South London Weekly - December 22nd 2023 by CommunityMattersMedia

Issue 28 ∙ 50p ∙ December 22 2023 www.southlondon.co.uk

o2 academy cruSh: imageS of peopLe poLice hope To idenTify See page 18

Bec in BuSineSS Tooting lido will re-open in the spring after major £4m revamp

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Issue 30 ∙ 50p ∙ December 22 2023 ∙ www.southlondon.co.uk

'LiveS made heLL By mouLd'

Page 6

criTicS don’T Know jacK S**T

See sport

Bec in BuSineSS Tooting lido will re-open to public this spring, after major £4million revamp

o2 academy cruSh: imageS of peopLe poLice hope To idenTify

See page 10

See page 2

'STop The hgv raTrun danger'

See page 18

4 NEWS Contents NEWS Pages 2-15 arts Pages 16 - 17 FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS Page 20 Classified Page 21 Public notices Pages 22-24 SPORT Pages 25-28

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Tooting Bec Lido will reopen to the public after major £4m revamp By Charlotte Lillywhite

Local Democracy Reporter A South London lido is set to reopen to the public in spring next year after a near-£4million revamp was hit by delays, including the discovery of buried asbestos. Wandsworth Council said the major repairs at Tooting Bec Lido, the biggest open-air freshwater pool in the UK, are almost complete.

Ahead of the formal reopening to the public, the 91-metre-long lido will reopen to members of the South London Swimming Club (SLSC) on Monday (December 18). This follows normal practice as the pool

SouthLondonWeekly.

SouthLondonWeekly. Community matters

Issue 29 ∙ 50p ∙ December 15 2023 ∙ www.southlondon.co.uk

MET POLICE 'BENT OUT OF SHAPE' BY GAZA PROTEST POLICING SAYS COMMISSIONER

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Editor: Kevin Quinn Reporters: Herbie Russell; Isabel Ramirez Sports Editor: John Kelly Sports reporter: Kiro Evans Arts Correspondent: Michael Holland Digital Transformation Editor: Katherine Johnston Media Partnerships: Anthony Phillips Advertising: Clarry Frewin, Sophie Ali Design: Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen Finance: Em Zeki - Tel: 0779 883 3758 Subscriptions/Announcements: Katie Boyd Managing & Commercial Director: Chris Mullany Managing & Editorial Director: Kevin Quinn Published weekly at: Community Matters Media Ltd, Unit A202, The Biscuit Factory, Drummond Road, Bermondsey, London SE16 4DG. News and Sport: 020 7231 5258 Advertising: 0020 7232 1639 News/Advertising: hello@cm-media.co.uk Finance: em@cm-media.co.uk Printed by Iliffe Print. Tel: 01223 656500 www.iliffeprint.co.uk

usually only opens to the club during winter every year, while it is typically available to the public from April to September. SLSC’s website said the lido will open to the public from April 1 to September 30, 2024. The works aim to prevent future unplanned closure of the lido and make sure it functions efficiently for the next 50 years. The existing systems at the lido, the council previously said, had reached the end of their life and a budget of £3.93m was agreed in November 2022 to fund the maintenance works. The scheme includes replacing the pumphouse, which controls the pool’s water supply, and building a new electrical

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substation to power the pumps, along with installing a new pipework and UV filtration system and pool liner. It also involves improving the landscaping around the water’s edge. The lido shut in November last year and it was originally set to close for around nine months for the works. But the council later revealed it would not reopen in time for summer due to “unavoidable delays” caused by issues encountered during the repairs – including the “discovering of unknown buried asbestos following demolition”. A council report in November 2021 said the “iconic” lido holds a special place as the borough’s “jewel in the crown” and has

attracted generations of Londoners since opening in 1906. A Wandsworth Council spokesperson said: “The council’s £4m extensive refurbishment of the lido – which will ensure its continued use for many decades to come – is now largely complete, so in line with normal winter practice when the pool is open only to members of the South London Swimming Club (SLSC), who have contributed around £100,000 towards this landmark scheme, the lido will reopen to club members on December 18 ahead of a formal reopening to the general public in the spring.” Image: Tooting Bec Lido. Credit: Wandsworth Council

The South London Weekly is an independent newspaper covering all of south London and beyond Community Matters Media has been running independent newspapers since 1987, and now boasts the weeklies: South London Weekly, Southwark News and Greenwich & Lewisham Weekender, as well as the lifestyle magazines The South Londoner and Bermondsey Biscuit & Rotherhithe Docker. You can view all our content on www.southlondon.co.uk and sign up to newsletters to stay informed about news, lifestyle & events, people, sport and history. We believe in community and in balanced, independent and responsible journalism. As a south London business, we also work to support fellow local businesses. A dedicated team of staff work tirelessly to cover as much of what is going on as possible and strive to ensure that community-led, independent newspapers can survive and excel in a market dominated by national and multinational media groups.

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hundredS of SanTaS on The SouTh BanK 'mired in ScandaL'

deparTmenT couLd face ofSTed-STyLe inSpecTion Southwark Council HQ on Tooley Street

By Herbie Russell SouthWArK’S “mired in scandal” housing department could face an ofsted-style inspection under calls from the Liberal democrat opposition.

SantaCon

By Herbie Russell hundredS oF bearded Santas descended on the South Bank for a day of sing-a-longs and festive fun earlier this month.

SantaCon is primarily a parade of revellers dressed as Father Christmas - although some bearded boozers did enjoy a spot of sherry. But conscientious organisers were careful to ban bad Santas from the ball with excessive drinking getting a frosty reception on the official website. Santas were also reminded not to urinate in the street, litter or engage in dangerous behaviour, on December 9, 2023. Organisers wrote: “SantaCon is fun because Santa is jolly. Santa being drunk/ disorderly in public isn’t fun for anyone and will get you into trouble. Don’t be that Santa.” “Take only mince pies and sherry, leave only sleigh tracks on the roof and a lingering sense of delight,” they added. SantaCon is an apolitical gathering that

has already hosted get-togethers from Bali, Boston to Berlin this year- always free. “It’s one of the few chances left for adults to be silly without any kind of agenda,” organisers wrote. The procession from the South Bank to Tower Bridge, onto Trafalgar Square provided plentiful pub stops along the way. Santas were encouraged to print out song sheets featuring classics like Bob

Dylan’s ‘Must be Santa’. Families with children were advised not to attend. “Kids get the rest of Christmas and all the other holidays. SantaCon is normally adults only,” organisers wrote. SantaCon began in San Francisco in 1994 before spreading to Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles over the following years. The events are sometimes referred to as Santarchy, Santa Rampage and the Red Menace.

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In recent months, this paper has reported on major works going millions over-budget resulting in potential fraud investigations. Southwark Lib Dems have called for the Regulator of Social Housing to exercise its newfound powers to inspect local authorities on a rolling four-year basis. “With council housing in Southwark receiving record complaints, and its major works programme being mired in scandal, the Liberal Democrats are calling for the regulator to inspect Southwark as a matter of urgency,” the group wrote in a statement. Southwark Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain said :“ It’s about time that Southwark Labour’s rotten housing department is exposed for how dysfunctional it is. “The consistent message we’ve heard is the appalling way residents have been treated. Residents have either had their concerns dismissed or just not been communicated with at all.” In September, this paper revealed that major works on Rotherhithe’s Canada Estate had gone £1.7 million over budget and seventeen months over schedule. Residents branded the refurbishment a “comedy sketch” that had foisted them with “whistling windows”, paintsplattered landings and bills worth tensof-thousands. Three months later, Southwark Council admitted it had suspended

several staff members and could conduct fraud investigations over works on Bermondsey’s Devon Mansions estate. Major works had gone roughly £4.2 million over budget and 102 weeks over schedule. A furious resident claimed she’d endured a “prison of scaffolding” and watched as contractors left the estate "filled with cigarettes”. Labour councillors turned on their own council. “This is a huge increase in costs and suggests something has gone seriously wrong in the management of the project by the council,” said Cllr Emily Hickson. Meanwhile, local MP Neil Coyle has accused the council of withholding a building report looking into Bermondsey’s Kirby Estate’s £1.3 million window refurbishment. Kirby Estate residents have long claimed that poorly fitted windows, installed in 2020, are to blame for cold draughts and black mould growth. The Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP said he believed residents had been “let down multiple times”. In a briefing paper shared with us, Southwark Council wrote: “In reference to the Kirby Estate specifically, the windows were of a very high spec and the issues with ventilation are being addressed.” Earlier this year, Housing Secretary Michael Gove said he was “appalled” by Southwark Council for its inadequate responses to housing complaints. On this occasion, Neil Coyle MP defended the council and blasted Gove as a “hypocrite”. “The idea he can pour new demands into councils and cut their funds but expect no impact on services is a nonsense and he knows it,” Coyle added.

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NEWS 5

6 NEWS

courT couLd Become 15-STorey Tower wiTh hoTeL

Detectives are appealing after a man was reportedly stabbed on a train from Vauxhall to Pimlico

By Robert Firth

appeal after man 'stabbed' on train from vauxhall

By Herbie Russell deteCtiveS Are appealing for witnesses after a man was believed to have been stabbed on a London underground train from vauxhall.

shopping at Sainsbury’s next to Vauxhall Underground Station. The friends then boarded a northbound Victoria Line train to Pimlico when they were reportedly confronted by two men they’d seen earlier in the station. Police believe the people pictured may be able to help with their investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 151171223. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

'coLLeagueS Saved my Life': ST ThomaS' docTor

Nigel Beckett in hospital

By Isabel Ramirez A doCtor, who was saved from a life-threatening condition by his colleagues at St thomas' hospital, said now that he's recovered it has 'changed how he is' with his patients.

Nigel Beckett, consultant physician in ageing and health at Guy’s and St Thomas’, spent over seven weeks in St Thomas’ Hospital last autumn - but not for his usual shifts. He was having emergency surgery for small bowel obstruction - a two-and-ahalf-hour operation to remove scar tissue that had built up around his small bowel. Following this operation, he developed intestinal failure, a serious condition where your bowel fails to absorb nutrients essential to staying alive. The 58-year-old doctor told us: “It took me longer to recover from my operation than I was expecting, as I developed intestinal failure afterwards.” Nigel returned to work at St Thomas’ Hospital following six months of recovery at home. Now better, he credits his experience as making him a 'better doctor.' “I don’t want my illness to define me, but it has changed how I am with my patients. I’m even more aware of the impact that chronic illness and long hospital stays have on the wider family of a patient. It also highlighted those

invisible conditions, and how you never know what someone is going through until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. Nigel continued: “After being in the hospital for a few weeks, my morale started to dip, and the site nurse team allowed my rescue dog to visit me off the ward. I experienced the true importance of holistic care for patients in hospital for long periods. “When I was finally discharged, I was allowed home with a feeding tube, known as Total Parental Nutrition (TPN). The equipment was on for 13 hours throughout the night and required a huge amount of kit to be installed in my house. It was eye-opening to experience the impact it has on patients and their families. “I remained on TPN for almost four months, and then slowly reduced my overnight feeds and increased the amount of water I was drinking – as this was strictly controlled when I was first discharged. My recovery spanned the festive period which sadly meant I was unable to eat my Christmas dinner – which was hard for a foodie like myself." “This Christmas, I’m looking forward to my ‘new normal’ Christmas dinner, but sadly this means no Brussels sprouts.” To thank the colleagues who cared for him, Nigel has raised over £3,100 for Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity, cycling from London to Brighton.

PLAnS hAve been revealed to turn a former South London court into a 15-storey tower block with a hotel where most of the rooms have no daylight. Camberwell magistrates’ Court would become a 150-room hotel and 144 homes under the proposals to give the building, which closed in 2020, a new lease of life.

Hotel brand Zedwell would run the new hotel. The company already has a 728-bedroom hotel near Piccadilly where 90 per cent of rooms are windowless. In the planned Camberwell branch, 60 per cent of rooms would be located in the basement and lower ground floor of the building and therefore have no windows. A café, recording studio and co-working space would be included in the building under the proposals submitted to Southwark Council. The 144 homes would be a mix of one bed, two bed and three bed town houses and flats spread across the building’s 15 floors. City Hall requires half of all houses built on public land to be affordable, but only 35 per cent of the new homes would be classified as affordable. Planning documents submitted to support the application say that in this case the development wouldn’t make financial sense with more affordable housing. Of the affordable homes, 70 per cent would be available at the cheapest social rents. The remaining 30 per cent would be shared ownership, where a person buys a share of a property and pays rent on the remaining amount. Over the next five years Southwark needs to build over 14,000 new homes, but the borough has failed to meet its house building targets in the last three years. As of Tuesday (December 12), 19 people had left their views on the plans on the council’s website. Most raised concerns about the height of the building and the pressure a hotel would put on the area’s facilities. One person wrote: “The development

Proposed tower block as seen from Camberwell Green

Officers were called to Pimlico Underground Station at around 8.30am on Sunday, December 17. British Transport Police discovered a man who’d been stabbed in the neck and was taken to hospital. His injury is not believed to be life-threatening. Earlier that morning, the man had been

CGI of proposed 15-storey Camberwell tower block

is too tall. Camberwell is a low rise area and development of this scale sits incongruously in the neighbourhood and overbears the surroundings. “The hotel element is a new addition to this application and not in keeping with either the character nor needs of the area. With the nearest Tube station a 25 minute walk away, I take issue with

the business case.” Another said: “This development will tower over the neighbouring low rise properties which characterise Camberwell Green and the existing building is already one of the tallest structures in this area.” The council will make a decision on the plans at a later date.

in the Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust including Guy’s, St Thomas’ and Evelina London in Waterloo. Every patient will also enjoy a choice of festive-themed feasts. NHS staff working on Christmas Day will receive free meals, and staff working in the community will receive a free buffet box.

Annette White, retail catering manager at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “By organising a festive lunch, we aim to create a joyful atmosphere where our colleagues can enjoy delicious food, share laughter and momentarily step away from their daily responsibilities. "We spend months planning it so that everyone can have the best experience possible – this is especially important for our patients and staff who aren’t able to make it home over Christmas.” Evelina London is going above and beyond to make Christmas a magical time for its young patients. Throughout December the Play Team are hosting a Christmas grotto for children to visit ‘virtual’ Santa, interactive concerts for all the family to enjoy, and coordinating present and book donations. The project is supported by Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity, Evelina London Children’s Charity, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity and the Brompton Fountain.

Guy’s patients and staff who can’t get home for Christmas will get gifts and festive food

By Isabel Ramirez

PAtientS And staff spending Christmas in guy's and St thomas' hospitals will be treated to gifts and festive meals at their bedsides.

On Christmas Day over 2,000 presents will be delivered to inpatients at hospitals

NEWS 7 By Isabel Ramirez A grouP of residents in east dulwich is objecting to a proposed new development, due to claims it will 'destroy' a nature conservation site. The nine-home development by Featherstone Homes would be located behind the East Dulwich Railway station, over a woodland - on land currently owned by Network Rail. As well as the woodland - which is a Site of Grade II Borough Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) - the new builds would occupy part of Talbot Road and part of St Francis Street. The plans are currently under public consultation and at the time of writing, the planning application had received over 80 comments - with only one appearing to support it. SINCs are home to wildlife, and any development that negatively impacts a SINC would only be allowed if the developer could prove enough mitigating measures. For example, if they were delivering offsite compensation of better biodiversity value. Nicolas Bosovsky, a father of two who lives on St Francis Street, said the plans would mean a great loss of habitat currently home to many species and as a SINC it should be protected. The 46-year-old said: "The plans they submitted... will result in the removal of fifteen mature trees. "These trees provide shelter and habitats for nesting and roosting birds, invertebrates and small mammals." Nicolas added that the developer was claiming they were 'answering to the housing crisis.' "These nine properties are going to be super expensive - how are they

reSidenTS oBjecT To fLaTS pLan on woodLand pLoT

addressing the need for affordable housing by building them?" We spoke to friends Alexandra and Mae, both 10, who said they were also against the plans. Mae commented: "I think it's wrong - this is a protected wildlife space. Birds live here." She explained that because trees reduce the pollution in the air, "if they cut down the trees, it will make air quality worse." Alexandra added: "It's quite selfish they're passing down the pollution to our generation." And it is not just residents who are objecting to the plans, with the London Wildlife Trust also submitting a letter of disapproval. In the letter, Mathew Frith, Director of Policy & Research at The London Wildlife Trust, said the plans 'effectively sever' the

SINC, commenting: "If this is permitted it sets a precedent that all other SINCs in Southwark become vulnerable." A neighbour, Alison who lives just behind the woodland, said: "It would be a massive loss for us. We have the beautiful trees behind us - we watch all the animals and birds." Furthermore, the campaigners claimed the project would threaten the 'unique visual character' of the railway. In the planning statement, Shorten on behalf of Featherstone Homes argues that it won an appeal on a development on a site 'immediately adjacent and almost identical in character' to this one. Featherstone Mews is a seven-home development which was completed around 2021. In that case, the inspector found that there was 'no public access to the site' and

there appeared to be 'no prospect of this happening.' They concluded that the site had 'very little benefit as undeveloped land' so that development went ahead. Regarding these plans, Nicolas commented: "The developer is saying the public is not using it - but the woodland is enjoyed by commuters and neighbours alike. Its destruction would remove the beautiful view that has become synonymous with the East Dulwich Railway station’s unique character.” In terms of public access to the woods, campaigners want to change that - by calling on Southwark Council to buy the land from Network Rail so it can be used by neighbours and nearby schools. Cllr James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Clean Air & Streets, told us: “I am grateful to residents for bringing their concerns to me and would highly encourage them to make formal comments via the planning portal if they haven’t done so already. "These will all be reported to the council’s planning committee as the statutory decision-maker. While we are unable to comment on live planning applications, we can confirm that we have no plans to buy the site given existing pressures on our budget after twelve years of austerity, among other factors.” We approached Featherstone for comment but they did not respond at the time of going to press. The public consultation ends on Wednesday 20 December. The decision will go to the planning committee in the new year. Anyone wanting to comment on the planning document can access the application here. The reference number is 23/AP/2780.

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95% of shoplifters 'get away with it' By Herbie Russell SCoreS oF shoplifters are getting off scot-free as “shocking” statistics reveal 95 per cent of Southwark thieves weren’t charged.

Weapon-wielding supermarket snatchers are also on the rise, a Liberal Democrat Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed. There was a 53 per cent increase in Southwark shoplifts involving weapons amid a 39 per cent overall shoplifting spike this year. Of the 1,602 recorded incidents in 2023, police landed just 85 charges despite identifying suspects in 34 per cent of cases. Last month, a Herne Hill councillor in neighbouring Lambeth warned shoplifters were pilfering “with impunity”, fuelling the local “drug economy”. Our reporter spotted one supermarket swindler in the act, who said: “They know me in there so I have to be quick. I do it about five times a day. That one gets slaughtered. There’s loads of people going in there.” In a letter written to the Home Secretary in September, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) indicated that police weren’t always following up on thefts. It said that in 2021/22 retailers lost £953m to shoplifting and spent £715m on crime prevention measures. Southwark Liberal Democrat Community Safety Spokesperson Cllr Jane Salmon said: “Residents expect the law to be enforced, and police to attend when crimes take place, especially when weapons are involved.” "We need a return to real community policing,” she added.

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8 NEWS

Mum forced to sleep on mattress in living room with toddler as she 'couldn't breathe' in mouldy bedroom By Charlotte Lillywhite Local Democracy Reporter A South London mum-of-three says she has been sleeping on a mattress with her toddler in their living room for months after feeling like she “couldn’t breathe” due to mould in one of the bedrooms. Dionne Davidson, 37, said the two-bed flat in Croydon she was moved into by Wandsworth Council is also unsuitable as it is overcrowded and it takes up to 90 minutes to drive her kids to school, costing at least £70 a week in petrol.

Ms Davidson claimed the flat is the third “inadequate” temporary accommodation she has been moved into by the council since 2021, owned by a private landlord, with her three kids – aged nine, eight and two. She has been living there since March this year after she was served a Section 21, no-fault eviction notice by her previous landlord. The council offered her new temporary accommodation in Wandsworth in late November, which she is set to move into in the coming days. The mum told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) she is “relieved” to know her family will be moving out of the property into somewhere more suitable, but that it has taken a toll on their physical and mental health. She submitted a complaint to the council about the flat on October 13. Ms Davidson said she has been fighting for the wellbeing of her kids and feels like she has not been heard. She told the LDRS: “My ultimate thing is to trust that they’ve looked for somewhere decent and long term and it’s never been long term… I’m having to upheave and move again because the property has disrepair or there’s issues.” The council said it disputes some of the claims, but accepts Ms Davidson is unhappy in the property and has arranged for her to be rehoused. Ms Davidson said: “The council knew my circumstances before they moved me in here, so I’m just confused as to why I was put from a three-bedroom

into a two-bedroom flat where we’re overcrowded. And what makes it even worse is the back [bedroom] is out of use.” She said the bedroom is also infested with small brown bugs. When she was sleeping there, she said: “I was getting this cough and I felt like I literally couldn’t breathe. And then I said, you know what? I’m getting myself out of here because I can’t sleep in here. So I just sleep on the mattress on the floor in the front room.” She added one of her daughters has a “cough because of the mould and damp” in the flat, while her asthma has got “progressively worse” since living there. Their belongings have also been damaged by mould, she said. Rent Connect said it had not received any reports of damp or condensation through its official portal, and that it treats its occupiers’ wellbeing with the “utmost importance”. Ms Davidson is also concerned the flat is a “fire hazard” as she has experienced multiple power cuts since living there, which she said has left the family without lighting “for days on end” and “brushing their teeth in the dark”. She claimed there is a hole and exposed wires in the roof. She said: “I would wake up in the

morning, go and turn on the light and there would be a massive spark and a pop, and I’d be like the electricity’s tripped again. When it started happening time and time again, that’s what made me realise that there’s a more serious problem here.” The mum has reported power cuts and issues with lighting to Rent Connect multiple times since moving in. She claimed contractors did not visit the property to inspect the roof and start fixing it until November. She said: “My son [says] he doesn’t want to live here anymore and he hates this flat. He’ll just say what he says because he’s innocent, he doesn’t know. He’s bed wetting because he doesn’t want to go down that dark hallway when there’s been no lighting in here to go to the toilet.” Ms Davidson told the LDRS the distance of the property from her kids’ school, her workplace and the family’s support network has made life even more difficult. She said her kids are “exhausted” as they sometimes have to leave the flat by 6.45am to get to school, and that they had been late multiple times. “I’m just trying to get the hell out of here. I’m far away from the kids’ school, I’m far away from work and I don’t know why they’ve moved me down here,” she said.

“I appreciate there’s an overwhelming housing crisis… but surely they have to do something based on the actual circumstances of each family.” The mum added she is over 400th on the housing waiting list, in band B, which has not changed since she moved into the flat. She continued: “I feel concerned and it’s overwhelming to know that the future holds me not being settled with my children. I’m trying my best to sustain a job, be a mum and look after my children because I have a duty of care for them, but I just feel that I’ve been let down by the system.” A Rent Connect spokesperson said it prides itself on “providing clean, safe and high-quality living spaces” for occupiers. They said it is committed to “excellence in accommodation standards” and “continuously improving” its services. The spokesperson added: “We would like to emphasise that our accommodations meet stringent standards, and we have not received any reports of issues such as damp or condensation through our official company portal. Our occupier’s wellbeing and satisfaction are of the utmost importance to us. It is our policy to act with urgency and diligence in addressing

any concerns brought to our attention. Had there been reports of dampness or condensation, we assure you that we would have taken immediate action to investigate, rectify, and ensure the wellbeing of our occupiers. “We remain committed to maintaining transparency and open communication with both the media and our clients. If some specific cases or instances need to be addressed, we encourage occupiers to report them promptly through our established channels, allowing us to address any concerns swiftly.” A Wandsworth Council spokesperson said: “While we dispute a number of the claims being made here, we accept that Ms Davidson is unhappy living in this address and so have arranged for her to be rehoused in another property within the borough and are just awaiting final confirmation of the date she and her children can move into that new address, which should be in the next few days. We are in contact with her to arrange that.”

licensing scheme. Almost £17m in savings have been identified through “efficiencies” in the delivery of services and nearly £5m through cutbacks to them. The projected overspend of £24.6m in 2023/24 is almost entirely

due to pressures on the council’s children’s services and temporary accommodation budgets. Housing services are expected to overspend by £12.9m due to the spiralling number of families in the borough needing expensive nightly paid temporary housing and the increasing cost of such accommodation. Children’s services is forecast to overspend by £12.4m, mainly because of the amount spent on children’s social care (£10.2m). Staffing costs within children’s social care make up £3.5m of the overspend, primarily due to having to rely on agency staff to fill vacant posts. The council is set to try and recruit social workers from overseas in an attempt to reduce its reliance on agency workers. Within children’s social care, the remaining overspend of £6.7m is due to the cost of care packages and placements. Small amounts of underspending in other areas such as residents’ services and finance and governance have reduced the total overspend accumulated by other

departments in the council. Duncan Whitfield, Lambeth’s interim corporate director of finance and governance, told a council scrutiny meeting on Wednesday (December 13) that despite increasing costs from temporary housing and social care, there was no chance of the council going bankrupt in the near future. He said most councils that had gone bust so far, such as Croydon and Thurrock, had done so as a result of “gimmick schemes”. Mr Whitfield said the only such project he had found in Lambeth was the council’s house building company Homes for Lambeth [HfL]. Lambeth decided to bring the company back under direct control of the council last year after an independent report branded its attempts at building homes “very poor”. But he added that it was only a matter of time before a well run council in London went bust, naming Havering in East London as a local authority where the cost of adult social care threatened to overwhelm the council.

Images: Dionne Davidson, 37, in the Croydon flat she was moved into by Wandsworth Council Credit: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon

HIKES TO SERVICE CHARGES AS COUNCIL TRIES TO SAVE £25m By Robert Firth

Local Democracy Reporter Lambeth residents are set to face increased charges for council services as officials scramble to find £25 million in savings next year. The council has to find £38m in savings over the next four years – more than it spends on recycling, libraries, parks, children’s centres and community safety combined – with a big chunk of that due to be found over the next financial year, or else the council faces overspending by £24.6m in 2023/24.

Officials have drawn up plans for around £35.5m of the £38m in savings over the four-year period already, including £13.6m through hiking the price of existing services and introducing new chargeable services. The council hasn’t specified which services could see a price rise but examples of chargeable services include garden waste collections and

pest control. The planned savings are revealed in a report about the council’s finance planning until 2028. Proposals to raise extra cash include increasing income from planning service fees, changes to parking fines and the introduction of a landlord

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Innovator founder visa, business exploration & immigration changes As we draw towards the end of 2023, we look at the UK Government changes on immigration policies that impacts the economy, businesses and individuals.

licence is issued, employers are then able to recruit & sponsor. The sponsorship also referred as applying for the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is the document required for a migrant to make a visa application to enter or remain in the UK.

• The statement of changes announced on 07 December 2023, looks at the changes coming into effect to partner visas, to EUSS, to visit and business route visas. • Other categories have had minor changes which will soon be updated post 2024.

• Students in the UK must complete the course prior switching. • Other visa categories are allowed to switch into the skilled worker visa route. There are restrictions on those with less than 6 months visas.

As disruption becomes a constant, with the ever-changing immigration policies by Rishi Sunak and his cabinets, their focus should be more on how we can attract the best talents into the economy. • We do have the Global Talent Visa, but that route is far too high in its threshold, we are not really moving into the right direction. To better navigate the drive force on our economy should be how we can build a more competitive edge for employers, that being having more human capital in its availability. Powered for change – Innovator Founder Visa The drive-in economy is through the idea and acceleration of new businesses in the UK. Innovator Founder Visa is there to attract entrepreneurs to the UK. • There are now streamline process of applying through appropriate endorsing agencies. • Endorsing agencies take a fee to

Summary of the changes being implemented post 07 December 2023

consider your business ideas and proposals. • ICS Legal are able to help and strategize through our 2 decades of experience in these visa categories. • Your business idea must be innovative, scalable and viable. That’s what all investors look at when they consider investing into a business. We have put together more details of the visa route, which can be found on https:// icslegal.com/innovator-founder-visas.php. Applying for a sponsor licence & resiliency in the making Employers will always need the help of having a growth level in talent pool. • The idea of reducing visa categories

and not addressing the issues related to human capital in its availability for the employer’s, is a grave concern. Some useful information related to applying for a sponsor licence: • Whether you are a start-up or an established business, you can apply for a sponsor licence. • The sponsor licence application has some complexities in their requirements, including information and documents. • Businesses must have a robust and comprehensive HR systems in place. You can find more details on immigration and HR software at https://icslegal.co/book-demo. • Sponsor licence are issued for 4 years, more details here https:// icslegal.com/sponsorship-licenceapplying-for-a-licence.php and once the

• Some business activities in the UK are being allowed in the UK, when visiting the UK. For example, remote working would be allowed so long as this is not the primary reason of being in the UK. • EUSS application routes for those coming to the UK to settle again being introduced and those visiting the UK, must make an application to remain in the EUSS route within 3 months of entry. • Introduction of new Appendix Statelessness application route is introduced, allowing those not qualifying under British Nationality can now apply under the immigration rules. Speaking to ICS Legal Immigration Lawyers You can reach us on 020 7237 3388 and find more information on www.icslegal.com. Stay connected with us with all the latest legal changes on immigration, nationality and human rights policies.

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NEWS 11

walworth retirement home 'i feeL So aLive' - Two LocaL men STarT tucks into christmas lunch with the mayor of Southwark 'viraL' running cLuB in BurgeSS parK

Left to right: Tenant Jenny Powell, Southwark Mayor Michael Situ and local resident Maggie Chibangu. Back: Manager Abdul Saluh

By Herbie Russell retirement home residents in Walworth enjoyed a tasty Christmas lunch attended by the mayor of Southwark.

Tenants at council-run Ray Gunter House enjoyed their festive spread on Friday, December 15, thanks to a donation from contractor OCO - which helps maintain the facility. Adrian Jepp, 65, a manager at OCO, who regularly visits the housing unit by Pasley Park, said he wanted to give staff and tenants “something a bit special”. “It’s just that the staff are so friendly. They don’t do it for the reward. They do it for the satisfaction that they’re giving something without getting anything in return,” he said. Abdul Saluh, Manager at Ray Gunter House, said: “It’s lovely working with people from different walks of life and with different experiences of life. “The best part of it is supporting them… I love working with elderly people.” Residents organised the event and enjoyed Christmas tunes and tucked into a tasty spread of sandwiches, biscuits and finger food. Asked about the staff at Ray Gunter House, tenant Jennifer Frederick, 66, said: “They’re good. Whenever I need someone or need help with something they’re always

Tom Payne (right) Shubho Hassan

there for me and the place is nice and clean.” Raised in South London, the grandmother-of-two is looking forward to spending Christmas Day with her daughter in Peckham. Valerie McDowall, 89, a retired payroll officer from Walworth, was also grateful for the staff at Ray Gunter. “If you’ve got a problem, you go to them. They help you if they can,” she said. But not everyone was in the Christmas spirit. Retired oil refinery mechanic Eddie said: “It’s for kids. I’ve had enough Christmases.” Asked whether he’s looking forward to Christmas Dinner, he said: “Food is food. Does that make sense? “It’s only meant to be about the birth of Jesus Christ. That’s what it’s about. That doesn’t even get mentioned at parties does it?” Southwark Mayor Johnson Situ said: “What makes Southwark great is everyone pulling together in times of difficulties and times of challenges, but also in joyful moments like this. “As we move towards Christmas, it’s about thinking how we can pull together and spread the love together.” Ray Gunter House is a sheltered housing unit for elderly people aged 65 and above and 55 and above for those with health issues.

Tom's Run Club started as a way for a young man to get his flatmate up in the mornings and has quickly become a community. Shubho Hassan said before he moved in with his friend, Tom Payne, on the Old Kent Road a month ago, their routines could not have been more different. "I didn't have an alarm," Shubho said, "so I would wake up whenever and get straight on my laptop. "I work in digital marketing and social media so my job is really flexible," he explained. Tom on the other hand, who is training to be a personal trainer, would go running early every morning. Soon, he started bringing Shubho along with him. "He was always into running and fitness," the 24-year-old told us. "I couldn't be further from that - I was living a super lazy life."

Waterloo Station, in contrast, attracted 57.8 million passengers over the last year. The top ten stations in London, in order, were Liverpool Street, Paddington, Waterloo, London Bridge, Victoria, Stratford, St Pancras International, Farringdon, Euron and

Kings Cross. Howard Smith, Elizabeth line Director, said: “Liverpool Street, Paddington, Farringdon, Tottenham Court Road and Stratford all being in the top ten busiest stations in the UK, and four of the ten most popular journeys being on the Elizabeth line, shows the popularity of the railway and how it has offered new journey options in London and beyond, as well as a new direct route to Heathrow Airport.” Earlier this week Mayor Sadiq Khan criticised London's newest underground route saying delays and cancellations meant it had "not met the consistently high standards" expected by Londoners.

By Isabel Ramirez tWo FLAtmAteS have created a 'viral' daily running club in Burgess Park as part of their mission to get people healthy.

Elizabeth line effect' means Waterloo loses UK's busiest station status to Liverpool St

By Herbie Russell

WAterLoo StAtion has lost its crown as Britain’s busiest railway station in what’s been dubbed ‘the Lizzie line effect’.

It’s been the nation’s most-used station for seventeen of the last eighteen years but was bumped off top spot by Liverpool Street, new figures show. Experts are attributing the shift to the Elizabeth line which opened in May 2022 and runs through Liverpool Street. Liverpool Street saw its passenger numbers more than double from around 32 million a year ago to over 80 million.

The idea to make it into a daily club started after they saw how good it was making them both feel. Shubho said he'd gone from never exercising to getting up every day at 6 am for a 30-minute run: "At first it was hard but after a week I was getting up easily and I have been doing it every day since. "I feel so alive." Keen to help other people get healthy, they started capturing their journey on social media with an open invitation for anyone else wanting to join. Although no one was turning up at first their videos were getting hundreds of thousands of hits. "We were getting flooded with messages of encouragement," Shubho said, "then people started asking how they could join us." Now, just over 35 days in the club has blossomed into a regular group. "We have people of a range of ages and walks of life who we never would have met otherwise." Members include someone training for the marathon, and a man who just moved to London and wanted to make

friends. With a global audience on Instagram, the Burgess Park runs have even reached as far as the Philippines. One member, 32-year-old Sam, who lives in Bermondsey, said the group makes it easy for him to 'jump out of bed.' "I’ve had a habit of being pretty lazy," he told us, "but the club has now given me the motivation to get into fitness. "It’s such an inviting group which makes it easy for me to jump out of bed and exercise in the morning knowing I will be a part of a friendly group and potentially make some new friends." He added that the fact it is daily means it's easy to fit into his schedule. When they said 'daily' they meant it, with Shubho saying they even plan to go on Christmas Day, commenting: "Anyone whose on their own on Christmas or feeling lonely should come along and start the day off with us." "It's changed my life." Any physical ability is welcome and it is free to attend. Follow them on Instagram @tomsrunclub to find out how to get involved.

By Herbie Russell

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Link Age Southwark is a charity preventing loneliness and isolation amongst older people and people living with dementia. Link Age Southwark Chief Executive Sophie Wellings said: “We believe no older person should feel lonely, but we’re experiencing increasing demand for our services. “We’re so grateful to Edmund de Waal for donating this unique and special piece to help us raise important funds to support our vision of friendly local communities in which older people thrive.” The tile will be sold via silent auction on the eBay auction site until December 21. The eBay page can be accessed here: Porcelain and Gold tile

Porcelain tile pulls in £1,590 bid for Southwark charity A mASter potter’s porcelain tile is set to make thousands of pounds for an elderly persons’ charity in Southwark.

Edmund de Waal CBE, described as the world’s “most in-demand potter”, is auctioning his gold-inscribed tile in aid of Link Age Southwark. Named ‘MMXXIII, 2023’, the 12.5 x 20.5cm artwork has already pulled in a £1,590 bid at the time of writing - easily surpassing its £1,000 valuation - with six days to go. Edmund, who has a BBC documentary, and has been the charity’s ambassador since 2018, has inscribed the tile with a poem by Romanian poet Paul Celan.

12 NEWS © Met Police

Herne Hill to host children's literature festival in new year

Police have released images of men they would like to speak to.

By Isabel Ramirez Burgeoning bookworms are invited to a week-long children’s literature festival in Herne Hill.

Southwark Council appoints new Director of Housing By Isabel Ramirez

Southwark Council has appointed Hakeem Osinaike as its new Strategic Director of Housing following Michael Scorer’s resignation in August.

Mr Osinaike, who worked for Southwark between 2000 to 2004, joins from Brent Council, where he has been Director of Housing since 2017. With the top job in Southwark’s housing department, he will be charged with delivering the council’s target of 11,000 new homes by 2043. Mr Osinaike said: “I’m looking forward to working with Southwark’s hardworking housing teams to build on what they’ve achieved, and ensure we channel compassion and empathy into everything we do. “Housing is about so much more than bricks and mortar. Putting a roof over someone’s head transforms lives and families, and I can’t wait to start working with Southwark’s communities, members and staff to deliver what local people need.” Mr Osinaike began his career in 1996 as a complaints officer at the London Borough of Greenwich. Today, he is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing, has a Master’s degree in Housing and an MPA from the University of Birmingham. Southwark Council CEO Althea Loderick said: “I believe that with Hakeem at the helm, we can realise our ambition to be a truly great council housing landlord. We can’t wait for Hakeem to join us and get started.”

O2 Academy Brixton Crush: Police release images of thirteen people they want to identify By Herbie Russell

remember their loved ones and support the latest police appeal. Rebecca’s father Anthony Ikumelo said: “Rebecca was a caring loving person who cared for everyone in the community. "This tragedy has left a large hole in our hearts that cannot be filled. We urge anyone who has information about what happened that night to come forward so that those responsible can be identified.” Gaby’s sister Kelsey Hutchinson, said: “Our lives will never be what they used to be, we have gaps and it’s trying to find a new normal. “Because we don't have the answers, we're still waiting for investigations to be completed, we're still in a situation where

Detectives investigating the O2 Academy Brixton crush that killed two and left another seriously injured have released 13 images of people they want to identify.

Today (Friday, December 15) marks one year since 33-year-old Rebecca Ikumelo and 23-year-old Gaby Hutchinson died at the Asake concert. A 22-year-old woman who was injured at the event remains in hospital in a very serious condition. The families of Rebecca and Gaby met at New Scotland Yard on December 13 to

we don't know why. I think if we could get to that point, that might help us. “No one should ever go to work and not come home.” Over the last year, detectives have examined hundreds of hours of CCTV, gathered over 500 witness statements and seized 5,000 pieces of evidence. DCI Penney said: “There were thousands of people at the venue that evening, and today I am releasing images of thirteen I would like to speak to as I believe they have vital information. I urge them to get in touch as soon as possible. “I would again ask that if you were at the Asake concert at the O2 Academy Brixton on 15 December 2022, and you were

filming – we know from CCTV that many people were – please come forward and share that footage with the investigation, please help the heartbroken families get the answers they need.” How people with information can get in touch: Upload footage here: https://mipp. police.uk/operation/01MPS22U62-PO1. You will be able to upload information and video content to this portal to assist the investigation. Call the investigating team on 020 7321 9425. To remain 100% anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"I would certainly come back," he revealed. "After we had to close, I tried to buy other bingo clubs locally but I couldn't find anywhere suitable. "If it were big enough I would do it." The London Palace was one of the largest bingo clubs in the country - the size of Wembley Stadium. Although this size of 50,000 square feet would be hard to replicate in the new centre - given that the size set aside for shops, restaurants and leisure space is

approximately 135,000 square feet - all hope is not lost. Patrick Duffy, who now lives between Great Yarmouth and Lambeth North, said since his company Palatial Leisure Ltd. runs other leisure facilities such as cinemas and bowling, there is a chance he could bid for more space. Claire Morgan, 40, from Nunhead said she and her family played there all the time. "My grandparents and parents used to use it a lot. My mum won the national there about 26 years ago." Commenting on the news it could return, she said: "I think it would be brilliant. It would be bringing the community back together." She added that it would give people a purpose to go to the new shopping centre. "For people who don't live around the Elephant, the bingo would attract them - they'd play there and then they might look around the shops whilst they're there." "But it can't just be any bingo operator - it would have to be Patrick. He has to be the person to bring it back."

Could a bingo hall be returning to Elephant and Castle? Exclusive By Isabel Ramirez A man who ran a popular bingo hall in the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, said he 'would consider' returning when the new centre is built.

The new Elephant and Castle Town Centre is being built by Delancey in phases - a large portion of which is due to be completed by early 2026. As well as housing, it will include shops, restaurants, leisure facilities and a new building for the London College of Communication. According to the Section 106 agreement, part of the planning obligation, the developer must market one of the leisure facilities to a bingo operator before anyone else. In the old Shopping Centre, The London Palace was a well-loved bingo hall run by Patrick Duffy, which was forced to close in 2019 ahead of demolition. The venue not only provided entertainment but also the key to a unique community. Every day hundreds of regulars would

The Stepping Into Stories Kids’ Literature Festival, featuring a storytelling competition and talks from bestselling authors, is from January 30 to February 4, 2024. Award-winning author, A. M. Dassu, who attended the 2023 festival, said: “The festival was so well organised and a real pleasure to be a part of. “It’s such an important festival and one I’m sure makes a huge difference to the community.” The bulk of the festival will take place at Station Hall, Herne Hill, but there are also events at 198 Contemporary Arts And Learning, Brixton, and online. Renowned authors, including Jeffrey Boakye (Kofi & The Rap Battle Summer) and Nicola Davies (Choose Love), will give talks throughout the week. For adults, there will be evening panels where figurehead speakers explore the importance of positive representations of disability in children’s literature. Organisers have also set up a story competition, with children telling their home-spins tales around the theme of ‘Rooted Deep, Branching Far’. Entrants can use any format to recount their tales, including comic strips, rap, poetry, performance and songs. To find out more visit: www.steppingintostories.org

visit the bingo club to relax, socialise, play bingo, dominoes, gossip and party together. There were also cheap dinners for £1 and free tea and coffee. A BAFTA-nominated film documenting the final days before the club's closure showed why it was so much more than just a place to play bingo. Given the revelation that a bingo operator has the chance to get a space in the new development, we asked Mr Duffy if he would consider coming back.

NEWS 13

SouThwarK counciL announceS 'independenT inveSTigaTion' inTo £1.7 miLLion over-BudgeT canada eSTaTe worKS

Canada Estate residents [left to right]: Jean Mulholland, Jan Duckett, Barry Duckett, Pat Moriarty and Thora Foy

ExcLuSivE By Herbie Russell SouthWArK CounCiL will commission an investigation into the Canada estate’s major works programme that went £1.7 million over budget and seventeen months over schedule.

In a letter to residents of the Rotherhithe estate, housing boss Cllr Darren Merrill apologised for the “terrible experience” residents had endured. His admission comes three months after we revealed people’s complaints that the refurbishment had been akin to a “comedy sketch”. Tenants and leaseholders said the works left them with paint-splattered landings, holes in walls and "whistling windows”. They also said the works were “stop-start” meaning the council “haemorrhaged” money - leaving

leaseholders with bills rising to the tens of thousands. In the letter posted through Canada Estate letterboxes, Cllr Darren Merrill wrote: “I wanted to write personally to you to apologise for the terrible experience you have had in recent years as contractors employed by this council carried out works that should have improved your homes.” He continued: “We will be commissioning an independent investigation, and we will share those findings with you, along with our plan for how we can avoid similar issues in the future.” Canada Estate Tenants’ and Residents’ Association Chair Barry Duckett said it was “disgusting that this has been allowed to go on”. Urging Council Leader Kieron Williams to personally apologise for the “fiasco”, he added: “There needs to be a shake up of this cabinet, because you will not build a relationship with your tenants if you

Armed robbers who held up Southwark hotel at gunpoint jailed for 22 years

Dymtro Shcherbinskyy (left), 42, and Ghislain Kiamuangana, 34 (right)

do not consult with them, do not listen to them and do not take any notice of what they have to say.” The works on the Canada Estate began in October 2020 and were originally supposed to take fourteen months but weren’t finished until May 2023. Costs rose from an original estimate of £4,837,276 to £6,573,525. One estate resident, Michael Robertson, consistently submitted freedom of information (FOI) requests to establish the reason for delays. But Southwark Council blocked the FOIs claiming they are “vexatious”, a decision upheld by the Information Commissioner’s Office. News of an independent investigation into the Canada Estate piles the pressure on an already beleaguered housing department. Last week, the council admitted it had suspended several staff members and may conduct fraud investigations after works

By Herbie Russell

tWo “dAngerouS criminals” who robbed a Southwark hotel at gunpoint have been jailed for a combined 22 years.

Dymtro Shcherbinskyy, 42, and Ghislain Kiamuangana, 34, held up three London hotels in just twelve days in January 2022. In the Southwark Bridge Road robbery, they tied up employees’ legs and hands before ransacking the safe and tills for £4,000. The pair were convicted following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, December 12. The police investigation began when the duo robbed a hotel on Southwark Bridge Road in the early hours of January 3, 2022.

CCTV image from a hotel robbery

on Bermondsey’s Devon Mansions estate went roughly £4.2 million over budget. Local MP Neil Coyle has meanwhile accused Southwark Council of withholding a building inspection report into the Kirby Estate - where residents claim poorly installed windows are causing draughts. Southwark Council did not respond directly to this paper’s request for comment on the Canada Estate investigation but instead provided a briefing paper. In that paper, Southwark Council said it was carrying out a full review of all its major works contracts to ensure quality control. The council said Covid, Brexit, inflation and high-interest rates had resulted in some projects overspending.

However, it added that “the vast majority are on target, and some are underspent”. The briefing paper said: “We’re spending £1bn on works to council homes over the next decade. This is to make sure all our council homes are warm, dry and safe. “We know the most important things for our residents are preventing mould and damp, watertight roofs, well fitted windows and doors, heating and guttering that doesn’t leak. Alongside this, fire safety is of the highest priority for the council.”

With their faces covered, the duo entered the building and threatened staff members with a gun, forcing them into a back office. The employees’ legs and hands were tied and they were forced to provide the combination to a safe. After ransacking the tills and safe the men stole roughly £4,000. Detectives trawling through CCTV footage discovered the robbers had used a stolen white Sprinter van with cloned number plates. Six days later, the pair committed another robbery at a hotel in Canning Town. Dressed in similar clothing to the previous robbery, the men entered and pointed a gun at a member of staff. One staff member escaped after being chased by Shcherbinskyy. The pair left empty-handed as the staff member couldn’t gain access to the safe. They committed their third offence at a hotel in the City, stealing £3,000 on January 14. CCTV showed the same van being used but again with different number plates, with the suspects wearing the same clothing. Shcherbinskyy was eventually identified following extensive CCTV and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR)

enquiries. Met detectives believed he staying in Romford and found the Sprinter van outside an address. Eventually, detectives observed a meeting between Shcherbinskyy and Kiamuangana - the gunman - in a block of flats in Greenwich. Police seized a CO2-powered firearm from Kiamuangana’s address. Live rounds of ammunition, the stolen van and numerous sets of number plates were found at Shcherbinskyy’s address. Both men were convicted of two counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery and three counts of possessing a firearm amongst other offences. Kiamuangana pleaded guilty in June 2022 while Shcherbinskyy pleaded guilty following a short hearing in July 2023. Dymtro Shcherbinskyy, of Romford was sentenced to twelve years’ imprisonment. French national Ghislain Kiamuangana, 34 (28.07.89) of no fixed address was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment in total. It included a sentence for a theft where he stole £12,000 from a safe in a hotel he was working at in 2021.

Housing Cabinet Member Cllr Darren Merrill

14 NEWS

Young people unite in Peckham to get their voices heard by policymakers

By Isabel Ramirez A Rotherhithe sports club, which has served over 1000 children with special educational needs over nearly two decades, may be forced to close in March after the manager said he 'missed' the date to apply for funding.

Glyn Davies, who is in charge of delivering sport in SEN schools across the borough, said he set up the Saturday Club seventeen years ago after he saw a 'real need' for it. "Hardly anyone was working with the kids with profound needs," he told us. "So I set up the club with some of the school sports funding and then every year after that, Southwark Council has funded it." Every Saturday during term time, there are four 90-minute sessions where members with SEN get one-to-

one support to engage in sports and interact with other young people. Over the years, Glyn said they have worked with over 1000 families and the sessions are free, with families having to pay just £25 for an annual membership. However, this could all change next March, when their funding will be cut off after Glyn said he missed the date to reapply. "I got my dates mixed up and missed the cut-off date," he explained. "It was just a simple mistake." "I managed to get an extension until next March - but [the council] won't entertain me putting a bid in now." Without the funding, which would have kept them going for another three years, Glyn said he would be forced to close the club. "We currently have 80 members who come every week," he continued. "What's going to happen to all of them

if we close?" Syed Alam, whose son - 8-year-old Marzuq - has been attending the club for the last few years, said his child has made ’significant improvements’ since joining. “Before going to the club, my son could not even pick up a ball and he didn’t really speak to anyone," Syed told us. "But now since being a part of the club, he can throw one just like everyone else, he does trampolining, and he has even started to make friends.” The father from Peckham continued: “Every Friday evening before the club he is excited and he plans the journey. Without it he would decline in his social skills and all the progress he has made because of the amazing staff.” The club is based at Bacon's College and is open to every need, aged 5-18 years old - with support from highly

qualified staff. Parents are also always welcome to stay, according to Glyn "There is a room where they wait for their children, where all the parents network with like-minded people. I wanted to create a community." Asked where Marzuq would go if this club was forced to close, Syed said that given the needs of his son and the other members, they would struggle to find another club. “There is nowhere else like this,” he said. Another parent, Kylie Crawley, started a petition to save the club which has garnered nearly 1,500 signatures in less than a week. "As a group - as a family - we need to do everything we can to keep the club open," Kylie said, "If we don't it will be a real injustice to our children." Glyn said in order to stay open, they will need to find another source of funding, but with time running out - they will need to do this fast. "We

need about £45,000 per year. "I want to work with the council to keep being able to provide this service - not against them." Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark has contacted the council about the issue. In a statement, he told us: “The club is an amazing resource for local families and the young people who seem to love it. There seems to be a fragile ecosystem keeping it afloat but it must not be capsized by the council’s ill-considered approach. It’s too valuable to do many local people to see it lost and the council must work with the club, me and others to work out how best to ensure it can keep helping so many disadvantaged young people and their families.” We asked Southwark Council if they would consider the asks of the club, but they did not respond at the time of going to press.

By Herbie Russell

The suspects pulled him to the ground and slashed his face with a knife twice in an attempt to steal his phone, police said. When they couldn’t easily grab his phone, they reportedly cycled off towards Stubbs Drive empty-handed. The two men were wearing dark clothing and are described as being white and aged between eighteen and twenty. The victim sustained cuts to his face and was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital. Detective Sergeant Quartly said: “This was a violent and frightening attack on an innocent person.

“The suspects did not achieve their aim of stealing his phone but the pain they caused him physically and mentally is significant and it will take him time for him to recover from this attack. “We are determined to crack down on crimes like these to make our streets safer. “The incident happened near a station at a busy time of day and so we think it’s likely that someone will have seen something or have some information that could help our investigation. If you know anything at all we urge you to get in touch.” Anyone with information or any witnesses can contact police via 101 or @MetCC on X, quoting CAD 5048/6Dec.

Phone-snatchers reportedly 'slashed' man's face in Bermondsey Detectives are appealing for witnesses after bike-riding robbers reportedly slashed a man’s face with a knife in Bermondsey.

The victim, who is in his 40s, was reportedly attacked on a towpath leading from Rotherhithe New Road to South Bermondsey Station on Wednesday, December 6. Police said it was a failed phone snatching. The man has been left with life-changing injuries. The Met Police said the attack took place at around 5.10pm after the victim was approached by two men on the same bicycle.

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16 NEWS

The ratrun where residents describe being a pedestrian as a ‘terrifying experience

By Harrison Galliven

Local Democracy Reporter Residents on a South London road are calling for a weight restriction to stop the flow of dangerous HGV traffic down their street after it turned into a rat run. Plough Lane, which crosses from Wallington in Sutton to Purley in Croydon, is often used as a shortcut by cars and HGVs alike who are trying to avoid the often congested Purley Way. The road is home to detached homes, flats, a GP’s office and a pharmacy. Despite being a B road with a width of only 5.25 metres from kerb to kerb, the narrow road often sees 38-tonne lorries attempting to pass each other near the junction with Purley’s Foxley Lane. This often leads to the HGVs mounting the kerbs to navigate the road. This, plus the narrow pavements afforded to pedestrians, has raised great concern among residents. Ray and Yvonne Cooper have lived on Plough Lane for 28 years and fully support the petition to introduce the weight restriction. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Ray said: “When we first moved in, people used to spray the sign that said Wallington at the bottom of the road so they wouldn’t see it as a cut-through. “I remember speaking to the council back in the late 90s. I had a lot of arguments with them saying this was a small road, but they said it was a B road and is allowed. I said you can’t allow these 38-tonne lorries, every time they go over a bump the whole house shakes. “That was back then, but I think I become so desensitised to it that I don’t feel the vibrations any more. It is a problem because of the narrowness, especially down the bottom of the road. I remember seeing one 38-tonne lorry drive along the pavement from the bottom of the hill until it got to the GP surgery. That bit at the bottom is the really nasty bit, but obviously, when it gets up to Foresters Drive, it’s nice and wide.” In their petitions to Sutton and Croydon councils, residents described being a pedestrian on the road as a “terrifying experience”. Yvonne, who signed the petition, told the LDRS: “It is scary, I have to lean into people’s fences when the lorries go past. What is really bad is when you’re walking with a toddler and the lorries’ wing mirrors pass over your heads.” Ray added: “Walking with the buggy is quite frightening. We have a double buggy for when the grandchildren are over and that only just fits on the footpath. You dread to think of what you’ll do when another pedestrian is coming the other way.” The LDRS also spoke to Mani, who lives next door to the Coopers on the Croydon side of Plough Lane. He explained how only that morning, a car cutting through from the road opposite lost control and crashed into his garden wall. Along with congestion, he expressed concern over the excessive speeding he has witnessed on Plough Lane. He said: “I had a big accident at 8:30 this morning from someone coming

from the crossroad up there was going too fast and didn’t stop. It was a normal car but it’s always busy around here. I didn’t realise how busy it was around here when I first moved, but now I am looking to move back to Epsom. I’m planning the sell the house because of it. I’m not comfortable with it. It’s too narrow and not safe. Especially if you want to get the bus, you have to walk along the narrow pavements. Purley is still quite a nice area, but it is getting very busy.” As for what causes the congestion on Plough Lane, residents and councillors have several theories. Ray believes the commercial traffic stems from the road’s proximity to commercial centres and nearby schools. He told the LDRS: “Plough Lane used to be one big road going to Wallington before Croydon Airport was there. Now you can’t drive across because of Roundshaw. “There’s a bridge that goes over the railway line down there now. It used to be a weak bridge, but they eventually

strengthened the bridge and as soon as they did that the Day Aggregates lorries started using this road. They could now go over Bandon Hill Bridge and carry up Foresters Drive, down to Day Aggregates. This was about 20 years ago.” The issue was last put to a local authority during Croydon’s full council meeting in October, where local Conservative councillor Holly Ramsey raised the issue of a potential weight restriction. She said: “Despite its road width and setting, it’s regularly used as a cut-through by HGVs. Usage has increased substantially over the years due to continuous developments and since the opening of the incinerator in Sutton. “Given the width of the road and the frequent usage by these large vehicles, recurrent and severe damage is being caused. HGVs driving with two wheels on the bottom of the road is a frequent occurrence as the road is too narrow for them to be able to pass another vehicle. Numerous kerbstones have had to be

replaced by the council and in recent months there’s been two major gas leaks requiring continuous repairs with obvious financial implications for the council and other bodies. Having heard first-hand stories from residents, I can genuinely understand why it’s quite concerning for residents.” In response to Cllr Ramsey’s statement, Councillor Scott Roache, cabinet member for streets and environment, replied: “At the end of September we received a request from Sutton Council for our view on the proposals to introduce a 7.5-tonne weight restriction on Sandy Lane South, Foresters Drive and Plough Lane. The length of the corridor is predominantly in Sutton, but some is in Croydon. “We need to carefully assess whether the proposals would displace issues to neighbouring parts of Croydon. I have asked officers to assess the proposals and report back.” When approached for comment, a spokesperson from Sutton Council

said: “We have listened to the concerns of residents in the Foresters Drive and Plough Lane areas, and we have used this feedback, together with technical surveys, to develop suggested changes which can address these issues. “In the New Year, we will write to residents to seek their feedback on these suggested changes. We strongly encourage anyone who may be affected by the suggested changes to let us know what they think by taking part in the engagement process.” Croydon Council were approached for comment but failed to provide one in time for publication. Top: Ray Cooper says every time a lorry goes over a bump his whole house shakes Above left: The damage caused to Mani's wall is one reason why he\'s considering moving back to Epsom. Credits: Harrison Galliven Above right: The narrow junction with Foxley Lane at the bottom of Plough Lane in Purley Credit: David Anstiss

NEWS 17

Next steps in restoration of historic house and gardens

By Ben Lynch

garden. Documents published detailing the application note that a range of greenhouses and ‘associated backhouses’ were constructed in the north-west corner of the garden in 1821. Three were reinstated via

the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NHLF) in 2010/11, as part of the second of three restoration phases carried out at the Palace. The documents however also state there are ‘indications’ two further greenhouses were likely constructed in the 19th century, both

of which appear to have been demolished by 1916. The proposed refurbishment works include adding external blinds to one of the greenhouses, which will keep it cooler during the summer, and providing level access through a new door, “to promote a community use of this area for workshops and events accessible to all”. The revamped greenhouse, the documents continue, “will take on multiple roles as an all year round space for garden related workshops for schools and community groups in addition to creating income opportunities to support the Fulham Palace Trust for evening garden events. It will supplement the Palace’s at-capacity education centre. It will run a range of new nature and gardening focussed workshops for schools and groups – from looking after chickens (we have four onsite), to pond dipping and how to garden on your balcony.”

approved for the same site by Greenwich Council in December 2020. Planning documents from PRP and YourTRIBE said complexities arising from the previous scheme’s construction had prevented the plans from moving forward. Sanja, who did not wish to give her surname, lives in Deptford and said the current project sounds “horrible” and was not happy with the level of affordable housing provided in the scheme. She told the LDRS: “My first thought is it sounds huge. I don’t think there’s anything of comparable height in the area.” She added: “It sounds very commercial, it sounds wrong. I think there are too many endeavours like this in this country.” Emily Bates, 20, moved to the area to study at the University of Greenwich and also raised concerns about the price of the new rooms. She said she is worried that tall buildings being added to the borough will

cause the nearby tourist attractions to lose their appeal. Ms Bates told the LDRS: “There’s no point putting more rooms in when people still can’t afford them.” She added: “People are now rather commuting because it’s too expensive to live here so I don’t think you need that many rooms. It’s a nice area to live. When you look out your window, you don’t want to be looking out of your student accommodation just into another building. There’s no privacy to it or anything.” Elizabeth Bowles, 36, lives in Greenwich Town. She said that while the height of the building is a shame, the additional student accommodation makes sense due to the universities in the area. She also said the project could look interesting when contrasted with the nearby tourist attractions. Ms Bowles told the LDRS: “You see it in the

city, you’ve got the old and the new. I quite like that sort of juxtaposition where you’ve got the Tower of London and the city behind it. I think it’s quite interesting and it shows the scale of something that used to look so massive back in the day that now looks so tiny in comparison.” A YourTRIBE spokesperson told the LDRS that the developers had engaged extensively with local residents and stakeholders for feedback on the plans for Ravensbourne Wharf. They added that the comments received were used to adapt the plans to minimise local concerns. The spokesperson said: “YourTRIBE has endeavoured to ensure that the development delivers substantial community benefit. The proposed development is in keeping with character of the area and is a well optimised use of land in a sustainable location, assisting with the delivery of much needed student accommodation in line with Royal Borough

Local Democracy Reporter An historic West London attraction welcoming around 320,000 visitors a year is hoping to take the next steps in the ongoing restoration of its iconic house and garden – including building a new greenhouse on the footprint of a building demolished in the early 1900s. Fulham Palace, a medieval site used as a residence by the Bishops of London from 704 until 1973, is also looking to refurbish one of its existing greenhouses, as it looks to improve its offerings to the public. Located a few minute’s walk from Fulham FC’s home stadium, Craven Cottage, the Fulham Palace grounds are home to a series of protected structures, most of which are Grade-II listed. These include, as well as the Palace itself, the Chapel, a Gothic Lodge, the Stables, and the walls surrounding the

In terms of the new greenhouse, the plan is that it will focus on the propagation of the Palace’s plants, including fruit and vegetables, which will be sold on the Trust’s market barrow. Due to the various Grade-I and GradeII listed buildings on-site, plus its wider designation as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, additional consideration of the potential impact on the Palace is required. The application however notes that there is no suggested demolition of any listed structure, with most of the works considered minimal. The Fulham Palace Trust, which has managed the site since 2011, was approached for comment, but had not responded at the time of publication.

of Greenwich and Greater London Authority planning policy.” They added: “YourTRIBE has a long history of delivering high quality, student accommodation led mixed use schemes across the capital. As a responsible developer and the manager of the building in continuity, Tribe will endeavour to ensure that students conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful toward residents of neighbouring buildings and will be responsive to any concerns raised by local residents once the building is in operation.” The spokesperson said further announcements on the project would be made as the plans progress. Greenwich Council was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.

Fulham Palace had its three current greenhouses reinstated via the National Lottery Heritage Fund (

Locals divided over 27-storey high rise with some calling it ‘eyesore’

By Joe Couglan

Local Democracy Reporter South London locals have criticised plans to add a 27-storey tower block to their area, calling it an “eyesore”. Greenwich Creekside sits on the border of Lewisham borough, with Deptford and attractions such as Greenwich Park and the Cutty Sark on either side. Greenwich Council approved plans from developers YourTRIBE last week for a 27-storey student tower block to be built in Ravensbourne Wharf. The project will include 414 student rooms, 35 per cent of which will be “affordable”, and will see the current three-storey workspace on the site being knocked down. The planning board for Greenwich Council said at a meeting on November 21 that they were worried about the impact the building’s height would have on the nearby Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. Jason Martin, 32, has lived in Greenwich Creekside since 2014. The local said he thinks the new building will be an “eyesore” and look ridiculous next to the Conservation Area. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “I’m not surprised. In London, there’s always a new build popping up every two minutes… I think it’s going to kick up a fuss. If there are students then there’s going to be a lot of parties.” Phoebe Juggins, speaking on behalf of YourTRIBE at the November 21 meeting, said that local universities such as University of Greenwich, Ravensbourne University and Trinity Laban had all expressed their support towards the plans. She added that approximately four students were competing for every purpose-built student room in London at present. An anonymous resident told the LDRS they were more concerned about the lack of council tax being contributed by the students rather than the height of the building. They said getting a doctor’s appointment in the area is already “horrendous”, with bookings taking up to three weeks and even months for the dentist. The new project comes after plans for a 28-storey tower block were previously

A CGI of the planned tower block as seen from Creek Road. Permission for use by all LDRS partners. Credit: Smith Jenkins / Tribe

18 ARTS

what’s on

Photo by Davor @The Ocular Creative

Two Grande Dames Battle it out in Brockley

The smell of the greasepaint and the roar of the crowd had faded long ago for Mr Worth (Bryan Pilkington) and Mr Chancery (Matthew Parker), two jobbing actors in a panto that isn’t selling many tickets, in Luke Adamson’s Oh No It Isn’t!, writes Michael Holland.

A panto dame is in a dressing room making himself up in preparation for his first scene in Cinderella. He limbers up with stretching exercises that do nothing for the bored look hanging on his face. Another grande dame slouches in with a similar countenance full of monotony. Getting the call for their first scene they quickly make their entrances and sing Sisters to the audience baring lots of ‘tits and teeth’. Back in the dressing room their tired conversation verbally creates distance between them while their synched costume change shows that they have performed this panto many times before. They complain about the stale jokes and skits and dated songs they have to sing and dance to, yet after grudgingly helping each other on with their dresses they go out with radiant smiles while singing ‘I’m

Too Sexy for my Skirt’, knowing that half the crowd wouldn’t know who Right Said Fred were if they on stage themselves performing their hit song. Between their scenes they would bicker about past grievances from working together before. They accuse each other of upstaging, missing cues, adlibbing and not having a good enough singing voice… Mr Worth was angry that Mr Chancery did not take his job seriously and was only in it to have sex with as many cast members as possible instead of having the ambition to do great work. Oh No It Isn’t! perfectly depicts the reality of the acting game. The statistics for those actors actually in an acting job is ridiculously low, and with so many still being churned out of drama schools each year it is the older generation that has to make way for them. Luckily, Luke Adamson has written this play for older thespians and Parker and Pilkington do a marvellous job of creating that feeling of ennui that must emerge when doing the same thing over and over again, while simultaneously performing tragedy and comedy through song and dance and dialogue under the perfect direction of Kate

Bannister and in Karl Swinyard's dressing room set that these two veterans must know so well. This is an anti-panto but with all the ingredients of a traditional panto. There was the divided auditorium singsong to see who could sing the loudest; a wordplay skit about dad’s baggy bag in Baghdad; the innuendos and faces getting cream-pied in one form or another. The gags were olden and not always golden, but that is how it was written to be. The end deteriorates as Mr Worth has a mini-breakdown on stage and this leads us nicely to a very poignant, dramatic and theatrical final scene. It's what he would have loved. Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London, SE4 2DH until 6th January. Time: 7.30pm. No performances: Sundays and Mondays, and no performances 24th – 27th Dec & 31st Dec – 2 Jan. Tickets: £17, £15 conc., 12 + Box office: www.brockleyjack.co.uk or 0333 666 3366 (£1.80 fee for phone bookings only) Running time: 80 minutes, with no interval.

Photo by Mark Senior

Boris Jeered in Catford Panto ‘Boris the lying cockroach!’ bellows the man sporting the elf suit in the row behind us. ‘Boris the lying cockroach!’ shouts his wife and kids. Our young reviewers Frida and Woody find their voices as the whole audience gathered in Broadway Theatre’s beautiful Grade II listed auditorium for Jack and the Beanstalk take up the call in a cathartic release of pent-up frustration. Lewishfarm knows that emblematic tree will be chopped down; it’s only a case of when, write Frida, Woody and Ed Gray.

If the Johnson clan scuttled into a people carrier and instructed their security detail to give them safe passage to Catford (yes, it’s unlikely), what would they make of themselves in Ben Fox and Siobhan Athwal’s vivid recreations of Boris and Antoinette Cockroach and the six little Young Company cockroaches being derided before a jeering audience? Boris Cockroach explains that ‘any resemblance to persons living or dead in this production are unintended’, but truth is a moveable feast for a greedy cockroach. The Elf-suited man lets out an expletive as the Cockroach exits stage right and we settle into writer and director Susie Mckenna’s revamped Beanstalk plot, expertly produced by Joy Productions. It’s 25 years since Brexit and Britain is dependent on being entirely self sufficient, the oven ready deals have gone cold and Lewishfarm is under threat of environmental exploitation

from the gold-loving Giant, which means Queen Bee’s bees are in trouble. Plucky Jack and his friend SJ, enthusiastically played by Evelyn Hoskins as a cheery eco-warrior, must find a way to take on the Giant and make him see the error of his ways. They are very ably assisted by the brilliant Dame Dolores Trott as a proper Jamaican panto dame resplendent in a variety of striking outfits. Sauntering into the audience the Dame picks out a suitable young man for some onstage frolics with spotted chum Caroline the cow, much to the delight of all of us. There’s a kicking band throughout the show and a cast of very fine singers perform a mix of numbers from Jimmy Cliff to Stevie Wonder via Timberlake and Billy Eilish’s Bad Guy, sung by Boris, of course. Frida and Woody, wide-eyed with joy as The Giant dances with the cast, clamber onto their seats for a rousing singalong of Sweet Caroline and the whole audience rises to its feet. ‘To live, to love to Lewishfarm!’ Good times never seemed so good and it’s a wonderful world full of diverse and beautiful people in Catford. It’s just a shame about the cockroaches. Broadway Theatre, Rushey Green, Catford, London, SE6 4RU until 31st December. Times: Varied see website for details. Admission: £8.50 - £35. Booking: https://broadwaytheatre.org.uk/

ARTS 19

History Arts

Living in A Magical World of Dying

Marinka stands centre stage and tells us about a life she would like to change to one of normality instead of living in the land of the dead in The House With Chicken Legs, writes Michael Holland.

Her house, run by the matriarch Baba(Lisa Howard), moves around during the night so she never knows where she will wake up; she never knows whether she should make new friends only to leave them without saying goodbye. Marinka(Eva De Leon Allen) feels like she is stuck in a life with just herself, Baba and her Jackdaw (masterfully operated by Dan Willis). Baba has great tales to tell but this does not help Marinka feel better when their house on chicken legs moves away from her new friend, Ben (Michael Barker) and the ocean that she would love to return to. Baba tells Marinka that one day she will run the house, a role she would easily swap for a normal life and not one on the threshold of life and death, where

Photo by Rah Petherbridge

the house has to provide safe passage for the deceased to pass through the portal and ‘return to the stars’, after they have embraced their past lives with a retelling of happy thoughts. There is a lot more to this story based on Prussian folklore but it was difficult to keep up with so much going on and at almost three hours long the younger

Brad at The Long Pond Monet, Manet, Matisse, Picasso, Pissarro, Rembrandt, Rodin, Dali, all artists who need only one name to be recognised by. And now there is Brad, writes Michael Holland.

I met Brad one murky and miserable Monday afternoon at New Cross Station as we both struggled to get home while Southeastern trains struggled to function with ‘leaves on the line’. I quickly realised Brad had a hatred for Southeastern and their trains,

but without actually moving home or his place of work he was stuck with this Monday to Friday journey (plus Saturdays when Millwall are at home). I could feel his pain. He thrives on it. I managed to get the conversation away from trains and discovered that Brad had actually taught himself how to play piano during lockdown. ‘Which was great,’ he said, almost breaking into a smile. He had several clips on his phone that I could listen to, each

members in the audience began fidgeting before the hour mark. Eva De Leon Allen deserves a medal for endurance playing Marinka as she was on stage just about non-stop; Lisa Howard brought much-needed lightheartedness to the production, while Stephanie LeviJohn(Yaga) gave it a raunchy soul vibe when she hit town like a lady James

Brown in the second act. For me, though, my favourite was Michael Barker’s Ben who supplied great comedy in this world of death. Saying that, it was visually beautiful with a set by Jasmine Swan that was like a living and moving cartoon. The video projections by Nina Dunn were truly magical as they created universes with

shooting stars; waves lapping at golden beaches and doors into another world. Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX until 30th December. Admission: £20 - £40. Booking: https://www.southbankcentre. co.uk/whats-on/performance-dance/ house-chicken-legs

one a dire dirge. Each one a tune to die for - Literally! Or be cremated to. I could see the electronic platform signs flashing CANCELLED, and knew I had no escape from the music that put the fun in funeral. ‘What else did you do in lockdown?’ I asked desperately. Brad did a lot actually. He had embraced lockdown, calling it a ‘blissful time’. Initially, it was gardening that filled his days but when that novelty wore off he started painting, ’using old bits of wood that I’d piled up in the shed’; a pastime this melancholy man found ‘relaxing’ and had thrown himself into. It wasn’t long before he had amassed over fifty paintings. I was amazed until he revealed that his hero was Tony Hancock - a man who had made a living from being miserable - and that he had recreated all the artworks Hancock had painted in his film about a modern artist, The Rebel, one of his most famous films. ‘I hung them up in the garden – I’m not sure the neighbours were too pleased, with all my colours the wrong shape!’ He joked, in a Hancock monotone. Other paintings in that initial burst of creativity were ‘piled up in the shed again and haven’t seen the light of day since’. Of course, Brad had photos of his work that he enjoyed telling me had no style or form but which I discovered had plenty of both. We adjourned to the nearest coffee shop to sit out the wait for the next train and I took the chance

to get behind this mask of misery. Brad had always been interested in art and for years had made his own Christmas and birthday cards that included ‘little drawings and things, which people seemed to like’. That must have planted a seed because he has been ‘stockpiling art supplies’ for years, and while out walking his dog he would pull ‘tins of paint and lumps of wood out of skips’ knowing, or hoping, that one day they would come in handy. As I scrolled through the images I asked who he was inspired by. ‘My go-to-artists have always been the likes of Edward Hopper and Mark Rothko, both of whom were masters of conveying that sense of loneliness and isolation, which I’ve always felt myself, and I’ve really got into Turner over the last three years; I took regular trips to the National Gallery during the pandemic and spent hours sitting and looking at his Fighting Temeraire painting… I really love the way he painted light and sky.’ I could see how the artists he admired had influenced his work and wondered if he had thought of showing them to others besides his neighbours, and was surprised to hear that he had already exhibited some in his local bar: ‘An eclectic mix of seascape paintings, floral pictures in a more traditional style, and one or two of my ‘Shabby Man’ paintings, which all sold really well,’ said Brad. ‘Weirdly, the darker they were, or the more melancholy they were, the better they sold,’ he added with no hint of irony.

The exhibition had come about because Mike Wren, the landlord of The Long Pond in Eltham, had seen photos of Brad’s art and offered Brad the space he makes available to local artists. A second exhibition is about to open with an exclusive collection of the Shabby Man paintings that sold so well before, complemented this time by pencil and graphic ink drawings, watercolours, and works on canvas. After our brief encounter at the station I kind of know what visitors can expect in this exhibition but Brad explained it thus: ‘Anybody that’s known me for a while knows I can be pretty miserable when I want to be, and I think that my piano playing and my paintings are a pretty good reflection of that, even though, for the most part, it’s actually those creative things that bring me the most “joy”, if that’s the right word.’ Joy probably isn’t the right word but I’ll be going along to see if a few 'Shabby' sales can bring a smile to Brad’s face, and hopefully to find that he will be launching an album of new piano concertos. The exhibition opens on 30th November and runs throughout December at The Long Pond, 110 Westmount Road, Eltham, London, SE9 1UT

PS> Since going to press seven paintings have now been bought.

Getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines ahead of winter are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe. If you have your winter vaccines, you’re more likely to have milder symptoms and recover quicker if you do catch the viruses. If you are eligible, you may have received an invitation from your GP. Please respond and book for your vaccine. Pharmacies across Southwark are offering free flu and COVID-19 jabs to anyone who is eligible. Check if you are eligible and book your appointment by visiting www.nhs.uk/seasonalvaccinations or find a walk-in pharmacy at selondonics.org/southwark-walk-in-clinics

www.southwarknews.co.uk

22 FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS / CLASSIFIED

Southwark News

ral Annoucement

Merry Christmas

oving Memory of

Alison Green

1976 - 10/12/2019

To my dearest sister Zoe, I can not believe you have gone! Not a day goes by when I don’t think about you, I just wish I could pick up the phone or pop round and see you but I know I can’t! Sis the last two years I know you was in so much pain, now your free and out of pain brings us some comfort, but the truth is as long as we are without you the pain in our hearts will be forever and real. I hope you know I always looked up to you and will always be proud to call you my big sister and my bestfriend. I love you Zoe, always and forever. Lisa and Nick xx

To our beautiful amazing little princess

Gracie May Jones

Merry Christmas Gracie, In loving memory of a truly brave, inspirational woman, who we are have a wonderful time. so proud to say was our cousin, you’ll never be more than a thought away sleep tight, all our love always Joanne, Nick, Teddy and Tilly-May xxxx

All our love now and always, to memory of Zoe Alison Green the moon and back. ed away from Cystic Fibrosis, on friend Zoe, To our 0th December 2019. From your Dad, Nan, brother, We miss you dearly & will cherish ver giving up and even through the hardest the memories we shared, you can till had a smile on her face.uncle and cousins. now rest in peace,Loads of luv e funeral will be held on George, Steve, Tommy & Daniel. 3rd January at 1:45pm xxx xxx ematorium Brockley Way, London, SE4 2LW

Memorial

Sidney Henry William Parsons 25.12.77

Memorial Christmas is around the corner, and we know on Christmas Day we will be thinking of the old days before you went away. Nobody can take your place - if only you were there. The table will look lovely but there’ll be empty chairs.

Thinking of you this Christmas Georgina Parsons time, our hearts broken in two, wishing God had spared you, 21.9.01 so we could spend this time with you.

Your loving children James, Heather, Robert, Mary, Christine, Grandchildren, Great grandchildren x x x

Birthday

May East

Eilidh Verhoeven Headteacher of Boutcher C OF E Primary School.

May, we miss you more & more every year. Jim & family x

To place a funeral announcement, birthday, death notice, birth, anniversary or memorial in the paper, please email katie@cm-media.co.uk and she will price it up for you Announcements must be placed by 4pm on the Tuesday before Thursday’s publication

Wishing the happiest of birthdays to the most compassionate Headteacher, colleague, and friend, Eilidh Verhoeven.

Your unwavering support has meant the world to all of us. The love and kindness you have shown to countless families, staff, and children throughout the years is truly praiseworthy. As a token of our gratitude and to express our deep affection for you, we present this heartfelt message to wish you a joyous birthday celebration!

CLASSIFIED 23 Elim House Day Centre

YOU MATTER TO US programme started Tuesday 9th May. 100 Day programme combating loneliness within our elders

Southwark Pensioners’ Centre Supporting older people in Southwark for over 35 years. Offering advice, support, activities, rooms for hire and a voice for older people.

ScotsCare is here to help and support Scots and their families in Greater London

Or pop into 305 -307 Camberwell rd, Camberwell Green, SE5 0HQ

PAVING METRO PAVING

To find out more, visit

• Block Paving • Brickwork • Crazy Paving • Artiﬁcial Lawns • Fencing • 40 Yrs Experience

www.scotscare.com or call

0800 652 2989

All works guaranteed Public Liability Insurance Mob: 07944 634618 Tel: 020 8319 4242

to speak with a case worker to see how we can assist you. Registered Charity No.207326

Email: patbrennan0019@gmail.com

Walworth Living Room Cafe Christmas Closure Dates Friday 22nd December -*Wednesday 24th January *Due to urgent maintenance works

Walworth Living Room Surrey Square London, SE17 2JU Contact 020 7703 3803 walworthlivingroom.org info@pembrokehouse.org.uk SCAN ME

WANTED

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

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

07850 323 508 CLASSIC & UNSUAL CARS ALSO WANTED

CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH / CASH

Scan the QR code or visit linktr.ee/pembrokehouse to discover our activities and register to hear about news from our work in the neighbourhood.

LOST PASSPORT

in the London borough of Southwark Please could you give me a call if found or handed in anywhere. My name:

SABRIA FATAH ABDALLA Passport No: A6725834

Call 07834241226

We are accepting walk-ins

Contact us on 020 7358 9502 or elimhouseoutreachworker@gmail.com Or pop into 86-88 Bellenden Road, Peckham, SE15 4RQ Website: elimhousedaycentre.com

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

LPS AND SINGLES - WHOLE COLLECTIONS WELCOME

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ALSO INTERESTED IN NON CHART CD COLLECTIONS

24 PUBLIC NOTICES LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (CRAWFORD ROAD, GRACES MEWS, GREAT SUFFOLK STREET, RYE HILL PARK, MONNOW ROAD, MACKS ROAD

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 SECTION 122(2A) NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPROPRIATE LAND AND BUILDINGS AT 1 TO 56 (ALL) BROMYARD HOUSE AND LAND SURROUNDING BROMYARD HOUSE, LEDBURY ESTATE, COMMERCIAL WAY, LONDON SE15 PART OF WHICH IS OPEN SPACE

(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.

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) Crawford Road, between Valmar Road and Morna Road (b) Graces Mews, between Graces Road and it’s blocked end (c) Great Suffolk Street, between Southwark Street and Lavington Street. (d) Rye Hill Park, between Peckham Rye and Torridge Gardens (e) Monnow Road, between Southwark Park Road and Lynton Road (f) Macks Road, between Southwark Park Road and Lynton Road

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a). Morna Road, Valmar Road. (2b) not applicable (2c) Union Street, Great Guildford Street, Southwark Street (2d) Peckham Rye, Rye Hill Park, Torridge Gardens. (2e) as indicated by the signs displayed (2f) Southwark Park Road, St James's Road, Alexis Street (2g)

Great Suffolk Street will be made available for ‘two-way’ traffic between Lavington Street and Dolben Street for (2c)

Esmeralda Road, will be made available for ‘two-way’ traffic between Monnow Road and St James Road (2e)

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.

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 the direction of a police constable in uniform.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 2nd – 5th January 2024 (2b) 8th – 12th January 2024 (2c) 15th January 2024 (2d) 9th January with back-up dates of the 16th and 23rd January 2024 (2e) 2nd January – 10th April (2f) 2nd January – 4th March 2024

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

Dated this 21st December 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)CRAWFORD-V9129 (2b) SEC50/GRACESMEWS (2c) LBSCR13144-5 (2d) LBSCR13265 (2e) BER9-MONN300-01 (2f) BER6-MARD132-01

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (CARVER ROAD, COLLETT ROAD, PECKHAM RYE) (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.

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) Carver Road, at it’s junction with Herne Hill (b) Collett Road, between Keetons Road and Storks Road (c) Peckham Rye, between Scylla Road and Nunhead Passage

The alternative route for affected traffic (2a) Herne Hill, Half Moon Lane, Ruskin Walk, Herne Hill (2b) Storks Road, Clements Road, Drummond Road, Tranton Road (2c) Peckham Rye, Forest Hill Road, Brenchley Gardens, Brockley Way, Ivydale Road, Cheltenham Road

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.

The works will be in operation for (2a) 15th January 2024 (2b) 18th January 2024 – 16th April 2024 (2c) 13th – 14th January 2024

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

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Southwark intend to exercise powers pursuant to Section 122(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 to appropriate for planning purposes land being approximately 3094m2 in extent at Land and Buildings at 1 to 56 (all) Bromyard House and Land surrounding Bromyard House, Ledbury Estate, Commercial Way, London SE15 part of which is open space. A copy of the map showing the location and area of the land to which this Notice relates can be inspected at the offices of the Council in the Chief Executive’s Department, 5th Floor, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH (Reference: Thomas Elwood). Appointments are available between the hours of 10:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday. Anyone wishing to make objections to the intended appropriation of the land should make them in writing no later than 4:00pm on 11 January 2024 at the address above (quoting the reference) or at thomas.elwood@southwark.gov.uk, stating the grounds of the objection.

Dated this 21st day of December 2023

Doreen Forrester-Brown Assistant Chief Executive – Governance and Assurance Proposed development at: Tustin Estate, London, SE15 1SF Take notice that application is being made by: BY Development Ltd trading as Linkcity For planning permission for: Minor Material Amendment to planning permission 22/AP/1221 to amend the maximum building height parameters for Blocks G2 and H in Phase 2, remove commercial frontages from the base of Block H in Phase 2, and rationalise the indicative phasing boundary for Phase 2. Local Planning Authority to whom the application is being submitted: London Borough of Southwark Local Planning Authority Address: Southwark Council, 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH Any owner of the land or tenant who wishes to make representations about this application, should write to the council within 21 days of the date of this notice. Signatory: Mr Matthew Robinson Date: 21-12-2023 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 lease. Statement of agricultural tenants' rights: The grant of planning permission for non-agricultural development may affect agricultural tenants' security of tenure. ‘Owner’ means a person having a freehold interest or a leasehold interest the unexpired term of which is not less than seven years. ‘Tenant' means a tenant of an agricultural holding any part of which is comprised in the land.

Consultation on admissions for the academic year of entry 2025-26 In accordance with the School Admissions (Admission Arrangements and Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2012, Southwark Council is consulting on the admission arrangements for community primary schools and co-ordinated admission schemes for the academic year 2025-26. The consultation period will run from 14 December 2023 and end at 1pm on 25 January 2024 inclusive. We would welcome your views and comments on Southwark Council's consultation on admissions 2025/26 which includes: • proposed reductions in the Published Admission Numbers (PAN) at Grange Primary School from 60 to 30 places and at Bessemer Grange Primary School from 90 to 60 places for September 2025 intake onwards • Southwark Council’s proposed admission arrangements for community primary schools in the borough in 2025-26 (no changes from the previous year, except dates) • Southwark Council’s proposed co-ordinated schemes for admission of children to Reception, Junior, Year 7 and Year 10 (no changes from the previous year, except dates) • Southwark Council’s ‘relevant area’ (no changes) Give your feedback You can view the full consultation (including all documents) at https://consultations.southwark.gov.uk/children2019s-and-adults-services/consultation-on-admissionarrangements-and-co-ordi/ Any comments on the proposals, or questions about how to give feedback, should be sent by: • completing our online survey at https://consultations.southwark.gov.uk/children2019s-andadults-services/consultation-on-admission-arrangements-and-coordi/consultation/subpage.2023-12-06.9826921164/ ; or • sending an email to schools.admissions@southwark.gov.uk with the title ‘Response to admissions consultation 2025-26’

To promote your business online and in print, email us at: hello@cm-media.co.uk

PUBLIC NOTICES 25

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; LAND AT DULWICH VILLAGE (OPPOSITE ITS JUNCTION WITH TURNEY ROAD) LONDON SE21 7BN (Ref: 23/AP/3268) Prior Approval notification for proposed base station installation of a 20-metre high monopole supporting 6no. antennas and 1no. 300mm transmission dish, the installation of 3no. equipment cabinets and ancillary development on east side of Dulwich Village (opposite its junction with Turney Road). (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: AFFECT (Contact: Winnie Wing Lam Tse 020 7525 0554) GATE HOUSE 40 CRIMSCOTT STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 5TE (Ref: 23/AP/3352) Change of use from Commercial units (Use Class B1) to Use Class E Reason(s) for publicity: MAJ MAJ STDCA (Contact: Connor Fitzgerald ) 308 COMMERCIAL WAY LONDON SOUTHWARK SE15 1QN (Ref: 23/AP/3446) Construction of a single storey rear glazed extension located at lower

ground floor level comprising fully glazed roof and glazed external doors. (Within: Caroline Gardens Kentish Drovers And Bird In Bush CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Anna Poulose ) 41 COLLEGE ROAD LONDON SE21 7BA (Ref: 23/AP/3452) Variation of condition 1(Approved Plans) and removal of condition 8(S278 Highway act agreement) pursuant to planning permission 23/AP/0353 for Variation of Condition 2 (Approved Plans) pursuant to planning permission 17/AP/2686 for 'Variation of Condition 2 approved plans of LBS Planning Permission 16AP3422 part one / part two storey house divided into two wings, linked by a new bridge across the end of the linear pond. Changes sought: 1. New vehicle access onto the highway of Dulwich Village including new gate in boundary fence'. The amendment includes the following: alteration to a first floor window on the southern elevation, removal of a chimney, a minor change to the north western corner and a change in the driveway and location of

car parking spaces and revision of landscaping scheme.. The amendment sought includes: a slight change to the garden boundary within the overall application site and a change to boundary landscaping and the position of the drive to match Dulwich Estate requirements. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Anna Poulose ) BRUNSWICK PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL BANTRY STREET LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 7QH (Ref: 23/AP/3450) Listed Building Consent for the replacement of all fixed and pivoting windows with double glazed windows and replacement of existing low-level sliding windows, corner glazing, highlevel windows and external doors with timber frames and double glazing. Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Catherine Jeater 020 7525 5375)

(Ref: 23/AP/3488) Display of non-illuminated cross to east and west tower elevation matching existing cross to north elevation and the replacement of existing cross to north elevation with illuminated cross precisely matching the existing (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Agneta Kabele 07548097486) Dated: 19 Dec 2023 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date. STEPHEN PLATTS - Director of Planning and Growth

WILLIAM BOOTH TRAINING COLLEGE CHAMPION PARK LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8BQ

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (LAVINGTON STREET) TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF PARKING/RELOCATION OF MOTORCYCLE BAYS AND WAITING & LOADING RESTRICTIONS 1.

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that because of development works, it made, an order, the effect of which will be to temporarily suspend parking bays and relocate sections of motorcycle bays in Lavington Street

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

Whilst the works are in progress or whilst the authorised traffic signs are displayed, the following sections of parking bays will be suspended or relocated in Lavington Street, between Ewer Street and Great Suffolk Street:(a) Lavington Street, north east kerb, the 21.99m, stretch of Parking bays (paid – phone or cash) located opposite it’s junction with Ewer Street, will be suspended. (b) Lavington Street, north east kerb, the two sections of Parking bays 30.54m/11.21m and 58.20m (paid – phone or cash) located between No’s 1 – No’s 11 (Europoint House) will be suspended (c) Lavington Street, south west kerb, the 33.65m stretch of permit holders bays located outside No’s 25 will be suspended (d) Lavington Street, south west kerb, the 35.51m stretch of motor cycle bays located opposite No’s 1 – No’s 11 will be suspended and relocated on the north east kerb, from the end of the existing 19.76m of stretch of Parking bays (paid – phone or cash) located near the junction with Great Suffolk Street (e) Lavington Street, south west kerb, the 16.34m stretch of Parking bays (paid – phone or cash) located near the junction with Great Suffolk Street will be suspended. (f) Lavington Street, ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced on the north east kerb line located between Ewer Street for approximately 112m west. (g) Lavington Street, east side, the cycle lane contraflow located between Ewer Street and Lavington Street will be suspended

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.

The restriction will be in place between the 3rd January 2024 - 2nd July 2025

For information relating to this notice, please contact ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 21st December 20234 Ian Law Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX 160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX Ref: Lavington/TTOPSUS

To place a notice, please email em@cm-media.co.uk Our weekly deadline is 5pm every Tuesday

26 PUBLIC NOTICES Transport for London Public Notice ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 THE A3200 GLA ROAD (SOUTHWARK STREET, LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC AND STOPPING) ORDER 2024 1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it intends to make the abovenamed Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3. 2. The purpose of the order is to allow manhole cover and frame replacement works to take place on the A3200 Southwark Street. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle; (1) except cycles from turning right from Borough High Street into Southwark Street; (2) from stopping in the taxi only bay outside No.1 Southwark Street.

LICENSING ACT 2003 APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PREMISES LICENCE Arepera Conuco Ltd has applied to the London Borough of Lambeth to vary a premises licence, in respect of the following premises: Conuco - Venezuelan Kitchen, 14 Brixton Road, Londo, SW9 6BU The nature of the variation is as follows Vary the times Cunuco’s licence allows Conuco to sell alcohol from Monday - Sunday 11:00 - 20:00 to Monday - Sunday 11:00 - 23:00 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 05.01.24 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).

3. The Order will be effective between 9:00 PM on the 15th January 2024 and 5:00 AM on the 16th January 2024 or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibitions will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs. 4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of: (1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes. (2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London. 5. At such times as the prohibitions are in force alternative routes will be indicated by trafc signs. Borough High Street; Newington Causeway; St Georges Close; Waterloo Road; Stamford Street; Southwark Street to normal route of travel. Dated this 21st day of December 2023 Claire Wright Co-ordination and Permitting Area Manager, Transport for London Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ

December 21s 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE LICENSING ACT 2003 First Date of Display of this Notice: 15 December 2023 An application has been made by: BAYRAM KAGANTEKIN has applied to London Borough of Bexley for the grant of a PREMISES LICENCE in respect of the premises known as: Expo International Supermarket situated at: 301-303 Brampton Road, Bexleyheath, Bexley, DA7 5QR The application seeks permission for the following licensable activities: The sale of alcohol by retail for consumption off the premises: 08:00 - 23:00 Monday to Sunday The proposed hours of opening are: 06:00 - 23:00 Monday to Sunday Any “Other Persons” or “Responsible Authority” may make representations in writing to this application no later than: 11 JANUARY 2024 To: London Borough of Bexley, Licensing Partnership, P.O. Box 182, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1GP Telephone 01732 227004 Details of this application and the Licensing Register are available for inspection at the above address between 9am and 5pm on weekdays. Guidance notes on “making representations” are available from the Licensing Team, or by visiting www.bexley.gov.uk Under the Licensing Act it is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application, and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction is a fine not exceeding £5,000. ADMISSIONS CONSULTATION The Governing Body of Harris Boys’ Academy, East Dulwich is consulting on admissions arrangements to their Academy from September 2025. The Consultation will run from 20th December 2023 to 31st January 2024.

Our weekly deadline is 5pm on Tuesday

More details of the Consultation and how to submit comments can be found on their website: www.harrisdulwichboys.org.uk Kingsdale Foundation School Statutory Consultation on Admissions Arrangements for 2025-26 Entry Kingsdale Foundation School Admission Authority is currently consulting on admission arrangements for the Academy for September 2025 entry. We would welcome your views on the proposed change to our Admission Policy.

Dulwich Village Church of England Infants’ School Admissions Policy Consultation 2025/2026 In accordance with the School Admissions (Admission Arrangements and Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2012, Dulwich Village Church of England Infants’ School are consulting on the new admissions policy for admission into our school in September 2025/26.

An explanatory letter, draft proposed policy and relevant supporting documents can be accessed via our website at www.kingsdalefoundationschool.org.uk by contacting the school's Admissions Office Tel: 020 8670 7575 or by Email: admissions@kingsdale.southwark.sch.uk Please send all comments or queries for the attention of Ms O. Otubu, Admissions Officer, by email via admissions@kingsdale.southwark.sch.uk by 31st January 2024 when this consultation will close.

The consultation period will run from 18th December 2023 and end on 29th January 2024 inclusive. The new policy is available to download from our website and also available in hard copy upon request from the school office. The Governing Body of Harris Girls’ Academy East Dulwich are consulting on admissions arrangements to the Academy from September 2025. The Consultation will run from 20th December 2023 to 31st January 2024. The full draft admissions arrangements for 2025-2026 can be found in the Proposed Determined Admissions Policy 2025 downloadable from the bottom of our Admissions Page.

Notice of Application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 Please take notice that I / we Bankside Open Spaces Trust Have made application to Southwark Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of Bankside Open Spaces Festival 2024. Encompassing Union Street, Flat Iron Square, Redcross Way SE1 1TD The relevant licensable activities and proposed times to be carried on, or on from the premises are Days

Start time

Finish time

The retail sale of alcohol:

Saturday 8 June 2024

12:00

21:00

The provision of regulated entertainment:

Saturday 8 June 2024

12:00

21:00

STATUTORY ADMISSIONS CONSULTATION FOR SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Opening hours:

Saturday 8 June 2024

12:00

21:00

The Sacred Heart Catholic School would welcome your views on the admission arrangements 2025/2026.

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: 19th December 2023

If you have any comments on the admissions arrangements, please submit this in writing before 31st January 2024 to Clerk to the Governors, Harris Girls’ Academy East Dulwich, Homestall Road, London SE22 0NR or by email to info@harrisdulwichgirls.org.uk

Please visit www.sacredheart.southwark.sch.uk to view the policy. Any comments or queries should be emailed to Ms Rumble at office@sacredheart.southwark.sch.uk Please respond by Tuesday 30th January 2024 when the consultation period will end. What happens Next? The Governors will consider all the responses to the consultation. They will then decide whether to implement any changes and if approved the changes will be introduced for September 2025 entry.

To place a notice, please email em@cm-media.co.uk Our weekly deadline is 5pm every Tuesday

SPORT 27 DULWICH HAMLET FC

unbeaten run comes to dramatic end

All tied up: Dulwich couldn’t hold on to their 2-0 lead

By John Kelly

goalkeeper Rhys Forster to put the ten men in a commanding position. Constable brilliantly denied Youngs and then Wyllie got through one-on-one but his effort was straight at the Dulwich stopper. Constable was finally beaten when the referee gave handball for something no one appeared to see, and Youngs scored. Constable denied Youngs another when he tipped his 25-yard shot over. But

Constable was beaten again moments later as substitute Hippolyte finished after Wyllie’s attempt was deflected to him. Another substitute, Lewis Taaffe, provided the winner with Richmond firing in from the edge of the box. The result leaves Dulwich tenth, seven points off the play-off places. Meanwhile, Hayrettin’s side were knocked out of the London Senior Cup by Sporting Bengal United on Tuesday night. Alfie Allen and Adrian Clifton had the hosts 2-1 up at Champion Hill but the visitors struck back and Dulwich needed a late Jerome Binnom-Williams equaliser to send the contest straight to penalties after 90 minutes. The away side scored all their spotkicks after the Hamlet missed their first to reach the quarter-finals. Dulwich have two league games to complete the year, both at home. They play Carshalton Athletic on Boxing Day and Horsham the following Saturday. Both are 3pm kick-offs.

before the latter hit the post on fifteen minutes. When Dorking were able to attack Millwall’s much-reorganised defence, they scored three times in thirteen minutes, the first an overhead kick by Rachael Manley. Manley added a second almost immediately, and then Sarah Sparrow completed the Dorking scoring on 32 minutes. Russell and Rowland brought on Butler in the 55th minute, but they had no other substitutes, and they just asked the team to just go out and win the second half. They had plenty of the ball, and Drewe scored to reduce the arrears

on 57 minutes. The desire to save the game was there, but the energy and the finishing were not, and overall it was a painful defeat. Their winter break is relatively short, because they face local rivals Sutton United in the League Cup at St Paul’s on January 7, looking for a place in the last eight. This and the Capital Cup are now important as promotion hopes have effectively disappeared for this season. The management will be aiming to give more of their successful under-18 side some opportunities, and also to make a couple of January signings, with a view to a serious promotion push to the FA National League in the next campaign.

duLWiCh hAmLet’S ten-game unbeaten run in the isthmian League Premier division came to a dramatic end last weekend as they blew a two-goal lead before conceding in the last minute in a 3-2 defeat to Enfield Town.

Luke Wanadio put the visitors ahead with a 37th-minute penalty after Danny Mills had been fouled by Josh Okotcha. Mills then doubled the lead on 57 minutes at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. Sam Youngs’s penalty reduced the deficit 21 minutes from time and it was level when Jonathan Hippolyte struck in the 81st minute. The hosts won it when James Richmond made it 3-2 to the play-off chasers. Hakan Hayrettin’s Dulwich had moved into play-off contention after a difficult start to the season and appeared to be carrying that momentum into this contest when Mills was fouled and Wanadio scored from twelve yards. Dulwich defender Michael Chambers

The Hamlet celebrate with the aways fans was involved at both ends just before the half-time break when he almost made it 2-0 with a header before he cleared off his own line. Hamlet goalkeeper R’avan Constable saved Marcus Wyllie’s effort before there was a blow for the visitors when defender Joshua Okpolokpo was sent off after a second yellow card in the 55th minute. Two minutes later, Mills curled past

Winter Dork-ness for Lionesses Dorking Wanderers 3-1 Millwall Lionesses

By Jeff Burnige miLLWALL LioneSSeS went down to an unexpected and disappointing 3-1 defeat at Dorking Wanderers in their L&SerWFL Premier division clash at the meadowbank Stadium last weekend.

After the draining Women’s FA Cup third-round defeat to Moneyfields the previous weekend, this was a fixture the Lionesses could have done without. Many of the fixtures scheduled in the league were called off because of the

proximity to Christmas, but co-managers Alex Russell and Adam Rowland wanted to take the game to give more game time to their young side before the expected return to full strength in January after the winter break. In the event there was illness in the squad, and there were seven withdrawals from Friday through to match-day, and they travelled with only club captain Jordan Butler on the bench and a patched-up starting eleven. It was too late to register reinforcements from the under-18 squad, who had no game. The game started well for Millwall, however, and there were chances for Ellen Napper and Shannan Drewe

Photo by Mike Urban

hamLeT BLow Two-goaL Lead

Fisher game ends in farce By John Kelly there WAS a bizarre ending to Fisher’s SCeFL Premier division clash against Lydd town last weekend when the referee abandoned the game in the last minute.

The Fish had just scored to make it 3-2 through Callum Flynn’s penalty. Fisher went on the attack after the restart and were awarded another penalty when Tobi Irefin was taken down. However, a melee broke out between the players close to where the supporters were at St Paul’s and before the spotkick could be taken the referee blew his whistle to end the game. New Fisher manager Michael Williams had seen his side fall 2-0 behind before Thomas Ngegba scored but the visitors were denied the win after the late confusion. The second penalty would likely have been the last kick of the game. “The melee eventually subsided with a player from both sides receiving a red card,” Fisher said in a statement. “As the Fisher players then waited to take the penalty, a further red card was shown to another opposition player and the referee then blew the whistle to abandon the game without the penalty being taken. “We have video footage of the incident which we note does not show any Fisher supporters crossing the perimeter barriers or entering the field of play and will supply this footage to the authorities investigating the incident.” Fisher’s last game before Christmas is their derby against Stansfeld. The league game is at St Paul’s this Saturday at 3pm.

Sun goes down for Edwards By John Kelly SunnY edWArdS admitted “the better man won” after he lost his unbeaten professional record to Jesse rodriguez in Arizona last weekend.

Sutton’s Edwards, 27, went into the fight with a perfect 20-0 record but 23-year-old Rodriguez inflicted brutal punishment to take the IBF and WBO unified flyweight belts. It was Edwards’ fifth defence of his IBF title but he was knocked down for the first time in his career before his corner decided to stop the fight in the ninth round. Edwards revealed later he couldn’t see properly out of either eye before the stoppage. Rodriguez was leading on the scorecards (89-81, 87-87 and 87-83) before the fight was ended. "I think it was a great fight, but, yeah, the better man won today," Edwards said. Rodriguez, who is now 19-0, praised his vanquished opponent. "I brought something out of him tonight that he couldn't handle," Rodriguez said. "He was a lot quicker than I thought, a lot smarter than I thought. I made him want to fight. He got caught. "I'm just satisfied that I got the win, period. That was my main goal. But during camp, I knew I had what it took to knock him out or stop him and that's what I did, so [that] just made the win that much better."

28 SPORT

niCoLAS JACKSon says the only opinion he really cares about is mauricio Pochettino’s after taking a swipe at Chelsea’s critics.

The Senegalese striker joined the Blues for £32million from Villareal in the summer and has already bagged seven goals in sixteen appearances for Pochettino’s side. His latest came in last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United, tapping home Chelsea’s second shortly after Cole Palmer had put the hosts ahead for a welcome Stamford Bridge win. But some of the online flak which has come Chelsea’s way this season clearly hasn’t gone down well in the dressing room, with Jackson happy to address the issue head on when asked about his own impressive personal scoring record of almost one goal in two games. He said: “It’s okay. It’s not what I was going for, but it is my first season so I’m happy. “Although everybody is talking s**t, I’m very happy. I don’t care. “It is just people who don’t know football who talk s**t, so I don’t care about what people say. “I will just continue and try to play more games and score more goals for the team.” Jackson added: “I should have scored more because I missed a lot of chances, but the Premier League is different from La Liga where I’ve come from, so I’m trying to adapt myself. “It’s not an excuse, I’m just trying to continue working harder and listen to people – not listening to people who don’t know football, listening to the coach that knows more [about] football, and the people who know football, and trying to improve myself.” Jackson was also keen to highlight examples of previous young players who have been on the books at Stamford Bridge but not necessarily made an instant impact at the club, something Pochettino was also eager to point out to him. “Because he knows football,” Jackson said. “He has been with a lot of young players, so he motivates me every day and tells me to go. He has seen people worse than me and they are now big players. “I mean, [Kevin] De Bruyne was here, [Mohamed] Salah was here, so now they are big players. “It is the same. They have struggled here, but they didn’t listen to anybody and people who don’t know football, and now they are big. “He obviously told me that. He knows football. He just told me not to listen to people that don’t know football. “And for me, all the people that just talk s**t, they don’t know football, so I don’t listen to them.” Jackson was then asked to identity exactly

nic: criTicS don’T Know jacK S**T

Nicolas Jackson scored his seventh goal this season last weekend

Striker hits out after helping Blues to much-needed win who he feels Chelsea’s main critics are. “I don’t know, anybody who is talking bad about the players – they don’t know football because we try to give our best on the pitch every weekend but results are not coming,” he replied. “Every team goes through this because we are all new players, we have a new coach, we are trying to improve ourselves and trying to improve every day. “If you know football, you don’t criticise any players suffering on the pitch and trying to do their best on the pitch. “We don’t come here for holidays, we don’t come here for nothing. We try to win every game, to make the coach win.

“He is helping us a lot and giving us motivation every day, every game, because he has passed through this situation. “We are very happy that he is doing that and helping the young players. We are all new, we are going through it and we are going to win games.” The critics will inevitably say Jackson is being overly sensitive and scrutiny is part and parcel of playing for such a highprofile club who are always in the media spotlight. Questioned on whether he was stung by the negative feedback which comes Chelsea’s way, Jackson replied: “It is fine. Like I say, they don’t know football.

“We talk about it every time in the dressing room – people that don’t know about football talk s**t about players on the pitch. “But people who don’t know football don’t talk about things that they know. “You never hear big players, or big names, or someone who knows about football, talking s**t to any player. “So we just work and forget about those people and try to work for ourselves and make everything better.” And Jackson is convinced the only opinion that matters is that of Pochettino and his fellow Chelsea squad members. He added: “For me, all the players here,

everybody has talent and they can be there if they are good mentally and not listening to people that don’t know football and just try to listen to the coach and the coach that is going to help us. “With that, we can reach anywhere. “You just have to forget about social media and don’t listen to people who talk about what they don’t know. “So just focus on ourselves and try to win games for the team, for Chelsea, not for the people [critics].” Chelsea were playing Newcastle United in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup in midweek. Go to southlondon.co.uk for the report and reaction.

with the game evenly poised at 0-0 in the 22nd minute. Fulham held out until Lewis Miley fired Newcastle ahead twelve minutes into the second half. More goals followed from Miguel Almiron and Dan Burn to wrap up a 3-0 win for Eddie Howe’s side, although Cairney believes the outcome could have been different but for the early dismissal of Jimenez. “I think that is the word – frustrating,” the Whites skipper said. “We came here full of confidence ready to give them a game. “I felt like it was a competitive game

[until the red card]. “The red card changed the whole game. “We were resilient at times, we dug in and tried to cause them a few problems but it was a long time with ten men and it was a defeat. We got beat. “The first goal is always key when you are down to ten men. Then you go 1-0 down you’ve got to try and expand a little bit and get the equaliser. It leaves you open. “But like I said, it could have been another game of football this afternoon.

“It is a controversial red card. I don’t know what the ref is going to say after but I feel he has got to stick with the on-field decision a little bit. “He thought it was a yellow. Just because it goes to the screen, it doesn’t mean he has to change it. “But I feel as soon as they go to the TV away from home, when the crowd gets on his back, he is always going to change his mind.” As for the reaction of Jimenez to the decision, the Fulham captain could only pass on what his team-mate told him immediately after the incident happened.

Cairney revealed: “The only time I talked to Raul about it was on the pitch. “He just said he has obviously jumped, pulled out of the challenge kind of mid-air but his momentum and the jump [he] has gone into Longstaff. “It looked clumsy. It doesn’t look great, but it isn’t malicious or he hasn’t gone to hurt him, it is just a collision. “I feel like it killed the game a bit.” Fulham were at Everton in the quarter-finals of the EFL cup in midweek. Go to southlondon.co.uk for the report and reaction.

Cottagers skipper: Ref should have stuck to his guns

By Paul Green tom CAirneY believes referee Sam Barrott should have stuck to his guns when ordered by the vAr to look again at raul Jimenez’s challenge on newcastle united's Sean Longstaff in Fulham's 3-0 defeat last weekend.

The Mexican striker initially picked up a yellow card before the video assistant referee intervened and sent Barrott to the monitor for a second check. After the check, the man in the middle upgraded the yellow to red

By Paul Green

Under-21s End Year on High By Kiro Evans MILLWALL'S UNDER-21S ended their impressive year on a high with a 5-1 win over Cardiff City.

The year 2023 will be remembered for Kevin Nugent and his team's brilliant Professional Development League title win when they beat Sheffield United 2-1 in May. And they have set themselves up to try and replicate that success in 2024 after they moved into second place in the table with this victory. First-team stars Romain Esse and Aidomo Emakhu have both been struggling for minutes in the Championship recently but they contributed four goals in this game between them. Nino Adom-Malaki and Esse struck to give the young Lions the lead after Cardiff went 1-0 in just 12 seconds at Calmont Road. Emakhu then grabbed a dazzling second half hat-trick to leave Millwall level on points with PDL group A leaders Queens Park Rangers. Millwall's Under-21s have lost just a single game of their 13 so far this season. After the match, under-21 boss Nugent said: "I thought we were relentless, although not ruthless enough in the first half. In the second half, however, we put them to bed really well. That was against an experienced side as well. "There's a real spirit and winning mentality amongst this team. The main aim is to get people into the first-team, whether that be here or elsewhere on loan, but, despite the team keeping on changing - the manner of the job - the lads have been incredible all year long. No matter who is coming through, the spirit is still there."

Kevin Nugent has enjoyed a strong year leading Millwall's development side

SPORT 29

The KidS are aLrighT

Romain Esse has not featured in any of Millwall's last ﬁve games and inset Joe Edwards has explained his approach to developing young players

Edwards keen to deploy young talents when the time is right

ExcLuSivE

Some fans were left concerned by the exclusion of Romain Esse, 18, from the squad to face Huddersfield Town, the first time the rising star has not at least made the bench all season. Lions head coach Edwards said after the game it was a "difficult decision" and that the availability of senior players had led to his choice. But the Millwall boss has made clear he has big plans for Esse in the future once his side have stabilised their shaky form. Edwards told our paper: "As much as you want to test players and expose them to stuff, for young players you also want to give them a full opportunity to show the best of themselves. "So before I would look at anything that Romain's going to do from his end or what he needs to improve, I would say he's a victim of being part of a group that's not having a good time at the moment. "The Championship, in terms of

physical demand and how scrappy the games can be at times, it's probably one of the most demanding leagues in the world. So when you have players like Romain, and I'd even add Aidomo [Emakhu] to that, when you have these young players who have a lot of potential and a lot of quality, the things they probably need to improve over time with experience is that out-ofpossession side of the game. The making of recovery runs, the physical capacity to keep getting round to second balls. "When you have players where that's not their go-to strong points, it's not easy bringing them into the game when you're have a team that's in the position we're in the moment. "Timing and patience are a huge part of dropping young players into any first team, let alone into a league as difficult as this. Not only the situation we're in but also the winter period, it's relentless. You have to get your timing right with young players from my experience." Despite watching his side concede a late penalty against Huddersfield on Saturday, Edwards received some applause from many remaining fans in the Barry Kitchener stand at The Den when he headed down the tunnel.

Asked about supporters remaining patient over results, he said: "If I'm completely honest, I don't follow much on social media or get to see much to know exactly what the fans think. When I'm leaving the pitch on Saturday after what was a really frustrating and disappointing outcome, I'm incredibly grateful for the response they gave me. The support I get every matchday from the Millwall fans so far since I've been

has been fantastic so I would like to say thanks again for that. "Although it has only been seven games, I would have liked to have seen more success than we have seen to date. So when I'm getting the amount of fans applauding when I'm leaving the pitch as we did on Saturday, that's something I'm incredibly grateful for and I hope that as soon as possible we can start repaying that."

But those hopes were dashed on 86 minutes when Bailey Cadamarteri - son of former Everton striker Danny - drew the Owls level. And there was to be heartbreak in stoppage-time as Anthony Musaba won it for Wednesday in the 94th minute. Having failed to beat fellow strugglers Plymouth Argyle in a 0-0 draw against ten men in their previous game, this was another big missed opportunity for QPR. Although far from happy with the outcome, Cifuentes is aware there is plenty still to play for. But the manager accepts there are lessons to be learned and quickly, going into the busy festive period.

He said: “I’m disappointed because we actually got during the week a couple of good chances to get out of this situation where we are. “But at the same time, I know it [the season] is very long. We need to be very calm, we need to be united as a team, we need to be together, all together with the supporters and all the club. “We have done a lot of good things in the last month so all of this is not gone, we just have to keep working. “For 85 minutes we were leading the game, a difficult game away and that is what we need to remind them, that one result cannot change our approach.” Cifuentes added: “Obviously at the same time we need to be disappointed,

because that is football and we are here to win games. “We not only didn’t win but we lost a game that we had in our hands to win. “So it is important to reflect well about what are the things we need to improve, be very self-critical – starting on myself – why we lost. “And at the same time analyse what we need to do better in order to win the next games, because the good thing is that in the next ten to fifteen days we are going to play a lot of football games and hopefully get us the chance to keep on getting points.” Another positive is that there are no fresh injury concerns going into those Christmas fixtures, which commence

this Saturday at home to Southampton. Cifuentes said: “I think it is important that all the squad seems ready. We didn’t get any injuries after an important week with three games in only seven days. “We are going to face now a period with four games in just nine or ten days. “It will be extremely important to make sure everybody is ready, but at the same to be aware that we need to win points and we need to compete at a better level than what we did today in some moments of the game. “As I said, keep on improving.” Kick-off against the Saints at Loftus Road is 3pm.

By Kiro Evans Joe edWArdS insists he's prepared to give millwall's young aces a chance to impress when the right time comes.

QPR boss urges calm after safety surge stutters against Owls By Paul Green mArti CiFuenteS rued two missed opportunities to exit the relegation zone last week after his Queens Park rangers side threw away victory late on at relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

The Hoops took the lead at Hillsborough last weekend courtesy of a 37th-minute own-goal from Bambo Diaby, who was unfortunately placed to get the final touch on an Ilias Chair attempt. With the clock ticking down, it looked as if Cifuentes’ side were on course for three points which would have taken them out of the bottom three.

Community matters

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INSIDE

Sport S outhLondonWeekly. Southwark

page 26

Addicks boss questions why Tykes goal was allowed By Paul Green miChAeL APPLeton was far from impressed after Barnsley’s opener in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic was allowed to stand.

The Addicks began brightly and Corey Blackett-Taylor was unlucky to see an early attempt hit the side-netting. But the big talking point came on 24 minutes when the ball appeared to have gone behind near the corner flag with Herbie Kane in possession and George Dobson looking on assuming the ball had gone out of play. The officials decided otherwise as Kane chris Richards, left, celebrates with goal-scorer Michael Olise

then set up Adam Phillips to fire the hosts ahead, a goal which referee Simon Mather allowed. That led to yellow cards being handed to Appleton and keeper Ashley MaynardBrewer for protesting the decision. Charlton didn’t let the call impact too much on their display, however, and they were finally rewarded with a deserved 70th-minute equaliser from BlackettTaylor. The effort and commitment shown was clearly a positive the Addicks boss was happy to highlight afterwards, a point he addressed before questioning Barnsley’s goal. “I’m delighted with the way the players

ChriS riChArdS believes Crystal Palace’s brilliant comeback against last season’s treble winners manchester City was the perfect boost going into the busy Christmas schedule.

Roy Hodgson’s Eagles were 2-0 down to Pep Guardiola’s side at the City of Manchester Stadium last weekend with just fourteen minutes left. But Jean-Philippe Mateta scored to give the visitors hope and then in the fifth minute of stoppage-time Michael Olise calmly beat Ederson from the penalty spot after Mateta had been caught by Phil Foden.

down, there’s no other way of putting it. “I can try and be calm – and I will be calm – but it’s inexcusable. It is inexcusable. “I defy anybody on the planet, whether it is the refereeing board, whether it is the FA, Football League, anyone, those type of decisions….it is not like it is a challenge, or he could have done this or could have done that. “It is very, very difficult to take because for me we should be walking away from here with a 1-0 victory at the absolute least and talking about three points, never mind playing well and getting a point.” Charlton are at home to Burton Albion this Saturday at 3pm and travel to Leyton Orient on Boxing Day for a 1pm kick-off.

chriS of Life Palace comeback at champions a perfect festive boost

Roy Hodgson giddy as Pep Guardiola rages

By John Kelly

went about it if I’m being honest,” Appleton said. “From a performance point of view, there have been times this season when we put in a 30-minute performance maybe when we blew teams away, or 45, or 60. “I thought for pretty much the majority of the game performance-wise we were excellent. “We created numerous opportunities, had them on the back foot for a lot of the game, controlled the game so I’ve got to be delighted from that point of view. “You can always tell when players know they’ve played well, and they know they played well.” Appleton added: “We’ve just been let

Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis scored either side of the break as City appeared to be cruising to the win. Palace haven’t won in six league games, but their last two performances have shown they can compete with the best sides, the City result following their added-time defeat to Liverpool at Selhurst Park. “I think the Liverpool game, even though we lost, was a good way to step up, and City was just another step up, so hopefully we can keep the momentum going,” Richards said. "We knew that, coming here, we had to fight hard for 90-plus, so the goal at the end was just a way to reward us for the way we played.

“When you come to City you know that they’ll have the majority of possession, so we just wanted to capitalise when we did have the ball, and that’s exactly what we did. “We went 2-0 down but we looked around and realised we were still in the game. We had chances and it was just a matter of capitalising on them, so the more that we fought, the more the game opened up a little bit, and then what happened, happened. “I think it was a good swing of momentum for us. The last two weeks have been pretty tough for us. We had an unlucky result against Liverpool and then we drew [at City], so hopefully going forward we can get more points.”

Palace were without first-team players including Will Hughes and Jordan Ayew, but Ebere Eze returned from injury when he came on a minute into added-time. Richards added: “I can’t really pinpoint one person, it was a team effort, from the coaching staff to everybody on the pitch and all the substitutes. “Everybody was behind each other from the first minute and that’s why we got a point.” Palace host Brighton on Thursday before travelling to Chelsea on December 27 and then another London derby three days later against Brentford at Selhurst Park.

Dons' Lewis ready for festive fun By Paul Green Joe LeWiS reckons AFC Wimbledon’s squad will all play their part during the hectic run of upcoming festive fixtures.

The Dons go into this Friday’s trip to Crawley in the final play-off spot in League Two following last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Salford City. Boxing Day sees a local derby with Sutton United at Plough Lane before Colchester United arrive in SW17 three days later. Then comes a New Year’s Day trip to Forest Green ahead of a home FA Cup clash with Championship highflyers Ipswich Town on January 6. Five games in just over a fortnight will keep every member of Johnnie Jackson’s side on their toes, something Lewis knows full well, with the defender already feeling the work put in at Salford. “It was a bit of a tiring one as there was a lot to do, particularly in the last half hour,” Lewis said. “That’s football at this time of the season – you rest and recover and get ready for the next game. “The festive season is always busy, but this one in particular is pretty hectic, even by other seasons’ standards. “We’ve got to be on it and make sure everyone is ready, as the whole squad is going to be needed and it’ll be a real team effort. “Possibly we should be talking about all three points, but it happens. “There are occasions where we may not put the chances away that we could have. That’s going to happen this season. “I think from our point of view, it’s a great defensive performance and a great performance as a team really. “We’ve got to keep holding on to the fact that we’re playing really well and we’ve been picking up a lot of points lately and this was no different.” THE RECyCLED PAPER ConTEnT oF UK nEwSPAPERS In 2014 wAS 83.5%

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The recycled paper content of UK newspapers in 2014 was 83.5%