10th September 2020

Issue 1496

Established: 1987

50p

September 10 2020

Peter John ends a decade long rule at the council and new leader elected

southwarknews.co.uk

Pages 8-9

you’ve scot to be jokinG? Dulwich resident told to go to Scotland for a walk-in coronavirus test, more told to go to Wales, Oldham and the Isle of Wight

Full story on page 4

Exclusive

Thommo eyes top Back flight page man sought after an 89-year-old is attacked Page 4

Teachers take to the road in memory of Ruby Page 17

2 NEWS

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Contents NEWS 2-22 Pages 2-17 OPINION education 20-21 Pages 18-23 community OPINION notices Pages 24-25 Page 18 -19 community family notices announcements Page 26 Pages 18 family PROPERTY announcements Page 2326-27 Pages jobs arts Page 28 24 Page Public notices history Pages Page 2925-27 SPORT jobs Pages Page 3028-32 PROPERTY Page 31 Public notices Pages 32-34 SPORT Pages 35-40 During the crisis, contact us if you have a story on 07973175511 or email editor@southwarknews .co.uk

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

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

Mp says tweets misinterpreted

Coyle claims he was not talking about all Brexiteers in his rant

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk

Neil Coyle says a series of muchcriticised and now-deleted tweets were misinterpreted and did not aim to attack all Brexiteers – just the architects of the ‘ailing project’.

After initially telling the News anyone who didn’t like his approach could simply unfollow him, Coyle later issued an apology admitting the crude rant fell far short of the standards expected of an MP. As reported last week, Coyle had posted a series of offensive comments on Twitter over the Rule, Britannia! lyrics row and Brexit.

The Bermondsey MP replied to a video with Nigel Farage singing along saying: “If you didn’t hate it before, feel free to hate the song now. I’ve never known anyone but sh*tlickers like it tbh”.

He then seized on a tweet from Jacob Rees-Mogg whom, in reference to the BBC’s decision to only play instrumental versions of the song, had said: “Britons must never be enslaved by political correctness.”

Coyle replied with: “I have spent years warning local people that these fat old racists won’t stop blaming the EU when their sh*t hits the fan.

“Here they come blaming others.

Absolute sh*tbag racist wankers.”

Despite the fact it was unclear who exactly these ‘fat old racists’ were in the bizarre posts, this week Coyle argued that his key message had been misinterpreted.

The MP told this newspaper he was ‘disappointed’ that our coverage implied he was attacking all who voted leave.

“I was quote tweeting Jacob Rees-Mogg when I suggested that the leaders of this ailing project were never going to take responsibility for the problems Brexit will cause our country,” he claimed.

“Today is a case in point, with peace and - what has been - growing prosperity in Northern Ireland being thrown under a bus by the same leaders who deceitfully claimed they had an ‘oven-ready deal’.

“They made promises they knew could never be delivered throughout, but they

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, 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

EXCLUSIVE

Issue 1495

Established: 1987

50p

September 3 2020

will not admit their deceit or the damage it does our country, people’s jobs and opportunities, instead looking to blame others whilst all the time pretending to be more patriotic when they undermine our international standing and risk the very future of the United Kingdom.”

Despite being rounded on by members of his own party and leave and remain voters alike, Coyle - who says he has relatives who voted for Brexit - insists he would never apply the same label to voters as he would the ‘incompetent leaders of this national deceit’.

southwarknews.co.uk

WHY MASON BENNETT OWES LIONS GAFFER

BERMONDSEY CARE HOME’S 34 COVID-19 DEATHS

Page 31

PAGE 15

Report reveals the shocking Coronavirus toll at Tower Bridge

Outrage over MP’s offensive twitter tirade

Page 2

VICTORY FOR PECKHAM TOWN

Page 28

JAIL FOR BURGESS PARK RAVERS?

PAGE 10

I was quote tweeting Jacob Rees-Mogg when I suggested that the leaders of this ailing project were never going to take responsibility for the problems Brexit will cause our country

Coyle vs Corbyn The publication of a new book charting the lead up to Jeremy Corbyn’s crashing fall in last year’s general election has revealed the extent of the party’s dysfunction – including his deteriorating relationship with Neil Coyle.

In Left Out, by Gabriel Pogrund and Patrick Maguire, published this month, new details have emerged of the chaos at the heart of Labour’s fractured campaign, including alleged abuse and intimidation towards Corbyn by MPs. Among its revelations is the leaked text correspondence, mostly one-sided, between Corbyn and Coyle, with the Bermondsey MP repeatedly berating Corbyn over his handling of anti-Semitism, bullying, and Brexit.

The messages have won fans from some, with supporters claiming they show Coyle’s commitment to the party and his voters, while others – including Southwark’s Momentum branch – have blasted them as outright bullying and abuse.

In one message, Coyle says: “My borough also has elections next May and sitting councillors are quitting because of your damage and because of the people who claim to speak for you locally who will cost us votes.

“I have no idea how you sleep at night but I hope, given the damage you’re doing really good people, that it’s really badly.”

Speaking to the News this week, Coyle said: “I have always put serving the people of Bermondsey and Old Southwark ahead of being a Party stooge.

“I made a very clear promise to local people when first elected and have kept it: I’ll never vote for anything that harms our community. This includes within Labour as well as at Westminster.

“It is no secret that I did not think Jeremy Corbyn was up to the job of being Labour leader or prime minister.

“I was asked to raise concerns with him privately and not publicly by his own team.”

He added that he sent 38 texts to him throughout a period of 180 weeks, including messages about the London Bridge terror and events at Westminster.

“Some messages reveal the exasperation felt with Mr Corbyn’s continual, poor performance and disastrous leadership,” he said.

“Corbyn failed to respond to most messages, failed to listen to or address anyone’s concerns, and ultimately failed before the electorate in December.”

The Southwark News is proud to be the only independent, paid for newspaper in London Southwark News started life as the Bermondsey News in 1987, as an A-4 photocopied sheet of paper and rapidly grew to cover the entire borough and the surrounding area. As the borough grew, so did the newspaper.

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

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

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

Follow our social media to be updated on local news

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Southwark News is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK’s magazine and newspaper industry).

We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think that we have not met those standards and want to make a complaint, please contact 0207 231 5258.

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Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 3

Viewers rate council housing officer Charmain

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk A Peckham housing officer has won praise from viewers after starring in the first episode of a documentary about Southwark Council homes.

The first episode of Council House Britain, a prime-time Channel 4 series going behind the scenes of the town hall’s housing department, aired last week.

Housing officer Charmain (pictured in the blue dress right), based in Peckham, featured heavily in the first episode of the series - and has won plaudits from viewers for her professionalism on the job.

The episode saw her persuade a resident to stop scaling his own block of flats to gain access after losing his key, and undergoing a nerve-wracking wait to check up on another resident after he failed to answer his door.

“Watching Council House Britain on Channel 4 brings back memories growing up first on the Rockingham Estate and then North Peckham Estate, loved every moment of it,” said viewer Oli. “Would of love [sic] to have a housing officer like Charmain. What a star! Big up Charmain.”

Meanwhile, fellow viewer Neil Lewis added: “Just watched the first episode of Council House Britain. 11 out of 10 to Charmaine (with apologies if I spelled her name wrong..) What a fabulous, effervescent, patient, empathetic, funny &

totally brilliant person.” “'I kind of resent when people talk about estates,” said the housing officer on last Thursday’s episode. “If you meet someone and they're like, 'where do you come from' and you say, 'I live on the Acorn Estate.' 'Oh my god.' 'What do you mean oh my god?'

What does that mean?

“I was brought up on a council estate and my parents still live on one. Like any kind of area, it's about the community you live with.

“You can live on a road and the road can be tough because of the people living there.”

Another council worker featured in the

series is Andy, a pest control officer - who says he would’ve preferred to have been in a rock band, but he couldn’t play the guitar. “I'm well mad, you've got to be mad to do this job to be honest and I love it every bit of it,” he said on last Thursday’s episode.

“They call me "Andy the hunter." I've

never been beat.

“It would've been nice to be in a rock band but the only downfall was that I couldn't play an instrument, so pest control was the second best option.”

The series continues on Thursdays at 9pm on Channel 4, or can be seen in its entirety on the Channel 4 website.

Noah and Olivia are the most popular baby names Baby swan brought to book on first flight

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk A lucky baby swan was rescued by volunteers after finding itself trapped on the roof of Canada Water library while attempting to make its first flight on Sunday morning.

The stranded cygnet had found itself separated from its family-of-five, and once on the roof had not been able to take off again.

Young swans need a lot of room to take flight, and there wasn’t enough room on the roof. Residents from a nearby block of flats had seen the young distressed animal, and called volunteers from the Swan Sanctuary.

“After a couple of minutes we realised the cygnet was not OK, it was in visible distress,” said a resident.

“It started to pace the dry spot, looking for a way out, for his siblings, for water."

Volunteers from the charity climbed the roof and released it safely back to its family - marking a happy ending to the tale.

“This is a dangerous time for young swans as they make their first flights.

Swans need a lot of space to take off, having landed on the roof it didn’t have space to take off again,” said Gill Walker, a volunteer rescuer for the Swan Sanctuary.

“If it hadn’t been spotted, this swan’s first flight could have ended in tragedy.

It was very lucky.”

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Noah and Olivia were the most popular boys’ and girls’ names in Southwark last year, according to new data.

Of Southwark’s 2,058 new baby boys during 2019, 27 were called Noah, making it the most popular name in the borough.

For girls, Olivia was parents’ favoured choice. Nineteen new baby girls were born with that name in Southwark, out of 1,969 new baby girls.

Other popular choices for boys included Theodore and Leo, both with twenty entries each, while for girls, Ava was the second most popular with 15 entries.

In 2018, the most popular baby names had been Leo and Isabella in Southwark.

Nationally, Oliver and Olivia have remained the most popular baby names. "Oliver and Olivia continued their reign as the top boys’ and girls’ names in 2019, but analysis shows choices in baby names can differ depending on the mother’s age,” said David Corps, at the Office for National Statistics.

"We found younger mothers opted for more modern girls’ names like Harper, which has seen a rise since the Beckhams named their daughter so in 2011, and shortened boys’ names like Freddie.

"In contrast, older mothers chose more traditional names such as Jack and Charlotte.

"Popular culture continues to influence the baby names landscape.

Following Dua Lipa’s first UK number one single in 2017, the number of girls named Dua has doubled from 63 to 126 in 2019."

4 NEWS

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Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

resident told to go 500 miles for COVID test

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Southwark residents have been told to travel more than 450 miles to Scotland to get a coronavirus test.

79-year-old slashed in double knife attack in SE15

Others have been told to go to drivein or walk-in centres in the Isle of Wight, Glasgow, and Oldham, which is under coronavirus lockdown.

One resident in East Dulwich was directed by the Government’s online testing tool to go to a walk-in centre in St Andrews, Scotland as the “nearest test site.”

The webpage instructs against travelling by public transport or by

taxi, stating: “You can walk or cycle to the site.” The journey on foot would take nearly six days.

The case was highlighted by MP Helen Hayes, who said: “Cases are going up and testing couldn’t be more important in stopping further spread. Matt Hancock this is utterly unacceptable.”

Mum-of-two, Amelia Torode, told the News she had tried in vain to get a postal test kit for her boys, aged eight and ten, after they began experiencing symptoms.

Postal tests were unavailable throughout Monday and Tuesday.

The government’s site directed the Torodes, who live in Herne Hill, to test

centres in Romford, West Sussex and Oldham.

“The whole system feels like a really bad joke,” said the 43-year-old. “You click on a link that says tests available, and then there’s no tests available.

Then it says, ‘go to Oldham’, two hundred miles away.

“The system is broken and it’s only week one of the kids going back to school. Every kid in this term has a cold, but if you get sent home because you can’t test, you’re going to spend two weeks in lockdown for what might just be a sniffle.”

Another mum, Kirsty, said her threeyear-old daughter had been offered a test in Cardiff, despite her home in Nunhead being only miles from a big testing centre at Greenwich’s O2.

After a long wait and with no home testing kits available, the family luckily managed to get a test twenty minutes away, and Kirsty’s daughter was confirmed as negative two days later.

“I however feel scared and angry.

Anyone with young children could tell you that they get sick at this time of year,” said the mother-of-three.

“It was wholly predictable that as we hit autumn and schools go back there would be a surge in demand for tests.

“If things don't improve, then at best kids will be repeatedly missing out on school time they so desperately need while waiting for tests that will eventually be negative.

“At worst, when parents are asked to battle the system and drive hundreds of miles with a sick child for the third or fourth time, they will give up [and] children who really do have Covid will be sent to school.”

Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP

Neil Coyle told this paper his office had been contacted by constituents who were told by the site to go to the Isle of Wight or to drive to Glasgow for a test.

“It's ridiculous and the Government's shambolic approach is now generating greater risk of the virus spreading faster and further,” he said.

“It's irresponsible and incompetent and Ministers need to get a grip.”

The government has said the booking website is prioritising higher-risk areas, which means there is a shortage of booking slots at local centres in lower-risk areas.

The official responsible for testing at NHS Test and Trace, Sarah-Jane Marsh, said on Tuesday morning there was a “critical pinch-point” in labs where tests are analysed.

“Can I please offer my heartfelt apologies to anyone who cannot get a COVID test at present,” she said.

“All of our testing sites have capacity, which is why they don’t look overcrowded, it's our laboratory processing that is the critical pinchpoint. We are doing all we can to expand quickly.”

Hours before the News went to press, health secretary Matt Hancock warned the testing problems could take “weeks” to fix.

“We’ve had a problem with a couple of contracts. It’s a matter of a couple of weeks until we can get all of that sorted,” he told a committee of MPs. He added: “We’ve already put in [place] certain solutions to ensure people don’t have to travel more than 75 miles.

“I appreciate 75 miles is far longer than you’d want to go, but the majority of tests are much closer.”

By Katherine Johnston

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk An OAP was slashed in the face on a Nunhead bus on Saturday morning in what police say was a double knife attack.

Officers were called to St Mary’s Road on September 5 at 5.40am to reports of an attack on a 78 bus. At the scene they found a 79-year-old man with a knife wound below his ear.

Minutes later another call came through to operators about a second, serious incident nearby. An ambulance crew had arrived to treat a 27-year-old found stabbed in the chest in Frobisher Place.

A suspect was quickly detained in Lausanne Road and arrested on two counts of causing grievous bodily harm.

Southwark Police say the two incidents are being treated as linked.

Both victims were treated in hospital and said to be ‘stable but serious’ as of early this week. Neither are believed to have life-threatening, or life-changing, injuries.

Anyone with information should call 101 or – to remain anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police want to talk to this man after 89-year-old is attacked

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk An 89-year-old man was attacked in a Waterloo street, leaving him unable to walk unaided.

Cops are now hunting a man in connection with the shocking assault, which occurred in the middle of the afternoon on Frazier Street.

The victim was approached by a man shortly after 3pm on June 24, who shouted abuse at him before pushing him.

The pensioner suffered a broken hip falling to the ground, and was taken to hospital. Although he

is now out of hospital, he is still unable to walk without help nearly three months on.

Detective Constable Tristan Jones said: “This was a shocking attack on a vulnerable man that has left him unable to walk.

“It happened in a busy area in the middle of the afternoon and I’m confident somebody will be able to help us track down the man responsible.”

Police say they want to speak to the person pictured in connection with the incident, and have asked anyone who recognises him to get in touch. Officers can be contacted on 101, quoting reference number 4919/24Jun.

Year group is self-isolating after confirmed case at primary school

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Rye Oak Primary in Peckham has sent its entire year five group home and told them to self-isolate after a confirmed COVID-19 case.

This week, the Whorlton Road school told parents a member of the year five bubble had tested positive for the Coronavirus but there was ‘no evidence’ of transmission within the school.

There are no further details about the person infected and whether they are a staff member or pupil.

The school says its immediate priority was contacting families and staff who may have had close contact with the virus.

Until Monday, September 21, the year five ‘bubble’ is learning at home while self-isolating.

A letter to parents explained: “The school has worked closely with Southwark Public Health and followed all guidelines and procedures. “[They] have advised us that all sibling and other year groups can continue normal activities both in and beyond school and that currently there is no evidence of school transmission.”

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Neighbourhoods Fund 2021/22 Launches on Monday 7 September 2020 Do you have good ideas for projects that will build strong communities and bring lasting benefit to your local area? The Neighbourhoods Fund may be able to help.

There will be £630,000 to spend on a wide range of projects that support: n Local action by communities n Bringing different people together n Making neighbourhoods come to life For more information and to apply online go to https://southwarkgrants.co.uk/ Call Pauline Bonner on 07931 546 220 or email neighbourhoodsfund@southwark.gov.uk

Please note the fund will close at 12 noon Monday 12 October 2020, and applications received after this time will not be considered.

WE’RE PREPARING FOR A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT

FESTIVAL! SAT 19TH SEP 2020 - 11AM-6PM

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions it puts on outdoor events like ours, this year we will be hosting Bermondsey Street Festival Street Market.

A smaller but no less vibrant event, bringing together our usual collection of creators and artisans to share their products and produce with you.

On the day please keep your distance from others, follow any one-way systems in place and respect our traders. For more information on how to get involved get in touch: hello@bermondseystreetfestival.org.uk

WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU! Follow us and hashtag your visit #BermondsStFest

bermondseystreetfestival.org.uk

During this pandemic it is important that we keep each other safe from infection. If you are going to attend Bermondsey Street Festival Street Market please scan this QR code to securely register your details to assist the NHS with contact tracing.

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

The king of Nunhead

And the man behind the Elvis impersonator

By Craig Fergus news@southwarknews-.co.uk One week before the country went into lockdown, Nunhead local Michael Peacock spotted a charismatic young Elvis Presley impersonator.

They had met several times before, often at open mic nights at Skehans pub on Kitto Road, but this time felt different - Michael was taken aback by the impressive crowd 20-year-old Aaron Arthur had attracted.

This chance encounter, and the social restrictions that would be enforced days later, would lead to an unlikely partnership forming; one that would lift the spirits of Southwark residents in the months to come.

Shortly after moving to the area two years ago, Aaron quickly became a recognisable figure in the community as a result of his distinctive performances around town.

He began singing aged six, and was introduced to Elvis’ music by his late grandmother, eventually beginning to perform as ‘The King’ at ten-years-old.

Aaron was no stranger to tribute acts; one of his uncles is also an Elvis imitator, whilst another uncle specialises in the sounds of Cliff Richard.

Although Aaron lives with autism and ADT (Attention Deficit Trait), he refuses to allow it to prevent him from achieving his dreams - his main goal is to ‘just make people happy’.

It wasn’t until early April that Michael, 61, encouraged Aaron to come and perform on his estate, in an attempt to lighten the mood in their local area.

Michael had concerns that Aaron would miss performing whilst the lockdown required his usual crowds to stay at home, therefore he agreed to be his ‘manager’ - arranging dates and times they would visit different streets in Nunhead, and spread joy to as many people as they could.

Aaron was an instant hit with locals, many of whom had seen him perform before. But, when a neighbour of Michael’s suggested they begin collecting money for charity, the duo realised they could make an even greater impact in their community.

When they learned that the Nunhead Salvation Army, with whom Michael has a personal connection to, only had enough funds to feed

the homeless for another week, they agreed that all money raised from Aaron’s busking would go directly to them.

Through approximately 30 fundraisers, they have collected over £2,600 for the charity.

Aaron credits Michael for inspiring him to continue throughout lockdown, even on the nights where he would be performing in poor weather.

Thursday nights, when the nation would clap for its key workers, were always the biggest; crowds would gather in their masses, albeit at a safe distance from one another, in order to sing and dance alongside Aaron and Michael.

Awareness was spread via social media and posters Michael would hang around Nunhead.

Their most triumphant evening came on the final clap on Kimberley Avenue, when a staggering £265 was raised - Michael fondly recalls even the P12 bus driver stopping to make a donation.

Aaron’s dedication to providing relief for his community didn’t go unrecognised - his hard work led to a community youth worker nominating him for the Jack Petchey Foundation Award, which is granted to young people across London and Essex for outstanding achievements within their area.

Cheering up shielding elderly citizens was a standout for Aaron, even if they had to watch from their windows.

Michael remembers each night being an ‘all inclusive’ affair, and neighbours of all ages joining in the fun.

However, their mission is not yet complete: they intend on continuing the pop up shows, as there is still a mission to assist.

They collectively agree that ‘as long as there is the need to help the vulnerable in SE15, we’ll continue’.

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A documentary film following Aaron during lockdown will have its sell-out premier on Sunday.

Two screenings, both fully booked within days, are being held on September 13.

At 5.15pm and 6pm as part of this year’s Peckham and Nunhead free film festival Made by Six of One, the short film follows Aaron’s love of The King, his community, and how he responded to the challenges of COVID-19.

On the night funds will be collected for his chosen charity, The Salvation Army.

For more information: https://www. eventbrite.co.uk/o/peckham-and-nunheadfree-film-festival-29642669291

NEWS 7

We’re here to help you apply for the Windrush schemes.

Call the free helpline: 0800 678 1925 Visit: gov.uk/WindrushHelpTeam

Yes

Here to support you and your family

8 NEWS

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Peter john: A decade of council rule

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

Since May 2010 this Camberwell councillor and barrister has shaped Southwark and made decisions that affect all residents’ lives. The News asks him about his best moments, are there any regrets... and what next?

By Chris Mullany chris@southwarknews.co.uk An emotional Peter John heads into his final week as Leader of Southwark Council – a decade since taking up the mantle –admitting it “feels weird to be hearing about plans that I won’t be involved with. I go with a heavy heart, and I feel torn, particularly at this difficult time. But ten years is the right amount of time for a political leader, if you’ve been lucky enough to be voted in that long.”

Ousting the Lib Dem/Tory coalition in Southwark back in May 2010, in a neat inversion of what was then happening in national politics, John has defined his decade in power – or sixteen years as Southwark Labour group leader - as much by what he has achieved as by what he has fought against. He bills it as a ‘decade of delivery’ – largely at odds, rather than in tandem with successive Conservative governments, railing against the right-tobuy scheme that continues to sap away at the borough’s ambitious housing plans, and condemning the current government for centralising coronavirus responses just when they should be ‘tapping in to the wealth of local knowledge.’

“How can it make sense for [Health Secretary] Matt Hancock to tell a community there’s a local lockdown from Westminster, rather than that decision being made by local government?” he asks. “It doesn’t.”

Due to step down back in March, suddenly the world changed, and John was asked by government to stay put until the crisis abated. And whilst the coronavirus pandemic is far from over, the council

has now put in place sufficient measures that he feels the time is now right to step down. His successor, Kieron Williams, was elected on Monday night and takes over next week. John will begin the ending of his political career by leaving Town Hall, then stepping down as Chair of London Councils in October and relinquishing his role as co-Chair of the London Recovery Board, whilst at a later date ceasing to be a councillor in Champion Hill ward, formerly South Camberwell, where he has stood since 2002.

“It’s a different set of challenges I’m passing on to what I thought they would be”, he admitted this week. “Six months ago we were booming locally, and our employment rates were going up and up. Then the pandemic struck. Right at the outset, the government said to local government leaders – spend now, do what’s right and we will support you in the future. But we’re starting to see that this isn’t being followed through.

“This year we will have a ten or fifteen million pound hole in our finances. We can fund it from reserves, because we’ve created opportunities and investment and I draw comfort from that. Otherwise we’d be looking to make cuts right now, with some other boroughs already having to make job and service cuts. We’ll weather it better than some others. But what will happen in 2021/22, where we currently expect a twenty five to thirty five million pound gap?

“It’s a shame. We thought the worst of austerity was over, and whilst we wouldn’t see rises in spending from a Tory government, we wouldn’t see further reductions. Now that has all changed.”

He admits to being worried about some of the borough’s key projects, including

the Bakerloo Line – integral to the plans to redevelop the Old Kent Road – and the Elephant & Castle station improvement.

“I met with TfL Commissioner Andy Byford two weeks ago and his priorities are our priorities. But TfL’s finances are so precarious – they haven’t agreed a funding deal with the Treasury or Department for Transport beyond October, so yes, you have to be worried.

“I’m still very optimistic about the central London economy. It will bounce back – people will always want to be part of the buzz, and Southwark is part of that.

The bigger challenge is how long it will take. We’ve got a very difficult eighteen months to two years ahead of us.

“We’ve been thinking creatively about how we respond and where growth will come from, and I think that for example where a business might have taken a 250,000 sq ft office, now maybe five businesses will take 50,000 sq ft offices.

So we’ll continue to see growth and investment. And in the meantime, how do we stimulate the economy? Could we perhaps encourage unused spaces to be taken over by arts organisations, to revitalise those areas?”

Paradoxically, he believes that for some parts of the borough, the coronavirus crisis could be ‘an answer to their prayers’.

“The past six months have made people look more closely at their immediate neighbourhood – the idea of fifteen minute cities [with everything on your doorstep]. Local businesses can benefit massively from that, as people realise the value and importance of them. Such as has happened with yourselves – in the lockdown and beyond, Southwark News was there providing people with vital information, and it raised people’s

This is war, it’s as simple as that. We have never experienced anything like it in our lifetimes - Peter John in March this year vowed to stay on during the crisis

I’m still very optimistic about the central London economy. It will bounce back - people will always want to be part of the buzz and Southwark is part of that

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

He ousted the Lib Dem/Tory coalition in Southwark back in May 2010, in a neat inversion of what was then happening in national politics

awareness of the role the paper plays locally.”

He admits that the decision to close off some roads under enhanced coronavirus powers in a bid to lower emissions has proved ‘divisive’, and ‘more successful in some parts of the borough than others’, but adds: “You can’t have it all ways, and say ‘I want to live in a clean air environment, but still have all roads open to traffic’. There have to be some trade-offs in this. It’s not just in Southwark, it’s in London.

And in trying to achieve our target of zero carbon emissions by 2030, I don’t think people appreciate how our lives are going to have to change to get to that. The challenge for us is to take as many people as possible with us.”

He cites one of his proudest achievements as instigating policies that have changed people’s perception of Southwark. “A lot of people say, my God it’s changed so much, it’s amazing.

Ten years ago I said I wanted Southwark to be seen as a part of central London. I think that really has changed, people see Southwark as absolutely central London and I’m proud of that, having shifted the perception and instituted policies.”

Part of that change came about with the controversial move from Camberwell to Tooley Street in London Bridge, in a bid to attract and retain the best people they could at Town Hall. But John argues that the vast changes in the north of the borough, and putting Southwark Council front and centre within those, has served to provide vital investment throughout the borough and will help to get the local economy back on its feet.

John’s time in power has seen huge regeneration schemes undertaken, and he still insists that housing is top of his agenda, with a thirty year plan to create 11,000 new homes by 2043. “I’m not going to tolerate anyone living in poor housing conditions. I don’t think that’s the sign of a successful Labour council”, he says. Yet does he regret any of those

decisions over decanting, that saw the council pitted against leaseholders, fighting what they said was inadequate financial packages that effectively prevented them from returning to regenerated areas?

“I don’t regret the regeneration projects.

The pace of them can be frustrating. I wish we were further along the line with the Aylesbury, for example. With decanting, a lot of people simply don’t want to go back, given the timescales involved. And you also have to be careful that you don’t let the interests of a couple of people define the whole project. It’s also true that the drivers for a longterm regeneration project twenty or twenty five years ago will look somewhat strange a quarter of a century on.

“But what I have learned over the last decade is there are individuals who are affected differently, and you need to be able to be flexible and accommodate their needs. I think we’ve become increasingly flexible.”

So what next for Peter John? In 2016 he told the News he had ruled out standing as an MP, but would this keen Blairite, who struggled under the Labour leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, reconsider under new leader Keir Starmer? “No, I won’t be standing as an MP”, he insists. “As a party nationally we have a long way to go, but under Keir people are listening to the Labour party again, we’re back in the game. And the government has been so useless that it’s really important that we have a coherent parliamentary opposition. The importance he places on local government is particularly encouraging. There wasn’t a single occasion in five years of Jeremy Corbyn where he engaged with London council leaders, whereas we’ve already had two or three meetings with Keir. That has to be positive.”

Contrary to some speculation, don’t expect to find John following some of his predecessors and entering the world of property developers. Instead he intends to revive his practice as a barrister, after taking some time off. “And I’d like to do something in public service if possible.”

Will Southwark Labour survive and thrive with the loss of their leader of the past sixteen years? “I’m still around if they want me to chat to! Sometimes it helps to

NEWS 9

housing boss is now council’s new leader

talk things over with people who’ve done your job – I know I found that talking to some former leaders. But it’s for the new leader to take Southwark forward, not me.”

When asked, John reels off a long list of changes he has presided over that he feels have changed Southwark for the better – free school meals, healthy living and free swim and gym, opening up cultural opportunities, and providing Southwark scholarships and tuition fees for local children to go to university. Under his watch, the council has become a London Living Wage employer and Southwark was the first London Living Wage borough, whilst it has instituted an ethical care charter to ‘improve the lot of our social care workforce and those they care for’.

“And we have bucked the trend nationally with employment rates, seeing a ten or eleven per cent increase over the past decade. Anything we can do to help more people into work is what we’re about. We were being more ambitious with this, with apprenticeships, and that plan was hit by the virus – but our ambition wasn’t hit.”

With a bleak economic outlook on the horizon and the prospect of further government cuts to local authorities, can he envisage a future for his successor where councils will simply be reduced to providers of housing and key services, with his ‘core Labour policies’ just a memory of better times? “I hope it’s not the future. If I was still leader it’s not what I’d want, and I’d urge successors to think really carefully about this.

“We’re undoubtedly going to see an increase in food poverty, and there will be a greater need for children to have proper meals. And the council should always be there to help open up opportunities for disadvantaged people. I hope that some of the policies I’ve instigated are so deeply entrenched that they are seen as essential services.”

A parting thought. “I was watching Council House Britain on Channel 4 last week, and in the opening thirty seconds a council employee, unprompted, says – ‘in Southwark we treat everyone like they’re a member of our family’. They were quoting one of the Fairer Future values I introduced in 2010.

“To hear that, I thought, ok, that’s embedded, that’s something that’s changed. I’ve made a difference to the way people think. I’m really proud of that.”

Editorial - page 25

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Kieron Williams was elected as Southwark Labour Group’s new leader on Monday night, with Jasmine Ali named as his deputy.

Both will be formally elected as leader, and deputy leader, of Southwark Council on Wednesday, September 16 - at the next full assembly.

A Labour and Co-operative ward councillor for Camberwell Green, Williams has held the housing management and modernisation portfolio since 2018 after a postlocal election cabinet reshuffle.

Prior to that he headed up the jobs, skills, and employment department – effectively swapping roles with Stephanie Cryan “Kieron will work tirelessly to continue building on a decade of delivery and improving the lives of all our residents despite these unprecedented and challenging times,” said outgoing leader Peter John.

Williams was congratulated by fellow cabinet members including Leo Pollak, the current new homes chief, who was ‘thrilled’ by the result.

“His commitment to reducing inequalities and empowering communities will be crucial as Southwark Council faces monumental economic, climate, housing and health challenges ahead,” Pollak said.

Throughout the pandemic, Williams urged the government to support private renters by extending the evictions ban, and

Kieron Williams was responsible for overseeing a huge effort to protect and house rough sleepers was responsible for overseeing a huge effort to protect and house rough sleepers from across London.

Its success came despite a 45 per cent rise in homelessness approaches to Southwark Council at the start of the pandemic.

Ali, the new deputy leader, takes over from Rebecca Lury. The hitherto children, schools and adult care cabinet member is well known for her oratory skills.

Their first task will be appointing the new cabinet, which is expected to include some big changes.

Victoria Mills will no longer oversee the council’s finance, performance and Brexit portfolio after choosing to step down but will remain a ward councillor.

Peter John announced his departure on February 26 and was due to leave in March but stayed on during the worst of the pandemic.

Those to throw their hats into the ring included cabinet members Johnson Situ, Stephanie Cryan and backbenchers Martin Seaton and Sunny Lambe.

10 NEWS

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Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

southwark angels Helping in crisis

watch out for shaheen and milo Two entrepreneurs are walking from Brighton to Scotland to raise funds for their innovative tech idea to help people with autism - and going through Southwark en route.

Shaheen Mufti, from Brent, and Milo Alexander from Bexley, will be undertaking the 500 mile challenge on September 15, carrying everything they need along the way including a tent.

They have already raised £1,544 for AI for autism, an initiative that aims to develop new technology to help identify environmental triggers that affect people with sensory sensitivity - one of the hallmarks of autism.

The duo have also been working with parents of autistic children, developers and healthcare professionals to help develop their idea.

Shaheen is regularly posting shout out videos on youtube to all who have contributed.

To donate, and find out more, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ hiking4autism-fundraising-forai4autism

can you help your neigbour find work?

Nunhead Knocks is helping to link up people job searching with neighbours who can give practical advice and support.

helping to feed the young Morrison’s has been supporting Westminster House Youth Club in Nunhead with regular food donations.

Morrison’s community champion Fernene

Here is the supermarket’s community champion, Fernene, dropping off one of her latest deliveries. The club says donated vouchers will also be used to buy some supplies for a new art project beginning later this term.

The volunteer group is keen to hear from anyone with time and skills to give that could support those made redundant when the furlough scheme ends or whose industries have collapsed during the pandemic. This could involve helping with interview practice, CV and cover letter writing, and advice about career changes.

Unemployment is becoming an ever more pressing issue as the furlough scheme winds down. The Bank of England has estimated that unemployment could double to 2.5 million by the end of the year.

For more information and to sign up, visit: https://www. nunheadknocks.com/blog-post/ help-people-struggling-to-findwork-in-your-area

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 11

green fingered in Walworth

Edible Rotherhithe has helped children at Surrey Square School, Walworth install some new raised beds for fruit and veg growing.

The group is also raising funds towards its food growing and arts workshops for children at Surrey Square, and older people in Bermondsey’s Yalding Centre.

Donate online at: cafdonate. cafonline.org/12391#!/ DonationDetails

RIO is helping out on home turf Rio Ferdinand has lent his support to a new campaign commemorating the 20th anniversary of Damilola Taylor’s death.

The Peckham-born footballer’s charitable foundation is partnering with the Damilola Taylor Trust with #Hope2020 - celebrating young people as a force for positive change.

As part of this work the Rio Ferdinand Foundation has set up a series of online workshops for young people.

In a statement about why he has joined the #HopeCollective, Ferdinand said: “I remember the impact the death of Damilola had on Peckham and society.

“Twenty years on I am delighted that my own foundation is working with the Damilola Taylor Trust and the Hope Collective helping to shape this memorial campaign.

“It is important we change the narrative around young people and offer support and pathways to allow them to shape a positive future and and fulfil their potential.”

Hope 2020 is based around a public health approach to knife crime believing more support and early intervention can help vulnerable youngsters stay on the right path.

It is also recruiting a growing number of ‘Hope Ambassadors’ - young people who are sharing their stories of ambition, hope and positivity for the future.

For more information, visit: www. hope2020.uk/ To get involved with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation visit: https:// rioferdinandfoundation.com

bin shelters help beautify estate Tabard Garden’s Balin House is sporting new ‘bin shelters’ funded from the council’s ‘cleaner, greener, safer’ fund.

Damilola Taylor Bin shelters in Tabard Estate

Residents say they are the first step in their plans to help ‘beautify’ the estate - with more planters, climbers, and a green wall all in the works after getting the backing of local councillors.

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Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

NEW MUM SAYS HER BABY HELPED SAVE HER LIFE A PR EGNANT woman whose rare cancer was detected during a scan underwent robotic surgery on her kidney during lockdown.

Rachel Bailey, 28, from Southwark, had a grapefruit-sized tumour and part of a kidney removed during a complex operation in May at Guy’s Cancer Centre just two weeks after she gave birth.

Keen to breastfeed her new-born daughter Phoenix around the surgery, Rachel was able to have the procedure and be back home for cuddles just 25 hours after being admitted to hospital.

Mr Ben Challacombe, the consultant urological surgeon at Guy’s and St Thomas’ who operated on Rachel, said: “Rachel’s situation is rare. I have done over 1,000 robotic kidney operations and only had one other similar case.

“If Rachel hadn’t been pregnant, her tumour may not have been spotted until later when the outcome could have been different. It may be that her baby saved her life.”

While doctors will keep a close eye on Rachel in the coming months and years, they are confident they removed all of the 9cm tumour and she doesn’t need radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Rachel said: “I’m very lucky I was pregnant, otherwise I wouldn’t have known about the tumour. I have always wanted a family and I waited so long to get pregnant.

Phoenix has been a blessing.

“Without Phoenix, the midwives, Ben and the urology team, this experience would

Rachel Bailey with baby Phoenix

DO YOUR OWN FUNDRAISING FUNDRAISE FOR Guy’s and St Thomas’, Guy’s Cancer and Evelina London by doing something you love and make a big difference.

Take on a sporting challenge, host a bake sale, or even host a virtual quiz.

Join hundreds of supporters who come up with imaginative and exciting ways to fundraise each year. Our fundraising websites have all the inspiration you need to find your perfect challenge and get started. For more information visit: www.supportgstt.org.uk/do-your-ownfundraising

Stay

SAFE APART have been a lot more stressful. With them fighting my corner, I didn’t feel like I was doing this on my own.”

Guy’s and St Thomas’ has three da Vinci® robotic surgery systems and carries

out around 800 robotic operations a year – more than any other trust in the UK. Robotic procedures are done by key-hole, meaning a quicker recovery time and much shorter length of hospital stay for patients.

Help us protect our patients and staff

BACK TO SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER?

STARTING SCHOOL is an exciting step for every child, but it can feel daunting too. If your child needs some extra help with their language and communication, there are lots of practical things you can do to help them prepare.

Our film, made by speech and language therapists from Evelina London, takes you through some ideas step by step.

Find out more at: evelinalondon.nhs.uk/ CommunitySLTAdvice.

Keep

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

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NEWS 13

new 24/7 buses lanes Bermondsey tube back to normal

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Some of Southwark’s busiest roads will see their bus lanes become 24/7 under TfL plans approved this month.

The trial move affects nearly 50 miles of the capital’s red routes, and could see drivers flouting the rules fined £130.

The experimental measures mean general traffic will be restricted from using the routes during off-peak hours, as is currently allowed.

The change comes into force on Sunday, September 13. Major Southwark roads such as Tooley Street and Tower Bridge Road are affected.

“As we recover from coronavirus, we’re starting to see more private vehicles using parts of the road network than before,” said TfL. “There is an increasing need to provide more safe space for people to use active, sustainable and socially distant modes of travel.

“We must use London’s limited road space to move as many people as possible to reduce the risk of a car-led recovery.”

Cycles, motorbikes, and taxis will still be allowed to use the lanes, and blue badge parking spaces will also be retained, said TfL.

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Bermondsey tube station has returned to normal hours, months after it was closed because of coronavirus.

SOUTHWARK ROADS AFFECTED: • Borough High Street • Camberwell Church Street • Camberwell New Road • Denmark Hill • Elephant and Castle • London Road • Lordship Lane • Newington Butts • Old Kent Road • Peckham High Street • Queen’s Road • St. George’s Road • Tooley Street • Tower Bridge Road

The station was closed in March because of the pandemic, alongside many other stations including Borough.

It reopened in mid-June from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday – but will now run later into the evening as in pre-Covid times and at weekends.

“I can confirm that from today Bermondsey station will be open full day everyday,” said a TfL spokesperson on Sunday.

Borough station reopened last month and Southwark is also now open.

Work begins at Denmark Hill

By Katherine Johnston

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk A £7.5 million upgrade of Denmark Hill station begins this month to tackle overcrowding and improve train services, as well as adding more bike storage space.

As the News has previously reported, passenger numbers at the Camberwell station have tripled in the last fifteen years, making it one of London’s busiest stations.

The improvements will see a second entrance added at Windsor Walk, more roof cover on platforms, extra customer information screens, and an upgraded PA system.

The eastern end of platform four will be widened, and across all platforms seating will be moved to provide more space.

Work also aims to make the station greener, with solar technology generating enough electricity to make the new station ‘carbon positive’.

A new secure cycle storage unit will have space for 85 bikes - for free.

The changes have been backed by both King's and the Maudsley NHS trusts,

who want to encourage more staff and patients to cycle where possible, and improve patients' journeys to and from hospital. Professor Clive Kay, Group Chief Executive of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The proposed improvements to passenger safety and comfort at Denmark Hill station is great news for the many staff and patients who use the service to reach King’s.

“As a trust, we are delighted to support the safe cycle storage facility at the station.

“As well as installing additional secure bicycle storage here at King’s, which forms part of our Active Travel plan, we are committed to providing additional bike storage at the station for staff who cycle to work, and supporting local residents in our community to live an active lifestyle.”

Work begins this month and is due to be completed in August 2021.

In November, the stairway from the accessible bridge to platform four will be closed for a few weekends while a retaining wall is constructed. During this time the lift and the original station stairway will remain open.

Watch the video

nline

southwarknews.co.uk

Sierra Leonean vigil held in Burgess Park

By Katherine Johnston

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk A coalition of Sierra Leonean groups staged a vigil in Burgess Park, highlighting alleged victims of political violence and intimidation across the West African country.

Held on Sunday, August 31, the protest saw groups including Like Minds for Makeni, Concerned SierraLeoneans-UK, and the Black in the Park Network, commemorate ‘victims of state sponsored violence’.

They called on Boris Johnson and the UK government to intervene and help end “human rights abuses, harassment, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, torture and killings”.

Southwark is home to the UK’s largest Sierra Leonean diaspora, many of whom live in Neil Coyle’s Bermondsey and Old Southwark constituency.

Coyle, who was appointed to the House of Commons foreign affairs committee in May, hopes the crossparty group will focus its attentions on the situation in Sierra Leone in upcoming sessions.

Sierra Leonean activists in the UK say political violence has flared since

president Julius Maada Bio assumed office in April 4, 2018.

Although the election was observed as free and fair, reports of political opponents being targeted and held as political prisoners have continued circulating.

Since winning the election with 51.8 per cent of the vote, Bio introduced a landmark free education for primary and secondary schools and set up a commission to investigate claims of corruption led by previous president Ernest Bai Koroma’s administration.

In September that year, Coyle questioned then Africa minister, Harriet Baldwin, in parliament about what assessment had been made of the level of political violence and arrests in the country.

In a reply, the minister said power had been transferred peacefully, but the government “was aware of recent allegations of politically motivated violence and we continue to monitor the situation”.

She added: “The new government have made a commitment to govern for all Sierra Leoneans, and I call on them to honour that pledge and ensure due process in all cases.”

Coyle’s comments earned him a

strong rebuke from the Sierra Leonean government’s head of strategic communications, who branded the allegations as ‘baseless and sensational untruths’.

This week the News contacted the newly formed Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for a response to the protest and its organisers’ concerns.

“The UK has a close and historic partnership with Sierra Leone and we continue to support it with vital UK aid to build a safe and prosperous country,” said a spokesperson.

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Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

care home says lack of testing made it impossible to tell who had coronavirus

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Bermondsey’s Tower Bridge care home, which recorded more than half of Southwark’s coronavirus care home deaths, says a lack of testing complicated their efforts to battle the outbreak.

At least 34 people have died from coronavirus at Tower Bridge care home, more than half of the borough’s sixty care home residents who had sadly died by mid-July.

This is the highest of any care home in Southwark for which data exists. The home found itself on the coronavirus front-line with an outbreak on March 12, weeks before a national lock-down was ordered.

It says at the time the government was advising that coronavirus posed no threat to care homes – despite residents being in high-risk categories from the virus.

A lack of testing also made it impossible to tell who had the virus. This meant that some who passed away had coronavirus listed on their death certificate, without a positive test.

“We are deeply saddened to have lost 34 residents from Tower Bridge care home during this unprecedented public health emergency, including some who died in hospital having sadly acquired [the] virus there,” said a spokesperson for the home.

“Every death is a tragedy for the individual’s family and is also deeply felt by our colleagues… our thoughts and sympathies are with all families who have lost a loved one from coronavirus.”

Workers contained the outbreak “to only one unit in the home,” said a spokesperson for HC-One, which runs the centre.

“Twenty one other residents who were suspected to have had coronavirus have recovered,” he said.

“This is an invisible virus and through much of the peak of the pandemic there was little to no testing available, particularly at the time this home was affected, which made it exceptionally challenging to manage when we didn’t know who did and did not have the virus.

“It is important to recognise that the information the country and care providers have about the virus today did not exist at the time of the outbreak at Tower Bridge, and the guidance issued by the Government changed more than twenty times during April and May.” Although unions had raised concerns that PPE was not properly distributed to workers in Southwark’s homes because of supply problems, Tower Bridge says it stockpiled PPE from early March.

As the News reported, the home also ‘locked-down’ to non-essential visitors weeks before a national lockdown.

Action to prepare for coronavirus began in February, and ramped up in early

March, say care home officials, through PPE stockpiles, action plans and reduced social contact.

Now thoughts have turned to preventing a second wave – and officials at HC-One say they have learned the lessons of the past six months.

“As we navigate the next stage of the COVID-19 pandemic we have a comprehensive coronavirus protection plan in place which has captured all of the lessons we have learned from homes across the country over the past six months,” a spokesperson for the home

Council developing own track and trace system, over national call centre concerns piers

Dr Jin Lim

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Southwark Council officers could knock on your door to ask you for your close contacts under a new local coronavirus track and trace programme.

Officials at the town hall are developing a new local track and trace system to start this month amid concerns that a national ‘call centre’ system is not

reaching everyone’s contacts.

Dr Jin Lim, Southwark’s acting head of public health, said the new system was being developed because of a spike in Covid cases in Southwark.

“This is in response to the rise in numbers locally and across London.

Southwark’s cases went up quite sharply two three weeks ago,” he said at a meeting last week, in response to a question by a News reporter.

Officials are in the process of getting

a testing centre in Peckham town centre alongside the “enhanced contact tracing.”

Numbers from the national contact tracing system often appear on phones as a 0300 or withheld number, meaning people are not responding to requests to hand over close contacts, said Dr Lim. The national system will hand over control to Southwark if they have not managed to make contact within 24 hours.

The council’s new system will ring from a council-based 0207 number.

If that fails, officials will check local databases for an address – and then ‘door-knock’ to ask for your contacts.

“We’re in the process of training up colleagues across the system, public health colleagues, housing officers, environmental officers, to start the system,” he said. “We hope to run it seven days a week.”

If officials cannot get a hold of someone on the phone, “we will do so-called door knocking,” he said.

Council bosses are also looking at additional powers to close businesses who continue to flout coronavirus guidelines, he added.

“The other area of work we’re doing is around enhanced enforcement … there’s additional legal powers in terms of closure of businesses that keep flouting Covid-secure practises.”

told the News.

“We are also working closely with local public health authorities to make sure our colleagues are routinely tested, which is particularly important as national lockdown measures ease and the economy continues to open.”

The spokesman added: “We are proud of our colleagues and how they have risen to the challenge of coronavirus by showing huge dedication and commitment to our residents.

“We are also grateful to relatives for their ongoing support and understanding.”

corbyn fundraiser removed

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk A campaign to overturn a fine for Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labour leader Jeremy, has been removed for breaching “misinformation” rules.

Mr Corbyn was arrested and fined £10,000 last month for his role in organising a demo against lockdown rules in Trafalgar Square.

Experts overwhelmingly agree that coronavirus is potentially deadly, and that social distancing is needed to combat its spread.

A GoFundMe campaign was established to help legally challenge Mr Corbyn’s fine, and had raised £1,000 in just several hours.

A spokesperson for the website confirmed they had removed the appeal, saying: “This campaign was removed for breaching our terms and

conditions about misinformation.”

The terms and conditions forbid fundraisers “that are fraudulent, misleading, inaccurate, dishonest or impossible.”

The Walworth-based activist disputes that there is a deadly pandemic – a view slammed on Good Morning Britain by Dr Hilary Jones as “dangerous” this week.

“The Police have now reported me for being an organiser who allegedly failed to take appropriate measures to stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” said the 73-year-old about the fine.

“This is [a] further attack on civil liberties.” He has refused to pay the sum, and has vowed to challenge it in the courts.

A separate fundraising appeal for legal costs to challenge alleged offences

by Mr Corbyn under the coronavirus regulations has raised £18,000.

lONDON aSSEMBLY OBJECTS TO PLAN TO MOVE CITY HALL OUT OF BOROUGH

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk The London Assembly has formally objected to plans to move City Hall out of Southwark to save money.

The capital’s government could move to east London under plans by Mayor Khan, as he believes the current City Hall building by Tower Bridge is too

expensive.

Mr Khan has claimed that moving to The Crystal in east London would save £55m over five years.

But in a ‘formal objection’, chair of the assembly, Navin Shah AM, said the figure had been inflated, and a proper financial appraisal had not been undertaken.

In a letter to Mr Khan, the assembly chair said: “Your proposals for The Crystal do not have a sound financial

basis and, when one considers value as well as cost, are detrimental to the standing of the Greater London Authority.”

The assembly has urged the mayor to look at other locations, such as County Hall, or taking additional space at the London Fire Brigade HQ on Union Street.

This was not presented as an option under the current consultation, said Mr Shah. “The Assembly is at a loss to

understand why this option was not presented for consideration as an option, along with The Crystal,” he said.

“It is a matter of serious concern to us that, at no stage in the process to date, was this option presented.”

Eight pages of “alternative options” have been presented to the mayor, instead of the current plan to vacate City Hall, and have some staff in TfL’s and LFB’s headquarters as well as in The

Crystal.

Among the concerns raised are a “failure to negotiate with the current City Hall landlord” and a fear that not having City Hall in a central London location would “diminish London’s government.”

The mayor has not publicly responded to the letter, dated August 19, but has since re-affirmed his belief that a move would be in the best interest of the GLA.

Notice of Annual Members’ Meeting Thursday 17th September 2020 Virtual Meeting 6:00pm – 7:30pm Our Annual Event for King’s Members Hear a review of the year at King’s from the Trust’s Executive team, including our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and our Annual Report and Accounts detailing our performance for 2019/20. King’s Governors will be available for you to raise issues or questions with them.

You can find details of the meeting and how to join on our website here: www.kch.nhs.uk/about/get-involved/membership/annual-members-meeting You do not need to book your place in advance. If you have any questions please contact the Foundation Trust Office on 020 3299 4004 or email: kch-tr.FTO@nhs.net.

If you would like to join King’s as a member, please get in touch. Membership is open to anyone aged 16 years and over who lives in Lambeth, Southwark, Bromley or Lewisham or has been a patient/family or carer of a patient in the last 6 years.

Being a member means you will receive news from King’s and be able to get involved and share your experiences to help us improve the services we provide.

KEEP SOUTHWARK SAFE

TO BOOK YOUR TEST GO TO www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

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NEWS 17

Teachers on the road in memory of ruby

By Katherine Johnston

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Twenty teachers from The Charter School North Dulwich are cycling from London to Brighton next week in memory of head girl Ruby Fuller, who died from leukaemia in May of this year.

The sponsored 54-mile ride will be held on Saturday, September 19, to raise funds for research into new treatments.

It will also celebrate the life of the Herne Hill teenager, who told her family and friends she wanted people to ‘live kindly, live loudly’ as her legacy.

Ruby passed away just weeks after being told her cancer, that had been in remission, had returned as aggressive leukaemia.

She was first diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer, T-cell lymphoblastic non-Hodgkins lymphoma, in July 2019, at just seventeen.

After not responding to initial treatment, she spent the next ten months having gruelling chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a stem cell transplant before going into remission.

In all, she spent 120 nights in the Royal Marsden, King’s, and St George’s - where she was rushed for emergency treatment for sepsis - even spending her eighteenth birthday in hospital.

After a successful transplant she was able to go home in February 2020 - just before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.

Heartbreakingly, during one of her regular check-ups only weeks later, doctors found that the cancer had returned. This time it was leukaemia.

After being offered life-extending treatment in April, Ruby decided against risking spending weeks in isolation and instead chose to go home to spend the time she had left with her family. She passed away three weeks later, with care from the St Christopher's Hospice team.

Her mum, Emma, told the News: “She started off with a lymphoma that became leukaemia.

“We don’t know why, and there is still very little understanding about why teenagers or young adults develop cancer.

“Huge progress has been made since the 1960s when a patient was expected to only live a few weeks, but there are lots of different kinds of blood cancer and hers was an unusual type with fewer treatment options.

“She was already incredibly unlucky, and then didn’t respond to treatment so had the stem cell transplant as a last resort.

“Once she relapsed there was just nowhere else to go.

“At the time you feel like the unluckiest person in the world. But now I have now met other young people going through similar treatment. There are still many teenagers being diagnosed with cancer.

“Ruby’s consultant told us in cases like hers they don’t have the answers yet and the only way they will is through funding.

“Already great improvements have been made, so we want to continue this further.”

A year eleven head girl, Ruby would have received her A Levels this summer

and had secured a place at Bristol University to study geography.

Passionate about animals and the environment, and a committed vegetarian, she dreamt of working for a charity and helping to save the planet.

She had persuaded her family to give up flying for holidays - and was organising a trip to Europe by train when she was in treatment.

Before her death, she told her family and friends the most important things to her were kindness, and challenging injustice.

This belief has now inspired the other aim of her memorial fund - encouraging people to ‘live kindly, live loudly’ - as Ruby described it; ‘loudly’ meaning finding your voice for good.

It has now become her motto - and one her family, friends and Charter School Community hope others will put into action.

Describing her daughter, Emma says: “She was a bit of a karaoke queen and word perfect to many Lady Gaga and

Taylor Swift songs.

“She would be belting them out in the car on the way back from chemo, along with ‘80s songs from when I was young.

“Ruby managed to keep that sense of humour going right to the end.

“When it became apparent her treatment wasn’t working and she didn’t have long to live, many of the wonderful staff at the Royal Marsden would visit her in hospital, essentially to say goodbye.

“They would find her having very fun, loud houseparty and zoom calls, laughing with her friends. I’m sure they were a bit taken aback.

“One mum of a friend of hers told me ‘Ruby was a friend to anybody who needed a friend’.

“She loved animals and our cats, and was at every climate strike.

“She was conscientious and maybe quiet at school but the life and soul of every party with her friends, and had recently discovered the joys of vodka cocktails.

“Lockdown meant we couldn’t organise events, take her away to the seaside, or have a standard funeral.

“We were able to borrow a neighbour’s hot tub, put it in our garden, and give her a day of fun.

“After she died and we could have more people around, we hired a Hawaiian bar and made a ‘Ruby cocktail’ with her closest friends in our garden. We had some vegan cake and food, and shared our memories. It was as lovely as it could be.”

Head teacher Christian Hicks told the News Ruby was one of the Charter School's model students and leaders.

“Ruby was such a great student and her kindness, integrity and energy shone through so clearly," he said.

“She made the school a better place simply by her presence and truly embodied everything we wanted our students to be.

“These are just some of the reasons that we made her head girl.

“We always do a student and staff vote for the head boy and girl position and I clearly remember that Ruby won both the staff and the student votes, which is quite rare.

“Everybody is liked by somebody, but it seems that Ruby was liked by everybody.”

The bike ride is being held during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and will start at a particularly special place; her memorial bench in Brockwell Park.

Every year, 4,500 children and young people aged 24 and under are diagnosed with cancer in the UK. One in six will not survive.

The Charter School’s fundraising will go towards Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group, a leading children’s cancer charity. So far, more than £1,700 has been raised.

To support them, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ CharterBrightonRide2020

Nurse Christine and other SE17 stories

By Katherine Johnston

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk More than 50 Walworth residents came together last week to share their experiences of living and working in SE17.

The local history project ‘Walworth Stories’ is being run by the community theatre group the People’s Company.

The group have been collecting residents’ memories, turning them into online animations.

Retired nurse Christine Tan, originally from Malaysia, is one of those to take part.

In her story, she reflected on how she left home Kuala Lumpur in her early 20s to come and work for the NHS in a career that would span more than 40 years.

Christine landed in the UK on April 2, 1966, to take up her training in St Albans City Hospital.

She then moved onto paediatrics at Evelina Children’s Hospital, and eventually into midwifery in Lambeth Hospital and at St Thomas’.

“Coming to this country it was very, very strange. I think I cried all the way on the plane,” she remembers.

“When I arrived in the hospital I met a lot of fellow people from my country, and we came to be very close together.”

Looking back to her training, she remembers: “In those days nursing was completely different, we had to make breakfast, do the cleaning and as a junior your part is to clean all the bed pans.”

In her first weeks she was given a cooking lesson by a ‘matronly like’ ward sister who showed her how to rustle up scrambled eggs after admitting she had never eaten or made them before.

Now retired, Christine still keeps in touch with her NHS colleagues through a retirement group.

“After looking after people who are sick and old you have a lot of empathy for them,” she said, adding she was proud to have dedicated her life to caring for others.

Those taking part in the project were

asked to bring along a memento that meant something special. For Christine, it was her NHS lanyard - adorned with a charm given to her by a patient.

For more information on community history projects in Walworth, visit https://www.walworthsociety. co.uk/ and https://www. peoplescompanylondon.com

HABERDASHERS' ASKE'S

BOROUGH ACADEMY

Proud to be Haberdashers Haberdashers’ Aske’s Borough Academy is a new secondary school that opened in September 2019.

Located on Southwark Bridge Road in the former Fire Station, this school brings together the traditional and the innovative.

We’re proud to be Haberdashers

Part of the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Federation Trust, we are proud of our longstanding reputation for educational excellence. Borough Academy brings together this experience with brand new facilities to provide an unrivalled secondary school experience in Southwark.

Admissions for Year 7 in 2021 Please check our website for the latest admissions information and to learn more about our school.

www.habsborough.org.uk To apply for a place at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Borough Academy please complete the common application form through your local authority.

Application closing date: 31st October 2020

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BOROUGH ACADEMY For information on admissions and our open events visit our website www.habsborough.org.uk 020 3764 1321 boroughacademy@haaf.org.uk

SU CELEB CC An 11 - 18 ES RATI S I NG Church of England Girls’ School N2 02 0!

Open Sessions 2020

Thursday 24th September Friday 25th September Wednesday 30th September Thursday 1st October Tuesday 6th October High Ability Test - Saturday 10th October

For more information please visit

www.ssso.southwark.sch.uk

New Kent Road, London SE1 4AN T: 0207 407 1843 E: office@ssso.southwark.sch.uk Secondary Schools 15

City of London ACAdemy SouthwArk Virtual Open eVents 2020:

This year all our Open events will take place virtually, please book your preferred date/time via our website: www.cityacademy.co.uk, bookings will open on Thursday 10th September 2020 at 9:00 am. @CoLA_Southwark / 020 7394 5100 Tuesday 22nd September 2020 Open Evening Session 1: 4.00 - 5.00pm Please book via our website Tuesday 22nd September 2020 Open Evening Session 2: 6.00 - 7.00pm Please book via our website Thursday 17th September 2020 Open Morning: 9.00 – 10.00am Please book via our website Thursday 24th September 2020 Open Morning: 9.00 – 10.00am Please book via our website Tuesday 29th September 2020 Open Morning: 9.00 – 10.00am Please book via our website

On Proof

56 Brixton Hill, London SW2 1QS

email: info@trinityacademylondon | www.trinityacademylondon.org | 020 3126 4993

As part of the leading Future Academies family of schools, Trinity Academy provides a traditional and aspirational academic curriculum and fully rounded education for 11-18 year old boys and girls from a wide catchment area across south London.

Our teachers are inspiring and passionate, subjectexperts; our pupils benefit from small class sizes, cutting-edge facilities, and tried-and-tested classroom resources. Our values of self-discipline, courage, fairness and wisdom underpin our high standards and our excellent academic results.

Co-educational secondary (ages 11-18) Principal: A. FACCINELLO MA (OXON) PGCE OPEN EVENING

We look forward to meeting you at our upcoming open events where you can meet pupils and staff

Thursday, 1st October: 4pm – 8pm Thursday, 15th October: 4pm – 8pm OPEN MORNINGS

Monday, 28th September: 9am – 10am Tuesday, 29th September: 9am – 10am Wednesday, 30th September: 9am – 10am Monday, 12th October: 9am – 10am Tuesday, 13th October: 9am – 10am Wednesday, 14th October: 9am – 10am Friday, 11th October: 9am – 10am PRINCIPAL’S TALK AND PUPIL-LED GUIDED TOURS ALL WELCOME, NO NEED TO BOOK!

We are an ambitious 11-16 school with small class sizes, strong sense of community, and: • A stimulating curriculum which encourages pupils to enjoy learning and reach their potential • Exciting enrichment classes including Duke of Edinburgh Award, leatherwork, debating and free music lessons • Guidance and pathways towards higher education, training and employment • Healthy lifestyles, prioritising physical exercise, mental well-being and healthy eating • A new state-of-the-art building opening in 2023

Open Evening Thursday 10 September • 4:00 - 5:30pm & 6:00 - 7:30pm

Open Mornings Wednesday 16 September • 9:00 - 10:30am Monday 21 September • 9:00 - 10:30am Thursday 1 October • 9:00 - 10:30am Monday 5 October • 9:00 - 10:30am Monday 12 October • 9:00 - 10:30am

Compass School Southwark, Drummond Road, Bermondsey SE16 2BT 020 3542 6506 • info@compass-schools.com • www.compass-schools.com

@compassSE16

Year 7 and Year 12 open days

Find out more about Westminster City School, a comprehensive boys’ school with a mixed sixth form in central London.

We offer exceptional learning in an inclusive commmunity, with our GCSE results consistently above national averages. Record numbers of our sixth formers will start university in autumn 2020.

Register for our open events this autumn at: www.wcsch.com

Westminster City School 55 Palace Street,Victoria, SW1E 5HJ Tel: 020 7963 6300

24 OPINION

www.southwarknews.co.uk/letters

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

Comment

florence eshalomi

GLA Member for Southwark & Lambeth

Give free travel to pupils

I

would like to congratulate all of our local young people who recently received their A Level and GCSE results, having worked very hard this year under extraordinary and difficult circumstances.

Frustratingly, we saw the obstacles placed in front of students by the Covid-19 outbreak, compounded by the government’s disastrous handling of how grades were awarded in the wake of exam cancellations.

Let’s be clear, the government were warned well in advance of results day about the many potential pitfalls of their grading algorithm, including how it would disproportionately impact pupils from BAME and

disadvantaged backgrounds.

Whilst the education secretary finally apologised and made some concessions to the countless students who were unfairly downgraded, we shouldn’t forget that there are many young people still seeking justice and facing needless uncertainty.

Right now, we should be investing in the future of our young people, not penalising them. However, if the downgrading fiasco wasn’t enough, the government are still pursuing the suspension of free travel for thousands of secondary school and sixth form pupils across the capital.

At the most recent London Assembly Plenary meeting, we passed a motion calling upon the

Department for Transport to scrap this policy with immediate effect.

Taking away this right from young Londoners is not only unjust and set to hit the poorest families the hardest, but also unworkable.

The government was warned long ago that, in reality, implementing this proposal will put yet more pressure on the already dwindling resources of local authorities, schools and Transport for London.

From City Hall, the mayor has recognised the huge potential of young people across all of the capital’s diverse communities.

Against the backdrop of sustained government cuts to youth services, City Hall has put in place a £45 million Young Londoners Fund to divert the most vulnerable children away from violent crime through early intervention projects. More recently, a new £2.1 million fund was introduced, targeted at helping young people who have been worst affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Finally, I would like to reiterate my thanks to residents and businesses in the borough for continuing the fight against the pandemic by following social distancing guidelines. It has not been an easy time for anyone, but if we continue to all play our part, we can prevent a second wave and protect our NHS in the coming winter months.

We Lib Dems councillors represent nearly 25 per cent of Southwark wardsnick johnson Southwark Liberal Democrat opposition leader

I

’m honoured to write to you in this column for the first time as the new Liberal Democrat Leader of the opposition group on Southwark Council. A big thank you to Southwark News for this monthly opportunity and all the hard work they do in reporting on the goings on across our diverse and talented borough.

Covid-19 has affected us all, sometimes in tragic ways. Yet, amidst the devastation, there are also some signs of hope. Residents, businesses, community groups, key workers, council workers and of course the NHS have all come together and demonstrated the real power of community. We can never thank you all enough for what you’ve done for us.

As we all come to terms with how Covid has changed our lives, now is a time to think about how we build back better. Many of us have discovered our parks for the first time; we are cycling and walking more; looking out for our elderly neighbours and coming to terms with regular home working.

Southwark Council itself has held its first ever digital council meetings and demonstrated the huge and rapid changes it can make in response to the pandemic – for example managing to house all the rough sleepers in Southwark for the first time ever.

Extraordinary change is demonstrated everywhere you look, but it is vital that this change is not imposed. As Liberal Democrats, we have always placed local communities at the heart of our

politics and residents at the heart of decision-making. Representing nearly 25 per cent of Southwark wards, our fourteen Lib Dem councillors are a strong voice for residents at the council and it is a privilege to fight for you each and every day. We want to make sure that the opportunities to “rethink our normal” are not forgotten as we recover and rebuild. We will seek to work cross-party to embed the positive changes and address the big issues that this pandemic has shone a light on. This is our once in a generation opportunity to make the far-reaching changes that we all know are needed.

You can count on me to be leading the voice of residents across Southwark.

As well as more housing for residents, you are telling us we need to build on the improvement in air quality and environmental change experienced during lockdown and implement a true climate change green agenda.

We have a number of green initiatives that I will share over the next few months – not the least to campaign for replanting thousands of trees we have lost these past few years.

We are also focused on ensuring that transport chaos in Southwark doesn’t worsen due to TFL’s lagging finances – including campaigning for the Mayor of London to maintain the free travel for under-eighteens, establishing an all electric Rotherhithe Ferry service (following cancellation of the bridge) and the long term fight for the extension of the Bakerloo Line. Any delay in the latter will be an unmitigated disaster

for the massive regeneration going on in the Old Kent Road and surrounds.

We also know that our council finance teams have navigated the impact of funding shortfalls skilfully during the pandemic chasing central government funds – but there is a gap emerging.

What we will not accept, is any cuts to vital services that you rely on and need and will be fighting at all levels to keep these in place. And of course, as a small business owner, I know only too well that we have to restart our economy quickly, safely and effectively.

An immediate priority in my area of the borough is the impact of the Canada Water Masterplan development - one of the largest in Southwark's history.

As this paper has reported previously, local residents are crowd-funding a campaign to review the approved plans. We support this, not because we want the masterplan scrapped, but because we want it done in a better way, better protecting the woodland, a better mixed community and better transport infrastructure so it doesn’t collapse. To help you can donate here: http://crowdjustice.com/case/ rethink-canada-water-masterplan Please look out for all our activities over the next few months. In closing, I extend an open invitation to readers who have any concern about or wish to get involved in our borough – to please contact me (nick.johnson@ southwark.gov.uk) to discuss how we can help champion your cause.

Thank you again, stay safe and let's continue extraordinary change together.

READERS’ VIEWS The cost of renewing Rotherhithe Tunnel could be as high as £120m With no bridge, no ferry, gridlock on Lower Rd and now maybe no tunnel, I recommend Rotherhithe and Surrey Docks residents take swimming lessons. It will be the only way out Cllr Nick Johnson (Lib Dem), via Twitter

New Burgess Park court injunction gives Southwark Council power to put rowdy partygoers in the dock Good! About time, let’s hope it makes a difference Jeanette Hooper, via Facebook

Anti-lockdown protestor Piers Corbyn slammed by doctor for ‘dangerous’ coronavirus views Piers Corbyn doing a good job of being both the most insufferable Piers and the most insufferable Corbyn, and it’s QUITE the achievement.

Andrew Tipler, via Facebook

More than half of all Southwark care home coronavirus deaths occurred at Tower Bridge Care home, report finds Never had good reviews from the care commission been in the papers.

Sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost love ones due to Covid-19 throughout this pandemic.

Robert Bayne, via Facebook

My mum is in there too on 2nd floor. She's 92 and has been fine all through it and they've kept us updated right through as we couldn't visit. It is a worry but I think they're testing residents and staff frequently.

Lorraine Hannon, via Facebook

Neil Coyle apologises for foul-mouthed Twitter rant over Rule Britannia debate He has apologised for swearing, not apologised for judging all Brexit voters and calling them racists. Labour a party for diversity, unless they disagree with you.

Aaron Byrne, via Facebook

Sorry because of the outrage but not sorry.

Maria Hayes, via Facebook

Letter to the editor: Neil Coyle apologises for foulmouthed Twitter rant over Rule Britannia debate The issue here isn’t about Rule Britannia or even Brexit – and that’s coming from a Lib Dem! It’s about respect for his constituents, respect for people irrespective of views and respect for the right to debate without reducing the argument to expletive-laden insults – this is not leadership.

While he’s been ranting on Twitter, Liberal Democrats have focused on what matters to the people we represent. We’ve focused on what matters to the people we represent.

We’ve forced the government to U-turn on poor levels of support for businesses, and locally we have been at the heart of Mutual Aid groups, food banks and green community initiatives which are bringing this community together.

Cllr Humaira Ali, (Lib Dem for London Bridge and West Bermondsey).

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/letters

OPINION 25

Peter John: A true champion for Southwark

W

hen new Southwark Council leader Kieron Williams sits down at his desk for the first time next week, he might be forgiven for feeling a certain amount of trepidation, when he looks back to the past and forward to the future.

His predecessor, Peter John, now in his final week, has over his decade in power seen terrorist attacks, riots, floods, as well as the years of austerity that have forced difficult decisions about essential services and what role a local council plays in its community.

And the next ten years are unlikely to prove any easier, with the likelihood of a deep economic depression looming as we look to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic. Add in uncertainty over a potential no deal Brexit and the odds are on things getting much worse before they start to get better.

Peter John tells us this week that the list of challenges he hands over are somewhat different to the ones he envisaged handing over six months ago – coronavirus has changed everything. But he can take pride from guiding the borough through a crisis unseen in modern times, as well as from a long list of achievements over the decade. It would not be an overstatement to say that he has transformed the way that Southwark is seen nationally and internationally – the north of the borough especially being almost unrecognisable from ten years ago.

A firm believer in ‘core Labour values’, John has channelled investment from regeneration projects and his somewhat controversial mixedtenure developments into initiatives that he sees as being vital to the wellbeing of Southwark’s citizens – free school meals for every child, free swim and gym sessions, instigating the London

SOUTHWARK NEWS DIARIST

What the

Dickens?

A pick ‘n’ mix Brexit deal?

Much attention has been stirred nationally among Brexit watchers by the government’s bid to rewrite parts of the Withdrawal Agreement.

Northern Ireland secretary, Brandon Lewis, admitted in the House of Commons on Tuesday that the move would break international law - but only “in a very specific and limited way.”

Bermondsey’s Labour MP Neil Coyle remains unimpressed, and quips: “When I was 10 I only shoplifted in a limited, specific store but I still got a caution from the police and a lifetime ban from Woolworths.”

Let he who has not stolen pick ‘n’ mix cast the first stone.

Bermondsey crypt for sale

For those of us who went through a Goth phase, the perfect rental opportunity has come up: a disused crypt in Bermondsey.

The property, advertised on RightMove, is in the grounds of St John’s Church on Fair Street. For a neat £2,000 a month, Southwark residents too can

Living Wage in the council and the borough, and providing scholarships for some of the borough’s young people to go on to university and creating thousands of apprenticeships. Top of his list has been the housing crisis the borough faces, with thousands on waiting lists, and a constant need to improve the standard of living for council tenants. “I’m not going to tolerate anyone living in poor housing conditions. I don’t think that’s the sign of a successful Labour council” he says this week, and that is a commendable, consistent message he has espoused.

Not every John decision has been the right one, necessarily, and mistakes have been made. Yet that is true of any political leader who remains in power for a decade. Change is difficult and can prove divisive. But his vision of a council being about more than just essential services – creating a healthier, more level society – harks back to the times of Dr. Salter. In a time where politics can almost be a dirty word, it’s right to remember that politicians can also be a force for good.

This paper has also had its disagreements with Cllr John over the years, and many a heated phone call. But we applaud him for caring, and for recognising that the local paper is there to hold local government to account, and seeing the merit in that, beyond particular stories or differences of opinion.

Cllr John leaves behind an impressive legacy, and a more modern, confident borough. But his biggest achievement is to have provided opportunity for many of the most disadvantaged in our community. We wish his successor every luck and hope he continues with this vital work.

And we wish Cllr John all the best, wherever his future may take him. He has been a true and passionate champion of Southwark the borough, and of its people, and he will be missed. make like Dracula, and sleep in a crypt.

The basement property has two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a reception room - but the property “fully of mystery and wonder” has no windows.

Fittingly, much like deceased occupants of crypts, tenants are expected to stay there on a long-term basis only.

A boring journey

A big bore has gone underground in Bermondsey.

Selina is a machine which is creating the final stretch of the Super Sewer, a multi-billion quid project to modernise the Thames’ sewer system.

The machine, named after Bermondsey’s Dr Selina Fox, will now tunnel the 5.5km distance to the Abbey Mills pumping station in east London.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

Clues Down

Clues Across

1 Like grains from a lunar rag (8) 4 Second rate Greek (4) 8 Secured with hair? (6) 10 Charge for standing still? (6) 11 Fireside goddess with a broken stick (5) 12 In general, four are bestowed (5) 14 He ought to know all the answers (6) 17 But can he crawl a hundred feet? (9) 18 Effect a safe entry? (5,4) 22 Cups and saucers for Bostonians? (3,3) 23 Truce broken by a vinegar bottle (5) 24 Shattered at being hardup? (5) 26 The slave of the bowlingalley? (6) 27 Rod set out in reserve (6) 28 A suitable place for knotting ties? (4) 29 A newly floated company could do with this (8)

1 Beat up the game with clubs (4) 2 The circle where part is over the nervous reaction (6) 3 One is always so irregular (6) 5 Lead astray about ten out skating? (6) 6 Chemical change to a medieval type of research (8) 7 Such a gaze might produce tears (5) 9 Profession for one interested in drawing, perhaps (9) 10 Check roosters for controlling water (9) 13 Love of the solar system (5) 15 Farewell from a French god? (5) 16 Out of order sets give signs of earlier life (8) 18 This gets all the votes (6) 19 Resist pressure from rare beliefs (5) 20 Attractive victim who swallowed better without beer? (6) 21 A little uranium surrounded by neon it’s enough to makeyou nervous (6) 25 Aimlessly disturbed a pastoral scene (4)

QUICK PUZZLE Clues Across

1 Inhaled (8) 4 Kind of powder (4) 8 Catches sight of (6) 10 Trader (6) 11 Swiftness (5) 12 Unfasten (5) 14 Feminine (6) 17 Cast doubt on (9) 18 Complete (3,3,3) 22 Drive away (6) 24 Composition (5) 25 Watchful (5)

26 Yellowish white (6) 27 Satisfies (6) 28 Sprinkle (4) 29 Abridges (8)

Clues Down

1 Raised (4) 2 Make larger (6) 3 Proposition (6) 5 On the water (6) 6 Put in a difficult position (8) 7 Yielded (5) 9 Particularly (9)

Solutions to last week’s crossword Cryptic

ACROSS: Eventuality 9 Ice 10 Calibrate 11 Tower 13 Service 14 Errata 16 Rapier 18 Oration 19 Nonet 20 Extolling 21 Run 22 Present time DOWN: Vie 3 Nicer 4 Unless 5 Liberia 6 Tradition 7 Little Women 8 Penetrating 12 Warrantor 15 Trifles 17 Indian 19 Night 21 Ram

Quick Puzzle

ACROSS: 1 Interesting 9 End 10 Execution 11 Yacht 13 Deplete 14 Abacus 16 Stress 18 Startle 19 Waste 20 Attribute 21 Ass 22 Dragonflies DOWN: 2 Nod Event 4 Emends 5 Trumpet 6 Noiseless 7 New Year’s Day 8 Intersperse 12 Character 15 Untying 17 Return 19 Wheel 21 Ape

10 Guards (9) 13 Moor to dock (3,2) 15 Less (5) 16 Led toward (8) 18 willows (6) 19 Sides for games (5) 20 Stableman (6) 21 Grapple with (6) 25 Employs (4)

26 FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS / COMMUNITY NOTICES www.southwarknews.co.uk Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020 MENTS/COMMUNITY NOTICES www.southwarknews.co.uk Southwarkwww.southwarknews.co.uk News 1 FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMUNITY 1 FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMUNITY NOTICES www.southwarknews.co.uk NOTICES Southwark News

Memorials John Millward Phillis Hawkins 09/05/1931 - 13/09/2003

Remembering a dear Mum and Nan who fell asleep 11th September, 1976 and her birthday on the 13th.

Reunited forever with her sons Jimmy, Patrick, Alfred and daughters Joan, Eileen, Mary, Beryl and Goos.

“Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same.

But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.”

Your loving daughters Ellen,Glad, Rose, Pat, Maureen and families xxx

al,

Our relationship was special, I value it with pride, but I never knew how special, til the day you died.

Rest in peace.

Your loving wife, BABS xxx Sorry I missed your Birthday

ial,

S

ay

Memorials

Memorials

John Millward Phillis Hawkins Phillis Hawkins 09/05/1931 - 13/09/2003 Remembering a dear Mum and Nan my dear Nan whoRemembering fell asleep 11th September, 1976 and her birthday on the 13th.

Reunited withdon’t her sons “Thoseforever we love go Jimmy, Patrick, away, Alfred and daughters Joan, and Goos. theyEileen, walk Mary, besideBeryl us everyday,

unseen, unheard, always “Our family chain is but broken, and near, still loved, remembered nothing seems the same. and very dear.”

But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.”

Your daughters Ellen,Glad, yourloving loving grandson Leslie Rose, Pat, Maureen and families xxx was special, Our relationship xxx

Memorials Death Notice

Phillis Hawkins Phillis Hawkins Remembering a dear Mum and Nan who fell asleep 11thmy September, 1976 Remembering dear Nan and her birthday on the 13th.

Reunited forever with her sons “Those we Alfred love don’t go Jimmy, Patrick, and daughters away, Joan, Eileen, Mary, Beryl and Goos.

they walk beside us everyday, “Our family chain isbut broken, and unseen, unheard, always nothing seems the same. near, still loved, remembered But as God calls us one by one, the and will verylink dear.” chain again.”

Your loving daughters Ellen,Glad,

your grandson Leslie Rose,loving Pat, Maureen and families xxx xxx

i value it with pride, but i never knew how special, the day you died.

Totilplace a family announcement in the paper please email Rest in peaceads@southwarknews.co.uk yoour loving wife BABS Announcements xxx must be placed by 4pm on the Tuesday before Sorry i missed your birthday Thursday’s publication

Phillis Hawkins

In loving memory of our mum and nan

Maura Davorn

who passed away peacefully on Remembering my2020. dear Nan 26th August

“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, remembered and very dear.” your loving grandson Leslie xxx Sadly missed, always in our hearts and thoughts.

Breda, Ron, Jackie, Joe, Kevin, Tom, Valerie, Liam, Tina, Katie, Ellie, Laura, Jamie and John.

X

Call our sales team on 020 7232 1369 or e-mail: ads@southwarknews.co.uk for our competitive rates community notices

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

WANTED

CARS + VANS ANY CONDITION ANY AREA PROMPT & POLITE SERVICE TELEPHONE

020 8659 8988 ANY DAY, ANY TIME, 7 DAYS MOBILE

07850 323 508 CLASSIC & UNSUAL CARS ALSO WANTED

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

Call Lorraine on 020 7232 1639

to advertise on this page

www.bedehouse.org , tel: 0207 237 3881

If you are a charitable or communityoriented organisation and want to let people know about your services, please call 0207 232 1639

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS / COMMUNITY NOTICES 27

Birthday

Look who’s 40

Nicky White 6th September 2020

So here we are Nick After forty years of Blood Sweat and Tears You truly are a Son to be proud of Love you Always Mum and Dad XX

OMG Nicky is 40 Love you Lots Kelly X

OMG Uncle Nick is 40 Have a lovely day Love you lots Billie-Jo and Ro-Jo XX

Happy 40th Birthday Nick Hope you have a lovely day Love Katie & Maisie XX A strong friendship doesn’t need daily conversations, We don’t always need togetherness.

As long as the friendship lives in the Heart, true friends will never part Still remember your 18th 21st 30th and now you are turning the BIG 40!

Wishing you an amazing 40th birthday Nick, We Love you millions, Love always Hayley, Aaron, Ralph and Darcie XXXX

Happy 40th to the Best Dad anyone could ever ask for So thankful for everything you do for us We Love you to the moon and back enjoy your special day Lots of Love Always and Forever Little T XXX Happy 40th Birthday Nick Hope you have the best day Lots of love Steve Julie and Albert XXX Happy 40th Birthday Nick Love you always Nan & Carol XX

To the Best Brother in Law Nicky White Welcome to the 40’s Happy Birthday Love Donna XX

Happy 40th Birthday to the brains of the family (after me anyway) Love you always Dad Lots of love Big T XX Happy 40th Birthday Nick Love from all of us XX

Happy Big 40th Nick Have the best day love Danielle Pete Daisy Lilly and Ralph XXXXX Happy 40th Birthday to the only uncle I have Hope you have special day Love you lots Chelsea and Dan XX

Nick, Can’t believe your 40! You’re getting old lol Have a great birthday Thanks for being a great Cousin in law!

Love Always Lisa, Nick and Jake XXX Happy 40th Birthday Uncle Nicholas Have a good day you old Git Love you lots Lilly XX Happy 40th Birthday Uncle Nick Love you all the world Ivy-Rose XXX To Uncle Nicky Happy 40th Birthday Lots of love Reggie XX

Happy 40th Birthday to the best husband in the world You are my best friend My Rock and My Everything I love you All the world and back again I hope you have the most amazing weekend and get everything and more.

Thank you for looking after me since we meet which was 20 years ago I love you always and forever Joanne XXXXXX Happy 40th Nick you old Git Have a good one Lots of love James Jess and Sienna XXX Uncle Happy 40th Birthday have a great day Love you lots Larry (Harry) XX

28 ARTS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/arts

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

what’s on C-o-n-t-a-c-t Without Hugs

peckham artist to stage his own festival With no Peckham Festival this year, or the eagerly anticipated Nunhead Art Trail, local artist Rafael Klein says, 'That just seems a shame, but I won't let September pass by without a South London art event.'

To remedy the problem created

by Covid-19, Klein will be opening his studio for one day only, Saturday, 12th September from 12 - 6pm, for Heaven is a State of Mind, with an exhibition of the Paradise paintings and a free open air film showing at 8pm, weather permitting.

Paradise is a new series of paintings created after a trip home to America, and never previously

exhibited. Some are on aluminium in alkyd enamels. Others are smaller works on prepared paper.

The film showing will be a preview of several new short films, accompanied by live readings.

With an artistic flourish, Rafael summed up his plan of action with a little something from Milton's Paradise Lost: "The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven" Klein Studio, 10A Athenlay Rd. London SE15 3EA Street parking is available.

The Online Exhibition can be visited here

in Southwark

When, after six months of lockdown, you really are in need of a hug, the last thing you need is to have a bad day, which is what Sarah thought she was having when a stranger began making unwanted small talk with her in the street, writes Michael Holland...

Sarah hadn’t been feeling herself since the death of her father so would take comfort in the small things in life, such as birdsong, as she walked around the city looking for her dead dad’s motorbike. So when she is approached by a man she doesn’t know she wants him to keep his distance.

It is only when she realises he knows a lot about her, as if he can read her mind, that a rapport between the two develops.

C-o-n-t-a-c-t is a socially distanced outdoor play that incorporates 3D sound via headphones and apps, combined with a live performance acted out in the streets around London. An audience of no more than fifteen follow and eavesdrop on Sarah and Raphael as their verbal and mental battles echo around the watchers’ heads, if not actually around the city’s streets.

This is a different type of theatre for the contemporary world, and once

you get your head around the concept and stop looking at the bemused faces of the passersby wondering why random people are all facing the same way for apparently no reason; or all moving off in the same direction at the same time, then you can concentrate on the story and the action unraveling before you.

I liked it a lot, as did my fellow audience members. It is a step up from the usual promenade theatre and has a lot of potential. For instance, you can choose any number of languages to listen to as it will always match the action.

Plus, in these days of many theatregoers still wary of sitting in auditoriums, this is the ideal antidote to no live theatre at all.

C-o-n-t-a-c-t is on at three London locations until 10th October. Times: 4.40pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm. Admission: £22.50 Tickets: www.contactshow.co.uk Locations: Monument: In front of 3, Lower Thames St, London Bridge, EC3R 6HD Clapham Common: At the entrance of the park opposite 22 The Pavement, SW4 0HY Cutty Sark: at the entrance of the Greenwich Foot Tunnel South, SE10 9HT

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/history

HISTORY 29

History

celebrating the links between the Mayflower and a Southwark church

Week-long festival tells the lesser known story of Southwark’s role in founding the USA A free week-long history festival celebrating the links between Crossway, a Southwark non-conformist church and the Mayflower’s voyage to America is being held this month, writes Katherine Johnston...

John Whelan, the artistic director of the Southwark Playhouse-based theatre group People’s Company, told the News the series of virtual and community events from September 18-25 aim to tell the lesser known story of Southwark’s role in the founding of the USA. “When the Mayflower set sail in 1620 it is no exaggeration to say that its voyage changed the course of history and it would ultimately lead to

the establishment of the United States of America,” John told the News.

“The event of the Mayflower ship is not only a moment in world history, it is also our story. It is the story of Crossway and its links to the first Pilgrim Church here in Southwark.”

Crossway United Reformed Church, United St Saviour’s charity, and the People’s Company have come together to put on the festival as part of the Mayflower 400 celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the ship’s journey.

Events include an online exhibition of the church’s history and its role in the Mayflower’s journey, talks about the shared history between Southwark and Stamford, in the USA,

and the pilgrims who sought a new life across the ocean. There is also an animated tour of the voyage.

A special event is also being held in partnership with Migrateful – an organisation which runs cookery classes by migrant chefs - to celebrate Southwark’s long history of migration, with people sharing their own stories of how they came to live in Southwark.

Everyone who attends the ticketed event will also enjoy a thanksgiving meal to takeaway.

“Crossway is the only church in Southwark that links back to the story of the non-conformists or separatists that journeyed from Leyden in Holland on the Mayflower to New Plymouth in 1620,” John continued.

“As part of the exhibition we will highlight the story of the ‘Pilgrim Church’ which was incorporated into Crossway in 1972.

“It will highlight how the Pilgrim church was destroyed during the blitz in 1940, only to rise from the ashes in 1956 with help and support from the descendants of the Mayflower in America.

“It will also highlight a message of 10 October 1956 from the then president of America, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who

The Reverend Jacob with past and present members of the congregation

said ‘please give my greetings to the members and friends of The Pilgrim Fathers’ Memorial Church in London.

‘As co-heirs of a great tradition, this congregation has a secure place in the hearts of all who cherish the spirit of religious liberty.

‘Long ago, when the Mayflower carried early pilgrims from your church to our shore, they helped to establish one of the strongest bonds

which unite, the peoples of our two nations’.

“The story of Crossway and the links with the first Pilgrim Church and the voyage of the Mayflower in 1620, is an amazing part of our local history that needs telling.”

For more information and to register for events or join via Zoom visit www. peoplescompanylondon.com and www. crosswaychurch.org.uk

Our annual Education Guide 2020/2021 is inside next week's issue

32 PUBLIC NOTICES

www.southwarknews.co.uk

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (KEYWORTH STREET, GREAT SUFFOLK STREET, TANNER STREET, GAMBIA STREET, ABBEY STREET) TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC 1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable BT, and Centurion Site Services(bridge inspection), to carry out works, it made, an order the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering part of the above named roads.

2.

Whilst works are in progress, and whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload in: (a) Keyworth Street, between Thomas Doyle Street and Borough Road (b) Great Suffolk Street, between Ewer Street and Dolben Street (c) Tanner Street, between Maltby Street and Druid Street (d) Gambia Street, approximately 38m from the junction of Union Street to the junction of Scoresby Street (e) Abbey Street, between Enid Street and Druid Street

3.

The alternative route would be via: (2a) not applicable. (2b) Great Suffolk Street, Southwark Street, Great Guildford Street, Union Street. (2c) Tanner Street, Druid Street. (2d) Gambia Street, Union Street, Blackfriars Road Scoresby Street. (2e) Jamaica Road, Tanner Street, Tower Bridge Road. Grange Road, Southwark Park Road, Raymouth Road, Rotherhithe New Road, Hawkstone Road, Lower Road, Jamaica Road, Abbey 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 place for (2a) 19th – 22nd September. (2b) 21st – 22nd September. (2c) 22nd – 23rd September. (2d) 23rd – 24th September. (2e) 24th – 25th September.

7.

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

Dated this 10th September 2020

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I / we MASQ London Ltd Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of Ground floor & Basement, 185 Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UF The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are Days

Start time

Finish time

The retail sale of alcohol:

Monday to Wednesday Thursday & Sunday Friday & Saturday

09:00 09:00 09:00

00:00 01:00 02:00

The provision of regulated entertainment:

Monday to Wednesday Thursday & Sunday Friday & Saturday

18:00 18:00 18:00

00:00 01:00 02:00

The provision of late night refreshment:

Monday to Wednesday Thursday & Sunday Friday & Saturday

23:00 23:00 23:00

00:00 01:00 02:00

Opening hours:

Monday to Wednesday Thursday & Sunday Friday & Saturday

08:00 08:00 08:00

01:00 02:00 03:00

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 2000; details are also available on our website at http://app.southwark.gov.uk/licensing/licenseregister.asp It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below. http://www.southwark.gov.uk/business/licences/how-to-lodge-a-representation Note: it is an offence to knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

Date of application: 3rd September 2020 The Council of the London Borough of Southwark PUBLIC NOTICE: ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 16A THE (RESTRICTION OF TRAFFIC) SPECIAL EVENTS ORDER 2020

Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) LO00000500298397001 (2b) 5457/BMJ-00-71-210920SM (2c) 5413/ XTD-02-08-220920SM (2d) 5437/ XTD-01-02-230920SM (2e) 5439/ XTD-02-44- 240920SM LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that it has made the above named Traffic Order under section 16A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specified in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.

2.

The purpose of the Order is to facilitate the Bermondsey Street Festival, as indicated in the schedule to this notice.

3.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit any vehicle from:(a) entering or proceeding in the length of street specified in the schedule to this notice on the date and between the hours specified in that schedule;.

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (GALLEYWALL ROAD, MONTPELIER ROAD, AMOTT ROAD, KIPLNG STREET, LINDEN GROVE)

(b) waiting (including waiting for the purpose of delivering or collecting goods or loading or unloading a vehicle) in the length of street specified in the schedule to this notice.

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC 1.

2.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable highway and Thames Water 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 roads.

(b) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by the Council of the London Borough of Southwark.

5.

Kipling Street will be made two way between Long Lane and Snowsfields for access and egress purposes for (2d)

5.

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

6.

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

7.

The works will be in place for (2a) 21st – 22nd September. (2b) 21st September. (2c) 22nd September. (2d) 22nd – 23rd September. (2e) 21st – 23rd September.

8.

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

Dated this 10th September 2020 Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 5443/47294859 (2b) 5419/07573925 (2c) 5418/37730343 (2d)5444/9908340 (2e) 5503/NM000467-02

To place a notice, email:em@southwarknews.co.uk

The one way working in: (a) Tanner Street, between Bermondsey Street and Archie Street will be suspended for access and egress purposes. (b) The one way working in Leathermarket Street, between Weston Street and Morocco Street will be suspended for access and egress purposes

The alternative route would be via: (2a) Southwark Park Road, Dunton Road, Mandela Way, Humphrey Street, Old Kent Road, Rotherhithe New Road. (2b) Meeting House Lane, Carlton Grove, Queens Road. Meeting House Lane, Asylum Road, Queens Road. (2c) Adys Road, East Dulwich Road, Fenwick Road, Nutbrook Street. (2d) Guy Street, Weston Street, Long Lane. (2e) Oakdale Road, Kimberley Avenue, Evelina Road, Nunhead Grove.

4.

The prohibitions will not apply in respect of: (a) any vehicle being used for the purposes of that event or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes;

Whilst works are in progress, and whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload in: (a) Galleywall Road, at it’s junction with Lynton Road (b) Montpelier Road, between Meeting House Lane and Queens Road (c) Amott Road, between Adys Road and Fwnwick Road (d) Kipling Street, at it’s junction with Long Lane (e) Linden Grove, at it’s junction with Oakdale Road

3.

4.

(c) The one way working in Bermondsey Street, between Abbey Street and Crucifix Lane will be suspended for access and egress purposes 6.

The alternative route will be as indicated by the traffic signs displayed or adjacent roads as applicable.

For information regarding this event please contact, in the first instance: Hello@bermondseystreetfestival.org.uk or streettrading@southwark.gov.uk or for information relating to this order please contact, Road Network & Parking at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 10th September 2020 Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager Environment & Leisure Network Management P O Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: 5514 Schedule

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk

PUBLIC NOTICES 33

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

THE LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (CROFT STREET)

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ONE WAY SYSTEM 1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark and in consultation with the London Borough of Lewisham, hereby gives notice that to enable Thames Tideway related works to take place, it intends to make an Order the effect of which, will be to suspend the existing one-way traffic flow system in Croft Street.

2.

Whilst the restriction is in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, the existing one-way traffic flow system in Croft Street, at it’s junction with Chilton Grove and Croft Street will be suspended, to allow for a temporary two-way traffic flow system to be implemented.

3.

Thames Tideway Construction vehicles(only) will be permitted access and egress into Croft Street from it’s junction with Chilton Grove

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 work and for works vehicles, any vehicle being used in connection with police, fire or ambulance purposes and anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

5.

The restriction will come into operation on the 1st October 2020 – 31st March 2022 Monday – Friday 08:00hrs – 18:00hrs and Saturday 08:00hrs – 13:00hrs as required and will be managed by traffic marshals.

6.

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

Dated this 10th September 2020 Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager

THE LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK hereby gives notice that it proposes to make an Order under Section 247 of the above Act to authorise the stopping up of the following areas of public highway shown hatched black on the drawing attached to the draft Order and labelled S247- Stopping Up Proposals, London Road.

IF THE ORDER IS MADE the stopping up will be authorised to enable the development described in the Schedule to this Notice to be carried out in accordance with the planning permission granted under Part III of the Act by the Council on 28 October 2019 under local planning authority reference No. 18AP-3616.

COPIES OF THE DRAFT ORDER AND THE RELEVANT PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED FREE OF CHARGE by way of appointment during a 28 day period commencing on 10 September 2020 at 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2TZ by calling 020 7525 2135 and referring to the 100-116 London Road Stopping Up Order. A copy may also be viewed on the Council’s website at https://www.southwark.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/roadworks-and-highway-improvements/highwaystopping-up-closure-orders?chapter=4 ANY PERSON MAY OBJECT to the making of the proposed Order within a 28 day period commencing on 10 September 2020 by written notice to the Director of Legal Services, 2nd Floor, Hub 2, PO Box 64529, London SE1P 5LX quoting reference (LEG/RP/PL/RE040/20(EK)).

In preparing an objection it should be borne in mind that the substance of it may be imparted to other persons who may be affected by it and that those persons may wish to communicate with the objector about it.

Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref:5512 LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (JOAN STREET) TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC 1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable bridge works by Centurion Site Services, it intends to make an order the effect of which would be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering the part of the above named road.

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, and whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload in Joan Street, at it’s junction with Isabella Street for 23m in a northerly direction

3.

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.

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 alternative route will be: The Cut, Hatfields, Joan Street.

6.

The works will take place on the 25th – 26th September, between the hours of 10:00hrs and 06:00hrs.

7.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network & Parking Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Doreen Forrester-Brown Director of Legal Services THE SCHEDULE ‘Redevelopment of the London Road Building incorporating the Academy of Sport to provide refurbished and extended learning and teaching facilities, involving: alterations to all facades; addition of rooftop plant and other roof-level features; rearrangement and increase of internal floorspace, made possible by the infilling of the existing voids on the uppermost floor of the building, including the relocation of the LSBU library into the London Road Building and the provision of a basement-level cycle store; addition of a loading bay and bin store on Keyworth Street, and; hard and soft landscaping of the external areas.’

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (COMMERCIAL WAY) TEMPORARY WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS AND TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC 1.

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

by SGN, 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 Commercial Way

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 10th September 2020 Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: 5440/XTD-00-07-250920SM

(a) Commercial Way, between No’s 109 to it’s junction with Compton Close on the west bound and east bound kerb line.

3.

Whilst the works are in progress, and whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload in: (a) Commercial Way, between Buller Close and Radnor Road, west bound lane of carriageway.

4.

The alternative route for affected traffic for (3a) Buller Close, Peckham Hill Street as applicable.

NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION TO MODIFY OR DISCHARGE A PLANNING OBLIGATION UNDER SECTION 106A OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

5.

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.

I give notice that Lendlease (Elephant and Castle) Limited is applying to Southwark Council to discharge the planning obligations described below: Obligations: Clause 7 (Variations to Phases) of the Section 106 Agreement associated with the outline planning permission for The Heygate Masterplan (ref: 12/AP/1092).

Land to which obligations relate: The Heygate Estate and Surrounding Land, Elephant and Castle, London, SE17. Bound by New Kent Road (A201) to the north, Rodney Place and Rodney Road to the east, Wansey Street to the south, and Walworth Road (A215) and Elephant Road to the west.

Date on which obligation was entered into: 27 March 2013 Any person against whom the planning obligation is enforceable who wishes to make representations about this application should write to the Council at Southwark Council, Regeneration and neighbourhoods, Planning & transport, Development Management, PO Box 64529, London SE1P 5LX, or by email to planning.applications@southwark.gov.uk within 28 days beginning with the date of publication of this notice.

6.

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

7.

The restriction will come into force for (2a) 24th September – 17th October. (3a) 23rd September – 16th October.

8.

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

Signed: DP9 Ltd On behalf of: Lendlease (Elephant and Castle) Limited Date: 1 September 2020

Dated this 10th September 2020 Nicky Costin Road Network & Parking Business Manager Southwark Council Environment and Leisure Network Management PO Box 64529 jLondon SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 5445/W117268370-00567 (3a) 5513/W117268703-00567

34 PUBLIC NOTICES

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 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 https://planning.southwark.gov.uk/online-applications/ 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: AFFECT - development affecting character or appearance of a nearby conservation area; OR development affecting setting of a nearby listed building(s); DEP - departure from the development plan; 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); MAJ - major planning application; STDCA - development within a conservation area; STDLB - works to or within the site of a listed building; 36 WEST SQUARE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE11 4SP (Ref: 20/AP/2284) Excavate the rear garden, open part of the rear wall and construct a single storey rear extension at lower ground floor; upgrading of roof structure, refurbishment of roof coverings and insertion of conservation roof windows (Within: West Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Jessica Potter 020 7525 0036) FORMER DOCK MANAGER OFFICES SURREY QUAYS ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE16 2XU (Ref: 20/AP/2467) Change of use of the Former Dock Manager Office's to a Project Hub (Use Class E); external and internal alterations; remedial works, including to the front facade of 1-14 Dock Offices; installation of plant; temporary landscaping; and external lighting. The internal and external alterations comprise the removal of internal partitions and creation of a double height space with new balustrade and exposed roof structure; restorative works to the existing staircase; the infill of the non-original skylight; replacement of non-original window glazing with slimline doubleglazing; and the rationalisation of plant and installation of new plant. The remedial works comprise the repair and/or replacement of damaged brickwork; re-pointing of areas of damaged mortar; repairs to structural cracks; and the cleaning of the facade. Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Jessica Potter 020 7525 0036) SWAN COURT 9 TANNER STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 3LE (Ref: 20/AP/2472) Display of: P1. 'HATCHER'S' high level sign (partly painted / partly vinyl applied to glazing) 2550mm H x 9340mm W P2. 'HATCHER'S YARD' eye level sign LHS (individual white dibond lettering) 145mm H x

800mm W P2. 'HATCHER'S YARD' eye level sign RHS (individual white dibond lettering) 145mm H x 800mm W P3. 'YARD' external gate sign (paint applied to gate) 2550mm H x 4840mm W P3. 'YARD' internal gate sign (paint applied to gate) 2550mm H x 4840mm W (Within: Bermondsey Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Jessica Potter 020 7525 0036) 75 PAGES WALK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 4HD (Ref: 20/AP/2471) Construction of a rear single storey ground floor extension (full infill to side of outrigger); and rear fullwidth first floor extension. (RE SUBMISSION 17/AP/2255) (Within: Pages Walk CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465) 228 BOROUGH HIGH STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 1JX (Ref: 20/AP/2478) Construction of first floor replacement rear extension.

(Within: Liberty of the Mint CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Kerri Simpson 020 7525 3487) 23 SUTHERLAND SQUARE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 3EQ (Ref: 20/AP/2488) Rear single storey infill extension, lowering of the rear patio and garden, new wrought iron gate to match existing and staircase to front light well, replacement of the existing front lower ground floor windows to match existing lower ground floor internal remodeliing with lowering the floor of the front vault storage (Within: Sutherland Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Jessica Potter 020 7525 0036) 70 DENMARK HILL LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 20/AP/2493) Display of 1no. 2020mm high non-illuminated acrylic

panel to cover redundant ATM. (Within: Camberwell Green CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Dennis Sangweme 020 7525 5419) 48-50 CAMBERWELL CHURCH STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8QZ (Ref: 20/AP/2419) Display of 1 no. externally illuminated fascia sign and 1 no. externally illuminated projecting sign. (Within: Camberwell Green Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465) 10-16 SOUTHWARK STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 1TJ (Ref: 20/AP/2494) Display of an acrylic, non-illuminated 2.00 metre high shroud to cover redundant ATM. (Within: Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale )

176 IVYDALE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 3BT (Ref: 20/AP/2345) Construction of a single storey side extension to a terraced Victorian property, designed to cover part of the side courtyard of the existing property. (Within: Nunhead Cemetry CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Gemma Williams 07926087097)

Dated: 08 Sep 2020 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date.

SIMON BEVAN - Director of Planning

1-6 CAMBERWELL GREEN & 307-311 CAMBERWELL NEW ROAD LONDON SE5 (Ref: 20/AP/2500) Variation of Condition 31 - Commercial units pursuant to planning permission 12/AP/1308 dated 8th October 2013 for 'Demolition of existing buildings on site and redevelopment to provide mixed use premises with a maximum height of 6 storeys with set backs at 1st and 6th floors, providing 101 residential units (2 x studio units, 30 x 1 bed, 46 x 2 bed, 23 x 3 bed) and 1,335sqm of commercial uses within use Classes A1, A2, A3 and B1 at ground floor. Associated areas for cycle storage, disabled parking bays (4 spaces) and amenity space'. The amendment is as follows: to allow Unit 3 on the ground floor to be used as an office (formerly Use Class B1 now Use Class E) (Within: Camberwell Green CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Victoria Lewis 020 7525 5410)

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Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/sport

SPORT 35

Photo by Ollie Jarman

dulwich news

Korrey Henry

Hamlet snap up Henry and Ming

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk DULWICH HAMLET have continued their rebuilding with the signing of Korrey Henry and the return of Sanchez Ming to the club.

Henry joins after spending last season at Welling United, having previously played for Bromley. The forward had been a priority signing for boss Gavin Rose, and he has agreed a contract for the 2020-21 season.

Ming made 205 appearances and scored seventeen goals in his previous spells in East Dulwich.

Ming was with Welling United and Dartford last season and while primarily a right-back he offers options in a number of areas.

The 2020-21 fixtures were released this week, with the Hamlet kicking off their campaign with a second qualifying round tie in the FA Cup on Saturday, October 3.

Their first National League South game is against Concord Rangers at Champion Hill on Tuesday, October 6.

The rest of October’s fixtures are Ebbsfleet United away (October 10), Chippenham Town at home (October 17), Bath City away (October 24) and Chelmsford at home on October 31.

The campaign concludes at Dartford on May 29, 2021.

There are only 21 teams in the sixth tier this season, giving Dulwich two free weekends.

Meanwhile, Dulwich Hamlet Women defeated Margate 6-1 in the FA Cup preliminary round this week.

The hosts fell behind early on before equalising through Sophie Manzi.

Dulwich piled on the pressure for the rest of the half and after a number of near-misses Liz Wicks finished past goalkeeper Lauren Watson in the 44th minute to make it 2-1.

Manzi grabbed her second in the 61st minute before a flurry of late goals sealed Dulwich’s win.

Saskia Philip added the fourth when her cross sailed into the net in the 83rd minute, before Ella Wales-Bonner fired home the fifth with two minutes left.

There was still time for Manzi to complete a hat-trick on her debut as she scored in the 89th minute.

The Hamlet meet Hackney in the second round of the FA Cup preliminaries, on Sunday, September 20.

Their next home match is this Sunday against Aylesford.

Dulwich Hamlet: Roisin Stone; Brittany Saylor (capt), Sophie Manzi, Elizabeth Wicks, Ceylon Hickman, Sarah Milner, Havana McElvaine, Harriet Crofts, Alison Rowe, Joanne Gibson, Kate Aldridge.

Subs: Saskia Philip (for Wicks 60), Michaella Williams (for McElvaine 73), Lucy Monkman (for Milner 79), Ella Wales Bonner (for Stone 83), Alex Newman (for Rowe 87).

Stansfeld celebrate their dramatic win

Pen pals write more Stansfeld history FA Cup extra preliminary round Stansfeld 3-3 Punjab (4-3 on penalties)

By Sports Reporter sport@southwarknews.co.uk STANSFELD MADE history with their first-ever FA Cup participation last week – and they were in no mood to see their journey end after one round as they dramatically defeated Punjab on penalties.

The SCEFL Division One side beat their opponents, from the league above, 4-3 in the shootout after coming from two goals down in a 3-3 draw in the extra preliminary round of the world’s oldest

cup competition.

It looked to be a close contest on paper but it didn’t go according to that prediction early on as the visitors scored twice in the opening 20 minutes, with George Goodwin heading home a corner before Ben Francis doubled the lead almost immediately.

Punjab could have punished Stansfeld even further in the first half but were denied by the woodwork, while some heroic defending from the hosts prevented them from being all but out of the competition after the first 45 minutes.

Stansfeld then showed tremendous resilience despite playing against the slope on the Foxbury Avenue turf in the second half.

And the comeback was on when Freddie Cray powerfully headed home a Joe Minter cross in the 52nd minute.

Five minutes later the home side were level. It was Cray again, as he latched on to a through-ball before rifling home the equaliser.

The visitors then rallied, and a deep ball from the left was superbly headed home by Goodwin for his second of the game giving Punjab the lead with 20 minutes left to play.

Roared on by a record Foxbury crowd, Stansfeld tried to find a way back into the game and were rewarded for their endeavour five minutes before the end when right-back Billy Parkinson found a second equaliser to send the tie into a penalty shootout.

Both sides scored their opening spotkicks before each goalkeeper made fine saves to keep it level as nerves jangled and sudden death loomed.

Stansfeld got their chance to win it when Charlie Cottrell saved Punjab’s fifth penalty, giving Billy Shinners the opportunity to seal his side’s place in the preliminary round. And the experienced front man kept his composure, dispatching his spot-kick and sending the raucous crowd into raptures.

Stansfeld have to quickly get ready for their next tie. They host Little Common, from the Southern Combination Football League Premier Division, this Saturday.

Venue: Glebe FC, Foxbury Avenue, Chislehurst, BR7 6SD.

was to prove comfortably the highest partnership of the match. Brown’s dismissal for 30, off 41 balls, was followed next ball by Sam Ellison, who was unlucky to see the ball trickle onto the stumps.

Keaton fell in the next over for 29, his highest score for the first team, having faced 72 balls. Three wickets had fallen with the score on 72, and keeper Michael Harms followed five runs later to make it 77-5 after 24.3 overs. Will Bancroft and Nick Gunning added 28 for the sixth wicket before Bancroft was run out for 23. Gunning fell for 9, but skipper Jon Lodwick added 11 and Simon Harwood 10 before two more run outs saw the innings close on a seemingly inadequate 140 in the final over.

Lodwick and Harwood opened the bowling, and Harwood struck in both his third and fifth overs, removing both openers to reduce the visitors to 30-2 in

the tenth over. The pace men gave way to spinners Ben Swanson and Ahmed Khan, who forced the third wicket pair to use up 16 overs in adding 42 before Swanson had Pete Young lbw for 18.

Alex Baldwin was joined by Alex Redmayne, and together they took the score to 97-3 in the 31st over when Baldwin was run out having made 37, the highest score of the match, off 65 balls. Four overs later Redmayne was also run out for 17, Ellison picked up his first wicket two balls later, and Brown took two wickets in the next over.

Malden had lost four wickets for four runs in two overs, to decline from 1084 to 112-8. 29 runs were still needed off four overs, but this proved too much for the tail-enders as they were dismissed for 127 off the last ball of the penultimate over.

Ellison took those last two wickets to finish with 3-27 off six overs, while

Brown had 2-13 off five. Harwood had taken 2-18 off six, while Swanson with 1-21 off eight, and 15 year old Khan, who had conceded just 23 off seven, had played a vital role in keeping the batsmen in check during the middle overs. All three of Ellison’s wickets were caught by Bancroft, who was also responsible for the run out of Redmayne.

Dulwich thus recorded their fifth consecutive victory to finish second in the group. In the process they had beaten two sides who normally play in a higher division.

Three fifteen-year-olds have been regular members of the side, all of whom have made valuable contributions, and two others from the same age group have also made their debuts this year. This should stand the club in good stead next year, when hopefully the Championship set-up will be able to return to normal.

Wicket blitz sees Dulwich end on a high Result: Dulwich 140 (39.3) beat Malden Wanderers 127 (39) by 13 runs

By John Lewis sport@southwarknews.co.uk DULWICH COMPLETED their truncated season in Group 8 of the regionalized AJ Fordham Sports & Fuller’s Brewery Challenge Cup last weekend, taking the last seven wickets for 30 runs to secure a thirteen-run victory over First Division Malden Wanderers.

Dulwich elected to bat, but got off to a bad start when Chris Purshouse was dismissed without scoring in the third over with just four runs on the board.

Frankie Brown joined 15 year old Robbie Keaton, and together they added 68 for the second wicket in 16 overs, in what

36 MILLWALL

www.newsatden.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

Lions cruise Malone leads the way as Millwall get job done

Scott Malone volleys home the opener

EFL CUP FIRST ROUND CRAWLEY T - 1 Ashford (33’); MIllwall - 3 Malone (14’), Tunnicliffe

(31’ og), Smith (59’)

Date: Saturday 5 September, 2020 Attendance: 0 Man of the match: Ryan Woods Referee: David Rock

EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly at Broadfield Stadium johnk@southwarknews.co.uk A CRUISE through the first round of the EFL Cup followed by a home draw in the second round capped a successful opening weekend of the season for Millwall.

Scott Malone scored on an effervescent second Lions ‘debut’ and he looks like he will add real threat down Millwall’s left. That also means boss Gary Rowett can play Murray Wallace in his more natural position as a centre-back.

In recent seasons these early games against lower-league sides have been poor, disjointed spectacles.

But this was a Millwall side with a swagger, showing off their evolving style of play after the first full pre-season under Rowett, albeit a shortened one.

The Lions passed crisply, midfielders made themselves available to take the ball off the defence, and the confidence in possession was illustrated by Shaun

Hutchinson hitting accurate crossfield passes to Malone.

The switch of play will be one of the key weapons this season, with Malone on one side and Mahlon Romeo on the other flank. Throughout preseason the Lions have been working on creating space for the wing-backs to run into. That also allows the wide attackers to move inside and get on the ball in central areas, from where options open up either side.

Ryan Leonard played right wing-back at Crawley and looked a natural in the position. He can play as a right-sided centre-back and is a player hugely valued by Rowett for his versatility and his energy.

There were positives everywhere.

Ryan Woods was superb and looks like the player Stoke City – under Rowett – paid Brentford over £6million for. Woods set up the goal, ignoring an easier pass to Leonard to curl a cross to the back post where Malone steamed into the box to volley home.

“When you see the goal it’s the perfect example of what we need more of this season,” Rowett said. Woodsy puts a great ball in and our left wing-back is high up the pitch threatening the back post. We did that quite well, Lenny got really high a lot of times and allowed us to switch play and put him into good areas.”

There were long periods when Malone was actually more part of the front three than the back five, and Jake Cooper more like a left-back. It was exciting

to see, though Stoke on Saturday will surely make Malone have to think more about going back towards his own goal.

The beauty of that formation is that Wallace is quick enough to cover across if there is danger.

Millwall’s second goal arrived when Connor Mahoney sent a corner from the right to the back post, Cooper nodded the ball across goal and Jordan Tunnicliffe knocked it across his own line.

Crawley had been little threat but less than two minutes later the Lions defence gifted the hosts an equaliser by allowing Sam Ashford a free run through the middle to fire low past Bart Bialkowski.

But Millwall were never in danger of losing against a side that hadn’t played competitively since March 7.

It was a decent battle between Matt Smith and former Millwall captain Tony Craig. Lions striker Smith came out on top, and stooped to nod in his first of the season from Jed Wallace’s crossshot.

Crawley: 4-2-3-1: 32 McGill; 19Tunnicliffe, 5 McNerney (Galach, 79), 24 Craig, 6 Dallison-Lisbon; 21 Bulman, 12 Ferguson; 23 Ashford (German, 66), 8 Powell (Sesay, 58), 11 Frost; 10 Nadesan.

Millwall: 3-4-3: 33 Bialkowski; 4 Hutchinson, 3 M Wallace, 5 Cooper; 18 Leonard, 8 Thompson, 19 Woods (Williams, 62), 14 Malone; 21 Mahoney (Bradshaw, 72), 10 Smith, 20 Bennett (J Wallace, 45).

EFL Cup third-round draw West Ham or Charlton vs Leeds United or Hull City Leyton Orient or Plymouth vs Tottenham Fleetwood Town or Port Vale vs Everton or Salford City Newport or Cambridge vs Oxford or Watford West Brom or Harrogate vs Southampton or Brentford Leicester vs Arsenal Wolves or Stoke vs Gillingham or Coventry Chelsea vs Middlesbrough or Barnsley MILLWALL or Cheltenham vs Burnley or Sheffield United Manchester City vs Bournemouth or Crystal Palace Ipswich or Fulham vs Rochdale or Sheffield Wednesday Derby or Preston vs Brighton or Portsmouth Reading or Luton vs Manchester United Morecambe or Oldham vs Newcastle or Blackburn Bristol City or Northamtpon vs Burton or Aston Villa Bradford or Lincoln vs Liverpool

Pick ‘n’ mix

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

www.newsatden.co.uk

MILLWALL 37

Ryan Leonard played as a right wing-back against Crawley

Versatility key weapon in Ryan Leonard’s armoury EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk RYAN LEONARD has admitted his 2019-20 was a “nightmare campaign” – but he has a few aces up his sleeve that could help ensure he has a much happier season this time around.

Leonard, 28, suffered a knee injury against Leeds last October and then a further setback on his return in February meant it was June before he started his first game under Gary Rowett.

Even that seemed to sum up his misfortune, as Millwall lost 3-2 at home to Derby after football’s restart.

But if Leonard can stay fit he can fill a number of positions. He has featured as a right-back, right wing-back – where he played against Crawley last Saturday – holding midfielder and number 10 in his two campaigns at The Den since his 2018 move from Sheffield United. With Mahlon Romeo a doubt this weekend against Stoke, Leonard could continue on the right flank.

That’s a versatility range that Rowett values, as he wants players to be comfortable in a number of different positions and formations.

It gives Leonard extra opportunities to claim a first-team place, as he looks to put last season behind him.

“It was a nightmare campaign on

a personal note,” Leonard said. “It finished well and I scored a nice goal at the end of the season [against Hull], but in general it was difficult.

“I’m hopeful that last Saturday will help to put it behind me. It was tough mentally last season, but my aim now is to start this season well.

“The gaffer had been here a number of months and I hadn’t played under him. It was strange, watching a lot of games but not really working with the gaffer.

“But I’m feeling fresh, feeling fit and strong and I can’t wait for the new campaign.

“The gaffer has said to me a few times that I can play in different positions and that helps me and the team. It’s nice to be able to fill in in a lot of positions. I’m a central midfielder, if I had to pick one position, but I can do a job at the back, out wide, in most places, really.

“I’d like to think I can play in a lot of positions and play well. I thought I did okay last Saturday. If I play there more often, great, if I play midfield on Saturday then that’s fine as well.

“Mahlon’s our number one right-back, we all know that, but if I can push him and keep him improving, and if I keep improving, then it improves the team as well. That’s how we want it, you have to have competition for places.

“The gaffer has made sure in the summer with the players he’s brought in that we are really competitive in all areas.”

Going off injured against Leeds last season

Rowett has demanded goals from more areas of the pitch. Millwall scored just 57 times in 46 league games last season, the lowest of the top sixteen in the Championship.

Scott Malone got off the mark last weekend from left wing-back, and Leonard knows that it can’t all be left to the front players.

He said: “We don’t want to put too much onus on the strikers and attacking players to get all the goals, I don’t think it’s fair to leave it all to them. We need to provide more goals, whether it’s from midfield or at setpieces from the defenders.

“We know what the gaffer wants, and we should be chipping in with a few more goals from all over the pitch. If we can do that this year then it will take a little bit of pressure off the attacking

players. We need more goals from deeper on the pitch.

“It’s great to see good players coming into the building, it gives everyone a boost. The first few weeks since the new boys have been here the standards have been really high, everyone’s been at it. It showed straightaway when those types of players came into the club, everyone buys into it.

They’re great lads as well, they fit in immediately.

“The gaffer wants us to enjoy getting forward. It was a new position for me [at Crawley] but I was happy to play there.

“He wants us to play with freedom, not just out wide, and I thought our attacking play at times was really good, we created excellent chances.

“If we can keep doing that then great.

In pre-season you can get bogged down too much in the way you play. At the end of the day pre-season is a fitness exercise, it’s to get minutes and games and improve your technique.

“So far we’ve had more of the ball in games, but there’s going to be plenty of matches when we don’t have the majority of possession. If we can adjust in different games with the way we play then that’s only going to help us.

The gaffer wants us to have more of the ball, and it’s up to us to use it better.

I think so far we’ve used possession quite well. We need to continue that.

“The aim is to go one better this season.”

Does that mean a top-six place is the ambition?

Leonard replied: “Possibly, but we’re not really talking about that. I know you’re probably thinking, ‘well, they’re never going to say that anyway’. But as a group we haven’t mentioned any targets at the moment.

“All we want to do is try to improve on last season, whether that’s points, performances. If it gets us an extra couple of places then great.

“I think we’ve already shown in pre-season we’ve got better. If we can continue that then who knows where we can end up.

“Our strongest attribute is group strength, we’re not an individualbased group. Improvement rather than specific targets is our aim at the moment.”

38 MILLWALL

Pitch battle

www.newsatden.co.uk

Ben Thompson takes aim in a friendly against Crystal Palace at The Den

EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk BEN THOMPSON isn’t bothered where he plays this season – as long as he is on the pitch.

Thompson, 24, was restricted to just 30 appearances in 2019-20 after he suffered a hamstring injury in December.

The previous October he scored the first goal of Gary Rowett’s reign, coincidentally against Stoke, whom Millwall play in their first league game of the season this Saturday.

Thompson was used as a number 10 in that 2-0 win over the Potters, but has also played in central midfield – where he has featured for most of his career – and even as part of a front three at Charlton.

That 1-0 win at The Valley was one of just six appearances in 2020, only one of them starts.

“Last season wasn’t great for me, I was injured a lot of the time and had problems getting back fit,” Thompson admitted. “It’s been a good pre-season, I’ve managed to get myself fit and ready as the games have gone on.

“The first friendly against Bromley I wasn’t great, I was very rusty. But as we’ve trained more and more I’ve eased my way in and now I’m feeling good and ready to go.

“Being injured in football is probably

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

Thommo eager to take his chance against Potters one of the worst things, not being able to help your mates out on the pitch. It’s been tough but I’ve manged to get myself through it.

“Touch wood, I can keep myself fit and play as many games as I can.

“I loved played as a number 10, you’ve got a lot more freedom to go and express yourself and do things that you can’t do so much in central midfield.

“But I’ll play anywhere, as long as I’m on the pitch I’m happy. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens, I don’t mind if I’m playing midfield or number 10.

“It’s been a short pre-season, but tough, it’s been good for the boys and everyone’s raring to go.”

It was a long road back to fitness from December for Thompson who had to wait until June to feature again for the first team after the suspension of football in March.

But there were some amusing moments for Thompson, who like the rest of the squad had to train alone before some coronavirus restrictions were lifted.

He explained: “A couple of times people were outside and shouted ‘Milll’ as I was running. It was good fun, there are a few Millwall fans around where I live.

“It was difficult at times. No one really knew what was happening, we didn’t know if we’d be allowed back to play football. We came back in small groups slowly building our way back into it.

“The boys all had to do their own work

“

A couple of times people were outside and shouted ‘Milll’ as I was running! at home following training programmes.

It was tough. You get yourself out of bed and do a run around the block, you do some sprints in the field. It was certainly different but all the boys did the right thing and came back fit and ready to go.”

One positive, with so much financial uncertainty around clubs, was that the Lions squad knew they could concentrate on maintaining their fitness rather than worry about their futures.

“Millwall is a very stable club, they’ve never overdone the budget or underdone the budget,” Thompson said.

“Everyone was quite relaxed about what was happening, though obviously it’s been tough for most businesses.

“The club on a whole is in a good place.

John [Berylson], the chairman, is very good at what he does and at trying to keep improving every year. The way the

club’s run means it has a chance to get better and better.

“If you look at the signings we’ve made – Benno [Mason Bennett], Scotty [Malone], Troy Parrott – we’ve made some great signings and it’s exciting for the season ahead.

“In training and in games everyone looks sharp. It’s been a good standard of training, we’re all working really hard.

“I remember Scotty when he was here, I was in the under-18s. I’ve seen him over the years when I’ve played against him and we always said ‘hello’. It’s nice to see him back at The Den. “It’s a great club to be at, the changing room is one of the best I’ve seen, the boys make it so easy for others to come in and settle down. There’s a great vibe around the dressing room, and the team spirit is second to none.

“Anyone that comes into Millwall, whether it be staff, player, everyone can see the spirt that we have. We’ve got a real togetherness. Going into training every day is exciting, we all come in and work hard and it shows on the pitch.”

One player Thompson will miss is Aiden O’Brien, who left in the summer to join Sunderland.

“Aiden was there many years, even way before me,” Thompson said. “I’ll never forget we played Leyton Orient away in a friendly once for the under21s. We were 3-0 down at half-time, we walked out for the second half and

Aiden said to me, ‘I’m going to score a hat-trick, watch’.

“And he went out and scored a hattrick and we won 4-3. I’ve got some great memories with Aiden, he’s a top man and I wish him all the best at Sunderland.”

This week Thompson will strain every muscle in training to try to convince Rowett to start him against the Potters.

With Ryan Woods unable to play against his parent club and Billy Mitchell injured, it’s a choice of two from Thompson, Shaun Williams and Ryan Leonard in midfield.

“We’ve got great players all over the pitch, it’s really competitive in training,” Thompson said. “Everyone wants to play but players won’t play every game because we’ve got such good back-up with people who can come in and fill those spaces.

“That’s going to be vital this season, that we’ve got players that can come in and we can switch it around and give us fresh legs.

“Everyone is competitive but it never gets too heated, it never goes over the top. Everyone’s professional about it and knows that they’ve got to fight to play in the team. There will be chances for people and when you get it you’ve got to take it and keep the shirt.

“That’s what it’s about at Millwall.

Everyone understands that and that’s why we’ve done so well.”

Southwark News, Thursday September 10 2020

EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk MASON BENNETT has revealed his main motivation to get the most he can out of his career – to “make a future” for his young daughter.

Bennett has moved from Derby to London, and will travel back regularly – along with Scott Malone who is also from the Midlands – to visit five-yearold Aaliyah and the rest of his family.

Despite being just 24, former England underage international Bennett spent thirteen seasons with the Rams and made his senior debut when he was just fifteen.

He spent time on loan at Chesterfield, Bradford City, Burton Albion and Notts County, but this is the first time he has moved permanently away from Derbyshire.

“My family are all up north but I can keep in touch through Face Time,” Bennett said. “They understand, my daughter understands that this is what daddy has to do and I’m trying to make a future for her, at the end of the day.

“My daughter is so young and I thought, ‘what am I going to do?’

It gives you that motivation to run harder, run faster, work harder. She knows what’s happening. Now I’m really happy to be down here.

“I spoke to a lot of players at Derby, they couldn’t believe how young I still was. I made my debut so young.

“I spoke to people at Derby and my own personal team and we agreed that I needed to broaden my horizons and try a different challenge. This is a big challenge for me coming away from where I’m used to, where I’m comfortable close to home and friends and family.

“I’m just delighted to get on this journey and I’m going to make the most of it. “[Alex Pearce] was on to me since the day I left, he actually wanted me here the first day of pre-season.

Which I was trying to do but obviously these things take a while because it’s a permanent move.

“I only had six days off in the summer. I went away with Connor [Mahoney] and Billy [Mitchell] and I was saying to them, ‘I’ll see you soon’. It didn’t happen as quickly but as I had said before my mindset was always here. I knew I couldn’t go back to Derby with a negative attitude [for the start of pre-season], I had to be 100 per cent at it and put the work in. I knew I needed to hit the ground running when I got back here.

Championship preview

Clear goals

Mason Bennett has his eyes on the top six

Millwall

VS

Stoke City

well as everybody else.

“It’s going to be an exciting season, I’m sure there will be ups and downs but it’s a great group and everyone sticks together. I think it’s going to be a good season for us.

“I’ve got to Wembley [with Derby] and I know what it takes. It’s going to take everyone in the squad, not just the starting XI and all the subs.

It’s the young lads as well. Everyone’s got to be pushing every day and with the squad we’ve got we can definitely achieve something.”

No Lak of support for Jiri

EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk JIRI SKALAK admits he has experienced some tough times at Millwall – but he knows he always has the backing of his team-mates.

Forward reveals personal and also professional objectives “I’m here to work and try to get the team into the play-offs and get us promoted. That’s my main priority down here.

“We got so close last year and the group and staff realised that. We’ve made some great additions already with Scotty [Malone] and Troy [Parrott] coming in, that’s only going to boost us more.

“You can see it already in training, even in my first day it was, ‘wow, the lads have come on leaps and bounds’.

So I’m going to have to up my game as

MILLWALL 39

www.newsatden.co.uk

Fans are also set to be allowed back to The Den after October 1.

Bennett added: “I loved playing at The Den last season, the few games when the fans were there, the atmosphere was electric. They really got behind us and also put the opposition team on edge. I’ll be excited for them to come back in.

“But we’ve got a few games at home before then so we need to be at it and create that atmosphere ourselves within the dressing room.”

Skalak, 28, has made just 33 appearances in two seasons in south London after his move from Brighton in 2018.

Despite being given plenty of match action in pre-season by Gary Rowett, his future at the club is still in doubt.

Slakak had to wait until that 33rd appearance for his first Lions goal, in the 4-1 win against Huddersfield on the final day of last season.

That strike was greeted by a loud cheer from the substitutes and staff on the bench, and Skalak was engulfed by his team-mates on the pitch.

“They can see how hard I work, they were happy for me,” Skalak said. “It’s been difficult for me here.

I worked so hard last summer and then got injured against Fulham [in the fourth game of the season].

“I took a break this summer, I went back to the Czech Republic to see my family. I want to try to fight for my place in the team.

“The gaffer can see that I give everything in training and in matches. I’ve played as a rightback and right wing-back in the friendlies. I enjoy it because there is more space in front of me.

“I want to try to stay fit and see what happens here.”

The Den Saturday, September 12 Kick-off: 3pm

Pot luck could favour Lions on opening day

By John Kelly

johnk@southwarknews.co.uk MILLWALL KICK off their 202021 Championship campaign against Stoke City at The Den on Saturday – and recent trends point to a home win.

The Potters are on the longest current winless opening-day run of all sides in the English Football League: ten games (seven defeats, three draws). Their last win in the season’s curtain-raiser was 2-0 against Burnley in 2009.

Millwall have lost just one of their last six fixtures on the opening weekend, 1-0 at Nottingham Forest at the start of their first season back in the Championship in 2017.

However, before Lions supporters get too carried away, Stoke spent nine of those seasons in the Premier League, playing the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool (twice), Aston Villa and Everton in their first game.

In their first season back in the Championship Stoke sacked Rowett in January. The Potters dispensed with Rowett’s successor Nathan Jones the following November and were in deep

relegation trouble for most of the last campaign until four wins in their final six games lifted them from 20th to a fifteenthplace finish under Michael O’Neill.

O’Neill has added Steven Fletcher, Morgan Fox, James Chester and former Chelsea midfielder Jon Obi Mikel to his squad this summer. The bookies are confident last season’s struggle was a blip, as Stoke are currently joint-sixth favourites for the Championship title.

Rowett certainly isn’t taking anything for granted this weekend.

“They’re going to be a stronger team this

season. They’ve managed to get through their problems, time has allowed them to do that,” Rowett said.

“Michael has a side that’s very experienced and physically strong. The fact that it’s Stoke has no bearing on me at all. It’s our first game, a home game and we want to start the season well.

“We know it will be a tough game, like they all are in the Championship, and we know we’ve got to perform to our best to get three points.”

Rowett will be without Ryan Woods against his parent club and the injured

Billy Mitchell. Mahlon Romeo and Troy Parrott have only slim chances of being involved.

matCh details

Possible Millwall starting XI:

5-2-3: Bialkowski; Leonard, Hutchinson, M Wallace, Cooper, Malone; Thompson, Williams; J Wallace, Smith, Bennett.

Match odds:

Millwall 8/5 Draw 2/1 Stoke 9/5

Last season:

Millwall 2-0 Stoke (Thompson 45, J Wallace 75 pen); Stoke 0-0 Millwall

inside

Sport Southwark

EXCLUSIVE: 2020-21 kick-off: Lenny hopes to put ‘nightmare’ behind him

Premier ambitions EXCLUSIVE

Ben Thompson in battle mode at Crawley last Saturday

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk BEN THOMPSON has no intention of playing down expectations at Millwall this season – as he revealed his ambition has always been to play in the Premier League.

The Lions finished just two points off sixth last season, but boss Gary Rowett wasn’t happy with that, urging the club to get out of the “little old Millwall” mentality after the 4-3 defeat at QPR ended their play-off chances.

Just four of Millwall’s current squad have Premier League experience: Alex Pearce (Reading); Shane Ferguson (Newcastle); Scott Malone (Huddersfield) and Troy Parrott (Tottenham).

Thompson has won promotion to the Championship with Millwall and has seen the club continue to progress since Neil Harris transformed the squad in his three full campaigns in charge.

Harris’ successor Rowett took it on last season and has shown ambition in this summer’s transfer market, as Millwall beat a host of clubs to Parrott’s signature on a season-long loan from Spurs.

Despite two eighth-place finishes in the last three seasons, Thompson shares his manager’s ambition.

“You look at it and think, ‘Millwall top ten in the Championship, that’s an unbelievable achievement’,” Thompson said. “But you can’t keep dwelling on that, hoping to get in the top ten or just being happy being in the Championship.

“Everyone’s aims are to play as high as they possibly can. For me the dream has always been to play in the Premier League, ever since I was a little boy. What an achievement that would be.

“Most of the boys at Millwall are striving to do that. To get Millwall there would be some achievement.

“You can’t settle for staying where you are. We’re looking to push on and hopefully we can do it at some point.”

Midfielder Ben makes no secret of his lifetime dream The Lions will have to get through the first part of the season without their fans, but Thompson is determined they will have something to be excited about when they return in October.

“You know how much Millwall fans help us during games – it’s been horrible not having them there,” Thompsoon admitted. “It’s so much different but if we can get off to a

good start then when the fans come back in it can only benefit us.

“We rely on the fans as the extra man. It will be a massive push for us, especially if we start well, they come back in – then anything can happen.”

Meanwhile Thompson has revealed what areas of his game he wants to improve this campaign.

“Every season I go into and I think of a number [of goals], I keep that in

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my head and try to hit that target.

I only got one last season, against Stoke, but my aim is to add more goals and assists to my game.

“I’ve spoken to the manager about it and he’s not put too much pressure on me. But obviously everyone wants to add more to their game and for me that’s goals and assists. It’s something I feel I can do and I’ll be working hard to try and do that.”

Page 37

Rowett knows about Lions’ ‘notorious’ rep EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk GARY ROWETT has been reminded Millwall are slow starters in the league – and would prefer to avoid adding to that “notorious” reputation this season.

The Lions have been in the bottom half of the table halfway through each of their last three seasons in the Championship.

They recovered in the second half of two of those campaigns to finish eighth, either side of a relegation battle that went to the second-last day.

Even in their two seasons in League One under Neil Harris, they were in the bottom half more than a quarter of the way through.

In 2019-20, the side was in seventeenth place in the Championship when Rowett took over before they finished just two points off sixth.

Rowett prefers to concentrate on keeping high standards and an “even keel” ahead of the first league game against Stoke this Saturday.

“It’s been mentioned to me that notoriously we’ve been slow starters and obviously that’s not something we want to do,” Rowett said. “We want to start well, like every team does. It’s a competitive league but I don’t think you can be too perturbed if you don’t start as well as you’d like.

“And you can’t be too happy if you start really well, you just try keep an even keel and do the right things. I’m a big believer that if you do the right things and keep the right mentality and standards then you’ll get results off the back if it either way.”

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