Southwark News - April 6th 2023

BEhind thE wall

Cut

Russian Lions speak to the News a year into the war

Contents

NEWS

Pages 2-15

OPINION

Pages 16-17

Art S

Pages 18-19

hIStOry

Page 20

Cl ASSIfIEd & fA mIly

ANNOuNCE mENt S

Page 21

PublIC NOtICES

Pages 23-24

SPOrt

Pages 26-32

two morE primary schools consult on mErgEr as crisis dEEpEns ovEr falling admissions lEvEls

ExcluSivE

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

St Jude’S and Charlotte Sharman

Primary School, both in elephant and Castle, are considering amalgamating in a bid to make them “economically viable”.

The schools have begun consulting without being told to do so by Southwark Council, meaning they are not included in the eight schools that Southwark Council earmarked for amalgamation, as reported in the News last week.

This takes the total number of Southwark primary schools expected to amalgamate to twelve, when inlcuding Cobourg and Camelot Primary Schools in Walworth and Peckham.

So while this paper is aware of four of the twelve schools considering amalgamation, Southwark Council has refused to name the other eight.

Primaries are merging with neighbouring schools to combat the financial burden caused by falling pupil admissions.

In a letter sent by Charlotte Sharman to parents, the school said it is in discussions with St. Jude’s about a merger.

The letter says that Charlotte Sharman would remain on its current site and that the merger wouldn’t take place until at least September 2024.

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Both schools are by the Imperial War Museum and are less than a two-minute walk away from each other.

However, some parents are concerned about how a merger would work given St Jude’s

Church of England status.

A letter written to Charlotte Sharman parents, dated March 3, said: “Given the growing pressure on pupil numbers in the area, governors understand that further steps are necessary and are actively seeking a merger as the best option for the future.

“We are currently in discussion with St. Jude’s Primary School, located just across the road.”

Both Charlotte Sharman and St Jude’s are under-capacity although the problem is more acute for St Jude’s.

According to the UK government’s schools website, Charlotte Sharman has 207 pupils on roll out of a capacity of 236.

St Jude’s, on the other hand, has just 108 students out of a capacity of 210, according to the same website.

A concern among parents at St Jude’s is that while it is a Church of England school, Charlotte Sharman is not.

The St Jude’s website says “children are created in the image of God” and its “Christian ethos is central to school life”, with regular visits from a Christian father who leads worship.

Elena Koneva, a parent at St Jude’s, who is an Orthodox Christian, said: “Nobody has told us how it’s going to be. Will we stop being a Church of England school? It’s not clear at all.”

She also said parents were unclear about

how an after school club merger would work and how children from the two schools would be introduced to each other. She added that the schools’ close proximity was “convenient”. The crisis of falling admissions is happening across London, and is being caused by declining birth rates, covid-19, Brexit and regeneration.

The council has said that vacated school premises will not be sold off but instead retain their education purposes.

Southwark Council’s schools boss Councillor Jasmine Ali previously said: “It... leaves the option for us to reopen [them] as a school, ready for the time when birth rates rise again and when new families come to the capital.”

walworth’s aylesbury Estate social homes site ‘tops out’

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

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Builder S and councillors have celebrated the ‘topping out’ of a residential site on the aylesbury estate, Walworth.

This means that the construction of the Aylesbury First Development Site (FDS) B, overlooking Albany Road, has reached roof level.

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Once completed, the site will provide 352 social rent homes. Overall, the Aylesbury Estate regeneration will deliver 3,575 homes.

Councillor Darren Merrill, Cabinet Member for Council Homes and Homelessness, said: .

“I’m so pleased to see the progress being made here to improve and transform this area and create an environment that will support the local community to thrive. The 352 new homes on this site will be high-

quality, expertly designed homes that we know our residents will be proud to live in.

“The Aylesbury FDS is the start of the transformation of the wider Aylesbury Estate that will deliver up to 3,575 mixed tenure homes and 7,800 sqm of employment, retail, healthcare and community space. The redevelopment will create new, thriving neighbourhoods which will be carefully integrated into the wider network of streets and spaces of Walworth.”

The New Southwark Plan envisages building 2,249 social rent homes on the wider Aylesbury Action Area.

Critics have argued that a 2015 survey showed there were 2,402 social rent homes in the area, meaning Southwark’s plans would deliver a net loss of affordable homes. The first new homes from the FDS A are expected to be ready towards the end of 2023, and Phase B should be finished by autumn 2025.

Southwark News started life as the Bermondsey News in 1987, as an A-4 photocopied sheet of paper and rapidly grew to cover the entire borough and the surrounding area. As the borough grew, so did the newspaper. It is owned and run by Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn.

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

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St Jude’s (left) and Charlotte Sharman (right).

This craicing pub is loved by OAPs and chic fashion students alike

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

a Pu B in between new Cros and nunhead has been named the greatest boozer in london thanks to its “perfect Guinness”, irish entertainment and mixed crowd of “oaPs” and “chic fashion students”.

Skehans Free House beat rival Southwark establishments like The Ivy House, Nunhead (10), The Prince of Peckham (19th), The Mayflower in Rotherhithe (35th) and The Camberwell Arms (46th) to the top spot on Time Out’s ‘Best Pubs’ list.

The cosy pub, famed for its beautiful, ivy-clad exterior and “good craic” is on Kitto Road, just a five minutes walk from Nunhead Station.

By Isabel Ramirez isabel@southwarknews.co.uk

a BermondSey barbershop, which is owned by a record collector who specialises in men’s vintage haircuts, has been named the best in london.

Hidden above an Italian restaurant on Maltby Street, Castro’s Barbershop specialises in men’s hairstyles from the ‘30s to ‘60s and is known for its vintage style and music.

Business partners Leo Castro (pictured) and Aisha Khan opened the barbershop in 2019, and feel they have created a unique experience for clients.

“I like to make it feel like more than a haircut - and for it to really represent me,” Leo explained.

As well as being a barber, Leo, who is from Barcelona, is a major record collector. “The music I play in the barbershop is so important to me.

“I like to play the music that the customers’ fathers and grandfathers listened to - this allows you to really connect with people and take them on a journey.”

In addition to this, they have a live vinyl DJ in the store on a Saturday spinning

Time Out said: “A place of legend in Nunhead, this towering corner pub is as fun as it is friendly.

“It’s family-run and independent, a rare thing these days in London, and attracts everyone from OAPs to local bands, chic fashion students and troupes of cheerful lads. There’s karaoke, folk-music nights and terrific Thai food too.

“What more could you want? Perfect Guinness? Well, this is a proper Irish pub, so you’re in luck.”

It’s got a large garden and sizeable floor space which accommodates darts, pool, live sport and live music. There are Monday night ‘Jam Sessions’, quiz nights on Thursday, and Fridays are reserved for notoriously raucous karaoke nights.

Punters can tuck into Thai food from the Chai Garden restaurant throughout the week and there’s a burger night

on Tuesdays serving patties from local butchers.

On its website, Skehans wrote: “Skehans is a melting pot in the middle of the melting pot that is London… We have a friendly traditional front bar with a pool table and darts. Our wood burning stove is always kept burning during the winter months.

“Come on in and enjoy the odd pint, everyone is welcome in Skehans.”

One Google reviewer wrote: “This is the best pub in London and all my friends would agree, the Thai food on the weekdays is insane and Chico’s roast on Sunday is incredible. A special shout-out to Pat who always keeps everyone safe and happy!”

Another said: “One of, if not the best pub in London. Fantastic.”

Skehans is on 1 Kitto Rd, London SE14 5SN

rocking BarBErs is a cut aBovE thE rEst

businesses that have proven to be the best in their market over the past 12 months. They take into account a variety of things to judge the winners: including customer feedback, personal touch and passion.

“We don’t know who nominated us but we are so pleased to be recognised for what we do,” Aisha said.

Leo added that winning this title meant a lot to him: “I’m a foreigner and since I was a kid I’ve loved English culture, I am completely in love with this city - so it’s special for us.

“We are so grateful to our team, customers and suppliers and our local community here.”

their old school records, and Aisha, a vintage ‘roots’ singer by trade, runs regular music events in the market. She said that despite facing many challenges, including having to close just nine months after opening due to covid, they have managed to pull through it all.

“In total, we were closed for eight and a half months,” she said. “But after finally reopening when it was all allowed, we have just grown and grown.

“We opened with just one barber and one chair. Now, we have four chairs and four barbers - and hundreds of loyal

customers.”

They have just been named the best barbershop in London (and the South East) for 2023/2.

It was awarded by the Corporate Livewire Prestige Awards, which recognise small and medium-sized

If customers want a vintage cut with scissors, which at other barbers costs £32, at Castro’s it costs between £26£28. Leo said keeping the prices low was important to him.

“I only want to grow more whilst keeping this service affordable - I don’t want to increase the prices,” he said. Castro’s Barbershop, 49 Maltby Street, Bermondsey, SE1 3PA.

nanny BE t’s smiling facE will shinE on in BErmondsE y

By Isabel Ramirez isabel@southwarknews.co.uk

the SmilinG face of Betty heather appropriately shines down near the Blue market Square in Bermondsey, and for her grieving family, it is a lasting memorial to a woman who was like a mum to thousands of girls.

Elizabeth (Betty) Heather peacefully passed away surrounded by her loving family just two weeks ago on March 20th.

The 89-year-old was a regular face in the Blue and a true old-school Bermondsey girl. To thousands, she will be remembered as Nanny Bet having worked as a ‘lift lady’ at Aylwin Girl School on Southwark Park for 20 years until she retired aged 72 in 2006.

“She would have carried on but the insurance got too high because of her age,” her daughter Kathy Heather told the News this week. “She was a mum to all - the kids called her Nanny Bet at the school. She cared for you, she cared about you. When I talk to people they say, ‘Ah I’m gonna miss your mum’s smiley face.’”

But her smile lives on through the People’s Mural (pictured) overlooking the Blue Market’s car park off St James’s Road. And it was the Blue where Betty could be found almost every day shopping. “Mum didn’t believe in monthly shopping,” Kathy continued, “she used to shop fresh every day down the Blue. And in her later years, she started using the Age Concern - she’d go in there and have her dinner, and play bingo. She put her bets on - she liked her 49s (the daily lottery).”

When the artist was painting the mural, he chose characters from the area

everyone would recognise. “Her face has been painted directly underneath the wall light - so even in the dark she shines bright,” Kathy said.

Appropriately, Betty is among a line of women featured as working at the nearby former Peek Freens Biscuit Factory, which was a major employer in the area until it closed in the late 1980s.

Like so many women of her age Betty’s working life started off in factories, like Peek Freens and Hartley’s jam factory just off Tower Bridge Road. In fact, Betty never really left Bermondsey and the area of the Blue. While raising her four children she spent over 40 years as a cleaner at Alma Primary School, just yards away from the mural.

Her last job at Aylwin Girls’ School, now Harris Academy Bermondsey, as a lift lady involved standing in the lift and counting the kids that were getting on, to make sure not too many got on each time. The school tower is somewhat of a landmark in the area and at just over 5 feet, many of the schoolgirls would tower over their Nanny Bet which included her daughter Michelle.

Betty married at 23 to a man her mum set her up with. Bill was the love of her life and after he passed away in her arms aged just 61 Betty never remarried. Bill’s mum and Betty’s mum played matchmaker. The two were friends and would meet at The Ship pub on Long Lane. “One Saturday night their mums brought them both to The Ship pub and that’s how it all started,” Kathy said.

Asked if she ever met anyone else, Kathy said: “No - mum used to say no one would fit his shoes. He was only a size 5,” she joked. Married for 65 years, the couple Kathy

says ‘simply looked after each other,’ until her dad’s death in 1992.

The pair moved to St James’ Road soon after tying the knot and had four children in total: Kim, Kathy, Billy and Michelle. Kathy remembers that the house had ‘no heating or hot water’ for the fourteen years when they lived there. “We used to just put the kettle on and do strip washes. We didn’t know anything different growing up,” she said.

Being a widow for 31 years, Kathy said the most important thing to her mum was her family and her darts. “She played darts every Tuesday for 55 years all over Bermondsey – in places like The Rose and Crown, the Manor Tavern, the Surdoc Club. She was quite good.”

Along with her four children, Betty leaves behind eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Born in 1934 on Law Street, Bermondsey, towards Borough she was the youngest and only daughter along with eight brothers, she was the last surviving sibling of her family.

In memory of Betty’s daily routine, on the day of the funeral (Monday, April 24) family and friends plan to pay a visit to all her regular spots - finishing off at The Blue Anchor pub, where Kathy says her mum used to sing with her brothers. “Her favourite song was ‘Here In My Heart’ by Al Martino. We are going to have that as her last song at her funeral,” she added. Kathy like her mum is a well-known face

in Bermondsey having set up a pantry in the area during the Covid pandemic and more recently opened a baby bank named Betty’s Baby Bank, which is named after Kathy’s granddaughter who was named after her mum. “Mummy was so proud of that. Her legacy lives on.”

The family are encouraging anyone that knew their ‘mummy’ to come and raise a glass for her on the day.

On Monday, April 24 there will be tea and biscuits from 8:30 am at Albins funeral home on in Bermondsey, leaving at 9:30 am for their journey down the Blue. The service will be at Honor Oak Crematorium starting at 10:45. If you would like to make a floral tribute please contact Nancy at Greens Florist on Jamaica Road at 07595 701 214.

Popular ‘lift lady’ Betty Heather passed away last month and will be missed by thousands

Betty (circled) on a Bermondsey Beano to Margate in the 1950s with her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law

Black wartimE doctor and civil rights trailBlazEr to gEt BluE plaquE at ElEphant

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

PioneerinG BlaCk doctor and civil rights trailblazer dr Cecil Belfield Clarke will have a plaque installed in elephant and Castle.

He co-founded the black civil rights organisation the League of Coloured People and ran a medical practice at 112 Newington Causeway from 1920 to his retirement in 1965.

The plaque will be installed on the corner of the London South Bank University (LSBU) Perry Library building, 112 Newington Causeway, the former site of the doctor’s surgery, from 11am to 4pm on Wednesday, April 12.

Community group Nubian Jak has organised the plaque to improve awareness of historically-significant Black Brits, especially given just 2 per cent of Historic England’s plaques denoted black figures as of October 2021.

Southwark historian Stephen Bourne, who will speak at the unveiling, said: “For me, Dr Cecil Belfield Clarke is one of many black historical figures in Britain that are just completely overlooked and marginalised.”

Belfield Clarke was born in Barbados in 1894 and won an island scholarship to study at Cambridge University. He travelled to the UK after the outbreak of World War I, arriving on

September 28, 1914, and got a BA from St Catharine’s College, of which he would become president in 1965.

Belfield Clarke established a GP surgery in Elephant and Castle in 1920. There are very few surviving photos of him or his practice, but Stephen was able to work out that his surgery was at 112 Newington Causeway which, pre-Blitz, was where the Perry Library now stands.

“His patients were all working class.

The Elephant and Castle was a very working-class area…with slums and poor housing so he was very much rooted in that local community,” said Stephen.

The area was heavily bombed during the Blitz. An extract from Stephen’s book Under Fire: Black Britain in Wartime in 1939 - 45 says: “In spite of the intensive bombing… Dr Cecil Belfield Clarke continued to work at his practice… and Clarke worked there all through the blitz.

“The worst air raid… took place on the 10th and 11th of May 1941, when German bombers targeted the area to create a terrible firestorm… but miraculously Dr Clarke’s surgery survived.”

In a letter he wrote to the BBC soon after, Belfield Clarke explained that an entire wall had been blown away, the gas and water were disconnected, and that a tarpaulin roof had been erected.

“When I found that letter that gave me a clue into the character of the man,” said

Stephen.

Through the League of Coloured Peoples, Dr Cecil Belfield Clarke was central to the UK’s black civil rights movement, fighting to end the colour bar and the independence of colonial nations.

When people visited London to attend civil rights conferences, they often stayed at his Barnet home, which is now the Belfield Montessori school.

In his 1951 book No Green Pastures: The Journal of Negro History Roi Ottley described him as a “light brown frecklefaced man of 50-odd years inclined to corpulence with the buoyancy of one who has lived well and happily.

“His range of interests included horticulture and, as a hobby, he grew red roses. His friends… joined us for supper in the garden. They were equally urbane but the conversation as I remember was not high-flown.”

Clarke is believed to have been in a gay relationship with lifelong partner Pat Walker, a love he concealed by employing him as his secretary.

Clarke retired in 1965, and died on November 28, 1970, and his GP surgery was demolished soon after.

But before his death, he visited Ghana to see it become independent in 1957, no doubt a great moment for a man who was vociferous in his objections to British colonialism.

HAPPY EASTER

Dr. Cecil Belfield Clarke

A raid in May 1941 saw the entire wall of his surgery blown away, the gas and the water disconnected, but the doctor erected a tarpaulin roof and just carried on

southwark is rockEd By spatE of staBBings

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

SouthWark haS been rocked by a spate of horrifying stabbings, many in broad daylight, with victims as young as sixteen.

The grim incidents have seen the Met Police launch a series of urgent investigations as they hunt those who wield weapons on south London’s streets.

TEEn STabbEd afTEr bEing chaSEd by ‘knifE-wiElding mEn’ nEar burgESS Park

Two days of horrific violence began when a seventeen-year-old youth was stabbed and left in a serious condition after horrifying reports of a man being chased towards Burgess Park by knifewielding men.

The officers were called to the scene near Phelp Street, Walworth, at 12.43am on Sunday, April 2 and found the teenage victim. Ambulance workers treated him at the scene. He was taken to St Thomas’ Hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

Police were told that an individual was

seen being chased by a group of men, two of whom had knives.

The Met Police are urging witnesses and people with information to step forward. Police are urging anyone with information or who was in the area on Sunday, April 2 to call police on 101 quoting CAD rerference 258 02APR. Alternatively, people can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

man in hiS TwEnTiES woundEd in knifE aTTack on TannEr STrEET

A man was stabbed in Bermondsey, on Monday, April 3, and rushed to hospital, just a day after the Burgess Park incident.

Police were called to Tanner Street, off Tower Bridge Road, at 4.34pm and found a man, in his twenties, suffering from stab injuries.

London Ambulance Service and the London Air Ambulance responded, rushing the man to hospital, where his condition was assessed as neither lifethreatening nor life-changing.

A crime scene was put in place, there have been no arrests and the Met Police’s

enquiries are ongoing.

STabbEd man flagS down PaSSing PolicE car in bErmondSEy

A man who’d been stabbed was discovered by police at the corner of Ilderton Road, near South Bermondsey Station, on Tuesday, April 4. The stricken victim, aged in his 30s, waved down police in broad daylight, at 10.15am, after suffering stab wounds to his chest and leg.

Officers performed first aid and took

the victim to hospital for treatment. His condition is not thought to be lifethreatening or life-changing.

In the hours following the incident, police erected a cordon cutting off the Bargain Booze shop and a portion of the car park.

At 1pm, roughly a dozen officers were at the scene and a police dog could be seen sniffing the area, including the shop entrance.

The shops either side of the cordon, including Greggs, the fried chicken shop

and Windmill Stores, remained open to customers.

There have been no arrests and police enquiries continue.

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD2125/4Apr.

SixTEEn-yEar-old boy STabbEd on 63 buS along nEw kEnT road

A teenage boy was stabbed on the Route 63 bus going through New Kent Road, Elephant and Castle.

Police were called to reports of a stabbing on a bus on Tuesday, April 4, and found a sixteen-year-old suffering from his injuries.

He was rushed to hospital for treatment where his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

A crime scene was put in place. There have been no arrests and police enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD3821/4Apr. People can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

r ussian millwall fans still wE ar thE shirt, sing thE anthEm and support Ed England at

ExcluSivE

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

ruSSian millWall fans are still donning the lions’ shirts, singing the club’s anthem and draping themselves in St George’s flags, over one year into the war in ukraine.

Despite growing tensions between the UK and Russian governments, the Millwall Muscovites have still been watching the side’s promotion push at Moscow’s Churchill Pub, even recording a cover of the club anthem ‘Let ‘Em Come’.

Though they’re not “walking with the Union Jack at the Red Square”, they supported England at the World Cup and keep in touch with their Bermondsey mates.

One year after they first spoke to the News they still oppose the war, like “many people in Russia, the same as in the UK”, describing it as a “bad dream” they can’t wake up from.

Their interview with the News gives a glimpse into the life of many Russians cut off from the rest of the world by President Putin’s aggressive attack on neighbouring Ukraine and his ban on allowing his own people to call it a war.

Supporters’ club founder Maxim Prokhorenko, who fell in love with Millwall after meeting Bermondsey boys while building a factory in Russia, said: “We can do it, we are still supporting Millwall, and we were supporting the

war

England team at the last World Cup. No problems with it.

“Of course, we are not walking with the Union Jack at the Red Square. Many people in Russia, the same as in UK, do not support the political course of the opponent, but my strong opinion is that football must be above the political situation. We just support a football team, and we’ll keep doing it for sure.”

While Putin’s war of the words with the UK escalates - he last month vowed “to respond” if the UK supplies Ukraine with tank shells made with depleted uranium - Max prays for peace: “It’s a great pain for me when people are killing each other.

“I never thought that Russia will be in war with Ukraine. Same as none of you can imagine that England will be in war with Scotland nowadays, for example. It’s like a bad dream. I wish to wake up, but can’t.”

Max’s Dad lives in Ukraine although not a region where there are military operations. Thankfully, he is okay.

Western trade sanctions have limited the drink choices at the Churchill Pub, and travel bans prevent the boys from flying over to visit The Den.

But the lads still pile into the Churchill Pub every Saturday to watch Gary Rowett’s side’s pursuit of Premier League status.

“The English pub in Moscow is working, we can meet and watch Millwall there. The choice of beers, ales and whisky is not as wide as before, but they still have many British and

European brands you can choose from. No problems with that,” he said.

In fact, the club’s band, Max & The Jellied Eels Inc, made up of Dmitry Lugovskoy, Stas Furman, Sergey Chernov and Dmitry Miroshnichenko, recently recorded their first song - a cover of ‘Let ‘Em Come’.

A video clip available on Twitter shows the lads rocking out in front of a huge Millwall mural, backed by a London skyline.

With some of the musicians hailing from Samara, a city 1000km from Moscow on the Volga river, they recorded the song there and plan to make a music video featuring footage from the Churchill Pub.

Max’s love of Millwall, which began in ‘90s, arose from his friendship with fans, but also his appreciation of

Millwall’s authenticity. He said: “I was against posh clubs and glory hunting so all these Premiership clubs were not my story.

“Millwall is the only club mostly famous for its supporters. Most of the people thought that it’s because of hooligans – but the reality is that Millwall is a big and strong family who can defend themselves and are proud to stand for the club and its colours.

“Many people don’t understand it, but the real Millwall fans do.”

He’s still in contact with fans in south London: “We have many friends among Millwall fans. We keep talking to each other. Most of our Facebook and Twitter audience are from UK. I have just asked not to discuss politics in our social media resources.”

Ultimately, Max’s attention is on the

pitch, not the politics, and he’s eager to talk about the season so far: “The season seems to be a successful one, everyone is looking into playoffs, but the team and the manager need to make work hard to reach it.

“But they have made a great job already, I think. With our budget and resources, reaching the playoff zone is a great success. Fingers crossed we get to Wembley.”

Max sees no sign of an end to the war, but his spirits are kept alive by the prospect of one day returning to The Den.

“All my friends… are waiting for us in London, and hope one day we could come to the Den to watch football and to have few pints in the Old Kings Head and Whelan’s with our Millwall mates.”

editorial - page 17

thE world c up - onE y E ar into thE ukrainE

Police at the scene on i lderton road, b ermondsey, with sniffer dog

r E sidE nts ‘considE r l E gal action’ aftEr nEighBour lay dE ad for ov E r two y E ars

peckham’s Jones & higgins snubbed by historic England

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

a PeCkham historian, aged 80, is battling to get listed status for the Jones & higgins department Store on Peckham rye - despite being snubbed by historic england.

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

traumatiSed reSidentS of a nunhead housing block where a woman lay undiscovered for two-anda-half years could be considering legal action against Peabody.

The skeletal remains of Sheila Seleoane, 58, were discovered in her Lord’s Court flat in February 2022, years after residents raised concerns about her welfare.

The coroner’s inquest in July last year revealed a series of oversights and blunders.

At the inquest into her death, a police inspector said he found her curled up on the sofa, still wearing her blue pyjamas and white top, but reduced to “bones and dust”.

Due to the decomposed state of the body the cause of death was ‘unascertained’.

Responding to news of a possible legal challenge, Peabody apologised again, saying it was trying to move families out, was acting on the independent report it commissioned, and that it was “determined to… learn our lessons and continuously improve for the benefit of residents.”

At the inquest Peabody admited it had failed to “join up the dots”.

Neighbours raised the alarm about Sheila being missing and a “foul smell” engulfing the block as early as January 2020. Police believe she died in August 2019.

When this paper visited the block after

the inquest, neighbour Corrina Whyte, 33, said: “I’ve been traumatised. In the whole block you had maggots and bluebottles. They were coming from everywhere. It was horrendous.”

She even recalled her son playing ‘knock down ginger’ on Sheila’s door, soon after she’d died, and saying he’d heard the buzz of flies behind the door.

She said so many maggots dropped onto the balcony below Sheila’s flat that her neighbour had to buy a shovel to scoop them off.

Residents have reportedly told a national media outlet that despite Peabody’s efforts to improve the situation, the trauma meant some were speaking to lawyers about legal action to get compensation for their suffering.

One Lord’s Court resident, who gave his name as Senior, told this paper last year :“I didn’t spend a lot of time with her [Sheila] but she was really nice and when I heard I was shocked.

“We were having conversations about the maggots for a couple of years. They [Peabody] did nothing. It definitely could have been avoided.

When Sheila stopped paying rent, Peabody successfully applied to get rent paid directly from her universal credit in March 2020.

Given that Sheila had made regular rent payments prior to August 2019, a coroner questioned why this hadn’t rung “internal alarm bells”.

When Sheila didn’t respond to gas inspections, her gas was simply switched off.

An independent report commissioned by Peabody, after Sheila was discovered, accepted there had been multiple “missed opportunities” to find her body sooner.

It said the association’s ‘silo working’ meant reports from neighbours, Peabody employees and gas inspectors were not cross-checked to form a detailed picture. A police blunder also meant Peabody was incorrectly told Ms Seleoane was alive a year after she’d died.

In a statement, Peabody said: “Clearly we still have a long way to go. We’re continuing to try and find new homes for residents who wish to move. While we have moved some families, the desperate shortage of suitable affordable homes in London means that we have not been able to move everyone. We have been open, honest and transparent about what went wrong. We immediately commissioned an independent report which we published in full and are acting on all 37 recommendations the report raised.

“We have to strike a balance between residents’ right to peaceful enjoyment of their homes and the desire to make sure that people are safe and well. But through better use of data, better teamwork across our organisation and more locally focused colleagues, we can be much better at spotting the signs that something isn’t right without intruding in people’s lives.”

Visible above the Rye Lane Costa outlet, the Victorian department store and its accompanying Jarvis Clock Tower, opened in 1867, are an example Venetian-Gothic style.

Led by local historian Nancy Coleman-Frank, architects and activists say its preservation is “more important than ever” given Peckham’s ongoing regeneration - especially developer Berkeley’s seismic plans for the neighbouring Aylesham Centre.

But Historic England, which had already rejected an application in 2009, told the News: “It did not have the special architectural and historic interest needed to merit listing on a national level.”

This has shocked Nancy, who spent lockdowns poring over architectural documents, uncovering new information about the building.

Nancy said: “With the threat of the Aylesham Centre being completely redone, it seemed more important than ever to get them listed so a small committee was formed to get it going.

“Then covid hit and all which made research difficult… and as time went on I became the main one who was doing all the writing for the application.”

As part of the application, Nancy says she submitted evidence of the building’s Venetian influences.

Peckham architect Benedict O’Looney was surprised by the

decision: “If you look closely at Jones & Higgins there is a lot of Renaissance and Venetian-Renaissance detailing. It’s really quite unique and idiosyncratic.”

Jones & Higgins formed a key part of the ‘Golden Mile’ of shops that rivalled Oxford Street in the Victorian era. Through research at the Victoria & Albert Museum and elsewhere, Nancy found out that its architects, Jarvis & Son, were likely influenced by Venetian architecture.

She found sketches belonging to Henry Jarvis, son of the architectural practice’s founder, also named Henry, from his time in Venice.

Some of his sketches of Venetian architecture bear an uncanny resemblance to the clock tower atop the Jones and Higgins building. Benedict O’Looney believes the clock may be inspired by the one St Mark’s Clock Tower in Piazza San Marco.

The original store closed its doors in 1980 and part of the building was demolished to make room for the Aylesham Centre.

Some of the building was later taken over by the Peckham Palais nightclub until it closed around ten years ago.

The Victorian Society lists the Jones & Higgins Department Store as one of its top ten most endangered buildings. But Historic England said: “The landmark clock tower that stands now is a 1950s remodelling of the original 1894 tower which was much larger and more elaborate. While the façade of the Jones and Higgins building is impressive, it doesn’t have the architectural interest to outweigh the loss of original features elsewhere. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport agreed with our advice.”

85 Peckham Rye flats have lain largely empty for over six years

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

Four BloCkS containing 85 flats lay largely empty, six years after residents were moved out because of the buildings’ disrepair.

Since then, two separate developers have secured planning permission to demolish or refurbish the blocks on Solomon’s Passage, Peckham Rye, but they’re still vacant.

Local residents are furious over what some regard as a waste of living space at a time when over 17,000 people are on the housing waiting list.

Southwark Council has said it is

unable to bring the homes back into council hands through a compulsory purchase order (CPO) or empty dwelling management order (EDMO) because they are now up for sale.

Only recently, the Rye Hill TRA Twitter account tweeted asking: “Why haven’t these been replaced?”

Developer Wandle built the four residential blocks from 2009 to 2011, with 30 of the 85 flats earmarked as affordable housing. But residents were left “heartbroken” when “significant problems” such as water damage to the four buildings’ timber framework forced them to move out.

Residents were offered compensation payments and Wandle’s plans to demolish two of the blocks and refurbish the other two were approved in 2018. According to ECD Architects, who drew up the plans, Wandle aimed to “restore the trust of the community… by building quality homes that residents can enjoy, relax and play in”.

But the redevelopment never happened. Instead, Wandle sold the site in September 2020 for £9 million.

New owners Henley Homes then drew up plans to demolish all the blocks, which were approved by the council on November 30, 2021.

A planning officer said at the time

that there were “some temporary occupiers... to help protect the site from vandalism but the majority of homes are unoccupied”.

But now, the buildings are back up for sale, according to Southwark Council. A council spokesperson said: “We agree it is unacceptable that the site has not moved forward. As we understand it the site is currently up for sale on the private market, so the council is not in a position to consider or use CPO powers.”

Southwark Council was asked why the building being up for sale prevented a CPO but they did not respond before going to the press.

Henley Homes was approached for comment but also did not respond before going to press.

The Jones & higgins department Store.

© Nancy Coleman-Frank

Sheila Seleoane

lords court on St mary’s road in nunhead

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

a ne W movie starring actors Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh was being filmed in Herne hill on monday, april 3 - with

Old Kent Road fire destroys entire flat

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

a Woman was treated by ambulance workers after a fire completely destroyed a flat on the old kent road.

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to the tworoomed flat on the ground floor at 10.21am last Friday, March 31.

A woman escaped the property before they arrived and was treated by London Ambulance Service crews for smoke inhalation.

The fire was brought under control by 11.22am by crews from Old Kent Road, Dockhead, Peckham and surrounding fire stations.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

stars

social media users sharing snaps that appear to show the pair on location.

Community news website Fawnbrake News had previously reported that “well-informed local friends” had said crews would be shooting ‘We Live in

Time’ in Brockwell Park and Station Square.

The film’s plot has been closely guarded but is being described as a “funny, deeply moving and immersive love story”.

Pugh recently confirmed on the

Jimmy Fallon Show: “We are doing a movie together… don’t worry that’s not a lie. We are doing a movie together.

“I met him the day before in rehearsals and we instantly got along and I was taking the p*ss out of him and he loved it and he was taking the p*ss out of me

and I loved it. It was great!”

Crew vehicles were expected to park along Dulwich Road where some parking bays were to be suspended.

The film is to be directed by John Crowley and the script has been developed by Studio Canal.

talks over lease extension for the waterloo health c entre are making ‘good progress’

ExcluSivE

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

neGotiationS over a lease extension between the threatened Waterloo health Centre and developer morgan Capital are ‘encouraging’, according to the parties involved.

Last month, local councillors warned that 14,000 patients could be left without a surgery after the Lower Marsh Road GP’s lease expired on March 1, 2023. But both Morgan Capital and NHS South East London have indicated a lease extension beyond April could yet be agreed, giving the practice time to find new premises elsewhere.

An NHS South East London spokesperson told the News: “The practice and the local NHS are making encouraging progress in agreeing an extension to the lease beyond April which we believe will provide the time needed to find accommodation.”

Simon Morgan, who works in investment and development at Morgan Capital, said dialogue was “positive” and there was “good progress”.

Waterloo Health Service has known it would have to move out since April 2022 after a lease extension was not agreed.

Waterloo Health Service had expected to move into the nearby Christian Aid building but the deal recently fell through because the building owners

reportedly want to sell the premises on the open market.

But by then, the health centre’s landlord had enlisted developer Morgan Capital to redevelop the site, requiring the surgery to move out.

Morgan Capital has plans for a “redeveloped building” that would “bring additional activity to Lower Marsh Road” but the company did not expand further.

According to the Southwark Liberal

Democrat group, the landlord is Oval Holdings although this paper was not able to contact them for comment.

Liberal Democrat Councillor MariaLinforth Hall said that at a meeting on March 15, the GP’s representatives said Morgan Capital had launched legal action against the surgery for overstaying its lease.

She called on Lambeth and Southwark Councils to “work together to find a solution as quickly as possible”.

Mr Morgan said: “Whilst it is true that we have begun legal proceedings, this is simply in order to protect the building owner’s legal position and want to ensure the building and GP practice’s future is solved by positive dialogue rather than the outcome of the legal steps we have begun to take.”

While legal proceedings have been launched, the NHS and Morgan Capital have stressed that negotiations have been fruitful since.

hollywood

a ndrE w g arfiEld and f lor EncE p ugh spott Ed in hErnE hill

The Waterloo Health Centre.

Photo from London Fire Brigade

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

dulW iCh and herne hill are in full bloom thanks to the blossoming of their stunning yoshino cherry trees, bringing a touch of Japan to their streets.

The almond-scented, blush-white flowers have sprouted across East Dulwich, Dulwich Village, Herne Hill and elsewhere in recent weeks, marking the return of spring.

There has been some dispute over who kickstarted the planting of the first trees in the area. David Langley says he started the project and planted the first trees in November 2006, on Winterbrook Road, Herne Hill.

David says he had lived in Japan and had long admired their cherry trees. He said: “When I first moved into Winterbook Road there were just some large lime trees in the road and there was nothing else there. It was a very urban and austere road making it absolutely perfect for this opportunity.”

But former councillor Robin Crookshank Hilton claims that she instigated the first Yoshino planting on Melbourne Grove two years later in 2008.

Today, the Yoshinos’ dramatic weeping canopies are visible on Stradella Road, Winterbrook Road, East Dulwich Grove, Lordship Lane and elsewhere.

A further ten trees were planted last spring as part of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project, a goodwill initiative between Japan and UK.

“They are thriving and will make a great addition to the rest of the trees in the street,” said David.

yoshino cherry trees bring a touch of Japan to herne hill and dulwich

One social media user tweeted: “I almost missed my train taking photos of Stradella Road today. Couldn’t resist.”

The Yoshino cherry is native to the Yoshino District in Nara, Japan, and first arrived in the UK at Kew Gardens

in 1910.

For decades, they were rarely planted in the UK but they have recently gained a reputation for both their beauty and hardiness, making them perfect street trees.

Their small cherries, although bitter to the human palette, are popular among birds and other small animals.

The blooming of cherry trees has been cause for celebration in Japan for centuries, where they are traditionally

believed to hold spirits.

In 1912, the Mayor of Tokyo gifted thousands of Yoshino cherry trees to Washington DC, USA, to mark the growing friendship between Japan and the United States.

Starring

Rebecca BIRCH

Jo CASTLETON

Alice DE-WARRENNE

George READSHAW

Tom RICHARDSON

Lighting

WED 19 - SAT 22 APRIL

Eves 7.30pm, Mat Thu and Sat 2.30pm

churchilltheatre.co.uk

Box Office 0343 310 0020

Directed by MICHAEL CABOT

Designed by BEK PALMER

by MATTHEW GREEN

victorian dinosaurs arE sav Ed from E xtinction By a £5 million rE x-toration

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

the dinoSaur S at Crystal Palace Park are being saved from extinction in a £5 million restoration project.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s donation will also see a new dinosaurthemed playground built near the park cafe, and a replacement information centre.

The money will also fund improvements to the park’s Lower Paxton Axis and Penge entrances.

These changes form part of the wider £52m regeneration of Crystal Palace Park, approved in March 2021, and funded by numerous sources.

Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Crystal Palace Park embodies the joy of heritage: from its nature walks and unique dinosaurs to the kaleidoscope of sporting and cultural activities held in its magnificent grounds.”

“We’re delighted that thanks to players of the National Lottery, we can save much-loved heritage like the Crystal Palace Park,” she added.

The dinosaurs were built in from 1852 to 1854 by renowned Victorian sculptor

Benjamin Waterhouse Watkins. When The Great Exhibition moved to Crystal Palace, then known as Sydenham Hill, in 1854, the models were commissioned to educate Victorians at the new site.

Although Waterhouse Watkins examined fossils at the British Museum as part of his research, palaeontology was still evolving and the dinosaurs have been described as “anatomically inaccurate”.

Despite their international acclaim and getting grade I listed status in 2007, the dinosaurs have eroded over time.

Cracks have appeared in their exteriors and in, 2021, the megalosaurus needed emergency surgery after its nose fell off.

Bromley councillor Yvonne Bear,

executive councillor for renewal, recreation and housing, said: “This funding is extremely welcome, allowing us to progress our £52m Regeneration Plan for Crystal Palace Park.

“Building on our close work with Historic England recently to prepare for the dinosaurs’ restoration, the Heritage Fund grant will allow us to

move closer to safeguarding the future of these amazing structures, while also delivering wider improvements to green spaces, including a new playground for families to enjoy.

“I thank local community groups for their ongoing support as we move forward with our plan, with this not only being about restoration, but

creating a sustainable model for the Park that works for local residents and businesses, while generating the funds needed to care for these amazing assets and green spaces over the long term.” The wider regeneration is well underway and the restoration of the grade-II listed pedestrian subway has reportedly made good progress.

Robberies against Dulwich Village teens prompt drastic police action

ExcluSivE

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

dulW iCh PoliCe have increased their patrols and changed shift patterns to tackle a spike in robberies committed against local teenagers.

In the first quarter of 2023, there were seven robberies in Dulwich Village, prompting parents to raise concerns with local police.

In response, more officers have been patrolling during the early evenings when youngsters are walking home from school.

Police also deployed plain clothes officers and conducted “extensive intelligence work” to gather evidence against suspects.

A Met Police spokesperson told the News: “We have already arrested a number of individuals thanks to these efforts.

“A number of investigations are ongoing, with suspects bailed under condition they do not re-enter the area.

“We take the issue of robbery very seriously, and encourage residents to continue to report incidents to us, and pass us information via the appropriate channels: 999 for emergencies, 101 or via our website if not.”

At the Dulwich Village Ward Safer Neighbourhood Panel meeting on March 7, parents voiced their concerns about the crime wave.

Police officials outlined the steps they had taken and said they were giving advice in assemblies and lessons in local schools.

Parents were reportedly told that children should be aware of their surroundings and avoid concentrating on their phones when out and about.

The police are also encouraging local businesses to sign up as safe havens, designated places of safety for women, girls and vulnerable people.

Sergeant Zissler told the meeting that Southwark street wardenscommunity officers trained to tackle anti-social behaviour - may be asked to patrol when the police are on rest days.

MP for Dulwich and West Norwood Helen Hayes said: “I have been

contacted by a number of parents in the Dulwich and Herne Hill areas whose children have been the victims of robberies.

“I am in regular communication with the local police and I have been pressing the need for both high visibility patrols to reassure children and young people and plain clothes activity to apprehend the perpetrators.

“I’m also working with the local

councillors to encourage local shops and cafes to act as safe havens for any young person who is worried.”

Southwark Council would not comment on the use of street wardens but Cllr Dora Dixon-Fyle, cabinet member for community safety, said:

“We take the concerns of parents on this matter very seriously.

“The council works in close partnership with the police on a

range of measures to tackle, deter and prevent crime, and is supportive of the police strategy to increase presence at crime hotspots or certain times of the day, and respond to local issues.

“The council provides reassurance and works with schools as well as the police. We will continue to work together on the best measures to keep children safe on their journey to and from school.”

© Chris Gorman

When The Great Exhibition moved to Crystal Palace in 1854, the models were commissioned to educate Victorians at the new site

storiEs to storEys

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

an eState agency looks set to move into the old Camberwell library building.

A picture shared on social media appears to show the Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward estate agency has painted the frontage red ahead of its opening.

The three shop fronts have been boarded-up and unoccupied ever since the library moved to a new building on Camberwell Green in October 2015.

People have reacted differently on social media. some saying they don’t need another estate agents but one user wrote: “That boarded-up shopfront has blighted Camberwell Church Street for years, so I’m pleased to see it in use again.”

Local bookworms will be pleased to

know that the Camberwell Library on 48a Camberwell Green remains open for business. Opened in autumn 2015, it has all the usual library services plus kids’ book clubs, poetry groups, IT classes and more. Southwark Council had conducted a comprehensive review and found that the old Camberwell Church Street branch was not disabled accessible, had too much artificial lighting, no soft seating and an “unacceptably poor” children’s library area. The council chose to build a new library near the now-closed Camberwell Magistrates Court which would be openplan and fully accessible. The selection of that site was met with opposition, particularly because it meant destroying an orchard and some chestnut trees. But Southwark Council said, as the land was already owned by the council, it was a cost-effective location.

duke visits st mungo’s

ExcluSivE

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

the duke of kent has visited the St mungo’s housing project on Grange Road, Bermondsey, to officially open the recently refurbished centre.

Prince Edward, 87, who is patron of the homelessness charity, was shown around the building before meeting with residents and workers.

Grange Road resident Darren, who met with the Duke during his visit, said: “I’d been on the streets for two years before coming here, I was offered a room by St Mungo’s during the recent cold weather.

“It was a blessing, it is so nice to have somewhere clean and safe to stay. I really like my room, it’s great to have my own personal space.

“It was nice to meet His Royal Highness, it’s a bit different for me to be chatting to a member of The Royal Family!”

Thanks to funding from St Mungo’s, the City of London Corporation and the

Greater London Authority, the centre, which houses 29 people, will now be more comfortable for its residents.

The new facility includes a welcoming reception area, confidential meeting rooms, well-being areas, two gardens, 29 refurbished bed spaces and more.

Its design reflects the principles of Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE), and should aid service users’ recoveries from homelessness.

Emma Haddad, Chief Executive of St Mungo’s said: ‘’The transformation of Grange Road is an excellent example of what can be achieved by collaborative partnership working between St Mungo’s, the City of London Corporation and the Greater London Authority.

“At St Mungo’s it’s not just about getting people off the streets and into a bed, it’s also about providing an environment to recover. The last two years of hard work has resulted in this amazing flagship facility which will help support hundreds of clients for years to come.

“It was so wonderful that His Royal Highness was able to come and officially open the service and to spend some time with residents and staff.”

Fifteen-storey Elephant and Castle hotel gets go ahead despite

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

A FiFteen-StoRey hotel will be built in elephant and Castle despite local residents’ concerns that it will “dominate the skyline”.

Developer Create REIT’s plan to build the 50-metre, 89-bedroom establishment at 21 St George’s road was approved by councillors on Wednesday, March 29. 230 out of 239 respondents objected to the application, focussing mainly on the building’s height, impact on local conservation areas and increased traffic during construction.

But the architect argued that the height was proportional to the Elephant and Castle town centre and that the building had been designed to limit its impact on nearby heritage assets.

Speaking on behalf of objecting local residents, Mark Havelock-Allan told councillors: “We say it’s out of all proportion to the three to five-storey residencies in Elliots Row and Hayles Street and will excessively overbear them.

“It will also dominate the skyline when viewed from within the West Square garden and it is… an outlier in the Elephant and Castle townscape.”

it will ‘dominate the skyline’

But Michael Griffiths from Latitude Architects, who designed the building, argued that the Elliots Row Pocket Park was a “punctuation space” that separated it from the smaller residential buildings.

“Our view is that the building sits as part of the major town centre,” he said, adding that they had considered proposing a twenty-storey building.

Objectors had also argued the height breached the six-storey limit outlined in a supplementary planning document.

But the planning officer’s report pointed out that this document had been rescinded by the cabinet in October 2022.

The development will be on the site of Castle Works - two 1930s and 50s buildings joined together that host a twoperson digital marketing company and a local theatre company.

The building is on the Southwark Local List of listed buildings but is not a designated heritage asset recognised by Historic England.

Mr Griffiths said it was “a tired, highly unsustainable and inaccessible building that has poor relationships to its surroundings”.

Objectors also said the development would infringe on the Elliots Row pocket park and the West Square Conservation Area - home to “one of the best Georgian

set pieces in the borough” according to the planning officer’s report.

But John Hull, speaking on behalf of the developer Create, said the building would provide “an improved backdrop and financial contribution to the park”, a café and an affordable micro retail unit.

He added that “green walls had been incorporated to preserve the character of the pocket park as a quiet, communityfocussed asset”.

Mr Hull also said the scheme would provide new offices, of which ten per cent would be affordable, as well as free meeting spaces for local community groups.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for St George’s ward Graham Neal also spoke against the proposal. He said: “We’re concerned that the hotel will create noise… with deliveries and the disposal of rubbish seven days a week.”

He said that nearby Hayles Street was too narrow to accommodate increased traffic and that cyclists and passengers at bus stops.

But the planning committee made up of seven Labour councillors and one Liberal Democrat backed the plans.

They all voted in favour apart from Cleo Soanes, Labour councillor for Peckham, who abstained.

fears

His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent meets members of St Mungo’s staff

CGI of the planned 89-bed hotel from Oswin Street in Elephant and Castle.

Aerial view of the Elephant and Castle area with the development site outlined in red.

©Southwark Council planning documents

Visiting the UK, perfecting the application. Immigration Advice with ICS Legal

Getting your visa application as a visitor to the United Kingdom approved can be difficult. As part of the UK Immigration Rules, as an applicant you need to demonstrate certain criteria is met before qualifying.

Now more than ever it is important to get the application as a visit right the first time round.

The UK is a key destination for individuals and families, in 2022 Statista reported that 29 million visited the UK. With each visitor a further reported generated an average spend of £98 per day per visitor. As you can imagine the travel and hospitality industry thrives on visitors to the United Kingdom.

How to prepare a Visit Visa Application?

When putting together documents for the visit visa application, a key aspect to consider is that a Home Office Entry Clearance Officer will review the information and documents you submit in order to make a decision. The notion of them requesting further documents or information is a misconception, however depending on some matters, they may do so.

With the visa application, you need to confirm that you can adequately support yourself during the visit, as well as outline your ties in your country of residence where you intend to return once the visit concludes.

ICS Legal Lawyers can advise, check, prepare

and submit a visit visa application. You can find more information of our work at www.icslegal. com.

Activities that a visitor can do in the UK.

A visitor to the UK can conduct the following activities,

1. General Visit, including visiting sights, friends and family.

2. Business Visits to attend prospective meetings or contract obligations.

3. Academic Visits.

4. Permitted Engagements are also allowed.

5. Marriage visits are allowed where partners wish to marry in the UK.

6. Transit Visas.

A key question is how long a visitor can spend in the UK? Well this is for a period of up to 180 days. It is important for you to maintain your term of visit as stated on the visa application form.

What you can’t do when visiting the UK.

You cannot:

1. Work or conduct business activities not permitted in the UK.

2. Study in the UK unless this is a short course.

How can you be refused or rejected a visitor visa

to the UK?

This is a very common question that is raised before someone makes an application. First of all, we need to accept that an Official at the Home Office would review the matter and make a decision, therefore errors can be made.

With current visitor visa applications, there are no direct right to an Administrative Review or an Appeal process. There are other remedies available, however there is no guarantee that a decision will be overturned.

When making an visit visa application, providing a clear outline to your circumstances and addressing questions on the form appropriately is essential.

At ICS Legal our Lawyers work closely on matters to ensure a clear outline is made when a visit application is submitted.

Lord Syed Kamal is the current Tourism Minister for the United Kingdom, where he aims to improve the attraction of the UK. Note tourism is the 3rd largest earner for the public, increasing opportunities for businesses established in the UK.

Note you can buy template files from our site, as well as a Visit Visa Guide for £49 to allow you to prepare adequately for an application. To find more information, visit us at https://icslegal.com/ application-package.php.

swim for your lifE

ExcluSivE

By Isabel Ramirez isabel@southwarknews.co.uk

a rotherhithe cancer survivor who started swimming to give up smoking 34 years ago and has swum every day since is urging others to take it up, in a bid to inspire others to turn their lives around.

Julian Kirkman-Page, 65, took part in a charity swim to help him stop smoking 34 years ago.

Julian, who lives in Rotherhithe, said: “I was looking for some motivation to

give up smoking and remember seeing a poster advertising Swimathon. I thought that if I could do that, it would help me get fit and stop smoking.

Since then, he said he hasn’t smoked and swims every day at Seven Islands Leisure Centre in Surrey Quays.

Not only did it help him kick a habit, Julian believes it helped him recover from bowel cancer last year.

Despite having no symptoms, doctors found out he had a tumour after he did a home testing sample.

“Being told I had cancer was numbing,” he said. “I couldn’t bear the thought of it, so I tried to keep positive and as fit as possible to help me recover.”

“Because swimming had kept me slim, I was able to have keyhole surgery to remove the tumour and I was back in the pool again two weeks later.

“My doctors were confident all the cancer had gone but I was also offered chemotherapy just to make sure.

He said that due to a rare reaction to the chemo, he was forced to stop it - but added that there is no evidence the cancer is still there.

Now, Julian said he is getting ready for this year’s Swimathon, when he will be raising money for Cancer Research UK and the end-of-life charity Marie Curie. Swimathon takes place from 12 -14 May at pools and venues across London

and the UK. With a variety of distances available - from 400m up to 30.9k - the sponsored event offers a challenge for swimmers young and old, new and experienced. “I have completed the challenge almost every year - I hope to still be doing it at the age of 90.”

Despite his experience, Julian is keen to emphasise that you don’t need to be a super swimmer to take part.

He said: “It’s such a fun and simple way to encourage people to dip their toe in the water and get swimming. It really doesn’t matter if you’re not the fittest or the fastest. I hope swimmers of all ages and abilities grab their caps and costumes to help thousands of families across the UK.

People can participate individually or as part of a team. Any swimmers who can’t make one of the organised sessions can sign up for MySwimathon, which takes place from 28 April - 21 May, and choose a time and venue that suits them.

Swimathon has raised more than £55m for charity since it began in 1986. With rising energy costs putting some community pools at risk of closure, not only does the event support vital causes, £2.50 from the entry fee of everybody taking part at an official Swimathon venue is donated to help protect these pools for the future.

Sign up for Swimathon 2023 on swimathon.org

The busiest lifeboat crew in the country now has a brand new station under Tower Bridge, with a free public viewing platform

By Isabel Ramirez isabel@southwarknews.co.uk

a neW lifeboat station for the rnli’s busiest crew has today floated under the iconic tower Bridge to its permanent home.

The crew from the station are currently operating from HMS PRESIDENT – the Royal Naval Reserve’s training facility in London - as they await their brand-new station.

Their previous station – which had parts of its pontoon dating back to the Victorian era - was floated away from its home on Victoria Embankment in January.

The Tower lifeboat crew had launched 734 times last year - more times than any other station in the UK - and they saved 21 lives.

It is expected the crew will be fully operational from the new station by the end of April.

The age and design of the old station had meant it had become unfit for purpose for such a busy crew – it will now be used by Thames Marine Services as one of six electrical charging facilities.

The new station will have vital new additions for the crew including a more private space for casualty care, out of public view.

The public will now get a chance to hop on board free of charge to see the crew’s vital work. As well as being more spacious and modern, it has also been designed to last 75 years.

Tower Lifeboat Station Manager Kevin Maynard said: ‘We are looking forward to our new much-needed facilities which will mean we can continue the service we are known for, for many years to come.

“The crew are so excited to see their new station arrive and excited to continue our life-saving work from this new modern base.

“We’d also like to thank HMS PRESIDENT who are supporting us in the meantime and as this has allowed us

to continue being on service.”

The new station has been funded by ‘generous’ donations including £ 3.5

million from the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Officer’s Association following the sale of the Naval Club in Mayfair.

‘It’s not about restoring trust in the police - there was not trust’

the Ca Sey review into the metropolitan Police was shocking in its findings that the met is institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic. But though shocking these findings should not be a surprise to anyone as there has been plenty of evidence over many years suggesting exactly that. And though particular events, such as the Sarah Everard murder and the conviction of David Carrick, have severely further undermined confidence, it is not a question of “restoring” trust in the police. There was no trust to be restored so trust needs to be built from the ground up. Over a period of many years

I’ve argued for strong disciplinary procedures to exclude from the force those who are unfit to serve. I hope now that at long last the Met and the Home Office will take action. It is madness for the police force to be paying officers who they can’t use but can’t sack. But as well as a new disciplinary framework the Met themselves will have to devote the necessary resources

to investigating misconduct and bring the right attitude of zero tolerance. As well as blocking those who are unsuitable from getting into the force and getting rid of those who commit misconduct once they are in, the Met needs to engage in a major exercise to protect and support their current BAME, LGBT and women officers. Trust in the public will not be created while officers in the Met are themselves being subjected to discrimination and harassment from their colleagues.

I want to back Sir Mark Rowley in this vital task but it’s disappointing that he refused to accept the Casey Review’s finding that the Met is institutionally flawed. It’s hard to exert the necessary momentum to achieve structural change if you won’t accept that it is systemic and institutionalised.

Everyone, literally, in the Met needs to look at what they are actively doing to play a part in this positive transformation. That needs to happen at the same time as recognising the incredible work that does go on in the Met, like bringing to justice the killer

of my constituent Jobari Gooden.

My constituents’ son Chris Kaba was killed by a single gunshot fired by a Met officer in September last year and this has now been investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct and referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for decision about whether there should be a homicide charge against the officer. The investigation is complete so all that remains is for the CPS to decide whether there is sufficient evidence to make it more likely than not that there would be a conviction. They

need to do that swiftly. The family’s torment will only be further drawn out while they wait for the outcome of the next stage in this process. This is an important time for our new Borough Commander to be taking up his post. I will give commander Seb Adjei-Addoh my wholehearted support in bringing about the change that is needed. The Casey Review and the recent report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services finding misogyny, racism and homophobia in fire brigades around the

country are not some quirky “wokery”. Everyone who works in our police and fire services must treat all those who depend on their service with equal diligence and professionalism. All those who work in those crucial services deserve to know that they will not be discriminated against and harassed. And we all want those services to command the respect and confidence which should be afforded to those who are doing a difficult job on our behalf. The Casey Review must mark the beginning of major and lasting change. If not now, when?

tHe lonG-AwAited review into the metropolitan Police, commissioned after the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah everard by serving police officer wayne Couzens, in 2021, exposed the extent of the force’s failings. The scale of the issues uncovered by Baroness Louise Casey’s report is truly shocking. It found the Met to be riddled with institutional racism, homophobia, sexism and corruption. It found that the force is failing women and children and cannot police itself. Changes must be made to vetting, complaints and disciplinary mechanisms to ensure officers are maintaining the standards we expect. Victims must feel

able to come forward, and protected once they do. There are thousands of good, hardworking officers, but this report shows that it is not just a case of a few bad apples. A culture of abuse and denial has been allowed to fester in the force for too long. Londoners must see a clear sign of intent set out on cultural issues, as well as procedural ones. Cuts to police budgets since 2010, and 13 years of austerity, have severely affected recruitment quality, and damaged neighbourhood policing. As well as addressing issues around officer recruitment and retention, there is much work to do when it comes to operational practices and relations with London’s diverse communities. Certain groups of Londoners are

over-policed and under-represented. Data from the children’s commissioner found Black children are 11 times more likely to be strip-searched in England and Wales than their white peers. About one-third of all strip-searches between2018-2022 took place in London. This ethnic disproportionality is utterly unacceptable. It comes as a Met police officer has been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) by the IOPC over the shooting of Chris Kaba, an unarmed 24-year-old black man shot dead by the police officer in Streatham last year. There must be accountability, and justice for his family. After eight months of anguish, the CPS must make a swift decision.

Changes have to be made, and trust rebuilt. Londoners need to see full acceptance of the Casey Review, and its recommendations. As a member of the Police and Crime Committee at

City Hall, I will hold the Commissioner to account as he enacts the necessary reform. Londoners need action, and transparency. A reformed Met Police means better policing for London.

harriet harman MP for Camberwell & Peckham

marina ahm ad

GLA Member for Southwark & Lambeth

‘There are thousands of good police officers, but the Casey reports shows it is not a case of a few bad apples’

Russian Millwall fans - like many people - just hunger for a normal life and a game at the Den

the Port of london is 1774 nautical miles away from the Port of St. Petersburgh. Since russia invaded ukraine, that distance has only felt greater.

Putin’s brutal invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine has prompted the UK government to impose economic sanctions, send military aid and ban thousands of Russians from visiting our shores.

Meanwhile, Russia’s isolation from the wider European community is palpable in the banning of Russian sports clubs from international competitions, and their exclusion from the UN Human Rights Council.

This paper is staunch in its condemnation of the Russian government’s invasion of Ukraine and our empathy with those suffering right now is shared across Southwark.

This week’s story about Russian Millwall fans should act as a reminder that the citizens of our respective countries often long for peace.

We spoke to Maxim Prokhorenko, a Muscovite who fell in love with Millwall and its fans when he sparked up a friendship with Bermondsey boys who’d come to work in Russia in the ‘90s.

He told the News that he and the rest of the Russian Lions are opposed to the war in Ukraine, describing it as a bad dream that will not end.

It’s a tender reminder that, as citizens of larger nations, we are sometimes powerless in the face of large geo-political events.

Max did not want the war in Ukraine. Neither did the Ukranians. They are all, tragically, normal people who have been caught under the wheels of history.

So let his love of Millwall, and the UK, remind us that the bonds of friendship uniting the people of Europe are stronger than war.

When the travel bans are lifted, and there is finally peace, Max dreams of coming to the Den, with his daughter and wife.

He dreams of standing in the gantries, surrounded by his fellow fans, belting out Millwall songs, before retiring to Whelan’s for a pint and a chat.

In this time of pain and suffering, it is a dream we can all share.

CRyPTiC PuZZLE

Clues Across

1 Secure from European choreography (6)

7 To give up life is difficult for a conservative (7)

8 Give the gossip a quiet shake (7)

9 There’s a street light lost! (5)

10 Feeling it is time the initial news was sent round (9)

12 Wrongdoing can stem from unconscious innocence (3)

13 It takes only an initial thousand to put these mountains on your walls (4)

15 Sounds as if it reduces the hours of study (7)

17 The brink from. which he led Germany (4)

19 Fish back on the sheltered side (3)

21 Give round a mixture for eating (9)

22 Plunge to the right and get the bird (5)

23 Is Broadway the greatest? (7)

24 Happy to have the Italian in a cheerful mood (7)

25 The contestant is the one who is settling the bill round the left (6)

QuiCk PuZZLE

Clues Across

1 Existence (6)

7 Work done for another (7)

8 Omen (7)

9 Inappropriate (5)

10 Not surely known (9)

12 Preceding day (3)

13 Smile radiantly (4)

15 Enormous (7)

17 Exchange for money (4)

19 Border (3)

21 Titles or ranks (9)

22 High structure (5)

23 Fastening (7)

24 Go before (7)

25 Persons acting for others (6)

SoLuTioNS To LAST wEEk’S CRoSSwoRD

CRyPTiC PuZZLE

Clues Down

1 Apt to be appointed to nothing on the spot (8)

2 The first murderer’s got his head in fetters (6)

3 Draft of an unfashionable silhouette (7)

4 It’s best to have a dog or cat (5)

5 Less partial to the blonde? (6)

6 The whirlpool of ideas that led to Christian Science? (4)

7 A fly dies oven when mixed up in a selfprotective attitude (11)

11 Confused part of leitmotiv on the roof (4)

13 Sure to become an employer (4)

14 Enjoying the sound? (8)

16 It takes a real nut to be indifferent (7)

18 The governor has no alternative but to be in command (6)

20 The Roman historian embraces the Spanish in a spirited way (6)

21 Exhaust the sun god in the noise (5)

22 Act with me to construct a vault (4)

Clues Down

1 Explains (8)

2 Three times (6)

3 Proposition to be proved (7)

4 Retinue (5)

5 Sea robber (6)

6 Despatched (4)

7 Machine (5,6)

11 Harmful (4)

13 Plant with succulent root (4)

14 Communications (8)

16 Giving out light (7)

18 Practitioner in the legal profession (6)

20 Servile follower (6)

21 Made free of moisture (5)

22 Pattern (4)

Across: Object 8 Implore 9 Fright 10 Pretended 11 Ague 13 Seven 14 Gardens 17 Science 18 Feast 19 Herd 21 Tradesman 22 Renown 23 Pastels 24 Decant

Down:

Across:

what’s on in Southwark

the neW Southwark Playhouse (elephant) has the feel of a repurposed printworks with all the industrial design tropes that belie its brand-new reality, and is, in fact, a building that will not be spewing out political propaganda but one producing relevant, vital productions that will nourish - and not brainwash - the people of the elephant & Castle and beyond, writes Michael Holland...

The first big show in the new playhouse is Berlusconi, a new musical, that tells the tale - through song - of Silvio Berlusconi’s life from middle-class mediocrity to media monster spewing out political propaganda.

The main story is based around Berlusconi’s tax fraud trial with his past life told in snatches of flashback between breaks in the court case, and compared with the troubled life of Tiberius, the Roman emperor who suspected many plots against him. The set looks like the Senate steps of ancient Rome where Julius Caesar came to a bloody end at the end of his friends’ knives.

The show opens with flag-waving supporters singing ‘Healer, Leader, Saviour, Redeemer’ and Silvio himself proclaiming he is the ‘Jesus Christ of politics’ before a backdrop of projected hagiographic headlines and TV news on screens dotted around the auditorium!

We see Silvio as a boy growing up in Milan, then as a cruise ship crooner, seducing his way across the oceans while schmoozing the women with song and charm.

After sailing the seven seas he becomes a property developer, a move that gave him the funds to buy his first TV channel. The money and power this provided went to his head; his lifestyle took

a Piano, two tables and a few chairs became the aBC theatre - a venue for political theatre - and other rooms and apartments in a 1938 vienna in the iron grip of naziism. the grimness of the set conveyed the atmosphere of the city, writes Michael Holland...

Astoria, by Tony Britten, tells the true story of Jura Soyfer, the son of wealthy Jewish parents who fled the Bolshevist revolution in Russia.

Jura grew up studying socialism in Austria and became a regular writer of satirical articles and plays on his way to having them performed regularly at the ABC, which could have caused trouble in those troubling times when many radicals were being jailed. Being a small venue, with seating below 50, the ABC was exempt from any censorship, so the plays and skits would mock Hitler and the Austrian officials who embraced Naziism.

The ABC would be full of like-minded people but as the 30s progressed the rhetoric grew more anti-semitic and that roused the uninformed folk who were told their livelihoods were at risk from Jewish influence, rousing them to violence against the Jewish community: ‘They called me a Jewish pig as they kicked my face in to a more Aryan design,’ says Hupka, the founder of Cabaret ABC.

BErlusconi is a Blast

set her sights on putting Berlusconi in jail, sings of how he has bought power, and corrupted the legal system, through his media companies for 35 years! Like Tango-gladiators in the arena, they circle each other, looking for a weakness, looking for that one chink in the armour before they strike. Berlusconi then sings a hip-thruster about how he won over the Italian women by giving them Dallas and Dynasty and got the men onside by buying AC Milan.

The writers, Ricky Simmonds and Simon Vaughan, have made Berlusconi a blast. And they know how to use a cuss word perfectly.

Sebastien Torkia did a sleazy Silvio as if he was born to do it. Emma Hatton glowed as wife Veronica, and Gavin Wilkinson gave a nice cameo of Putin when he comes a-courting Berlusconi. But this is very much an ensemble piece with everyone making sure this rollercoaster with no brakes ran on pure energy.

him away from the nice person he had been brought up to be and into a life of nightclubs and women and not being exactly honest in business.

The hangers-on he now attracted advised him to go into politics. Berlusconi became a founder member of Forza Italia and within a few months, with the aid of his national TV station, he was appointed Prime Minister. Forza Italia was considered Silvio’s personal party and it was his personality rather than his ideology that appealed to voters.

But over time the cracks appear, there are stories of fraud and ill-treatment of women, though the accusations were mainly kept in check by a lack of media opposition and a corrupt system where he would have court cases thrown out before they got started. When the tide really turns there is ‘a tsunami of bad news’, with a mistress, the hired women, the ex-wife and even his parents from beyond the grave speaking out against him.

And all this is played out in a whole

The past is right now in The Astoria

Jura wrote Astoria for the theatre, a metaphor for Austria, a land of plenty where everyone had a job and people married for love not money.

Astoria mocked the notion of the Fatherland but attracted everyone to its borders where the rules for being allowed in were preposterously difficult: ‘Have you got a licence to allow your canary to trill?’

But Astoria was a dream; it was nowhere, a fallacy with no land for people to live or places to work. It was the place that Hitler drew people to with his dynamic speeches.

As Europe got closer to war, Jura’s close-knit circle of friends tried to continue their work, though more warily.

As time went on, these well-to-do

range of tunes that allowed a superb cast to show off their skills: the rockers like ‘Let’s Get This Show On The Road’ as the charismatic leader gets ready to fight; the up-tempo number when Silvio dares them to ‘bring it on’, and Secrets and Lies, the poignant song sung by ex-wife (Emma Hatton) wishing she was dead as she lies alone thinking of her husband with other women. Towards the end, ’When you get paid, played and laid by the Devil’ reveals that you will have to pay back in kind… And then Ilda, the prosecutor who has

Bravo to Lucy Osborne’s set that had the cast dicing with danger on every step, and James Grieve for his fun direction. Berlusconi is a winner that still only tells a fraction of the Italian’s life, who was, perhaps, the prototype for Trump and our own Boris Johnson error. With that in mind, the writers should now turn their attention to BJ because it seems to me that they would only have to change a few names and recast the lead with someone who could portray no style and no class, and they would have another success.

Dante Place, 80 Newington Butts, London SE11 4FL until 29th April. Mon - Sat 7.45pm; Thur & Sat matinees 2.30pm. £28, £22.50 Concession.

Booking: southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

the cast of five jumped between each with just a change of accent, often creating confusion. For me, at least. And it was a tad pretentious when it had no need to be. There were conversations in the group about George Bernard Shaw, Stephen Spender, Brecht and Kim Philly for no good reason other than to show how much the writer knew about them. They slowed down the excellent story, lessened the drama, and turned my thoughts away from the drama and to someone with their head up their own backside.

Olivia Benjamin was a bright light amid the gloom; a Mountview Academy graduate - a place where you know they come out ready to work.

Astoria echoes what is going on right now in this country and many others, with the flames of racism fired up by right-wing politicians. We should all be aware of how it ended in Germany. And that is why this play is relevant.

radicals bought their safe passage out of an increasingly frightening Austria.

Jura Soyfer was smuggling his writings out while still putting on plays, although he and his friends were being followed by the secret police and they would spend time in jail occasionally. These were dark days that did not end well for most of them.

Astoria is a play within a play where

I just wish this important and poignant story had been told in a different way.

Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London, SE4 2DH until 15 April 2023. Tues - Sat 7.30pm. Box office: www.brockleyjack.co.uk or 0333 666 3366 (£1.80 fee for phone bookings only)

Tickets: £17, £15 conc., 14+

Running time: Two hours, with interval.

cowBoys on thE charing cross road

havinG reCently transferred from a sold-out run at the young vic, oklahoma!, directed by daniel Fish, certainly meets expectations of excellence,writes Bella Christy...

The production made its way across the seas from Broadway, where it earned itself eight Tony Award nominations and won best revival of a musical.

For a story that ultimately auctions women off to the highest bidder, this adaptation does an effective job of presenting women as fierce, independent and strong willed.

The four lead female characters command the stage, unapologetically brash, they playfully torment the men due to conflict between head, heart, and a certain lower down region.

Sex, lust and so much snogging flow out of this production. Fish did not play down a single innuendo found in the script. From premarital sex to infidelity there was no opportunity lost to hype up the sexualities on stage.

Whilst the lust was compelling, I wonder if less kissing would have made those moments of excitement or intimacy more meaningful. Nonetheless, the women’s possession of their sexuality was striking in that it reshaped the historical narrative that is so tirelessly played out that women lack desire or sexual agency.

Fish’s production captures the essence of America in 1906 whilst also reflecting the modern day. The costumes in particular allow a seamless hybridisation of traditional and

contemporary styles. By placing classic rider chaps, which nod towards the cowboy culture of the American South, next to large hoop earrings and short denim skirts there is a merging of two

worlds.

The central love story between Curly McLain (Arthur Darvill) and Laurey Williams (Anoushka Lucas) was beautifully acted; a charming longing

was conveyed alongside witty banter and stubbornness from both parties. Yet, it was Patrick Vaill’s portrayal of the ‘Villain’ Jud Fry that captured my attention in it entirety. His portrayal of an

emotionally complex and misunderstood character, set in a time before the acknowledgement of mental health, was truly phenomenal.

Unconventionally, house lighting was kept on during a large portion of the production. This worked to create an intimate environment; the audience and actors can see one another, which allowed the stalls to feel like an extension of the stage. This was certainly true as Gertie Cummings (Rebekah Hinds) abruptly kicks an audience member out of their seat, in order to drool over another.

The moments of blackout, in which the actors perform in complete darkness, strikingly contrast with the bright house lights. Not able to see my own hand let alone the faces around me, I felt as if I were alone with the actors whispering in my ear. During this pitch-black dialogue between Jud and Curly, I felt viscerally moved by Jud’s emotional vulnerability, deepening my empathy for the supposed villain.

Receiving a full house standing ovation, Oklahoma! was an excellent watch. The costumes, characterisation and contemporary narrative saved a story that was in danger of losing its relevance.

Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0DA until September 2nd. Times: MondaySaturday: 7:30pm; Wednesday & Saturday matinees: 2pm. Admission: £35 - £150.

Booking: oklahomawestend.com/ticketinformation/

First major UK exhibition of Morisot’s work for over 70 years

draW inG on previously unpublished material and new research, this will be the first major uk exhibition of morisot’s work for over 70 years, writes

Michael Holland...

Shaping Impressionism aims to show how the roots of her inspiration and French 18th century art impacted on her own art and the Impressionists that followed. Coming from an eminent family where women were encouraged to study art, if little else, and being related to the noted artist JeanHonoré Fragonard, Berthe was taught privately and often taken to The Louvre where she could learn by copying the artworks there. Hence, in this exhibition Morisot’s works are hung alongside the art of Watteau, Boucher and Fragonard for comparison. The difference that stands out being the evolved thinking the 19th century Impressionists had about art from their 18th century predecessors.

We discover that Berthe, although one of the founders of the Impressionist movement, was not always treated the same as the men. To paint outdoors, she would meet her sitter early in the morning so as not to attract unwanted attention from men, or take her husband, Eugène Manet the brother of Édouard, to chaperone.

Although she had staff to look after the house and children there was not the freedom to paint while being a wife and mother that men enjoyed. To balance her work and family life, Berthe would paint many domestic scenes; her daughter Julie would be painted regularly, as well as friends and other family members. Again, childhood and domesticity was an interested shared by 18th-century artists that Berthe took on board.

This Shaping Impressionism exhibition is quite compact and arranged perfectly for seeing how Berthe Morisot developed her art over time, with just enough examples to illustrate where some of her influences came from.

The exhibition provides the many aspects of her art, including work created with coloured pencils that enabled her to whip off sketches outdoors that were often turned into more polished pieces in the studio. The exhibition also goes a long way in justifying why she has been called a ‘visionary’, a ‘trailblazer’, a ‘virtuoso’, and ‘the only true Impressionist’. Go along and make your own mind up.

Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, Dulwich, SE21 7AD until 10th September. Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm. Admission: £15, £8. www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

Photo by Marc Brenner

A lusty, brave and emotionally powerful reimagining

History

hErE is thE fascinating history of thE capital’s longE st strEE t

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

BeGinninG With narrow postindustrial back alleys and ending at the green pastures of Surrey docks Farm, rotherhithe Street is london’s longest street. But people might also be surprised by the depth of its history.

St mary’S ChurCh

Rotherhithe Street begins as a narrow pedestrian backstreet on the Thames’ southern bank, just north of the Rotherhithe tunnel. The first notable stop is St Mary’s, a church built in the 18th century.

The four pillars holding the roof look as if they are stone, but are actually formed from old ships’ wooden masts which have been covered in plaster.

It is the burial place of Christopher Jones, captain of the Mayflower Ship, which sailed the Pilgrim Fathers from Rotherhithe to the New World in the Autumn of 1620.

Boo Lee, a Palau prince who arrived in England in 1784, was one of the first Pacific Islanders to travel here. He sadly died from smallpox six months after arriving in London and is also buried here.

the Charity SChool

The church also sits alongside the old ‘Charity School’. Founded in 1612, by Master Mariner Peter Hills and the seafarer Robert Bell, its original aim was the educate the eight sons of sailors from the parish.

Generous donations allowed it to expand and by 1836 it had 150 boys in attendance all of whom were clothed as part of the school’s charitable status and taught about the Christian faith.

The old building was Grade-II listed in 1949 and has since been converted into offices but it still bears the same distinctive doorbell from its school days, as well as a carved plaque reminding passers-by of its origins.

Two stone statues of Charity School children wearing their bluecoats still guard the entrance to the building. And further along the Rotherhithe Peninsular is a modern day primary school called Peter Hills.

the mayFloWer PuB

Opposite the church is The Mayflower pub, which sits at the place where its name-sake vessel set sail 400 years ago. Established in 1550, it claims to be the oldest pub built on the Thames’ banks.

Legend has it that it was actually built on top of the rotting timbers of the Mayflower which was left to decay in the bank’s mud. Inside, you’ll find dark timber beams and low ceilings reminiscent of a bygone era.

The pub was rebuilt as the Spread Eagle and Crown in 1780 and renamed as The Mayflower in 1957.

Anyone visiting the pub who can claim direct descent from one of the Pilgrim fathers is welcome to sign the ‘Descendants Book’. Indeed, so strong is the Mayflower’s

connections to the States that it is the only pub in the UK that is licensed to sell US postage stamps.

the Brunel muSeum

Just a few metres down the road, on the right, is the Brunel Museum, based at the Brunel Engine House.

The museum is named after the famous French-British engineer Marc Isambard Brunel, and tells the story of the Britain’s greatest engineering family.

The pair constructed the Thames Tunnel. Completed in 1843, it was a convenient pedestrian thoroughfare for working people, but also gained a murky reputation

for criminality and vice.

In 1865, the East London Railway Company bought the tunnel to link passengers and goods between Liverpool Street and the South London Line.

Today, those taking the overground train from Wapping to Rotherhithe are actually passing through the tunnel.

the BaSCule BridGe

Continue eastwards and you will reach the bascule bridge which crosses Surrey Water.

Built around 1930, it would raise like a drawbridge to allow ships to pass through. Its design is very similar to that of Tower

Bridge, albeit much smaller and with only one raising ‘leave’ as opposed to two. ‘Bascule’ is French for seesaw and refers to the bridge’s distinctive raising mechanism, prized for its simplicity and low energy usage.

nelSon houSe

Walk on past the Blacksmith’s Arms and you’ll stumble across Nelson House, a Georgian building constructed in the 1740s.

The Grade-II listed building was occupied by numerous shipbuilders - most notably John Randall who built multiple ships for the East India Company and 50 naval ships.

John Randall is believed to have committed suicide by throwing himself from one of the building’s windows. The house only got its contemporary name in the 19th century, after the Battle of Trafalgar, which saw Horatio Nelson triumph over the combined French and Spanish fleets during the Napoleonic Wars.

Surrey doCkS Farm

At the very end of Rotherhithe Street is Surrey Dock, a working city farm and charity established in 1986.

It’s home to pigs, goats, sheep, donkeys, poultry and more. It narrowly escaped closure during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Mayflower pub

brunel museum, rotherhithe, SE16.

nelson house

The rotherhithe Street bacule bridge Surrey docks farm

© Ewan Munro (Creative Commons)

© Steve Daniels

© Jim Osley (Creative Commons)

© Google

Memorial Patricia rose BreNLaND

Passed away peacefully aged 76 at home in Worth, Kent on Friday 24th March 2023.

A much loved Mother to Andrea and Grandmother to Eve and Ryan. The funeral is to take place on Friday 14th April, 3.30pm at St.Bartholomews Chapel in Sandwich with a celebration of her life to follow.

Donations to”Dover UK

Parkinson’s UK” c/o J.Dilnot Smith & Son, Cedar Lodge, Beacon Lane,Woodnesborough, Kent CT13 0PD.

To place a funeral announcement, birthday, death notice, birth, anniversary or memorial in the paper, please email katie@southwarknews.co.uk and she will price it up for you

Announcements must be placed by 4pm on the Tuesday before Thursday’s publication

Serving the people of Bermondsey & Rotherhithe for over 200 years

ROTHERHITHE 52 Culling Road, London, SE16 2TN

020 7237 3637

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

LONDON

ROAD TRAFFIC

BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (COLLEGE

DUNSTANS ROAD, GOODRICH ROAD, ATHENLAY ROAD, IVYDALE ROAD, CADIZ STREET, WINCHESTER WALK, LOMAN STREET, GUILDABLE MANOR STREET)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

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

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

(a) College Road, between No’s 120 – 122

(b) Dunstans Road, at it’s junction with Goodrich Road

(c) Goodrich Road, at it’s junction with Dunstans Road

(d) Athenlay Road, between Bellwood Road and Merttins Road

(e) Ivydale Road between Merttins Road and Athenlay Road

(f) Cadiz Street, at it’s junction with Date Street

(g) Winchester Walk, between Cathedral Street and Stoney Street

(h) Loman Street, at it’s junction with Great Suffolk Street

(i) Guildable Manor Street, at it’s junction with London Bridge Street

3 The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) Kingswood Drive College Road South Circular Road, South Croxted Road College Road, Kingswood Drive, Dulwich Wood Park, College Road, Crystal Palace Parade (2b) Hillcourt Road, Underhill Road, Upland Road Upland Road Crebor Road (2c) Upland Road, Crebor Road, Dunstans Road (2d & 2e) Ivydale Road, St Asaph Road, Gibbon Road, Kimberley Avenue, Nunhead Lane, Peckham Rye, Cheltenham Road, Ivydale Road Walworth Place, Bronti Close, Blackwood Street, Date Street (2g) as indicated by the signs displayed (2h) Sawyer Street, Pocock Street, Blackfriars Road, Union Street Great Suffolk Street, Pocock Street, Sawyer Street (2i) via London Bridge Street, Borough High Street

4 Guildable Manor Street will be made ‘two-way’ for access and egress purposes as necessary

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) 17th April (2b) 19th April (2c) 19th April (2d) 20th April

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

Dated this 6th April 2023

Ian Law Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark

Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth

160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529

London SE1 5LX

Ref: (2a) 26400125-conway (2b) 30707532-conway (2c) 62700815-conway (2d) 35425298-conway (2e) 57859776-conway (2f) 31688542-01-thames (2g) SA554459-lanes (2h) VORBLOCK495LOMAN- Vorboss Civils (2i) FWI2273-DGR-CIVIL-Vodaphone

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003

Please take notice that I / we KANPAI LONDON LTD

Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of KANPAI - London Craft Sake, 48 Druid Street, London, SE1 2EZ

The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are

The retail sales of alcohol: Monday to Sunday

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday

A register of all applications made within the Southwark area is maintained by: The Licensing Service, Hub 1, 3rd Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH

A record of this application may be inspected by visiting the office during normal office hours by appointment on 020 7525 2000; details are also available on our website at http://app southwark gov uk/licensing/licenseregister asp

It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Service at the office address given above (or by email via licensing@southwark gov uk) and be received by the Service within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below

Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly 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: 23rd March 2023

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (BELLENDEN ROAD, ABBEY STREET, PECKHAM HILL STREET, LORDSHIP LANE, SUMNER STREET) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

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

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

(a) Bellenden Road, between Chadwick Road and Danby Street

(b) Abbey Street, between Enid Street and Druid Street

(c) Peckham Hill Street, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced on the southern side between No’s 6 to No’s 10

(d) Lordship Lane bus lane suspension in the north bound lane of carriageway

(e) Sumner Street, at it s junction with Southwark Street to No s 7

3 The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) as indicated by the signs displayed (2b) as indicated by the signs displayed (2c) not applicable (2d) not applicable (2e) as indicated by the signs displayed

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) 24th – 25th April (2b) 26th – 28th April (2c) 27 April (2d) 24th – 28th April (2e) 24th April – 8th May

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

Dated this 6th April 2023

Ian Law

Traffic Manager

London Borough of Southwark

Network Management

Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: (2a) 6453/34436790 (2b)

LICENSING ACT 2003 APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF PREMISES LICENCE

JSMT Collective Ltd - Jamil Sakhawat - 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

which would authorise the following licensable activities: Proposing to vary the existing sale of retail alcohol license to a full premises license so customers can consume alcohol on site between the hours of 9am & 11pm, 7 days per week at our discretion

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 licensingauthority’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 17 04 23

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)

REGULATION

ROAD,

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended) PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT 1990 (as amended)

The planning applications listed below can be viewed on the planning register at https://planning southwark gov uk/online-applications/ You can use facilities at your local library or My Southwark Service Points' to access the website

How to comment on this application: You should submit your comments via the above link Comments received will be made available for public viewing on the website All personal information will be removed except your postal address Online comments submitted without an email address will not be acknowledged and those marked 'confidential' will not be considered Written comments can be submitted to; Southwark Council, Chief executive s department, Planning division, Development Management, PO Box 64529, London SE1 5LX

Reason for publicity The applications are advertised for the reasons identified by the following codes: AFFECT - development affecting character or appearance of a nearby conservation area; OR development affecting setting of a nearby listed building(s); DEP - departure from the development plan; EIA - environmental impact assessment (these applications are accompanied by an environmental statement a copy of which may be obtained from the Council - there will be a charge for the copy); MAJ - major planning application; STDCA - development within a conservation area; STDLB - works to or within the site of a listed building;

FLAT 14 1 DISNEY PLACE LONDON

SOUTHWARK SE1 1HP (Ref: 23/AP/0694)

Relocation and enlargement of terrace doors/windows at fourth and fifth floor, including the addition of a roof extension at fifth floor Reason(s) for publicity: AFFECT (Contact: Glenn Ruane 020 7525 5447)

160 BLACKFRIARS ROAD LONDON

SOUTHWARK SE1 8EZ (Ref: 23/AP/0381)

Installation of two pergolas at roof level

Reason(s) for publicity: AFFECT (Contact: Victoria Crosby 020 7525 1412)

216 CAMBERWELL GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8RJ(Ref: 23/AP/0912)

Listed building consent for Installation of a new Juliet balustrade and a new soil and vent pipe to the rear of the property, and miscellaneous internal refurbishment works (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA)

Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng )

27 COLLEGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7BG(Ref: 23/AP/0895)

Demolition of pre-fabricated garage building in garden and construction of new garden structures including tool shed, greenhouse and new garden workshop (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Gemma Williams 07926087097)

27 COLLEGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7BG(Ref: 23/AP/0896)

Listed building consent for the demolition of pre-fabricated garage building in garden and construction of new garden structures including tool shed, greenhouse and new garden workshop (Within: Dulwich Village CA)

Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Gemma Williams 07926087097)

ST OLAVES NURSING HOME ANN MOSS WAY LONDON SOUTHWARK SE16 2TL(Ref: 23/AP/0768)

Variation of Conditions 1 and 4 of planning permission ref no 19/AP/1612: Demolition of the existing buildings on site (a derelict single storey nursing home and porta-cabins) and construction of two buildings (Building A - Part 4/Part 5/Part 6 storey building fronting onto Lower Road, Building B - Part 3 /Part 4 storey building fronting on to Ann Moss Way) providing 62 residential units together with 2 wheelchair parking spaces and associated

landscaping in order to allow: - amendments to the landscaping proposals - removal of 4 Horse Chestnut trees - increase planting to 41 trees

Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ (Contact: Rose Sharkey )

26 LIVERPOOL GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE17 2HJ(Ref: 23/AP/0923)

Replacement of windows and garden doors: Double glazed Timber sliding sash to front elevation Rear elevation window and garden door replacements to be white coloured Upvc of top hung over top hung and casement styles All window and door sizes as existing (Within: Liverpool Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: James Baddeley )

Dated: 04 Apr 2023 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date

STEPHEN PLATTS Director of Planning and Growth

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE) (ENGLAND) ORDER 2015

NOTICE UNDER ARTICLES 13 AND 36 OF APPEAL

Proposed development at: Plot H1, Elephant Park, Land Bounded by Walworth Road, Elephant Road, Deacon Street, and Sayer Street North, Elephant and Castle London, SE1

Take notice that: Lendlease (Elephant & Castle) Limited having applied to: Southwark Council

For: Redevelopment of the site to provide an 18-storey building (including a mezzanine floor) plus basement and rooftop plant providing office floorspace (Class E(g)(i)) and areas of floorspace for the following flexible uses: office/retail/services/food and drink/medical or health floorspace (Class E(g)(i), E(a), E(c), E(b) or E(e)), including ancillary cycle parking, accessible car parking, servicing, plant, roof terraces, landscaping, public realm improvements and other associated works incidental to the development The application is accompanied by an Environmental Statement submitted pursuant to the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017

is appealing to the Secretary of State against the refusal of the Council to grant planning permission for the proposed development (Application Ref: 21/AP/1819)

Any owner* of the land or tenant** who wishes to make representations about this appeal should write to:

The Planning Inspectorate Temple Quay House

2 The Square Bristol BS1 6PN

By: 27 April 2023

If you decide to make representations, you should make it clear that you are an owner of the appeal site or tenant of an agricultural holding on the site and you should give the site address and appeal reference number: APP/A5840/W/23/3319797

*“owner” means a person having a freehold interest or a leasehold interest the unexpired term of which is not less than seven years, or in the case of development consisting of the winning or working of minerals, a person entitled to an interest in a mineral in the land (other than oil, gas, coal, gold or silver)

**“tenant” means a tenant of an agricultural holding any part of which is comprised in the land

Signed: DP9 Ltd

On behalf of: Lendlease (Elephant & Castle) Limited

Date: 6 April 2023

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 in a lease

Statement of agricultural tenants’ rights

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

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK MINOR TRAFFIC SCHEMES – 22/23 Q3

The London Borough of Southwark (Bus priority) (Camberwell Road and Walworth Road) Order 2023

The London Borough of Southwark (Charged-for parking places) (MTS 2223-Q3) Order 2023

The London Borough of Southwark (Free parking places, Loading places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping restrictions) (MTS 2223-Q3) Order 2023

1 Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that on 6 April 2023 it has made the above Orders under sections 6, 45, 46, 49 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended

2 The effects of the Orders are: -

(a) in BRUNEL ROAD in CPZ 'H' south-east side (north-east of its junction with Canon Beck Road) (i) reduce existing permit by 3 55m, (ii) add 2 new cycle hangars and 1m new DYL, and (iii) formally amend the position of existing DPPP to more closely reflect what is in the street;

(b) in CAMBERWELL ROAD and WALWORTH ROAD formalise bus priority in Camberwell Road and Walworth Road on both sides as the two roads merge, and consolidate the historical Orders for bus lanes in Camberwell Road and Walworth Road;

(c) in CHOUMERT GROVE in CPZ B', south-west side, o/s No 12 (Choumert Grove Mosque) convert 15m existing shared-use to ambulance only parking;

(d) in CHOUMERT ROAD in CPZ 'B', formalise 'shared-use bay on the south-east side o/s No 79a;

(e) in DUNSTANS ROAD north-west side opposite Nos 145 to 153 (odd) Dunstans Road (i) formalise and extend an existing school keep clear' restriction, and (ii) extend existing DYLs south-westward by 21m to accommodate the kerb build-out;

(f) in EDMUND STREET in CPZ 'EC', south-west side opposite Nos 75 and 77 Edmund Street, convert existing 'permit' to 15m ambulance only parking;

(g) in FURLEY ROAD relocate an existing cycle hangar from the north-east side (north of its junction with Fenham Road) to the south-west side;

(h) in GLENGALL ROAD add a new cycle hangar north-east side o/s No 111 Glengall Road existing free 'short stay' parking will be reduced to accommodate;

(i) in HAYMERLE ROAD add a new cycle hangar south-west side (south-east of its junction with Latona Road) existing free 'short stay' parking will be reduced to accommodate;

(j) in IVANHOE ROAD in CPZ Q , (i) north-west side, o/s No 28 Ivanhoe Road reduce in length by 7 5m an existing permit (31 5m remains) and add DYLs to accommodate, and formalise 1m existing DYLs o/s No, 16 Ivanhoe Road (amending the position of existing DPPP, cycle hangar and 'permit') to more closely reflect what is in the street, and (ii) east side o/s Nos 67 to 73 (odd) Ivanhoe Road reduce in length by 15m an existing 'permit' (59m remains) and add DYLs to accommodate;

(k) in LATONA ROAD add 2 new cycle hangars on the south-east side o/s No 12 and o/s No 48 Latona Road existing free short stay' parking will be reduced to accommodate;

(l) in MALFORT ROAD in CPZ ‘Q’, (i) north-east side, o/s No 15 Malfort Road reduce in length by 7m an existing 'permit' (70m remains) and add DYLs to accommodate, (ii) south-west side o/s Nos 26 Malfort Road and 30 Ivanhoe Road reduce in length by 11m an existing permit (25m remains) and (iii) add DYLs on both sides to accommodate;

(m) in PICTON STREET in CPZ ‘EC’, north-west side (north-east of its junction with Bantry Street), convert existing ambulance only parking (9m) to new 'shared-use';

(n) in RED POST HILL in CPZ ‘P’, south-west side opposite No 24 Red Post Hill, split and reduce existing 'permit' by 7m, and add 7m DYLs to accommodate;

(o) in ROBERTS CLOSE in CPZ ‘H’, north-west side (north-east of its junction with Quebec Way), split and reduce existing 'pay parking by 6m, and add 6m new car club parking;

(p) in SUNRAY AVENUE in CPZ ‘P’, west side o/s No 60 Sunray Avenue, convert 6m existing DYLs to new 'shared-use';

(q) in UNION STREET in CPZ C1 , north side, o/s No 100 Union Street remove 14m existing DYLs to accommodate 14m new 'pay' parking;

(r) in WEBBER STREET in CPZ ‘C2’, north-east side relocate existing 6m solo motorcycle parking from a location opposite No 6 Barons Place to a location north-west of its junction with Valentines Place and amend existing permit and DYLs to accommodate;

(s) add new DYLs in CALTON AVENUE south of its junction with Townley Road south-west side (5m) and north-east and south-east side (15 5m), COLYTON ROAD north-west side opposite Nos 29 to 31 Colyton Road (26m) and on the south-east side o/s No 31 Colyton Road (4 5m), FENHAM ROAD north-west side across the vehicular access to No 123 Fenham Road (5m), MONPELIER ROAD east side o/s Nos 26 to 30 Monpelier Road (13m) VERNEY ROAD north-west side opposite Nos 52 to 56 Verney Road (7m) and opposite No 70 Verney Road (19m);

(t) in ALSCOT ROAD east side (south of its junction with Spa Road), convert 18m existing SYLs to new DYLs;

(u) in AVONDALE RISE amend existing DYLs on the northern side at its junction with Ivanhoe Road to accommodate the new kerb-line build-out;

(v) in SOUTHAMPTON WAY south-west side, o/s No 156 Southampton Way add 21 5m DKBs to existing DYLs; and

(w) in WHITE HART YARD north-east side, o/s Nos 2 - 3 White Hart Yard add 19m SKBs on existing SYLs operating Mon - Sat between 8:00 am and 6:30 pm

NOTES: (1) DPPP refers to disabled persons parking places which may only be used by vehicles displaying a valid disabled persons 'blue badge' (2) ‘permit refers to parking places for holders of valid parking permits within the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) listed; ‘shared-use’ refers to parking places in which holders of a valid permit for the CPZ listed or ‘pay’ paid ticket holders are permitted to park within the permitted hours (3) ‘SYLs’ refer to timed waiting restrictions, ‘DYLs’ refer to at any time' waiting restrictions ‘SKBs’ refer to timed loading restrictions and ‘DKBs’ refer to 'at any time' loading restrictions (4) All measurements are in metres ‘m’ and are approximate (5) New cycle hangars will each be 2 55 metres in length, 2 05 metres in width and aligned parallel to the kerb (6) Parking charges are listed on www southwark gov uk/parking

3 Copies of the Orders, which will come into force on 13 April 2023, and of all other relevant documents are available for inspection at Highways, Southwark Council, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH, by appointment only E-mail traffic orders@southwark gov uk or call 020 7525 3497 for booking details

4 Any person desiring to question the validity of the Order/s or of any provision contained therein on the grounds that it is not within the relevant powers of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 or that any of the relevant requirements thereof or of any relevant regulations made thereunder has not been complied with in relation to the Order/s may, within six weeks of the date on which the Order was made, make application for the purpose to the High Court

Dated 6 April 2023

Dale Foden - Head of Service, Highways

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Tokei mix it with Tom Hardy as they claim medal

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk

B ermond S ey ’S tokei martial arts club claimed its first-ever medal in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu recently – at an event where actor tom hardy won gold in his category.

It was another milestone for the London Bridge-based club. Three players, who only started BJJ at Tokei, were in their first competition. A team of players and supporters under the watchful gaze of maths teacher and black belt coach Liam Wandi travelled to the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre for the BJJ All Stars event. There was a huge turnout from across the UK at the prestigious venue, with Tokei wearing newly printed club t-shirts to announce their arrival on the competitive BJJ scene.

As a national competition, there were some large pools of competitors including Hammersmith-born Hardy – most recently of Peaky Blinders fame –who has garnered attention over the last number of months after entering competitions under the radar. Hardy won gold at an event in Milton Keynes last September.

Tokei’s Neil Cameron, who was not in Hardy’s category, managed to win a bronze medal at the end of a long day. This was the icing on the cake for Tokei and perhaps also a testament to Cameron’s cross-training in judo and his stand-up grappling skill.

Tokei had started a BJJ section shortly before Covid-19 hit the country. A ground-grappling sport was never going to be easy to keep going with Covid restrictions and, as with all sport, it was put on hold. After the restrictions had eased, it resumed with the same levels of enthusiasm and club members currently train up to four times a week.

Tokei BJJ train in a purposebuilt dojo off Tooley Street on Monday and Thursday evenings and Wednesday and Saturday mornings. There are also other martial arts classes all week and judo on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Tokei BJJ are a club with a considerable proportion of more mature players starting or returning to the sport. New players are always very welcome.

southwark amErican footBall sidE aim for an immEdiatE prEmiErship rEturn

Coaching veteran Murray Dumas takes the reins for the 2023 campaign

By Sports Reporter sport@southwarknews.co.uk

BritiSh ameriC an Football Club the london olympians are determined to mount a challenge for an immediate return to the Premiership following relegation in 2022 to BaFa division 1, under new head coach murray dumas.

The Southwark Park-based side lost all of their games in the 2022 season following the devastating loss of all three quarter-backs in the first three games of the campaign. But the club, who play their ‘home’ games at Blackheath RFC, have been rebuilding and recruiting to create a team with its

sights set on the top flight once again.

Taking over from former head coach Tariq Ayub, coaching veteran Dumas has had several campaigns as the team’s offensive coordinator and played a key role in building the London Olympians championship teams in the early 2000s. He returned to the club in 2021 and now takes the reins for the first time.

“Coach Riq and I had a vision for the club and five-year plan,” Dumas said.

“This is year three and we are moving in the right direction.

“It is an honour and will be a pleasure to head up and work with this great staff and management team to deliver that vision for the club both on and off the field.”

Dumas’ close friend Ayub remains on the staff as an assistant working with the defensive line and line-backers, and acting as coaching mentor.

In addition to the changes at the top, a new volunteer management team will also give a fresh approach to this season including a focus on the mental side of the game as well as the physical fitness.

As well as the work with the players, the club are also hoping to engage with Southwark Council over playing their home games at the track at some point in the future.

Chris Owens, the club secretary, outlined their ethos. “We are a south London Club with a proud history

and bright future. We all come to the Olympians as individuals, but work together as a family to achieve our goals.

“No one individual is bigger than the club and when we act together as team, for the team, we are stronger. A new chapter is about to be written in the story of our club.”

The London Olympians’ first game of the 2023 season will be an away fixture on April 16 against the Essex Spartans where the team will be hoping to start with a win. Their first home game will be on April 30 against the Norwich Devils in Blackheath. That game will be free to watch and there is a bar at the ground.

Surrey snap up Kiwi international

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.u

Surrey have confirmed new Zealand international tom latham will join them for their five lV= insurance County Championship games this June and July.

Latham, 31, from Christchurch, is the current vice-captain of the Test and ODI teams after making his debut in 2012. He will skipper the side in T20 action this month.

Batter Latham’s record in Test cricket

is 5,150 runs in 74 matches (41.53) and in First Class cricket he has 10,385 runs in 147 matches (44.19).

“I’m thrilled to join Surrey this summer,” Latham said. “I’ve really enjoyed my past experiences playing County cricket and the challenge that English conditions bring.

“Surrey has a rich history and having the opportunity to play at one of the world’s best cricket venues in The Oval is something I’m relishing.

“I’m looking forward to joining [Surrey captain] Rory [Burns], [coach]

Gareth [Batty] and the team and doing as much as I can to help them successfully defend the Championship this year.”

Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart added: “I’m looking forward to welcoming Tom to The Kia Oval. He is an international cricketer with a wealth of experience who will add to the quality of our batting line-up at a time when we are highly likely to lose players to England for The Ashes.

“As we look to build on the success of 2022, it is important we can bring

in quality talent when we need it. I’m confident Tom will be an outstanding addition to the squad of players we already have in place.”

Latham will first be available against Kent on June 11 until the last fixture of his scheduled spell, against Somerset in Taunton on July 25.

Latham is set for two matches at The Kia Oval, against Lancashire on June 25 and against Nottinghamshire on July 10.

The other fixture is the derby against Middlesex at Lord’s on July 19.

Murray Dumas imparts advice

Left to right: Wilf Taylor, Neil Cameron, coach Liam Wandi, Patrik Bukoci and Serge Fog

struggling hamlEt hit thE wall

Manager apologises to supporters after hammering

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk

dulWiCh hamlet manager hakan hayrettin apologised to supporters after their 4-0 defeat at dartford left them with six games to save themselves from relegation to the isthmian league.

A hat-trick from Alex Wall and a fourth from Harvey Bradbury consigned the Hamlet to a tenth successive away National League South game without a win.

Wall gave the Darts the lead in the seventh minute when he profited from an error by goalkeeper Charlie Grainger who looked favourite to claim a long ball as Sanchez Ming shepherded it back to him. But Grainger didn’t claim it and Bradbury set up Wall for a simple finish.

Wall quickly completed his hat-trick after the break, with goals in the 50th and

53rd minutes. Former Millwall forward Bradbury added a fourth five minutes from time as Dartford maintained their place in second.

The Hamlet have now conceded 86 goals in 40 games, the worst in the division after Slough Town who have let in 72.

Hayrettin didn’t mince his words afterwards at Princes Park.

“I can only but apologise to the supporters,” Hayrettin told Dulwich’s media. “I don’t know what was wrong but I can tell you this, that won’t be happening again.

“That was not good enough. That was a team that sort of had no structure which is not true because we’re all about structure.

“I think, me personally, I owe the supporters an apology, and I apologise on behalf of the team. That won’t be happening again. That kind of performance is the straw that broke the

camel’s back and that won’t be happening again. I just told them.

“You don’t mind if you have a go and you do the right things – we didn’t even have a go today. That’s what really upset me. Once they cross that white line we can’t get the information across quick enough for them to understand.

“Listen, it’s a one-off, I apologise wholeheartedly. That won’t be happening again, for sure. They brought me in to make sure we have a go and stick together and there is some unity. But today there was none of that. And because I’m honest and I say it how it is, that’s the only way to do it, in my opinion, because you can only hide behind cracks for so long.

“And there haven’t been cracks, there have been some really good signs of improvement. Last week against Oxford [City] we were 2-1 up with two minutes to go. This week we crumbled in the first

Local football: Isaac-ly what’s required

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk

i S aaC thom PS on scored two late goals as Fisher came from behind to defeat kennington 3-2 in the SCeFl Premier division last weekend.

Thompson made it 2-2 in the 79th minute before netting the winner a minute from time to end the Fish’s three-match losing streak in the league.

Liam Whiting had the visitors ahead at St Paul’s with his 45thminute goal before Darnelle BaileyKing equalised three minutes into the second half.

Rajan Sahni restored Kennington’s lead on 71 minutes but Thompson ensured the hosts had the last say.

Eighteen-year-old Kaylam Burgess

set up Fisher’s first with a lovely curling cross that Bailey-King volleyed home.

The majority of the 157 in Rotherhithe feared the worst at 2-1 down but Thompson came to the rescue when he cut in from the left and fired a superb shot into the top corner.

Ajay Ashanike’s side weren’t content with a point and in the 89th minute substitutes Ollie Milton and Clyde Semazzi combined before Lewis Duberry’s dummy deceived the defence and Thompson found the far corner.

There was also a win for Stansfield at Hollands & Blair. Joe Matthews made it 1-0 to the Stans in the 43rd minute before Sam Wright equalised eight minutes after half-time.

Dan Parkinson on 65 minutes and

Harry Day ten minutes later sealed the points for Stansfeld.

Stansfeld are ninth in the Premier Division, four points ahead of Fisher having played a game more, with both sides’ focus now on building for next season.

In the midweek Premier Division fixtures, Fisher were at Deal Town and Stansfeld at K Sports. This Saturday, Fisher travel to Whitstable Town and Stansfield host Phoenix Sports.

Bermondsey Town host Croydon in Division One on Saturday. All three kick-offs are at 3pm.

Peckham Town weren’t in action last weekend. They resume their Kent County League Premier Division campaign this Saturday when Red Velvet are the visitors to The Menace Arena for a 2.45pm kick-off.

five minutes.

“If I stand here and say something they’re going to be saying, ‘Hak’s criticising the players’. The goalkeeper’s got to do better for the first one, if it’s in his hands that’s where he earns his money and he has done ever so well for us. That area is where he earns his corn, where he earns his money, he’s got to do better there. There’s a mixup between him and Sanchez.

“The second one is a header from Alex Wall, again Sanchez has got to do better, [Wall] has got inside him. He’s got beaten at the near post for one of the goals.

“They’re all individual mistakes but I wasn’t interested in that. What I’m more focussing on is the desire and the determination. We can’t go and play like we did against Oxford and then turn up like we did [Saturday]. It was lacklustre, there was no tempo. Yet last week we were on it.

“We need to have a look at that and I’ve told them. I apologise wholeheartedly because the fish always stinks from the head down. Well that’s me and I’m apologising on their behalf as well.”

The stakes get even higher this Easter weekend when Dulwich host Cheshunt on Good Friday. The sides have both played 40 games. Cheshunt are a point ahead and are also eleven better off on goal difference. Kick-off is at 3pm at Champion Hill.

Hayrettin’s side then travel to Hemel Hempstead Town on Easter Monday, also for a 3pm kick-off.

Hayrettin added: “They’re big now, they’re all big. I did say it was going to be tight...that [performance] I won’t accept. And it wasn’t one, it’s collective.

“If I had a magic wand and I knew what it was I could say it. But I could see they just weren’t at the races.”

Millwall and Dulwich net impressive wins

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk

millWall lioneSSeS are just six points off the top of the london & South east regional Women’s Football league Premier division table after beating dartford 3-2 at Princes Park last weekend.

It was a second win over the Darts in the league in a week after their 2-0 victory, at St Paul’s. Jack Wheeler’s side this time had to come from behind. Elizabeth Adams put the hosts in front before Otesha Charles scored twice. The first was from the penalty spot and then she fired in to make it 2-1 just before halftime.

Millwall controlled the game in the second half but had to wait until addedtime for their third as Maisie Joyce headed home Jade Keogh’s corner.

There was a late scare when Paris Smith got one back with a minute-

and-a-half left on the clock, but the Lionesses saw the game out and are now five unbeaten in the league.

Also in the Premier Division, Dulwich Hamlet Women were comprehensive 3-0 winners against AFC Acorns 1st Women at Champion Hill.

Erin Corrigan scored the opener in the 33rd minute and Mark Dempsey’s side added two more through Brittany Saylor and Luna Alves Etienne in the 68th and 90th minutes.

Dulwich are fourth, three points behind third-place Millwall. Ebbsfleet United are top with a game in hand on the south London sides, while Worthing are second having played two games fewer.

Dulwich and the Lionesses’ next games are therefore crucial, with just one promotion place available. The Hamlet host Ebbsfleet in the league this Sunday at 2pm. The Lionesses, not in action at the weekend, play the current table-toppers the following Sunday.

Photo by Rob Avis

dulwich hamlet fc

Familiar story: Dulwich have the worst defensive record in the league

no april fool’s at the hawthorns

Lions shine in stalemate to move up to fifth in the Championship table

c ham P ion S hi P west Brom - 0

Millwall - 0

date: Saturday 1 April 2023

referee: Jeremy Simpson

attendance: 24,334

man of the match: Charlie Cresswell

By Alex Jones at The Hawthorns alexj@southwarknews.co.uk

millWall returned from the final international break of the season with a goalless draw against play-off rivals West Brom.

Manager Gary Rowett was keen to play down the magnitude of the game before his team made the trip to the West Midlands, but it was clear that a positive result could define the Lions’ promotion push. They started with a real tempo that showed that they knew what was on the line, winning a corner in the second minute. George Honeyman played it low to Ryan Leonard on the edge of the area, allowing him to take aim from the edge of the area. His shot was blocked, allowing West Brom to counter, but Jed Wallace was unable to keep the ball in play.

The momentum swung five minutes later as the Baggies won a corner of their own. George Long was called into action to prevent Adam Reach’s delivery from flying straight in, with his second cross headed over the bar by Nathaniel Chalobah.

The visitors were trying to play fluid, attacking football, but they were unable to find a killer pass to unlock West Brom’s back line. Duncan Watmore’s through ball was played towards Zian Flemming, who moved out of the way

Millwall became just the second team to avoid defeat away to West Brom in 2023

to let it roll towards Tom Bradshaw, but the striker’s touch was too heavy to create a proper chance.

Seven minutes after that, the Baggies went close to finding an opener when Brandon Thomas-Asante cut inside and beat Charlie Cresswell, setting up John Swift to fire a scuffed shot past the post.

Jed Wallace showed his determination to score against his former team, smashing an effort into Charlie Cresswell from a throw-in in the 23rd minute. Soon after, he was played through after West Brom capitalised

from a horrendous George Saville corner, but they played the attacker into an offside position.

The hosts were not done there and had one last chance before the break to get a goal. A throw-in from the right saw Okay Yokuslu played down the side of the box, allowing him to fire a low cross towards Wallace. The attacker fired yet another deflected shot at Cresswell before Reach blasted the rebound narrowly over the crossbar.

The start to the second half was lethargic, but the tempo improved

in the 51st minute when ThomasAsante’s long-range effort flew narrowly over Long, a move that saw Danny McNamara booked for a foul in the build-up. It woke Millwall up, however, as they started to create some chances of their own.

The first came seconds later, with Honeyman lifting a lobbed shot onto the roof of the net from a free-kick. Soon after, they had a glorious chance to grab the first goal of the game when they were allowed to play on during Erik Pieters’ head injury. Saville picked

up the ball down the right, crossing for Bradshaw to head into the gloves of Griffiths. The goalkeeper had to deny Flemming’s tame header seconds later, but it was undoubtedly their best period of the game.

Their dominance soon came to an end, however, as West Brom realised that a win was slipping out of their hands. However, they ran out of legs in the latter stages of the game and were unable to pelt Millwall with chances as they did in the first half.

Their final opportunity came just three minutes before full-time, when Leonard’s tackle played substitute Daryl Dike through down the right side of the box. Long rushed out and clattered into the United States international for what seemed like a clear penalty, but the linesman raised his flag for offside to spare the goalkeeper’s blushes.

Given West Brom’s imperious home form, a draw was a fantastic result for the Lions, making them the first team to keep a clean sheet at The Hawthorns since October 29th. The point also lifted them up to fifth in the Championship due to results elsewhere, setting them up perfectly for their final seven league games.

West Brom: 4-2-3-1: Griffiths; Furlong (Albrighton 89’), Ajayi, Pieters, Townsend; Yokuslu (Bartley 89’), Chalobah (Gardner-Hickman 74’); J. Wallace, Swift (Dike 64’), Reach (Rogic 74’); Thomas-Asante

millwall: 4-2-3-1: Long; McNamara, Cresswell (Malone 90’), Cooper, M. Wallace; Leonard, Saville; Honeyman (Hutchinson 90’), Flemming (Shackleton 90’), Watmore (Burke 63’); Bradshaw (Voglsammer 84’)

lions hoping for a vEry good friday millwall aim to showcase promotion credentials in showdown at the den

By Alex Jones alexj@southwarknews.co.uk

millWall FaCe a daunting home clash with luton town on Good Friday, knowing that a win could put them in a fantastic position to secure a top-six finish.

The two sides met just over a month ago at Kenilworth Road in the reverse fixture, which was moved from mid-December due to a frozen pitch. The game finished 2-2, which was a positive result for both sides, but the Lions were frustrated that they let a two-goal lead slip in such a big game.

Their rematch at The Den will arguably be even tougher for Gary Rowett’s side, as the Hatters boast one of the best away records in the entire division. They have won ten, drawn five and lost just four of their nineteen matches on the road, having only been beaten twice since the end of

Tom Bradshaw will be looking to score in front of the Sky Sports cameras once again

MATCH

DeTAILS

Possible Millwall starting XI: 4-2-3-1 Long; McNamara, Hutchinson, Cooper, Wallace; Leonard, Saville; Honeyman, Flemming, Voglsammer; Bradshaw

Match odds: Millwall 6/4 Draw 2/1 Luton 2/1

Last meeting: (February 28th, 2023): Luton 2-2 Millwall (Adebayo 58, Berry 87; Flemming 4’, Bradshaw 52’)

the World Cup break. Their current run has seen them win five of their last seven games, and their only league defeat in 2023 came at the hands of league leaders Burnley.

Barring a huge collapse, Rob Edwards’ men will be in this season’s play-offs alongside Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough, but it looks like fifth and

sixth place are still up for grabs. Millwall and Blackburn Rovers currently occupy those positions, with both teams sitting on 61 points, four ahead of Norwich City and Coventry City.

For supporters, the magnitude of the game is clear. The club are expecting another sell-out despite the game being shown live on Sky Sports at 12:30pm,

and a win would certainly create a clear gap between Millwall and the chasing pack, especially with Blackburn hosting promotion rivals Norwich at Ewood Park.

However, Rowett has once again been keen to play down the importance of the fixture in comparison to the rest of the Lions’ run-in, although he is hopeful that the game will be as exciting as the previous clash in Bedfordshire at the end of February.

“Everyone said the West Brom game was massive,” he told the News

“I said this before, every game is massive, every game is big, but we don’t treat it like it’s massive. We just treat it like the next game and the next opportunity to get three points.

“Luton have been playing really, really well and getting fabulous results. They’re deservedly in there [the top six].

“There are similarities between the teams in terms of the honesty, physicality and the way that we’re trying to push further than

perhaps people would expect us to budgetwise, but Luton showed last year that you can do it.

“They’ll want to go one step further and we want to get in the top six and challenge also.

“It’ll be a good game, a tough game. We have a lot of respect for them and I think they’re very similar to us in different respects.

“It’ll be a game at home for us where we’ve got to go and try to perform.”

Millwall will be hoping to welcome back Tyler Burey [hip], Mason Bennett and Billy Mitchell [both ankle] over the Easter weekend, although Rowett does not want to rush them unless they are 100 percent fit to feature. The manager is also waiting for an update on Charlie Cresswell, who is expected to miss the match with a fractured eye socket, allowing captain Shaun Hutchinson to return to the starting lineup.

Championship preview

millwall l uton Town VS

The Den. Friday, April 7th. Kick-off: 12:30pm

muzza shuts out formEr tEammatE

murray wallace leaves

By Alex Jones alexj@southwarknews.co.uk

Gary roWett was pleased with how murray Wallace defended against former millwall talisman Jed Wallace in his side’s 0-0 draw with West Brom.

Jed Wallace departed The Den on a free transfer last summer, joining the Baggies after five years with the Lions. It was a

Jed frustrated in goalless draw against millwall

controversial move, and the forward was criticised on his return to South London in October 2022 when he celebrated his side’s goal in front of the Cold Blow Lane end.

Murray Wallace missed the 2-1 win when the sides previously met due to a groin injury, meaning that Saturday’s clash was his first opportunity to come up against his former teammate. He told News that he was excited by the prospect,

saying that he would be “delighted to play against Jed.

“We know what he’s about,” he added. “The fans know what he’s about. He’s a really good player and he’s got loads of energy.

“I know exactly what he’s like. He has such high energy, you can’t think that you’ve kept him quiet at any moment because he’ll keep going the entire game.”

Rowett revealed how delighted he was

lenny relishes millwall return

Midfielder reveals mental struggle during lengthy lay-off with hamstring injury

ExcluSivE

By Alex Jones alexj@southwarknews.co.uk

millWall midF ielder ryan

leonard is delighted to be back in the first-team squad, revealing how difficult it was during his most recent injury spell.

The 30-year-old was a key player in the Lions’ opening Championship fixtures before tearing his hamstring in training in late August.

Leonard has had to deal with numerous injury issues since moving

to The Den on a permanent deal in 2019, but his latest knock was especially difficult. He suffered two setbacks that delayed his return to action, meaning that he did not step foot onto the pitch until January’s win against Cardiff City.

He came into the XI against Luton Town February 28th and has started every game since, highlighting how he has hit the ground running since returning to full fitness.

“The run of games really helped me to be fair,” he told the News

“Billy Mitchell got injured and Shackleton has done a really good job

in there for a few games. Then luckily enough I’ve managed to find myself in the team.

“I’ve grabbed the chance with both hands. I’m just enjoying being back out there.

“I’m happy to be out there doing my thing and doing my part.

“Everyone says it, there’s nothing worse than being injured. It’s a horrible experience not being out there with the lads.

“That’s six a row for me now and, as long as the gaffer keeps picking me, I’ll keep giving my all and doing my bit.”

by the defender’s performance after the game, with Jed Wallace having the least touches [29] of any outfield player to play 90 minutes on Saturday afternoon.

“It’s always a difficult one with someone like Jed, who would’ve been so fired up to play well,” the manager said after the match.

“Sometimes that takes a little bit away from your game at times, but I thought that Muzza did really well and it was a

good battle.

“They’re two players that know each other well and it was a really honest battle.

“There were times where Jed got away from Muzza and put a ball in the box so we had to defend it, but I thought he caused Jed one or two problems going the other way too, which is what we tried to do.

“I thought it was a very good battle, two good players and two good guys, and I think Murray will be pleased.”

Murray Wallace’s excellent performance helped the Lions pick up a valuable point on the road.

Ryan Leonard has started the last six games for the Lions

ExcluSivE

By Alex Jones alexj@southwarknews.co.uk

andrea S vo Gl S ammer has thoroughly enjoyed the last two months of his career.

The 31-year-old’s performances have improved massively, recording two goals and four assists in his last nine games, having only scored and assisted just once in his previous 27 matches before then.

Crucially, the German also extended his contract back in February after triggering an extension based on his appearances. He initially signed a oneyear deal when he joined from Union Berlin last summer, but will now stay at The Den until the end of the 202324 campaign.

“It’s always good to have options like that in your contract,” he told the News.

“It’s never easy because you don’t know what’s going on in the next season, but it’s very good that the extension has been triggered.

“It was a few weeks ago, I think against Sheffield United or Burnley, one of those games triggered the option.”

Voglsammer quickly shoots down the idea that the start to his time at Millwall has not been easy, stressing that it is “not the right word”.

His entire career has been built on confidence and positivity, two things that are often associated with German mentality. Setting incredibly high standards is also a Germanic trait, and one that he had undoubtedly adopted very early on in his career.

He has previously spoken about his youth career at Bayern Munich and the ‘Mia San Mia’ motto that roughly translates to ‘the complete will to succeed’.

However, there was a clear desire to improve on his start to time in South London, especially in terms of contributing in the final third.

“I don’t think I played badly at the start, but as a winger or a striker, you want to score goals or assist them in order to help the team,” he admitted.

“That didn’t work that well. I expected more and I wanted to have more of an impact on the games and the results, but it’s been very, very good in the last ten games.

“Hopefully I can help the team with assists and goals in the last seven games so we can reach the play-offs, then I think everybody will be happy!

“I think I can perform better and help the team even more with more goals and more assists.

“Then I would feel much better for myself and for the team, and everything is easier when you score, when you assist and when you win the next games. You feel much more comfortable about the whole situation.

“When you don’t do what’s expected of you, it’s always a little bit frustrating. I think the gaffer has said it a few times in the media that it’s not so easy for us wingers in our system because we do a lot of hard yards for the other lads.

“We work so hard on every sprint and every counterattack to help the team and the defence. It’s not so easy to have the power at the end to help in the final third where you need the precision to score or assist a goal.”

Of course, goals and assists are vital in terms of helping the team, and Voglsammer now has the most assists out of anyone in Millwall’s squad heading into the final seven games.

vogi stays in south london

millwall’s german forward delighted to extend his deal at the den

This is crucial for him on a personal level as he looks to keep his place in the starting lineup. There is a lot of competition, with Duncan Watmore, Oliver Burke, George Honeyman and Romain Esse all vying for a spot out wide. Mason Bennett and Tyler Burey are also set to return from injury, giving Rowett numerous options to use between now and the end of the campaign.

However, Voglsammer does not believe that it will necessarily push him to play at his best, instead stating that his own mentality will drive him to playing at the highest level possible.

“For some players, it’s important

that they have this extra push when they know that they have someone behind them or that there’s someone on the bench that’s really, really good and could get a place in the starting lineup ahead of them,” he argued.

“I don’t think that I’m the player that needs the pressure from another player. I think my mentality is so good and I want to help the team with goals and assists, so I know how to improve myself.

“I think every player is different. For example, [Robert] Lewandowski had no real competition for his position at Bayern Munich for years, but every year he scored 50 goals.

“Of course, sometimes it’s good, but I don’t think it matters for me.”

Regardless, Millwall will have a big squad heading into their promotion run-in, and confidence is clearly high.

After Luton Town visit The Den on Friday afternoon, the Lions’ face a number of teams who are sat towards the bottom end of the table, making them one of the favourites to secure a top-six finish given their four-point gap on seventh place.

Voglsammer is wary that their upcoming opponents can certainly cause them some problems, but he knows what his side has to do in order to achieve their goal of securing a

place in the play-offs.

“The most important thing is that we perform on the pitch, do our stuff and try to play our game,” he stated.

“When we bring 100 percent on the pitch, then it’s very hard to beat us.

“When I got my promotion in Germany from the second division into the Bundesliga, our gaffer always said that we have to win the games against the teams that are behind us and not lose the other games. That’s the most important thing.

“When we win our games against the teams that are behind us in the league and we don’t lose the others, we have a really, really good chance.”

Andreas Voglsammer has contributed to eight goals so far this season

ExcluSivE

By Alex Jones alexj@southwarknews.co.uk

GeorGe Saville knows how big millwall’s 0-0 draw with West Brom is.

The performance and the result were vital for the Lions, who became the first team to shut out the Baggies in their own stadium since the end of October. The point takes them up to fifth ahead of Friday’s clash with Luton Town, and they will certainly feel confident after their performance at The Hawthorns.

“I think they had a couple of moments in the first half,” Saville admitted to the News.

“As the home team, they’re always going to have that, especially with their form. After 20 minutes or so, I feel like we understood the roles and what we needed to do to stop them.

s av s E ts th E B ar for m illwall’s run-in

Millwall midfielder has top-six ambitions after west brom draw

“Second half, we just grew into the game.

“I put a couple of good balls in in the second half and we created a few chances from there.

“Collectively, I felt that we did enough to get something out of the game.

“Was a draw a fair result? Maybe, but I don’t think there would have been too many complaints if we had taken a chance in that second half.

“We had a few chances, Zian had a shot and things like that. That was the time to score, really.

“Overall, it was a pleasing performance.”

Part of the reason for Millwall’s impressive performance is the midfield partnership of Saville and Ryan Leonard, with the latter only returning from a lengthy injury lay-off at the start of the year. The pair have played the last five games together and have formed an experienced bond that has certainly helped the Lions gain control in a number

of difficult fixtures.

“Lenny’s been good,” Saville added.

“I think his experience helps him a lot as well. When it comes to the Championship, you do need experience, so he’s stepped in and stepped up to the plate to be honest.

“I feel like we’ve been playing well together. Saturday was just another example of that.

“I think that, because of what he’s missed, he’s eager to play.

“It’s never nice missing games, especially when it’s through injury. He’s been unlucky with a lot of injuries, but I feel like he’s come in and he’s jumped straight on it, really.

“He’s growing game by game.”

It sets Millwall up for their final seven games of the season, especially given the results elsewhere on Saturday afternoon.

Blackburn Rovers, Norwich City and Coventry City were all beaten while the Lions earned a draw, extending their gap

on seventh place to four points.

While manager Gary Rowett has continued to keep his eyes off the Championship table, Saville has admitted that he has kept an eye on the teams around them in the play-off race.

“I think, if you’re honest with it, once you’ve played, you’re going to look at other results,” he explained.

“I think everyone does that and I think you do that anyway, regardless of what position you’re in.

“If you’re into football, you will. For me, I’ve always done that and I’ve always looked at other results.

“I feel like as soon as you start looking ahead, that’s where the problem is. For me, however cliche it is, I’ll be looking at the Luton game.”

There has been a clear improvement this season in terms of Millwall’s results, as they are fighting off the teams below them rather than chasing the sides above them.

Saville is hopeful that this could be the difference in the play-off battle this season, explaining that it would just take a few positive results for the Lions to cement their place in the top six and earn a shot at promotion to the Premier League.

“We’ve been chasing it a little bit, but this season has been different,” he said.

“The consistency has been a little bit better and we’ve maintained our form and our position in the table.

“Obviously, there’s going to be teams that go on a run now. There’s always one or two late teams that go on a charge. Just because you’re in there, doesn’t mean you can’t go on a late run with a little bit of momentum and do well.

“That can still be us. Just because we’re fifth doesn’t mean we can’t string three or four games together and jump up.

“We’re just going to be looking at ourselves now. It’s in our hands and we’ve got seven games to go and do something.”

concern for cressy after calamitous clash

Defender could miss crucial games after fracturing eye socket

ExcluSivE

By Alex Jones alexj@southwarknews.co.uk

Gary roWett is concerned about the availability of Charlie Cresswell after the centre-back suffered a suspected fractured eye socket in Saturday’s 0-0 draw against West Brom.

Cresswell took an elbow to the face in the latter stages of the stalemate at The Hawthorns, requiring him to be brought off for the final minutes of the game in order to receive treatment.

There were few concerns at the time, but Rowett has since confirmed that the

20-year-old could be set for a spell on the sidelines as he recovers from what looks to be quite a serious facial injury.

“I think there’s a possibility that there is a fracture in his eye socket,” the manager told the News

“We’re waiting on what we find out.

“He took a whack, a significant whack, and you could see straight away that he was in a bit of trouble and a bit of discomfort.

“We didn’t realise how much at the time, but it’s definitely going to take a little bit of time to recover. We’ll find out exactly how long in due course.

“He’s a brave so-and-so, a bit of an old school centre-half with modern qualities

to his game. That’s why he’s played for England under-21’s and done so well for us. Particularly as the season has gone on, he’s matured his performances.

“He’s a brave player. I think he got caught with a bit of an arm, but I have no massive complaints. I think he’s on the raw end of a loose arm but it wasn’t a coiled elbow or an obvious situation.

“He certainly took some damage there as it was quite a hefty blow.”

Cresswell suffered a similar injury in November 2022 during a goalless draw with Hull City, where he took a boot to the face from striker Oscar Estupinan, who was subsequently sent off for the foul.

George Saville was one of the Lions’ top performers at The Hawthorns on Saturday

The defender shared a photo of his injury on social media over the weekend

Charlie Cresswell had to be substituted late on in Millwall’s goalless draw at The Hawthorns

The Lions have already broken two attendance records so far this season

rowE tt issuE s a call to arms

Millwall boss wants full support for final fixtures

ExcluSivE

By Alex Jones alexj@southwarknews.co.uk

G ary roW ett has called on Millwall fans to fill t2he den for their final seven Championship fixtures.

The Lions have four home games left before the end of the season, facing Luton Town, Preston North End, Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers.

Friday’s match against the Hatters is expected to take place in front of a capacity crowd, despite the earlier kick-off (12:30pm) and the fact that it

will be shown live on Sky Sports. A win could extend the hosts’ advantage on the chasing pack heading into their trip to Hull City on Easter Monday.

Millwall have already had two sell-out fixtures in SE16 this season, drawing Sunderland 1-1 in front of 18,524 fans on February 4th before losing 3-2 to Norwich City in front of 18,785 supporters a month later. The latter was their highest attendance since moving to The Den in 1993.

With Rowett’s men closing in on their highest league finish in more than 20 years, the manager is keen to get everyone on board to help them achieve their goal, highlighting how important a big atmosphere will be for his players.

“The fans will be crucial,” he told the News.

“We’ve seen that with the away following and the way that fans have gotten behind us with the two biggest attendances at The Den for a long time.

“It’s something that we’re going to need to do and continue to do until the end of the season, I think it’s really, really important that we do.

“It’s something that we’re going to need and it’s something that helps the team. It doesn’t guarantee the win, it just gives us that extra impetus when we need it.

“It’s absolutely vital to what we’re trying to achieve.”

George Saville also has stressed how

ExcluSivE

By Alex Jones alexj@southwarknews.co.uk

eiGHt FiRSt-teAM players featured for millwall’s under-21’s on monday afternoon, including tyler Burey, mason Bennett and Billy mitchell.

The trio were brought back in for their first competitive minutes since picking up injuries earlier this year, with Burey taking a knock to his hip in January while Bennett and Mitchell both suffered ankle ligament damage at the end of February.

They started for the young Lions against Burnley under-21’s alongside Bartosz Bialkowski, Scott Malone, George Evans, Shaun Hutchinson and Romain Esse, with Burey scoring in the 70th minute to give his side a 1-0 win.

Manager Gary Rowett explained that the decision was made in order to keep his entire squad match fit ahead of their final seven games of the Championship season, with everyone expected to play a part in the next few weeks.

“I think it’s a tough balance for the players that aren’t in the team,” he told the News

“Take someone like Evo [Evans], who’s a great lad and a very good footballer. He trains really well and to not be able to reward him by starting him or putting him on the bench is tough, there’s no easy way to go about it.

important the Millwall supporters have been to his side’s performances so far this season, having sold out their allocation for their 0-0 draw away to West Brom last weekend.

The midfielder is expecting the same again when they host Luton, and is hopeful that supporters will continue to flock to South Bermondsey to cheer the Lions over the line.

“With it being Easter weekend, I’m sure we don’t have to worry about that this week,” he said.

“Obviously that’s a big factor for us, like it was on Saturday. We had numbers there, which was good.

“The support is important going into the last few games.”

“I think those players that haven’t been in the team regularly understand that their job is to be ready, and to be ready you’ve got to train well and make sure you look after yourself.

“Monday’s game was really our last opportunity to get some minutes into them to be ready for the last seven games, with everyone either playing some minutes or starting games going into them.

“That’s the aim, but it’s always a tough balance.”

Tyler Burey scored the winning goal as Kevin Nugent’s men beat Burnley 1-0 on Monday afternoon