him.

In his spare time, Steve has donned the costume to a variety of events, including birthday parties, weddings and charity events.

When the Connaught Cinema has done showings of Star Wars films, Steve has turned up in his gear to raise money for Sussex Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, a charity which has helped Harry.

When asked if there was anything he wanted to say to the people who have donated so far to his campaign, Harry said: “Thank you.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/ fundraising/selinaragless1.

ON THE BALL: Stenhousemuir FC players and coaching staff.

from the move.

On just one day last month, volunteers delivered more than 130 meals to schoolchildren.

Stenny chairman Iain McMenemy, who helped to organise the initiative, said: “We put out a few requests for further volunteers and the response to each has been really encouraging.

“We’re doing one-to-one tasks for people like dog walking and shopping and we’re putting in calls to make sure they’re okay.

“The advice was clear: if you’re going out for your own shopping, if you have to go to work, if you’re going out for one bit of exercise or if you’re helping a vulnerable person you’re able to go out, particularly because some people have got nobody else.

“We have even had members of family from farther afield saying they have a relative in the area and they want to give you a call.

“We’re still looking for volunteers as we’re only in week three and the smart money is probably on this being extended for three months. We’ve also expanded out to do school meal deliveries for

a number of the schools.

Carron Bathrooms got in touch and offered two vans so we now have three. On top of that, we’re doing deliveries for Falkirk Foodbank.”

Though Stenny officials admitted concerns over the impact COVID-19 would have on the club itself, their focus has always been on the “health and well-being” of the community.

When the community help initiative was first announced, Mr McMenemy wrote in a statement: “With the continuing spread of the coronavirus, Scottish football faces an uncertain future.

“It is quite clear that there will be a significant impact on football operations and finances and Stenhousemuir Football Club will no doubt be affected by this.

“However, there are other, more important matters to think about.

The coronavirus is a very serious disease that will affect thousands within our communities.

“The health and well-being of friends, neighbours and members of our community should be our top priority.”

HOME ADVANTAGE: Stenhousemuir players brought food directly to people’s houses.

8 NEWS

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Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

isolated and alone, Fabian struggles to bury his wife

By Katherine Johnston

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk The husband of a woman who lost her life to suspected COVID-19 after being ‘refused hospital treatment’ by paramedics has described the living hell of being trapped inside the home where she died - and the struggle to pay for her funeral.

A wellwisher has set up a fundraising page to help cover the funeral costs for the late mother-of-three, Kayla Williams, who died at just 36.

Kayla had been unwell for days with a temperature, cough and stomach pains when she was told she was not an urgent enough case for hospital treatment.

Her bereaved husband, Fabian, had called 999 on Friday, March 20 after she rapidly deteriorated - telling the sole paramedic who arrived that she desperately needed help.

She was advised to rest up and take paracetamol.

The next day her distraught husband found her lifeless in the living room.

"On Friday I got up during the night and I kept watching her. On Saturday morning she was so weak she couldn't move.

"Later I took her to the bathroom, I put her in the bath and brought her back after, and kept checking on her. I slept for about 20 minutes and when I looked in on her she had died."

Although neither were tested for COVID-19, medics arrived in full hazmat suits and her medical notes are reported to have listed COVID-19 as the suspected cause of her symptoms.

At the time of her death the London Ambulance Service issued the following statement: “We were called at 8.32am on Friday, March 20, to reports of a person unwell at an address in Peckham.

"Our clinicians treated a patient and advised them to call back if their condition changed.

“We were called the following day at 3.24pm and sent a number of resources, with our first medics arriving in under seven minutes.

"Sadly, the patient had died. Our sympathy is with the family at this time.

“We are working incredibly hard in these unprecedented times to look after Londoners.”

Fabian, who is diabetic and takes both insulin and tablets to manage his condition, has spent the last six weeks unable to leave the home they shared in Elmington Estate after falling ill with the same symptoms as his late wife.

He has now physically recovered, but has been left struggling to make the funeral arrangements. He is devastated that he may not be able to afford a burial.

Although still being paid for his work as a council refuse collector, he is not on full-pay.

He is also particularly vulnerable due to COVID-19 due to diabetes and has

I feel so let down.

I have lived in London for 26 years and worked so hard and pay my taxes. If they had taken her to hospital I know she would be living today. been advised to continue to self-isolate, leaving him grieving completely alone.

"I'm only able to sleep for 20 minutes at a time. It is not a reality to me that she is gone," he says.

"In my mind when I wake up it's like she's coming back.

"It is a living nightmare. For three weeks after she died I was ill and could not leave the house.

"I was sick and could not eat. I could not taste anything.

"I am still trying to find the courage to exercise, to get food, but I have now been trapped here for six weeks.

"People won't even come in because they are worried about catching it, even though I have recovered and I have disinfected the house.

"I feel so let down. I have lived in London for 26 years and worked so hard and pay my taxes. If they had taken her to hospital I know she would be living today."

Kayla and Fabian had lived in the home - temporary accommodation - for a year after she moved from Jamaica to be with him. They married in 2017.

"She was a nice, loving person, everyone loved her," he says.

"She was a hair stylist in Brixton, a very good hair stylist. She loved living here in London. We liked cooking together and going out for meals, and went to church together. Because we were saving up for the kids we hadn't been on our honeymoon yet but wanted to go to Paris."

When she became unwell, her youngest daughter, aged 10, (pictured above with Fabian) had just travelled from Jamaica to move in with the couple. They had been reunited for less than a week when Kayla died.

She is now staying with a family member who has other children and she speaks to her step-dad every day.

Fabian has been told a cremation could cost anywhere from five thousand pounds or more, but says Kayla would have wanted a burial.

Only ten people will be able to attend due to restrictions on gatherings during the lockdown, meaning relatives or family in Jamaica cannot attend.

Rachel Steed-Middleton created the fundraising page after reading Kayla's harrowing story and managing to contact Fabian to offer support.

They have set a £12,000 target. After just one day £621 has already been raised.

"I am so grateful for anything anyone gives, even just a pound lifts me up," Fabian told the News.

"To know that people may help me is a huge weight off my shoulders."

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/kaylawilliamspeckham

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Photo by Charlotte Hudson

nearly £37,000 raised for Maudsley charity

NEWS 9

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Nearly £37,000 has been raised for the Maudsley Charity's emergency COVID-19 appeal to support frontline mental health staff and their patients across south London - including paying for basic mobile phones for patients without contracts.

The appeal, which has featured prominently in the News online and in print, has also seen hand sanitiser, moisturiser and other personal care items donated to NHS staff.

In a statement sent to this paper on Tuesday, the charity's team said a fantastic £36,821.96 had been raised so far: "The Maudsley Charity would like to say a huge thank you to the members of the local community for supporting our COVID-19 fundraising appeal.

"It's allowed us to respond quickly to the impact of COVID-19 on mental health services across South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

"We have been able to purchase hundreds of basic mobile phones for patients in the community, currently facing social isolation, who have no access to technology, so they can keep in touch with their clinical team and have access to a 24 hour helpline.

"We have provided activity packs with games and crafts materials for people on the hospital wards, as well as isolated members of the community, to have something enjoyable and relaxing to do during the day.

"We've also purchased tablets for hospital inpatients who are unable to receive visitors so they can keep in touch with loved ones during these uncertain times." www.maudsleycharity.org

Making old friends and new

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Link Age Southwark, a charity that befriends volunteers with older people in the borough, has helped a third more senior citizens since the lockdown began.

Although it has had to change the way it works due to the pandemic and risk to OAPs and clinically residents, the organisation - which has helped older people at risk of loneliness and isolation for 27 years - is now busier then ever.

One lady, Mary, who was recently put in touch with a new friend, contacted the team to tell them what a difference her phone calls had made during the lockdown.

Describing her new pal as “absolutely wonderful”, Mary said: “She is 26 and I am 95 and it is as if there is no age difference in our interests. We have planned to meet in Lordship Lane when all this is over.”

The charity now has more than 450 volunteers supporting 650 older people

with regular phone calls and online meetups.

Link Age Southwark's director, Sophie Wellings said: “As a trusted local charity, we are proud and happy to be able to respond to the need in the local community.

“We are fantastically supported by the local community who have once again come forward to volunteer for which we are extremely grateful.

“The charity is facing challenges financially due to having to cancel all of our community fundraising events but we are adapting and switching to virtual fundraisers including a pub quiz and online auction.”

The online auction is now open for bids until 7:30pm on Sunday 17 May. Prizes include a three night break in a private holiday home on the north Norfolk Coast, an Indian food cooking class and a Thank You NHS LED neon sign.

Visit https://givergy.uk/ linkagesouthwark for more information.

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10 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

theatre students make do and mend

Watch the video

nline

A screenshot of Wait being performed and recorded by 18 Mountview postgrads living around the world

Peckham’s Mountview perform in the lockdown

Scrubs being made for hospital staff

southwarknews.co.uk

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Mountview staff and students are putting their performing arts and costume-making skills to good use during the COVID-19 crisis while the Peckham-based school is closed.

First year Musical Theatre student Elspeth Day-Collins is now working on the NHS frontline as a ward helper at St Mary’s Hospital.

She helps with easier tasks, to allow nurses to focus on the most important jobs, including caring for COVID-19 patients. “This is totally new work for me,” she says, “As someone who is less vulnerable to COVID, I wanted to do my part and help out where I could during this pandemic.

“Because hospitals aren’t allowing visitors, one of the best parts has been helping older patients to connect with their families over FaceTime.”

Amid ongoing PPE shortages, Mountview’s costume department has stepped in to turn its hand to making gowns.

Kate and Megan are sewing scrubs for the surgeries and medical centres in the Bromley area, and working to build a relationship with their local hospital to start supplying them too.

Costume supervisor Katie Higgins has been sewing supplies for her local hospital in Kent, and also for the English National Opera Scrubs Team, who are coordinating a response to supply four central London hsospitals including King’s.

Meanwhile, MA Creative Producing student Lote Pupola and her housemates have been making visors.

“We worked together with Light Initiative, an events company my housemate works for, and got hold of a 3D printer to start printing visors,” Lote explains.

“My housemate's sister is an NHS

nurse and we deliver the visors to her and others to distribute amongst their colleagues.

“We’ve done it all without any infrastructure or support, but it has gone well so far - we have helped Light Initiative in making and distributing over 1000 visors in the past two weeks.”

Other Mountview students have been using their drama and theatre skills to keep spirits up.

“I used to be a children’s entertainer,” says Georgia Mann, first year Musical Theatre student, “so I thought that doing a Facebook Live Video dressed

as Moana might lift someone’s spirits.

“I did a singalong of lots of Disney fan favourites and it got a great response. It was really lovely to see that something so simple brought a lot of smiles and cheerfulness in this challenging time.”

Mountview teachers have also been expanding their reach. Meredith Dufton, Joint Head of Movement, has been teaching a Chi Kung exercise class to her street.

“People come out to the front of their houses to do it and we all socially distance,” she says.

“The people who attend are aged from seven to 92 and I try and use

material that everyone can do, more or less! It’s been a huge success and great for stopping people feeling isolated.

“I think it has been one of the things to cement the sense of community in our street as when the class is over everyone has a bit of a chat from a distance and we see how everyone is.”

And, for those who could do with some online entertainment, eighteen Mountview’s postgrads community wrote and recorded new song ‘Wait’, while in lockdown in eight countries around the world.

Watch ‘Wait’ here: https://tinyurl.com/ yamoauww

, s r e k r o w y e K . u o y k n a h t we

Millions of you are helping to keep our country moving and we thank you for it.

We’re key workers supporting key workers.

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 13

data shows that at least 157 locals have died of coronavirus

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk At least 157 people have died from coronavirus in Southwark, according to data released by the Office of National Satistics (ONS), which lays bare how the virus has affected our borough.

The death toll, which covers the period from March 1 to April 17, is slightly higher as a proportion of the population than neighbouring Lambeth or Lewisham, at 108 deaths per 100,000 people.

But it is dwarfed by some of the capital’s most deprived areas, such as Newham, which has the highest rate in the capital at 144.3 deaths per 100,000 population.

The virus has been involved in around four out of ten of all deaths across the capital since the start of

March, according to the department’s statisticians.

In a further breakdown of the data, analysts at the ONS broke down the borough into 33 areas, called ‘Middle Super Output Areas’.

The highest numbers of virus deaths have been recorded around Queen’s Road Peckham, with fifteen recorded Covid-related deaths, Surrey Quays and parts of Rotherhithe, (13) and London Bridge and West Bermondsey (11).

Only one area logged in Southwark has recorded no deaths up to April 17 from coronavirus: the area surrounding Southwark Street and Borough.

A number of areas have recorded one single death for the time period that the data covers, including what is designated by the census as Bermondsey North and Bermondsey East.

Analysts believe that the rate of coronavirus deaths is closely correlated

with deprived areas, with those which are deprived experiencing double the fatalities compared to wealthy neighbourhoods.

“People living in more deprived areas have experienced COVID-19 mortality rates more than double those living in less deprived areas,” said Nick Stipe, head of health analysis at the ONS. “General mortality rates are normally higher in more deprived areas, but so far COVID-19 appears to be taking them higher still.”

Separate data from the agency also reveals that of those who died in Southwark, the majority sadly passed away in hospitals.

At least 112 people have passed away in hospital, while 31 are recorded to have passed away in a care home.

Meanwhile ten residents are listed as having passed away from Covid-19 in their own home.

Area breakdown shows clear link with deprivation 2

Rotherhithe

4 3

Borough & Southwark Street Bermondsey North

1

Bermondsey East

13

4

London Bridge & Bermondsey West

11

Canada Water

13 2

5

South Bermondsey East

7 6

Walworth North

13

4

10

South Bermondsey West

7 2

12

4

Burgess Park

7

Walworth South

3

10

7

Burgess Park West & John Ruskin Street 1

11

Peckham Park Road

4

8

Peckham North West

9

Camberwell North

10

Camberwell Green

2

19 12

10

Peckham North

8

12

Queens Road Peckham

15

Camberwell South

6

Peckham Rye

6

Nunhead North

3

North Dulwich

3

Southwark St George's

9 8

1

7 4

1

Dulwich Hill Sydenham Hill

11

5 6

East Dulwich Herne Hill & Dulwich Park

28

9

Peckham Rye Common Nunhead South & Newlands

16

4

South Bermondsey Central

Kennington East

josh@southwarknews.co.uk

13

Surrey Quays Elephant & Castle

By Josh Salisbury

25

3

7 5

3

5

1

CORONAVIRUS DEATHS

8 7

10

ALL DEATHS

Family man suddenly dies of heart attack

Tributes have been paid to a ‘smiley and bubbly’ Bermondsey man who sadly died of a sudden pulmonary ebolism, leaving his fiancee and seven-year-old daughter devastated.

Easton Jr Shagourie Gayle - known as JR to friends - sadly passed away on April 12, aged only 35.

JR, who worked as a frontline worker in Victoria Station, is remembered by his loved ones as a “big friendly giant,” who loved playing darts and following Arsenal and West Ham in football.

“He would get along with anybody, he always had a smile from ear to ear,” his fiancee, Lisa Burgess said.

“JR was just a bubbly guy, he had so many friends both sides of the river. He was such a good father to our daughter, Nevaeh.

“He was just happy all the time, he was never in an argument with anybody, everybody loved being around him.”

The eldest of four, JR was born in West Ham before moving to Bermondsey for work where he met Lisa.

They had been working in childcare together, before his career took a separate path. “We were both in child care, we got on so well and then we got together - that was nearly ten years ago,” says Lisa.

JR popped the question on February 13 last year - it would have been Valentine’s Day, but their schedules didn’t allow it, Lisa laughed.

Arrangements for the wedding had not yet been made, his loving fiancee tells the News.

“Because we’re young, you just think, ‘We’ve got our whole life, so that can come later,’” she says.

Tragically, before the big day could arrive, JR fell ill suddenly. “It was so shocking. He had an embolism and contracted pneumonia which put JR into cardiac arrest,” says Lisa. “He’d

been complaining of back pain from the chairs at work, but he was so laid back he would never say if he was in pain.”

JR had been working until he was taken ill as a Security guard at Victoria station.

“The hospital were really good, they did everything they could, they gave him all the support they could,” adds Lisa.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, only ten people were allowed at JR’s funeral on May 1st.

Under normal circumstances, the room would have been packed out for the popular 35-year-old says Lisa.

In place of flowers, a GoFundMe was set up by JR’s friend, Dibi Olopoenia, in her pal’s memory, with the funds being placed in a trust for Nevaeh’s future.

An initial target of £500 has been smashed in the popular man’s memory, hitting nearly £2,700 to date.

“Losing JR has broken our hearts into a million pieces,” states the page, written

by Dibi.

“We wake up hoping that it’s a nightmare that just isn’t real. Sadly, we are now facing a reality without our beloved JR. It still feels so surreal.”

The outpouring of love for JR has overwhelmed Lisa and JR’s mum.“He had a lot of friends out there who’ve supported him and loved him,” she says.

The GoFundMe page can be found by visiting https://www.gofundme. com/f/jr-memorial.

How to get help

help for vulnerable

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

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.

Essential Information

Southwark Group of Tenants Organisation

STGO continues to support TRAs across the borough by mass printing flyers, partnering the council and mutual aid groups to do welfare calls and deliver food, and with dedicated financial and practical advice including via translators.

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.

Call 0207 639 6718 email info@sgto.co.uk.

Visit www.sgto.co.uk or follow @sgtoonline on Twitter.

Surrey Quays Mutual Aid Surrey Quays Mutual Aid can help with shopping, medicines, posting mail, dog walking and any other tasks selfisolating people are struggling with.

Call 020 3322 3973 or email surreydocksmutualaid@gmail.com

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

fooD

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

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

16 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

southwark in the lockdown

96-year-old Len to recreate his d-day landing journey to raise funds for his care home

A 96-year-old Normandy veteran is recreating his journey across the channel on a static bike to raise funds for his care home during the COVID-19 crisis, writes Katherine Johnston...

Len Gibbon, originally from Elephant and Castle, is fundraising for Care for Veterans, which provides accommodation for disabled veterans and their families at its home in Sussex.

He aims to complete the 104 mile challenge by June 6 - the 76th

anniversary of the Normandy landings.

Friday also marks the 75th anniversary of VE day.

The charity relies on donations, but many of its events have been cancelled during the pandemic and it receives no government funding.

Len enrolled in the Royal Army Service Corps as a despatch rider when he was 20. In June 1944 he was posted to France just four days after getting married.

He was based in Normandy until the end of the invasion and went on to

serve in Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands, before seeing out the end of the conflict in Germany.

He said: “Although I’m 96, I still like to be doing something. I like to have a dance at the concerts they have sometimes. I have physio as well, which I really enjoy.

“I'm doing this challenge to help raise money for Care for Veterans because it's a wonderful place. It's going really well so far, hopefully I'll finish on time!" www.justgiving.com/campaign/lens-dday-challenge

not alone with help of sierra leone Sierra Leoneans in Southwark have set up a rapid response team to help their community during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Southwark has the UK's largest populations of people from Sierra Leone, including elderly people who live alone and young families lacking support networks and without other relatives in the UK. Since March 16 the group of volunteers, who include Bermondsey-based DJ and NHS worker Abdul Wahab Seisay, and lead coordinator Isatta Sisay-Jalloh, have received requests to help 90 people from the Sierra Leonean diaspora

with basic essentials including hot meals and collecting prescriptions. Seventy of them are based in Southwark.

Among those supported are an 82-yearold lady currently living with and caring for her fourteen year old autistic grandson in Camberwell, a woman in her 50s who recently had heart surgery, a family in isolation after the father was hospitalised with confirmed COVID-19, and a woman and her eight-yearold son who has chronic asthma and sickle cell anaemia.

Contact the Sierra Leone UK/I COVID-19 Rapid Response Team on 077 270 20 301.

pupils keep positive

On week six of the lockdown, Brunswick Park Primary is still open for children whose parents are keyworkers.

Pupils are missing their friends though. As well as thanking the NHS and other frontline workers, they’ve put up this sweet message outside the school on Picton Street.

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

elvis on tour!

Nunhead’s Elvis was so delighted to appear in last week’s Southwark News that he’s been taking his copy on tour.

The Lock ‘n’ Roll King has been entertaining residents from Buchan Road TRA every Thursday during Clap for Carers.

He’s now taking requests and collecting for Nunhead Knocks - with all funds going directly to the community group’s support for vulnerable people during the COVID-19 crisis. Last week he was performing in nearby Gordon Road and raised £89.45.

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 17

a printing production line in se15 living room A Peckham-based artist has raised £3,000 for the Maudsley Charity by selling homemade ‘Stay Home’ prints.

Bryony Chaundy said the project started ‘by accident’ after she struggled to adjust to life after being furloughed. The funds are now helping the charity support frontline staff during the pandemic.

“I was looking for something, anything, to do to keep busy,” she says. “I cut the first stencil out of paper while Boris Johnson announced the lockdown (‘you must stay home’) and posted it on Instagram for fun.

“Then people got in touch to say they’d buy one and it spiralled from there. Now I have a production line in my living room!

“It’s been upsetting to learn that staff at the Maudsley Hospital and King’s College Hospital are facing their own mental health challenges dealing with the pandemic.

“Given that my own mental health was a bit shaky in the first weeks of COVID-19, I knew what sort of charity I wanted to benefit from the sales.”

Visit Bryony’s instagram page to buy a print: @bryonychaundy or, to support the Maudsley Charity, visit maudsleycharity.org

Singing and moving around the elephant a Disability Sports Coach and Elephant and Castle’s Community Choir are now holding online sessions through the Elephant and Castle online hub.

Disability Sports Coach’s sessions go live on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30-4:00pm.

The choir sings on Wednesdays at 6.30 to 7.30pm - all from their living rooms.

They add to a jam-packed schedule of dance and exercises classes for all ages and abilities, and kids activities.

For more information on how to join, visit the Facebook page @whatsonatelephant or www.communityhubse1.co.uk

sydenham sets up emergency hotline

Sydenham Hill TRA set up their own emergency hotline for residents and are one of the TRAs who carried out a huge printing run and leaflet drop in their neighbourhood before the full lockdown began.

The TRA has also been in touch with supermarkets locally to make sure residents are getting the food they need, as well as helping with Universal Credit applications, rent arrears and other practical and financial support.

The estate has also been sharing messages of support for essential workers and providing plenty of activities for young people to enjoy.

marathon effort in camberwell

Although the London Marathon was cancelled, that didn’t stop keen runners from finding their own way to work out for a good cause.

Thirteen households from Camberwell ran the equivalent of the London Marathon around their square to raise funds for St Giles’ Food Bank on

Sunday, April 26.

Each family had to complete 50 laps around Vestry Mews in their designated time slot to make up 639 laps in total. In under 24-hours they raised £1,500 - and have now surpassed £3,000. www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/vestry-mews

18 OPINION

www.southwarknews.co.uk/letters

Comment from

Westminster

helen hayes

MP for Dulwich & West Norwood

Warm words are no use if you are struggling to pay your rent

I

’d like to start this column by again thanking all of the key workers who continue to do an exceptional job during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Working so hard, and in such difficult circumstances would be challenging for a short period of time, but after so many weeks it is utterly gruelling.

When we are out on our doorsteps every Thursday clapping for the carers we are thinking of every one of you. Thank you on behalf of everyone in Dulwich and West Norwood constituency, we are so grateful for all that you are doing.

In my constituency staff at King’s College Hospital have been going above and beyond the call of duty to care for patients with coronavirus and the many other patients who need medical assistance at this time. Operating theatres have been repurposed to provide extra intensive care beds, staff have been redeployed from their normal roles and so many people have worked extra hours to provide the very best care that they can.

Care workers too have had to adapt so that both staff and residents can stay as safe as possible, working to keep residents in touch with their relatives by phones or laptops now that visiting in person isn’t possible, and they have often experienced particularly difficult challenges accessing PPE and other resources.

The weekly Clap for Key Workers at 8pm on Thursdays is a moving and important moment to come

together with our neighbours and express our gratitude, but every key worker deserves much more than our thanks. They must be given the vital Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that they need. The right equipment every time, for every keyworker – no ifs, no buts and no excuses from the government. No health or social care worker should have to work without the right PPE, and nor should they have to work with the anxiety that supplies are running low.

Key workers also need easy access to testing for both themselves and for every person they care for. There have been big problems with the availability of testing, with tests only available in locations which are accessible by car, leading to a situation in a home where one of my constituents works where only one frontline carer in the whole home had been able to get themselves tested.

Finally every keyworker needs to be paid a wage that fully reflects how much we value the essential work that they do.

Warm words are no use if you are struggling to pay the rent and put food on the table.

All key workers need a proper living wage, not just the hollow opportunity to purchase a badge. When we are through this difficult time, there can be no return to business as usual.

Coronavirus has shown us clearly and often tragically what we value the most, and we must make sure that these become our priorities for the future.

All key workers need a proper living wage, not just the hollow opportunity to purchase a badge.

When we through this difficult time, there can be no return to business as usual

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

READERS’ VIEWS ‘Give TfL funding so we can get Bakerloo Line extension,’ demand Southwark and Lewisham politicians I guarantee even in the next 10 years they still haven’t agreed on funding.

This promise has been going on for years and years - people need the service now - not in 50 years’ time.

Tom, via the SN website

Plans for 300 flats by Millwall FC’s ground set to be approved Affordable! The average ‘affordable’ rent in Bermondsey is about £1400 a month. More cleansing of the working class by Southwark Council.

John Davies, via the SN website

Coronavirus: Jeremy Corbyn’s brother ‘leads’ anti-lockdown protest in Glastonbury

raised points about how the closure of cancer diagnostic services is threatening many more lives than COVID-19 ever could, if people’s cancers go undiagnosed they may become untreatable before they can be detected.

We can’t live in fear forever, we need to get used to the idea that for the good year or more it will take before we have a vaccine ready, COVID-19 is a small risk we will just have to live with.

James, via SN website

Southwark Green: Cyclists reclaim the street There’s a lot of cyclists that ride on the pavement, with no thought for pedestrians. It’s about time some kind of insurance was brought into place for cyclists!

Karen Walker

Neighbours of Coronavirus victim Terry Coakley paint a mural for him on their estate as his father creates a garden memorial

Letter to the editor: Clipper pub development is much improved I write with reference to your article dated March 16 2020, (“Clipper Flats Approved”). As the developer of the clipper site, I am delighted that both Southwark planning officers and Planning Sub Committee

A recognised the benefits of our revised scheme that will not only bring a vacant site back into use but improve on the 2017 consent creating better quality accommodation and more viable commercial space at ground floor.

I always thought we could improve on the 2017 consent. My original brief to the design team was to improve the building’s relationship with neighbouring properties, improve the quality of accommodation and enhance the commercial offering. These objectives have been skilfully achieved by sinking elements of the rear elevation facing Timbrell Place, adding a planted green wall instead of a blank facade, lowering of height by one metre, and the addition of six large windows giving each apartment its own double-height space overlooking the park. I look forward to delivering this long overdue development as soon as possible.

Yours faithfully, Ed Moon London Designer Developments

Letter to the editor: Mark 75th anniversary of VE Day by supporting Armed Forces charity Words fail me. Wish they’d fail him.

On Friday 8 May, this country will come together to celebrate VE Day 75 and remember the end of the Second World War in Europe after a six year conflict.SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, is asking people to mark this pivotal moment in history.

Simon Lydiard, via Twitter

WTF. Criminally negligent. Lives in Walworth and is travelling 139 miles to Somerset.

Dean A Chandler, via Facebook

If anyone listens to him they will be as mad as him. He is nothing but a troublemaker. He should be pitied - he can’t help it.

It is estimated that more than 12,000 metric tons of bombs were dropped on London and nearly 30,000 civilians were killed by enemy action during the Blitz.

Diane Tescher, via Facebook.

Seems that Corbyn’s brother mostly knows what he is talking about. While COVID-19 is a very unpleasant virus it is only fatal in a tiny proportion of cases, and is scarcely a threat to anyone under the age of 45. The lockdown on the other hand is a dangerous attack on civil rights dating back to magna carta, a critical danger to local and national businesses, and causing a severe reduction in quality of life for everyone of every age.

If you look at the official ONS statistics for the last several weeks you see a noticeable rise in deaths where COVID-19 causes some to slip away before their time, but also a rise in deaths from all the other causes. Fear is keeping people with serious non-coronavirus illnesses away from hospitals and economic peril, difficulty in getting food, reduced exercise, mental health difficulties and the lack of “elective” surgery is leading to more harm.

A number of cancer charities have

We miss you so much Terry Coakley, gone but never forgotten.

Will always be remembered.

Caroline Paolillo

Nearly 200 reports of anti-social behaviour made to Southwark Council by frustrated neighbours There’s a lot of idiots about unfortunately, with the amount of teens meeting up in groups every day you wouldn’t think there was a lockdown.

Katie Louise

Following VE Day and as the victory celebrations subsided, SSAFA’s then Chairman, Air Vice-Marshal Sir Norman McEwen, made a wireless appeal on Sunday 13 May 1945. He asked the people of the United Kingdom to remember that, for many of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and their families, even though the War had ended, their personal battles had not and, in some cases, were just starting. For those who serve this Nation in any conflict, his words remain as true today as they were then.

SSAFA has been supporting military personnel, veterans and their families for over 135 years. Please help us to continue to provide invaluable emotional and practical support to anyone in need, particularly by generously contributing to our work. To donate to SSAFA’s Emergency Response Fund, head to ssaf.as/vedonate or text 75VEDay 5 to 70085 to donate £5. This costs £5 plus a standard rate message.

With my heartfelt thanks, Sir Andrew Gregory CEO at SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

B

www.southwarknews.co.uk/letters

OPINION 19

What is behind the death toll data? ehind every coronavirus death statistic is a heart-breaking tragedy. A life lost; a family torn apart. They cannot tell the full picture of the devastation being wreaked in

our communities here in Southwark. Nor can they tell us of the lives of those who have sadly passed away.

It is for this reason we have appealed to our readers to help us pay our respects to those who have died in Southwark by contacting us.

While there is much the data we report this week from the ONS cannot tell us, it does throw into sharp focus that some areas are facing the brunt of this evil disease more than most.

And it is important to mark that - for when recovery comes, if that is the right word, it will be these places in our borough which need to be first in line for whatever support comes from the authorities.

This is especially true of Peckham. The data shows that Peckham has been the hardest hit by coronavirus deaths in Southwark, fifteen of which are recorded in the area surrounding Queen’s Road.

Parts of Surrey Quays and Rotherhithe, are also particularly hard hit, as is London Bridge and West Bermondsey.

These are not just numbers. Among those to have lost their lives to Covid-19 in Southwark is Kayla Williams, a mother-of-three from Peckham.

Heartbreakingly, her husband this week tells this paper of his anguish - made all the worse by the fact he may be unable to afford to bury his wife.

Why should these areas be bearing the brunt of the borough’s coronavirus fatalities? Analysts believe black and minority ethnic communities (BAME) are heavily affected.

Deprivation, too, closely correlates with those areas seeing the highest number of people pass away. The most deprived areas are seeing more than double the deaths of the most well-to-do areas.

Multigenerational living may also have an impact, believe town hall leaders, as the elderly who are at more serious risk come into closer contact with their younger relatives, who may be vectors of the virus.

Separately, data shows where those who have lost their lives did so. The majority passed away in hospital.

But at least 31 residents have passed away in a care home. We have, as a paper, raised the alarm of those in homes for many weeks.

This is yet another tragic reminder why social care cannot be ignored by the government, as it has been for too long.

“The lack of PPE in care homes has been nothing short of a national scandal,” said Cllr Jasmine Ali as the News went to press this week. She is completely correct.

This data should serve to highlight three things. First, as we have said previously, that the ‘Cinderella profession’ of carers should be given the respect it deserves.

Second, that while we are all in this pandemic together, the truth is that some areas are more in it than others.

And third, that behind every number is a real human tragedy - one we must not be allowed to forget.

SOUTHWARK NEWS DIARIST

What the Dickens?

Magical bones Away from coronavirus, a Peckham local is wowing the nation with his mind-bending tricks on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.

Richard Eissen, aka Magical Bones, stunned the judges and the audience on the popular talent show with his magic tricks this week.

He teleported himself across the room into a brand new outfit, after putting one woman in a box with swords for another to appear.

It’s not the first time he has appeared on our screens. Prior to Britain’s Got Talent, he also took part in the TV series Around The World In 80 Tricks, which was watched in more than 60 million homes globally.

He has a sold-out Edinburgh Fringe tour of his magical tricks, during which time he has impressed celebs like Richard Branson, The Jacksons and Gaby Roslin.

And if that were not enough, he has also breakdanced with A-listers like Madonna and Alicia

Magical Bones

Keys.

Could this SE15 magician pull off the ultimate trick and win TV’s biggest talent show? Watch this space.

Dr Salter’s mask

Inadequate supplies of PPE during this pandemic has been a serious problem.

But the borough’s most famous doctor has access at least.

Locals have given Dr Alfred Salter in Rotherhithe a makeover for the times, by giving him a facemask.

He might not be getting the most use out of it though - as he is a statue. It was placed there in the former MP’s memory, before being stolen for the value of its bronze.

It was replaced in 2014. But in these times, it might prove that the mask is a more valuable commodity that gets stolen, rather than the statue’s metal.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE Clues Across

4 Investigated professional plot (6) 8 Stayed the course and finished round the old city (7) 10 Knowledgeable after the finish that’s the position (7) 11 It’s no joke getting behind at sea (5) 12 Mr Wood, senior, we presume? (5) 13 Getting a rise? (9) 16 Was Robin Hood so bandy, then? (3 6) 19 What’s the wild dog doing? (5) 20 Where one is expected to take steps (5) 22 Classical welcome to the right communist is declared (7) 23 Stumped on the golf course (7) 24 Unruly sets I’d stop (6)

Clues Down

1 Praise about a former country (6) 2 Lied about being out of work (4) 3 They provide a firm basis for pressing matters (7,6) 5 Holidays somehow delayed Rolls Royce test (3 6,4) 6 Fifty in the band are dazzling (8) 7 Dry out the organ dull (6) 9 She could be an ideal girl (5) 14 Risks about a pound in church (8) 15 He somehow drew with the District Attorney (6) 17 Presumably you don’t mind if they are cross (5) 18 Is in awe of many mad dares (6) 21 It can take a hammering (4)

QUICK PUZZLE Clues Across

4 Photographer’s apparatus (6) 8 Claws (7) 10 Sinews (7) 11 Disturb (5) 12 Bottles (5) 13 Scent (9) 16 Helper (9) 19 Equipment (5) 20 Gum (5) 22 Sinister (7) 23 Paying attention (7) 24 Most vile (6)

Clues Down

1 Overwhelm (6) 2 Watering places (4) 3 Disturbances (13) 5 Annual commemorations (13) 6 Extreme selfishness (8) 7 Estimate (6) 9 Back (5) 14 Water sports (8) 15 Self possession (6) 17 Rip (5) 18 Muddle (6) 21 Non alcoholic (4)

Solutions to last week’s crossword Cryptic Across

across: 1 Excuse 7 Funeral 8 Tastier 9 Miser 10 Arrogance 12 Nil 13 Onus 15 Leghorn 17 Sods 19 Ale 21 Clergyman 22 Sisal 23 Vainest 24 Baggage 25 Denser DOWN: 1 Extracts 2 Casern 3 Shingle 4 Gnome 5 Prison 6 Slur 7 French leave 11 Oils 13 Only 14 Spinster 16 Ragtime 18 Design 20 Embers 21 Clear 22 Sobs

Quick Across

across: 1 Sampan 7 Parting 8 At large 9 Elite 10 Resentful 12 Tag 13 Chid 15 Reprove 17 Scan 19 Ado 21 Challenge 22 Beech 225 Ceasing 24 Bedtime 25 Attend DOWN: 1 Sparrows 2 Molest 3 Arrange 4 Cruel 5 Finish 6 Ogle 7 Performance 11 Earn 13 Cede 14 Diverged 16 Valiant 18 Amends 20 On time 21 Chair 22 Baby

20 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

£8.8m from government ‘isn’t enough’

Council boss says shortfall is estimated £45M

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Extra government funding for the council is simply not enough, its top boss has warned, as the local authority begins to plan for Southwark’s nearfuture amid coronavirus.

Council leader Peter John confirmed to the News that an extra £8.8m has been given to the town hall coffers from the government - but that it goes a long way short of filling the authority’s £45m estimated shortfall.

While the money was welcomed, Southwark’s finance chief, Cllr Victoria Mills, warned on Tuesday that the funding gap was “huge.”

“That would leave us in a financially precarious position for many years to come,” she said.

Officials are especially concerned that the government will leave them holding the bill for all expenditure incurred during the crisis, after secretary of state, Robert Jenrick,

appeared to indicate councils would only be reimbursed for the cost of coronavirus-specific duties.

These include local support for those on the most vulnerable ‘shielded’ list and a requirement to house rough sleepers.

According to Cllr Kieron Williams, speaking on the subject of rough sleepers at a meeting on Tuesday Southwark has all but ended rough sleeping on its streets during the outbreak.

The most significant problem was a significant proportion of those rough sleepers had no recourse to public funds, meaning they could not access a safety net of support from central government.

Speaking to the News this week, Cllr John said the borough was planning its moves towards a coronavirus ‘recovery’ but that this would be a long game.

“I think the biggest challenge at the moment is lockdown fatigue,” he said.

“People making up their own rules, or thinking they don’t apply to them.

“It’s really dangerous because if they disregard the rules, there’s that risk of more infections going up again.”

On Sunday, prime minister Boris Johnson is to announce his ‘roadmap’ out of the lockdown, but is not expected to lift the terms of the lockdown itself.

Town hall chiefs are in the dark as to what will be announced, said Cllr John, although he does not expect any radical departure from the status quo.

“I think we will see more guidance on how people can travel, I think we will see more businesses reopening,” he said.

“But I don’t think we’ll see any end to social distancing. I hope it will give people confidence that if they’re not able to work from home, they can go back to work.”

This “confidence building”, said Cllr John, will be a necessary part of the journey to a new normal as we move towards the next stage of the response to the crisis.

Domestic violence has doubled Jose-Luis survives the Neil Coyle’s amendment allows victims easier access to housing

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk The number of high-risk domestic abuse cases referred to Southwark Council’s support service during the first three weeks of April is double the number seen in the same period last year.

According to data presented to Tuesday night’s virtual cabinet meeting, 100 cases have been received by the Southwark Advocacy Support Service between April 1 and 20, compared with 46 during the same period in 2019. These are cases where the victim is considered to be at serious risk of harm, This is despite the overall number of referrals initially dropping when the lockdown began. It has now risen to previous levels. It is believed the decline seen at the end of March is due to many women and men being unable to get help while being trapped with their abusers round the clock. The higher number of particularly serious cases point to an alarming escalation in violence and abuse for those already agt risk - likely due to the added pressures of COVID-19, social isolation, and financial worries.

Councillor Evelyn Akoto, the public health and safety chief at Southwark

Council, told her colleagues at the cabinet meeting that, anecdotally, she was hearing families say they planned to leave their homes to escape abuse as soon as the lockdown was lifted. The council is now funding an extra domestic violence support worker for a six-month period to help manage these and similar cases.

As the News reported last week, across the country domestic abuse has soared since the lockdown came into force at the end of March. The Met recorded a nine per cent rise in cases in the first few weeks of the lockdown, figures which Southwark borough commander Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove said were in line with cases seen in this borough.

This week, the long-awaited Domestic Abuse Bill finally had its second reading in parliament after successive delays due to Brexit and the General Election in December.

The new legislation defines domestic abuse in law to include coercive control, financial control and emotional abuse as well as physical violence.

On Saturday, the government announced it was amending the bill, after a campaign by MP Neil Coyle, to ensure women and men fleeing domestic abuse would be prioritised for housing, and not have to pass a ‘vulnerability test’. Coyle’s

amendment had cross-party support from more than 40 MPs. “In October the government would not accept this amendment but this shift is very welcome and will, in time, save lives,” Coyle said of his campaigning win.

“A safe home for people fleeing domestic abuse is something I have been pushing for since my first year as MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark.

“Legislation to tackle this problem has taken much longer than it should have to come before the commons but I am proud to have achieved something which is vital for the people affected.”

Another Southwark MP, Harriet Harman, has long-campaigned for the new law to include an amendment banning the “rough sex defence” in court.

There have been a string of cases where men who strangled or beat their partners to death were convicted of manslaughter or served shorter sentences due to claiming in court that the attack was a sex game gone wrong.

At the reading in parliament on April 28, Harman said not addressing this issue was a ‘glaring omission’ in the draft legislation.

“There are two lessons that I think we have learned from previous struggles to improve the law on domestic violence and sexual offences,” she told the house.

“The first is that it always takes too long.

This is the bill in which this must happen.

Secondly, it is never sorted until the law is changed.

“It will not be sorted by judicial training,

by Crown Prosecution Service guidance or by a taskforce, welcome though they are.

“It will not be sorted by good intentions either; they are never enough. It needs a law change.”

The bill has several further stages to pass through the House of Commons and House of Lords before being passed.

virus at the age of 80

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk An octogenarian has been discharged from King’s College Hospital after spending nearly a month in intensive care with COVID-19.

Eighty-year-old Jose-Luis Fernandez, from Sidcup, has made a remarkable recovery after being admitted to hospital on March 15 and moved into intensive care two days later after a drastic decline.

His daughter, Natasha Rachael Raphoz, explained: “It was heartbreaking when we got the call telling us my Dad had been moved to intensive care.

“We really weren’t sure if we’d ever see him again. All we could do was prepare for the worst, but

desperately keep hoping for the best.”

After 28 days in intensive care his condition began to improve. On Tuesday, April 28, staff gathered to applaud him as he prepared to return home.

He is one of more than 1,000 King’s patients to survive COVID-19. The oldest survivor the trust has treated is a 100-year-old who recovered from the virus at the trust’s Princess Royal Site last month.

“Dad’s recovery has been nothing short of miraculous,” Natasha added.

“At one point, we didn’t know if he’d be able to walk or talk again, yet he’s back on his feet.

“So many people at King’s were instrumental in my Dad’s recovery.

We can never thank them enough.”

Watch the video

nline

Jose-Luis Fernandez and daughter Natasha

southwarknews.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 21

Middle-aged man is stabbed in Burgess Park in broad daylight

By Kevin Quinn

kevin@southwarknews.co.uk Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a stabbing in broad daylight in Camberwell last month.

Officers were called at 4:47pm on Monday, 20 April to Neate Street, to reports of a man with stab wounds.

Arriving on the scene police found a man, aged in his 50s, with wounds to his arm and back.

The victim, who had been walking in Burgess Park, had been attacked

Appeal to identify man tragically ‘electrocuted’ at London Bridge station

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk An appeal has been launched to identify this man who tragically died on the tra,cks at London Bridge station - so that his loved ones can be told.

British Transport Police today released an image of the man, who is thought to have been electrocuted during an incident in March.

Despite their best efforts, officers have never been able to identify the man, and inform his relatives of his death.

He is thought to originate from Canada and is 5ft10 and of slim build, and was last seen boarding the train in Plumstead.

The man has numerous tattoos,

including a Star of David on his chest.

He died during an incident at around 5.30am on March 25, involving an off-duty officer who had called for assistance.

While cops were responding, he went onto the tracks and sustained serious injuries, consistent with electrocution, say police.

Paramedics sought to revive him, but he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

As is normal following a death involving police contact, an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct is underway.

Officers urged anyone who recognises the man or has any information to contact them by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 36 of 25/03/20.

Warning as wheelie bin fire saw three people trapped in Nunhead

By Kevin Quinn kevin@southwarknews.co.uk Smouldering paper in a wheelie bin in Nunhead resulted in a fire where three people were trapped.

The trio were given vital fire survival guidance by 999 control officers before being led to safety from a fire at a maisonette on Rye Hill Park in Nunhead, last Thursday night April 23, at 10.48pm.

Part of the front door of a midterraced maisonette was damaged by fire and the wheelie bin was destroyed in the blaze.

Three people were unable to leave their property as the fire prevented a safe escape route. They called 999 and were given advice about how to stay safe inside the property before firefighters

arrived and led them to safety.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “This is a timely reminder to make sure items are completely extinguished in order to dispose of them safely.

“Always ensure your exit route is not blocked so that you can leave immediately if there’s an emergency.

If you can’t use your planned escape route safely, find a safe room as far as possible within your home from any fire or smoke (with a window if possible), close the door and use soft materials to block any gaps to stop the smoke.

“Go to a window, shout ‘HELP, FIRE’ and call 999. Be ready to describe where you are and the quickest way for firefighters to reach you. Try and stay on the line and act on the advice provided.”

Fortunately no injuries are reported.

Police have said they believe the suspect and victim were strangers from behind by a man who then left the scene in a black or dark coloured car.

London Ambulance Service attended and he was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries.

He has since been discharged.

DC Steve Moore from Central South CID said: “At this time we have yet to establish why this attack took place, but it appears there was no

interaction between the victim and the suspect prior to the assault.

“If you were in the area and saw anything that could assist this investigation I would urge you to contact police.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 4860/20Apr; alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

teenager caught in camberwell with a haul of twenty knives

By Katherine Johnston

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk An eighteen-year-old from Lewisham was in court last week after being found with twenty knives in Camberwell.

Denique Iswom Newell pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday April 29, and will be sentenced at the same court in June.

He was arrested after police spotted a car with three people standing next to it on Coldharbour Lane on Thursday, March 12.

The car made off and was later found unattended in nearby Southwell Road close by was a discarded bag containing 20 knives; including zombie and lock blades wrapped in cellophane.

Two others were arrested as well as Newell but later released without

charge.

Newell gave no comment in his interview and was charged the following day with 20 counts of possession of a knife.

Detective Sergeant Paul Connelly said: “Our top priority is reducing violent crime in London, and we are working day and night to keep our communities safe.

“This bag was stuffed with dangerous blades that should not be on our streets. Newell will now have to pay the price for possessing these weapons.

“The public can also play a huge role in helping keep our city safe.

"We need to hear from anyone who has information about a crime, or about someone they suspect to be carrying a weapon. This can help us not only detect, but also prevent crime.”

CCTV appeal after alleged hate crime attack on the northern line

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk British Transport Police have released CCTV images following a violent attack on the northern line.

A man in his early 20s was hit at around 11.50pm on Saturday, February 29, as the train travelled between Oval and Kennington. He suffered a fracture to his face.

It is believed to have been a homophobic or transphobic attack.

Officers would like to speak to the men in the images (pictured) who may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone with information, or who can identify the men, pictured, should text British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40.

Alternatively, to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

22 ARTS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/arts

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

what’s on

Playwright: Fringe Theatre Needs to be Saved

Actor and playwright Michael Head spent a lot of time growing up on Silwood Estate in Bermondsey, a place not known for its actors and playwrights, but he had a supportive family and good tutors, writes Michael Holland...

Photo by Anne Heslop

Head trained at the London School of Musical Theatre but claims it was, ‘really not right for me’. Luckily a teacher, Tilly Vosburgh, really believed in him ‘and got me my first acting agent’.

Tuned In London has been a movable musical feast for over eight years, but has always been in Rotherhithe where the brains behind the concept, Eleanor Thorn, lives, writes Michael Holland...

‘I invite musicians from every corner of the globe to come and perform in this neighbourhood, creating enriching musical experiences in cosy, intimate settings,’ she be-gins. ‘Concerts have been at Sands Films, St Mary's Church, the

in Southwark

Alas, no auditions came up the aspiring actor so Michael took the off-the-cuff advice of his agent and decided to write something himself: ‘I went home with a bottle of Jack Daniels and wrote Worth A Flutter, which ended up with great reviews… I have also been lucky enough to have now written 12 productions and to have worked with some amazing people’.

Those people include: Michael Greco, Terri Dywer, Adam Morley, Gary Webster,

Jason Samuels, Dan O'Reilly (Dapper Laughs) and Paul Danan, all of whom he now calls friends.

Of his writing, Michael says, ‘The best thing about my work is to see something that has come from my brain be brought to life by such talented people in rehearsals, and seeing its effect on an audience is a huge buzz… To see people laugh and be brought to tears by something is the proudest thing in my life - outside of my wife and children.’

But Covid-19 reared its ugly head, which he claims, ‘had a dreadful impact on my career’. He has had to cancel a show he was working on with Jason Samuels and Dan O'Reilly called Dying to be Funny which was going out at the Union Theatre in April. ‘Not only have we lost the expenses of casting and production but also the income which would have been generated from the show… Outside of that I was working on my first feature film, which has now been put on hold, a new stage play and a large-scale adult pantomime. The biggest fear is not only that they have been put back but what will happen after lockdown? Will the industry survive once everything is open? Will people still choose to avoid the theatre? So many actors and producers live hand to mouth and while I am lucky to survive the first big body blow from Covid-19 I may not survive too many more headshots if the uncertainty continues.’

But Michael was quick to look outside of himself: ‘I think it needs to be put into perspective, a producer who was very interested in Worth A Flutter and Time for UK tours has lost his life to Covid-19, so while I may complain about my career the bigger picture is people are losing loved ones, and my thoughts go out to his friends and family.’

But while thousands lose their lives, their jobs and their savings Michael Head is holding on: ‘I am lucky that I have a good wife who supports me and has a 'normal job', so the crisis has not hit me as bad as many other creatives who are living with other creatives who have all been hit hard. I am trying to be proactive. I am currently writing a new webseries, working on two feature films, writing a new play, as well as looking at possibilities for my other productions and adult pantomime. I am lucky that after years of working hard in the

Finnish Church, the Nor-wegian Church, Brunel Museum and City Hope Church.’

Eleanor’s love of World Music began on her travels (France, Spain, Japan, Algeria…): ‘The sights and sounds I came across opened my ears, and then my heart… When I moved to Rotherhithe, the potential that all the beautiful venues held was too great to resist.’

As a non musician,Eleanor is constantly surprised to find herself on this path of organising concerts but admits, ‘I just love the music (and the languages) that the musicians bring. Each concert is unique.

Each performer brings a wealth of creativity and artistry. Nearly all are drawing in some way or other on traditional music… But for me it is about bringing together all kinds of different people and different nationalities into one space, to go on a voyage of discovery together. Each concert is like being whisked into another world without the discomfort or expense of jet-lag: together we visit Istanbul, Brazil, Nepal, Banga-lore, the Andes... and most recently western Kenya and the river Nile.’

The highlights from her labour of love come freely: ‘Bluesman Errol Linton giving it some on our fifth anniversary, with everyone up on their feet…. The time seven Spaniards (El Naan) drove all the way from

deepest Spain just to play here… Tanita Tikaram waxing lyr-ical on the magic of it all on Radio London…But more than anything I think it is that warm glow that gig-goers exit the building with at the end of a great evening - that aura for which there are no words.’

These highlights do little, however, to counter for the down moments. ‘The lowlights have to be when I have not as many people in the audience as the performers deserve. On a practical note it does affect how much money they go home with at the end of the night, and I never forget how many hours have gone into the preparation of each gig, how much thought has gone into making it special.

For me, it is about how many people have missed out on what is always an amazing experience. But these nights come with a plus - they are always memorably special, intimate affairs and every musician, even the most successful, will have experienced at some time or other playing to not many people, and knows that good things come out of it - you never know who will be in that audience, and how much it will mean to them, and what might come out of it…

Thankfully, generally speaking, it's al-ways alright on the night, no matter what,’ she says with a smile.

‘Covid-19 has stopped in full swing the momentum of our newly established Community Interest Company,’ says Eleanor: ‘Tuned In Events came into being in early February... I have two new co-directors, one of whom is like me, a Rotherhithe resident, singer-songwriter and brings experience from his job at the National Youth Orchestra. But lock-down struck before we could get to even open a bank account! We had already embarked on an exciting programme of events focusing this year on the movement of people around the world, inspired by the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower ship to Amer-ica. The whole community has been planning events for the past few years, and we were all excited about the new visitors this would bring. It was going to be a good one! I had al-so started a collaboration with a small but beautiful festival in the West Country, which of course is now on hold. But for us, these are minor problems in the big scheme of things. Everything that we were planning can still happen, just not at this particular mo-ment in history.’

But on a personal level, how is Ms Thorn getting through? ‘These first few weeks of lock-down have been spent focusing on family - our own small unit and our wider

industry I have a great network of people and we are focusing on what we can do once a form of normality returns.’

Any tips for people in similar situations?

‘My advice would be to work on your scripts, practice a new skill, and work on your monologues, because when a new normal returns hopefully there will be opportunities out there.’

And what will this ‘new normal’ look like? ‘I do worry about how different things will be. Covid-19 will have a huge impact on life as we know it, firstly the debt must be paid back and I worry how this will affect the UK and the everyday things that are a huge part of my life (pubs, theatre and football). My biggest fear is the theatre, football has huge amounts of money about it and a diehard support that will go to games, I think the mentality of the British public will ensure that pubs are busy when they re-open but I am not sure the same will be said about theatre, I do fear that the theatre-going audience may be more cautious than the average football fan and that could see theatres still empty once things re-open, and that is when the industry will be hit the hardest.’

Final say? ‘Now is the time that the people in the industry need to start going to see fringe shows; media needs to start making a huge effort to review work and cover smaller shows, because if the people in the industry do not support fringe theatre the people outside of it certainly will not… Small clubs like Leyton Orient (who hold a huge place in my heart) need fans in the stands more than ever if they are to survive, and fringe shows need people to fill the theatres more than ever. If this happens a positive change could come and Covid-19 could be (despite all the death and horrible things that have happened) a blessing in disguise for theatre.’

families, which these days extends to the Tuned In family of musicians. The health and wellbeing of everyone has become the biggest concern, and where I know of musicians who have been unwell and, in some instances, quite isolated, I have been in regular contact, trying to give support in the little ways that I can. To those I know who are struggling financially, I try to share information about financial aid.

Edina Balczo, a Hungarian guitarist who was one of the very first musicians ever to play in Rotherhithe, and is something of a YouTube super-star, has put together a great video informing musicians of various sources of aid.’

Tuned In has now started to use technology to get music out by livestreaming concerts in collaboration with Sands Films (see www.tunedin.london for details).

And right now Eleanor Thorn will be planning her first post-virus live concert, and and says: ‘If you've never been to a Tuned In London gig, make it your resolution to come to one once we get some new dates in the diary! Look us up online at www.tunedin.london, or on social media - Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

Email us on tunedin.london@gmail and we'll gladly add you to our mailing list.’

Eleanor Brings the World to Rotherhithe

24 HISTORY

www.southwarknews.co.uk/history

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

History

facing a global terror we remember how 75 years ago Southwark rose from the ashes of a WORLD war

Air raid damage to St Mary Magdalene Church, Peckham in 1940. Photo Barr

Among the historical archives of the paper there is one picture that captures the spirit of local people as a hard-fought war came to an end in May 1945 – the residents of the Kirby Estate celebrating VE Day.

Nearly 75 years to the day this same estate in Bermondsey is once more draped in flags as they give thanks to our NHS workers, fighting on a different kind of frontline, in our hospital against the coronavirus.

The Second War like no other shaped the areas that now make up the London Borough of Southwark. Either through destruction and rebuilding or simply by our fighting spirit and a want for a better standard of life, post war Southwark came out of the ashes a very different place.

In September 1927, Bermondsey’s Dr Alfred Salter is said to have foretold the coming of another world war, where Southwark would become an area of “smashed buildings, wrecked factories, devastated houses, mangled corpses and bodies of helpless men.”

Come the year of 1940, his prediction became a reality, as Nazi bombs rained down devastation across London.

The history of Southwark during the Blitz has been detailed by many. But historian Neil Bright's book particularly apt, as it shows how the modern day borough was formed out of a number of unique tales during the war.

The first person to be killed in Bermondsey during the blitz was Sarah Hough, whose house in Storks Road had a bomb land on it. Although initially

surviving and being rushed to St Olave’s Hospital, she died. Later that night, two bombs exploded in the railway over the Lindsey Street Arch air-raid shelter, where five seeking refuge lost their lives.

One Southwark street in particular experienced the Blitz in full force.

Arnott Street, just off the Old Kent Road saw twelve die on the fateful night of September 6, 1940. Annie Leary was one resident who was paralysed in the blast, but embodied the famous Blitz Spirit. In an interview with the Daily Express a few weeks later she said: “Hitler can’t a break a Cockney’s Heart!”

The following day is remembered as a “lovely late summer, early autumn day” where football fans eagerly awaited the local derby of Millwall vs Charlton at the Den in New Cross. Alan Tizzard, a Rotherhithe boy at the time, recalled what followed: “On that sunny summer afternoon I was sitting on the kitchen step whittling away at my model when the sirens sounded. No sooner had the sirens sounded than planes came into sight.

They were high by the standards of the day, maybe 20,000 feet. They were twisting and turning, bobbing and weaving. To me this was a grand show.

“So far my sight of war had been at a distance and this knocked the cinema into a cocked hat. From the front of the house we did not see the approach of part of Luftwaffe Zwei; from across the Channel they came in from behind us. A sudden shower of spent cartridge cases rained down all around us. What had been the dull ever-changing drone of

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/history

HISTORY 25

History

Bomb damage to Llewellyn Street in September 1940. Photo Barr the fighters in dogfights high above our heads with their guns making no more than a phut changed to pandemonium.

“The stakes had changed. We were now part of it.”

As the Blitz’s intensity heightened, on September 7 during the night people were taking shelter at Keetons Road Rest Centre, a former peacetime school.

The people were mainly evacuated from Downtown and were settling in for the night. Just after midnight a bomb exploded near the rear of the school which was quickly followed by another.

Many were killed and injured as the centre was full of evacuees.

Horrified by the events at the school, King George VI paid a visit to the scene

and is said to have been “visibly moved”.

He spoke to the school caretaker, Mr Miles and his family, who recalled: “The King spoke to me as man to man.

You could see how shocked he was by the damage. He was kind and had a warm feeling for ordinary people no matter how humble. And I shall never forget the pain and suffering in his face when he caught sight of the bodies of the raid victims among the debris.”

As the first four months of The Blitz drew to a close, it was recorded that Southwark had taken a large number of losses. In Bermondsey 376 people had died, as well as 449 in Camberwell.

Countless more local people died here and on foreign fields as the war raged

The King inspecting damage to Keetons Road School in September 1940

for nearly five years, but the people rose from the ashes and rebuilt a future that in many respects was more compassionate.

With the introduction of a welfare state and NHS it valued more those ordinary people that did so much during the dark days of a global conflict.

If a comparison is to be made today, then many would hope that the same compassion and value for the people that have kept the country going during this current pandemic will be recognised and rewarded. That a new world order following a short time of celebration will be fashioned, so we can look back 75 years later and say – something good really did come out of this death and misery.

Camberwell Civil Defence training

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.

28 FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS / COMMUNITY NOTICES

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 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 Birthday

www.bedehouse.org , tel: 0207 237 3881

Get well soon

PUBLIC NOTICES LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

Happy 40th birthday

Robert & Daniel Sweeney

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (TOULMIN 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 R I Design & Build, it intends, to make an order the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from making certain movements and to introduce waiting and loading restrictions in part of the above named road.

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, the existing two way traffic flow in: (a) Toulmin Street, will be made one way (northbound) between the north eastern kerb line of Great Suffolk Street, for a distance of 46.5m.

3.

(a) Toulmin Street, one of the northernmost permit holders bay located on the north western kerb line will be suspended. (b) Toulmin Street, two of the southernmost permit holders bay located on the north western kerb line will be suspended.

4.

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: (a) Toulmin Street (the existing waiting restriction will be amended) on the north western kerb line, at it’s junction with Pickwick Street for a distance of 9.83m

Love Mum, Dad, Paul, Scott, Natalie, Kerrie and the rest of the family. xxx

To place a family announcement in the paper please email em@southwarknews.co.uk Announcements must be placed by 12pm on the Tuesday before Thursday’s publication

5.

The alternative route for affected traffic for (2a) Toulmin Street, Lant Street, Southwark Bridge Road, Great Suffolk Street.

6.

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

7.

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

8.

The restrictions will be operational between the 22nd May 2020 - 21 November 2021.

9.

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

Dated this 7th May 2020 Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a & 3a) 5271/LBSSC11162

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk

PUBLIC NOTICES 29

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) (STONEY STREET, GREAT SUFFOLK STREET, REDCROSS WAY, MONTAGUE CLOSE, DOG KENNEL HILL)

(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) 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.

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) 1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable Wates, City Lifting, Centurion, Thames Water DDC Ltd and Southwark Highways to carry out works, it intends to make an order the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering part of the above named roads.

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload in: (a) Stoney Street, between Winchester Walk and Clink Street (b) Great Suffolk Street, between Toulmin Street and Stones end Street (c) Redcross Way, between Union Street and Southwark Street (d) Redcross Way, at it’s junction with Southwark Street (e) Montague Close, at it’s junction with Tooley Street (f) Dog Kennel Hill, suspension of northbound and southbound bus lanes between, Champion Hill and Edgar Kail Way.

3.

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) Clink Street, Winchester Square, Winchester Walk. Stoney Street, Park Street, Redcross Way, Southwark Street, Bedale Street, Cathedral Street. (2b) Borough High Street, Marshalsea Road, Southwark Bridge Road, Borough Road.

(2c) Redcross Way, Park Street, Great Guildford Street, Southwark Street. Southwark Street, Southwark Bridge Road, Union Street. (2d) Southwark Street, Omeara Street, Union Street.(2e) Tooley Street, Borough High Street, Marshalsea Road, Southwark Bridge Road, Union Street, Borough High Street, Bedale Street. Cathedral Street, Winchester Walk, Stoney Street, Park Street, Redcross Way, Southwark Street, Bedale Street. (2f) not required.

Dated this 7th May 2020

4.

Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager

The existing one way working in Redcross Way, between Union Street and Southwark Street will be made two way for access and egress purposes for (2c)

5.

The existing one way working in Redcross Way, between Southwark Street and Union Street will be made two way for access and egress purposes for (2d)

6.

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

7.

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

8.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 25th May – 25th July. (2b) 23rd May (2c) 27th – 28th May between the hours of 22:00hrs – 06:00hrs (2d) 22nd – 27th May. (2e) 24th May. (2f) 25th May – 15th August.

9.

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

Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 5270/444344 (2b) 5269/444329 LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (SUMNER ROAD, DAVEY STREET) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

Dated this 7th May 2020

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.

Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager

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:

Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 5257/ LBSHO11269-1 (2b) 5289/CR11274 (2c) 5283/ XTD-01-37-270520 (2d) 5362/PTML238899-01 (2e) 5368/montague/crane (2f) 5284/67745975

(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.

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (FOREST HILL ROAD, MUNDANIA ROAD) TEMPORARY WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS 1.

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

by Commhoist/ Crane operation, it intends, to make an order the effect of which would be to prohibit vehicular traffic from waiting and loading at any time in part of Forest Hill Road and Mundania Road.

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:

Dated this 7th May 2020 Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 5262/431122 (2b) 5371/431119

(a) Forest Hill Road, on the northern and southern kerb line between Mundania Road to opposite No’s 110. (b) Mundania Road, on the northern and southern kerb line between Forest Hill Road and Dovedale 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.

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 for (a) & (b) 25th – 27th May.

6.

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

Dated this 7th May 2020 Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: 2(a) & 2(b) 5285/11271/11271-1

30 PUBLIC NOTICES

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday May 7 2020

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).

292B WALWORTH ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 2TE (Ref: 20/AP/1218) Alterations to the ground floor restaurant, including minor changes to the internal lay-out, new folding/sliding doors, new porous paving to the forecourt. (Within: Walworth Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Danielle Campbell 020 7525 2427) 292B WALWORTH ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 2TE (Ref: 20/AP/1213) Two free-standing restaurant signs in the front gardens, one facing East, one angled towards the North, both made up of individual letters. A projecting sign fixed to the corner of the building (Within: Walworth Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Danielle Campbell 020 7525 2427) BECKET HOUSE 60-68 ST THOMAS STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 3QU (Ref: 20/AP/0944) Redevelopment of the site to include demolition of Becket House and the erection of a 27 storey building with additional level of plant and basement levels in order to provide office use (Class B1), retail (flexible Class A1/A3), cycle parking, servicing, refuse and plant areas, public realm improvements and other associated works incidental to the development.

The application is accompanied by an Environmental Statement submitted pursuant to the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017.

Application can be viewed by appointment at Southwark Council's offices, 160 Tooley Street, SE1 2QH (Mon - to Fri 9am to 5pm). NonTechnical Summary available free of charge,Copies of the full ES are available for purchase from Trium Environmental Consulting (email: hello@triumenv.co.uk or call 02038877118). Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ AFFECT EIA MAJ (Contact: Terence McLellan 020 7525 5365) BELTWOOD 41 SYDENHAM HILL LONDON SOUTHWARK SE26 6TH (Ref: 20/AP/1217) Variation of Condition 2 'Approved Plans' of planniing permission LBS reg no 17/AP/3071 for alterations to enable a change of use of Beltwood House (a Grade II listed building) from a Class C2 residential institution to provide 7 apartments with external works comprising demolition of the service wing outriggers and

replacement with a new communal entrance.

Demolition of curtilage outbuildings to the east of Beltwood House ('Stables and Worker's cottage') and replacement with 3 No. residential units. Creation of new Gate House and a detached house within the site curtilage.

Alterations including underpinning of the existing Gate Lodge (curtilage listed building) and, ground floor extension. A comprehensive landscape strategy comprising communal and private spaces and gardens for use by residents. Car parking for 17 cars for residents and visitors. Provision of new refuse and cycle storage structures. Creation of new vehicular access on to Sydenham Hill from the south-east of the site to serve one new dwelling (new Gate House). (Within: Dulwich Wood CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Tracy Chapman 020 7525 1948) 122-126 TOOLEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2TU (Ref: 20/AP/1214) Construction of an new 7th floor to provide 1 x three bedroom flat. (Within: Tooley Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Shanali Counsell 020 7525 1770) 30 FIELDING STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 3HD (Ref: 20/AP/1209) Construction of a single storey rear extension (Within: Sutherland Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Zaib Khan 0207 525 0311) 25 LAVINGTON STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 0NA (Ref: 20/AP/1009) Redevelopment of the site including partial demolition of existing buildings and erection of two buildings including basement and above ground development of 10 and 15 storeys (in addition to plant) to provide office use (Class B1), retail use (Class A1), flexible retail and leisure (A1/A3, A3/A4, D2/A3/A4), landscaping, public realm, highway works, disabled car parking, cycle parking, plant and associated works. Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ AFFECT MAJ (Contact: Terence McLellan 020 7525 5365) 37 SHAD THAMES LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2NJ (Ref: 20/AP/1212) The erection of 1 x replacement awning above the entrance on Shad Thames. (Within: Tower Bridge CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB

(Contact: Jessica Potter 020 7525 0036)

Zaib Khan 0207 525 0311)

FLAT A 144 ABBEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 3NR (Ref: 20/AP/1226) Renovation of the external appearance of this Listed Building rectifying inappropriate works, mostly dating from the 1980s when the property (with adjacent property) was a London and Quadrant Hosing Association group home for the mentally handicapped. Additional fire doors were required for that use, but on sale and conversion to residential flats c 2001 some of the old features, such as the prominent alarm box and basement window guard were left in place. Internally the door frames from some of these additional fire doors were left in place rather than stripped out. The proposed works seek to rectify this and correct other noncompliant alterations such as the added uPVC windows, added to the rear, and reinstate as box sash timber framed windows Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Richard Craig 020 7525 0436)

15 BUCKSTONE CLOSE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE23 3QT (Ref: 20/AP/1265) Replace all the existing windows on the first and second floor of the dwellinghouse from White uPVC double glazed windows to Anthracite grey GFP extrusion frames tripled glazed windows.

Windows previously approved on the ground floor (Ref: 15/AP/0036) and there are no changes to the existing opening sizes or locations. (Within: Honor Oak Rise CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Danielle Campbell 020 7525 2427)

8 GROVE PARK LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 20/AP/1140) Removal of existing roof slates and ridge pieces and replacement with natural roof slates with traditional timber rolls clad in lead to ridges and hips. (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Tracy Chapman 020 7525 1948) 55 LANT STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 20/AP/1272) Construction of one additional storey on each of the three existing residential blocks to create 16 no. residential units and the provision of one additional bedroom to an existing residential unit in Block C, including a new roof terrace, and associated waste and cycle storage at basement and ground floor level. (Within: Liberty of the Mint CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Sonia Watson 020 7525 5434) 74 PECKHAM HIGH STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 5ED (Ref: 20/AP/1274) Display of shroud with replica of building facade and advertisement banner to front elevation (Within: Rye Lane Peckham CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact:

READ IT HERE FIRST Check out our website for the latest breaking news, and the chance to see more photos and videos of the stories you have read in your Southwark News...

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Dated: 05 May 2020 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date.

SIMON BEVAN - Director of Planning

Thirty five local independent businesses – from Japanese restaurants to ice-cream parlours, to olive oil retailers to psychologists - have so far taken up the News’ offer of a month’s free digital advertising, with the paper giving away over £14,000 of advertising to date.

the News gives away over £14k of advertising so far

The scheme was launched at the start of the coronavirus crisis, with owners Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn deciding they wanted to try to help other local small businesses, with trade falling close to zero over the lockdown period.

And with new inquiries coming in every day from desperate local business owners, they have committed to continuing to give away free digital adverts for as long as the crisis continues.

“We’re a small business ourself, so we feel your pain – and we want to try to help ensure that the lifeblood of south London survives and thrives beyond this difficult situation”, said Chris. “Each business gets 75,000 page views over a month, with these free adverts taking the place of revenue-generating national advertising on our digital network. And it is 100% free of charge – our designers are even creating the adverts for each business and then we upload and run them. Every time we go on our sites and see all those free adverts, we get a kick from feeling we might in some small way be helping them see this through – we really hope so.”

If you run an independent local business, you can find out more about the scheme here: www.southwarknews.co.uk/comment/free-advertisingcoronavirus-crisis

inside

Sport Southwark

RowetT’s GOAL-DEN MEMORY

Len, 96 to raise funds for care home

Trust launches girls’ trials

By Staff Reporter news@southwarknews.co.uk Millwall Community Trust have announced details of their new strategy for girls’ football ahead of the 2020/21 season.

Following a thorough review of its existing set-up and offering, the Trust has made the decision to start its own female football academy, which will officially launch in September. As part of the new programme there will be teams at U10, U12, U14 and U16 level, with a clear pathway to first team football with the Millwall Lionesses senior team.

On top of the four teams, there will be opportunities for girls as young as seven to take part in introductory football courses as well as two-year education courses for those aged over 16.

“We feel this is a very positive step forward for Millwall Community Trust and for girls football in the local boroughs,” Sean Daly, chief executive, said.

“It is an exciting challenge and one which I know will be fully embraced by all those involved in the new set-up. We are confident that the fresh approach will provide better opportunities for local girls to play more competitive and varied fixtures and tournaments.”

Boss relives teen strike as he praises players’ ‘exemplary’ attitude

By Staff Reporter news@southwarknews.co.uk Millwall boss Gary Rowett has relived the moment he scored as a teenager at the old Den, saying it was ‘one of my best goals’.

In a question and answer session with fans on the club’s website, Rowett said he couldn’t resist picking that as his best Millwall memory from before he took over at the club. He was just seventeenyears-old, playing his first game for John Beck’s infamous Cambridge side and came on after 25 minutes – scoring

Trials are being held on 14th and 21st June at St Paul’s Sports Ground, Salter Road, Rotherhithe, London SE16 5EF at the following times:

with a header in about the 65th minute, to make it 2-1, with it proving to be the winner. The ball stuck in the stanchion, and as Rowett started to daydream about his future career as a stellar striker, the substitute was promptly subbed ten minutes later.

The incident was a good lesson for him in terms of not letting a young player get carried away, he added, although he says he has no complaints with the attitude of the Millwall squad during the lockdown, which has been ‘exemplary’. ‘It’s not like the off-season where you’re relaxing’, he explained, with one or two players struggling to

be motivated, as they all were when you might be ‘eight, nine or ten weeks from a game’. But on the whole players’ engagement had been very good, with them doing a lot of physical work and enjoying the mental relief of ‘going out and doing something’.

The current situation is by far the manager’s toughest experience with the club so far, particularly as he is still developing and strengthening relationships with his players. Up until the coronavirus crisis, his first priority had been to improve the away form.

All the players are motivated ‘and desperate to get back’, he added. ‘And

Gareth. “I would always ask him to come to the U17 National Finals we played in (making three finals in three successive years at Headingley, Bristol and Leicester) but instead he always waved us off and wished us good luck. We lost all three and I always told him that if he came, we would have won all of them!

“Although we lost all three, those three finals in three successive years saw Surrey field sides featuring players like Arun Harinath, Laurie Evans, Chris

Murtagh, David Balcombe, Neil Saker, Rory Hamilton Brown and Stuart Meaker, so although we didn’t win on the day, the contribution to the long term success of the Club should not be underestimated.

His unstinting efforts and work allowed Surrey to operate a quality program for many of our young cricketers. As well as this, Jim was a keen club cricketer himself – and footballer – and even in his 80s was often seen running the roads of Farnham, although this stopped over the past 12

the way the club’s reacted and the ways the fans have reacted will strengthen the bond’.

The manager said their hearts went out to fans and families who had been affected by the coronavirus, and stressed they were all missing games at the Den and engagement with fans.

‘The thought of playing football without fans – you realise just how important fans are. Without the fans it’s not a great proposition, is it?’

If, as current advice suggests, training is allowed back by May 16, he is hopeful that both Ben Thompson and Frank Fielding will be fit to train.

SURREY CCC PAY TRIBUTE TO YOUTH CRICKET’S JIM BANKS

By Staff Reporter

news@southwarknews.co.uk Surrey Academy Director Gareth Townsend has paid tribute to Jim Banks, who worked within the youth cricket programme and has passed away from Covid-19 at the age of 88.

“Jim Banks never sought the limelight but was dedicated to the development of young cricketers in the county,” said

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months when he struggled with health issues following a stroke and bronchial issues.

“Tonight, I will be raising a very specific glass to Jim. This is because he introduced me to red wine, by giving me a lifetime membership of The Wine Society! We will miss you Jim and will always be thankful for your loyal support and encouragement over many seasons.

My thoughts, and the thoughts of all at Surrey County Cricket.”

U10s – 10am-11.30am U12s – 12pm-1.30pm

U14s – 2pm-3.30pm U16s – 4pm-5.30pm.

The trials are subject to appropriate relaxation of existing lockdown measures and guidance relating to the COVID-19 outbreak.

For any further information on the trials or indeed the new academy set-up please email enquiries@ millwallcommunity.org.uk.

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