15th April 2021

Issue 1526

Established: 1987

50p

April 15 2021

Park by mayor’s office could be partly fenced off after a surge in anti-social behaviour

southwarknews.co.uk

Page 12

the pandemic’s ‘invisible patients’ 15,000 languish on hospital waiting lists for a year in south-east London

Exclusive

See full story on page 6

LUCKY BREAK: How winger became two-footed Page 30

South African variant identified in Rotherhithe and the largest surge testing taking place in Lambeth and Wandsworth Page 6

2 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Contents NEWS Pages 2-18 OPINION Page 19 arts Page 20 History Page 21 property Page 22 Jobs Page 23 CLASSIFIED & PUBLIC NOTICES Page 24 Public notices Pages 24-26 SPORT Pages 27-32 During the crisis, contact us if you have a story on 07973175511 or email

editor@southwarknews .co.uk

We are a London Living Wage employer Do you have a story

for our news team?

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

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

Tributes paid to prince philip from across the borough after numerous visits to southwark

By Katherine Johnston

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Tributes to Prince Philip have been shared by politicians, charities and arts organisations in Southwark after he passed away last week aged 99.

At the time of his death, the Duke of Edinburgh had been the Queen's consort for 73 years.

In a statement shared on Friday morning, April 9, the Royal Family said: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle."

In a statement from Downing Street, Boris Johnson said the nation was 'united in grief and gratitude'.

The duke's death comes just weeks after he ended a lengthy stay in hospital for an infection and pre-existing condition, and received heart surgery.

During his lifetime he developed a reputation as both one of the most accomplished members of the royal family, and hardest working.

He will also be remembered for his gaffeprone sense of humour.

Flags in public buildings, including Southwark Council, are now flying at half mast during the period of national mourning.

Southwark Labour Group said its thoughts and deepest sympathies were with the Queen.

“Southwark Labour Councillors are grateful for the charitable work Prince Philip led through his lifetime, which included nature conservation and assisting children in poverty.

“In particular we are thankful for the legacy of the Duke of Edinburgh Award which benefits thousands of children across Southwark at a pivotal time in their lives.

“Over the years Prince Philip took the time to visit and promote many Southwark landmarks such as Southwark Cathedral and The Shard, and was a patron of Shakespeare’s Globe for over 40 years - his visits will be remembered fondly.”

Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle said his death was “A sad day for our

The Duke of Edinburgh visiting Southwark Cathedral in 2016 Photo: Southwark Diocesan Communications country, for the Commonwealth, for the very many causes he advocated and all the people he touched across the world, but above all for his family and especially the Queen after a lifetime living and working through such significant change and challenge together.”

Camberwell and Peckham MP Harriet Harman described his contribution as ‘extraordinary’, while Dulwich and West Norwood’s Helen Hayes said it would be a ‘very hard loss to bear’.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan highlighted not only his charitable work but also the great debt the country owes men such as him who fought in World War Two. Describing him as someone who had devoted his life to public service, Khan said: “Not only did his Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh devote 70 years to undertaking royal duties but he also fought for Britain - and for the freedoms we hold dear today - during the Second World War.” Praising the ‘loyal and steadfast companion’, Mayor of Southwark Cllr Barrie Hargrove said it was a ‘huge honour’ MILLWALL EXCLUSIVE

BOSS TRIBUTE TO DOUBLE-CENTURY MAN Page 30

Issue 1525

Editor: Kevin Quinn Deputy Editor: Katherine Johnston Reporter: Kit Heren 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 - Tel: 0779 883 3758 Subscriptions/Announcements: Katie Boyd Managing & Commercial Director: Chris Mullany Managing & Editorial Director: Kevin Quinn Published weekly on a Thursday at: Unit A202, 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 Finance: em@southwarknews.co.uk Printed by Iliffe Print. Tel: 01223 656500 www.iliffeprint.co.uk

Established: 1987

50p

HISTORY: THE ITALIANS IN SOUTHWARK

April 8 2021

southwarknews.co.uk

Page 21

Pages 18-19

On the road out of lockdown PUBS, GYMS, THEATRES

£2.5 MILLION IN FINES In just three months in Dulwich and Walworth EXCLUSIVE

See full story on page 4

MASKED ROBBER TERRIFIED BOOKIES IN PECKHAM

Page 12

South African variant identified in Bermondsey Page 4

to welcome him to the opening of the Shard in 2013.

Southwark and Lambeth assembly member Florence Eshalomi said he was the ‘perfect consort’ to the Queen.

In a tribute Southwark Liberal Democrats said Prince Philip lived 'a century of a life of incredible duty and love to his family,’ and described his ‘grand innings of achievements’.

“Whilst many loved ones have been lost during a pandemic, no passing comes without the emotional pain of losing those close to us,” their statement said.

“This is an extraordinary life passing that will reach across the globe. Prince Philip has won hearts all over the world and the loss is felt by all those amongst us alongside the royal family in solidarity.

“This is no truer than in Southwark which has a long historical connection with royal families – and the Duke maintained this throughout his remarkable life’s work via his charities, Duke of Edinburgh awards, Southwark Cathedral and his many appearances at ceremonies in support of

our borough. Our heartfelt thoughts go out especially to our monarch for her loss.”

Prince Philip was a patron of Shakespeare’s Globe for over 40 years.

In a statement the theatre said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by his passing, saying his support support for the globe's founder Sam Wanamaker was integral to building both the Globe Theatre and the Wanamaker Playhouse.

The Imperial War Museum said its team was ‘hugely grateful’ for the support the museum received during his lifetime.

“In November 1966 he accompanied HM The Queen as she opened the Cinema at IWM London and he has been a welcomed visitor on a number of occasions to our other sites," the museum said.

“Considering HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s long standing service in the Royal Navy we were particularly honoured to welcome him to HMS Belfast in 2007 and again in 2010, when he attended the dedication of the ship’s new masts in a ceremony with veterans and officials from the Russian embassy and government.”

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

southwark-news

@southwark_news

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

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

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

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

OUT ON THE ROAD WITH AGE UK - A VITAL LIFELINE It’s great to know that what you’re doing is actually helping people

By Kit Heren kit@southwarknews.co.uk “They’re just so kind. They’ve really helped me for so long and I can’t even say how grateful I am. I do really look forward to seeing them.”

Iris, who lives in north Bermondsey, is one of the dozens of people in south London for whom the charity Age UK delivers shopping either every week or every fortnight.

The day begins at 9am in the Tesco at Surrey Quays. Volunteers, some of whom have learning difficulties, pack up large plastic boxes with the food that customers have asked for. They know what to buy because two days previously other volunteers have called up each customer for a chat and to run through the shopping list.

Standing by the last Tesco checkout, colonised by volunteers for the morning, the day’s coordinator Terry, says: “It’s kind of a logistical challenge getting all the right things to the right people. But we tend to get it right!”

As well as the practical mission of delivering people food, Age UK’s Food 2 You service aims to help combat loneliness, which is on the rise in the UK. The charity said in a report published in 2020 that the number of lonely people over 50 will reach 2 million at the current rate - up from 1.4 million in 2014.

At Tesco, with all the boxes packed up in three separate vans making three different trips, partners Kal and John clamber, masked-up, into their vehicle.

The morning ahead will see them deliver to eight different vulnerable elderly people across Bermondsey, Rotherhithe and north Peckham, who are unable to go shopping themselves for various reasons. Other volunteers take shopping to people elsewhere in Southwark, as well as Lambeth and Lewisham.

The trips are weekly for John, a former lorry driver who takes the wheel, and exhedge fund manager Kal, who handles the deliveries and puts away the food.

But this week is special: alongside their shopping, all the customers will get an Easter egg and a card made and signed by local schoolchildren (although Kal makes sure people who have difficulties with their sight don’t get the card).

At each stop, beginning with a man just off the Old Kent Road, Kal takes one or two boxes inside - keeping his mask on and staying socially distanced where possible. Meanwhile John finds somewhere to park up the van. Inside, some people need each item to be put away for them, while others are happy just to be given the food. Money for the shopping changes hands either through a contactless card reader or with cash and customers also pay £5 for the delivery.

Customers’ reactions range from

effusively grateful to mildly put out at having been brought the wrong kind of shower gel.

Iris in Bermondsey, who had an accident last year and has lost some of her mobility, falls firmly into the first camp and thanks Kal for the “lovely” gifts. “It’s been hard getting out so much, and with lockdown as well,” she says. “Having Kal here is a real help and it makes so much of a difference.”

Back outside, Kal says that hearing the reactions of people like Iris is one of the reasons why he volunteers with Age UK. “It’s amazing to hear, really. It’s great to know that what you’re doing is actually helping people.”

To make use of the Food 2 You service or volunteer, please visit www.ageuk.org. uk/lewishamandsouthwark/services/ food2you/ Alternatively you can call 0207 358 4007

NEWS 3

4 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

mum with sickle cell fights for a move The Elephant & Castle flat is mould-infested Exclusive

By Kit Heren kit@southwarknews.co.uk A woman living with her three children in a mould-infested onebed council flat in Elephant & Castle has told of her “despair” at not getting rehoused.

Dabe Amaechi has lived in a flat in Perronet House on the Elephant & Castle roundabout for more than a decade. She and her eight-month old daughter suffer from sickle-cell disease, a serious and often-painful condition for which she is regularly hospitalised.

Heating in the flat often breaks down, Amaechi said, and mould lines part of the walls and floor of the bedroom, where she and her three children usually sleep.

“If you have sickle cell you need to be warm, because the cold can trigger a crisis and you can end up in hospital.

Obviously breathing in mould is not good for me and the kids either,” Amaechi added.

She told the News that she has been trying to get rehoused for several years but has not been successful, despite coming close about two years ago.

Southwark Council has offered Amaechi temporary accommodation in Forest Hill.

She said this was unsuitable because it was too far from Guy’s Hospital, where staff know her and her condition.

Amaechi said her sickle cell disease

means she has to have regular monthly blood transfusions. When she has previously been treated by doctors in different hospitals she has often become very ill, she added.

Amaechi also feels the temporary accommodation is also too far from her children’s school in Borough. She and her children are now staying with a friend nearby.

Separately, the story took a tragic turn earlier this year when Amaechi’s baby daughter caught Covid-19 in hospital after being taken in for sickle cell treatment. Amaechi said the coronavirus was passed through the family before her father, who does not live with them, was infected and died in January this year.

“I’m on medication for anxiety and depression,” Amaechi said. “I’ve gone through so much, my health is at the worst point it’s ever been. And now I’m going through a grieving period but I have to keep it down because I have to be strong for my children.

“When you’re in a situation where you’re in despair and you feel there’s no way out, it just feels awful.”

Amaechi said she has retained a solicitor and is considering legal action regarding her housing situation.

Cllr Stephanie Cryan, Southwark Council’s cabinet member for council housing, said: “I am so sorry that Ms Amaechi has been through so much this past year. While it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment on the details of Ms Amaechi’s specific case for legal reasons, we can say that we are very sympathetic to her housing situation and very keen to help her and her family. We are always here to support tenants and resolve their repairs, and can do so if we are granted access.”

Bishop Climate told by the council to remove structure built outside his church without planning permission Neighbours complain of fire risk Exclusive

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk A controversial church in Camberwell being investigated by the Charity Commission over ‘serious ongoing concerns’ with its finances has now been ordered

by Southwark Council to remove a structure erected without planning permission.

Last month The Kingdom Church GB, based in Camberwell Station Road, was taken over by the charity regulator after an investigation into its finances, including potential for funds to be ‘unaccounted for and misapplied’.

An interim manager has been appointed after the probe launched last August.

In the meantime the church is also still subject to a trading standards investigation after this newspaper uncovered that its minister, Bishop Climate Wiseman, was selling useless, £91 ‘plague protection kits’ against COVID-19, leading to widespread

outcry. The minister later dubbed the News the ‘antichrist’ after the expose.

Now the church has run into even more trouble after adding a shipping container and wooden platform to its grounds without Southwark Council planning committee’s approval.

Although the church attempted to apply for retrospective planning permission, the council has since served an enforcement notice, issued on March 31, which demands that the structure is fully demolished and removed by May 6 unless an appeal is submitted.

Southwark Council has also confirmed it is also investigating further potential planning breaches in relation to the uses being carried out on the site.

Residents have claimed church services include hazardous ‘burning rituals’ involving open fires being lit near buildings with cladding.

Over a hundred public comments were submitted before the decision was due this month.

Although dozens of supporters and members of the church made their case for the ‘youth training’ centre, objectors said the container was a ‘fire hazard’, not in keeping with the architecture on the street, ‘unsafe’, and disputed claims it was being solely used for youth mentoring.

One objector, living next door, said: “The structure has already been built with wood on top of a shipping

container which is an increased fire risk.

“We have already been notified that our building needs improvement works with regards to the balconies on the Station Road side, wooden platforms and some cladding.

“These improvements will not take place until at least eighteen months.

“As the church regularly burns waste in their rubbish bins in the alley between the church and the new wooden shipping container structure this is an even greater risk, as one of the risks highlighted to us is the increased risk of fire spreading.

“Our property is residential with families and social housing properties that should not be put at this level of risk.”

The bishop has, however, issued a statement claiming that the church is improving fire safety measures.

In a tweet shared on March 26, he said that the church’s neighbours no longer had to worry about smoke from the ‘fire service’ and said the matter had been addressed ‘once and for all’ with the help of a specially trained fire marshal.

“So no worry. Apology for all the smoke. Love you. No more smoke,” he added.

The council’s enforcement notice said the structure’s “poor design, detailing and scale results in a substandard development that has a negative visual impact on the host property and the

streetscene.”

In a further development, an application has also been lodged seeking permission for a new business - Tuko App - to operate from the site at number 93 Station Road.

The app’s website claims Tuko is: “One App, Many Uses. Now it’s possible for you to get over 1000 On-Demand Services in just a few taps.

“Get connected to nearby Service Providers and get instant and secure services on your doorstep.” Dr Climate Wiseman is listed as the company’s director.

The application requests changing the building’s official use from nonresidential purposes to flexible office space for up to three years.

Watch the video

nline

southwarknews.co.uk

Camberwell burglaries on same road

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Police are investigating two ‘similar’ burglaries that took place in the same stretch of road in Camberwell just over a week apart.

On both occasions flats above shops were targeted.

The first was reported on Friday, March 26, between 1pm and 4.30pm in a flat on Camberwell Green.

Police say it is similar to another incident around a week later on Sunday, April 4, when a man forced entry into a flat in Camberwell Road through a communal door and flat door - and attempted to steal electrical items.

After the flat’s residents, who were home at the time, realised what was happening they confronted the suspect and were then assaulted before he made off from the scene.

Anyone with information should call 101.

Until 17th May 2021

SUPER SAVER PRICES

18th May- 30th June 2021

SAVER PRICES

OVER 62s

ARMED FORCES

18-21S

UNDER 18s

UNDER 16s

UNDER 12s

UNDER 6s

BARRY KITCHENER UPPER

£450

£265

£265

£265

£175

£100

£50

£25

BARRY KITCHENER LOWER

£425

£260

£260

£260

£175

£100

£50

£25

DOCKERS UPPER

£430

£260

£260

£260

£175

£100

£50

£25

DOCKERS LOWER

£410

£225

£225

£225

£175

£100

£50

£25

ZAMPA’S FAMILY STAND*

£350

£185

£185

£185

£175

£100

£50

£25

COLD BLOW LANE UPPER

£370

£230

£230

£230

£175

£100

£50

£25

COLD BLOW LANE LOWER

£360

£220

£220

£220

£175

£100

£50

£25

ADULTS

OVER 62s

ARMED FORCES

18-21S

UNDER 18s

UNDER 16s

UNDER 12s

UNDER 6s

BARRY KITCHENER UPPER

£495

£292

£292

£292

£193

£110

£55

£28

BARRY KITCHENER LOWER

£468

£286

£286

£286

£193

£110

£55

£28

DOCKERS UPPER

£473

£286

£286

£286

£193

£110

£55

£28

DOCKERS LOWER

£451

£248

£248

£248

£193

£110

£55

£28

ZAMPA’S FAMILY STAND*

£385

£204

£204

£204

£193

£110

£55

£28

COLD BLOW LANE UPPER

£407

£253

£253

£253

£193

£110

£55

£28

COLD BLOW LANE LOWER

£396

£242

£242

£242

£193

£110

£55

£28

ADULTS

OVER 62s

ARMED FORCES

18-21S

UNDER 18s

UNDER 16s

UNDER 12s

UNDER 6s

BARRY KITCHENER UPPER

£560

£330

£330

£330

£200

£110

£55

£30

BARRY KITCHENER LOWER

£520

£320

£320

£320

£200

£110

£55

£30

DOCKERS UPPER

£540

£315

£315

£315

£200

£110

£55

£30

DOCKERS LOWER

£500

£265

£265

£265

£200

£110

£55

£30

ZAMPA’S FAMILY STAND*

£420

£220

£220

£220

£200

£110

£55

£30

COLD BLOW LANE UPPER

£460

£290

£290

£290

£200

£110

£55

£30

COLD BLOW LANE LOWER

£450

£260

£260

£260

£200

£110

£55

£30

*Purchasing restrictions apply in Zampa’s Family Stand. Visit millwalltickets.com for more information.

We’re back!

From the TV to The Den. From the code to the card. From the kitchen to the concourse. From the sofa to the stands. From the door to the roar. From the garden to the pitch.

From watching alone... To being

1st July 2021 onwards

H

OME

REGULAR PRICES

HOMEFROM

ADULTS

HOME

Benefits Include: - 250 LOYALTY POINTS - £10 (adults) and £5 (concessions) worth of TeamCard points - Exclusive purchase window for away matches

HOW TO BUY:

- Priority period for high-demand Cup fixtures

1. Online at www.millwalltickets.com

- Discounted tickets for Cup ties

2. In person at the Ticket Office, which is open 9.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday

- 10% discount on matchday hospitality

3. By phone on 0844 826 2004*

- Automatic inclusion in exclusive monthly prize giveaways

*The call centre will be open from 9.30am-5pm Monday-Friday (calls to this number will cost 7p per minute from your BT landline. Calls from other networks may vary and from mobiles will be considerably more. Booking fees apply).

- Five TeamCard points earnt for every £1 spent in The Lions Store

2021/22

SEASON TICKETS

- 20% off room hire for non-matchday events

- Free access into ‘Arry’s Bar on matchdays - Invitation to an open training session Season ticket holders who turn 7 will receive a £35 Lions Store voucher TeamCard points can be redeemed against purchases in The Lions Store

6 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

South African variant identified in Rotherhithe

By Kit Heren kit@southwarknews.co.uk A case of the South African Covid-19 variant has been found in Rotherhithe, with the council launching widespread testing in the area in a bid to prevent the virus spreading further.

Jackie Summerford

15,000 patients in south-east london on hospital waiting lists for a year Exclusive

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Fifteen thousand people across south-east London are believed to have been stuck on hospital waiting lists for an entire year, with new data revealing the devastating impact the pandemic has had on COVID-19’s ‘invisible patients’.

Whereas much attention has been given to the number of cases, hospitalisations and deaths from the virus, the true scale of disruption the pandemic has wrought on Southwark NHS’s day-to-day work in the last year has only now been made clear.

Papers published in advance of the Our Healthier South East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, April 8, described the ‘very significant’ impact the first and second waves of the virus had on hospital waiting lists across the five boroughs - Southwark, Lambeth, Lewisham, Greenwich and Bromley.

Despite overall patient numbers and referrals being reduced, the number of patients waiting more than eighteen weeks, and more than 52 weeks, has increased ‘very significantly’.

“In terms of our longest waiters, at end November there were 8,700 over 52 week waiters on SEL [South East London] provider waiting lists - our end March 2021 position is a forecast of approximately 15,000,” the papers explain, saying this is an ‘unprecedented’ number split across inpatient and outpatient lists across all types of care; including major operations.

Hospitals hope they will be back up to 90 per cent capacity by the summer, and say ‘demonstrable and significant’ progress has already been made in increasing the number of clinically urgent patients treated each week.

Two months ago clinically urgent patients were, on average, waiting eleven weeks to be treated, whereas this figure has now been reduced to under the ‘ideal threshold’ of four weeks.

However, despite this progress, the papers say the situation is going to get worse before it gets better: “Importantly the shape of our waiting list means we

then expect the post July 4 position to deteriorate further before it improves, despite the planned maintenance of our ramped up capacity. ”The scale of the challenge means we anticipate a lengthy programme of backlog reduction to clear the waiting list that has built up and this means routine patients are likely to wait significant periods of time for treatment, noting capacity is our biggest rate limiting factor.”

In January 2020, Guy’s and St Thomas’ had 13,210 patients waiting for over eighteen weeks for treatment.

This figure has now risen by nearly 6,000 to 19,164 as of January 2021.

King’s has also seen nearly 2,000 more people stuck waiting for treatment for the same time period.

Most shockingly, there are now thousands of patients who have waited more than 52 weeks - an entire year - for treatment.

Whereas there were only 100 people recorded as waiting over 52 weeks at Guy’s and St Thomas’ in January of last year, this figure has now shot up to 3,366.

At King’s College Hospital there were previously 160 patients languishing on the waiting list for a year - a figure now at a staggering 5,201.

Jackie Summerford, from Walworth, is one patient left anxiously waiting for a twice delayed major surgery.

Last year, after scans including an MRI, specialists at Guy’s and St Thomas’ discovered a mass in her womb which could be cancerous.

But despite a hysterectomy initially being scheduled for January 8 at St Thomas’, three months later she is still waiting for a date for her operation, unsure whether she is losing valuable treatment time.

“They won’t know for sure if it is cancer until I’ve had the full hysterectomy,” she said.

“The first operation was cancelled just before the lockdown because my lungs were too weak because of my COPD. “They told me after the operation that if I went into an intensive care ward and caught COVID I wouldn’t stand a chance.

“I was meant to go in on April 8 but a few days beforehand hadn’t heard anything so called up and admissions said it had been cancelled and they don’t

I’d psyched myself up again and now have no idea why it’s not gone ahead

know why.

“I’d psyched myself up again and now have no idea why it’s not gone ahead and have high blood pressure which could be the stress.

“They said I will hear something in two weeks about the new date. If my blood pressure isn’t alright then it could get cancelled again.”

According to the charity the Health Foundation, waiting lists are now at the highest levels since records began - at 5.6 million people and counting across the country.

Its analysis of national NHS surgery data shows that four million fewer people completed elective treatment in 2020 compared with 2019 (down from 16 million to 12 million).

Not only are fewer patients being treated, fewer are being referred into consultant-led elective care, with a drop of six million patients in the last year.

The foundation describes these millions of ‘missing patients’ as the ‘biggest unknown’, who could soon present with urgent, untreated symptoms and further fill already straining waiting lists.

Health officials are also bracing for huge demand on mental health services as the lockdown is eased and life returns back to something resembling ‘normal’.

The Centre for Mental Health predicts that up to 10 million people, around 20 per cent of the population) will need either new or additional mental health support as a direct consequence of the crisis.

South East London CCG believes this could see a quarter more people needing mental health support who do not have pre-existing conditions, and around half those with ongoing mental health challenges needing extra services for anxiety and depression.

There has already been a 30 per cent increase in children and adolescent mental health services over the last year, with referrals for those with eating disorders doubling since early 2020.

See comment - page 19

People living in certain parts of the SE16 postcode area have received a letter telling them that tests will be delivered to their house and that everyone over 11 should take one.

The council is opening a temporary testing centre at Deal Porter Square next to Canada Water Library from Wednesday (April 14). The centre will operate seven days a week from 9am to 3pm. Tests will be carried out onsite.

You can also collect a home testing kit from Canada Water Library Theatre at 21 Surrey Quays Road between 9am and 5pm every day. Access is via the fire door at the rear of the library, not the main entrance.

The letter tells residents that "there is no cause for alarm" and the increased testing is just a "precaution".

Sangeeta Leahy, Director of Public Health at Southwark Council, said: “We understand that this could be concerning news, but there is no cause for alarm. We are delivering COVID-19 tests to residents in a defined area so that we identify how far, if at all, the variant has spread.

"This variant of COVID-19 may be more easily passed between people, so please take a test if we ask you to by letter. As businesses and venues start to re-open, it is also important that we all continue to follow the current rules on social distancing and meeting with people from outside our household.”

The postcodes that will receive tests are:

SE16 1AT, SE16 1JA, SE16 1JL, SE16 1PJ, SE16 2BX, SE16 2XB, SE16 2XE, SE16 2XU, SE16 4AB, SE16 4AD, SE16 4HL, SE16 4HT, SE16 4HW, SE16 4HY, SE16 4HZ, SE16 4JA, SE16 4JB, SE16 4JD, SE16 4JE, SE16 4JF, SE16 4JG, SE16 4JH, SE16 4JJ, SE16 4JL, SE16 4JN, SE16 4JP, SE16 4JQ, SE16 4JR, SE16 4JX, SE16 4LA, SE16 4LD, SE16 4LE, SE16 4LF, SE16 4LG, SE16 4LH, SE16 4LJ, SE16 4LL, SE16 4LQ, SE16 4NF, SE16 4NG, SE16 4NH, SE16 4NJ, SE16 4NL, SE16 4NQ, SE16 7AU, SE16 7AX, SE16 7AY, SE16 7AZ, SE16 7BA, SE16 7BB, SE16 7BD, SE16 7BE, SE16 7BG, SE16 7BH, SE16 7BJ, SE16 7BL, SE16 7BN, SE16 7BQ, SE16 7BS, SE16 7BU, SE16 7BW, SE16 7BX, SE16 7BY, SE16 7BZ, SE16 7DL, SE16 7DT, SE16 7DX, SE16 7DY, SE16 7DZ, SE16 7EA, SE16 7EB, SE16 7ED, SE16 7EE, SE16 7EF, SE16 7HA, SE16 7HS, SE16 7HY, SE16 7HZ, SE16 7JA, SE16 7JB, SE16 7JD, SE16 7JE, SE16 7JF, SE16 7JH, SE16 7JJ, SE16 7JL, SE16 7JN, SE16 7JP, SE16 7JQ, SE16 7JR, SE16 7JS, SE16 7JT, SE16 7JU, SE16 7JW, SE16 7JX, SE16 7JY, SE16 7JZ, SE16 7LN and SE16 7NJ

The UK’s largest surge testing now underway in Lambeth and Wandsworth

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk

The largest surge testing operation to date is now being deployed across Lambeth and Wandsworth after a ‘significant cluster’ of the COVID-19 South African variant was identified.

Forty-four confirmed cases and 30 probable cases have so far been identified in the two boroughs, after the first positive result for the variant in the area was returned in early March this year.

Everyone aged eleven and over who lives, works or travels through the boroughs is ‘strongly encouraged’ to take a test even if they have no symptoms.

Lambeth and Wandsworth Councils and NHS Test and Trace have been conducting enhanced contract tracing to identify anyone who may have come into contact with positive cases, and say all people to have had the variant are either self isolating or have completed their quarantine.

There is also concern that vaccines are less effective against the South African variant; leaving those in clinically vulnerable groups at risk even if they

have received their jabs.

People with symptoms should book a free test online or by phone so they can get tested at a testing site or have a testing kit sent to them at home.

Those without symptoms should visit the Lambeth or Wandsworth local authority website for more information.

Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser for NHS Test and Trace said: “The cluster of cases of the variant first identified in South Africa found in parts of South London, predominantly the Lambeth and Wandsworth areas is significant.

“It’s really important people in the local area play their part in stopping any further spread within the local community.

“PCR testing is now available for all and I would strongly encourage everyone, whether they live, work or travel through the boroughs, to get tested even if they don’t have any symptoms of coronavirus.

“Around one in three people with COVID-19 don’t show any symptoms. By taking part you can protect yourselves and your loved ones and help us identify any possible new cases that would otherwise be missed, preventing further transmission and saving lives.”

SPRING SALE

50% OFF

MAXI ROYAL DOUBLE DIVAN

SALE

PRICE:

DOUBLE FAUX LEATHER STORAGE BED

£169.99

Normally £340

MEMORY COLLECTION DOUBLE DIVAN

SALE

PRICE:

SALE

PRICE:

7 DAYS A WEEK

INCLUDING MATTRESS

PRICE:

£109.99

Normally £220

3+2 RECLINER

METAL BUNK BED

SALE

PRICE:

£219.99

Normally £380

SALE

£149.99

PRICE:

Normally £300

NOW OPEN AGAIN!

Normally £380

£189.99

Normally £440

QUILTED DOUBLE DIVAN

DOUBLE METAL FRAME

SINGLE DREAM DIVAN

SALE

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

100s of models to choose from.

Normally £1700

SALE

PRICE:

£99.99

TRIPLE SLEEPER

INCLUDING MATTRESSES

SALE

PRICE:

£399.99

Our lowest price

Normally £800

JERSEY FRAME

£149.99 £189.99 PRICE: £849.99 Open Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 6.00pm • Sunday 11am - 5pm 384 WALWORTH ROAD, LONDON, SE17 2NG TEL: 020 7701 9900 SALE

Normally £200

NOW

Drawers, slide storage and headboards are extra.

Illustrations are for guidance only.

Normally £300

8 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

On the road out of lockdown

some of the Bermondsey Beer Mile is re-opening

But now with stewards to keep order

By Kit Heren kit@southwarknews.co.uk

The Bermondsey Beer Mile took its first cautious step out of lockdown this week, with several bars reopening outdoor areas.

This informal collection of micro breweries along the railway arches around Druid Street and Enid Street, often selling unusual drinks to punters has become extremely popular and in the past has drawn huge crowds. to the area. However, the Beer Mile, many of whose bars are very close to housing estates like the Neckinger, has seen complaints over drinkers being loud and rude and sometimes even vomiting in the street.

Beer Mile bars have now clubbed together to hire a “steward” to keep drinkers in line. Brewery owners have had a meeting with Southwark Council ahead of the latest reopening and will meet again in two weeks to discuss any areas of concern.

We spoke to some of the Beer Mile breweries reopening this week.

Hiver Beers, whose main selling point is that its beer is made with honey, is “very excited” to reopen on Saturday April 19, said Matt Troy, sales and logistics coordinator at the brewery on Stanworth Street.

“We’re nearly fully booked. The council has been really helpful in giving us a bit more outdoor space as well.

We can’t wait to see some happy faces again.”

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, bars along the Bermondsey Beer Mile tended to be more informal, with drinkers often milling around outside.

Now, under the rules for coming out of lockdown, everyone has to be seated.

“It’s a bit of an adjustment and it could change the atmosphere a little bit,” Troy added. “But we didn’t have any issues when we opened last summer and this shouldn’t be any different.”

Book a table at Hiver Beers at www.madeofengland.co.uk/taproom/ Jensen’s Gin, next door to Hiver Beer on Stanworth Street, has kept its gin distillery running during the lockdown, but is now reopening its outdoor space to drinkers.

Rob Millar, a manager at the distillery, said they were looking forward to welcoming people back in. People are free to walk up and order the gin, which is distilled on site, Millar said, although they don’t serve “fancy cocktails”.

“We’re looking forward to having people back around the area, to have it more lively again,” Millar added. It’s up to all of us to keep it safe so we don’t have to lock down again, but I’m sure it will be fine.” www.bermondseygin.com Staff at Enid Street’s Bianca Road Brewing Company are “excited and a little bit uncertain” about reopening this week, owner Reece Wood has said.

“Are people going to come back, or is it going to be a bit quieter?” he added.

“We’ll have to wait and see. We’re raring to get back going as soon as we can.”

The Bianca Road Brewing Company, which brews its beer onsite as the name suggests, has kept up deliveries during lockdown. With bars able to reopen outdoors, it has room for about 30 people.

“Whether people come or not - a lot of it will be weather related,” Wood said.

Pinter over pints

By Kit Heren

kit@southwarknews.co.uk With much of the attention on the reopening of pubs and bars, people who prefer Pinter to pints might be feeling left out.

But libraries are also allowed to reopen from April 12, as part of the government’s gradual unlocking of coronavirus lockdown. Southwark Council has opened up eight across the borough, with four more to remain closed for the time being.

The following libraries reopened this week: • Blue Anchor Library on Southwark Park Road in Bermondsey • Brandon Library, on Maddock Way in Kennington • Camberwell Library, on Camberwell Green • Canada Water Library, on Surrey Quays Road • Dulwich Library, on Lordship Lane

• Grove Vale Library, on Grove Vale in East Dulwich • Nunhead Library, on Gordon Road • Peckham Library on Peckham Hill Street • East Street Library, John Harvard Library, Kingswood Library and Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library are still closed.

Visitors to the libraries that are now open will have to keep to several safety measures. These include wearing a mask and giving information to be used for the test and trace programme.

Library cafes remain closed and rooms cannot be booked for private use.

Library staff are also quarantining any returned books for 72 hours.

Any reservations made before the libraries closed on December 19 last year will still be available to pick up until the end of April.

Read more here: www.southwark.gov. uk/libraries/gradual-re-opening-oflibrary-and-heritage-services

“But we’ve had quite a few enquiries about people making reservations.”

“If it gets much colder we might have to get the patio heaters out! It’s a shame because a couple of weeks ago

we had lovely weather. Hopefully this is just the start though.”

Asked about concerns from local residents, Wood added: “We would never want local people to feel

alienated or annoyed by what’s going on. They are very important and we need to have the local community on board.” www.biancaroad.com/ The founder of the Southwark Brewing Company has urged people to come back to the Bermondsey Beer Mile.

Peter Jackson, managing director of the brewery on Druid Street, said he and his staff had worked hard to make sure that all surfaces are cleaned regularly and customers stay properly distanced.

“We’ve been working on this a long time and we’re confident that everything is safe,” he said. “I understand that some people might be nervous about coming out again, but we really think it will be worth it.”

The Southwark Brewing Company reopened on April 12. Book a table by emailing: info@southwarkbrewing. co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

three quarters of the over 65s have been vaccinated Cllr Charlie Smith

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk More than three quarters of people over the age of 65 have now been vaccinated in Southwark, as health officials reassure residents that the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe.

On Monday the government announced the over-40s would start being called up for their jabs from this week.

Several countries have suspended their AstraZeneca jab rollouts amid mounting evidence it is linked to a very small number of serious and, in some cases, fatal blood clots.

However, the risk is extremely low - around four in every one million vaccinations. The risk of blood clotting is much greater if a person contracts COVID-19, and blood clots are also more common in women who take the contraceptive pill.

The NHS advises that for people aged 30 and above, and those with other health conditions, the benefits of

What symptoms should you look out for after being vaccinated?

Serious side effects are very rare but if you experience the following symptoms between four days and four weeks after vaccination seek medical advice urgently.

• A new, severe headache which is not helped by usual painkillers or is getting worse

being vaccinated outweigh any risk of clotting problems.

According to the latest figures from the South East London Clinical Commissioning Group, in Southwark, over 75 per cent of the over 65s have now been vaccinated and 80 per cent of residents over 75 have received at least one dose.

In total, more than 93,000 people have received at least one jab in the borough.

Further walk-in vaccination clinics have also been held across the borough for those eligible including at Guy’s Hospital on Saturday, and in Walworth Square on Tuesday.

Another pop-up clinic will be held at Walworth Square from 9.30am12.30pm on Tuesday, April 13, for those eligible to be vaccinated.

To find out more about the AstraZeneca vaccine, Southwark Council’s Public Health Team are holding a meeting to hear your concerns, and help make sure that people are given all the information they need to make an informed decision about the AstraZeneca vaccine.

This session will consist of a one hour slot where they would like to hear your thoughts and opinions, followed by an optional 30 minute session where they will answer your questions and provide information about the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The session will be held on either Thursday, April 22 (evening), or Friday, 23 April (afternoon).

To take part fill fill out the online form here: https://tinyurl.com/2vtuarf9 • A headache which seems worse when lying down or bending over • An unusual headache that may be accompanied by blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, difficulty with your speech, weakness, drowsiness or seizures • New, unexplained pinprick bruising or bleeding • Shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling or persistent abdominal pain

NEWS 9

Faith leaders and doctors urge take up of vaccination

A push for muslims to get the jab during Ramadan

Amira Alam vaccinated by Jabeen Razvi at the South London Islamic Centre

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Muslim community leaders are urging Southwark residents to get vaccinated during Ramadan.

Doctors are particularly keen to stress that it is fine to receive the jab while fasting, and that COVID-19 vaccinations are halal.

Dulwich GP Mahreen Chawdhery, based at 3-zero-6 Medical Centre, said, “We are working very hard to deliver the vaccine – I personally have delivered vaccines to all of my housebound patients and see more daily.

“I have had both vaccines, and so have my staff. We want people to know that the vaccines are safe and effective.

“The vaccines do not contain any animal products, so they are suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and they are halal.

“The risk of catching Covid-19 without the vaccine is very serious and the vaccine significantly reduces this risk.

“Muslim scholars agree that it is acceptable to have the vaccine during Ramadan because of its benefits and the fact that it is taken out of medical need.”

Mohammed Aslam Ijaz, Chair of the Trustees for South London Islamic Centre is also keen to stress that COVID-19 vaccines are halal.

“The message is quite clear that this is a halal product, and we must not miss an opportunity to keep ourselves safe from this terrible, terrible virus.

“The injection does not impact your digestive system and is suitable to have during Ramadan.”

Dr Chawdhery added: “The more people that are vaccinated, the more protection we’ll see throughout the whole community.

“Even if you are young and healthy, people in your surroundings may not be, and you could spread the virus without realising.

“Vaccines help you protect yourself and your loved ones. We all need to participate in this combined effort.”

So far vaccination clinics have so far taken place at the South London Islamic Centre, Peckham Islamic Who is now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine?

If you are aged 45 and over, an eligible frontline health worker, you receive a Carers Allowance, have a learning disability, are clinically extremely vulnerable (high risk) or clinically vulnerable (moderate risk) – you can book your vaccine online at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or call 119 without needing an invitation.

If you are eligible to use this service

Centre, Al-Emaan Mosque in Bromley and the Lewisham Islamic Centre.

Ali Abdullah, who is a member at Peckham Islamic Centre Mosque, said: “I took the vaccine at Peckham Islamic Centre Mosque.

“The NHS staff came to the mosque and explained to me that the vaccine is halal and does not contain meat products.

“I personally think the vaccine is good thing to take as prevention is very important. I am very happy I have had the vaccine.” but cannot get an appointment, speak to your GP surgery. Information about pop-up clinics will be added to the South East London Clinical Commissioning Group website here: https://selondonccg.nhs.uk/whatwe-do/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine/ pop-up-clinics/ If you are not eligible for the vaccine yet, wait to be contacted. The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have the vaccine.

Local arts groups get a share of the £12 million cultural recovery fund These include a local gallery, nightclub and ballet company

By Kit Heren kit@southwarknews.co.uk South London Gallery, Corsica Studios and ballet company Rambert are among the south-east London cultural organisations that have been awarded more than £12m in government funding as the country emerges from Covid-19 lockdown.

More than 135 groups in Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham have been given about £12.5m through Arts Council England as part of the latest stage of the Culture Recovery Fund.

Rambert, a contemporary ballet company based on the South Bank, has

been given £393,000 for community dance classes and rehearsals for new work online.

South London Gallery in Peckham, which won the Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2020 and specialises in modern art, got £193,000. The gallery said it would use the money to plan and present exhibitions and events when it reopens.

Nightclub and live music space Corsica Studios, in Elephant & Castle, got £125,000, which will support the venue’s mix of online and in-person events.

Elsewhere, educational arts charity Peckham Platform landed just over £89,000 for skills training for young people between 16 and 21. British Youth Music Theatre, also in Peckham, got £82,500 to fund its summer 2021 programme, including training camps to “find the next rising star”.

BYMT’s patron, the actress Zoë Wanamaker, said: “Fantastic news.

BYMT has been awarded a grant in the second round of Arts Council England’s

[Culture] Recovery Fund.

“This grant will help to underpin our Summer Season; enable the commissioning and creation of new work – [ten] productions taking place around England this summer, including Halifax, Ipswich, Plymouth and London.”

It comes after the News also reported last week that Rotherhithe’s Brunel Museum was given more than £89,000 as part of the Culture Recovery Fund.

In Lambeth, the Young Vic theatre got nearly £220,000 to help staff reopen safely, and launch an interactive digital platform for people to watch performances at home. Brixtonbased “Youth-culture” radio station Reprezent was awarded £115,000 for artist training and live broadcasts.

Rapper Stormzy is among the station’s alumni. The Florence Nightingale museum at St Thomas’ hospital was given about £64,400.

The museum’s director David Green said: “The trustees of the Florence Nightingale Museum and I are very

grateful for the support of the Cultural Recovery Fund, which has made an immeasurable difference to our survival.

“Whilst deeply ironic, the threat of losing the museum at a time when the global nursing professions which Nightingale inspired were working so hard, was sadly very real twelve

months ago.

In Lewisham, music venue the New Cross Inn was awarded £112,500 for live-streamed events and future socially-distanced performances.

Some 2,700 cultural institutions across the UK have been awarded about £400m in grants and loans in the latest round of recovery funding.

10 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

Campaign against ‘infilling’ gains momentum Residents on estates fight building plans Exclusive

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk The campaign against ‘infilling’ is gathering momentum as more residents’ groups challenge proposals from Southwark Council that will see new council homes wedged into their estate’s communal gardens.

Last month we reported that Southwark Council had pulled out of plans to build on Nunhead’s Priory Court, after a feasibility survey found the proposals could not be justified for the small number of homes that could be squeezed onto the lawn and a community hall.

Although campaigners took this as a clear win, there are still other controversial ‘infill’ projects across

Southwark going full steam ahead. In total there are 28 estates across Southwark being considered for new homes, either in new storeys added on top of current blocks, or as new buildings squeezed into green spaces.

The schemes are part of Southwark Council’s ongoing commitment to build 11,000 new homes by 2043.

One of the largest developments in Peckham will see homes built on currently communal land and facilities land in Peckham, affecting Oliver Goldsmith and Linley Estates but, most of all, Bells Gardens.

The proposals, which were first put out for public consultation in 2019, would see Bells Gardens Park and community hall redeveloped. Although the council and architects say they are creating new, redesigned green space, playgrounds and sports facilities, as well as a community building, overall the three acre site will lose green space currently open to hundreds of residents. Existing mature trees will also be retained ‘where possible’ and one building includes plans for a green roof.

The final design will see 97 new housing units built, of which around a third (32 in

total) will be for private sale and 62 for social rent.

A residents’ campaign has now been set up to lobby against the build, describing the estate as ‘this year’s Heygate’ due to the large number of private flats being built both within and outside the footprint of the estate.

Infilling is just part of a wider development of more than 2,000 properties slated for the area, many of which already have planning permission, including a nine-story private block and student accommodation.

The Save Bells Gardens campaign said: “Who demolishes or displaces two massive estates to give to private development and then pledges to build 11,000 new council homes by hijacking precious green space from other estates and vulnerable communities to build on?

Only Southwark Council of course.”

Brenchley Gardens Estate has also been identified by Tooley Street as a site suitable for ‘infilling’. More than 600 people have signed a petition against the designs which outline a block of new flats on communal gardens at the corner of Brockley Way, as well as new ‘rooftop homes’; adding an extra storey onto each

By Kit Heren

By Kit Heren kit@southwarknews.co.uk Bermondsey residents are to get another 49 council flats, after a plan for two new blocks on the Rennie Estate got the green light.

The new development on Galleywall Road includes ten three-bed flats and two four-beds, plans show. Some 17 will be two-bed flats and the other 20 will have one bed.

The scheme will also include two playgrounds and an outdoor gym for adults. The plans will also see a new "communal amenity space" added, as well as better landscaping and improved lighting at the back of the estate, Southwark Council said.

The buildings will be on the site of garages, next to Trevithick House.

One of the blocks will be twelve storeys and the other will have five floors. Some local residents have objected on the planning application about a possible loss of light from the new buildings, but a

report commissioned by the council found the impact on sunlight to be "acceptable".

Councillor Stephanie Cryan, cabinet member for council housing, said, “I’m thrilled this development now has planning permission and will be going ahead. These new homes will be perfect for local people in housing need in the borough, providing the safe, secure homes they desperately need.

"And I know that adults and children living on Rennie Estate will be delighted with the new playgrounds, gym and other improvements we’ll be making there.

The new development will use air source heat pumps to provide heating and hot water. absorbing heat from the outside air instead of burning fossil fuels, which the council said means lower carbon emissions and lower costs for residents.

Work is due to get started towards the end of this year and finish two years later in winter 2023.

“It is well evidenced that access to green space is not only good for our mental health but one of the keys to a thriving community. And that's what we are at Brenchley Gardens.

“We grow our own fruit and veg, make compost, have BBQs, picnics, look out for one another - we are a community.”

The green space has been a saviour in the lockdown

Block A and B viewed across from Linear Park

residents fight to keep sports area

Exclusive

49 council homes agreed for Bermondsey estate

of the four existing blocks. There are currently 91 homes in the small estate.

The plans would create another 40.

Kasia Sko, who set up the petition, said: “We are all for more social housing but not when we can't trust the council or at the detriment of green space.”

She said the communal gardens were intrinsic to both the estate’s sense of community and the health of its residents.

“The green space has been a saviour in lock down for those of us with small children, older people who do not feel comfortable walking too far away and generally for our mental health.

kit@southwarknews.co.uk Residents of a Borough estate have hit out at plans to tear down a community sports area to build new social housing.

Some residents of the Elim Estate on Long Lane are upset that the plans, submitted by Leathermarket Community Benefit Society (CBS) in December, would mean losing the ballcourt, which one local called “an important space for young people to come together and blow off steam”.

Residents also claimed that they had not been properly consulted by Leathermarket CBS, a non-profit group that works to build homes for social rent on infill sites in Southwark. Sister company Leathermarket Joint Management Board (JMB) manages the Elim Estate.

The proposal, which will go before Southwark’s planning committee later this year, is to build 32 new homes, all for social rent. The two blocks would be on the current site of the ballcourt and some garages respectively.

Plans also include a garden, “community hub” and indoor sports hall, but residents, who asked to stay anonymous, pointed out the difference between an outdoor court that anyone can walk up and play on and an indoor space that could need booking.

Various documents submitted with the plans call the ballcourt “under-used”, after 42 people either told Leathermarket CBS that they rarely or never used it, or did not know

about it. But other Elim Estate residents said the ballcourt was vital for the wellbeing of the community.

“The ballcourt has always been important for us and our kids, but even more so in Covid when we have had to stay indoors so much,” said a woman with two children who has lived on the estate for more than a decade.

“This is the only open space we can go to easily,” she added. “It’s a nice space to come and be in, not just for kids and also other people come, not just people from the estate.

It’s a good place for people to mix.”

Residents also claimed that Leathermarket had not carried out a proper consultation.“They did door knocking,” the woman said. “But I’ve spoken to lots of people on the estate who said they’d never spoken to anyone. Some people didn’t even know that the plans were in.”

Leathermarket said in a planning document that it had “undertaken considerable efforts” to engage with local people and carried out several forms of consultation, including door-knocking, letters, webinars and dropin events over more around two years. But just twelve people came to one drop-in event, according to documents submitted with plans - in an estate with 92 households. Other events were better attended.

A petition submitted by campaign group Save the Long Lane Ballcourt and Garden, bearing the signatures of 112 locals, calls on Leathermarket to withdraw the application and “act in the community’s genuine best interests by engaging residents in open and honest consultations.”

Leathermarket said that of the people who signed the petition, around a third do not live

on the estate and so do not contribute to the upkeep of the ballcourt.

Some 133 objections have been made to the planning application while there are 25 comments in favour. The plans are due to be considered in May or June this year.

Leathermarket also pointed to the long waiting list for housing in Southwark, with 13,000 waiting for affordable housing in the borough and 3,300 in temporary accommodation. Some Elim Estate residents themselves are in unsuitable housing, including a family with three children living in a bedsit.

Asked about the pressing need to build social housing in the borough, locals said the area around their estate was already very densely populated.

The plans also include a play area to the west of where the ball court is now, 33 new trees (although thirteen are to be cut down), CCTV and improved lighting.

John Lynch, vice-chair of Leathermarket JMB, said: “The JMB is a resident managed organisation and the big message coming back to us is the lack of re-housing options for our tenants who are overcrowded or have homes unsuitable for their medical needs.

We set up a sister company, Leathermarket CBS, to build new homes to be let at council rents. I’m enormously proud of what they have achieved in building homes for residents who are in housing need, including those living on the Elim Estate. However, each time I get approached by someone living in a bedsit with a couple of children or an older person who is housebound because they can’t get down the stairs I know that there is more to do.”

ADVERTORIAL

Important information about COVID Vaccinations in Southwark Getting your first vaccine

If you are due your second dose

If you are over 45, an eligible frontline health or care worker, a carer or clinically vulnerable and have not yet had your vaccine, please book an appointment as soon as you can to protect you. As well as being able to book an appointment at selected pharmacies or vaccination centres across London through the national booking system, (www.nhs.uk or call 119) there are appointments available at Southwark GP vaccination sites. Please check which site covers your GP practice and contact the site to book. Details are below.

The nationally agreed gap between the first and second dose of the vaccine for COVID-19 is between 11 to 12 weeks. Your second dose will be the same vaccine as your first one. Everyone who has had their first vaccine has a second vaccine reserved for them. Appointments for second dose vaccines are being offered to everyone who is due to have one. Please wait to be contacted with your appointment. If it is 11 weeks since your first dose but you have not yet been contacted to book your second appointment, please call the site where you had your first dose. Details are below.

Additional walk-in vaccination slots and ‘pop-up’ clinics are being added regularly. No appointment is needed at these clinics. Please check www.selondonccg.nhs.uk for updates.

If you had your first dose at a hospital please contact them directly about your second dose.

Primary Care Networks South Southwark PCN Site

Primary Care Network North Southwark PCN Site Practices Trafalgar Surgery Falmouth Road Surgery Nexus Health Group Old Kent Road Surgery Penrose Surgery Silverlock Medical Centre Park Medical Centre Albion Street Group Practice Bermondsey Spa Medical Centre Villa Street Medical Centre Blackfriars Medical Centre New Mill Street Surgery 301 East Street Surgery

Guy’s and St Thomas’: CovidVaccineBookings@gstt.nhs.uk and King’s: kch-tr.covidvaccine@nhs.net or call 020 3299 6586

Vaccination Site The Artesian Health Centre SE1 3GF Email: qhs.covidvaccination @nhs.net Tel: 07342 676194

ML4524 NHS SEL CCG COVID-19 Update A4 NHS Southwark CCG Full Page Newspaper Ad FIN.indd 1

Practices Vaccination Site The Forest Hill Road Tessa Jowell Health Centre Group Practice SE22 8EY The Acorn & Gaumont Email: souccg.epcs.ihl.southwark @nhs.net House Surgery Tel: 020 8194 7570 Camberwell Green Surgery Parkside Medical Centre DMC Healthcare Chadwick Road Queens Road Practice St Giles Surgeries Elm Lodge Surgery 306 Medical Centre Sternhall Lane Surgery Tessa Jowell GP Surgery Lister Primary Care Centre – Dr Aru & Partners Practice The Gardens Surgery The Dulwich Medical Centre The Lordship Lane Surgery The Nunhead Surgery The Lister Practice

14/04/2021 09:23

12 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

jean’s moving video in fight against knife crime

By Kit Heren

kit@southwarknews.co.uk A woman whose son was murdered in Borough has urged mothers to take an active role in helping stamp out knife crime in London.

Jean Foster, whose son Chris was stabbed to death in a case of mistaken identity outside St Christopher’s Inn, on Borough High Street in 2013, said she had been “watching gang culture spreading like a virus” in recent years.

Now Jean is one of five women in a video produced by the Met Police encouraging other women to come forward with any information - however minor - that could help end the bloodshed.

“Police can’t do everything but everyone can do something,” Jean said. “By staying quiet, you’re allowing the gangs to run riot unchallenged.

“My grandchildren are getting to an age where it’s becoming so hard on the streets for them - and I want them to feel safe.

“If we all work together, not with the police but alongside the police, neighbourhood watch, everybody, we might just be able to curb gang culture.

“We’re never going to get rid of it - but we might just make the streets a little bit safer.”

Jean added that her other reason for taking part in the video is finding the other people who may be connected to her son’s death.

“I got involved because I wanted to keep Chris’ murder in the media. There are still two suspects at large and we need more evidence.”

Jean pointed out that people who want to help but who do not want to call the police should get in touch with the independent charity Crimestoppers.

Crimestoppers pass on any useful information to the police but the people who give the tip-offs always stay anonymous.

“It may feel like a hard call but your call could stop someone else’s child being killed,” Jean said. “The hardest call of all is telling a loved one that someone has been murdered.

“I want to make an appeal to the people of Southwark. There’s a lot of good people in Southwark on the estates, and I lived on estates for many, many years.”

The other mothers to speak out alongside Jean were Lorraine Jones, whose

son Dwayne, 20, was killed in Brixton in 2014; Lillian Serunkuma, whose 15-yearold son Quamari Serunkuma-Barnes was stabbed outside his school gates in 2017, Yvonne Lawson, who lost her 17-year-old son Godwin in 2010, and Becky Beston, whose son Archie, 19, was killed in Kingston in February last year.

Met Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said: “This campaign would not have been possible without the strength and courage of these mothers, who have relived the traumatic calls they had to make in hope that it will prevent other families suffering, as they have.

“I have no doubt that these tragic accounts will resonate with Londoners, and will hopefully encourage them to pick up the phone and call Crimestoppers, anonymously, with any information they might have.

“We understand this is a difficult thing to ask - but you don’t have to name names and even a small piece of information could be vital. Making that one call could literally save the life of someone’s son or daughter.”

Crimestoppers director of operations Mick Duthie added: “Hearing the mums speak in such an honest, frank and

By Kit Heren kit@southwarknews.co.uk parts of Potters Fields by the Mayor of London’s building could be shut off at night after an increase in anti-social behaviour.

Police appeal after the death of teen Levi Ernest-Morrison

By Katherine Johnston

katherine@southwarknews.co.uk The seventeen-yearold found fatally stabbed in Sydenham last Saturday has been named as Levi Ernest-Morrison.

Police were called to the junction of Hazel Grove and Sydenham Road at 7.19pm on the evening of Saturday, April 10, to reports of a stabbing.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics he was pronounced dead shortly after 8pm.

A post-mortem examination held on Monday, April 12, gave his preliminary cause of death as a stab wound leading to catastrophic blood loss.

The day before a 35-year-old was arrested on suspicion of murder. She remains in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Norman, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are appealing for anyone who was in the area on Saturday evening to come forward and speak with us.

“One piece of information, no matter how small, could prove vital in us being able to provide Levi’s family with the answers they need.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to call 101, providing the reference CAD6072/10APR. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.

heartfelt way about losing a son to knife crime is incredibly humbling.

“I truly admire their courage and determination to warn others in their own words about the danger of not speaking up.”

Contact the charity anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppersuk.org. Calls and computer IP addresses are never traced.

Jean said: “I feel like I’m a dot on a join the dots picture. If we all join the dots

Watch the video

nline

southwarknews.co.uk up we might be able to create a brighter future. But we’ve all got to do it together.”

Watch Jean’s video on the News website

Anti-social behaviour means park by Mayor’s office could be partly fenced off Exclusive

Levi Ernest-Morrison

The hardest call of all is telling a loved one that someone has been murdered

The popular park near Tower Bridge could be partly fenced off at night following a rise in violence, noise, drug taking and theft, as well as other antisocial behaviour like urination and defecation, after the recent relaxations of lockdown rules allowed “hundreds” of people to gather in local public spaces.

Residents complained to their local councillor about groups of people roaming around, getting into fights and urinating and pooing in the area around Potters Fields Park and City Hall. The bad behaviour started to ramp up over the Easter weekend, the first weekend when people were allowed to meet in groups of six.

Humaira Ali, the Lib Dem councillor for London Bridge and West Bermondsey, had dozens of complaints from locals and raised the issue with police, council licensing officers and local business groups.

Measures suggested to combat this behaviour included adding more patrols

in the area, confiscating alcohol - and even fencing off the larger lawns of Potters Fields Park temporarily, although there were concerns about the cost and safety of this step.

Police officers told Cllr Ali in an email that they were preparing for more disturbances as pubs reopened this week, but said that this could also bring more organisation and structure, compared to when people could only buy takeaway pints - as well as cutting the problem of public urination, as people will have access to pub toilets.

They added that there would be more patrols out in the area over the evenings and they would be cracking down on loud music in parks and open spaces.

But officers appeared resigned to the fact that locals would be disturbed by the recent relaxations, adding that “outdoor drinking will inevitably bring noise disturbance for those living in adjacent flats”.

A council anti-social behaviour manager told Cllr Ali that businesses on nearby Druid Street, Enid Street, Bermondsey Street and in Borough Market have been given letters warning them to stay in line with rules. She said that the council is trying to put in CCTV cameras to cover Potters Fields and Tooley Street and licensing officers have been on patrol in recent weeks.

The manager added that police have

the power to confiscate any alcohol if they think there is a risk of the person drinking it behaving in an anti-social way or causing alarm.

A representative of the Potters Field Park management trust said that they were considering fencing off parts of the park temporarily, putting in more bins to combat littering, and speaking to the nearby Tesco on Tooley Street about the effect of late-night alcohol sales, as well as discussing a funding application for better street lighting.

Cllr Ali held a meeting on Wednesday evening, after the News went to press, giving local residents a chance to raise concerns and hear from the police, business groups and the council.

The discussions come as a 19-year-old man was stabbed in the early hours of Sunday morning near City Hall.

Teenager stabbed near Mayor’s City Hall

By Kevin Quinn kevin@southwarknews.co.uk Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses after a stabbing in the very early hours of Sunday morning near City Hall.

Police were called by London Ambulance Service at 12.18am on Sunday, 11 April, to a report of man

with stab injuries in the More London Riverside area, next to the Mayor of London's building by Tower Bridge.

A nineteen-year-old was found suffering stab injuries. He has been taken to hospital.

While police await a full assessment, they have said his condition is 'not believed to be life-threatening'.

An investigation is under way to

establish the circumstances and no arrest had been made at the time of going to press.

Any witnesses, or anyone with information that may assist police, are asked to call 101 quoting reference 127/11april.Police emphasised that members of the public should make the call and that calls can be made anonymously viua Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective.

Keep yourself safe and protect the NHS by getting the jab when it’s your turn.

@lb_southwark

facebook.com/southwarkcouncil

@southwarkcouncil

Find out more at www.southwark.gov.uk/covidvaccine

14 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

£1.2 million ‘stealth cut’ for poorer pupils

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Southwark politicians have hit out at the government’s ‘stealth cut’ that will see schools in the borough miss out on £1.2 million in pupil premium funding for disadvantaged children.

In our report earlier this month the News highlighted that the change in how funding is calculated would see pupils who first became eligible for free school meals during the second wave of the pandemic left without extra support.

The government has decided to change the cut-off date to last October, rather than January this year as usual.

In the same period, across the country the number of people claiming Universal Credit rose by 5.5 per cent.

It is believed that as many as 120,000 children could miss out on up to £155 million in support across the nation.

In Southwark, around 892 primary pupils will not receive their pupil premium, a move that Cllr Jasmine Ali, deputy leader of Southwark Labour and cabinet member for children, young people and education, described as ‘beggaring belief’.

“The Conservatives can afford a 40 per cent pay-rise for Dominic Cummings and billions in crony contracts for their mates, but when it comes to support for disadvantaged children in Southwark, they are cutting every corner they can find.

“The £1.2 million our children are missing out on, while this country throws billions after billions at a test and trace system that hasn’t worked, means children not getting laptops, lessons and support they need after a truly terrible year.

“Thanks to Southwark residents and council match funding we recently raised half a million pounds for children’s laptops through Laptops for Learning, but we shouldn’t need charity to make up for Conservative cruelty.

“It beggars belief that this government thinks it can use an accounting con to short change children in Southwark.

“They have the wrong priorities and they are making the wrong decisions – time for another U-turn, and now.”

Kate Green MP, Labour’s shadow education secretary, said: “The Conservatives’ stealth cut to school budgets shows their disregard for children’s futures as we recover from this pandemic.

Specialist sexual health service for trans people receives new funding for next two years

“Their mishandling of the COVID crisis has kept children out of school, missing out on learning and time with friends, and now they are cutting support to help children most likely to have struggled with learning over the last year.

“The Conservatives have neglected children through this pandemic and now risk leaving them behind in our recovery.”

In March Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle wrote to education minister Nick Gibb asking for clarity on how the changes would affect pupils, and why they were being implemented.

Gibb’s reply said that moving the date back to October would provide ‘greater certainty around future funding levels’.

Cllr Jasmine Ali

Walworth’s Aylesbury Estate hit by two fires in a week

Photo by Wesley Evans

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Firefighters dealt with two blazes on Walworth's Aylesbury Estate last week.

On Saturday, April 10, crews scrambled to Inville Road after a bin caught fire shortly before 4pm.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson told the News: "The contents of a large refuse container on the ground floor of an eight storey block were destroyed by the fire.

"None of the properties were affected and there were no reports of any injuries."

The fire was brought under control by 4.33pm.

The blaze followed a fire in Wendover on Wednesday, April 7, caused by a resident discarding a cigarette from a balcony in Thurlow Street.

Councillors say fire safety improvements are ongoing across the estate.

As well as sexual health, the clinic also works with other agencies including mental health support and social services

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk

A first-of-its kind specialist sexual health service for trans people will be funded for at least two more years after receiving financial support from Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham councils.

The King's College Hospital based service is run in partnership with cliniQ, a specialist organisation helping trans and non binary people access sexual health support. Since opening in April 2019 its holistic approach has received positive feedback from patients.

The site provides STI testing and treatment; contraception; cervical screening; hormone testing, injections and advice; sexual assault and hate crime support, housing advice and preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment to prevent HIV transmission.

Although the primary focus of its resident staff - a doctor, nurse, support

worker and counsellor - is sexual health, the groundbreaking clinic also works with other agencies including mental health support and social services.

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust announced the clinic would continue operating on Trans Day of Visibility, March 31.

Dr Michael Brady, a consultant in sexual health and HIV at King’s, and national advisor for LGBT health at NHS England, said: “Patients using our transgender sexual health service have told us that the care we provide helps people feel safe, respected and, in many cases, it changes peoples’ lives.

“Services like this one, delivered

by King’s in partnership with cliniQ, provide essential care and support and it’s great to see the commitment from our local authority commissioners in continuing to support this vital service.”

Michelle Ross the founder of cliniQ, said: “cliniQ at King’s is fundamental in establishing trans and non-binary people’s health services in south London and further afield.

“At cliniQ sexual health and HIV are central to our services as are holistic health and wellbeing.

“Trans people are disproportionately affected by all health issues – it is cliniQ’s reason for beginning to change these inequalities.”

The feedback from patients has been overwhelmingly positive.

“It makes me feel relieved that someone is trying to help trans people,” said one patient.

“It’s so hard to transition, regrettably, and this service makes me feel safer.”

Teen arrested over Peckham Rye sex offences

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk A teenage boy has been arrested by detectives investigating three linked sex offences in Peckham Rye Park.

The teenager was arrested in the park at 4pm on Friday,April 9. He matched a description of the suspect which was circulated in an appeal shared by the News.

He was taken to a south London police station and bailed to return, pending further enquiries, on a date in late April.

The three offences all involved girls under the age of thirteen who were approached by a male, who exposed himself.

The first victim was targeted at around 5pm on New Year’s Eve. As well as exposing himself the male also tried to sexually assault her. He ran off when she screamed.

The second incident happened on Tuesday, March 2, at around 6pm when two girls reported that a male had exposed himself and performed a lewd act in front of them.

Another girl suffered an indecent exposure on Sunday, March 28, at around 4pm.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC providing the reference Op Primelea.

Alternatively information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

NEWS 15 NEWS 15

ADVERTORIAL

CONNECTING PARENTS TO PREMATURE BABIES A VIDEO messaging app launched on the neonatal unit (NNU) at Evelina London Children’s Hospital is helping to keep families connected with their babies even if they can’t be by their side.

Baby Barbara on the neonatal unit

SLEEPING TIPS FOR TEENAGERS

The vCreate app allows staff to send regular updates securely to families who are unable to be on the unit with their children. A new feature on the app also allows families to record their own messages to be played, enabling the baby to hear all the voices of their family members.

Parents Jenny Clarke and John Britton, from Hastings, used the app when their daughter Barbara was recently cared for on the unit. Barbara was born prematurely at 27 weeks in September 2020, at William Harvey Hospital in Kent, before being transferred twice to Evelina London for bowel surgery over the following months.

HERE FOR YOU

A nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’

PATIENTS SHOULD continue to attend their appointments at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Evelina London

SLEEP SPECIALISTS at Evelina London Children’s Hospital have developed a resource pack for teenagers with some top tips for sleeping, and encouraging them to view sleep as part of their overall health.

Over the past year, many normal routines have been disrupted and so sleeping well can be challenging.

Dr Michael Farquhar, consultant in paediatric sleep medicine at Evelina London, said: “Especially during teenage years, good sleep is essential to support both physical and mental health. Simple strategies can help teenagers improve the quality of sleep they get.”

Mum, Jenny, said: “As we don’t live close to the hospital, we relied on public transport to visit Barbara, which has been especially difficult over the past few months. The staff on NNU are amazing. The photos and messages about Barbara really reassured us, and reduced the anxiety of not being able to visit her daily.

She also has seven siblings so they’ve loved being able to see photos of her as she grows.”

Elaine Wood, neonatal sister at Evelina London, said: “We know it can be challenging for parents to stay with their babies all the time and this can cause a lot of anxiety and stress.

“When a baby is admitted to our unit, we sign the family up to vCreate. The app has been vital in helping families feel closely connected to their loved ones during these difficult times”.

The service is free to use thanks to support from the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity.

unless you hear from us. If you or your child need urgent care our emergency department (A&E) at St Thomas’ Hospital is always open.

We are taking lots of extra measures to keep you safe at our hospitals and it is important that you seek medical help if you or your child needs it. If you have an emergency, call 999.

While many appointments are able to happen virtually, if you have been invited to come into any of our sites for a face-to-face appointment or surgery, or if you require urgent care, it is important that you attend.

If you are coming to our hospitals or community sites for an appointment you will see we’ve introduced a number of measures to help people ‘stay safe and keep apart’. If you are a patient with a long term condition please do keep in touch with your clinical team.

Please visit www.guysandstthomas. nhs.uk for more information, including the steps we are taking to keep you safe, and the best way to contact us, which may include by email or telephone.

COVID-19 VACCINATION • • • •

Top tips include: Removing screen time in the hour before bed Avoiding caffeine and sugary drinks after lunch Building a calm bedtime routine Addressing any worries during the daytime

THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against coronavirus. Guy’s and St Thomas’ is working hard to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to those who need it most.

You can find out if you are eligible and book your COVID-19 vaccination appointment by visiting www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination or by calling 119, free of charge. You may also be contacted directly by your hospital or GP.

16 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

southwark angels Helping in crisis

By Kit Heren

Oakley’s story hightlights the work of the cats team

A newborn baby whose liver and heart were failing was rushed by helicopter from Norfolk to King’s College Hospital.

Oakley Miles-Slade was born in Norwich at the end of January and soon became unwell, with a liver condition causing heart failure, among other life-threatening conditions.

Five-day-old Oakley needed to be transferred to King’s urgently for specialist treatment. A four-hour car journey may have been too but the helicopter that would have taken him was out of service.

The Norwich coastguard was contacted to fly Oakley down to London to King’s, landing on the Camberwell hospital’s 24-hour helipad after a 45-minute flight.

Meanwhile his parents were also travelling to King’s separately.

Oakley’s father, Lewis Slade, said, “It has been very difficult to see our new baby so unwell but you just have to trust in the professionals. It’s amazing how they all worked together to get Oakley the care he needed.

“Since being treated at King’s, Oakley’s kidney function has returned to normal, meaning he has

not required dialysis, and he has been brought off the ventilator and is now breathing for himself. We know it will be a while before we can take him home but we’d like to thank everyone involved in helping our son,” he said.

Dr Thomas Bycroft, Consultant in Paediatric Intensive Care at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Children's Acute Transport Service (CATS) at Great Ormond Street Hospital said: "I was incredibly proud to be part of the Children's Acute Transport Service (CATS) on call that night, which helped get Oakley the urgent care he needed from the team at King's.

“Bringing the skills of specialised nurses and intensive care doctors on the road - by land or air - and to the bedside of critically ill children can make all the difference in situations like this. Each year the team enables the safe transfer of around 1,200 sick babies and children from 50 hospitals in the North Thames and East Anglia regions to specialist hospitals in London and Cambridge.

“The specialist advice we can provide during the transfer also

goes a long way to ensure a smooth transition into a paediatric intensive care setting, which gives children like Oakley the best chance of survival."

“Our Paediatric Liver Centre is a national hub providing a highly specialised service to children with

uk’s first wallball court

A new sport has arrived in the UK and its first court - free for anyone to use - is in Bankside.

Wallball, which involves hitting a ball against a wall with your hand with a partner - a bit like the Basque sport pelota - is a cheap and simple way of getting people active and improving their physical and mental health.

The game has been popular in New York, a similarly dense city where space is a premium, for years. Now

the first UK court has been opened in Marlborough Sport Gardens.

Anyone who wants to play can take a ball from the free vending machine, watch an instructional video by scanning a QR code with their phone - and then get going.

The court was opened last week by UK Wallball, with support from the Bankside Open Spaces Trust and the Jack Petchey Foundation, a charity for young people.

Daniel Grant, UK Wallball director

and an NHS doctor, said the new court was “incredibly exciting”.

“Any player is going to have a brilliant time playing and with everything we’ve installed here you don’t even need a coach. You can literally teach yourself by watching a video and grabbing a ball from the vending machine. Wallball’s greatest strength is its simplicity and that is playing out in full here.

“Behind the scenes, by breaking down barriers to getting active, initiatives like this will help to improve both the physical and mental health of anyone who engages, either as players on the court or as artists, BBQ chefs, DJs and volunteers off it.”

Gemma Dunbar, Head of Programme Development at the Jack Petchey Foundation said: “We love the way that any young person can turn up, learn a new game with their friends, meet new people, get active, burn off steam, enjoy the outdoors safely and be healthy and have fun. Wallball is a fantastic sport!”

Helena, an 11-year- old local girl who attended the opening said: “I got a ball from the machine so I can play with my friends. It’s awesome!”

UK Wallball plans to follow in the footsteps of New York, which now has about 2,500 wallball courts.

liver problems,” added Dr Akash Deep, Clinical Lead for Paediatric Intensive Care at King’s, who took the phone call for help. “We are the largest service of its type in the world so we knew we had the expertise to care for baby Oakley.

He had a benign diffuse liver tumour (hemangioendothelioma), which required coil embolisation of blood vessels as the excess blood supply through the arteriovenous malformation (AVM), was causing heart failure and acute kidney injury.”

afro-pop art gets a showing

A Southwark cultural centre for black people in London has installed new murals by a famous Parisian artist.

The Africa Centre added the wall paintings by French-Ivorian illustrator Aurelia Durand on hoardings on the outside of its headquarters on Great Suffolk Street in Borough at the end of March.

The murals will stay up until construction work on the building ends in the autumn of this year.

“Aurelia’s colourful and vibrant afro-pop style is a reflection of the

centre’s renewed vision for the future – engaging with members of the community across generations,” a spokesperson for the centre said in a statement.

The Africa Centre, founded more than 60 years ago, moved from its former base in Covent Garden in 2013 and called Southwark “a great fit” for its programme.

Durand said her art “represents Afro-descendants as joyful, proud, and empowered — a united community whose destinies are intertwined.”

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Ferdinand launches new youth project Former Manchester United and England footballer Rio Ferdinand has launched a new programme to “put a spotlight on young people” in the fight against racism and other kinds of inequality.

Ferdinand, who grew up in Peckham and went on to play more than 80 times for his country, said he wanted to inspire young people “to get involved, to create projects and to participate”.

He said in a video that the United Against Racism project would give young people “the tools to make a difference in their community”, in areas including sports, arts and digital skills.

“United Against Racism bring[s] together communities, businesses and other stakeholders to support young people and empower them to develop skills and deliver projects that will tackle inequality and racism in their neighbourhoods,” Ferdinand added in a statement.

“It’s a youth-led initiative to bring communities together through the

power of sports, music and all areas of popular culture, underpinned by training and skills-based activities to help them achieve their potential in life.”

“Our programmes will be delivered face to face in communities and online and will have a reach across the UK and Ireland. I am proud of the young people that have built this programme to date and would like to ask people to get involved and support our young people in any way they can to deliver change and tackle racism at a grassroots level.”

United Against Racism has backing from companies and organisations like Sky, UEFA and the Black Police Association. The year-long programme is being run as part of Ferdinand’s charity the Rio Ferdinand Foundation (RFF).

Leo Brown, a youth ambassador for United Against Racism based in Belfast, added: “The RFF embodies all the values that I hold myself and I can’t wait to carry the torch and make a change in my city.”

“Things need to be done for all of us to communicate and express ourselves openly in safe spaces and the RFF has given me an opportunity to do that”

baby saved by the world’s only 3D scan at Evelina children's hospital

A baby boy has been saved by a 3D scan at Evelina London Children’s Hospital - the only hospital in the world with that technology.

Doctors found a problem with Leo’s heart in a routine scan when he was still in the womb, after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Mother Laura Teale was referred to the Royal Brompton Hospital cardiology unit, and then Evelina London Children’s Hospital - the only hospital in the world with a 3D MRI scanner.

The scan picked up that Leo had Total Anomalous Pulmonary Vein Damage a very serious condition where blood carrying oxygen does not flow back to the heart properly.

Doctors delivered Leo in an operating theatre in St Thomas’ hospital, with support from a Royal Brompton Hospital surgeon. Leo spent nearly three weeks in hospital after the operation - including twelve days

in intensive care - before he could go home.

Laura said: “Looking at Leo, you wouldn’t know he has a heart condition and a big operation.

“We feel incredibly lucky that Leo’s condition was picked up. No-one wants to have that diagnosis, but for Leo it might have been a completely different story if his condition hadn’t been picked up before he was born.

“This has saved his life and given him a better life. We’ve benefitted from this great partnership with specialists at Royal Brompton, Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Evelina London.

“We appreciate so much what all the doctors and nurses have done for Leo and us during this past year. We could never thank them enough.”

Dr David Lloyd, from Evelina London, said: “It’s wonderful to see Leo doing so well. 3D fetal MRI scans allow our teams to see the baby’s heart, lungs and blood vessels in more detail before

The videos, on anxiety, sadness and anger, are meant to “encourage young people to think about how they can manage their own negative emotions”, which may have been made worse over the past year of Covid-19 disruption.

Professor Andrea Danese, a consultant psychiatrist leads the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust’s (SLaM) CAMHS Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression Clinic, says: “Over the last year young people have been robbed of the support that friends provide.

“They have also lost out on many of the rites of passage that generations have taken for granted – such as bidding farewell to school, attending festivals, and leaving home.”

Professor Danese, who is also a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) added: “They have lost the stability of education, battled unfair exam grades and entered a bleak jobs market. Many will also have lost older relatives to Covid-19.”

“We hope that these films will help them overcome the anxiety, sadness and anger that are understandable

responses to such adversity. The films also have broad messages on emotions that will remain relevant even once the Covid-19 emergency is over.”

The project is funded by UK Research and Innovation. The IoPPN has worked with SLaM, the McPin Foundation, the production company TOAD and social media experts Passion Digital.

Young people co-produced the material through workshops and active engagement in content production and promoting the films.

Ashlea, a McPin Young People’s network member, said: “Working on the KeepCool Project has been a really wonderful experience. The team at McPin have facilitated an open and comfortable space which allowed me to be honest in sharing my mental health experiences. Our personal experiences have been used to directly shape the project and film.

“It has been great to work alongside young people with a range of ages and experiences in the workshops.

Those doing their A Levels have very different insights to those finishing their PHDs for example! I very much hope that the finished videos will be a space to validate young people who have suffered during the pandemic, but also provide some useful tools for managing times of high stress.”

Watch the first video at: www.kcl. ac.uk/research/keepcool

they are born. This enables us to give the best possible care to babies and their families.

Dr Laura Vazquez-Garcia, from Royal Brompton Hospital, said: “I’m very pleased that Leo is doing well.

By sharing expertise and technology with Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Evelina London, we’ve been able to give Leo the best chance at good health.

Leo, who is now seven months old, continues to be closely monitored at Evelina London.

kasten leaping back into life

exploring emotions on film

Doctors at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust have helped create short videos that explore negative emotions felt by young people.

NEWS 17

A young boy who was in Evelina London Children’s Hospital for six weeks with a rare condition that left him unable to speak, eat or walk is raising money for the doctors and nurses who “saved his life”.

Kasten Grol, from Sevenoaks in Kent, was rushed to hospital in 2018 after having a seizure. His condition worsened and doctors diagnosed him with autoimmune encephalitis after he had 50 more seizures in his first four days in the children’s hospital.

“Kasten was like a completely different little boy,” his mother Francisca said. “He began to lose his speech and slowly lost the ability to do anything, until finally he couldn’t even swallow. He would just lie there, staring off into the distance.”

After trying several different treatments, hospital staff hit on plasmapheresis - removing liquid plasma from Kasten’s blood, cleaning it and returning it to his body. Kasten slowly began to get better.

Francisca added: “Before the treatment we began to fear the worst,

but after it he began to walk and talk and has been slowly recovering since. It has been a long and sometimes difficult journey but he is doing so much better and is now back at school and doing really well.

“There are no words to describe how grateful we are to the team at Evelina London who cared for Kasten and still do to this day. They saved his life.

“Kasten adored his nurses. At Evelina London you get a multi-layered approach, you get the love, care and expertise of the nurses, as well as the professionalism and specialist knowledge of the doctors and clinicians.

“The fact they were able to diagnose his condition and treat him within a matter of days has significantly reduced the likelihood of him relapsing later in life.”

In early 2021, Kasten, 9, started asking his family about ways that he might be able to help raise some money for Evelina London as the country went into lockdown for a third time.

Francisca said: “Kasten has always thrown himself into different

opportunities and is incredibly enthusiastic. He always has been and thankfully didn’t lose this through his illness and was determined to do something to show his support for Evelina London.”

Kasten added: “I’d seen lots of adults raising money but I thought it was time for kids to do it too. I saw a TV show about a boy who started his own business and that’s when I had the idea of doing the same and how Leap Into Life started.”

He soon came up with the idea of Leap Into Life, a t-shirt brand that spreads a positive message. 50 per cent of the profits will go to Evelina London.

Kasten designed the Leap Into Life website and came up with the Leap Into Life logo himself, which has the image of a person jumping, along with a yin and yang symbol.

Kasten said: “The logo means “luck” to me. It is me leaping back into my life after the doctors and nurses and everyone at Evelina London saved my life. They save so many other people and they mean so much to me.”

The new business was a success: Kasten soon sold out of his first batch of t-shirts, and has already made more. “I already have other plans for Leap Into Life,” he added . “I’d like to make a hat or maybe a wristband.”

Dr Ming Lim, paediatric neurology consultant at Evelina London, said: “It’s fantastic to see how well Kasten is recovering and we’re so thankful he’s decided to raise money for Evelina London. Leap Into Life is an extremely apt name for Kasten’s t-shirt brand.

He is an energetic and determined boy who hasn’t let his illness hold him back.

“I’ve no doubt that Kasten is doing as well as he is thanks to his loving family, who have encouraged and supported him throughout.

“We wish Kasten the best of luck with his fundraising and can’t wait to see what he designs next.”

To buy a Leap Into Life t-shirt, visit: h www.leapintolife.co.uk

18 NEWS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

Image by Google Street View

Pepys Park

Police appeal after 15-year-old ‘gang raped in Pepys Park’

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Police are appealing for information after reports that a fifteen-year-old girl was gang raped in Pepys Park.

Officers say this 'horrific incident' is said to have happened on Monday, March 22, around 4.30pm and want anyone who was in or near the park at that time to get in touch.

In the appeal police said that the teenage girl had just got off a bus and was walking toward the park, which is in Deptford is just off Millard Road, when she sat on a bench near the football cages and was approached by three boys.

It is claimed that two of the boys stole her phone and ran off and, after she and the third male followed them into another area of the park, all three are then said to have pinned her down and raped her.

One of the suspects is described as black, aged approximately sixteen or seventeen and with no facial hair.

He was wearing a blue beanie, a black ‘Kings Will Dream’ coat with fur around the hood and black and grey trainers. He also has silver caps on two of his teeth.

Another is said to be a lighter skinned black boy of around the same age. He

had two earrings with one stud in each ear lobe. He had a high-top hairstyle with slight stubble.

He was wearing a black Zavetti, kneelength coat with a yellow and red brand mark on the sleeve.

The third suspect is also described as black with light skin and around sixteen or seventeen years of age. He was wearing a durag, a black coat, and black tracksuit bottoms.

Detective Constable Daniel Weeks, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are doing our utmost to provide the victim with support from specially trained officers following this horrific incident.

“I am asking members of the public who were in the park that day to think carefully about whether you saw the males described.

“Did you see anyone acting suspiciously? What were they doing and where did they go?

“No matter how small or insignificant you think your information might be, it could be hugely significant for our investigation.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to get in contact with police via 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD: 7933/01APR21.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Peckham’s Rose gets Morrisons to give away 25 million sunflower seeds

By Katherine Johnston katherine@southwarknews.co.uk Morrisons is giving away 25 million sunflower seeds to customers this week to help ‘spread hope and lift the nation’ and it’s all thanks to a Peckham store staff member.

Rose Morgan, a community champion based at Morrisons Peckham, came up with the idea of giving away free seeds to help celebrate the end of lockdown.

The packets of ten seeds, which will grow into dwarf sunflowers between six and fourteen inches tall, will also be donated to schools, care homes and community groups.

In all, the supermarket chain will be giving away 2.5 million packets across the country from this week.

Rose said: “Everyone is emerging from lockdown in different ways and I wanted to give my customers

fresh hope and food for the heart by putting smiles on as many faces as possible.

“I had the idea of using sunflower seeds to represent this new beginning and emailed David, our CEO, to tell him we’d be giving some away in our store in Peckham.

“I’m so happy he liked the idea and am very proud that it will now be taking place in all Morrisons stores.”

The company’s community champions are also launching the ‘Little Sunshine’ award to recognise those who have gone above and beyond in their local community throughout the pandemic.

Kath Brace and Isata Kabba, community champions in Walworth Road’s store, told the News: “We are looking for our own little sunshine in the community.

“Customers can pop into our branch and put any names forward.”

inquest into the london bridge attack in 2019 opened this week

Families pay tribute to the two killed

By Kit Heren kit@southwarknews.co.uk

Family and friends have paid tribute to the two young people killed in a terrorist attack on London Bridge in November 2019.

Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones were stabbed to death by Usman Khan at a criminal rehabilitation event at Fishmongers Hall on the north side of the bridge on November 29.

Merritt, 25, was “a force of good in the world, someone who made other people’s lives better for knowing him”, his mother Anne told an inquest into his and Jones’ deaths on Monday.

His girlfriend Leanne O’Brien said she would “miss the skip in your step and your huge famous Jack Merritt smile”, adding that the couple were “pretty inseparable” after they met.

“Jack fit perfectly into my life and was my biggest support and number one

fan,” O’Brien said. “He always got me through the really tough times when I really didn’t believe I could myself. He made me feel it was possible to achieve anything and everything.”

His friends added their own heartfelt tribute to the “immensely loyal” Merritt.

“Jack had a thirst for being a part of absolutely everything, and would travel the length and breadth of the country for his mates,” his friend Lewis said. “He attended every festival , every pub session, every gig, every night out, and every holiday. He couldn’t be stopped.

“Jack was also immensely loyal as a friend. He had an appetite for long and rambling phone conversations on a daily basis.

Jones’ family chose to give a brief statement about her, to keep the focus on the facts and evidence about her and Merritt’s deaths and respect her “private nature”.

Their lawyer Henry Pitchers QC told the inquest of Saskia’s work for Rape Crisis Cambridge, a support group for sexual assault survivors.

He added: “The positive impact Saskia had on so many people in challenging situations provided a valley of light for them to seek hope and a way forward.

“The grief and loss of the family and friends of Saskia continue to endure,

is personal to them, and it’s their wish that it remains so.”

Police giving evidence at the inquest said that Khan strapped eight-inch knives to his hands before attacking Merritt and Jones shortly before 2pm at the event. They both died at about 2.30pm, despite receiving treatment from other people at the event and paramedics.

Khan inflicted serious stab wounds, on two other people, but they both survived. Others received minor injuries.

Three men from the event bravely pursued Khan out onto London Bridge as police arrived. Khan was wearing what appeared to be a suicide vest, which was later discovered to be a “hoax”, made of a “slimming belt”, a battery charger and X-Box components. He was shot several times and died shortly afterwards.

The inquest is expected to last about seven weeks. A separate inquest into the death of Khan will begin on May 27.

The positive impact Saskia had on so many people in challenging situations provided a valley of light Rose Morgan

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

www.southwarknews.co.uk/letters

OPINION 19

Backlog is a huge worry that needs a strategy

H

ospital waiting list numbers and the sheer number of people who are believed to have put off seeking urgent medical care is a clear warning that the NHS needs extra investment over the next few years, to cope with the ongoing impact of the pandemic. Around 15,000 people are ‘long waiters’ across South-East London, still on lists after 52 weeks.

Some services in Southwark and across other NHS providers in south-east London are already back to 90 per cent capacity. Some departments are holding weekend and evening clinics to help clear a backlog, and throughout the pandemic urgent operations and cancer treatment were also coordinated with private hospitals too.

But even though the message has always been that the NHS - and A&E - is open for business, millions fewer people across the country have accessed care. There is now a very real possibility that they will see their GP or attend A&E at a more advanced stage of illness.

COVID-19 was inevitably going to cause a backlog of patients as doctors were redeployed to work in intensive care and hospitals had to manage the flow of patients into overstretched intensive care wards.

However, it is even more worrying that the backlog could get worse before it gets better, and in the next few years we could continue to see the impact - with late diagnoses and therefore more people needing urgent care.

Alongside this is a very real pressure already felt on mental health services. If people are not given the support they need in the community, this adds further pressure on A&E and acute wards if mental health problems lead into a crisis. Even the most conservative estimates show that demand will keep growing exponentially and young people are being particularly affected.

NHS staff and other frontline workers are the undisputed heroes of the pandemic - but now there needs to be a strategy to support the NHS over the next few years and to try to catch up on treatment, and find a way to identify and treat the missing millions.

Not all of this is about funding - critical as it is. It is also about ensuring staff have the right mental health support to stay in their roles and reduce absence and sickness rates where possible, it is about continuing to do everything we can to avoid a surge in COVID-19 cases and therefore hospital admissions, and it is about ensuring that people are encouraged to be proactive about getting medical help and don’t delay further.

Given surge testing happening in Southwark and Lambeth right now, it has never been more important to continue social distancing - even while enjoying all that our fantastic pubs and hairdressers have to offer.

READERS’ VIEWS

Exclusive: Southwark Council rakes in £2.5 million from four LTN cameras in Dulwich and Walworth in first three months of issuing fines

I spoke to councilor Rose at a Zoom meeting for residents about the signs that so many people drive through after visiting Dulwich Village north bound and warning dozens of drivers. The signs are blue and too confusing to be immediately understood by drivers. She said that the council is encouraging a modal shift and that most drivers fined were now from outside the area. She showed no sympathy for those that have been fined or interest in my points. I was muted at that point by the chair.

Will Stableford, via SN website

I think the signs were put up in October and obviously disregarded by many drivers. I think three months is adequate time to figure out new routes and adjust driving behaviour. I guess some need to know there is a penalty before they change. Anyways, I hope the scheme is expanded and not just localised or concentrated in SE1.

Mark, via SN website

There must be a lot of drivers who can't read.

Hope Rodgers, via Facebook

I have seen drivers stop, look at the signs and still drive through a cycle/bus/taxi only road as they can’t see the camera. Some drivers just don’t care about road signs so it is not all clear cut.

Soraya Zaccaria, via Facebook

This is a very biased and misleading headline. It should focus on the 22,424 cases of drivers breaking the law by ignoring road signs and potentially putting people’s lives in danger. Are you seriously condoning people who have broken the law?

36 reasons SE5, via Twitter

100 per cent agree with LTNs, it is the future. But they are awfully implemented. Similar experience, my partner drove 2m into a badly signed one in Dulwich, turned round asap only to get a fine…

Jack Scriven, via Twitter

I drive a company van. Received fifteen fines at once 36 days after the first offence on Burbage Road.

First offence on January 12, penalty issued January 20… I did drive at a restricted time without being aware at all and driving at 4.30-5.00 pm in the dark did not help me. The fines reached £1,275 including admin fees. I did appeal but have not heard anything yet. I am mentally and financially at wit’s end.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE Clues Across

1 Knock out empty cone for spare change (6,5) 9 Are making an organ (3) 10 Kit is somehow anti a religious follower (9) 11 Halts nearly a mile back for an afterthought (5) 13 Refer it to the conebearer (3,4) 14 Rest round centrally full effect (6) 16 Is the gambler superior? (6) 18 Sticky to let care run riot (7) 19 Move sideways, and support about fifty (5) 20 Unpleasant assault (9) 21 Part of the Bible for a worker (3) 22 A friend consuming the sea bird ate every other (11)

Sokol, via SN website

The signage is totally misleading and warning signs too far away from the LTN cameras.

Bridget, via Twitter

Yes drivers don't know how to read traffic signs.

Or they maybe felt they could get away with it.

Simon Clark, via Twitter

Residents slam Brunel Museum expansion plans in Rotherhithe Under sixty people in an area of thousands objected to losing two trees in a garden that is not even for general use. Two trees that are no real benefit to locals and will be replaced elsewhere. Two trees that could potentially stop a new visitor centre to one of Rotherhithe’s highlights being built.

There is always a core group of moaners that emerge to put barriers in the way of progress.

Gary Greenaway, via SN website

Louie Louie to hand over Burgess Park cafe to tennis club Louie Louie well done guys! I’ve had lovely coffees and bfasts served at their shop. All the best.

Mark, via SN website

A great initiative and terrific example of the wonderful community we live in.

Clues Down

2 Possibly stroke the blade (3) 3 Thrilling boots? (5) 4 Duty to quarrel about the rising sun god (6) 5 See nothing second-class to present (7) 6 For example, I’m back inside, told off for having gone abroad (9) 7 Last month on a trial about the announcement (11) 8 Final hearing for men up the street to make pretty speeches (11) 12 Domineering, but in reverse frets with an external maul (9) 15 Permission to abuse freedom (7) 17 Many is the stage I take on (6) 19 Exhausted - through writing in the street? (5) 21 Every part of the ballet (3)

QUICK PUZZLE Clues Across

1 Understands (11) 9 Polish by friction (3) 10 Outer boundary (9) 11 Praise (5) 13 Small ship (7) 14 Latin poet (6) 16 One who prepares work for publication (6) 18 Loudly (7) 19 Sensational (5) 20 Trying to equal (9) 21 Sticky brown liquid from coal (3) 22 Delight (11)

Clues Down

2 Sphere (3) 3 Scholar (5) 4 Continent (6) 5 Clad in white fur (7) 6 One who belittles (9) 7 One who rejects religious authority (11) 8 Those who do not believe in protective tariffs (11) 12 Baseness (9) 15 Weather (7) 17 One who operates a typewriter (6) 19 Not heavy (5) 21 Also (3)

Solutions to last week’s crossword Cryptic ACROSS: 1 Redeem 7 Recited 8 Impulse 9 Loyal 10 Interlude 12 Sag 13 Arab 15 Ceiling 17 Sash 19 Eel 21 Recording 22 Write 23 Nailing 24 Remains 25 Igloos DOWN: 1 Railings 2 Depots 3 Enlarge 4 Scale 5 Stayer 6 Idol 7 Republicans 11 Each 13 Aged 14 Baggages 16 Nerving 18 Stigma 20 Libido 21 Remit 22 Wore

John Cronin, via Twitter

Family fight for compensation after ‘mother forced to go to hotel after fire’ Absolutely appalling treatment of this lady by Southwark! Can’t believe this is happening in 2021!

Jemma, via SN website

Quick Puzzle ACROSS: 1 Sights 7 Placate 8 Open air 9 Idiot 10 Automatic 12 One 13 Inks 15 Clogged 17 Yale 19 Not 21 Handclasp 22 Lasso 23 Slacken 24 Tallest 25 Steels DOWN: Stowaway 2 Ghetto 7 Trammel 4 Basic 5 Ration 6 Seat 7 Protagonist 11 Once 13 Idol 14 Serpents 16 Enchant 18 Lastly 20 Tackle 21 Holes 22 Late

20 ARTS

www.southwarknews.co.uk/arts

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

what’s on

in Southwark

Ridley Returns with World Premiere at Playhouse Southwark Playhouse announces the world premiere of Philip Ridley’s one-woman show Tarantula, with Georgie Henley who made her professional stage debut in Ridley’s Angry in 2017. She returns to play Toni.

It’s a sunny, spring day in East London. On a street corner, two teenagers kiss. One of them is Toni. This is her first kiss. It makes her very happy. But someone is watching.

Someone who doesn’t care about her happiness at all. And they’re about to change Toni’s life...forever.

Philip Ridley’s new play is an exploration of identity, memory, love, and the lengths it takes someone to free themselves from the web of their past.

Georgie Henley shot to worldwide

‘Perfume of Traitors’ is FrenchArabic artist, poet and writer Tarek Lakhrissi’s first solo show in the UK. T

he exhibition presents an installation by the artist comprising of a new series of metal sculptures which exist somewhere between swords and signs, continuing the artist’s research into the need to defend oneself as a political practice and building a new language through visual forms.

Lakhrissi works across installation, performance, film, text and sculpture, Lakhrissi engages political and social issues around transformative narratives within language, magic, weirdness, codes and love. Having studied literature, each project Lakhrissi initiates derives from text; Poetry and language being his primary obsession, before translating ideas from these mediums into the

visual arts.

Similar to his installation produced for Crac Alsace (2019) and Palais de Tokyo (2020), the metal sculptures shown in ‘Perfume of Traitors’ are able to be wielded, but considered failed or useless because of their blunted manufacturing. The artist considers this romantic self-sabotage a rendering of empowering oneself in a non-threatening and non- violent way. The works then become a political threat, being wielded by those who are marginalised and affected by oppressive, racist & homophobic politics & societies.

Drawing on pop-culture heroines such as ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ and ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, the sculptures are styled on mythological weapons, that as well as having a mass sex appeal, signifies power and strength of the individual; throughout

his work, Lakhrissi maintains his own identity by folding in signifiers such as this. The sculptures are inscribed with lines of text sourced from the artists own poetry and writing, and arranged across the gallery space to form a word or symbol. This hidden, secondary element remains shrouded as the language is unknown, fabricated by the artist to conceal its meaning from those who are not meant to read it.

The space is filled with a toxic green colour giving an ambiguous atmosphere; seen by the artist as a deterrent for some, but a sign of safety for others. The installation spans VITRINE’s 16 metre window space which is viewable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from Bermondsey Square, 2 May - 18 July 2021.

Tarantula booking link: www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show-whatson/tarantula

Photo by Geraint Lewis

The Perfume of Traitors in Bermondsey Square

fame aged eight when she was cast as Lucy Pevensie in the Oscar-winning The Chronicles of Narnia series. She took time out of acting to study English at Cambridge before returning to star opposite Ella Purnell in indie film Access All Areas.

Directed by Wiebke Green.

Tarantula is performed live from the theatre and needs to be watched at the specific performance time. These are: Friday, 30 April at 7.45pm, Saturday 1 May at 3.15pm and Saturday 1 May at 7.45pm.

All tickets are £10, increasing to £15 during show week from w/c 26 April 2021.

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

www.southwarknews.co.uk/history

HISTORY 21

History

remembering brave roberts

By Kit Heren

kit@southwarknews.co.uk A recent report found that there was “no longer” any institutional racism in the UK, following decades of improving conditions for nonwhite people.

In the days after the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparities came out it seemed that everyone had an opinion.

Many people disagreed with its findings, citing their own experiences, while others were in favour.

One person whose opinion it might be interesting to hear is George Arthur Roberts, a Trinidadian-born man who fought in the First World War before settling in Camberwell, where he lived for several decades before dying in 1970.

Roberts was one of the founding members of the League of Coloured Peoples alongside Dr Harold Moody.

The League “was one of the first organisations to represent and support Britain’s black community”, according to Southwark-based Stephen Bourne, a prominent historian of black British heritage.

Born in 1890, Roberts left Trinidad in 1915 to join the Middlesex Regiment. He was reportedly very good at launching grenades towards enemy lines, with a range of some 74 yards. Roberts fought in several battles, including the notorious Somme - where close to a million people were wounded or killed - in 1916. Roberts was wounded at the Somme himself, as well as at Loos, an earlier battle.

He was given leave to go back to Trinidad to encourage more people on the island to join the British army. Some 250 people followed him back to Europe, according to the magazine Everyweek.

Roberts finished the war with a 1914 Star, a British War Medal and a Victory Medal.

He moved to Camberwell after the war, where he got involved with the Royal British Legion from its foundation in 1921. The organisation was launched as a support and advocacy group for people who had left the armed forces - a large number, given the war had ended only a few years earlier.

Roberts founded the Camberwell branch of the Legion and became its president. He was made a life member in 1962 and remained involved with the organisation until his death.

Perhaps his most notable involvement with the Legion was the event that led to the organisation being founded: the 1920 Battle of Westminster Bridge.

Former servicemen, many of whom were severely disabled, marched on parliament to demand better treatment for veterans. A skirmish followed, Roberts wrote.

“The columns from south-east and south-west were halted by the police, with order not to let us cross Westminster Bridge: this to men who had fought for Britain on the various battle fronts of the world.”

The veterans were eventually broken up forcefully but the protest “brought home to the public the justified discontent of our men, and it played a

Stephen Bourne at the unveiling of George A Roberts blue plaque in Camberwell SE5 in 2016 George A. Roberts at New Cross Fire Station great part in unifying the various exservice organisations into the British Legion and bringing nation-wide pressure to bear on the Government to implement the promises made to exServicemen,” Roberts wrote.

The Battle of Westminster Bridge was just the start of Roberts’ campaigning. As a co-founder of the League of Coloured Peoples in 1931, Roberts aimed to improve the lot of black people in the UK. One of the League’s main activities was fighting to remove the “colour bar” unofficial rules in many workplaces and

public social settings that limited the numbers of black people and other nonwhite groups.

The League reportedly had some success but sadly faded away a few years after the death of Roberts’ co-founder Dr Moody - just as mass immigration from the British Empire was ramping up.

By trade, Roberts was an electrician until 1939, when he became a firefighter.

When the Second World War broke out, he was already in his late 40s and too old to rejoin the army.

Instead he served as a fireman in the

Blitz, putting out fires - an often deadly job. Roberts was working from the New Cross fire station. He was made a Section Leader in 1943 and awarded the British Empire Medal in 1944. The station put up a red plaque in his honour in 2018.

Roberts was also given a blue plaque at his Camberwell home in 2016.

The Blue Plaque scheme was introduced by us here at the Southwark News and supported by Southwark Heritage and Southwark Council.

Roberts’ blue plaque is one of over 50 put up across the borough, and is

awarded by the popular vote.

Black and ethnic minority firefighters lined up as a guard of honour on the day George Roberts’ plaque was unveiled in Warner Road, Camberwell, alongside the Acting High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago, Tedwin Herbert.

Samantha Harding, George’s great granddaughter, led the ceremony and said she was “overwhelmed” by the turn out.

“It’s emotional and amazing to see so many people out here. I am overwhelmed by it all,” she added.

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

www.southwarknews.co.uk/jobs

RECRUITMENT 23

Premises Manager Responsible to: Director of Business and Operations Start date: ASAP Salary: £25,000 - £37,000 dependant on experience Benefits Include: Private Health Care, mobile telephone Status: Permanent Days and Hours: Full Time, 52 weeks – 40 hours per week, Holidays 25 days + BH Proposed term time working hours: • Split shift between 6:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m. (hours to be negotiated) • Occasional Saturday opening.

Closing date: Friday 23rd April 2021

Role summary:

The role of Premises Manager is integral to the efficient operation of the school. As a free school that opened in September 2013, we are currently located in temporary buildings in Bermondsey, ahead of moving to our purpose-built permanent school premises being completed in 2023 on the neighbouring site.

The main responsibilities include, but are not limited to: • Ensure the sight reflects our high aspirations for our pupils and community at all times • Ensure that the site is adhering to all health and safety guidance, policies and processes • Ensuring that the school site is secure and well maintained and managing access.

• Monitoring the condition of the buildings and grounds to ensure that appropriate standards are maintained and achieved including ensuring site cleanliness and the oversight of the school’s cleaning contractors. • Managing the school’s building maintenance programme and where necessary working with the school’s landlord and its facilities management agent. • Undertaking repairs and reactive maintenance to the school site, with experience in plumbing, carpentry, painting and decorating desirable.

TO BOOK THIS SPACE call Clarry on 020 8103 1481 or email clarry@urbanmedia.london

•

• •

Having responsibility for all arrangements pertaining to the premises, including the appointment and supervision of sub-contractors.

Securing competitive tenders for school site maintenance, where cost determines this requirement.

Ensuring effective risk management, for example, in health and safety and in the management of any third-party service contracts.

To ensure that the post holder is successful in the role, he or she will need to work in an open, collaborative way with representatives of the Landlord (Grosvenor Estates) and its’ facilities management agents.

To apply please visit http://compass-schools.com/ recruitment/vacancies/ to download the information pack and application form.

If you have any questions, contact us at recruitment@compass-schools.com or 0203 542 6506. @compassSE16 The Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitable candidate before the closing date.

Compass Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding children and all appointments will require an enhanced DBS check.

Part-time Cleaner We are looking for a Cleaner for our Head Office based in London.

The hours are from Monday to Friday, 8am–2pm some longer hours may be required in our busier time of year, January to March.

The ideal person will be working to a high standard with a hands on approach and a can do attitude.

Main Responsibilities: • Dusting • Maintain and clean toilets and kitchen areas x 3 • Vacuuming and cleaning floors, including our showroom and courtyard • Reporting any visible damage to the property to the Office Manager

contact@giselagraham.co.uk

24 CLASSIFIED / PUBLIC NOTICES

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

ROCK, POP, PUNK, INDIE, REGGAE, SOUL...

LPs AND SINGLES - WHOLE COLLECTIONS WELCOME

Call: 07956 832314 / 020 8677 6907 Or Email: vinylwanted@aol.com ALSO INTERESTED IN NON CHART CD COLLECTIONS

WANTED

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

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

07850 323 508 CLASSIC & UNSUAL CARS ALSO WANTED

CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH

Wanted Records

CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH

classified

Painter & Decorator Coverage: Anywhere in / around London.

Contact

0779 8833 758 for a quotation.

ROOMS AVAILABLE Ridley Villas and Cape House have been providing services to the Hackney Community and surrounding areas over the last 20 years.

We provide single room accommodation and an English breakfast with tea or coffee every morning of the week.

Hot showers and other communal facilities are available.

If you are 35 years or older and receiving Universal Credit we can provide you with temporary or longer term acommodation.

Please contact us and let us help you

020 7275 7852

47 Ridley Road, Dalston E8 2NP

Looking for previous owners of a 1966 Ford Zepher Mark 4 V6 blue.

Only car of its kind on UK roads.

Charles James Bearham Eltham rd 1966 Alan Walter Lockyer Dulwich 1967 Beatie William Garnish Borehamwood 1969

If anyone knows these gentlemen’s whereabouts please get in touch.

020 8103 1481

Call Lorraine on 020 7232 1639 to advertise in Classified

Email: ads@southwarknews.co.uk to promote your trade Public Notices Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 NOTICE UNDER ARTICLE 13 OF APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION Proposed development at: New City Court, 4-26 St Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RS Take notice that an application is being made by: GPE (St Thomas Street) Limited To Southwark Council for planning permission for: Redevelopment to include demolition of the 1980s office buildings and erection of a 26-storey building (plus mezzanine and two basement levels), restoration and refurbishment of the listed terrace (nos. 416 St Thomas Street), and redevelopment of Keats House (nos. 24-26 St Thomas Street) with removal, relocation and reinstatement of the historic façade on a proposed building, to provide office floorspace, flexible office/retail floorspace, restaurant/café floorspace and a public rooftop garden, associated public realm and highways improvements, provision for a new access to the Borough High Street entrance to the Underground Station, cycling parking, car parking, service, refuse and plant areas, and all ancillary or associated works.

Any owner* of the land or tenant** who wishes to make representations about this application should write to Southwark Council on the address below: Southwark Council Chief Executive's Department Planning Division Development Management PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX *‘owner’ means a person having a freehold interest or a leasehold interest the unexpired term of which is not less than seven years. **‘tenant’ means a tenant of an agricultural holding any part of which is comprised in the land.

Submission Date: Signed: On behalf of: Date:

16th April 2021 DP9 Ltd GPE (St Thomas Street) Limited 15th April 2021

Statement of owners’ rights The grant of planning permission does not affect owners’ rights to retain or dispose of their property, unless there is some provision to the contrary in an agreement or lease.

Statement of agricultural tenants’ rights The grant of planning permission for non-agricultural development may affect agricultural tenants’ security of tenure.

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

www.southwarknews.co.uk

LICENSING ACT 2003 APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF PREMISES LICENCE

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (DUNSTANS ROAD, QUEEN ELIZABETH STREET, COMMERCIAL WAY)

Matthew Tulip has applied to the London Borough of Lambeth for the grant of a Premises Licence, in respect of the following premises: Butter Up Coffee, 381-383 Norwood Road, London, SE27 9BQ

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) 1.

2.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable works

by Agility, Southern Cranes, and Conway, it made, an order the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic in part of the above named roads.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload in: (a) Dunstans Road, between Dunstans Grove and Forest Hill Road (b) Queen Elizabeth Street, between Shad Thames and Curlew Street (c) Commercial Way, between Peckham Park Road and Naylor Road (d) Commercial Way, between Naylor Road and Bird in Bush Road

3.

PUBLIC NOTICES 25

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) Forest Hill Road, Ryedale, Underhill Road.

Forest Hill Road, St Aidans Road, Underhill Road. (2b) as indicated b the signs displayed.

(2c) Buller Close, Peckham Hill Street, Peckham High Street, Meeting House Lane, Naylor Road. Bird in Bush Road, Green Hundred Road, Peckham Park Road.. (2d) Peckham Hill Street, Peckham High Street, Queens Road, Asylum Road, Old Kent Road. Old Kent Road Trafalgar Avenue, Willowbrook Road, Peckham Hill Street.

4.

The existing one way working in Friary Road and Ledbury Street, located between Commercial Way and Bird in Bush Road will be made two way for access and egress purposes.

5.

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

6.

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

7.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 26th – 30th April. (2b) 26th April with back up dates of the 27th or 28th April. (2c) 27th April (2d) 28th April.

8.

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

Dated this 15th April 2021 Ian Law Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark Network Management Traded Services Environment and Leisure 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 5658/000809498970205-001 (2b) 5650/ LBSCR11700-1-2 (2c) 5724/05041599 (2d) 5724/05154943

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I / we The Root Projects Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of 39 Snowsfields, London, SE1 3SU The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are

which would authorise the following licensable activities: Supply of Alcohol Recorded Music The record of this application may be inspected during normal office hours by an appointment at the Licensing Section, London Borough of Lambeth, 3rd Floor, Civic Centre, 6 Brixton Hill, London, SW2 1EG, or via the licensing authority’s website, at www.lambeth.gov.uk/licensing A responsible authority or any other person may make representation to the licensing authority in respect of this application. Representations must be made in writing, either by post to the above address, or by email to licensing@lambeth.gov.uk and must be received no later than 7th May 2021 It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with a licensing application, and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for that offence shall not exceed level 5 on the standard scale (£5,000) LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK PUBLIC NOTICE (SECTION 90G) TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES 1. Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that it has approved under section 23 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the provision of a ‘zebra’ pedestrian crossing in CARLTON GROVE, the centre of which will be located 22 metres south of its junction with Meeting House Lane.

The controlled area (zig-zag markings, on which vehicles would be prohibited from stopping at all times) would extend on (i) the west side, 4.5 metres north and 13.5 metres south of the crossing, and (ii) the east side, 13.5 metres north and 4.5 metres south of the crossing.

2. For more information about this notice please contact Southwark Council's Highways – Maintenance team by e-mail Highways@southwark.gov.uk 3. Copies of this notice and plan may be found online at www.southwark.gov.uk/trafficorders, paper copies may be obtained from or viewed at Highways, Southwark Council, Environment and Leisure, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. Please email traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk, or call 020 7525 3497, for booking details.

Dated 15 April 2021 Dale Foden Head of Service - Highways, Environment and Leisure

Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence Unity Traders Ltd of 40 Sedgehill Road, London, SE6 3QT is applying for a licence to use Warehouse 310-326, St James Road, London, SE1 5TX as an operating centre for 1 goods vehicles and 0 trailers Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s Office

Days

Start time

Finish time

The retail sale of alcohol:

Monday to Sunday

09:00

21:30

The provision of regulated entertainment:

Monday to Sunday

09:00

21:30

The provision of late night refreshment:

Monday to Sunday

09:00

21:30

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (ROLLS ROAD)

Opening hours:

Monday to Thursday Friday & Saturday Sunday

09:00 09:00 10:00

18:00 20:00 16:00

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable sewer works by SubTech Contracts, it intends, to make an order the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic in part of the above named roads.

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

2.

Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload in Rolls Rolls Road, at it’s junction with St James Road.

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.

3.

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) Rolls Road, Humphrey Street, Old Kent Road, St James Road. Marlborough Grove, Old Kent Road, St James Road. St James Road, Old Kent Road, Coopers Road.

4.

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

5.

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

6.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 4th – 18th May.

7.

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

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

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: 31st March 2021

T o p lac e a n otic e , p l e a se e m ai l : em @southwa rkn e ws . c o . u k or c all 07798 8 3 3 7 5 8 .

De ad li ne is 12 noon o n T u e s da y s

Dated this 15th April 2021 Ian Law Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark Network Management Traded Services Environment and Leisure 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 5696/SEC50/ROLLSROAD

26 PUBLIC NOTICES

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (AS AMENDED) PLANNING (LISTED BUILDING AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT 1990 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; Shopping Centre Elephant and Castle, 26, 28, 30 and 32 New Kent Road, Arches 6 and 7 Elephant Road and London College of Communications site, SE1.

Application reference: 21/AP/1104 for: Minor material amendments to planning permission 20/AP/3675 (for ‘Phased, mixed-use redevelopment of the existing Elephant and Castle shopping centre and London College of Communication sites comprising the demolition of all existing buildings and structures and redevelopment to comprise buildings ranging in height from single storey to 35 storeys above multi-level and single basements, to provide a range of uses including residential (use class C3), retail (use Class A1-A4), office (Use Class B1), Education (use class D1), assembly and leisure (use class D2) and a new station entrance and station box for use as a London underground operational railway station; means of access, public realm and landscaping works, parking and cycle storage provision, plant and servicing areas, and a range of other associated and ancillary works and structures.

Additional information to describe the changes being sought: Amendment to condition 1 (approved plans) to secure the following changes: Amendments to the office, leisure, retail, and educational floorspace areas; Amendments to the residential unit mix and quantum; Alterations to the residential communal amenity space; Minor alterations to the building heights, elevations and positioning; Alterations to pedestrian routes and walkways and associated ancillary works; Deletion of conditions 25 (green roof to plot E1), 45 (Sound Insulation: Education) and 48 (External Noise Levels in Private Amenity Areas) Amendments to conditions: 19 (Detailed Construction Drawings: East Site); 20 (Detailed Construction Drawings: Education Building); 26 (Basement Access – Detailed Design); 27 (Western Viaduct Boundary); 29 (Public toilets) 31 (Landscaping Scheme); 51 (A3/A4 Opening Hours); 54 (Wind Microclimate) to amend the trigger for submitting information for conditions 19, 20, 26, 27, and 31, to change condition 29 to a compliance condition, to increase the consented opening hours under condition 51, and to amend wind speed levels for condition 54.

In the Council's opinion permission 16/AP/4458 affected the setting of the following listed buildings and conservation areas: Metro Central Heights, Newington Causeway; Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington Butts; Michael Faraday Memorial, Elephant and Castle; the Imperial War Museum, St George's Road; and the Obelisk at

St George's Circus. Elliot's Row; St George's Circus and West Square Conservation Areas and the listed buildings therein, and the Walcot Square Conservation Area in Lambeth. The application is accompanied by an Environmental Statement submitted pursuant to the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (as amended).

Copies of the ES may be obtained from Waterman (Tel: 020 7928 7888, Email: ie@watermangroup.com) at a charge of £950 (printed) or £25 (CD). (CONSULTATION ON THIS APPLICATION CLOSES 37 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE) ALLEYNS SCHOOL TOWNLEY ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE22 8SU (Ref: 21/AP/1078) Variation of condition 2 of planning appliction 20/AP/0720 (The installation of a temporary three storey Portakabin building to be used class rooms, office accommodation and toilet facilities. To be in place between April 5th 2021 and October 3rd 2021.) To amend the permitted dates between September 1st 2021 and March 1st 2022. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Glenn Ruane 020 7525 5447) 91-95 TOWER BRIDGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 4TW (Ref: 21/AP/1122) Demolition of the existing buildings and construction of a new part four, part three and part two storey building facing Alice Street, a three storey terrace with mansard level and reuse of existing basement facing onto Tower Bridge Road, to provide 9no. residential dwellings (Use Class C3) and a retail unit (Use Class E(a)). (Within: Bermondsey Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Vendela Gambill 020 7525 7976) 41 CRYSTAL PALACE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE22 9EX (Ref: 21/AP/1048) Construction of garden room to be used as home office, games room and gym. (Within: The Gardens CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Rose Sharkey ) 96 CAMBERWELL GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8RF (Ref: 21/AP/1108) Construction of a single storey rear extension, alonside interal reconfiguration. (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Athena Hylton-Thompson 020 7525 2161) 159 KENNINGTON PARK ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE11 4JJ (Ref: 21/AP/1112) Garden room at end of garden (Within: Kennington Park Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Tracy Chapman 020 7525 1948) 65 STRADELLA ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE24 9HL (Ref: 21/AP/1145) Replacement of large existing shed with a garden room. (Within: Stradella Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Rose Sharkey ) 13 STRADELLA ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE24 9HN (Ref: 21/AP/1138)

Construction of a ground floor single-storey rear extension and the installation of new timber sash windows. (Within: Stradella Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Anthony Roberts 020 7525 5458) SILVER BUCKLE 18 CAMBERWELL GREEN LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 7AA (Ref: 21/AP/1140) Incorporating 2 victorian awning in the main facade of the ground floor building. (Within: Camberwell Green CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Rose Sharkey ) 139 KENNINGTON PARK ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE11 4JJ (Ref: 21/AP/1175) Replacement of windows and external doors (Within: Kennington Park Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Catherine Jeater 020 7525 5375) 139 KENNINGTON PARK ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE11 4JJ (Ref: 21/AP/1176) Listed building consent for the replacement of windows and external doors (Within: Kennington Park Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Catherine Jeater 020 7525 5375) 134-136 RYE LANE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 4RZ (Ref: 21/AP/1166) Conversion of vacant retail area (A1) and rear ground extension to provide 1 x residential unit (2-bedroom maisonette) (Within: Rye Lane Peckham CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Hajnalka Kurti 020 7525 3701) 1A MOROCCO STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 3HB (Ref: 21/AP/1194) Display of a hanging sign. (Within: Bermondsey Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Kerri Simpson 020 7525 3487) 140 THURLOW PARK ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 8HN (Ref: 21/AP/1185) Single storey rear extension, two storey side extension (replacing the existing garage), and basement excavation. With associated internal alterations. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Kerri Simpson 020 7525 3487) UNIT 4 6 MORE LONDON PLACE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2DA (Ref: 21/AP/1181) Display of two internally illuminated fascia signs to read 'little farm'. (Within: Tooley Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale ) 82-90 HALF MOON LANE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE24 9JE (Ref: 21/AP/1217) Installation of a temporary non-illuminated PVC mesh sales banner on poles outside front of properties. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Louise Dinsdale ) 201 TOOLEY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 2JX (Ref: 21/AP/1164) Listed building consent for the change of use from a bank to a restaurant and bar, including a full refurbishment of the interior on ground and basement level and new signage. (Within: Tower Bridge CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB

(Contact: Tracy Chapman 020 7525 1948) 68 IVYDALE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 3BS (Ref: 21/AP/1238) Construction of a L-shaped dormer loft extension to the rear with the installation of 2x rooflights in front roof slope . Raise ridge line by 400mm as to provide adequate height. (Within: Nunhead Cemetry CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Nicolette Harriot ) 213A RYE LANE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 4TP (Ref: 21/AP/1237) Reconfiguration of the existing mixed-use ground and first-floor levels retaining their current use,and addition of two new residential flats (2 x 2 bed 3 person) at levels two and three, and a new flat roof. (Within: Rye Lane Peckham CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Glenn Ruane 020 7525 5447) ADMINISTRATION BLOCK WILLIAM BOOTH MEMORIAL TRAINING COLLEGE CHAMPION PARK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8BQ (Ref: 21/AP/0939) Listed building consent to carry out masonry repairs by way of repointing, brick replacement and cleaning of moss to the main tower of the complex. (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Martin McKay 020 7525 1818) 4 DULWICH VILLAGE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7AL (Ref: 21/AP/1245) Variation of Condition 3 "Prior to Completion an Arboricultural Survey shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority" (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Kerri Simpson 020 7525 3487) Dated: 13 Apr 2021 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date.

SIMON BEVAN - Director of Planning

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

www.southwarknews.co.uk/sport

SPORT 27

Foakes’ efforts not enough for Surrey Photo by Mark Sandom

By Sport Reporter sport@southwarknews.co.uk SURREY HEAD coach Vikram Solanki said his side gave themselves “too much to do” as they fell to an eight-wicket defeat to Gloucestershire last weekend.

Photo by Liam Asman

Graeme Van Buuren’s third century for Gloucestershire, in only 94 balls, steered them to victory at Bristol and a first win in the fixture since 2011.

Van Buuren’s unbeaten 110 and 91 not out from captain Chris Dent saw the Glosters canter to their target of 228 in only 38 overs with an unbroken third wicket partnership of 193.

Ben Foakes’s 133 had given Surrey hope of saving the game but Gloucestershire took their final five second-innings wickets for only 15 runs to leave 63 overs for the chase.

Dent anchored the pursuit with his second half-century of the match, in 71 balls, but van Buuren’s hundred with 15 fours and two sixes turned it into a waltz.

He pulled Reece Topley over square leg and then fine leg for maximums.

He drove Topley through mid-off for four and punched Amar Virdi smartly down the ground.

A thick edge from Jamie Overton flew just wide of gully before he reached fifty in only 44 balls and he swept Virdi for four to raise the hundred partnership.

After a brief rain delay he reached his first hundred since 2016 by swatting Clark through midwicket

Ben Foakes’ 133 had given Surrey hope at Champion Hill before Dent carved Overton to third man to complete an extremely impressive victory over the 2018 county champions.

They were initially frustrated in their victory push as Foakes and Jordan Clark extended their sixthwicket stand to 131 in the morning

session to push the lead beyond 200.

Foakes made his 11th firstclass century and fourth against Gloucestershire, this in 187 balls with 16 fours.

Clark’s seventh boundary, driven though cover off Ryan Higgins, brought him fifty in 100 balls as

Surrey’s hopes of escaping up the M4 with a draw grew.

Matt Taylor finally found the breakthrough with one that nipped in from round the wicket to trim Clark’s leg bail before full balls from Higgins won lbws against Jamie Overton and Gus Atkinson.

Foakes then fell to a superb catch from wicketkeeper James Bracey diving low to his right and when a moment’s indecision allowed Tom Lace to run out Amar Virdi with a direct hit from point, Surrey had crashed to 333 all out and the chase was afoot.

Bracey lifted Virdi to mid-off and Lace was taken at third slip before the match-winning stand between van Buuren and Dent began.

“Disappointing would sum it up,” Solanki said. “We were under par with the bat to begin with, managed to fight our way back into the game but left ourselves with too much to do and were certainly second best.

“I think we should have made the chase a lot harder than we did but we have to go back to the first innings with the bat and then how we started with the ball was poor and we almost conceded a hundred run lead before we started.

“But credit to Gloucestershire today they hung in there when we had those partnerships and always stayed in the game.”

Van Buuren added: “What a team performance, everyone put up their hand and fortunately Denty and I put together a great partnership.

“After my first-innings duck I worked on a couple things in the nets and managed to get something to click.

“We needed to show positive intent in the chase and we just got the runs flowing and it was so much fun out there.”

North looking up after joining Hamlet from Hammers

By Sport Reporter sport@southwarknews.co.uk DULWICH HAMLET have confirmed the loan signing of Mia North for the forthcoming season.

The nineteen-year-old goalkeeper joined on loan from West Ham United Women, of the FA Women’s Super League, where she is part of their academy programme.

She was previously at Yeovil Town Ladies, and has also featured with the Wales under-19 set-up.

“I’m 19 now, and I need to be looking to get women’s football experience,” North said. “Playing in the under-21s for a couple of years, I need to start looking to go up an age

Ben Foakes’ 133 had given Surrey hope

group.

“The move was pretty easy and I’m really happy to be here.”

North explained what she can bring to the side.

“I think communication is definitely one of my biggest traits,” she said. “I’m very loud on the pitch. I think as well, bravery-wise, I’ll happily throw myself in front of the ball and not care if I’m going to get hurt. Shot-stopping ability, distribution as well, for sure.

“My team-mates have been really supportive and welcoming. It’s been really easy to settle in.

“I’ve been here to watch a game and I saw what the crowd was like, it was a really incredible atmosphere.

I’m really looking forward to

experiencing that myself when the time does come.”

Manager Ryan Dempsey added: “Mia has great experience playing for Yeovil and West Ham, county teams, and for Wales at international level.”

“I’m delighted that West Ham have allowed Mia to continue her development with us by gaining valuable experience playing adult football where points are on the line every game.

“Mia has settled in really well and gave an assured performance on her debut against Crystal Palace DevA [in last Sunday’s 5-0 victory].

“Mia’s composure on the ball was a big asset and she made an excellent save, tipping the ball onto the bar.”

Mia North at Champion Hill

www.southwarknews.co.uk/sport

Millwall fight for badge in fierce Upton Park battle

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

‘Community Champion’ award yet again for Lionesses icon

Photo by Millwall Lionesses

Working on Valentine’s Day, setting up Lions Food Hub, support from Millwall’s Ben Thompson – praise heaped on Bermondsey favourite

There were no holds barred at St Paul’s last weekend

By Sports Reporter sport@southwarknews.co.uk MILLWALL LIONESSES showed they “had each other’s backs” as they defeated Upton Park Ladies 5-0 at St Paul’s in a fiery and full-blooded encounter last weekend.

Although this was only the second friendly fixture since the resumption of outdoor sports, it was a heated affair which saw a number of late challenges and questionable decisions from the match official.

Goals from Molly Hawkins, Abbey Dell and a superb long-distance lob from Millie Connell sealed consecutive wins for the Lionesses.

“It was a very tough game in the sense of physicality,” fired-up manager Katie Whitmore said afterwards. “We weren’t here to take part, we were here to get a result and we made sure we did that job, no matter what it took.

“The girls played as a team, they played with determination, they made sure they were behind every single ball and they had each other’s backs – on and off the pitch – constantly encouraging each other, and I think that the result just shows how well we played together as a team.

“We talk about it in our pre-match talks with the girls. They play for Millwall Lionesses, you are playing with a lion on your badge so you have to play like a lion.

“I expect them to not back out from a 50/50 challenge, I expect that if one of our own players gets injured by an unfair tackle, that we back each other, we make sure we stand our ground and we make sure the opposition know that we will not tolerate tackles and injuries like that.

“The girls showed that and had each other’s back. When Libby Stubbs unfortunately got injured early in the game, that can sometimes have a massive impact on the squad because of how established Libby is. But it didn’t in the sense that the girls came together and stood their ground, kept that clean sheet and they just got that result we know that they deserved.”

Kelly Webster, right, being presented with the award by Lionesses boss Katie Whitmore

By Sports Reporter sport@southwarknews.co.uk MILLWALL LIONESSES’ Kelly Webster has been crowned the PFA Community Champion for the second consecutive season.

The award was presented to Webster

by Lionesses boss Katie Whitmore before the recent friendly against Hackney Lionesses at St Paul’s, and recognises Webster’s hard work in the local area over the past year.

“It was a total shock to me to win, and now for two years running,” Webster said. “I don’t do what I do for awards, but it is amazing to be recognised for what I do and win such a prestigious award.”

Webster – who grew up near The Den – gave an insight into the lengths she has gone to to help the community.

“From January, my fiancée and I manned the staff wellbeing hub at Lewisham Hospital every Sunday for three months - we even spent Valentine’s Day there!” she said.

“I have also set up Lions Food Hub, which is to support anyone in and around the area with essentials like food and toiletries.

“We have had amazing support from Millwall fans, Millwall Lionesses players and staff, and even Ben

Thompson came down to donate much-needed items.

“I have to say, without the support of my fiancée, Ellen, I couldn’t do all the things I do, so massive thanks goes to her.

“This award means the absolute world to me knowing that all my hard work is being recognised. I am so proud to be a part of Millwall and my community.

“I truly hope that people see what I’m doing and it would inspire them to get involved in the community, or even help a neighbour.

“I really believe volunteering your time gives you a sense of wellbeing and helps your mental health, while also building a better place for us all to live.

“Millwall Community Trust and [CEO] Sean Daly do so much for the community, this is what inspired me and hopefully one day someone will say I inspired them.”

Millwall Lionesses assistant manager and player liaison officer Alex Russell praised Webster for the difference she makes in the community, and highlighted her importance to the squad.

“I am immensely proud of Kelly,” he said. “To win the award once was incredible, but, for it to be her second

consecutive time really does show that the incredible work she does in the community doesn’t go unnoticed.

“Having someone like Kelly around is important to make sure the rest of the girls don’t get too high, or don’t get too low.

“Players can confide in her with any issues and Kelly can offer advice on how to deal with a situation through first-hand experience.

“Katie Whitmore is hot on having role models amongst her playing squad, and that’s exactly what Kelly epitomises.

“I’m elated that she’s won this award on behalf of Millwall Lionesses, both for her individually but also for the future crop of players coming through.”

Whitmore was thrilled for her player.

“I’m over the moon about Kelly winning this award, it couldn’t go to a greater role model,” Whitmore said.

“In my opinion, she’s a fantastic role model for the next generation, she is a role model for her fellow team-mates and the management as well.

“She is very hard-working and I think the award just shows all the work she has done for the community this year.

“Kelly goes above and beyond for

her local area. She does so much work behind the scenes at Millwall, like the Lions Food Hub, and she is always there to help.

“She is always a phone call away and is so supportive, and with everything on social media at the moment with the Food Hub, which she is a part of and created, just shows just how much goes on.”

Whitmore added: “I think every player in that squad will know that if they have got something they need to talk about, or they need someone to turn to, they will more than likely turn to Kelly.

“We’ve got quite a young squad, and to have someone like Kelly within the squad and team, I feel very lucky. Very lucky to have that support, even as a manager, and always asking if there is anything she can do.

“She’s a fantastic role model for the under-14s and under-16s and I think it’s really important to have her around the camp.

“It’s fantastic she won it as part of the Lionesses, as she is such a dedicated player and always gives 100 per cent when she wears that badge.

“It couldn’t have gone to a greater player, whose hard work on and off the pitch pays off when you receive an award like this.”

Photo by Millwall Lionesses

28 SPORT

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

www.newsatden.co.uk

MILLWALL 29

Top-six chances take a Swan dive

Jed Wallace tries to get an effort on goal

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP Millwall - 0 Swansea - 3 Ayew 45’+1, Lowe 76’, 85’ Date: Saturday 10 April, 2021 Attendance: 0 Referee: Robert Jones Man of the match: Jamal Lowe

THE LINE-UPS 33 , Bialkowski 23 3 15 McNamara M Wallace Pearce Romeo, 62’

Roberts 77’

Cooper 90+2’

14 Hourihane

4-3-3 5-2-3-1

20 Bennett

MILLWALL’S PLAYERS could have been forgiven for logging on to Booking.com in preparation for the summer after their play-off chances were all but ended by Swansea last Saturday.

10 A Ayew

Whittaker 90+3’

8 Grimes 5 Guehi

sport@southwarknews.co.uk

Bodvarsson 78’

15 Routledge

2 Bennett

6 Fulton 26 Naughton

11 Woodman Westwood

Head to Head 45% 12 2 4 13

Possession Shots Shots on target Corners Fouls

Focus now turns to next season and adding crucial element – a clinical goal-scorer

By Alex Grace at The Den

Williams, 78’

7 J Wallace

9 Lowe

14 Malone

Pearce, 86’

28 Evans

24 Mitchell

Mahoney, 62’

3 Manning

5 Cooper

Zohore, 62’

16 Kieftenbeld

5-3-2

55% 10 5 3 88

The Lions went into the clash after three consecutive wins, against a side that had lost their last four, but instead it was the hosts that lost their passports to goal as their Welsh visitors made a successful incision across the border.

Millwall went into the game with an outside chance of gate-crashing the promotion picture - but in truth they never really laid a glove on Steve Cooper’s men.

Swansea delivered three knockout blows.

Andre Ayew ended Swansea’s four-anda-half game goal drought with a beautiful curling effort in almost the last action of the first half.

Jake Cooper went close to bringing Millwall level at the start of the second half, his header from a Scott Malone cross

hitting the base of the post before the ball was scrambled away by the Swansea defence.

But that was as good as it got for Millwall as Swansea dominated from then until the final whistle.

The visitors had given their hosts a warning of the damage that Jamal Lowe can do before they took the lead. Veteran 36-year-old Wayne Routledge dinked a wonderful ball over the top of Alex Pearce but Lowe couldn’t beat Bartosz Bialkowski.

Former Millwall transfer target Lowe was on his longest run without a goal this season in the league, but he ended that emphatically with fourteen minutes left. Lowe ran through a gap between Murray Wallace and Mahlon Romeo in the inside-left channel from Routledge’s pass before cutting across on his right foot and whacking the ball past Bialkowski.

Ayew and Lowe have been Swansea’s go-to men for goals this season and they combined for the visitors’ third. Ayew took on Romeo to cross from the left of the box, and Lowe brilliantly caressed the ball with the inside of his right foot to make a sliver of space before he thundered a strike into the top-right corner.

For all that Millwall have been so solid at the back so often, this was the fifth time this season that they conceded three goals in a league game.

Millwall had the chance to go within five points of sixth in the earlier kick-off, but even boss Gary Rowett admitted afterwards that the play-offs were always a long shot. It just never seemed likely.

Although Millwall have earned eighteen points from losing positions this season, winning four times after they’ve conceded the first goal, they just did not look like adding to that against a Swans side that knew exactly how to take advantage after going a goal up.

Visiting goalkeeper Freddie Woodman was forced into just one save in 90 minutes, a brilliant fingertip stop from Kenneth Zohore’s rasping drive from ten yards.

That summed it up. Swansea have players like Ayew and Lowe who put away those opportunities. Millwall lacked goals last season and Rowett attempted to remedy that by signing Zohore and Troy Parrott. Both were ambitious signings, but both failed to deliver. It’s back to the drawing board this summer to try to find a striker that can guarantee fifteen goals.

Jed Wallace is Millwall’s top scorer this season with nine goals. But every side above Millwall in the Championship table has at least one player in doublefigures, something that Rowett can only dream about.

There is lots of reason for optimism, particularly in Danny McNamara and Billy Mitchell. The latter has started the last four Championship games and shown his quality. With a full preseason under his belt, to go with the experience this year, he is only going to get better.

McNamara was sent on loan to St Johnstone in the first half of the season, a make-or-break test. He passed it and has performed brilliantly since he returned. There is good competition on that right flank with McNamara and Romeo and that’s what’s needed in every position.

This season was always going to be a stern test, with money tight due to the absence of fans and such a relentless schedule with a relatively small squad.

We have seen from this campaign that Millwall are not far away. With the right additions a top-six challenge is certainly not out of their reach next season.

30 MILLWALL

www.newsatden.co.uk

EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk ELECTRIC SCOOTERS are all the rage around London these days – but there’s no chance you’ll see Connor Mahoney whizzing around the capital on one.

Mahoney hasn’t stepped on a scooter since he was six or seven, when he broke his leg flying around the streets of Blackburn.

The Lions’ million-pound signing from Bournemouth is one of the best two-footed players in the league. He can take corners from both sides off either foot, and he keeps the opposition guessing from set-pieces whether it’s going to be an in-swinger into the box or curved the other way.

He demonstrated it brilliantly in the game when he scored his first Millwall goal, against Luton on New Year’s Day 2020.

With the contest level at 1-1 in the 79th minute, Mahoney took a pass just inside the Luton half before shifting the ball between both feet as he ran at the defence and then cutting across the box on his right and smashing into the corner from 20 yards.

Three minutes later, from deep on the left flank, Mahoney spotted Matt Smith’s run at the far post and curled a brilliant first-time cross with his left foot and the striker headed home.

In the next game, a 3-0 win against Newport in the third round of the FA Cup, Mahoney set up Smith from a corner and then scored a penalty, both with his ‘weaker’ left foot.

That ability can be traced back to that accident, and how Mahoney adapted so he could still play football despite the hindrance of a cast.

“My mum had bought me an electric scooter,” Mahoney recalls. “You know the one where you could press the break at the back? I did that and must have got my foot trapped in it and, yeah, broke it.

“At that age you don’t really think, ‘I’m going to be a footballer’. Obviously if it happened later [in professional football] you’d be devastated.

“But at the time I thought it was cool to have a cast. I enjoyed it.

“I came out of hospital and I’d always want to play football outside with my cast on. I used to use my left foot.

“Before I got injured I was more right-footed, I couldn’t kick with my left. Some people are more naturally two-footed but I was out practising. I wasn’t running around with the cast on, but I was passing and things like that with my brothers outside.

“I was stood there passing the ball, just being outside playing like kids do.

If you practise, practise, practise, you just get accustomed to it.”

Mahoney has played the majority of his football for Millwall in wide positions. But in Gary Rowett’s current preferred formation of 5-3-2 there are no wingers, with the wingbacks pushing up to provide width.

Where does Mahoney see himself fitting in that formation if Rowett continues to use it?

“It’s a good question,” he says. “I’m not too sure, it’s probably something I’ll have to speak to the gaffer about, where he sees me playing in that formation if he does carry on with it.

“But, if I’m honest, I’ll play anywhere as long as I’m playing. If he wants me to play in midfield, or a false striker [off the front], as long as I’m playing I’m not bothered.

“If he sticks to that formation I’ll

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

Lucky break

Winger’s ability with both feet traced back to electric scooter accident

Connor Mahoney gets ready to send in a cross against Swansea probably chat to him and he’ll tell me where he sees me playing.

“In training I often drift off and play in the number 10 role. It’s kind of like a false 9. I think it’s a good role to play, you’ve kind of got a bit of freedom and you can go and create, drop back in and help the midfield. I think I’d be suited to that role and if the gaffer wanted to play me there I’d be excited.”

Mahoney has had a stop-start season, twice injuring his quad meaning he was out for five months.

He felt the injury came at the worst time, last November, as he was playing well and starting regularly.

Mahoney describes how he suffered the injury to the muscle on top of his thigh.

“The gaffer named the starting lineup [before playing Cardiff] and I was in it,” Mahoney says. “We were going through set-pieces and it was literally the last kick of the session.

“I went to whip in a corner and it felt like my leg exploded. Normal quad injuries you’d do it maybe sprinting.

Not a lot of players do it other than keepers striking the ball. I knew straightaway it wasn’t a good sign.

“As soon as I made contact with the ball it felt like a bomb went off. It was a feeling I’d never had before, it was scary.

“I was playing games at the time and was in form and doing well. It wasn’t a good time to do it.

“In normal times [before lockdown] you can go out and do things. But it was just going into the training ground, doing the same things every day. Going in, rehab, going home. And the next day the exact same.

“In that aspect it gets a bit repetitive.

But I’m patient with it, at the end of the day it’s your job. When you go in you make sure you do the right stuff to get back as fit as you can as fast as you can.”

Mahoney made his comeback in an under-23 game, but reinjured his quad just as he was about to complete the scheduled 45 minutes.

He continues: “In the 44th minute,

I went for a sprint and I’ve felt it go again. I was coming off six or seven minutes later. The timing of that, you can’t even write it.

“It was another month or two then. It was pretty much the same rehab. The biggest thing was probably getting the confidence back. You need to be confident in yourself and your leg.

“We had so many injuries at the time.

You don’t wish injury on anyone but it is harder doing the rehab on your own. It makes it that little bit better if you have other people there and you can bounce off each other and get through it together.”

While Mahoney was out the Lions went through a run of just one win in fifteen league games. From slightly outside the group as he rehabbed, Mahoney had a good perspective of the mood of the squad and he was never worried about a relegation battle, even if he was desperate to get back to help his team-mates.

“You want to get back, but if the team are doing well they don’t need

you,” Mahoney says. “If the team aren’t doing well it kind of puts the spotlight on those that are injured because if everyone was fit you’d have no excuses.

“I always thought we’ve got such a good dressing room that we’d bounce back. No one was really worried about relegation, no one mentioned that.

We knew once we did get it right and stopped making the mistakes we were making we’d be fine.

“And we’ve proved that now. We moved away from the relegation zone and went to fighting to get into the top six. It just shows how quickly the season can turn around if you win two, three games on the bounce.

“You can’t get too high or low, you’ve got to try to stay in the middle. If you win, perfect, but if you lose don’t get too upset because that can have an effect. If you get too excited you can take your foot off the gas and if you get too low then confidence is going to suffer.

“You need to find that right balance.”

Southwark News, Thursday April 15 2021

Championship preview

VS

Millwall

www.newsatden.co.uk

Brentford

MILLWALL 31

The Den, Saturday April 17, Kick-off: 12.30pm

Bees can show Lions the way

West London club struck gold with recent striker recruits

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk MILLWALL WON’T be in the playoffs this season – but they could have a big say in who will.

The Lions face three of the top six in their next three games, and can effectively consign Brentford to the end-of-season shootout if they deny the Bees victory and Watford win at Luton.

That would leave Thomas Franks’ side at least eleven points behind the secondplace Hornets with five games left.

Reading, who are currently seventh, will hope the Lions can do them a favour when Gary Rowett’s side host Bournemouth, who are sixth, next Wednesday.

It’s not exactly as Lions fans would have wanted the end of the season to pan out, but if they are like most football fans then at least they will have the satisfaction of perhaps ruining someone else’s party.

The perverse pleasures of following a football team.

Millwall are ninth and only a point behind Cardiff as they aim to match last season’s eighth-place finish.

That would be a success given all their injury problems this season.

It’s clear to see what Millwall need to do in the summer – but doing it is another matter. It’s certainly a daunting task for

head of recruitment Harvey Bussell.

The last Lions player to score more than fifteen goals in one season in the Championship was Steve Claridge, who got seventeen in 2001-02.

Steve Morison scored fifteen league goals in 2011-12 and Darius Henderson the same number the following season.

Millwall’s top scorer this season is Jed Wallace who has scored nine goals in the league. All the sides above the Lions have players in double figures. Norwich and Swansea have two players each who have scored more than ten Championship goals, and Bournemouth have three.

There are six strikers in the division who have scored fifteen league goals or more.

Bear in mind, this season, Matt Smith and Tom Bradshaw are Millwall’s topscoring, out-and-out strikers with three goals each.

How many more points would one striker getting fifteen goals be worth this season? Twelve more goals to the tally?

Just this year, you can straightaway think of the draws against Bournemouth (fifteen shots on goal), Wycombe (thirteen shots on goal), Luton (fourteen shots on goal) and there are six points already, had Millwall had a clinical striker, that would have the side in serious contention for sixth place now.

matCh details Possible Millwall starting XI: 5-3-2

Bialkowski; Romeo, Evans, M Wallace, Cooper, Malone; Kieftenbeld, Woods, Mitchell; J Wallace, Bennett.

Match odds:

Brentford 4/7 Draw 3/1 Millwall 7/2

Last meeting:

Millwall make their first trip to Brentford’s new stadium

Championship (September 20, 2021): Millwall 1-1 Brentford (J Wallace 4; Toney 21 pen).

This Saturday’s opponents Brentford have consistently unearthed strikers from lower levels who go on to become prolific scorers.

Ivan Toney has 29 league goals this season after signing form League One Peterborough last September.

The Bees bought Ollie Watkins from League Two Exeter and he scored 25 Championship goals last season before moving to Aston Villa last summer for over £20million.

The season before that Neal Maupay, recruited from the French second division, also scored 25 league goals and generated another £20million-plus when he joined Brighton.

The latter two cost £1.8million and £1.6million, respectively, so Millwall realistically need to be looking at around the £2million-mark for a striker who could potentially make that kind of impact and push them towards a playoff challenge. That would mean breaking

Lions defender joins promotion challenge

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk MILLWALL DEFENDER Junior Tiensia has linked up with Lions team-mate Isaac Olaofe after joining Sutton United on loan for a month.

Junior Tiensia

Tiensia, 20, has signed a 28-day youth loan and will be aiming to help the National League side to promotion to the Football League for the first time in their history.

Tiensia, who plays mainly as a leftback, has been close to a first-team appearance after being in the matchday squad a number of times.

Olaofe has scored ten league goals this season for Sutton, who are battling for the one automatic promotion spot.

Meanwhile, winger Sam Skeffington made his senior debut in professional football as he helped Barnet end a run of five straight defeats as they drew 0-0 at Maidenhead United at the weekend.

Skeffington, 20, who can play in midfield, started on the left wing for Simon Bassey’s side, who are effectively bottom of the National League table after Dover’s season was declared null and void.

their transfer record.

As well as Leagues One and Two, Bussell will be casting the net wider and has good knowledge of European football.

It is set to be an intriguing summer in the transfer market.

Meanwhile, the kick-off in the London derby was brought forward to 12.30pm so as not to clash with the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

It is the Lions’ first trip to the Brentford Community Stadium.

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE Table before this week’s games

1 Norwich City 2 Watford 3 Brentford 4 Swansea City 5 Barnsley 6 Bournemouth 7 Reading 8 Cardiff City 9 Millwall 10 Middlesbrough 11 QPR 12 Stoke City 13 Luton Town 14 Bristol City 15 Nottingham F 16 Preston NE 17 Blackburn R 18 Birmingham City 19 Huddersfield T 20 Derby County 21 Coventry City 22 Rotherham U 23 Sheffield W 24 Wycombe W

P W D L GD Pts

41 27 9 5 37 90 41 24 10 7 32 82 40 20 13 7 31 73 40 21 9 10 17 72 41 21 8 12 10 71 40 19 11 10 25 68 41 19 9 13 11 66 41 16 11 14 12 59 41 14 16 11 1 58 41 16 9 16 3 57 40 15 11 14 0 56 41 14 13 14 -1 55 40 15 8 17 -11 53 41 15 5 21 -15 50 41 12 13 16 -5 49 41 14 6 21 -14 48 41 12 11 18 5 47 41 11 12 18 -19 45 40 11 11 18 -18 44 41 11 10 20 -16 43 40 10 12 18 -20 42 37 10 6 21 -13 36 40 11 8 21 -18 35 * 41 8 9 24 -34 33

* Sheffield Wednesday deducted 12 points subject to appeal (12pts)

inside

Sport Southwark

award for Bermondsey headline here icon

about the promo

Lions aim to strike a blow Millwall look for diamond in the rough this summer

EXCLUSIVE

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk MILLWALL BOSS Gary Rowett is out to find a diamond in the rough in the next transfer window – and this weekend’s opponents Brentford have shown how it can be done.

The Lions manager desperately wants a striker to provide goals, and the Bees have led the way in that regard in recent seasons.

Millwall don’t have a fortune to spend, but Brentford have shown you don’t necessarily need one.

The west London club signed Neal Maupay from the French second division and Ollie Watkins from League Two Exeter. Both went on to score 25

goals in a season in the Championship and both commanded fees of more than £20million when they were sold to Premier League Brighton and Aston Villa, respectively.

Rowett admitted it is more difficult to find that player that other clubs may have missed.

“It’s a lot harder because there are other clubs with far bigger recruitment departments than us, with far bigger scope and far bigger manpower,” Rowett said.

“So it makes it difficult for a club like us to find those players that others can’t.

“But I think what we always do is we look for that player who fits our system, who’s maybe underperformed last season, for various reasons.

“You take someone like Scottie Malone and Mason Bennett, for

example, you bring them into the building, put them into the right environment, in the right type of team, and we’ve seen them flourish.

“I think that’s where we’re looking.

We certainly can’t go out and spend vast amounts of money on players.

“But, equally, it’s our job to try to find those players, be competitive in trying to find them and see if we can get one or two that other teams have overlooked.

“That’s always the challenge and it’s a big challenge for a club like us.”

Rowett said last summer the club needed to take a risk in the transfer market, before they brought in Troy Parrott from Tottenham and Kenneth Zohore from West Brom.

Neither loan really worked out, but the Lions boss insists they need to show similar ambition this summer.

Visit www.newsatden.co.uk for all the latest Millwall news online

“We have to, we have to,” he said. “If you look at every three or four that work you always get one or two that perhaps don’t quite go to plan.

“If you look at Troy, he was a player that was highly regarded that just found that step-up a little bit tough.

“And then Ken Zohore just hasn’t been able to stay fit enough for long enough to be able to impact the team.

“You have to take a bit of a gamble.

They are two players that clearly we couldn’t sign permanently so therefore you have to take a bit of a gamble, see if you can get them in a different way and see if they can perform.

“Some work, some don’t and for a club like us it can have a big impact on your season.

“The recruitment side is something we want to try and get right in the summer – so let’s see if we can.”

Page 28

Contract talks planned for end of season

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk MILLWALL BOSS Gary Rowett said the club have yet to decide on the futures of some of their out-of-contract players – and the Lions are prepared for departures.

Club skipper Alex Pearce, Shaun Williams, Shane Ferguson and Matt Smith see their current terms run out at the end of June.

Millwall are in negotiations with Jed Wallace, 27, over securing the attacker on a new long-term contract.

Pearce, 32, has not been a regular this season as Shaun Hutchinson – an everpresent before his recent injury – wore the armband.

Rowett said earlier this season that Williams, 34, could decide to focus more on coaching after he was named player-coach last pre-season.

Ferguson, 29, and Smith, 31, have also struggled to nail down regular places in the side.

But Rowett expects more talks towards the end of the season as he said no finals decision have been made.

“No, not really, not yet. There are still discussions to be had. I think with five games to go it’s quite difficult to sit down with everybody,” Rowett said.

“We’ll probably now wait until the end of the season or the last week of the season to make those decisions and see where we go.

“And of course there are players that we’ll be talking to who might not choose to re-sign.

“Again, you have to be ready for some of those moving parts, and we’ll try to be.”

Alex Pearce The recycled paper content of UK newspapers in 2014 was 83.5%