26th November 2020

Millwall exclusive

Issue 1507

Established: 1987

inside:

Armed police hunt for man in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre Page 10

50p

November 26 2020

Three women arrested on suspicion of murder, after fatal stabbing in Elephant and Castle Page 10

southwarknews.co.uk

Striker opens up on concerns

saw point

Page 30

news exclusives:

growing concerns over lack of in-patient beds at maudsley Page 8

Protestors refuse to make way in battle over ancient oaks Page 6

revealed: Most Covid checks on businesses are done on the phone

Page 4

2 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Contents NEWS Pages 2-17 OPINION Pages 14-15 family announcements Pages 18-19 Arts Page 20 History Page 22 jobs & education Page 23 property Page 24 Public notices Pages 25-26

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

Million in south-east London to get the vaccine

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk A million south-east Londoners will be in line for the Covid vaccine when it is rolled out, health officials have said.

At a meeting of the Clinical Ccommision Group (CGG) on November 19, officials said they were looking for two sites per borough in which to do vaccinations for the public. Each of those in line for a vaccine are expected to have two doses.

Mass vaccination sites, jabs in GPs and medical professionals doing outreach to get to people to give them a vaccine are all being looked at.

A campaign to battle “a high level of vaccine hesitance and anti vaxx responses” is being prepared.

By order of priority, care home workers and residents are expected to be first in line for the inoculation and then in order of age, starting with the over 80s.

Health officials are also especially concerned about the need to make sure those at risk have a flu vaccine.

“Winter this year, with Covid-19 in circulation, means it is more important than ever that people are vaccinated to protect them from flu, and this year many more

people are eligible for a free flu vaccination than ever before,” officials were told.

However, planners say they are confident that the supply of flu vaccines by GPs in south east London is secure.

“Regular communication with practices with advice and information ahead of a national campaign had been delivered,” said Dr Angela Bhan in response to questions.

“Supplies of vaccine were being monitored, and advice provided about ordering sufficient stocks. All lead providers had submitted flu plans for audit and were asked to ensure their staff were vaccinated.”

Delivery of a vaccine to high-risk groups is being expected from next month, according to documents presented to the CCG. It comes amid a string of positive news about vaccine trials, raising hopes of an exit from Covid restrictions next year.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca trial has reported 70 per cent efficacy, rising to up to 90 per cent depending on the dosage.

A vaccine from Pfizer has also reported 90 per cent efficacy in stopping symptoms, while a Moderna vaccine which uses the same method has reported 94.5% efficacy.

The vaccines are stored and given in different ways, making the logistics of using them for mass vaccination different.

Coming out of the lockdown with restrictions Latest COVID cases in Southwark since is started is 4,564

SPORT Pages 27-32 During the crisis, contact us if you have a story on 07973175511 or email editor@southwarknews .co.uk

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Boris Johnson will announce today which tier London will fall into when the national lockdown ends in December, with Sadiq Khan predicting the city is heading for the new, tougher tier 2.

The new restrictions will be in place until March 2021, though regularly evaluated, until mass vaccinations have been rolled out across the country.

Although gyms would be open, and salons, pubs and restaurants in tier 2 could only serve sit-down meals, and in tier 3, just takeaways. Punters would also be given a bit more leeway on the curfew

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MILLWALL EXCLUSIVE

‘DOG ON A LEASH’ RARING TO GO

IS PECKHAM’S SALLY THE 14TH VICTIM OF THE YORKSHIRE RIPPER?

Issue 1506

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

Established: 1987

Ex-copper calls for probe into the 1979 killing and those of another six women thought to have died at the hands of Peter Sutcliffe

50p

November 19 2020

southwarknews.co.uk

Page 30

PAEDOPHILE’S VICTIM SLAMS LATEST SENTENCE Page 4 Page 2

HOSPITAL CHARITY TO FUND ROAD CLOSURES OUTSIDE SCHOOLS Page 6

Full story on page 4

PECKHAM’S JOHN BOYEGA JOINS A NEW FORCE

- with last orders ringing at 10am but a further hour allowed to finish their food and drinks.

A temporary relaxation will mean up to three households can come together to celebrate Christmas as a ‘bubble’ between 23-27 December; though SAGE scientists have advised the move is too risky and could mean ‘snatching defeat from the jaws of victory’ if household mixing undoes the hard work of the second lockdown.

Several Tory MPs have called for boroughby-borough tiers, to take into account the very different pictures across the city to other regions.

Whereas most boroughs do not have infection rates anywhere near as high as in the north or midlands, most borough were still seeing rising cases last week. However, the figures are not uniform. There are some markedly worse-hit areas. Havering, for example, has an infection rate three times higher than Southwark’s.

At the time of going to press, 38 new

infections in Southwark had been identified through testing within the last 24 hours (on Tuesday, November 25), bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,564.

There are encouraging signs that London’s infection rates are slowing down and beginning to fall and hospitals have not been overwhelmed. Despite this, COVID-19 continues to put huge strain on the NHS during flu season, as the sheer number of admissions each day shows.

As of Tuesday, there were 1,489 COVID-19 patients in London hospitals, 253 of whom requiring ventilation. In the seven days up to November 19, an average of 173 people were being admitted to hospital due to COVID-19 every day in London.

Even if London does escape the toughest lockdown tiers next month, that does not mean the whole south-east is unscathed.

New, worrying Coronavirus hotspots include East Sussex and Kent; where infections are rapidly rising.

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.

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

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 3

so long and thanks for all the fish

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk A Bermondsey couple behind a popular fish ‘n’ chip shop are hanging up their spatulas after more than three decades.

Milton and Georgina Miltiadous were the third generation behind the Victory Fish Bar on Rotherhithe New Road, which was opened in 1947 by Milton’s grandad, Nick.

After shutting up shop during Covid and selling the business, the couple will sadly be the last.

However the pair say they have no regrets at all about running the popular chippy - only wishing they could say a proper farewell to their loyal customers who popped in and out over the years.

“Our life was the fish and chip shop,” said Georgina. “There was such a lovely community, the community was almost an extension of our family.”

Husband Milton added: “We’ve had a really good time at the shop. It’s very difficult to come away from - we owe the people in the area a lot.”

The pair took over the running of the chippy in 1987 from Milton’s father. The family at the time also owned the Blue Anchor chip shop off Southwark Park Road, which was sold in the nineties.

It was never the plan for Georgina to work in the chippy, Milton told the News. “But it was a family shop, so it was difficult otherwise to find someone who gets along with everybody.

“She gave birth about three or four months after."

The flat above the chip shop was the setting where parents Georgina and Milton raised their

four children.

Georgina would often feed them their meals in the kitchen that was offset from the fish bar counter - and then pop back out to serve a waiting customer.

“For our kids, it was like having hundreds of uncles and aunts,” she said. “People used to tell us, ‘Bermondsey, you don’t want to bring up your kids in Bermondsey, it’s a difficult area.’

“But our kids had such a good crowd around them. It’s all about respect - if you give out respect, you get it back.”

Milton added: “It’s not like it used to be even twenty years ago, it’s a different area now but we never had any trouble at all.”

The sale of the fish bar spells an end to 73 years of Victory serving family meals from Rotherhithe New Road.

Milton’s grandfather, known as Nick, had originally set up shop further down the road but was forced to move by council development in the mid-sixties.

He then took over a Haberdasher’s - and the family found the previous signage for the sewing shop when they did up their premises.

Now the latest installment of the shop will be an Indian-style takeaway.

The couple had not anticipated selling so soon, but Covid and upcoming retirement made it seem like the best time, said Milton.

The shop leaves Milton and Georgina and their family with happy memories. “We would do it all over again, a hundred times over,” said Georgina.

We set out to do the best by our family, and we were rewarded with good friends along the way.”

4 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

Sebastian by track

By Simon Throssell news@southwarknews.co.uk A former Southwark Tigers player is tipped to be the next Lewis Hamilton after falling in love with go-karting at a friend’s birthday party.

Eighteen-year-old Sebastian Malcolm, from New Cross, has been taking the go-karting scene by storm with a place in the top 24 best competitors in the country.

A former Southwark Tigers player, whose dad is one of the club's youth coaches, he started karting at the age of nine after going to a friend’s birthday party at Teamsport London Docks.

He had fun but at that point rugby was still his main sport, having worked his

By Katherine Johnston

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Anton Ferdinand has described how his mother received death threats and bricks through the window after the high-profile John Terry incident.

In a new documentary on racism in football, the player and brother of Rio, who grew up in the Friary Estate, speaks out about the lasting impact the case had on his own life and his family.

Although the FA ruled that Terry had used racist language in the exchange during the 2011 match between Queen’s Park Rangers and Chelsea, he later walked free from court.

Although the case has been pored over for many years, this is the first time Anton has had his say and detailed the traumatic the fall-out on his family, and his career.

The incident opened up wounds for his parents who, as a white woman and black man, suffered terrible abuse in the 1980s - including having their children spat at.

In the documentary, Anton looks at the scale of racism in the sport, meets other victims, and reflects on the difference between how victims and perpetrators are treated when victims come forward.

Anton also reflects on the ‘shame’ he felt for not speaking out - he was advised not to for legal reasons - and the lack of support from anti-racism organisations who publicly criticised him for his silence.

Anton Ferdinand: ‘Football, racism and me’ airs on BBC One on Monday, November 30, 9pm.

Michaell coaching Southwark Tigers

way up to Southwark Tigers’ under 13s team.

But he later realised his heart was set on the track and began regular training.

His dad Michaell, a Tigers' U11's coach, told the News: “I’m just so, so proud of him. He is awesome.

“Sebastian has worked incredibly hard to practise his racing craft and racing knowledge.

“His many podiums and quite a few trophies have really shown how his improvements have been impeccable.”

The pair continued their bond with long car journeys with Sebastian’s new team Club73 karting, travelling almost 150 miles away to race at prestigious circuits like 24 hours at Buckmore Park, Whilton Mill in Daventry and Lewis Hamilton’s childhood circuit of Daytona

Milton Keynes.

“As with all racing, it comes with ups and downs,” his dad explains.

“From coming completely dead last after starting in pole position and leading from the front to overtaking ten places at 2:30am during a Le Mans style event. It’s been a whirlwind of a journey.”

Two weeks before he was due to return to attending the sixth form at Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College, Sebastian was sent an invitation to apply for a place at the Motorsport UK Academy Sporting Excellence based out of Loughborough College.

With only two places left out of a possible 24, he quickly put together an application and sent it off, spending every second refreshing emails and

anton’s life in peckham forms new documentary

Courtesy of Vernon Neve Dunn

Courtesy of Michaell Malcolm

tipped to be the next lewis hamilton

checking the post to see if he had received a response.

To their amazement, Sebastian was accepted to join the ranks as one of the top 24 racers in the country.

The two-year course will give Sebastian specialist racing training and further his knowledge and understanding of how to be an expert racing driver. It will also provide him with the opportunity to join the motorsport ladder.

“Now the real hard work really has started and Sebastian is focused and up for the challenges that may now come his way from here on in,” he says.

“The main goal is to still compete in the karting championships and with Club73 to work towards Formula Ford and the next stage to F1 pathway.”

Date set for Elephant and Castle appeal

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk An appeal against the Elephant and Castle regeneration scheme’s planning permission will be heard in March 2021.

This week the Court of Appeal confirmed it had set a date for the hearing, where housing campaigner Jerry Flynn will call for the decision to greenlight Delancey and Southwark Council’s development to be overturned.

The appeal, focused specifically on the number of affordable homes and housing for social rent within the scheme, is scheduled for March 16 and 17.

As the News has reported, the Court of Appeal dramatically granted permission to appeal just as contractors began making way for demolition.

Mr Flynn is spearheading the legal challenge on behalf of the 35% campaign, which pushes for developers and Southwark Council to uphold affordable housing commitments.

There are only 116 social rent homes earmarked for the regeneration although the site currently has no housing within its boundaries - a number upped from 33 in previous iterations due to longstanding pressure from campaigners.

Mr Flynn’s backers include the coalition of campaigners united under the ‘Up the Elephant’ banner who have consistently lobbied for more support for the area’s diverse, independent traders.

Planning permission was given in 2019. A legal challenge to reverse the decision was unsuccessful later the same year.

revealed: Most Covid checks on businesses are on the phone Exclusive

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Health and safety inspectors have rated thousands of businesses nationally as “Covid secure” without visiting them, including in Southwark.

According to data obtained exclusively by the News, inspectors at the Health and Safety Executive carried out 78 unannounced spot checks in Southwark from July to November.

But many of these surprise checks did not involve a visit to the premises to check whether a business was actually following Covid rules.

Only 24 of the 78 spot checks involved a physical visit from an inspector, with the other businesses being ‘inspected’ over the phone.

In total, 73 spot checks were said to be Covid compliant, and needing no further action - despite many of those premises not being visited.

The HSE said it would only visit a business if they had concerns after carrying out an “in depth” phone interview.

Thousands of businesses nationally have been rated Covid secure without a

visit, the data also reveals.

Since April, when the campaign started, 40,511 checks returned a result of “Covid compliant” or no further action needed.

But during the same time, inspectors only made 11,527 site visits, instead relying on phone methods.

“At this first point of contact, if HSE establishes that the business has appropriate COVID-secure measures in place, no further action is taken,” said a HSE spokesperson.

“Where the initial call raises concerns that a business or organisation is not following COVID-secure guidance, a further intervention will be necessary.

“This involves an in-depth interview by experienced HSE staff over the phone.”

It is only then that a visit may take place.

“HSE inspectors are experienced at applying professional judgement and discretion and will seek to take a proportionate approach to their spot check inspections, focussing on what is reasonable and achievable in an evolving situation,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

“HSE assures the spot check process in two ways: the information and data given is analysed and HSE inspectors conduct random assurance inspections to ratify the information given on the call.”

PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE UK GOVERNMENT

UK Government offering extra support to staff and firms during winter months THE UK Government has pledged billions of pounds more to help workers and businesses throughout winter.

The furlough scheme, extended across the UK until the end of March, pays 80 per cent of wages up to £2,500 a month.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme subsidises the wages of people who cannot do their jobs because their workplace is closed or there is no longer enough work. n This article is part of a paid-for Partnership with the UK Government

UK Government Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced extra measures to support workers and businesses throughout winter, including a furlough scheme extension paying 80 per cent of staff wages.

As part of the revised scheme – lasting until March 31, to be reviewed at the end of January – anyone made redundant on or after September 23 2020 may be able to be rehired and returned to furlough.

The Chancellor also announced billions of pounds of further support, including more money for self-employed workers.

HELP PACKAGE ‘IS A LIFELINE’

KELLY DUNN

The UK Government’s new help package provides a “lifeline” according to an English recruitment firm’s MD. “It will certainly ease pressure as we head towards Christmas and into the new year,” said KD Recruitment’s Kelly Dunn, continuing to use Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

“These lifelines are vital to help businesses.

Knowing a company’s biggest outgoing (payroll) is paid by the government will allow businesses to focus on their plans for 2021 and how to bounce back better. These extensions will mean the difference between businesses closing for good or now being able to look to the future and surviving this pandemic.”

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme support will be increased, with the third grant covering November to January calculated at 80 per cent of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500.

Guaranteed funding for the UK’s devolved administrations has been raised by £2 billion to £16 billion. n More details at www.gov.uk

EXTENSION ‘TO PROTECT JOBS’ Owners of a Northern Ireland baby product manufacturer, already benefitting from the UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and grants, hailed the latest measures as “positive”.

“More security for many until March,” said Sinead Murphy, who owns Newtownards-based Shnuggle with husband Adam.

The firm furloughed five staff from a 16-strong team. “We took everything we could get our hands on really,” continued Sinead.

“For those who have the means to survive until spring, this extension will give some peace of mind, meaning they can protect jobs and hopefully begin to rebuild their businesses in the near future.”

SINEAD AND ADAM MURPHY

The UK Government also announced:

n VAT deferral payments spread until March n Bounce Back Loans top-ups n Extension to home-owners’ mortgage payment holiday n Cash grants of up to £3,000 per month for closed businesses n Up to £500 million council funding to support local public health response n Extending governmentbacked loan schemes and Future Fund to January

EXTRA MEASURES: UK Government Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

‘RATES BREAK HUGE FOR US’

JULIE MACKENZIE

Scottish trampoline park bosses are jumping for joy at the UK Government’s announcement of continued Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme support.

“The furlough scheme has been great,” confirmed Julie Mackenzie, owner of Skyline Trampoline Park, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, “and the business rates break was huge for us.”

She explained: “That is a £7,400 a month bill for us, which we won’t pay till the end of January.”

Also welcomed is VAT deferral payment plan spread until March. “I feel optimistic,” added Julie, whose business reopened to enjoy an October halfterm boost, and is now able to furlough six of 25 workers while offering other staff more work.

‘WE WON’T LET ANYONE GO’ The continued Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme support has put a spring in the step of a Welsh sock manufacturers boasting VIP clientele.

“It will make a big difference because we are traditionally quieter in the spring.

“Getting this furlough money means we don’t have to let anyone go,” said Chris Jones, owner of Corgi luxury sock store, in Ammanford, South Wales.

“Otherwise we’d lose skills. We can’t afford to lose anybody,” continued the business boss whose skilled workforce numbers 60, and whose customers include Prince Charles and actor Daniel Radcliffe. Also applying for a Business Resilience Grant, he added: “I feel really positive.”

CHRIS JONES

6 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

dramatic stand-off with contractors in the woods Southwark Council continues.

Protestors camping under the bridge

Protestors refuse to make way for chainsaws in order to save two 200-year-old Oak trees in Sydenham

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Campaigners fighting to save two oak trees in Sydenham Hill Wood refused to make way for chainsaws last week, as their dramatic stand-off with

Contractors arrived on Monday, November 16 to begin cutting down the oaks, both more than two hundred years old, which straddle Cox’s Walk Footbridge.

But they were prevented by protestors and, since then, more have joined the 24/7 encampment to create a protective guard.

As the News reported earlier this month, contractors were due to begin felling from last week after a tree removal notice was put up earlier this month. They have since been unable to get past the activists. The campaigners are led by Pennie Hedge. She started the ‘Save the Footbridge Oaks’ campaign two years ago, when the council first consulted on its plans.

Now Southwark Council is seeking a High Court injunction to remove the campaigners and end the stalemate, with further action expected imminently.

The trees have become a rallying point for environmentalists who say despite declaring a climate emergency, Tooley Street has failed to explore alternatives to giving the trees the chop.

The council says the only way to repair the structurally unsound bridge, currently closed, is by removing the trees, and that other options will simply cost too much time and money, while creating ‘ecological damage’ to

Works start on biscuit development

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Work has begun on a £500m redevelopment of part of the former Peek Frean Biscuit Factory in Bermondsey, owned by the Duke of Westminster.

The development will see 1,548 rented homes, a 600-place school building for Compass School and office and retail space created.

The scheme was initially thrown out

by Southwark councillors because the developer Grosvenor had insisted it could not provide 35 per cent ‘affordable’ homes despite being ultimately owned by the billionaire Hugh Grosvenor.

A modified application with 35 per

cent affordable housing was approved

by City Hall in February this year.

Work on phase one of the 12-acre site has begun, with 359 homes and the new school building created by 2024.

The full scheme is expected to be completed by 2028. “It’s an amazing feeling to get a scheme of this size, which creates so many positives for London, off the ground in 2020,” said Heather Topel, of the developer Grosvenor Britain and Ireland.

“Delivering on the promises we made in the design phase is critical to us and we’ll be working hard with our partners to bring the benefits of this new neighbourhood to the community as soon as possible.”

Councillors had voiced concern at

February’s meeting which approved the application.

“While we all recognize the housing crisis and the need to build homes, that cannot be pursued at the expense of building the homes that people can actually afford to live in,” said Cllr Hamish McCallum (Lib Dem, North Bermondsey).

And Cllr Leo Pollak, (Labour, South Bermondsey) added: “Grosvenor has a long, proud tradition of genuine affordable housing – but this tradition has been abandoned in this instance.”

However, deputy mayor Jules Pipe ruled in Grosvenor’s favour, saying: “The site has the potential to deliver more than 1,500 new homes in an area of London with a high demand for affordable housing.”

the surrounding areas.

Tooley Street says felling the trees, completing the repairs, and planting two new oaks in their place will cost £232,000. It claims an alternative plan campaigners have put forward would be more than double; at £482,000.

Campaigners, who have hired their own experts and put forward detailed plans, say the council has never explored these options in depth and dispute the projected costs. Repairs have been completed in the past without sacrificing the oaks.

More than 5,000 people have signed a petition calling on the council to abandon its plans.

Sydenham Hill Wood, along with adjacent Dulwich Wood, is the largest remaining section of the Great North Wood, which once covered huge swathes of the south-east of England.

Claire Sheppard, the Green Party candidate for Southwark and Lambeth in next year’s postponed London Assembly elections, said: “I’m completely behind saving these ancient trees in this ancient woodland.

“I think it’s entirely possible that this bridge can be mended without causing destruction to these beautiful ancient trees, and I think Southwark Council should be doing everything that they can, given the climate emergency, to ensure that these trees can be protected.

“You can’t replace hundred-plus-

year-old trees. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

“And our children’s future depends on us keeping old and ancient trees, not needlessly destroying them.”

Southwark Council’s cabinet member for leisure, environment and road, councillor Catherine Rose, told the News the council did ‘regret’ felling the trees, but said: “After every effort to try and find a way to save this pair of oaks, and repair our historic footbridge, no viable solution has been identified.

“We thank all of those who have attended our meetings and shared their ideas over the last two years.

“We have investigated many of the suggestions put forward, in addition to employing a contractor to come up with more.

“However, we are working against a number of constraints; the first is our responsibility to spend public funds fairly and wisely. “ But there is also the risk associated with delaying this scheme for another year and the impact this would have on the woodland.

“We too had hoped to save the oaks, but we will continue to work together with The London Wildlife Trust and campaigners, to plant two new, large oaks and many more trees, in addition to those already agreed.” https://you.38degrees.org.uk/ petitions/save-the-cox-s-walkfootbridge-oak-trees

Disused day centre to be seven-storey block of flats

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk A disused day centre on Bermondsey’s Southwark Park Road will be demolished to make way for a seven-storey block of flats.

The former Southwark Park day centre will be redeveloped into 46 apartments, 22 of which will be at social rent levels.

The former day centre was vacated in 2017, and the disused building had been managed by Southwark Council and Global Guardians, a property guardianship.

The scheme will also see office space and a “community use” space created.

“We are delighted to have been granted planning permission to transform an under utilised building at 345 Southwark Park Road into a landmark site in Southwark which

will deliver quality new affordable housing,” said Stuart Gibbons, of the developer Lovell.

“We have been working closely with London Borough of Southwark through a dedicated programme of investment, partnership and housing delivery.”

Officers at Southwark Council had recommended that the application be approved.

“Overall the proposed development would provide the welcome redevelopment of a site which is currently underused and would help provide 46 new homes, including 22 new social rented homes which would help meet the significant housing need within Southwark,” stated a report presented to councillors.

The development was approved on Tuesday, November 17. Work is expected to begin in spring next year.

CORONAVIRUS CORONAVIRUS CORONAVIRUS

NATIONAL RESTRICTIONS RESTRICTIONS 55 November December November toto2 2December 5National November to 2 December National restrictions apply to to England: restrictions apply England: National restrictions apply to England: Meeting Indoors Meeting Indoors

Meeting Outdoors Meeting Outdoors You can meet with 1 person from

Weddings and Funerals Weddings and Funerals Weddings, civil partnership

ceremonies can only take place Weddings, partnership where one ofcivil those getting married can not onlyexpected take place is ceremonies seriously ill and to whereFunerals one of those getting recover. can take placemarried with seriously ill and not expected to upisto 30 people in attendance. recover. Funerals can take place with up to 30 people in attendance.

Working from home Working from home You must work from home if you

You cannot meet anybody socially indoors unless they are in your You cannot or meet anybody socially household support bubble. indoors unless they are in your household or support bubble.

another household in outdoor public You can meet with 1 person from spaces, following social distancing. another under household outdoor public Children 5 andinanyone dependent on continuous care do spaces, following social distancing. not countunder towards the anyone 2 person limit.

Children 5 and dependent on continuous care do not count towards the 2 person limit.

Essential Shops Essential

Non-essential Retail Non-essential

Exercise

Open. Essential shops should follow COVID-secure guidelines.

Open. Essential shops should follow COVID-secure guidelines.

Closed. Can only open for click-and-collect and delivery services.

Closed. Can only open for click-and-collect and delivery services.

You can exercise outside on your own or with your household; your support bubble; or outside one person You can exercise on your from ownanother or withhousehold. your household; your support bubble; or one person from another household.

Closed, except for allotments and outdoor playgrounds.

Closed, except for allotments and outdoor playgrounds.

Hospitality

Education

Hospitality

Education

Healthcare Services Healthcare Services

Residential Care Residential Care homes are encouraged to Care

Shops

Closed except for takeaway, click-and-collect, drive through and delivery services. Takeaway Closed except for takeaway, not permitted after 22:00. click-and-collect, drive through and delivery services. Takeaway not permitted after 22:00.

Travel

Travel You must not travel in the UK or overseas other than for permitted reasons, including work, You must not travelreasons, in the caring education, medical UK or overseas other for retail. responsibilities or for than essential permitted reasons, including work, education, medical reasons, caring responsibilities or for essential retail.

Vulnerable People Vulnerable If you are 60+ or clinically vulnerable, be especially careful to follow the People rules and minimise contacts with

If you clinicallyvulnerable, extremely Ifothers. you are 60+ are or clinically vulnerable are advised to stay be especiallyyou careful to follow the at home as much as possible, except to rules and minimise contacts with go outdoors for exercise or to attend others.

If you are clinically extremely essential health appointments. vulnerable you are advised to stay at home as much as possible, except to go outdoors for exercise or to attend essential health appointments.

Retail

Early years, schools and FE colleges open. Universities must reflect wider restrictions.

Early years, schools and FE colleges open. Universities must reflect wider restrictions.

Public Transport Public You may still use public transport, Transport but should only travel for permitted

Exercise

You can leave home for any medical reason.

You can leave home for any medical reason.

Overnight Stays Overnight Staysstays and holidays away Overnight

reasons and should look to reduce Younumber may stillofuse publicyou transport, the journeys make, but should onlyattravel permitted avoid travelling peakfor times, and walk or cycle reasons and where shouldyou lookcan. to reduce the number of journeys you make, avoid travelling at peak times, and walk or cycle where you can.

from primary residences are not allowed, except for work and Overnight and holidays away other exemptstays purposes. from primary residences are not allowed, except for work and other exempt purposes.

Worship

Childcare

Worship

Childcare Registered childcare and childcare activities open to enable parents to work, or respite care. Parents can form a childcare bubbleand with another Registered childcare childcare household for informal childcare, activities open to enable parents to where is 13 or under. work,the or child respite care.

Parents can form a childcare bubble with another household for informal childcare, where the child is 13 or under.

Closed except for: Funerals, broadcasting acts of worship, and individual prayer.

Closed except for: Funerals, broadcasting acts of worship, and individual prayer.

can. If you cannot work from Youyou must workcontinue from home if you home should to go you cannot work from to can. workIf(unless you are clinically home you should continue to go extremely vulnerable). to work (unless you are clinically extremely vulnerable).

Leisure and Gyms Leisure

and Gyms

provide safe, COVID-secure visiting opportunities. guidance to Care homesSee are the encouraged for details on how to keep visits provide safe, COVID-secure visiting safe. opportunities. See the guidance for details on how to keep visits safe.

Entertainment and tourism Entertainment and tourism Entertainment venues are

closed. Public gardens at visitor attractions are open.

Entertainment venues are closed. Public gardens at visitor attractions are open.

Youth Clubs and Activities Youth Clubs Some youth services are able to and Activities continue, such as 1-1 youth work and support groups, but most youth clubs andservices groups are will able to Some youth need to ceasesuch for this period. continue, as 1-1 youth work and support groups, but most youth clubs and groups will need to cease for this period.

For more moreinformation informationand anddetailed detailedguidance guidancevisit: visit: For gov.uk/coronavirus gov.uk/coronavirus For more information and detailed guidance visit: Restrictions advert Southwark news 268x345v2.indd 1

10/11/2020 10:57

8 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

growing concerns over lack of in-patient beds Exclusive

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk Patients taken to the Maudsley Hospital as a place of safety during a mental health crisis are facing delays in their care, according to data obtained exclusively by the News.

The hospital's own staff warn it is both legally risky and a significant safety concern for patients.

Police can take those having a mental health crisis in public to a 'place of safety' unit at the Maudsley where they can be detained for their own welfare, under section 136 of the Mental Health Act. A person can only be detained for the purposes of a mental health assessment, and normally only for 24 hours, before either being admitted to hospital as an inpatient voluntarily, sectioned as an inpatient or discharged.

But according to data exclusively obtained by this paper, some patients have been in the place of safety for up to a week - well beyond the legal 24 hour standard. At least one person was there for a month.

The Trust has recorded at least 625 breaches of the 24-hour limit over the past three years to date, according to the FOI data.

The longest stay was for thirty days, in 2018. The Trust insisted to the News that it has other “legal and ethical frameworks” with which to detain patients past the 24 hour limit, but did not elaborate what those were.

But its internal documents admit a risk these breaches could “lead to a legal challenge from the patient” and “can mean a person is held ‘illegally.’”

Staff add these breaches are a “significant safety concern, especially in COVID.” A lack of beds may mean a patient cannot be moved from the place of safety and admitted or sectioned as an inpatient. Those admitted to the place of safety may also be too ill to be discharged.

Alarm over the phenomenon has been escalated to the top levels of the organisation, with chief operating officer Neil Robertson being asked this month to present at a Trust-wide

Maudsley are having to keep patients in a ‘place of safety’ beyond the 24-hour rule meeting on the risks caused by the overstays.

The charity Rethink Mental Illness told the News our findings showed the urgent need for extra resources to improve the number of inpatient beds at the Maudsley Hospital.

“People experiencing a mental health crisis shouldn’t experience delays in their care while detained under Section 136,” said policy manager, Will Johnstone.

“Overstays are always of significant concern and this highlights the urgent need to improve both inpatient bed availability and crisis care, with alternatives to detention provided wherever possible.”

This paper unsuccessfully asked to interview a senior leadership figure within the hospital about our findings.

A spokesperson said people often stay at the place of safety for longer than 24 hours, but that the Trust would use different legal provisions in those cases.

The hospital inspector, the CQC, has

e-scooters trial in southwark

said it is concerned about stays at a place of safety beyond 24 hours. The watchdog said it “would question the lawful basis for detaining people under these circumstances.”

“We recognise that the experience of being detained under the Mental Health Act can be a distressing, uncertain and difficult experience for people,” said a Maudsley spokesperson.

“Increased demand for mental health support across London means that sometimes patients have to wait.

“We monitor any breaches daily to be able to plan ahead and reduce any impact on people who use our services.

On the specific case of a person being in the place of safety for a month, the Trust said it could not comment on individual cases.

"But breaches with significant waiting times often relate to patients who come into our services with a specific set of circumstances which have to be investigated," it said.

It added: “We have stepped up a 24-hour all age crisis line and we are

It currently remains illegal to use a private e-scooter on the roads

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk

Rental e-scooters will come to Southwark’s streets as part of a trial to test safety.

Privately owned e-scooters are still banned in public spaces.

The trial, due to start in spring next year, will see the rental e-scooters in a “geographically limited area” including Southwark.

The scooters will be allowed to use the same spaces as bikes, but not pavements.

Councils will also be allowed to designate certain areas as “no-go” meaning the rental scooter will automatically cut out.

Other areas may be designated as “go-slow”, meaning the scooter will be limited to a max speed of 8mph.

working with the London Ambulance Service and Metropolitan Police via joint response vehicles and crisis assessment teams.

“We are also piloting the use of Advance Choice Documents, where

clinicians carry out a therapeutic interview with people prior to discharge when they are well enough, which could help inform a care plan if it becomes necessary for a person to be detained again.”

How does the Maudsley Hospital compare?

According to previously unpublished analysis obtained by the News, the South London and Maudsley Trust compares poorly with other London mental health hospitals on its use of section 136.

A report written by a consortium of mental health trusts in London called the Cavendish Square Group, compares data from across the capital.

The group had refused to give a version of the report to us, arguing “it was not intended to be shared with external parties.”

It states: “Many MHTs deal relatively quickly with s136 episodes with “We’re determined to make sure that London recovers from coronavirus as safely and sustainably as possible and are supportive of innovative solutions that could help,” said Michael Huwitz from TfL. “Safety will be our number one priority during this e-scooter rental trial, which will be critical to providing us the data and insights we need to determine whether e-scooters are a viable part of a greener and healthier future for London.”

Operators signed up to the trial will be required to provide data on safety and usage. TfL hopes being able to use rental e-scooters can prevent a surge of car use after coronavirus.

Other council areas taking part in the trial include Lambeth, Camden and Westminster.

The news comes amid a warning from the Met Police about people using private e-scooters to commit crime.

Since July, officers have had reports of over 290 crimes carried out involving an

around half being processed within 12 hours of arrival.

“A large proportion of episodes within SLAM and SWLSTG [South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust] take longer than 12 hours.”

A five-year comparison of the ethnicity of those detained under S136 at the hospital reveals that Black people are more likely to be detained.

“The Asian category is underrepresented, and the Black category is over-represented,” states an analysis of the patients admitted under section 136. e-scooter, including robbery, assault and theft.

The number of collisions involving e-scooters has gone up from four in 2018 to 31 in 2019. Collisions are likely to still be underreported, said Ch Supt Simon Ovens.

“I believe that some people are using e-scooters as an attractive mode of transport, especially in their commute to work, but they remain notoriously dangerous, and illegal when driven in public areas or on the roads,” he said.

Riders do not need to pass a test, and users often do not wear helmets or lights, he said.

He added: “In the lead up to Christmas, we want to remind people that if you are buying one, under current legislation, you can only ride it on private land with the land owner’s permission.

“If you are out on an e-scooter in London, expect to be stopped by officers as we continue to help keep Londoners safe.”

PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE UK GOVERNMENT

Why now’s the time to get fit and stay fit to improve your physical wellbeing

Let’s get physical! One of the dangers of lockdown is to be lulled into laziness, watch too many box sets, eat and drink too much, but there is no excuse to not start exercising to get fit and stay healthy.

PHYSICAL WELLBEING is more important than ever at the moment.

Bouts of ten or more minutes of physical activity have proven health benefits.

Getting 150 minutes or more of moderate activity every week is the amount we need to positively impact on a wide range of health conditions.

Indoors and outdoors, there are a range of activities to boost our health and to suit everyone.

Exercising indoors, you can tune into family exercise classes from PE lessons to yoga classes, cycling to ballet.

Exercising outdoors, as an individual or family bubble, can take the form of walking, cycling and playing games.

Local authority websites also offer a wealth of information about becoming active for all ages and abilities.

Running is among the

5 WAYS TO BURN 100 CALORIES ■ Walking: 22 minutes at a moderate pace or 13 minutes uphill. Improves cardio fitness.

■ Gardening: 19.5 minutes.

Therapeutic and rewarding.

■ Cycling: 13 minutes at a light pace, 7.5 minutes for vigorous most popular forms of exercise as you can start at any time and go at your own pace.

The nhs.uk/better-health website has lots of tips to get

HEALTHY AND APPY nhs.uk/better-health

started, videos illustrating how to stay fit at home as well as access to free Active 10 walking app and, for the more adventurous, a Couch to 5K running app.

It’s that time of year when we can’t make vitamin D

cycling. Low impact and builds strength.

■ Ironing: 34 minutes. Works your core.

■ Running: 10 minutes jogging; 5 minutes sprinting.

Helps to increase your bone density. from sunshine. To keep bones and muscles healthy it’s best to take a vitamin D supplement every day between October and early March. You can get vitamin D from most pharmacies, and supermarkets and other retailers. Just 10 micrograms a day is all you need – it’s the same for the whole family.

The flu vaccine is safe and your very best protection from flu and that’s why it is free to those most at risk.

If you smoke, stopping is the single best thing that you can do for your health.

GET FIT, STAY FIT: Everyone needs to be active every day to improve their health.

Go to nhs.uk/better-health/ quit-smoking to find the best way to quit for your circumstances.

Similarly, men and women are safest not regularly drinking more than 14 units per week – a bottle and a half of wine or five pints of lager.

Joe Wicks is back with new PE sessions

FITNESS EXPERT: Joe Wicks has provided new workouts.

Fitness expert Joe Wicks became the go-to man during lockdown when he launched free PE tuition on YouTube.

He is now back with a new set of sessions as COVID-19 restrictions continue.

These workouts are

intended to help keep people active during coming weeks as well as offering a mental health boost.

These exercises are possible for people of all abilities and resources.

“I started the Body Coach

TV with a goal to offer free home workouts to everyone, no matter what their fitness levels. It’s taken me a long time to grow but it now has more than 250plus free workouts and reaches millions of people

all over the world,” said the first BBC Children in Need Schools Ambassador.

Rather than every weekday, new workout videos will be uploaded weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to The Body Coach TV channel.

10 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

Three women arrested on suspicion of murder

Richard Obi was found stabbed at the Elephant & Castle’s Rockingham Estate

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk

Armed police hunt for man in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre

Three women have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 25-yearold on Elephant and Castle’s Rockingham Estate on last Tuesday week.

Detectives on Friday named the victim as Richard Obi. Police were called to the fatal stabbing at the estate’s Bramwell House shortly after 11am.

Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, Richard’s life could not be saved, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Friday morning three women – aged 58, 34 and 30 – were arrested on suspicion of murder.

They have been taken into custody.

Police are continuing to appeal for

By Josh Salisbury josh@southwarknews.co.uk information surrounding the death of the 25-year-old.

Anyone with information is being asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD2504/17Nov. Crimestoppers can be contacted completely anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Armed police swooped into Surrey Quays Shopping Centre last Thursday afternoon while chasing a man from a car that had a gun inside.

Police from the Violent Crime Task Force stopped a car on Lower Road shortly before 3pm, and found a

“quantity of drugs, ammunition and a firearm.”

Two men from the car were arrested and have been taken into a custody.

But a third man ran from the car into the direction of Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, said police.

Armed police were called to look for him inside the shopping centre, to the surprise of shoppers.

Pictures on social media show a

queue of shoppers evacuated from the centre. It has still not been clarified by police whether this was connected.

Officers did not manage to find the third man, and are still looking for him.

“He has not been found but enquiries continue to locate him,” said a spokesperson.

“Officers will remain in the area while the search continues.”

Nunhead school named 11th best in the country

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk

St Thomas the Apostle (STAC) is the eleventh best school in the country, according to a new measure that takes into account pupils backgrounds.

Art Deco sign for Peckham’s bargain store

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Khan’s Bargains gained a new Art Deco-inspired sign over the weekend as the restoration of the former Holdron’s Arcade continues.

The sign was installed using fabricated powder-coated metal letters in Gill Sans font and is set on the surviving original 1950s handglazed tiles - an original feature uncovered during previous work on the building.

As the News has reported, the heritage building received a Historic England award after its vaulted roof was brought back to its former glory in a year-long project. The architecturally distinctive style is similar to that of Eltham Palace.

The key measure for judging a school’s performance is usually the ‘progress 8’ score, an annual figure calculated on how well students perform relative to national expectations.

STAC is already placed within the top one per cent of all schools in the country when using this indicator.

But there is an alternative way of ranking schools, created by the Fairer Schools Index, which uses progress 8 but also takes into account the pupils' backgrounds, including the number from less well off families and those with free school meal eligibility.

When using this system, STAC comes out as the eleventh best school in England, and the third best in London.

“This remarkable achievement is testament to our incredible students, our inspiring teachers and our ever supportive parents and demonstrates exactly what our young men are capable of,” said associate assistant head teacher, Sam Parratt.

STAC, which has a strong focus on creativity and the arts, has staged a remarkable turnaround in the last six years.

Rated ‘outstanding’ since 2014, it was once told by regulators it ‘requires improvement’, but is now known for its high expectations of pupils and wide-ranging extracurricular support.

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 11

revealed: the world of the 1970s spycops

By Josh Salisbury

josh@southwarknews.co.uk Extraordinary details of how an undercover detective took on a whole new identity to spy on south London political activists have been revealed for the first time.

The former detective sergeant spied undercover on ‘subversive’ socialists and anti-apartheid activists in Lambeth for the Metropolitan Police between 1970-71.

His top secret deployment ended shortly after he wrote off his unmarked police car by crashing it into a tree while drunk.

Under the cover name “Stewart Goodman”, the officer led a double life as an unemployed musician living in a ground floor bedsit in Streatham to infiltrate the Anti-Apartheid Movement and the Lambeth International Socialists.

In a witness statement to the Undercover Policing Inquiry, ‘Stewart Goodman’ told how he changed from a “typical” policeman to wearing “tatty” clothes as an undercover spy in the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS).

“Before going undercover I looked like a typical, respectable policeman with short back and sides,” he said.

“I grew bum fluff on my face and let my hair grow to shoulder-length… This obviously presented difficulties for my personal life as I would get very strange looks while I was out with my wife.”

For legal reasons, the officer’s real name cannot be published. He is referred to by the inquiry, which is investigating tactics used by undercover police agents, as ‘HN

I grew bum fluff on my face and let my hair grow to shoulder-length ... This obviously presented difficulties for my personal life 339.’

His unit, the SDS, was an undercover squad within the Met Police established

in 1968 with the purpose of infiltrating left-wing activist groups.

Officers in the secretive group – who

south London, the officer told the inquiry.

“Effectively it was my training ground and allowed me to gain legitimacy and an activism background to then move on to another group,” he said.

That group was the International Socialists, which later became the Socialist Workers’ Party. Eventually his infiltration would be so successful that he became the treasurer, and the branch leader’s “right hand man.”

In 1971, ‘Stewart’ rang up the thenbranch secretary of the Lambeth International Socialists and met him in the pub for drinks. He earned his trust

– and used that trust to report on a mix of private and public meetings to the authorities.

“The meetings that I attended tended to take place above pubs and I remember that a lot of Guinness would be drunk,” said the 27-page statement.

Shifts were long, he said – three or four meetings a week – and the deployment was open-ended.

“I understood that the overall objective was to provide useful information about demonstrations and intelligence about people who were seen as subversive,” he admitted.

attended revolutionary meetings – held in pubs like the Tulse Hill Tavern and The Plough in Clapham Common – appear to have uncovered little beyond standard left-wing organising.

A rally of 600 International Socialists in Skegness in October 1971 was “rather depressing” with predictable speeches about the dangers of capitalism, states one HC 339 report.

Real-life IS members did not think so. It ended with them singing the Internationale, “at the end of which many members were seen to be openly in tears; such was their total involvement,” it adds.

The top-secret deployment ended after “Stewart Goodman” crashed an unmarked police car into a tree after a boozy meeting with activists, he told the inquiry.

Police on the scene did not arrest him, and even gave him a lift home after he

broke cover to tell them who he was.

He appeared in court with dangerous driving, but remembers only being given a fine. Senior bosses within the SDS may have given Magistrates a private briefing about him being a secret police agent, he recalls.

“I think it may have been the catalyst for me being withdrawn but I cannot be sure about this,” he said.

While he was moved on to different duties, “there was no formal disciplinary action taken.”

“Even though I was drinking quite heavily at this time, there was no suggestion that I had any more of a drink problem than anyone else in Special Branch and my drinking certainly was not addressed by management following this incident,” he said.

HC 339 went on to enjoy a long career at the force until retiring from a senior position in the 1990s.

Stewart Goodman’s mission: HN 339 was originally assigned to infiltrate the Anti Apartheid Movement in October 1970, under the Goodman alter-ego.

His reports – which lasted until February 1971 – focussed mainly on the activity of the Dambusters Mobilising Committee, a sister group of anti-apartheid activists.

The group protested the construction of Cahora Bassa Dam, which would supply electricity to apartheid South Africa, by staging sit-ins in British banks financing the project.

But the real goal was to gain credibility to infiltrate more “militant” groups in

dubbed themselves ‘the hairies’ – have been accused of adopting the names of dead children, and even fathering children with activists they were sent to spy on.

During the early days of the SDS this did not happen, according to the officer.

“To my knowledge, sexual relationships were not an issue during my time in the SDS and I would never have dreamed of entering a sexual relationship with

an activist,” he said in the previously confidential documents made public on Thursday.

His statement added: “It was not the practice at the time to use a deceased child’s identity; we were just told to pick our names. My cover backstory was that I had been bumming around Europe playing guitar and singing and I had just returned to the country.”

Sir John Mitting

‘I wrote off my unmarked police car by drink driving’ The inquiry continues...

The mole’s position gave him a vantage point to report on the ideological splits within the International Socialists – dispatches which were then passed onto MI5.

A tranche of previously confidential reports released by the inquiry reveal how Special Branch took interest in the \\``infighting within the International Socialist leadership, and a splinter group called ‘The Trotskyist Tendency’.

“The implications of an apparent rift in the group should not be underestimated,” states one cable.

The cables also reveal how HC 339 flypostered Oval Cricket ground in a bid to keep his cover with activists.

“All I remember is that we went out fly posting and I helped daub posters on the walls and all of a sudden we heard police sirens and we scarpered,” he said.

But many of the often sparsely

The revealing cache of documents have come to light because of an inquiry into undercover policing tactics led by Sir John Mitting.

The ‘Spycops’ inquiry was announced in 2015, following a string of damning reports in newspapers about the conduct of undercover detectives.

This cache of documents was made public for the first time on Thursday, along with cables and witness statements from other former undercover detectives in the Special Demonstration Squad.

While some officers have had either their cover names or real names published, many are still protected by anonymity.

The first phase of the inquiry heard from undercover officers in the SDS from 1968 to 1972. In April, evidence from undercover officers active from 1973 to 1982 will be heard.

The inquiry has been criticised by some of those spied upon, including the family of murdered Stephen Lawrence.

At least three undercover police officers spied on the Lawrence family as they campaigned for justice.

Mitting has said it is a key issue for his inquiry to discover the extent to which undercover ‘spycops’ monitored the Lawrence family.

But in a statement to the inquiry, Baroness Lawrence’s representative said she is “losing confidence, if she has not already lost it, in this Inquiry’s ability to get to the truth.

“The truth as to why she, her family and supporters were spied upon by the police.”

12 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

southwark angels Helping in crisis

planet positive in dulwich

James Allen’s Girls’ School says it will become a ‘zero-carbon’ school within a decade.

big win for Meals on wheels service

It is the latest organisation to announce an ambitious climate target. Last year Southwark Council pledged to become carbon neutral by 2030, two decades earlier than the UK government which set a 2050 deadline under Theresa May. JAGS says it will be working closely with other schools to find the best ways to tackle its carbon footprint.

Suzie Elkerton, whole school eco coordinator at the Dulwich school, explains: “We are taking a positive step on a local level to help combat the climate issues that we all face globally.

“It sends a strong message to our whole school and local community that we will do all that we can here at JAGS to ensure the safety of our planet

crowdfunder set up to help neighbours this christmas The volunteers behind five ‘solidarity funds’ giving no-strings financial support to struggling Londoners have launched a Christmas Crowdfunder.

A meals-on-wheels service in Peckham has secured a £17,000 grant from the National Lottery.

Peckham’s Elimhouse Community Association will use the funding to continue its support for elderly people in Southwark.

The organisation, based in Bellenden Road, also runs a day centre - during normal times - and is still operating outreach activities for older residents.

During the pandemic it has offered befriending services and is delivering food to more than 40 OAPs; including those in care homes and people who have shielded since March this year.

To volunteer or make a donation, visit elimhousedaycentre.com

for future generations.

“Our ethos is to become a 'planet positive' school in all that we do, with the aim of encouraging action from across the school community, and also helping to alleviate potential feelings of eco anxiety.”

The school is the latest to join a nationwide Let’s Go Zero campaign, launched at this month’s Youth Climate Summit.

Head teacher Alex Hutchinson says: “It is vital that we protect our planet for future generations and in becoming a zero-carbon school, JAGS is pledging a commitment towards this on a local level.

“It is something that we are passionate about as a community, and we look forward to working with pupils, staff and families in achieving our goal.”

Created by Mutual Aid groups, the grassroots solidarity funds include grant-making bodies covering Herne Hill, Goose Green, SE15, SE16 and East London’s Newham.

All money is donated by residents living in the same area, and given to applicants who are struggling financially due to the pandemic - with no selection criteria.

The fundraising drive aims to raise £10,000 to help see people through the winter. Already, £23,000 has been given out to help cover basic costs from food to bills.

One person to benefit from the SE15 fund told its administrators the payment was the difference between “having food and fuel - or not”.

Seth, one of the fund’s administrators,

explained how the simple idea is a costeffective and quick way to help people living round the corner.

“The solidarity funds in our network grew from a desire to create something different. There are no barriers to accessing the funds, the aim is to redistribute wealth locally a little.

“Another lockdown means increased pressure on the most vulnerable in our community, and when combined with the rising heating bills that winter brings, we predict the need for the various funds will be greater than ever.

“That’s why we’ve decided to join together with a target of raising £10,000 to be shared between the funds and help as many people as possible.”

To donate, visit: https://www. crowdfunder.co.uk/london-solidarityfundraiser If you are interested in starting up a Solidarity Fund where you live, contact solidarityfundfederation@gmail.com

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

buddy of evelina

A baby who was born weighing the same as a loaf of bread is celebrating his first birthday thanks to miraculous life-saving care.

Buddy Webb, from Lewisham, was born at 25 weeks and three days old - and weighed just 1lbs 13oz, roughly the same as a medium sized loaf.

Mum Rachel’s waters broke when she was just 24 weeks and six days pregnant. “It was a complete shock,” said dad Paul Webb, 34.

“Up until that point we were enjoying a low risk pregnancy and were about to start hypnobirthing.

“She was rushed to our local hospital where she was given steroids to speed up the development of Buddy’s lungs.”

Rachel was rushed to St Thomas’ for emergency treatment, and had a caesarean to deliver Buddy because of a virus.

“We played Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire' as Buddy was delivered,” said Paul. “It was an extremely emotional time. At that point we didn’t know if he would survive.”

Buddy spent three months on neonatal intensive care at the Evelina Hospital, the children’s hospital on the same site as St Thomas’.

His lungs were underdeveloped, causing breathing problems, but luckily he did not need surgery.

“Eventually his breathing improved and he came off the ventilator two

months after he was born, which was a really special moment,” said Paul.

“We spent Christmas day with Buddy in hospital. The staff went above and beyond to make it special.

“Santa came to visit Buddy and he received lots of presents and cards. It was a really memorable day.

“The care that Buddy received was absolutely phenomenal. We felt supported and looked after by everyone involved in his care.

“We can’t thank the team at Evelina London enough. We owe Buddy’s life to them.”

The little boy was discharged in January and celebrated his first birthday last month with family.

He is developing well, and is a “boisterous” infant who loves lego, books and cuddles, Paul said.

In thanks to the hospital, Paul plans to run next year’s London marathon for the Evelina.

“We’re absolutely delighted that Buddy is thriving and Paul has chosen to raise vital funds for us,” said Dr Hammad Khan, a consultant neonatologist at the hospital.

“We have specialist teams who provide 24-hour care helping premature and sick babies with their breathing and feeding, and where necessary providing life-changing surgery and other procedures.”

To follow Paul’s fundraiser, visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ BuddyWebb

raising awareness of tongue cancer

Annabel and sons Harrison (left) and Harvey (right) Annabel’s neck a month after surgery

Annabel Lovick after surgery

NEWS 13

Buddy Webb with parents Paul and Rachel next to cake

On birthday Buddy Webb with his mother Rachel at the beach

A mum of two who was diagnosed with cancer has made a full recovery after her tongue was reconstructed at Guy’s Hospital.

Annabel Lovick, 48, was shocked to be told she had grade two tongue cancer earlier this year.

She underwent a complex surgery at Guy’s to remove the cancer and reconstruct part of her tongue which had to be taken away.

The mother, from Bromley, now wants to raise awareness of the condition, which affects around 8,300 people a year in the UK. She first developed a lesion on her tongue a year ago. “I didn’t think much of it at first and tongue cancer never crossed my mind,” she said.

Initially she was advised that she did not need to worry about it. But a trip to the dentist changed that, as they advised her to have it checked out at Guy’s.

“I was told that I needed to have a big operation because the lesion was changing quickly and was the size of a small grape,” said the life coach.

“I would need around a third of my tongue removed through an incision in the neck, lymph nodes in my neck taken away, teeth removed and a tongue reconstruction using tissue from the back of my leg.”

After a gruelling ten hours of surgery, Annabel stayed in hospital for two weeks and needed tubing in her windpipe to help her breathe for eight days.

“It was removed once I could breathe through my mouth and it was like I had to learn to breathe again,” she said.

“At that point I could eat and drink, starting with yoghurt and mushed up

food.

“I needed a mirror as I couldn’t feel my mouth or tongue, so I had no concept of how close to my mouth the spoon was. It felt like a foreign object in my mouth.”

Georgios Orfaniotis, the plastic surgeon who carried out the reconstruction, said Annabel had done brilliantly.

“Her early diagnosis means she has a very good chance of being cured.

Seeing patients like her do so well makes the job very rewarding – it’s why we do what we do,” he said.

A pioneering method is used at the hospital where tissue from the calf is taken for the reconstruction, rather than the traditional method of taking it from the forearm or thigh, which does not match the thickness of the tongue.

This has better results, say doctors at Guy’s.

Annabel is now keen to raise awareness of tongue cancer among young people. “Check your tongue for any new lesions,” she said.

“Tongue cancer doesn’t only affect older people who smoke and drink and there needs to be more awareness of it.”

Mr Orfaniotis added: “We are seeing more and more cases of tongue cancer in young people and have operated on patients as young as nineteen.

“Some oral cancers are associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) and conditions where the immune system is suppressed.

“It is worrying because young people need to be aware of it and look for any unusual signs and symptoms. This type of cancer spreads quickly so an early diagnosis is vital.”

remembrance event online St Christophers’ Hospice is holding an online remembrance event for grieving families next month.

With many unable to say goodbye, see their loved ones in their final days, or even attend their funeral, the Sydenham hospice hopes the event will help give solace in the run up to an emotional Christmas.

The event will include performances from the cast of West End show Blood Brothers, and chamber orchestra London Mozart Players.

Special guests include HRH Princess Alexandra, the hospice’s patron.

Andrew Goodhead, spiritual care lead at St Christopher’s, says: “Bereavement doesn’t end; it’s lived with, and we stay bereaved.

“Making personal and shared times to remember someone who has died, recognises the ongoing ties that we still have with that person.

“Our service of remembrance aims to bring comfort and a sense of shared support in your grief, despite all our very different experiences. Whether you lost someone unexpectedly to the “COVID-19 virus, or you weren’t able to attend the funeral of someone you loved, this event is an opportunity to mark the loss, as part of the community”.

The free event will be live online on Facebook and YouTube on 6 December 2020 at 4pm. For more information: www.stchristophers.org/ remembering

14 OPINION

www.southwarknews.co.uk/letters

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

Comment from Westminster

READERS’ VIEWS Letter to the editor:

harriet harman

MP for Camberwell & Peckham

The virus doesn’t recognise Christmas

T

here is a huge focus on Christmas, understandably.

We’ve had nine long months of restrictions.

And Christmas is the most important time of the year for families to get together even for the many people in Southwark who still have to work across the Christmas period because they are providing vital services. To ensure that we are able to get together with family members who don’t live with us, we need to ensure that we keep strictly to the regulations.

The infection level is coming down, but if we let down our guard it will start going up again and we will not be able to have the temporary relaxation in the rules we are all hoping for.

It’s true to say that the virus does not recognise it’s Christmas!

It seems inevitable that after Christmas we’ll have to put on the brakes again to compensate for the progress the virus will have made

during the temporary lockdown.

So the government must keep the financial support going for all those who have been unable to work during the restrictions or whose work has been curtailed.

Some people have not stayed at home as they should do when they’ve come into contact with someone who’s tested positive because they can’t afford the loss of income from not going to work. So, the government have got to plug the gaps for all those who fall outside the compensation scheme to make sure that businesses can survive and that people can afford to stay home to protect others.

But the restrictions seem more bearable when the solution is in sight. And that is a vaccine which will protect us from getting ill and prevent the disease from spreading.

The scientists in Oxford and elsewhere have worked miracles.

The first people offered the vaccine

in December will be those working in the health and caring services.

Most will jump at the chance to make themselves, their families and those they care for safe. But I hope all will.

The more of us who have the vaccine the safer everyone will be. So when we have the vaccine we are doing something not just for ourselves but for our local community. We need all those who can be vaccinated to do so in order to protect those who have those rare health conditions which mean they can’t be vaccinated.

We’ve got no right to refuse the vaccine if our doing so means continued risk for someone who can’t have the vaccine.

The vaccine is safe. It’s been rigorously tested. And it works.

As someone who’s over 70 I will be amongst the first offered the vaccine and I will jump at the chance. If we all do, this awful period can be put behind us and we can start to rebuild.

Dear Editor,

The UK’s leading heart charity, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) needs the support of the local community now more than ever.

Following the Government’s announcement of a second lockdown, we were forced to close our shops in London until Thursday 3rd December. We expect the current shop closures across England to cost us millions of pounds.

This adds to the already devastating impact of the coronavirus on the charity’s income. Our funding for new research is expected to be halved by £50 million next year, which could limit future funding and delay important scientific breakthroughs that could help save lives.

Our charity shops run purely on the support of the public, which is why we are urging the local community to

Exclusive: 80-year-old hero rescues woman from Caroline Gardens inferno

This man should be set for a bravery award and especially because he’s my dad, he’s spent his life putting other people first.

Julian, via SN website

Hundreds sign petition opposing banned right-hand turn from Bermondsey's Southwark Park Road into Jamaica Road

Has anyone got a fine? It’s really misleading as the road markings suggest you can still go right if you’re in the right hand lane. I didn’t notice the signs as I always drive through this junction. I am worried I will get fined as I have driven through it a few times this week taking my daughter to school. Surely if the road paint suggests right hand turn in that lane, I could appeal.

Patrick, via SN website

Helen Hayes calls for urgent government review of Royal Mail after 'collapse in service' in SE22

Time to plants your trees and shrubs

O

ctober went out in a riot of blustery winds and heavy rain. By the start of November, the weather was calmer, overcast and mild.

Pyracantha and Cotoneaster are laden with berries. Hebe continues flowering and Rosemary is coming back into bloom – providing some late forage for the bees - grateful for any flowers they can find.

The tree and shrub planting season begins in November (lasting until March) so, there is time to plan for some new additions to the garden.

An unusual and useful tree is Arbutus unedo - the Strawberry tree; it is not related to the strawberry plant but the fruits look similar hence its common name. Surprisingly, these trees are not widely grown, but they have many interesting qualities. Arbutus is evergreen, compact and shrublike, and produces white (or pink) delicate

little bell-shaped fragrant flowers in Autumn - and showy orangeypink fruits (often at the same time), which are edible; although they are not tasty and are usually made into jams and preserves. The leaves also have therapeutic properties. The tree attracts insects and provides shelter in the winter for birds and other small creatures. Arbutus will live in a container - for a while - but it has an extensive root system and eventually needs to be planted in the open ground. Arbutus would be a welcome addition to any garden/greenspace.

The end of British Summer time means less day light hours and soon conditions may prevent much activity in the garden; but as well as planting there is other work to be done. Weather permitting it is a good time to spread mulch around mature shrubs and in the vegetable plot. Mulch can be well-rotted organic

matter found in the compost bin (after about six months to a year); it can also be well-rotted manure, wood chips or bark; if spread now it will break down into the ground over the winter months and plants quickly benefit when they come back into growth.

And with just a few weeks to go until Christmas - time to think of gift ideas. Lifeventure do a 300ml Thermal Mug for hot and cold drinks on the move - currently on offer for £11.99. There is also a waterproof phone pouch (£9.99) – not only useful for gardeners but for walkers and runners. There are also other practical products such as a small Vacuum Flask for £14.99. www.lifeventure.com Packs of interesting heritage vegetable seeds (lettuce, beans, pumpkins and tomatoes) from the Organic Gardening Catalogue make good stocking fillers. www.organiccatalogue.com

I received a letter from King’s College Hospital dated 6th October for me to attend an MRI scan on the 26th October. The letter was delivered on the 3rd November.

support us, either by shopping online or donating smaller items via post.

Our eBay store remains open for those looking for quality, unique preloved items and our online shop is the ideal place to find Christmas cards, accessories and festive gifts. You can also support the BHF by donating smaller, quality items to us by post - as part of essential shopping trips – such as branded clothing, jewellery, vinyl records and cameras.

Each year, heart and circulatory diseases kill around 13,200 in London and currently 620,000 people in the region are living with them. The support of the local community – whether it’s donating unwanted quality items or buying a festive gift for a loved one – will help us continue to fund research that saves and improves lives in London. For more details on how you can support the BHF please visit www.bhf.org.uk/shop

The post has been abysmal since the closure of Sylvester Road sorting office.

Dennis O’Reilly, via SN website

In the dock: Teenage rapist from Bells Gardens Estate sentenced after knifepoint attack What an utter disgrace. He’s a menace to society, unworthy and should never be released to traumatise any female or male again. Throw away the key.

Johanna, via SN website

Can Tom Kerridge save Nunhead’s the Golden Anchor?

Used to go to this pub in the ‘70s.

Great times was had in there x Tracey Mallett, via Facebook

Petition asks for Waitrose or M&S in Elephant and Castle I'm starting a petition for Harvey Nichols to open a local annexe to their Food Halls in SE17. Please sign and lobby your local councillors.

James Pullen, via Facebook

What theDickens?

SOUTHWARK NEWS DIARIST

Take courage! If you want to become a priest A priest says a Bermondsey brewery’s beer is what persuaded him to become a man of God.

Pastor Chris Gill leads sermons in King’s Church in Kent, and says the Courage Brewery’s famous adverts - “Take Courage” - is what encouraged him to pluck up the bravery to become a priest.

Writing in a Kent local paper, Pastor Gill said he left home at sixteen to join the police cadets. As the train came into London Bridge, he began to pray.

“The moment I prayed, something unexpected happened,” he says. “Out of the window a billboard by the side of the track became clearly visible and written on it in large letters were two words, "Take Courage".

After a career in the police force, he began praying on the train to Brixton one day about becoming a minister.

“As soon as I said "amen", a billboard loomed into view from the train window with two words written on it and yes you’ve guessed it, the words were, "Take Courage",” he says.

Council parklet criticised on social media

Council bosses have last week unveiled a ‘micro-park’ in Walworth - which looks like a plantpot in a bench.

As we report, officials say the parklet is an “exciting idea” to tackle the climate crisis. But some social media users disagree.

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/letters

OPINION 15

What can doctors do when they simply do not have beds to put sick patients in?

T week.

his dilemma is exactly what seems to be faced by professionals at the Maudsley Hospital, as we report this

According to data obtained by this paper, patients experiencing a mental health crisis in public are facing delays in their care.

Those picked up by the police for having a mental health crisis in public can be taken to a ‘place of safety’ at the Maudsley, normally for up to 24 hours.

Data shows many patients are staying in this unit for much longer - in one case, even for up to a month.

The hospital’s staff admit this is both a legal concern and a safety concern.

It is a legal concern, because patients are only supposed to be detained for a normal period of 24 hours. Any detention for longer, the Trust’s board has been warned, could leave it open to legal action.

When asked, the Trust said it would use other legal frameworks in those cases. It did not say what those would be, and did not put up a senior figure

at the Trust for an interview.

The hospital regulator has also expressed concern about overstays, saying it would question the legal basis for keeping patients in these circumstances.

It is a safety concern, too. As campaigners point out, a delay beyond 24 hours is a delay for a patient to receive proper inpatient care if they need it.

And according to the Trust’s papers, a lack of beds is a common reason for these delays.

We don’t question the hard-work and effort that doctors and nurses at the Maudsley put in to give their vulnerable patients good quality care.

But it seems that doctors are stuck between a rock and a hard place: A patient could be too unwell to leave the place of safety unit.

But there might also not be an inpatient bed to put them in. The cause of the problem is complex.

The solution is relatively simple.

The Maudsley needs more resources: for crisis care, for inpatient beds, and for quick turnaround of cases presenting to the hospital in the grips of a serious mental health crisis.

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CRYPTIC PUZZLE

Clues Down

Clues Across

1 Come in. Thank you. Dine informally.

Be received as a guest (11) 9 With this one has nothing (3) 10 Died having no will to survive (9) 11 The rascal sounds as if he’s in church (5) 13 Could a mere lad be such a jewel? (7) 14 I start out to be a craftsman (6) 16 Mark the regular pattern (6) 18 Flower one could somehow say has a circular centre (7) 19 Belief in the bitch who has whelped? (5) 20 Can I be in dual collision and not be heard? (9) 21 Only part of a piece of pastry (3) 22 Substitute newly mixed paler cement (11)

2 Trap what is left after deductions (3) 3 Chosen to put it in the roughly sheltered side (5) 4 Named the bird who was in front (6) 5 Examine closely an invertebrate creature soft in the belly (7) 6 Forthcoming fellow completely absorbed in eating (9) 7 Sounds a peremptory order to a lazy exporter, but denotes skill (11) 8 Containers for sewing accessories or drug addicts? (6,5) 12 Change a net around for every other answer (9) 15 Descriptive of a conventional gathering? (7) 17 Having two feet with which to make rhythm (6) 19 Fond hope of a mad reversal concerning the enclosure (5) 21 Hold down; check growing up (3)

QUICK PUZZLE Clues Across

1 One who covers furniture (11) 9 Spike of corn (3) 10 Manyfooted animal (9) 11 Lesser in importance (5) 13 Amidst (7) 14 Deny (6) 16 Shackle (6) 18 Colossal (7) 19 One who sets rate of progress (5) 20 Setbacks (9) 21 Belonging to him (3) 22 Teenagers (11)

Clues Down

2 Face value of shares (3) 3 Come to mind (5) 4 Type of footwear (6) 5 Incident (7) 6 Vigorous (9) 7 Sproutinducing agents (11) 8 Form of printing (11) 12 Vetoed (9) 15 Supporting shoot (7) 17 Small pieces (6) 19 Stick (5) 21 Shed (3)

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Cryptic

ACROSS: 1 Abstain 5 Crest 8 Stab 9 Tabulate 10 Under pressure 13 Ruse 14 Edge 17 Interrogation 19 Derision 20 Emit 21 Eases 22 Message DOWN: 2 Biting 3 Tableau 4 In top gear 5 Clubs 6 Erasure 7 Theseus 11 Emergence 12 Spindle 13 Retires 15 Gathers 16 Hoping 18 Rests

Quick Puzzle

ACROSS: Chowder 5 Bacon 8 Stir 9 Elegance 10 Architectural 13 Spur 14 Oval 17 Establishment 19 Reliance 20 Reed 21 Risen 22 Useless DOWN: Haters 3 Worship 4 Electoral 5 Bigot 6 Control 7 Needles 11 Cloisters 12 Clearer 13 Settles 15 Admiral 16 Angers 18 Brain

16 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

in court over county lines charges 297 per cent increase in katherine@southwarknews.co.uk

emergency food parcels

A woman from East Dulwich will appear in court in Cornwall this December facing county lines charges.

By Katherine Johnston

By Katherine Johnston

Twenty-year-old Sian Forsythe, from Dunstans Road, will stand at Truro Crown Court on Tuesday, December 15, along with two other suspects as part of an investigation into drug dealing and exploitation.

Also accused are 24-year-old Larry Kamanda, from Edmonton’s Huntingdon Road, and Abed Lama, aged 22, from Bedford Road in Ilford.

The trio were arrested as part of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command’s county lines investigation; Operation Orochi, with support from Devon and Cornwall police.

All three were charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs after after Lama was arrested at an address in Camelford in Cornwall.

Officers later searched Kamanda and Forsythe’s London homes before all three were remanded in custody.

new parklets scheme installed across the borough

Move than 11,000 have been handed out in just five months in Southwark katherine@southwarknews.co.uk More than 11,000 emergency food parcels were given to desperate families in Southwark between April and September, new figures from Trussell Trust reveal.

Southwark London Assembly Member, and MP for Vauxhall, Florence Eshalomi, has warned that these numbers are “just the tip of the iceberg” with other charities and independent food banks seeing surging referrals and walk-ins. The figures show a 279 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2019.

The government announced a £170 million national Covid winter grant scheme to help families throughout the next few months, sixteen million

of which will go toward food banks but it is unlikely to meet demand.

Labour has called on Boris Johnson’s government to scrap the five-week Universal Credit wait and increase statutory sick pay to be in line with the National Living Wage at £326 a week, to help plug this gap.

Among the government’s package of support for workers affected by the virus is the extension of the Coronavirus job retention scheme until March 2021, and a more generous self-employment income support scheme. But it has steadfastly refused to increase statutory sick pay.

“It is absolutely unacceptable that Londoners on low incomes are still being left to confront the dilemma of having to work when they should be isolating, or losing their pay and struggling to feed themselves and their families," Eshalomi said.

Nine in ten passengers are wearing face masks on trains

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk A miniature park is being installed in Walworth in celebration of this month's Climate Action Week.

Southwark Council says if successful it will only be the first of many new ‘parklets’ across the borough, aimed at creating informal, shared green space, bicycle storage, and displaying public art. They are also designed as a traffic calming measure and fit into low emission neighbourhoods.

Councillor Johnson Situ, cabinet member for the climate emergency, planning and transport, said: “In

Southwark, we are working together with the local community to tackle the Climate Crisis.

“The problem is bigger than any one of us and people here understand that we must all pull together.

“Our exciting new parklet scheme is the product of an idea that was brought to us by residents at our climate conference.

“This parklet is the first of many.

They will help to draw even more people into our collective effort to be happier, healthier and give back to our planet.”

To share your views on Tooley Street’s climate action plan, visit: southwark. gov.uk/climateconsultation

Nine in ten passengers are wearing face masks of their own accord as staff crack down on those flouting the rules, say rail operators.

Southeastern, Southern and Thameslink staff took part in an eight-week trial assessing compliance across their networks, with support from British Transport Police. The trial also included Great Northern trains.

They found that 90.8 per cent of passengers were already wearing face coverings, rising to 98.4 per cent after a polite request.

Only 0.2 per cent of passengers refused - they were marched off from the train or station, or issued a

penalty notice.

Chief Superintendent Martin Fry from British Transport Police, said: “Wearing a face covering whilst travelling has become part of our everyday routine and we are all contributing to stemming the spread of COVID-19 cases nationwide.

“Wearing one in the vicinity of others significantly reduces the transmission of the disease and saves lives.

“We are pleased that compliance with this law has been high across the rail network, demonstrating that the majority of people are listening and embracing their role in protecting each other by wearing face coverings on trains and in stations.

“We will now analyse the data and work closely with the rail industry to explore next steps.”

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 17

lights, camera, action! Christmas memorial filmed and streamed

By Kevin Quinn

kevin@southwarknews.co.uk Thousands of people each year attend the Christmas memorial service at Bermondsey funeral director’s Albins - but this year for the first time you will have to go online.

In a year when people have lost loved ones and not been able to gather family and friends around them, the funeral home felt that they could not cancel it entirely.

Albins was at the forefront of live streaming services as the COVID pandemic hit.

The usual gathering in the memorial garden on the edge of Southwark Park, which the firm created over 20 years ago, would be taking place next Wednesday December 2 under normal circumstances - but as the country comes out of its second lockdown the boys at Albins have yet again turned to the internet as a way to bring people together.

All of the usual much-loved parts of the service are still taking place, but for the camera only.

The service offers a chance to sing along to Silent Night, video displays of a military tribute, the release of doves and prayers from members of the local clergy.

Most importantly people are invited

to write personal messages that will then be hung on a massive Christmas Tree in the garden. This will be included in the service. You can visit the memorial garden at 52 Culling Road, Rotherhithe, London, SE16 2TN from now until the service to write your message. And if you cannot get to the garden email your message to stars@albins.co.uk. There is a maximum of twenty words.

This is the 21st annual memorial service, which was established by the late Barry Albin-Dyer after getting the garden built in 1999.

Last year the Princess Royal returned for her second visit to the service as it marked its 20 year anniversary (see pictures right).

Barry’s sons Simon and Jon told the News: “2020 has been a challenging year for everyone, where change has been a constantly expanding discipline with the need to do all we can to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“For this year’s service, we are prohibited from allowing people to attend on the evening.

“Our lovely Dad created the Albin Memorial Garden with the belief that the Service of Remembrance would always be the special event that it is.

It’s impossible to put into words just how much the service means to us or how important it is to the people of Bermondsey and Rotherhithe and

all the families we serve. I can safely say that nothing would prevent us from finding a way for the service to commence, so with the brilliance of technology (and the people who know how it works), we will be coming into the comfort of your homes from the Albin Memorial Garden!

“We have all lost loved ones, whether recently or many years ago. Our grief is part of our lives.

“As our Dad always said, it’s the spirit of the bereaved that makes the service special because we all come to remember together. How right he was!”

You can stream the service from 7pm on Wednesday December 2, by logging in to www.albins.co.uk and following the link. You can watch the service from any time after this.

Albin Memorial Garden Remembrance Service ONLINE SERVICE ONLY Wednesday 2nd December 2020 7pm Please log on to www.albins.co.uk follow the link For a message to be placed on a star please email your message (max 20 words) to stars@albins.co.uk

18 FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS / COMMUNITY NOTICES/ CLASSIFIED 19

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

classified

Death Announcement

Memorial

Madeleine Joyce Drayton

MURPHY

formerly Russell, born 1/11/1923 died at home 29 Upland Road SE22 on the 9/6/2020 age 97.

Born to the late Edward and Norah Russell.

Married to the late Victor Drayton.

No children. Legal secretary, correspondent to many, a lifelong supporter of Arsenal football club. Sadly missed.

Jessie Julia Treasured memories of our very precious Mum, who fell asleep November 27th 2015.

We miss you so very much.

Now together with George.

From your loving Family. xxx

To place a family announcement in the paper please email ads@southwarknews.co.uk Announcements must be placed by 4pm on the Tuesday before Thursday’s publication community notices

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20 ARTS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/arts

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

what’s on

Kevin Quinn, co-director of the Southwark News, began life in Guy’s Hospital as one of premature twins being complimented by the Queen when she visited the new building: ‘Oh, aren’t they sweet?’ she trilled to Philip who, seeing the as yet unnamed tots, yellow with jaundice, with Quinn 1 and Quinn 2 labels on their incubator, inquired where the other three quins were, writes Michael Holland...

Once liberated from intensive care the babies started life in Rotherhithe before moving to the Vauban Estate in Bermondsey. “I grew up there until I left to go to the University of Bradford,” says Kevin.

At home, Kevin’s Irish mother was an avid reader who, despite holding down three jobs, always found time to visit Spa Road Library. Noreen Quinn instilled that love of books in her children. At St Michael’s school, Miss Taylor was the teacher who realised Kevin enjoyed reading and had a vivid imagination, so encouraged him to stop being the class clown. Eventually he moved up to the top stream to join sister Sinead where he passed his exams with two As in English. “I used to come up with my own stories for English Language rather than what the teacher set,” he recalls. “One of the pieces I did was about a landlord in Ireland during the potato famine, which was based on a true story from a book I’d got out of the library.’

History and Current Affairs were two other subjects the young Quinn enjoyed at school, so a career in journalism was an obvious choice, and one he set about with gusto. At fourteen he gained work experience at the Financial Times: “I was put with the engineers, and in the post room, so I kept sneaking up to the newsroom. At fifteen I decided to get my own work experience by badgering Dave Clark, who owned the Southwark News then, to allow me to come to the office where he gave me a little column to write called Teen Scene… It sounds a little naff now, but I loved going out and doing vox pops.”

This was all great experience for university and beyond: “I became Kosmic Kev – the resident astrologer for the uni paper; it was pretty rude stuff that I would never write in the Southwark News now. After uni I got an unpaid internship in Washington D.C. for three months… Dad managed to get the plane fare together and mum did a cleaning job, so I had some money. I had to sleep on friends’ floors there, but was offered a research job on the back of it.”

I watched Kevin become more and more animated as he remembered the excitement of those day. Working at something you love all the way across the Atlantic was quite something for the boy who grew up on the estates.

He continued: “Returning to Bermondsey I asked Dave Clark for a job but he only gave me a traineeship, so I did that instead, even though it was only £6,000 a year.”

All was going well for the fledgeling reporter at the fledgling newspaper until tragedy struck: ‘Dave died a year later and I ended up being joint editor at 21!’

At the time the business was leaking money and looked like going under, which is when the late Barry Albin-Dyer,

in Southwark

Noreen and Kevin Quinn

Streaming star in the lockdown A charming discovery is at the heart of this offering from The Union Theatre, writes Katie Kelly.

Family affair: novel set during the Irish War of Independence the funeral director who was a friend of Clark’s, took over and provided financial help. Between Kevin and Chris Mullany (the other young editor), and the help of former Southwark News reporters, the paper was stabilised, and in 2002 Barry sold it to them. The rest is now local history. Kevin concludes, “I remember someone at the time saying that I was the youngest newspaper owner in the country at just 26.”

Kevin’s love of writing, history and theatre had seen him branch out into acting as a hobby. His mother Noreen developed a muscle wastage disease and he looked for something they could share.

He takes up the story. “I saw they were doing scriptwriting classes at Morley College so I said to mum, “Why not go?” but she had lost complete use of her legs and suggested that I join, and after each session we’d go over the work together – like we did when I was a kid with homework.”

The course tutor Stewart Permutt liked what Kevin was producing and invited him to join his writing group. Since then he has written several plays and last Christmas staged his first production with theatre group Waste Not. “It was an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice,” he roars with a laugh. “I had a riot - It was a gay panto, so you can imagine it was pretty slapstick… I was surprised no one had done it before as Austen’s book is so full of innuendo.”

And now the playwright has taken the huge step of writing a book. A book that encompasses his love of writing and Irish history and includes his mum, Noreen. It came about when the family were watching a film that included the legendary Kilmichael Ambush, which they agreed was not given the justice it deserved. Noreen knew this because her father, like many people from the area near Kilmichael, in 1920 was involved in fighting for independence against the British who had terrorised and oppressed the Irish for centuries while occupying their land; he had prepared the hideaway where the freedom fighters retreated to after the ambush. At that moment the seed was sown and the first book of five short volumes has now been published.

“My mother, it must be said, is as much a co-author of this story as myself,” says Kevin. “At her sheltered accommodation, armed with an iPad - which she can now only access with the use of one knuckle - she was able to while away many days researching the testimonials of those involved.” Those testimonials, added to accounts from her father and from men she served when working in a pub as a young woman back home, meant Noreen had a unique perspective on the event.

Kevin would type out the story and dialogue, then Noreen would ensure that it was authentic to West Cork and its people. Working together the Quinns created a book that has a genuine Irish

feel to it.

The first volume is Ambush, and each one will tell the story of someone connected to that day when the heartless Black & Tans got their comeuppance. ‘As you go through the volumes,” begins the author, “the plot thickens as the characters’ stories intertwine, and by the end the reader will get the full picture of that fateful day, from young Pat Deasy in volume one, to Harry Moss, a Black and Tan in volume two; Flor Crowley, Town Clerk and secret agent for the IRA, in volume three; the loyalist landlord Lord Bandon in volume four, and Madge Hales in the final volume, who is heading up the female branch of the IRA locally and is a confidante of Michael Collins.”

I said it sounds like a true epic. “It is fiction. It is a novel,” Kevin stresses. “But it is based on a true story… This is part of my family history - it is part of me. I think it would be a crying shame not to get it all down before it is lost in the mists of time.” The centenary of the Kilmichael Ambush is this Saturday on November 28th.

Ambush is available on Amazon in e-book (£2.99) and paperback(£4.99): To order go to https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmbushDeasy-Rebels-Journey-Kilmichaelebook/dp/B08JZJPXNQ By post, email kevin@southwarknews. co.uk or call the Southwark News on 0207 231 5258

A dusty old songbook, found in an antique shop by a singer with an eye for a treasure, forms the basis of a show which is part tutorial and part rollercoaster ride through a golden age of song writing.

It was marvellous to see, even on the small screen, the stage of a theatre which has provided so much pleasure to the Southwark theatre scene and beyond. All credit to director Michael Strassen and team who turned, London cab style, on a sixpence, and as the second lockdown was announced, adapted the show for livestreaming.

They have done a wonderful job of this. The simple set and lighting are perfectly suited to the increased intimacy of the close camera, and the same can be said of the stars themselves, Peter Polycarpou and Sally Ann Triplett.

There is a real chemistry between these two which brings depth and warmth to a winter’s evening in lockdown. Just their voices and a piano are enough to bring to life a collection of songs, written for the most part in the roaring twenties, that followed the last global pandemic, the Spanish flu. “Tea For Two” and the brilliantly titled “When It’s Night Time In Italy It’s Wednesday Over Here” were toe-tappingly irresistible while other songs struck a much deeper emotional note, including the beautiful finale, Irving Berlin’s “What’ll I Do?” In their time, these melodies provided escapist joy and joie de vivre ,and they offer the same today. The storyline peters out fairly fast once the book has been discovered and what follows is a pacy performance of songs interspersed with facts about the writers. If you love this period or are simply interested in learning more of the talents of writers such as Charlie Chaplin, Irving Berlin and others, this is an hour very pleasurably spent. If possible, watch with someone special, sat at a small, candlelit table with a drink in hand and pretend you are in a smoky bar, transported back to a bygone era.

Falling Stars is streaming worldwide: Sunday 22nd – Sunday 29th November 2020, 7.30pm; Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th, 2.30pm Tickets: £15 + booking fee. www.stream.theatre

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22 HISTORY

www.southwarknews.co.uk/history

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

History

Honour among thieves Revealing the Forty Elephants gang’s strict code of conduct In the roaring twenties, a girlgang like no other the world has seen since, lifted themselves out of a life of grim poverty south of the river with their brains, braun and feminine wiles.

This picture of Alice Diamond as a girl was found among the possessions of Ada Johnston, a close ally and senior member of the Forties.

Ada Johnston was a exemplary dresser in the high fashions the Forties were known for.

The shoplifting, blackmailing, housebreaking and fast living of the band of women known as the Forty Elephants (because members originated from around the Elephant and Castle) were masterminded by their notorious Queen.

Alice Diamond and her mob of miscreants have become the stuff of myth and legend, but a book, Alice Diamond and the Forty Elephants, documents police reports, court hearing logs and reporter’s notes on the gang which reveal the extent to which the Forty Elephants operated like a business corporation with a strict code of conduct.

The extensive web of women, which numbered more like seventy in its heyday, approached criminality with a cold professionalism and ruthlessness assumed to be the preserve of their male counterparts - The Elephant & Castle Gang, formed a hundred years earlier.

The women they were related to and married to were often involved in their dirty dealings but rarely reaped the rewards.

It was common for bands of mothers, sisters and daughters socialise with one another for protection and to steal to fund their enjoyment.

Around 1890 this informal activity became organised as the women broke away and formed their own gang and soon earned a surprisingly violent reputation, unafraid wield a hatpin, a razor wrapped in a handkerchief or their bare fists in their robberies and

The gang carried out industrialscale thefts from warehouses, the seduction and subsequent blackmail of straying ‘gentlemen’ and carefully planned shoplifting scams.

scams.

Still in her early twenties, Alice Diamond of Browning Street, Walworth, became the Queen of the Forty Elephants and with her came a greater propensity for violence.

A tall and formidable woman, Alice was known as a brawler whose numerous bejewelled rings handily doubled up as knuckle-dusters.

The gang carried out industrialscale thefts from warehouses, the seduction and subsequent blackmail of straying ‘gentlemen’ and carefully planned shoplifting scams at the West end’s finest stores – earning members hundreds of pounds a day.

Newspapers in Britain and America developed a fascination with the Forty Elephants as their crime sprees spread out of London and into seaside towns and smaller cities. Police urged editors not to give the criminal sorority the oxygen of publicity but despite this warning a Sunday paper called the Reynolds News, planned a series of articles devoted to the dastardly dames.

In preparing his contribution Elephant & Castle Gang associate, Dan Johnston, made revealing notes on the exploits of the band of women he had such close access to.

The series was pulled before publication but Johnston’s records detail the Forty's scams and a code of conduct known as the ‘Hoister's Code’.

This included not drinking the night before a job, not wearing the clothes you had stolen and never helping the police.

Loyalty was of paramount importance as members were frequently arrested and police would try and turn tricksters into lifetime informers. Fictional alibis would be supplied by fellow gang members and money put aside for families when members were sent to

prison.

Johnston’s notes described the women as “aristocrats of crime”, dressed in their pilfered finery with all the airs and graces of the upper classes needed to put sales assistants at their ease.

He also uses the terms “battlefield tactics” and “military operation” to describe the level of preparation and organisation behind the gang’s activities.

The Forty were broken down into cells of four or five and allocated a patch where they would operate for a time.

Members would observe their target clothes and jewellery shops, paying attention to when staff went on breaks and when inexperienced attendants were on duty.

Trainee hoisters were used as decoys - distracting shop assistants and store detectives by acting suspiciously, like taking items close to the doorways as if they might steal them, insisting they just wanted to examine them in the light when challenged. Well-known veteran thieves were also used for this purpose as they would be followed around by security while their lesser-known accomplices were stowing jewels and silks in hidden pockets secreted in their dresses.

This troupe of lawless women from the Elephant and Castle, though frequently arrested, successfully operated for more than twenty years to the endless frustration of the police and West end store detectives. They earned an international reputation for their intelligence, cunning, and bizarrely, their strong work ethic.

Alice Diamond and the Forty Thieves by Brian McDonald is available from Milo Books for £8.99. To order your copy visit www.milobooks.com or call 01772 672900.

Bertha Tappenden (Left) , who was in the Forty’s inner circle.

Forty footsoldier Florrie Holmes (Right)

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Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

www.southwarknews.co.uk

PUBLIC NOTICES 25

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (WYNDHAM ROAD, COTTAGE GREEN, HAYLES STREET, KEETONS ROAD, KIMPTON ROAD, MEYMOTT STREET, HATFIELDS)

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (OAKDALE ROAD, ROTHERHITHE NEW ROAD, SURREY ROW, MERMAID COURT, GRIGGS PLACE, HAMPTON STREET)

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC

1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable J&G Traffic, Thames Water, Cadent Gas, Kelly Communication, and highway works to be carried out, it made an order the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering part of the above named roads.

1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable works to be carried out by Centurion, Conways, Connect TM, Paragon and UKPN it intends, to make an order the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering part of the above named roads.

2.

Whilst 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:

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) Wyndham Road, at it’s junction with Camberwell Road (b) Cottage Green, between No’s 6 and No’s 10 (c) Hayles Street, at it’s junction with Brook Drive (d) Keetons Road, between Jamaica Road and Perryn Road (e) Kimpton Road, between Camberwell Church Street to No’s 22 Kimpton Road (f) Meymott Street, between Blackfriars Road and Hatfields (g) Hatfields, between Meymott Street and Roupell Street 3.

The alternative route would be via: (2a) Camberwell Road, John Ruskin Street, Camberwell New Road, Wyndham Road. (2b) Southampton Way, Commercial Way, Peckham Hill Street, Willowbrook Road, Sumner Road, St Georges Way. (2c) Brook Drive, Elliotts Row, St Georges Road, Lambeth Road, Kennington Road, Brook Drive. (2d) Jamaica Road, St James Road, Webster Road, Storks Road, Collett Road, Keetons Road. Tranton Road, Drummond Road, Jamaica Road. (2e) Camberwell Church Street, Camberwell Road, Camberwell Green, D’eynsford Road. Camberwell Church Street, Benhill Road, Elmington Road, Kimpton Road. (2f & 2g) as indicated by the signs displayed.

4.

The existing one way working in Cottage Green, between Wells Way and Southampton Way, will be made two way for access and egress purposes

5.

The existing one way working in Kimpton Road, between Harvey Road and Camberwell Church Street, will be made two way for access and egress purposes.

6.

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

7.

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

8.

The works will be in place for (2a) 5th – 6th December, with back up dates of 12th – 13th or 19th – 20th December. (2b) 7th – 10th December. (2c) 7th – 11th December. (2d) 7th – 18th December. (2e) 8th December. (2f & 2g) 4th – 5th December.

9.

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

Dated this 26th November 2020 Southwark Council Network Management Traded Services Environment and Leisure PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 5487/LBSCR11462 (2b) 5220/ 000805469210110-003 (2c) 5509/1000977235 (2d) 5537/05941391 (2e)5552/55220585 (2f & 2g) 5508/92975275/31860937

(a) Oakdale Road, at it’s junction with Gibbon Road to No’s 12 (b) Rotherhithe New Road, between Catlin Street and Ilderton Road (c) Surrey Row, at it’s junction with Great Suffolk Street (d) Mermaid Court, between Borough High Street and Tennis Street (e) Griggs Place, at it’s junction with Grange Road and No’s 5 (f) Hampton Street, at it’s junction with Woolaston Close 3.

The alternative route would be via: (2a) Linden Grove, Nunhead Lane, Kimberley Avenue.

(2b) Galleywall Road, Lynton Road, St James Road, Catlin Street. Ilderton Road, Old Kent Road, Roherhithe New Road.(2c) Great Suffolk Street, Union Street, Blackfriars Road (2d) Borough High Street, Long Lane, Tennis Street. (2e) Grange Road, Tower Bridge Road, Grange Walk (2f) not applicable.

4.

The existing one way working in Mermaid Court, between Borough High Street and Tennis Street will be made two way for access and egress purposes for (2d)

5.

The existing one way working in Griggs Place, between Grange Road and Grange Walk will be made two way for access and egress purposes for (2e)

6.

The existing one way working in Hampton Street, between Walworth Road and Steedman Street, will be made two way for access and egress purposes for 2(f)

7.

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.

8.

The restrictions will not apply to any vehicle 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.

9.

The works will be in place for (2a) 11th – 12th December, between 22:00hrs and 06:00hrs.

(2b) 11th – 12th December. (2c) 13th December. (2d) 14th – 15th December. (2e) 18th – 23rd December. (2f) 13th – 14th December.

10.

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

Dated this 26th November 2020 London Borough of Southwark Network Management Traded Services Environment and Leisure 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 5545/CAT-06-02-111220 (2b) 5518/29218092 (2c) 5500/ HHH-00-77-131220 (2d) 5377/ LBSCR11406-3 (2e) 5557/40653901 (2f) 5501/HHH-01-56-131220SM THE LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended)

Harris Boys’ Academy, East Dulwich – Admissions Consultation The Governing Body of Harris Boys’ Academy, East Dulwich is consulting on a change to their admissions arrangements to take effect from September 2022 Full details are available on our website (www.harrisdulwichboys.org.uk) Representation should be made in writing to: The Clerk to the Governors; Harris Boys’ Academy, East Dulwich, Peckham Rye, London, SE22 0AT. info@harrisdulwichboys.org.uk The Consultation period runs for 8 weeks from 26 November 2020 to 21 January 2021

Harris Girls’ Academy, East Dulwich – Admissions Consultation The Governing Body of Harris Girls’ Academy, East Dulwich is consulting on a change to their admissions arrangements to take effect from September 2022 Full details are available on our website (www.harrisdulwichgirls.org.uk) Representation should be made in writing to: The Clerk to the Governors; Harris Girls’ Academy, East Dulwich, Homestall Road, London, SE22 ONR. info@harrisdulwichgirls.org.uk The Consultation period runs for 8 weeks from 26 November 2020 to 21 January 2021

Harris Academy, Peckham – Admissions Consultation The Governing Body of Harris Academy, Peckham is consulting on a change to their admissions arrangements to take effect from September 2022 .

Full details are available on our website (www.harrispeckham.org.uk).

Representation should be made in writing to: The Clerk to the Governors, Harris Academy Peckham, 112 Peckham Road, London SE15 5DZ or enquiries@harrispeckham.org.uk The Consultation period runs for 8 weeks from 26 November 2020 to 21 January 2021

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 Stopping Up Area Plan, St James’s Road.

The highway to be stopped up is in the London Borough of Southwark and can be described as an area of highway at 272 St James’s Road. The triangular area is 16.46m² and is illustrated by points A to C on the plan.

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 2 March 2020 under local planning authority reference No. 18/AP/0156.

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 26 November 2020 at 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2TZ by calling 020 7525 2135 and referring to the 272 St James’s 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 26 November 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/RE040/32 (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.

Doreen Forrester-Brown Director of Legal Services

To p l a c e a p u b l i c n o t i c e , p l e a s e e m a i l em@southwarknews.co.uk or call 07798833758

26 PUBLIC NOTICES

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 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; 58 MONNOW ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 5RQ (Ref: 20/AP/3304) Construction of a single storey side-infill extension (Within: Thorburn Square CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale ) 99 PAGES WALK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 4HD (Ref: 20/AP/3318) Construction of a ground and first floor rear extension and insertion of roof windows (Within: Pages Walk CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Kerri Simpson 020 7525 3487) 5 GLENGALL ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 20/AP/3322) Construction of a rear extension and refurbishment works at lower ground floor level. (Within: Glengall Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Tracy Chapman 020 7525 1948) 5 GLENGALL ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 20/AP/3323) Single storey rear extension and refurbishment works at the lower ground floor level. (Within: Glengall Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Tracy Chapman 020 7525 1948) 5 GLENGALL ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK (Ref: 20/AP/3321) Construction of a rear extension and refurbishment works at lower ground floor level. (Within: Glengall Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Danielle Campbell 020 7525 2427) 90A IVYDALE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 3BS (Ref: 20/AP/3354) Construction of a ground floor side and rear

extension. (Within: Nunhead Cemetry CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Anthony Roberts 020 7525 5458)

Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Jessica Potter 020 7525 0036)

15 DANECROFT ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE24 9PA (Ref: 20/AP/3347) Joint application for a single storey full width rear extension in each property (n13 and n15), reaching 5m depth as per the existing extension. (Within: Sunray Estate CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465)

GRANARY HOUSE AND SILVERSMITH HOUSE 2 AND 3 HOPE WHARF LONDON SE16 4JX (Ref: 20/AP/3409) Replacement roof covering with new traditional style Canadian slate tiles (Within: St Marys Rotherhithe CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Tracy Chapman 020 7525 1948)

47 WOODWARDE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE22 8UN (Ref: 20/AP/3350) Rear dormer extension and replacement of existing rear extension with new single-storey rear extension.

(Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Kerri Simpson 020 7525 3487)

254-268 CAMBERWELL ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 0DP (Ref: 20/AP/3377) LBC related to s73 application for minor modifications to existing planning consent 16/AP/2030 so as to include: Demolition of redundant single storey outbuildings and erection of part two/part three storey extension to front and single storey extension to the northern flank of the existing building, to accommodate ancillary cafe, community facilities and office space, a small basement, re-instatement of the original full-height entrance hall and the original entrance canopy and entrance doors on Medlar Street, with front roof garden at the second floor level and associated parking. Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Tracy Chapman 020 7525 1948)

6 LOVE WALK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8AD (Ref: 20/AP/3363) Variation of Condition 1 (Approved Plans) pursuant to planning permission 19/AP/5528 dated 22nd January 2020 for 'Construction of two storey side extension, demolition of existing rear wing and construction of single storey rear extension, straightening of rear wall of main house to provide new canopy to garden elevation, elevational alterations to front elevation'. The amendment consisits of the following: - Window positions have been slightly modified. - Single storey kitchen extension is marginally longer. - The planted canopy to garden elevation has been omitted. - A prepatinated copper faced Brise Soleil has been added to the kitchen / dining room extension. - Siting a Daikin Altherma 3 H HT air source heat pump at the front of the property within the bin store. (Within:

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (LANVANOR ROAD) TEMPORARY WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS 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 Lanvanor Road.

2.

Whilst the restriction is in place, and whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to wait, including waiting for the purpose of loading and unloading at any time in:

2 QUANTOCK MEWS LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 4RG (Ref: 20/AP/3404) Proposed alterations to the existing rear extension (Within: Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Jessica Potter 020 7525 0036) Dated: 24 Nov 2020 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date.

SIMON BEVAN - Director of Planning

1 TABARD CENTRE PRIORESS STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 4UZ (Ref: 20/AP/3411) Internal alterations, alterations to flat roof construction at first floor level, lowering of the entrance door threshold Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Catherine Jeater 020 7525 5375)

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I / we Nue Ground, 9 Churchyard Row, London, SE11 4FE Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of Nue Ground, 9 Churchyard Row, London, SE11 4FE The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are Days

Start time

Finish time

The retail sale of alcohol:

Monday to Sunday

11:00

23:00

The provision of late night refreshment:

Monday to Sunday

11:00

23:00

(a) Lanvanor Road, on the northern kerb line between No’s 32 and No’s 38. (b) Lanvanor Road on the southern kerb line between No’s 39 and No’s 43

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday

11:00

23:00

3.

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

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

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.

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

5.

The restriction will come into force between the 14th – 22nd December.

6.

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

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.

Dated this 26th November 2020 London Borough of Southwark Network Management Traded Services Environment and Leisure 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 5573/W11740609301479

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: 5th November 2020

The cut off to place a notice is 4pm every Tuesday

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

SPORT 27 Photo by Ollie Jarman

Operation restart

www.southwarknews.co.uk/sport

Dulwich defender Sanchez Ming

By John Kelly

johnk@southwarknews.co.uk SPORT IN Southwark could return to some form of normality after the current national restrictions end on December 2.

‘Non-elite’ football sides Fisher, Millwall Lionesses and Dulwich Hamlet Women have seen their seasons on hold, while gyms and other indoor sporting spaces have been closed.

Supporters are set to be allowed back into venues from December 2, with capacities depending on which tiers regions are in.

There will be no fans allowed back in Tier 3 areas.

Events indoors in tiers one and two can have a maximum of 1,000 spectators.

Organised grassroots sport can restart, and gyms and leisure centres can reopen in all tiers.

There is doubt over which category London will find itself in, with prime minister Boris Johnson set to make an announcement on the capital on Thursday (November 26). If London is placed in Tier 3 then only households, rather than group activity, can engage in indoor sport.

Chief executive of ukactive, Huw Edwards told the BBC that Tier 3 restriction will be challenged.

He said that “the sector has proven this activity can be undertaken in a manner that is safe, using a combination of social distancing, sanitisation and increased ventilation.”

Swim England chief executive Jane Nickerson welcomed the reopening of swimming pools. She said: “Despite our efforts to successfully secure £100m of government investment for leisure centres, the financial pressures facing too many of our swimming facilities have not gone away.”

“Therefore we will keep up the pressure on behalf of the aquatics community to get everyone back in the water, and for the financial support our pools and clubs need.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “This is a big step forward for sport. Bringing grassroots sport back was my number one priority so I’m pleased we are reopening sports and gyms in every tier, in recognition of the significant health benefits.

“I’m also delighted we are able to get the turnstiles turning sooner than expected, taking a cautious approach and starting with the lowest risk areas first. I’m confident that sports will take every step to ensure their fans are safe, and fans will play their part and look out for each other until we can safely get everyone back in.”

Hamlet turn on the style

Dulwich score more than once in league game for first time this season

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk DULWICH HAMLET ended their winless run this season in emphatic fashion with the 4-1 thrashing of Bath City in National League South on Tuesday night.

Despite falling behind in just the second minute, the Hamlet hit back at Twerton Park with a goal from Michael Timlin levelling the game by half-time,

before Giovanni McGregor, Deon Moore and Danny Mills struck after the break.

Gavin Rose’s side haven’t lost in three league games, their longest unbeaten run since they went four games without defeat last January.

There had been signs of Dulwich’s new-found resilience after battling draws away at promotion contenders Dorking and Hemel Hempstead, and they followed those results up in the ideal way.

Dulwich hadn’t taken any points off Bath in their two previous seasons in National League South, and that looked set to continue when Donovan Wilson gave Jerry Gill’s side a secondminute lead.

But the visitors recovered well, despite Mills not being fit enough to start.

Rose introduced new signing Andre Blackman at left-back, with Reise Allassani also getting a start.

Bath aimed to immediately extend their early lead and it took excellent

defending from Sanchez Ming to deny Tommy Conway.

Moore and then Aaron Barnes had chances to equalise as the Hamlet grew into the game, but neither could test Bath goalkeeper Ryan Clarke.

Barnes then drove wide and Ruben Sammut had a shot blocked, before Dulwich finally got their reward. There was an element of fortune about it as Timlin’s free-kick from wide evaded everyone including Clarke. It looked like the goal wouldn’t stand when the offside flag went up, but after consultation between the referee and linesman it was decided that no Hamlet player had interfered with play.

After not scoring more than one goal in their seven previous league games this season, Dulwich suddenly discovered their ruthless side.

Just two minutes into the second half, Barnes crossed from the right and McGregor volleyed past Clarke.

Bath responded and Dulwich goalkeeper Charlie Grainger brilliantly

preserved his side’s lead when he dived to his right and held on to a shot from Tom Richards that looked destined for the bottom corner.

The Hamlet extended their advantage in the 58th minute and this time it was McGregor the provider, as he crossed from the right and Moore beat Clarke.

Bath – who dropped to 21st and last after this result – tried in vain again to test Grainger, but a confident Hamlet defence wouldn’t let them through.

And Dulwich wrapped up their biggest win in the league since the 6-0 routing of Braintree at Champion Hill last January when Blackman sent in a left-wing cross that substitute Mills finished.

Moore could have made it five but headed over, before Grainger again denied Richards.

The result moved Dulwich up to sixteenth in the table, four points above Bath.

The Hamlet are back in league action at Champion Hill this Saturday when they host Maidstone United. Kick-off is 3pm.

Photo by Surrey CCC

Surrey CCC complete deal for Ovalhouse Theatre Chairman: Chance to develop commercial income and business further

Kia Oval

By Jon Surtees

sport@southwarknews.co.uk SURREY COUNTY Cricket Club have successfully completed the deal to purchase the site of the Ovalhouse Theatre and the ‘White House’, across the road from the Kia Oval.

The deal, which enables Ovalhouse to complete their move to new purposebuilt premises in Brixton, has been worked on for well over a year and is the first time the Club has invested in land outside the historic boundaries of The Oval, which was founded in 1845.

In January 2019, planning permission was successfully obtained for the

demolition of the existing theatre building and the conversion of the site into a 95-bed hotel. This remains the plan for the theatre, although the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has delayed the initial manifestation of the project.

The White House - the building next door to Ovalhouse - is a listed building and was the birthplace of the revered Second World War leader, Field Marshall Bernard Law Montgomery.

Plans are being explored for a potential combination of office and residential use.

Richard Thompson, chairman of Surrey CCC, said: “Securing the ownership of Ovalhouse Theatre has been a priority for the club since long

before the current difficulties that have been exacted upon us and this was probably a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire this land.

“I am very pleased that this has now been secured. To purchase a significant block of land outside of The Oval for the first time in 175 years is a historic moment for Surrey CCC and this will now give the club valuable assets to strengthen and develop our commercial income and business further.

“We look forward to developing the site in due course, providing accommodation for the cricket fans and conference guests that we are hugely looking forward to welcoming back to the Kia Oval as soon as we possibly can.”

28 MILLWALL

www.newsatden.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

Late goal spares Chopper’s blushes

Ben Thompson misses a glorious chance to make it 2-0

Ex-Lions boss claims point on return

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP MILLWALL - 1 Smith 35’ Cardiff City - 1 Moore 79’’

By Lucas Ball at The Den

Date: Saturday 21 November, 2020 Attendance: 0 Man of the match: Bart Bialkowski Referee: Graham Scott

johnk@southwarknews.co.uk

THE LINE-UPS 33 Bialkowski 18 Leonard

4-2-3-1

4 Hutchinson

5 Cooper

19 Woods

6 Williams

7 J Wallace

8 Thompson

Bödvarsson, 75’

10 Smith

3 M Wallace

20 Bennett Malonw 57’

Parrott 76’

9 Glatzel

10 Moore

Murphy 75

33 Hoilett

8 Ralls

21 Pack

23 Wilson

3 Bennett

16 Nelson

4 Morrison

7 Bacuna

Ojo, 61

4-2-2

12 Smithies

Head to Head Possession 41%

59% Shots

7

14 Shots on target

2

6 Corners

0 13

5 Fouls

14

THERE WERE no bragging rights on either side last Saturday afternoon after Millwall were held by Cardiff City on Neil Harris’ return to The Den.

The Lions held a first-half lead through Matt Smith in an otherwise excruciatingly boring first 45 minutes, before ex-Wigan man Kieffer Moore’s equaliser sparked an entertaining end to the game with both sides creating chances to win it.

Smith’s headed goal came after a lovely move involving a superb switch of play from Ryan Woods to left-back Murray Wallace who found Shaun Williams to cross for the target man. Smith nodded in with Bluebirds goalkeeper Alex Smithies caught in no man’s land.

That was the only main action in the first half barring a save from Bart Bialkowski to deny Robert Glatzel. The three main strikers on the pitch - Smith, Glatzel and Moore – were aerial threats with an average height of 6’5”.

The second half was much more interesting and the Lions should have taken a 2-0 lead but Ben Thompson starting for the second time in the last three matches - managed to head over from close range from a Jed Wallace cross.

There was almost as good an opportunity for Jon Dadi Bodvarsson to restore his side’s lead late on, but after he ran through he shot wide of Smithies’ right-hand post.

Millwall could have been punished for that miss as they dropped back and invited pressure - something which they are usually so good at soaking up.

Worryingly though, in recent games, the defensive line has been broken more

often and Bialkowski has been forced into more action - with the Pole arguably Millwall’s best player in each of their last three matches.

That is a trend that they need to halt perhaps Alex Pearce coming back into the side for a return to a 5-2-3 after Saturday’s deployment of a 4-2-3-1 formation.

The goal Millwall conceded against the Bluebirds was very poor. The initial chance came from what could only be described as a terrible decision by Scott Malone to attempt a cross-field ball, as he gifted possession to Josh Murphy.

Murphy played an incisive pass to split Jake Cooper and Shaun Hutchinson, though Gary Rowett felt the former should have done better in challenging Moore.

Cooper’s hesitancy was compounded when Moore’s shot deflected off the defender, rooting Bialkowski to his spot and hindering his ability to make a save after he had shifted his weight to his left anticipating a shot towards the far corner.

That sparked an end-to-end contest towards the final whistle, the sort of exciting game for a neutral few would have expected; the sides had drawn their previous five meetings.

Murphy was again the chief creator just five minutes after the goal as he drilled a low cross into Millwall’s area for Harry Wilson, the on-loan Liverpool man forcing a brilliant close-range stop from Bialkowski.

Bialkowski was in action again three minutes later to save a Moore header before Woods found Bodvarsson in acres of space on the counter-attack, only for the Iceland international to curl an effort wide with Smithies rushing at him.

With chances limited for the former Reading and Wolves man so far this

season, he simply has to do better when presented with such gilt-edged opportunities and this miss was almost inexcusable at a crucial stage in the match.

Amid Millwall’s ongoing mini-injury crisis and with Troy Parrott clocking up his first league minutes for Millwall, this was yet another chance for Bodvarsson to stake his claim for a place having failed to impress in just his second league start of the season at Carrow Road before the international break.

His move has not worked for either him or the club and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him head off to pastures new in January or the summer.

Parrott, on the other hand, showed glimpses of why Millwall brought him in on loan from Tottenham.

His touch was a little off given his

Neil Harris greets his first signing as Millwall boss, Mahlon Romeo

lack of match action but his footballing intelligence is clearly Premier League level and his decision-making was evident in his short time on the pitch.

If Parrott can hit form soon, there is no reason why Millwall can’t challenge higher up the table - but there are other issues confronting Rowett and his coaching staff.

The one thing that they can’t afford is more injuries – the Lions began the season with one of the smallest squads in the division.

If they can keep their remaining key men fit, they can give themselves a chance of being in and around the top half at Christmas before perhaps launching a play-off bid with some reinforcements in January.

But they won’t want to be limping towards that transfer window.

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

www.newsatden.co.uk

MILLWALL 29

Ambitious striker on right path Isaac Olaofe wants to play for Millwall's first team

EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk WHO WAS the last Millwall striker to score a hat-trick in a league game?

Hint: it wasn’t Matt Smith against Nottingham Forest at The City Ground last March.

With the Lions struggling in front of goal in the Championship this season, boss Gary Rowett will be keeping an interested eye on National League Sutton United, and specifically the progress of Isaac Olaofe.

The 21-year-old forward is on loan at the south London side where he scored the first hat-trick of his senior professional career in a 5-1 win over King’s Lynn two weeks ago.

Olaofe, a strong runner with excellent dribbling technique, followed that up with a goal on his 21st birthday last Saturday in a 3-3 draw at Wealdstone.

It says a lot about Olaofe’s attitude and humility that after a move to the Scottish Premiership didn’t work out he went to the National League and set about helping enhance Sutton’s credentials as early-season promotion candidates.

Put it to him that there is pressure on a Millwall player and the reputation that brings in the fifth tier, and he displays that humility.

Isaac Olaofe’s goal-scoring form for Sutton could catch Millwall boss’s eye “No, not really,” Olaofe says. “There are so many good players in the National League and at Sutton that could possibly play higher. It’s just about them working their way up, maybe with Sutton. There could be a good opportunity to get promoted this season.

“There’s a really good atmosphere in the changing room, it’s a good group of lads.”

Newham-born Olaofe’s talent was obvious at an early age. After playing a game for Kent County when he scored twice, his manager and dad were contacted by Millwall scouts.

He went on trial for six weeks, playing in a 4-1 win against Brentford in his first game, and impressed the club’s underage coaches.

Olaofe was impressing so much, in

fact, that Barry Dunn, Millwall’s head of academy recruitment, had to act fast to get him signed on schoolboy terms.

Olaofe explains: “The day that I got signed I remember the feeling. It was after a Kent game and I scored the only goal. I got the ball on the halfway line, ran through the team and beat the keeper.

“There were other scouts there as well and they were interested. As soon as I got home Barry called and said, ‘we want to sign you’. It was a brilliant feeling for me and my family, to sign just after turning fourteen.

“I’ve been here since under-14s and you see so many players come and go.

I’m always grateful for the opportunity that I’ve been given by all the coaches from under-14s to under-23s. They’ve given me the platforms to showcase my ability, really.”

Olaofe describes his style as “a nuisance to defenders, difficult to play against, running in behind, quick and direct” As a sixteen-year-old, he scored a stunning goal in a 6-0 FA Youth Cup win over Worthing at The Den, picking the ball up 40 yards from his own goal before beating five defenders and finishing at the near post.

Olaofe trained with Neil Harris’ first team regularly, and gives an insight into the kind of advice he received from former Lions captain Steve Morison.

“I came up through the academy, the

Neil Harris system, and that style of play was embedded into us,” Olaofe says.

“When I trained with them Steve Morison gave me tips all the time. And watching Lee Gregory as well, he was an amazing player for Millwall. His allround play: running into the channels, hold-up play, running in behind. Every part of his game was very good.

“Steve Morison was very experienced, he knew what he was talking about so for him to give me small pieces of advice really helped.

“For example, I remember doing a finishing and crossing drill with Steve Morison. He said when the ball was coming towards my chest, try not to chest it up, chest it down so if a defender does come you can get your body in front and win a foul. If you chest it up the defender can get on top and head it.

“And when I was crossing or shooting with my weaker foot, to just focus on getting good contact with the ball.”

Olaofe describes the day he heard the news that he had earned a professional deal, head of academy Scott Fitzgerald smiling and handing over an envelope containing a contract offer.

He is in his second loan spell with Sutton, after a season-long loan to former Millwall assistant Callum Davidson’s St Johnstone didn’t work out.

Olaofe made two substitute appearances, against Steven Gerrard’s

Rangers and Aberdeen, as his Millwall under-23 team-mate Danny McNamara – whom he was sharing an apartment with – became a regular in the side.

He doesn’t offer any excuses as to why his time at St Johnstone didn’t go as he would have liked.

“I was excited, I was looking forward to the new challenge. That was actually the first time I’d moved away from home,” Olaofe says. “I felt like me and Dan settled in pretty well, settled into the area, into the team. Everyone was so welcoming.

“Training was good quality at good intensity and it helped me. In terms of game-time, pre-season was hard work, I played three games, including against Aberdeen and Hibs. I came on against Aberdeen and won a penalty, so I did well in those games.

“I felt that at this stage of my career, at the age of 20, 21, games are vital for me. I’m young and I need as much game-time as possible. I thought the best thing for me was to come back down.”

Sutton are currently second in the National League table, and Olaofe would be keen to extend the deal beyond January.

He has a clear vision of where he wants to go.

“If I’m starting games, playing well and we’re winning, I feel like it would be better for me to finish the full season with Sutton,” Olaofe says.

30 MILLWALL

www.newsatden.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

MAJOR FOOTBALL ISSUE HITS CLOSE TO HOME FOR MATT Striker opens up on family, life after football - and Scotland link

EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk IT IS the disease that among exfootballers has most poignantly and sadly been associated with England’s 1966 World Cup winning team.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Bobby Charlton became the fifth member of the side that defeated West Germany at Wembley to be diagnosed with dementia.

Charlton’s brother, Jack, died aged 85 in July after suffering from dementia and lymphoma.

Ray Wilson, who was 83, died in 2018 and Martin Peters (76) passed away a year later. Nobby Stiles was 78 when he died in October after a battle with prostate cancer and dementia.

But it not only affects those in their 70s and 80s. Former Southampton defender Kevin Moore was just 55 when he died from Pick’s disease, a form of dementia, after being diagnosed aged 48.

In 2017, former Wolves striker and Ireland international Kevin Doyle was advised to retire at the age of just 34.

In a statement, Doyle said, ‘heading the ball was becoming problematic causing me to have repeated headaches”.

Doyle added: “After consulting experts in the field, it has been decided that to avoid the possibility

of these symptoms becoming more serious and permanent, I will be hanging up my boots for good.”

Millwall’s Matt Smith sought out Doyle after his retirement. Smith witnessed his grandfather suffer from dementia. James Smith was a professional footballer who played for Clyde and St Mirren in Scotland.

Smith’s biggest asset is probably his heading ability, but with that comes obvious concerns.

“It is slightly worrying,” Smith tells the News. “I remember speaking to Kevin Doyle who was forced into early retirement, I touched base with him to hear his perspective on what happened to him. The doctors recommended to him that he cut his career short to prevent further damage.

“Touch wood, I’m fine within myself.

Obviously I’m aware that you don’t see potential effects until further down the line.

“It’s a very, very unfortunate side of professional sport. You see it a lot with NFL players with a severe amount of head trauma. They don’t see that until later on in their lives.

“But hopefully there can be more research into it and information can come back to us in that regard.

Hopefully it can be prevented, though I don’t know how they would do that. It is a touchy subject, for sure, but obviously a very relevant and important one.”

The fact that signs of damage don’t

show usually until much later in life makes it almost impossible for a player to assess whether to end their career.

Smith is from a rich football lineage, his father Ian also a former footballer who played for Birmingham, where Matt was born.

Ian Smith is a qualified doctor and once posed his son a conundrum.

“That’s obviously the tricky part about the disease, it’s something that comes on later on in life. That makes it difficult,” Smith says.

“My dad once asked me, ‘if you knew there was a more significant chance of you getting it, would you stop playing?’ I said, ‘probably not’.

“Some people have suffered terribly and others have got away with it that I’m sure headed the ball plenty of times. Like anything, there are huge risks in life.

“It’s certainly a very relevant subject. I witnessed first-hand my grandfather deteriorate pretty rapidly, just over a decade ago now.

To witness that first-hand is difficult and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”

Smith was already making plans for a career in the business world, even before he went into professional footballer.

He qualified with a degree in International Management with American Business Studies from The University of Manchester, after a year in the United States at Arizona State University.

Smith combined studying with playing non-league football for the likes of Droylsden and Solihull Moors, before getting his professional break with a move to Oldham.

Smith is now studying for a Master of Business Administration (MBA), also at The University of Manchester.

The fact that Covid-19 means the course is currently studied remotely helps London-based Smith.

“When you get into your 30s you start thinking what life is going to be like in the next chapter,” Smith explains.

“Unfortunately, the profession does come to an end so I like to spin my plates ahead of time to allow me to go into something else, whenever that day comes.

“I wouldn’t like to finish and then think, ‘what now?’ I’d like to stay ahead of things.

“I’m six months in and I’m really enjoying it, it’s very tough. Part and parcel of the MBA is who you network with and who you meet. I’ve already been in a group with senior executives from Google and huge corporates in America.

“I think sometimes it’s a little bit like a fish out of water, but it’s another focus. I think it kind of complements the football in terms of providing a different focus and mental stimulation.

“Footballers obviously need a rest outside of football and to put their feet up, but there’s only so many

times I can meet a friend for a coffee.

It’s quite nice to have something else to put my discipline and focus to.

“Obviously universities have gone remotely. In a funny kind of way it’s proved to be more of a help to me given my current circumstances, but there would be certain contact hours you’d have to make over the next couple of years.”

Before the next chapter of his professional life, there is the outside chance that Smith could add another remarkable achievement to his playing career.

Ian Smith was born in Edinburgh, making Matt eligible for Scotland.

Steve Clarke’s side qualified for Euro 2020, which has been rescheduled to take place next year.

“It was an incredible achievement for them, absolutely deserved,” Smith says. “As far as I’m aware the Scottish FA are aware that I’m eligible and managers over the years have been aware I’m eligible.

“There’s been no interest, but it’s something that if the opportunity presented itself I would love to pursue.

“My dad is as Scottish as they come, my football heritage is Scottish with him being my mentor. He’s always been that guiding figure for me in terms of football. So as much for him as for me it would be an incredible opportunity.

“But that’s only going to come with consistency and goals. Time will tell.”

Southwark News, Thursday November 26 2020

Championship preview

Birmingham City

VS

MILLWALL 31

www.newsatden.co.uk

Millwall

St Andrew’s Saturday, November 28 Kick-off: 3pm

Old boys ready for brum return

By John Kelly

Millwall boss Gary Roett goes back to his former club

johnk@southwarknews.co.uk THERE ARE several of the Millwall party heading back to familiar territory this Saturday.

Lions boss Gary Rowett faces his old club, as does technical coach Joe Carnall, while Shane Ferguson is an ex-Blues player and Matt Smith - like Carnall - is from England’s second city.

Connor Mahoney would have swelled that cohort even further but is unlikely to be involved as he picked up a quad injury last Friday.

Millwall have enjoyed fairly happy travels this season, winning three times away from The Den in the league. The Lions have only lost once away this season in seven games in all competitions, 2-1 at Swansea when even then they were denied a clear late penalty.

Rowett’s side haven’t conceded away from home in their last three games, but they have struggled up front this season.

Brum local Smith is hopeful his record against his hometown club continues as the Lions look for a first goal on the road in three games.

Smith has scored four times as an away player at Birmingham, three times for QPR and once for Leeds.

“I really enjoy my one day at St Andrew’s every season. It’s my local team, the team my dad played for and it seems to be the team I have most success against,” Smith said.

“I’ve scored seven against Birmingham over the past few years.

I think every striker usually has that one team that they particularly enjoy playing against. For whatever reason

5-3-2: Bialkowski; Leonard, Hutchinson, Pearce, Cooper, Malone; Woods, Williams, Thompson; Parrott, Smith.

Match odds:

Birmingham 6/5 Draw 12/5 Millwall 7/4

Last meeting:

Championship (February 26, 2020): Millwall 0-0 Birmingham

mine seems to be Birmingham.

“It’s one that I tend to have better memories of and hopefully that can

be the case on Saturday as well.”

Smith opened his account in the league for the season last Saturday

against Cardiff.

He scored fourteen times last season, thirteen in the league – his

Positive move to get fans back

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk MILLWALL WERE waiting to see which tier of restrictions London would be placed into this Thursday before potentially planning for the return of supporters to The Den.

It was announced on Tuesday that a maximum of 4,000 fans would be allowed into outdoor events in areas deemed lowest risk for coronavirus transmission after current national restrictions end on December 2.

But there were fears that on Thursday (November 26) London would be placed into Tier 3 – meaning no spectators allowed back.

Prime minister Boris Johnson said: “In tiers one and two, spectator sports and business events will be free to resume inside and outside with capacity limits and social distancing.

“Later this week, we will announce which areas will fall into which tier - I hope on Thursday - based on analysis of cases in all age groups, especially the over60s.

matCh details Possible Millwall starting XI:

Could Millwall fans soon be back at The Den? “Also, [it will involve] looking at the rate at which cases are rising or falling, the percentage of those tested in a local population who have Covid and current and projected pressures on the NHS.” Millwall play Blackburn Rovers at home on the first day the national lockdown ends.

EFL chair Rick Parry said: “This is a welcome start.”

He added: “Fans have been frustrated,

they’re missing their football, so it’s something to celebrate for fans, not just for the clubs.

“We have to build upon it because what we’re really looking forward to is getting fans back in rather more substantial numbers.”

“But it’s not just the money, it’s a very welcome return to atmosphere.

“Some clubs will still have safety officers on furlough. There is a lot of work to do

quite quickly and it’s really important that we get this right.

“We’ve got to make sure that the clubs and the fans all behave responsibly.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden added: “This is a big step forward for sport.

“Bringing grassroots sport back was my number one priority, so I’m pleased we are reopening sports and gyms in every tier, in recognition of the significant health benefits.

“I’m also delighted we are able to get the turnstiles turning sooner than expected, taking a cautious approach and starting with the lowest-risk areas first.

“I’m confident that sports will take every step to ensure their fans are safe and fans will play their part and look out for each other until we can safely get everyone back in.”

Millwall last had fans at The Den on February 29, before the suspension of football just over a week later.

Lions CEO Steve Kavanagh warned earlier this season of the financial catastrophe for clubs below the Premier League without gate income.

best return as a Championship player.

Smith knows that strikers and goalkeepers are judged on the blunt measure of goals scored and clean sheets.

“No one’s going to remember my header led to an own goal, no one’s going to remember that I’ve hit the post three times this season or set someone up or had a hand in a goal,” Smith said. “Unfortunately, that’s just the way it goes. You’re judged on the number of times you put the ball in the back of the net.

“It’s something I take very seriously and try to maximise each season and ultimately I always aim to have my best personal return in each season.

“It’s something I take pride in.”

Millwall are set to be without several attacking options. Kenneth Zohore is out, while Mahoney and Mason Bennett are also set to miss the game.

That could give Ben Thompson an attacking chance. Thompson also has happy memories of playing at Birmingham, after scoring both goals in a 2-0 win there in March 2019.

The other major decision for Rowett is whether to play four or five in defence against Aitor Karanka’s side.

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE Table correct before Wednesday’s games

# Team

Pl

W

D

L

Pts

1 Norwich City

13

8

3

2

27

2 Bournemouth

13

7

5

1

26

3 Bristol City

12

7

2

3

23

4 Swansea City

12

6

4

2

22

5 Watford

12

6

4

2

22

6 Reading

12

7

1

4

22

7 Stoke City

13

6

3

4

21

8 Brentford

13

5

5

3

20

9 Luton Town

13

5

4

4

19

13

5

3

5

18

10 Blackburn Rovers 11 Middlesbrough

12

4

6

2

18

12 Millwall

12

4

6

2

18

13 Queens Park Rangers

13

4

5

4

17

14 Barnsley

13

4

4

5

16 16

15 Preston North End

13

5

1

7

16 Huddersfield Town

13

4

3

6

15

17 Birmingham City

13

3

6

4

15 14

18 Cardiff City

12

3

5

4

19 Rotherham United

13

3

3

7

12

20 Nottingham Forest

13

3

3

7

12

21 Coventry City

12

2

3

7

9

22 Wycombe Wanderers

13

2

3

8

9

23 Sheffield Wednesday *

12

3

3

6

6

24 Derby County

12

1

3

8

6

* Sheffield Wednesday deducted 6 points

Sport

inside

Southwark

EXCLUSIVE: The Lions striker tearing up non-league

Page 29

Lenny has eyes on new Millwall deal EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk RYAN LEONARD wants to sign a new contract with Millwall – and is confident that if he keeps performing another deal will be agreed.

Leonard, 28, joined on loan from Sheffield United in the summer of 2018 before the move became permanent the following January.

The initial terms of that deal are due to expire next summer.

The Lions had a long-standing interest in Leonard, who played with Neil Harris at Southend. Harris tried to sign him from the Shrimpers, before the midfielder joined the Blades in January 2018.

But just six of Leonard’s sixteen league appearances for Chris Wilder’s side were

starts and he left for Millwall after just half a season.

Leonard has made 61 starts and four substitute appearances in the league for Millwall. He has played 72 times in all competitions and scored five goals.

The versatile Leonard has nailed down a central midfield role this season, but has also covered at right-back and right wingback when Mahlon Romeo has been out.

That ability to play in a number of positions is highly valued by boss Gary Rowett, who has one of the smallest squads in the Championship.

Leonard was asked if he is playing for his Lions future.

“I guess you could say that,” Leonard admitted. “It happens eventually in everyone’s career, players get out of contract and you want to sort out a new deal.

“For me, it’s a case of I’m enjoying my football at the moment. I’m really enjoying

working under the gaffer.

“If I can extend that then great.

“I’d love to stay, I like working under the gaffer and Joe [Carnall] and Ads [Adam Barrett]. Long may that continue.

“But it’s not at the forefront of my mind at the moment. I just want to keep turning in performances and being a regular in a team that’s doing well.

“That’s the main thing for me. If you’re doing well and the team’s winning then contracts will come and things will sort themselves out, I think.

“If you think about the situation too much you can get eaten up a little bit about it. It’s better to focus on staying fit, getting regular games.

“Things like good performances and the team doing well will naturally start to add up.

“But it is there and if I can extend my stay with the gaffer and the football club then I’d like to do that.”

Ryan Leonard

Lions forward admits to concerns EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk MILLWALL STRIKER Matt Smith has admitted that the issue of dementia affecting ex-footballers is something he worries about.

Matt Smith is one of the best headers of the ball in the league

Smith, 31, knows he could be a “candidate” given how often he has headed the ball in his career.

Smith also revealed his grandfather, James, who was a footballer and played for Clyde and St Mirren in Scotland, suffered from the disease.

England World Cup winner Bobby Charlton, 83, has been diagnosed earlier this month. Charlton’s

For the report and all the reaction after Millwall’s clash with Reading on Wednesday night, go to newsatden.co.uk

VS

brother, Jack, died in July after suffering from dementia and lymphoma.

Five of England’s 1966 team were diagnosed with dementia.

“If I’m honest with you, yes, it is something I’ve read about and thought about,” Smith said.

“Dementia is something that unfortunately runs in my family, my grandfather suffered with it terribly.

“Obviously with all the news coming out if anyone’s a candidate for that it would probably be me. I think I probably head the ball more than anyone in the division.”

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MATT SMITH ON PAGE 30

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