february 2014
DESCRIPTION
ÂTRANSCRIPT
nine
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SEnine
2 It is your community, you have the right to a say in what happens
It slipped through my door and lay silent on the fl oor. Although it said they called, and I was not home, I did not hear the bell, perhaps my ears are not as good as they once were.
It was a local residents survey sheet seeking my opinion on matters local being circulated by the Eltham North Labour Party. Elections must be near, in fact they are in May, just 3 short months away.
Anyway, reading the survey I thought I would give you a hand to complete it, that is if you have the inclination to do so and are fl oundering to answer some of the questions. So here we go;
Question 1: What three things are you most proud of in your local area?
An easy one to start with, but if you are struggling, in the number one spot you might put 'The SEnine Magazine'. If you still need some tips, you might include our award winning parks and Bob Hope Theatre as 2 & 3.
What would you like to change is the next question. The mind boggles, but high on my list would be the fee for CPZ's. What started as a nominal fee has escalated to the point of 'stupid'. In my view, resident parking permits should be issued free to residents. The council must make heaps from fi ning errant parkers at £110.00 a time (Before prompt payment discount).
What else would I suggest you list to change?
The unsightly display of 3 rubbish bins in front of homes. I fi nd it diffi cult to believe that there is not a better solution to waste disposal than three bins collected by three different teams (or the same teams covering the ground three times).
And in number three spot would be to change the councils ability to engineer the high street. I believe that the council should have the power to determine what business operate on the high street. Controversial? Yes, but it is better than being overrun by gambling shops, pound type shops, and fl y by night style shops, most who give very little back to the local community, and not to forget charity shops,which abound.
The next set of questions are pretty straight forward.
What interests you? The problem here is you can only pick three, where all the suggested areas are of interest to most residents. So in order of how they appear: My opinion is; we want a reasonable council tax charge, it need not be the lowest as long as we are getting value for our money.
On crime and policing, simple, less and better, respectively.
For health services we want one that works.
On the subject of jobs and regeneration, my answer is move to Woolwich where most of the council attention centres.
Then there is affordable housing. This is a tough one for an established sexagenarian to answer.. Yes, we need it, but at what cost?
Next on the list is recycling & environment, refer to point two of things to change.
And on the subject of education, well I am in favour, it did not do me any harm. My friends and some readers might argue the level of my education.
And last on the list is transport. While it would be nice to have an underground or DLR station in Eltham, I think we are reasonably well served, especially if you have a 60+ card.
I think it is great that we are being asked our opinions, but the cynic in me wonders why we have to wait for an election for this level of interest to be shown. And perhaps it would be also great if those asking these question were to actually take some notice of the answers and act. But that is politics for you.
Cover: Sutcliff e Park
Cover photo by: John Webb
Cameo: Frank Bond - story page 9
Main Office: Mark Wall [email protected]
Editor: John Webb [email protected]
Advertising: Mark Wall [email protected]
Phone: 020 8333 7493 (For all matters)
Web: www.senine.co.uk
Publisher: SEnine Ltd: PO Box 24290, Eltham, SE9 6ZP
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Closing Dates. All copy must be received by about the 15th* of each
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Enjoy life:
Enjoy Eltham.
SEnine
3
OPINION, FROM MY DESKISSUE NUMBER 87
This publication is subject to copyright - if you want to use something, ask we will usually grant permission
FEBRUARY 2014
Archives dating back more than 400
years, which have been kept in
Eltham through numerous wars and social
upheavals, have been taken into central
storage.
It brings to an end a local stewardship of
the records dating back to the 16th century
when formal recording of baptisms, burials
and weddings fi rst began.
The records also contain details of poor law
assistance and the activities of local support
services such as fi re-fi ghting and education.
They have been stored in St John’s Church,
Eltham, the church having a central role
in local aff airs in the centuries before local
government and administration.
In recent years they have been kept by
a church archivist. The latest incumbent,
Margaret Taylor, has been responsible for
their safe-keeping since 1964.
Margaret has taken on the role of replying
to the many letters from relatives seeking
information about their ancestors and local
history.
She said: “I have been receiving about a
letter a fortnight for almost 50 years, so I
reckon I must have dealt with nearly 1,000.
“As I won’t have easy access to the antique
books and documents in the future, I won’t
be able to provide a response”, she said.
Margaret says that her ‘head’ tells her the
records are best kept by professionals
in an acceptable environment; but her
‘heart’ queries whether their storage will
be accompanied by the knowledge and
local interest necessary to make best use of
them.
As well as personal queries, Margaret has
also dealt with academics on subjects
as diverse as 16th century bell-ringing,
maypole dancing, 17th century musicians,
lawyers and writers working on subjects
such as John Lilburne, Thomas Doggett and
Christopher Marlowe.
The archive, containing books of registers,
ledgers and maps, some of the oldest on
parchment, were taken from the church
to the London Metropolitan Archives at
the invitation of the church as part of a
centralisation of archive material.
Records dating back to 1868, which had
been kept at Holy Trinity Church, Southend
Crescent, and overseen by archivist Anthea
Gent, were taken to the LMA earlier in the
year.
Some of the records will be gradually
digitised for internet access and will be
kept in controlled atmosphere conditions
which the church believes will safeguard
them for future generations.
LMA Archivist Jeff Gerhardt said that
correspondents, if possible, were
welcome to visit the archives, in
central London, to study the records.
He said that keeping them
alongside the archives of other
areas across London would
allow better overall access for
people seeking their family
history.
However, he conceded that detailed
‘investigation’ work done on behalf of
people unable to attend in person would
have to be undertaken by private archivists
for a fee.
He said: “We are planning further digitisation
of our records although the timing hasn’t
been decided yet. Once the records are put
on line, it will allow people easy access and
search.
“We are the central records offi ce for
London; our fi rst task will be to update
the catalogue of the archives, making that
available over the coming year.”
The Archive would require three days’ notice
for inspection by the public but welcomed
visitors.
It was in the reign of Henry VIII, in 1538,
that an act of Parliament came into force
requiring Church of England parishes to
keep detailed written records of the lives
of local people. Early records were kept
informally and in 1554 the fi rst surviving
Churchwardens’ Account book was begun,
one of the oldest in the area.
Records still remain
in Eltham detailing the location of burials
within the churchyard at St John’s. These
were created by the Sexton in the 1920s and
1930s and enhanced by local volunteers in
the 1980s. A member of the Woolwich and
District Family History Society is working
hard to ‘scan’ the index cards, which will be
made available online.
Margaret Taylor can be contacted via the
contact page on the Eltham Society’s
website
www.theelthamsociety.org.uk
400 Years of HistorySome of Eltham’s oldest artefacts have left town,
never to return. John Webb reports
gradually
will be
nditions
eguard
that
ere
in
s.
detailed
ehalf of
Records still remai
SEnine
4 Don't be a litter lout, fi nd a bin
HISTORY
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SEnine
5Strong People, Strong Families, Strong Community
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Eltham Hill School ran a successful
celebration of achievement evening,
among the award winners were Flora
Hurault, Nicole Maworera, Emily Butler
and Kayleigh Plummer won Woman of the
Year 2013 awards, Gemma Harris, Karolina
Bernadini, Ria Addison-Gayle and Yasmin
Solomon won Perseverance Awards,
Simi Aguda, Tiri Jele, Marina Wilson,
Hannah Lamwon Student Leadership
and Participation awards and Jessica
Stalley, Demi Bayram and Kelsey Miles
won Contribution to the Community
awards; Deborah Fatunla, Tracy Ha,
Samira Aoumeur, Blanche Kadj, Chawntell
Kulkarni, Keziban Osmanogullari, Sarah
Brundish, Mille Gray, Roxanne Kilic, Sylvia
Nguyen, Rebecca Terry, Kristina Mihaylova
and Olivia Veiga won outstanding
Achievement awards.
Celebration of Achievements
Tales of Eltham Short Story Entrants to Eltham’s short story
competition have until February 21 to
submit their work.
Entries have been rolling in to Eltham Arts’
‘Tales of Eltham’ short story competition,
‘Tales of Eltham’ is a short story competition,
designed to showcase the best talent in
the local area. Both adults and children are
being encouraged to submit an entry with
the theme ‘Eltham Entertains’.
Free to enter, the winners will be announced
on 23 April 2014 (World Book Night) at the
The Eltham Centre.
Many of the entries will be exhibited locally
and may be compiled into an anthology,
similar to entries to last year’s poetry
competition.
Think you’ve got what it takes?
Visit;
www.elthamarts.org
for information on how how to enter.
Follow @ElthamArts and the hashtag
#TalesofEltham on Twitter to keep up with
the latest developments.
SEnine
6
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Saturday 15 February 2014 10.30am - 4pmSaturday 15 February 2014 10.30am - 4pm
St Mary’s Community Centre, Eltham High St St Mary’s Community Centre, Eltham High St
‘Eltham in Bloom’ and ‘Eltham in Bloom’ and
‘200th anniversary of Eltham C of E School’‘200th anniversary of Eltham C of E School’Admission free. Refreshments availableAdmission free. Refreshments available
Eltham in PicturesEltham in PicturesSEnine
7Find and Support Local Tradespeople
Jane Webb has lived in Eltham since '85 with her husband and daughter. She has taught at several local primary schools
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Free Parking
Cabbie's View'I had that Jane Jottings in the back
of my cab once’. Literally, as they
say all the time these days but I hasten
to add, not metaphorically.
On my occasional short taxi trips from
Charing Cross to Theatreland, I like to
get cabbies onto their favourite topic;
that is, who exactly they’ve had in the
back of their cabs.
The famous names are quickly followed
by their views, over the squawk box, of
the individuals in question.
Often it’s just ‘he’s a real gent’ or ‘she’s a
lovely lady’ and the cynic in me wonders
how closely the verdict is related to the
size of the tip.
What’s surprising is that their opinions
of ‘celebs’ are so often diff erent from the
highly polished public images.
Bob Geldof for instance. He might have
been nominated for
the Nobel Peace Prize
and given an honorary
knighthood, but among
the cab rank he’s known
as a ‘rude ignoramus’
who apparently doesn’t
just, not like Mondays
but any other day of the
week either. And as for
that stuck-up daughter
with the silly name!
And Jeremy Clarkson
might be the nation’s
favourite driver, but
he’s one of the cabbies’ least favourite
passengers, according to my source.
Despite their
haughty image,
however, about
two characters
known for their
portrayals of the
ruling classes,
the cabbie folk
have nothing but
praise! Downton author Julian Fellowes
is ‘a good un’ having been transported
to an awards ceremony, fretting about
whether he’d won or not (he had). And
Helen Mirren, aka The Queen, always
passes the time of day pleasantly with
her subjects.
Maybe ‘old money’ knows its ps and qs
better than the nouveau riche.
I hope the cabbies have no grumbles
about me. Being brought up in a vicar’s
family, we were welcomed by both the
squire in his manor house and the estate
workers in their cottages. We learned to
mix and talk to both. But did we ‘belong’
to either? Perhaps it was a case of being
neither fi sh nor foul.
SEnine
8 Vote at elections, it is your right
JANE’S JOTTINGS
War Heroes honoured in Russia Arctic veteran and Eltham
resident, Frank Bond, has made
a return trip to Russia, more than 70
years after taking part in convoys to
supply the war stricken nation.
Frank was among a group of veterans
who served on the convoys, called
by Winston Churchill ‘the worst
journey in the world’ around the
north coast of Norway.
The convoys, transporting arms and
food, ran the gauntlet of German
submarines and fi ghter planes, and
merchant ships were protected by
vessels from the Royal Navy.
Last spring, the British government
eventually awarded the veterans the
‘Arctic Star’ medal and Frank received it in
a ceremony at Downing Street. Afterwards,
he was chosen to escort Prime Minister
David Cameron around HMS Belfast, on
which he also served and now visits each
week as a volunteer.
He and eight other survivors of the convoy
have now travelled to Moscow where they
also received the St Andrew’s Ushakov
medal from the Russians. The award was
conferred during a three day visit as guests
of the Russian authorities and the ceremony
was held at the Central Museum of the
Great Patriotic War.
While on his vessel, HMS Suff olk, he also
witnessed the sinking of HMS Hood.
Frank joined the Navy in 1939,
joining as a ‘boy sailor’ before his
16th birthday, inspired by his time
in the Sea Scouts as a youngster.
Since retiring, Frank and fellow
members of the Russian Convoy
Club have re-visited Russia,
meeting their opposite numbers
and talking to schoolchildren
about their experiences. He
featured towards the end of a
recent BBC documentary on
the convoys narrated by Jeremy
Clarkson.
“I don’t think of myself as a hero,
I just did my duty. As a youngster, it was an
incredibly exciting time. It’s only looking
back that you realise the terrible dangers”,
he said.
Many vessels were sunk by enemy action,
with the merchant ships themselves
coming under close attention.
Frank receiving his medal (photo Elena Protcheva, Mosphotocor)
SEnine
9 Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how.
News in BriefNews in BriefSign Saga Ends
Have you some news that others might like to hear? Write and tell us.
Lost Giraffe
Eltham CinemaJust Released
25/01/2014
Public exhibitions on the proposals
for a new cinema and restaurant
development at the heart of Eltham
town centre has just been announced
and will be held in the Eltham Centre
foyer on Friday 31st January (3-8pm)
and Saturday 1st February (10am-
2pm). SEnine just found out about the
exhibition as we went to press, but
more information on the proposal is on
page 23.
Leading cinema operators have already
expressed an interest in the former
Co-op department store, which was
purchased by the Royal Borough in
2011. The building is situated in the
middle of the High Street and is the
focus of proposals to stimulate the local
high-street economy and in particular to
encourage more residents and visitors
to the town during the evening.
The cinema proposal is part of a
masterplan for Eltham town centre that
aims to promote economic growth
by developing key sites and making
improvements to the area.
Councillor Chris Roberts, Leader of the
Royal Borough of Greenwich said: "We've
looked in detail at the proposal and are
very confi dent that a new cinema at the
heart of Eltham town centre will make
a big diff erence to the town. It will be a
great provision for local people and we
know that cinemas attract people and
attract spend in town centres, which
can only be good news for Eltham."
A happy ending to the saga of ‘The
Sign That Went Missing’ has been
celebrated on the Progress Estate.
Six months after disappearing from its
moorings on Well Hall Road the sign,
which lists the roads on the estate and
dates back to the early years in its 99
year history, is back where it belongs.
It was ‘found missing’ by Progress
Residents Association committee
member Keith Billinghurst who feared
it had become target for thieves
and became resigned to it having
disappeared for ever.
However, it turned out that a ‘Good
Samaritan’ had rescued it with the
intention of restoring it to peak
condition.
A few weeks after an appeal was made
for its return, the sign re-appeared,
having been brought back by the
anonymous stranger who had re-
painted it.
Now reinstalled by the council’s
highways department, it has been
returned to pride of place, in time for
the Estate’s Centenary celebrations next
year.
A giraff e answering to the name
'Gilly' has been lost in the Greenvale
Road, Eltham Rail Station and Well Hall
Road area.
By now Gilly is probably sad, wet and
forlorn. Her owner, Isla Pinnock, is
missing her loved Gilly very much and
would love to have her back at home.
If you have seen or found Gilly please
phone or send an email to SEnine and
we will arrange for Gilly to be united
with Isla.
Pictured below are Allan Cooper
(Treasurer), Rita Billinghurst (Chair),
Margaret Oliver (Vice-chair and
Secretary) and committee members
Keith Billinghurst and Margaret
Johnson. Isla with Gilly prior to the loss
SEnine
10 Join in a Community Activity
NEWS
ST MARY’S COMMUNITY COMPLEXST MARY’S COMMUNITY COMPLEX
020 8850 2040 Main Offi ce 180 Eltham High St
Anstridge Hall
Anstridge Road SE9 2LL
Flintmill Hall
Flintmill Crescent SE3 8LU
Lionel Road Hall
Westhorne Avenue SE9 6DH
Progress Hall
Admiral Seymour Rd SE9 1SL
St Mary's Community Complex 180 High Street Eltham
For more information on
Halls and Rooms for Hire at
aff ordable prices contact the
main offi ce on 020 8850 2040
5 Wonderful sites for your function, party or show
A great venue!The last party was great, book your
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Our Private Hirers said:“Wonderful place”, “helpful staff ”,
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Storm Downs Trees Mark Wall writes
The strong winds and rain wreaked havoc across some parts
of Eltham late in December and early January. Shouldering
my camera I braved the winds and headed off to Avery Hill Park
to have a look around. I felt a little silly sheltering from the winds
and rain behind the trunks of trees when I had gone out to
photograph fallen trees. My caution was wise, as I moved away
from the big trees straining to stand in the wind, I heard the crack
of wood and just a metre or two in front of me a branch came
down across the path (Picture below) A little shocked, I beat a
hasty retreat and headed home to the warmth and a coff ee.
Branch fell across the path - Avery Hill Lightening strike? - Avery Hill
Mottingham Memorial in a narrow miss. Photo bt Ray Andrew
SEnine
11Don't be a Litter tosser, put it in a bin
Saturday February 1Alice in WonderlandAnnual panto Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road
Tickets £10 and £8
8850 3702 or www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk
2.30pm, 5.30pm and7.30pm
Weds 12 FebruaryQuiz night at the White HartOn behalf of local charities
Includes carvery meal and dessert
£10 per ticket from 8850 1562
Kitchen open 6pm, quiz starts 8.30pm
Wednesday 12 FebruaryJennifer Sims ‘Putting on a Show’
Talk at the Eltham Centre by local theatre director
Organised by Eltham Arts. Eltham Centre
Entry free. 7 – 9pm
Thur 13 – Sat 15 February‘Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’Eldorado Youth Productions
Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road. Tickets £10.50 - £13
www.bobhope theatre.co.uk or 020 8850 3702
7.30pm (plus 2.30pm Sat)
Saturday 15 February 2014Eltham in Pictures‘Eltham in Bloom’ and
‘200th anniversary of Eltham C of E School’
St Mary’s Community Centre, Eltham High Street
10.30am to 4pm - Admission free. Refreshments available
Tuesday 18 FebruaryBirdwatching in LondonThe BBC’s ‘Urban Birder’ David Lindo - illustrated talk
Eltham Nature Club
St Mary’s Community Centre, Eltham High Street
Tickets: £3 non-members, £1.50 non-members
7.30pm
Saturday February 22‘Swing Commanders’.Band music from the 30s to the 50s
Multiple instruments, vocal harmony and solos
Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road
Tickets £13 from www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk
or 8850 3702. 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Wednesday February 26Quiz night at the White HartOn behalf of local charities
Includes carvery meal and dessert
£10 per ticket from 8850 1562
Doors open 6pm, quiz starts 8pm
Wednesday 26 FebruaryTudor Barn Wine ClubA range of six wines plus three course meal
£35 in advance only
0845 459 2351 - 8pm
Thursday 27 February‘Stand Up for Labour’Comedians Ian Stone Mary Bourke, Simon Clayton and
Ayesha Hazarika. - 7.30pm, Eltham Hill Club & Institute.
Tickets £10 from www.elthamlaughs.eventbrite.co.uk,
[email protected] or call 07930397082
Special offer table for 10 for £85 booked before Feb 10th.
Wednesday 12 March‘Russian Folk Art’; talk by Svetlana QuigleyIncludes material on architecture, toys, furniture and art
Organised by Eltham Arts. Eltham Centre. Entry free
7-9pm
Weds March 12 – Sat 15‘Pygmalion’Classic play. Bob Hope Theatre
£9 (£8 conc). 7.45pm
Sunday March 16Jive AcesTop jive and swing band.
Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road
Tickets £15.50 (£14.50 conc). 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Elizabeth Dunn Academy Of Performing ArtsFun dance classes at the Anstridge Hall, from January 23rd Ballet, Disco Divas, Tap & Jazz. Ages 3-11yearsCall Alex for more details & to book on: 07718903989 or [email protected]
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Art Classes at Gerald Moore GalleryEltham CollegeAdults:
Starting Wednesday January 15
Art skills classes - £70 for five classes - 7-9pm
Saturday January 18
Paper cutting workshop
Experiment with paper; cards, images, stencils etc -
£30.00 - 2-5pm
Saturday January 11
Portfolio development for A-level students
Free
Starting January 14, 15, 18
After school and Saturday art classes
7 – 11 and 11 – 15 years
£50 for five sessions - 4pm – 5.30pm
17 – 20 February
Range of half term classes for toddlers to 11 years
10am – 12.30pm
Tuesday - 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th February
Exercise Class. 10am – 11am
Sit & Get Fit - exercises to help keep you keep fi t!
Info contact: Yvonne Conway on 020 8315 1850
Tuesday - 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th February
French Group 2pm – 4pm
Join other Francophiles and brush up your French.
Beginners and improvers welcome.
Contact: Community Volunteers Time Bank
020 8315 1883
Tuesday - 18th February
Nutritional Advice 10am – 1.00 pm
1 to 1 tailored advice from our nutritionist.
Contact: Wendy Smith on 020 8294 3013
Wednesday - 26th February
History Group 10am – 12pm
With diff erent subjects each month there is
something to interest everyone.
Contact The Community Volunteers Time Bank
020 8315 1883
Thursday - 6th 20th February
Craft Group 10am – 12pm
Bring along your own craft project or try something
new with fellow enthusiasts!
Contact: Community Volunteers Time Bank
020 8315 1883
Thursday 6th, 13th, 20th, & 27th February
Forget-me-not Singing 2pm – 3.30pm
For older people, people with disabilities, those with
Alzheimer's, dementia and their carers.
Contact: Rose Waghorn 0781 118 7490
Friday - 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th February
Technology Club 10am – 11.30am
We off er help and support on a range of subjects to
help you Keep in Touch with Technology from mobile
phones, tablets, cameras to laptops.
Contact: Louise Donovan on 020 8315 1850
Saturday - 22nd February
Men in Sheds Creative Workshop 1am – 3pm
Make your own Bird Box in time for spring nesting
men and women welcome!
Contact Steve Paxman on 020 8294 3011
2-6 Sherard Road
SEnine
12
This page is sponsored by ElthamSE9 Limited
Eltham has something for everyone
WHAT'S ON
BOB
HOPE
THEATRE
COMING ATTRACTIONS
As we have come to expect, Bob Hope
Theatre has many treats in store for
us. Musical delights, romantic comedies,
comedy and wonderful musical events.
Eldorado Youth Productions are bringing
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat to Bob Hope Theatre in February.
This family favourite musical is packed full
of catchy music, and group dance numbers.
Based on the bible story of Joseph it is a
moral tale of forgiveness, that is just great
to watch too.
Saturday 22nd February sees the Swing
Commanders return with their superb
stage show of songs from the 30s to the 50s.
Sophisticated vocal blends and intricate
arrangements bring their repertoire of
novelty songs, swing songs and American
songbook classics an energetic and
enjoyable showmanship.
In March George Bernard Shaw’s barbed
attack on the British class system –
Pygmalion – comes to Bob Hope Theatre.
Can Professor Higgins turn Eliza Doolittle
into a lady capable of passing for a Duchess?
And did he expect her to have a mind of her
own?
Sunday 16th March sees the UK’s top Jive
and Swing band return to Eltham. The Jive
Aces reached the semi-fi nals of Britain’s Got
Talent, and have since gone world-wide to
bring many musical houses down. Joined
by Bob Hope favourite Shane Hampsheir
this is sure to sell out very early, so get your
jive on and swing yourself tickets.
Also in March Eldorado Musical Productions
present Thoroughly Modern Millie. 1922
New York and small-town Millie wants to
marry for money and not love. A modern
aim at the time. This comedy caper will lift
your spirits. Don’t miss it.
At the end of March, the second evening
of the new comedy club comes to the bar
at Bob Hope. This much needed event is
bound to be oversubscribed. Don’t delay
book tickets today.
April starts with Imagine… The Beatles.
The top Beatles tribute band returns to
Eltham to give us all the great hits in a
magical mystery tour.
Sidcup Operatic Society brings Oliver! to
Bob Hope in April. This sweet tale of an
orphan seeking a loving home, follows
Oliver from workhouse to thieves’ den, and
on to his heart’s desire. Can we have some
more!
19th April is a fundraiser for Help for Heroes.
The Magic of the Musicals will be jam packed
with songs from all your favourite shows.
Featuring special guest stars from some
of the most iconic West End shows Shane
Hampsheir and The Glenlyn Academy.
So many treats to look forward to, as usual
Bob Hope Theatre is spoiling us for choice.
Don't forget, the White Hart is the ideal
place for a pre-show meal or a pre and post
show drink.
What's Coming to Bob HopeThe line up for the first half of 2014
See What's On 13th - 15 February for details
SEnine
13Be a good neighbour
PREVIEW by Beattie Slavin
Contact Sally for details
0751 009 4170or [email protected]
Fitness Classes
St. Luke’s Church,
Westmount Road,
Wednesday 7-8 pm
Thursday 7-8 pm
Fi
St
W
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50 plus Ladies
Classes (all levels)
Eltham Park
Methodist Church
Westmount Road,
Monday 11.00am - 12.00pm
Wednesday 2.00pm - 3pm
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SEnine
14 Help keep Eltham tidy! Put your litter in bins.
It could have been worse. Benefi ts
Street it was not. It could have been
better. Educating Eltham hasn’t thrown
up the celebrity ‘sirs’ of Educating
Yorkshire yet.
The auspices weren’t great. BBC iPlayer
warns viewers to tick the parental
guidance box. ‘Contains Some Strong
Language’ it further warned. That
wouldn’t be French, German or Latin.
The programmes, which started in early
January are following the fortunes of
six academic high achievers who have
decided to sacrifi ce lucrative career
possibilities to ‘put something back’,
training to become classroom teachers
after just six weeks.
To compound their trial by teaching,
these youngsters agreed to allow BBC3
to fi lm their progress for a six part series
‘Tough Young Teachers’.
Why people submit themselves to this
ordeal (television) is only a little more
puzzling than their career choices, two
of the recruits deciding to pray each
morning before being tossed before
the lions as we all watch on. Why
schools want to take the televisual risk
of hosting them also puzzles.
An alarming homework failure by the
programme’s researchers produced
some exam howlers of the ‘Chicago’s
at the bottom of Lake Michigan’-type.
A funky map of London showed the
big dot of ‘Crown Woods College’
somewhere in Bromley borough, about
10 miles off target.
Nor did they mention Eltham. Funny
that. Unlike the other two schools,
Archbishop Lanfranc, which they said
was in Croydon and Harefi eld Academy
which one assumes is in Harefi eld. And
apparently Crown Woods is in an ‘area
of deprivation’. But hey, this is television.
Let’s not try to psychoanalyse the BBC.
Our two contestants were Claudenia, a
multi-talented youngster and University
of Birmingham graduate who decided
to throw it all away, according to her
folks, to become a teacher.
And Oliver, who aimed to impress by
playing Bach as his new pupils walked
into class and inspiring them with a
quote from Marilyn Monroe, apparently
unaware the dizzy blonde overdosed
some 50 years ago. ‘I’ll fi nd out who she
is by tomorrow’ he promised his year 10
business studies BTEC group.
But enough carping. Never let the facts
get in the way of a good story, I say.
It was a good story, following Claudenia
and Oliver through the predictable ups
and downs of swimming in the deep
end.
Claudenia, in Delamere, had her fi rst
match with Year 7, staging a mock
children’s party with balloons and
magic tricks, the better to illustrate a
point of basic science. Her second was,
in her own words ‘diabolical’. ‘I didn’t
know what I was doing’, she wept,
leading established colleague James
Cowie to risk a possible future charge
of inappropriate behaviour by placing a
fraternal arm around her shoulder. Her
self-analysis was confi rmed with brutal
frankness by 12 year old pupil Lucas.
‘She made us look like idiots and didn’t
explain what it was all about’, he said.
Can’t teachers just tell the kids that
sound vibrates through particles in
the air, without spending ten minutes
getting them all to stand up and
pretend to be molecules? Sorry, Lucas
and I are Old School.
Mind you, she seemed to handle
doodling Alfi e quite nicely, the young
lad having scrawled a picture of a fat
lady with boobies during her lesson.
As for Oliver, in Sherwood, it all ended
with a rush to the toilet in tears after a
mega scolding. That was himself, after
receiving feedback from Head of Arden
Maurice Hartnett. ”I feel I’ve failed”, he
sobbed. Black mark for Mr Hartnett
too, therefore. Nobody’s meant to feel
a failure in education; nor in television
So the advice he received worked a treat.
Instead of telling them fi ve concepts in
25 minutes and then expecting them
to run Microsoft, he re-booted, giving
them one and telling them how to
research it.
Red hoodie topped Daniel, 16 marked
his work for him. “He got it right this
time”
All harmless fun for the spectator, a
change from the Bake Off and Master
Chef but more episodes upcoming in
which I want more tears and a cloying
denouement or my licence fee re-
funding.
BBC Moves Crown Woods to BromleySEnine's John Webb took a look at a new TV reality
programme that placed Crown Woods School in Bromley.
SEnine
15Make a diff erence in your community
EDUCATION
Water, up to two feet deep, poured
into their homes in the early
hours of Christmas Eve after a fl ood
defence grille became blocked with
accumulated debris from the river
Quaggy in Westhorne Avenue.
Residents were forced to spend the
holiday period staying with relatives or
in hotels and were faced with organising
a clear-up of their entire ground fl oor.
Now their insurance premiums could
see a ten-fold increase, to £8,000 a year
or more, and their houses lose tens of
thousands in value, as they are placed
in a higher fl ood-risk category.
One family had to cancel a £3,000 ‘trip
of a life-time’ to New York and several
will have to spend up to six months
in rented accommodation while their
houses are refurbished.
All will be
forced into
protracted legal
wrangles with
insurers, the
E n v i r o n m e n t
Agency and
G r e e n w i c h
Council over who was to blame, who
should pick up the bill and their future
insurance liabilities.
The Environment Agency has admitted
that they became unable to unclog
the grille, that fl ood water was
u n c o n t ro l l a b l y
rising and that
they left the site
without warning
residents of
the impending
inundation of
their houses.
Eltham MP Clive
Eff ord said: “The
E n v i r o n m e n t
Agency needs
to 'fess up' to
this. This was a
man-made fl ood
caused by them.
All those millions spent on the Sutcliff e
Park fl ood defence scheme and these
houses get aff ected by a grille costing
a few thousand, on Christmas Eve of all
times.”
He is leading the demands of
residents for the Agency to accept
its responsibility and make the
necessary fi nancial amends.
The nightmare began when the
Quaggy, which fl ows through
Sutcliff e Park, became dammed at
the point it enters a gully leading
under Westhorne
Avenue and
Eltham Road.
A new grille,
installed by the
E n v i r o n m e n t
Agency to prevent
debris blocking
the gully and
g i v i n g
an early
warning of peak fl ows, had
become clogged, leading to
water backing up onto the
playing fi elds of Cray Valley
Football club in Middle Park
Avenue.
As water coming down the swollen river
was unable to escape, it spilled over
into the back gardens of the homes in
Westhorne Avenue, gradually rising up
and swamping their ground fl oors.
Residents are demanding to know why
a regular inspection and clearance
regime was not in place to prevent
blockage to the grille and asking
whether its design and placing was
properly thought-through.
Carpets, kitchen equipment and
furniture were all ruined, and some will
lose the Jacobean oak panelling which
forms an attractive feature of the 1930s
housing.
The ‘trash screen’ grille was put in place as
part of the overall Sutcliff e Park scheme
to protect houses in Lee Green and
Lewisham from fl ash fl ooding. Its siting and
construction was subject to consultation
with engineers from Greenwich Council
whose planning permission was required.
Did a serious blunder by the Environment Agency lead to a Christmas flooding nightmare for more than 30 families in Eltham?
Christmas Floods
Flood victum, Fred Seago with local MP Clive Eff ort
Shattered dreams
Ruined household items piled up for disposal
SEnine
16
NEWS
Take a walk in the Tarn
But instead of providing extra security it
led to disaster for residents in Westhorne
Avenue.
Ron Newman, an 85 year old widower,
was awakened in the night by police to
alert him to six inches of water on his
ground fl oor. He spent Christmas in a
hotel and will be staying with relatives
for months while his home dries out.
Jane and Neil Foster had been booked
on a six day holiday to New York with
their daughter Alice, but had to spend
the week organising a clear-up after two
feet of water cascaded into their home.
“You think there would be some agency
to help. In fact, you’re left on your own
to sort it out", said Jane, who with her
family will be spending up to six months
in rented accommodation while their
house is repaired.
Helen and Michael Roscoe will also be
sending months elsewhere and say that
the wooden panelling of their home
is irretrievably damaged because of
sewage contamination of the water.
Addressing a public
meeting, Tim Connell,
operations manager
for the Environment
Agency in this area
said that lessons
would be learned and
a review undertaken
of the arrangements.
The Agency had
been aware of the
threat posed by grilles
becoming blocked
and that the one at
Westhorne Avenue
had been cleared
twice on the day
before the fl ood. But
the weight of water
and debris had meant
further clearance had
become impossible.
“We feel we did as much as we could
under the circumstances”, he said.
Residents in Eltham Palace Road were
also threatened when gardens fl ooded,
but fortunately for them the water
eased before it got
into any of their
homes.
Games at the
'Badgers' (Cray
Valley (PM) Football
Club) had to be
cancelled due to
the fl ooding on the
pitches.
(See page 22)
Houses Flooded
Existing Grill Existing Grill LocationLocation
Better Grill Better Grill Location to allow Location to allow fl ooding into fi eldsfl ooding into fi elds
Alice Foster points to the water level
(rust on the fi regrate)
Hand Rail showing debris build upHand Rail showing debris build up
Left, how it should look .
Above, the blocked grill,
with water over the hand
rail, the following morning
A snapshot of some of the fl ood victums attending the second meeting which was addressed by the Environmental Agency
SEnine
17
NEWS
Join a local community group
There is a wide range of books on
local history available, some new
but most second-hand, on the internet.
Many contain old pictures, others
written descriptions of buildings, spaces
and people.
These are the among the most
commonly found:
‘Images of
London: Eltham’
by David Sleep,
published 2004.
128 pages of old
p h o t o g r a p h s .
From £2 new and
£1.35 second
hand plus p and p.
‘Discover Eltham
and Its Environs’ by
Darrell Spurgeon.
A comprehensive
guide to Eltham,
New Eltham,
Mottingham, Grove Park, Kidbrooke and
Shooters Hill, published 1992. 96 pages
featuring walks of the area and detailed
descriptions of the buildings. From £20
new and £2 second hand plus p and p.
‘Eltham: A Pictorial History’ by John
Kennett, published 1995. 66 pages of
old pictures and descriptions of Eltham.
From £33.60 new and up to £79.95
second hand plus p and p.
‘Eltham in the Making’: Volume One
from Roman Times until 1939’. Published
1990 by the Eltham Society. 128 pages.
Contributions from local historians.
‘Eltham in Old Photographs’ by John
Kennett. Published 1991. Used from £21
plus p and p.
‘Eltham and Woolwich Tramways’ by
Robert Hartley. Published 1996 Used
from £20 plus p and p.
‘Old Eltham including Mottingham and
Shooters Hill: A Pictorial Miscellany’
by Gus White and others.
Published 1985. Contains
37 monochrome pictures
plus descriptions. £20 used.
‘Old Eltham: A selection
of the sketches by Llywd
Roberts 1875-1940’.
Published 1966. 28 pages
of monochrome
line drawings
with text. From
£15 - £175 used,
softback and
hardback editions.
‘Eltham Palace’ by John
Priestley. Published 2008.
180 pages of details about
the history of the Royal site.
Paperback edition published
2013 available new from £8.91
plus p and p. Hardback new
from £20 (Barnes and Noble)
or from £30 up to £210 used
on the internet.
‘The Story of Royal Eltham’ by R R C
Gregory. Published 1909 350 pages,
considered the standard historical work
on the area. Available free online, for
£5.38 softback reproduction or upwards
from £30 plus p and p second-hand.
‘London Volume 2, The South’:
The Buildings of England, Pevsner
Architectural Guides,
by Nikolaus Pevsner
and Bridget Cherry,
published 1983.
800 pages (includes
Eltham). £35 new or
from £10 used.
A paperback published
last year, ‘Eltham
through Time’ by
Kristina Bedford,
contains 180 well-
presented illustrations
and descriptions. It is
published by Amberley Books at £14.99
and is available post free through www.
amberleybooks.com
In addition, the Eltham Society has
published a series of booklets on
diff erent aspects the of area including
E Nesbit, Richard Jeff eries, Rex Whistler,
Severndroog Castle, Trams in Eltham,
the Bexleyheath Railway 1895 – 1995,
Eltham Writers and ‘Eltham Palace and
Eltham People’. Most are available from
w w w. t h e e l t h a m s o c i e t y . o r g . u k /
publications.php
from £3-5, discounts for members.
Books About ElthamSEnine
18 Be active in your community
BOOKS
F o c u s
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Tooth whitening is often the preferred option for patients as no tooth is removed unlike crowns or veneers which will permanently alter your teeth. Whitening does not alter tooth structure but it will not whiten existing crowns, veneers or fi llings.
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What to expect: You will need an impression of your mouth to start, then you will be shown how to apply the gel. Some may feel some sensitivity during treatment but this is temporary and can be managed by your dentist. Most people will get 3 to 5 shades lighter within 2/3 weeks.
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SEnine
19Help keep Eltham safe - report suspicious activity!
Documentaries of the so-called
‘Swinging Sixties’ often refer to
fi lmed events from the 1960s showing
trendy dressers parading along Carnaby
Street in London implying that everyone
had bitten this fashion bullet; perhaps
some of us lived in another world!
In addition to the Strictly for the Birds
boutique (now Scope) which opened in
the high street in the ‘Swinging Sixties’,
Eltham was to see more of the swinging
demolition contractor’s sledgehammer
as parts of Eltham’s surviving Victorian
heritage were reduced to dust. When
familiar buildings are removed, or a
long-established shop closes we may
feel that part of our comfort zone has
also been demolished.
One morning in February 1964, as I
made my way by car to work at Eltham
C of E School accompanied by my sister
who worked at Eltham Library, I noticed
on reaching Eltham High Street at
Footscray Road that the old almshouses
next to Christchurch had been
demolished over the weekend. I was
unaware of the buildings impending
demise and this loss set me on the path
to discover more about Eltham and its
history, which continues today.
The school was a good place to start as
an earlier headmaster, Mr RRC Gregory
had written The Story of Royal Eltham
which was, and still is, the basic ‘Bible’
for anyone studying the subject; I soon
bought a second hand copy at the
Blackheath Bookshop for fi fty shillings
(£2.50) and started my quest. Elderly
school workers were quizzed, as were
family members, friends and those
of long residence in the district. I was
to learn from Gregory’s book that the
demolished almshouses had been built
as the Eltham Workhouse in 1738 at a
cost of £313; in the mid nineteenth
century, when these facilities were
transferred to Lewisham,
the building was adapted
for almshouses.
Through a scouting
connection I interviewed
retired cubmistress Miss
Ethel Clark who lived in
one of the replacement
Fifteen Penny Fields almshouses in
Blunts Road behind the cleared site. She
had moved from a Victorian cottage at
Court Grove, off Court Yard, where the
Grove Market Place development was
proposed and at one time accompanied
Mr Gregory as a note taker when he
was collecting historical information at
archive depositories. Having drooled
over the village Eltham pictures in The
Story of Royal Eltham I realised that
taking pictures was essential to record
today’s Eltham for tomorrow’s historians.
At Court Grove I photographed, and
where possible wandered over, the
vacant properties and shops, which
were reaching the end of their days
awaiting the swing of the demolition
ball. I made a few notes and a plan of
one terrace cottage on the south side
which had a token front garden, front
room with internal shuttered sash
windows, kitchen, pantry and a toilet
entered from the garden. Upstairs
were three bedrooms and a spare
room but no bathroom. In the garden
was a small conservatory/workshop.
I photographed one of the last
grand Victorian properties being
demolished for terrace houses at the
corner of North Park near the new fl ats
of Woodington Close and houses in
Messeter Place – on this latter spot
stood some stable properties one
of which was used by builder Harry
Gove where as part of a scout badge
The Swinging SixtiesJohn Kennett considers a different take on the
usual meaning of this catchphrase.
Victor
The high street almshouses before demolition in 1964
Shops being demolished, Court Yard The la
SEnine
20
HISTORIC ELTHAM
I fi xed a puttied window onto a metal
frame being reminded to put a small
fi llet of putty onto the frame before
inserting the window.
The loss of these large Victorian houses
was due to the expiry of their 99 year
Crown leases, which also occurred at
the corner of Footscray Road where a
small parade of shops next to the fi re
station was demolished together with a
building used from 1865 to 1939 as the
fi rst purpose-built Eltham Police station.
On removal of the police to their present
site in Well Hall Road the building was
used as government offi ces, to the rear
was a detached house where a local
carter exercised his horse in the garden.
Another demolished
Victorian building was the
vicarage of St John’s Church
which stood at the junction
of Eltham High Street and
Sherard Road surrounded
by a number of trees and
edged by a former health
centre run as the Victorians
Club for pensioners. The
church authorities were reluctant to sell
so the site was bought compulsorily by
the local authority who built the three
tower blocks of fl ats named after the
Rev Walter Sowerby, vicar from 1869-
1895, who instigated the rebuilding of
the church and was the fi rst resident of
the former vicarage; a new vicarage was
built in a corner of the development.
In 1963 Woolwich Borough Council
was actively suggesting that the Tudor
wall at the front of Well Hall Pleasaunce
should be removed to ‘improve the
view into the formal garden for Well Hall
Road pedestrians.’ This wall formed part
of the ancient walled kitchen garden
associated with former times at this
historic site. There were local protests
and letters to the Eltham Times and
fortunately wiser counsels prevailed
and we can now enjoy this historical
gem in a peaceful setting.
Prompted by a changing environment
coupled with an interest in local history,
saw the formation of local societies
to monitor new developments and
research and record the past and present
times of their own neighbourhood. Thus
it was, after some preliminary meetings
of interested parties, that the Eltham Society was established in November
1965 at Eltham C of E School initially ‘to
further the knowledge of our historic
neighbourhood’ – a mission it carries on
today.
All pictures are from the John Kennett collection
ctorian cottages at Court Grove south side
St John’s Vicarage
The former police station and
shops by Footscray Road,
1964
he last Victorian property at 61 North Park
SEnine
21
HISTORIC ELTHAM
The storms that have battered Britain during December and January
caused the cancellation of many fi xtures for ourselves and Erith
Town as well as causing us some problems with our pitch when
it was fl ooded on Christmas Eve. The River Quaggy burst its banks
overnight and water covered nearly three quarters of the pitch at
Badgers and it has taken a tremendous amount of hard work from
our ground staff to get the pitch back into a playable condition.
Of course, this is only a minor irritation compared to some of our
neighbours who were woken by the police in the early hours
advising them to evacuate their homes because of the fl ooding.
Our thoughts are with those aff ected.
On the pitch, the Millers gained a creditable result in the
London Senior Cup when we travelled to Ryman League Division
One side Tooting & Mitcham United and following a 1-1 draw, we
held our nerve to win 8-7 after a penalty shoot out. This now puts
us into the Semi-Finals where we will host Cray Wanderers, AFC
Wimbledon or Bromley on a date to yet be confi rmed. February
will see us take on Beckenham Town in the ¼ Finals of the League
Cup while by the time you read this, Erith Town will know if they’ve
made it into the semis as they go into their second leg tie with a
one goal advantage over current League leaders Ashford Town.
In the League, just a couple of fi xtures have been played
recently due to the weather, but the Millers beat Beckenham Town
by 3 goals to 2 after trailing 2-0 before we travelled to Whyteleafe
only to be on the end of a 6-2 defeat. Meanwhile, the Dockers have
also only played two League fi xtures during December and January
and narrowly won both games by the odd goal against Phoenix
Sports and Greenwich Borough,
With the weather now improving, (he says hopefully) let’s
hope we can get back out on the pitch and see both clubs make
steady progress up the League table and I hope to see some of you
at a match at Badgers soon. And for up to date fi xture info, visit
www.scefl .com
Frank May - Chairman - Cray Valley (PM) FC
Badgers Sports ClubHome of Cray Valley (pm) FC & Erith Town FC
For Cray Valley: Contact
Dave Wilson (Secretary)
07715 961886
or Frank May (Chairman)
07778 987579
Middle Park Avenue Eltham SE95HT
020 8355 [email protected]
www.badgersportsclub.co.uk
For Erith Town: Contact
James Davie (Secretary)
077807 712149
or Ian Birrell (Chairman)
07956 291274
Set in the grounds of Cray Valley &
Erith Town Football Clubs, Badgers Sports Club is the ideal venue for
a variety of functions & events. Our
professional catering & hospitality team
can tailor a package that best suits
your requirements. Our newly rebuilt
& refurbished Clubhouse has lifted the
whole venue, now with air conditioning,
while the large glass domed roof fi lls the
hall with sunlight. As part of our package
we can also recommend a range of
services, from Wedding cars & fl owers, to
DJs & even live bands if you require.
The Badgers pitch - Christmas fl ood Next game The Millers Vs Whyteleafe 25-01-2014
For fi xtures, results
and an up to date table
go to;
www.cray-valley.co.uk.
SEnine
22
SPORT
Join you local neighbourhood watch scheme
JOHN GINTY & ASSOCIATESDENTAL SURGEONS
www.johngintyandassociates.co.uk
0844 375 [email protected]
The practice provides a full range of NHS and private dental treatments and a private hygienist service, including;
• Crowns, Bridges and Dentures
• Cosmetic dentistry such as veneers, invisalign
and whitening
• Treatment of gum disease
• Sedation Dentistry
• CAD/CAM technology for colour matched
(non mercury) fillings
• Replacement of missing teeth with
implants
• Denplan; a monthly payment plan
Appointments available Monday to Saturday
19 Glenshiel RoadEltham
SE9 1AQ
Outline plans for a cinema in Eltham
High Street have been released
for consultation by Greenwich Council.
These sketches form part of the
exercise to gain views from the public
on the proposals.
The new building, housing a multi-
screen picturehouse, would replace
the old Co-op department store,
currently occupied on a short lease by
Poundland until 2015.
At least one of the
major operators
has expressed an
interest in running
the cinema,
according to the
council. Filmgoers
are currently faced
with trips of at least
three miles to see
the latest releases.
If plans go ahead, they
would see cinema
returning to the town
for the fi rst time since
the Coronet at Well
Hall closed in 1999.
The development
is expected also to
see new food outlets
aimed at boosting the
evening economy in
the town.
Plans for the development have been
subject to an exhibition at the Eltham
Centre and are also available for viewing
on the council’s website.
Grove Market PlaceAs SEnine went to press, the borough’s
planning board was expected to give the
go-ahead to plans for 144 apartments on
the Grove Market Place site; demolition of
the old buildings on the site has now been
completed.
Cinema Plans
SEnine
23
SEnine
Take an interest in local events
Kristina Bedford
arrived in
London to study
for her master’s
degree almost 30
years ago. Little
did she know that
she would end
up becoming
an expert on her
adopted area.
After a 10-year career backstage at the
National Theatre, she freelanced by reading
scripts for several London theatres.
“Family history research has always been
a hobby of mine,” said Bedford, “but as the
internet developed, I found I was applying
my skills to do other kinds of research.”
A member of several professional
genealogy organisations, Bedford came
across an advertisement looking for local
people to author books about the history of
Greenwich, Eltham and Woolwich.
“I was keen to do something myself, since
I’ve always been researching for others,”
said Bedford. So she took the plunge and
applied.
Amberley then commissioned Bedford with
the Eltham book, and work swiftly began
on Eltham Through Time, which compares
current views with those from past times.
“Eltham is young as a suburban place and
it’s special because there are places that are
so identifi able – Eltham Palace, for example,”
said Bedford. “What is surprising from the
book, is that Eltham has only really become
suburbanised in the last 100 or so years;
it was mainly farmland before that,” said
Bedford.
“I spent a year collecting old images for
the book, which was mostly driven by
what I was able to source from people,” she
continued. Bedford traded with antique
dealers and other specialists online to
source her documents and images. “I didn’t
use anything that was less than 75 years old,
due to copyright, and had to restore a lot of
what I’d bought,” she said.
Her real eureka
moment came when
she discovered an
archive of pictures
taken by R. R. C.
Gregory, the head
master at Eltham
National School and
the standard text
for ‘old hand’ local
historians on the town.
Gregory took and recorded pictures of the
local area in his 'The Story of Royal Eltham'
published in 1909.
“When you research the history of local
areas, you usually fi nd pictures of key local
buildings, and not the things that aren’t
celebrated” she said. “But what was amazing
about Gregory, is that he took other
pictures, including pubs and the workhouse
on Eltham High Street. His archive was a
great fi nd.”
Armed with these pictures, Bedford went out
to identify the exact locations of Gregory’s
shots. “Identifying exact spots was diffi cult,”
said Bedford, “I had to keep revisiting.
But once one was found, everything else
seemed to fall into place and I could take
the new pictures.”
When taking new pictures of the locations
for the book, Bedford was approached by
curious residents who wanted to know
what she was up to. “Some
people recommended places
to me and others had seen
much of Eltham’s suburban
development over time,” she
said. “I had so much material –
too much for the book – and
it was hard to edit because
everything I had found was so
good.”
So what’s Bedford’s top Eltham attraction?
“Eltham Palace’s medieval Great Hall. It’s
amazing how it works in contrast with the
Art Deco features. It’s mad, but it works.”
Bedford was “delighted” to hear about
the restoration of Severndroog Castle
and has followed its story for many years.
“Severndroog Castle
shows the wheel of
fortune, high status with
melancholy attached because it is, in eff ect,
a giant memorial. It became derelict, was
bought and sold and is now being restored
again. It’s a wonderful story.”
Eltham Palace and Severndroog Castle
are just two of the features mentioned in
Eltham Through Time. The book contains
pictures and details about a multitude of
local buildings, roads and landmarks, and
gives a fantastic ‘then and now’ contrast in
all cases.
So what’s next for Bedford? Hot on the heels
of Eltham Through Time’s publication, she
was asked to do the same for Woolwich, to
be published in February.
“The last year has been all-consuming,” said
Bedford. “It helped that I’d learned about
Eltham and
W o o l w i c h
in advance,
and after
a u t h o r i n g
the books, I
really came
to care for
both places
very much.
A timely advert led Canadian expat Kristina Bedford to write ‘Eltham Through Time’ – a new book dedicated to the history of our beloved town.
Amy Duffin caught up with her on a cold winter ’s day.
Eltham Through TimeSEnine
24 Local Business - use it or lose it
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Make your Valentines day Bookings now.
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Great food, Lagers & Real Ales, a large selection of wines & spirits. The White Hart has a friendly & comfortable
atmosphere. You are gaurenteed a warm reception.
If you have not been out in Eltham in a while, visit the White Hart. You will be glad you visited 'The Hart of Eltham'.
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SEnine
25When in doubt, do the right thing
What’s your role?
I will be managing Severndroog Castle
as a visitor attraction and community
resource.
When will the Castle be open?
We hope to have it open before Easter
for visitors.
Who’s we?
Members of the Severndroog Castle
Building Preservation Trust have been
working for years to raise the money
for its restoration and planning what
work needed to be done. My job is to
prepare for the opening.
What does this involve?
Well, we need to appoint people to run
the café on the ground fl oor; then we’re
working hard on the exhibition material
which will occupy the second fl oor. And
we need to assemble a team of keen
volunteers.
What will the volunteers do?
There will be a wide range of roles, from
people who take the tickets to those
who want to act as guides and also
there are administrative and managerial
roles.
What kind of people are you looking
for?
No one type. There will be roles for
everybody, according to their skills and
preferences. We’ll be matching people
to posts; it partly depends how much
time people are able to give and how
regularly.
Have you experience of running
teams like this?
Yes, my previous role was at the Old
Royal Naval College in Greenwich and
the Discover Greenwich information
centre. I built up a team of 60 volunteers
over two years.
What’s the attraction of volunteering
at Severndroog?
It’s a way of becoming involved in the
community and its history. It will be
a very attractive place to work and
people will be part of a team. Also,
starting now they will be there at the
from the beginning of something new
and important for the area.
How should people get in touch?
Send me an email at
Are you from these parts?
No, I’m originally from County Durham
and have gradually worked my way
south through my studies and the jobs
I’ve taken.
What do you like about this part of
the world?
There’s history around every corner.
There are so many eras of historical
activity and it’s concentrated in a small
area. I live not far from Blackheath where
I can imagine the Peasants Revolt taking
place back in the 14th century
Have you always been interested in
history?
Yes, from 14 when I did a school work
experience placement at Beamish
museum, I knew it’s what I wanted to
do for a living.
What attracted you to Severndroog?
I enjoy both the historical side to the
job and the interaction with the public
and volunteers. The role gives me the
chance to do both. Also, Severndroog is
such a great historical story. It is a love
story, having been built by Lady James
in honour of her departed husband.
Will it be open everyday?
Certainly every weekend and a few
days each week. We need to learn from
experience. It might depend on the
seasons as well.
What will visitors fi nd?
There will be the café on the ground
fl oor. Then up the spiral staircase to the
fi rst fl oor with its magnifi cent cornice
work, wood fl oors and panelling. On the
second fl oor will be the exhibitions and
interpretive material. Then up on to the
roof platform. Visitors will be able to see
out across London and the south east
with six counties on a clear day. It’s one
of the highest points in the capital.
Is it just for visitors?
There will be a function room as well,
which will be suitable for meetings or
small functions, which will be available
for booking.
This spring, Severndroog Castle on Shooters Hill will re-open to the public after a gap of 25 years. Laura Allan will be its manager.
She spoke to John Webb.
Keen Volunteers NeededSEnine
26 Help keep Eltham tidy! Put your litter in bins.
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SEnine
27Don't fi nd fault, fi nd a remedy
Records of people who have died and
either been buried or cremated in
the area are being digitised and made
accessible via the internet. This is useful not
just to local people but globally for those
researching their ancestors and family
history.
It will mean that records from Eltham
Crematorium and Cemetery and the four
other cemeteries in the borough will be
open for viewing. Basic details will be free
with further information available to view
and download for a small fee.
Records from Eltham Crematorium
were the fi rst to be entered on the site,
administered by the company Deceased
Online, which has been working with
Greenwich Council in recent months to
‘scan’ and digitize its database and make it
accessible for on-line searches.
More than 210,000 cremations have been
carried out at the Crematorium since it
opened on 15 August 1956 and the names
and dates of all the people who have
been cremated there were the fi rst to be
included on the database.
They were followed by information about
burials at the fi ve local authority cemeteries
in the borough including Eltham, which
opened in 1933 and the older cemeteries
on Well Hall Road, offi cially Greenwich
Cemetery, and those at Woolwich and
Plumstead, including the oldest, at
Charlton, which dates back to 1855.
The borough was the eighth in London
to sign up with Deceased Online, which
has been rapidly expanding its coverage
across the country since its inception two
years ago.
It gives boroughs the advantage of a
modern and safe records system, which is
accessible by the public with the minimum
of administration, and a share of the
proceeds generated by on-line searches.
Deceased Online is currently concentrating
its expansion on the major municipal
cemeteries for inclusion; a second phase,
will include the thousands of Church
graveyards across the country where
records tend to be smaller and more
fragmented.
In Eltham, St John’s Churchyard contains
the graves of many local people dating
back to the 18th century, including that of
Yemmerrawanyea Kebbarah, one of the
fi rst aborigines to come to Britain.
Eltham Cemetery (also known as
‘Falconwood) includes the grave of Richmal
Crompton, the woman who wrote the
hugely popular ‘Just William’ books and
short stories.
Using the information on the Deceased
Online database, the names of deceased
and their dates of burial or cremation and
location of their graves will be available.
Full information available from the
database includes:
• Computerised cremation and burial
records
• Digital scans of cremation and burial
registers
• Digital scans of books of remembrance
• Photographs of graves and memorials
• Cemetery maps showing grave locations
• Other occupants in the same grave
The 210,000 records from the cremation
register at Falconwood contains scanned
copies of pages of the cremation register
up to 1996.
Thereafter information is available as
computerised data only.
The data typically includes name of
deceased, address, marital status, cremation
number, date of cremation, date of death,
age, sex, denomination, occupation,
applicant and death registration details.
Information on the disposal of ashes is also
available.
Data protection implications are minor,
as the records have always been open for
public inspection. However, cremation
applicants and the addresses of the
deceased during the last 15 years have
been withheld from publication.
More information is available from
www.deceasedonline.co.uk
Ancestry Search On LineA new service to help friends and family find out about loved ones who have
died in the area is now available online.
275 High Street, Eltham, SE9 1TY T: 0203 583 9393M: 07808 235 361 E: [email protected]
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SEnine
28 Smile , it feels good
FEATURE
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Mobile: 07944 575 848 Home: 020 8850 0354Email: [email protected]
Building Contractor
For free estimates and advice contact
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Reasonable rates and reliable
Residential Property ConveyancingResidential Lease Extensions
Commercial Property LeasesLasting Powers of Attorney
Employment Law AdviceFamily Law Advice
Probate & WillsLitigation
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Quality Legal Services
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Our fi rm will better any other local solicitor’s quotes* by 5%.
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Established 1969
4 Novar Rd, New ElthamSE9 2DN
We would love to help you with:
Students, Staff and Parents at St Thomas
More School have created and delivered
hampers for almost as long as the school
has been open and this year the school will
celebrate its 50th birthday.
During October organisations are
contacted in order to determine how
many hampers will be required
Students actually start the process
of bringing in items for the hampers
immediately following Advent.
This year students made 9 hampers per
form group totalling 180 hampers. Form
tutors bring in items to supplement
the hampers in their forms. Support
staff and teaching staff with no form
group bring in items that are then
made up into bigger family hampers
for delivery to Christchurch for families
recommended by the St Vincent
de Paul Society representative from
Christchurch and any extra hampers are
send to the Welcare Charity. The fi nal
total of hampers produced this year
was 203. Students also delivered gift
bags of toiletries to two wards of elderly
patients’ at the Queen Elizabeth hospital
on hamper deliver day.
Hampers are
decorated to look
beautiful and
festive, one group
decided to make
all their hampers
look like reindeer.)
This year students also donated food
items to the Greenwich Foodbank.
Anne Hitchens (Garnet Close) contacted
SEnine to express thanks from all
the residents and to say that it was
wonderful to have the children deliver
the hampers and to sing Christmas
Carols.
"My eyes were welling up with tears, it
is wonderful what the students have
done for us, I’m tickled pink.” said Anne
"The residents of Garnet Close plan to
have a mass said for the students as a
thank you", said Anne.
Christmas Hampers
33 Hampers - Conniff e Court, Glenure Rd
6 Hampers - Abbeyfi eld House, Westmount Rd
63 Hampers - Garnett Close, Grangehill Rd
8 Hampers - Southend House, Footscray Rd
36 Hampers - The Almshouses, Philipot Path
8 Hampers - St John Fisher & St Thomas More
21 Hampers - Welcare Charity
8 Hampers - Eltham Baptist Church
8 Hampers - Christchurch
12 Mini Hampers plus £360 worth of food.
Total = 203 (180 from students + 23 from staff )
SEnine
29Put your money where your house is - shop locally
YOUNG ELTHAM
Despite being one of the gloomiest
months, February produces some
of the brightest fl owers. However,
beautiful is often small in the coldest
months.
Most familiar is the snowdrop, the
rockery favourite, which can be diffi cult
to establish, but a welcome sight. For
gardeners, they can be fussy, needing
good drainage, moisture through the
year and shady conditions. Without
the right conditions, your likely just to
get leaves from your bulbs or probably
never see them again, once planted!
The most vivid of the early spring
colour comes in the female fl owers of
the hazel bush. Diffi cult
to spot at fi rst, they stand
out like deep pink stars on
the bare stems. It’s from
these fl owers, pollinated
by the bush’s own catkins,
that the cobnuts develop.
Sadly these are usually
devoured by squirrels
before becoming edible.
Along with those bright
winter fl owers can come
scent. The small straggly
yellow fl owers of the
wintersweet are attractive
enough, justifying the
name of ‘ice fl ower’, often
peeping through frost and snow.
But its fragrance would match
that of any rose, the reason why
it is often the mainstay of winter
fl ower arrangements brought into
people’s homes where it can be
savoured away from the blast of a
cold wind.
Less well known, with even smaller
fl owers, is the sarcoccoca, whose
perfume link scent emantes from
its green leaves as if by magic. More
commonly called the ‘Christmas
Box’, its name derives not from any
premonition of death but from the
Greek for ‘fl eshy berry’, the Bible
black fruits appearing, also in low-key
form against its dark green leaves.
More showy are the icing-pink and
white fl ower clusters of the vibernum
tinus (picture left) which emerge mid-
winter and only gradually yield to the
cold and frost. A good workhorse in the
shrubbery, its leaves are a solid green,
the only downside being a need to
keep its size under control if space is an
issue.
Nature watchers keep their eyes to the
ground in February for signs of the butter
yellow celandine fl owers, showing
themselves before the daff odils, truly a
fi rst sign of spring in the garden.
The BBC’s
s e l f -
styled ‘Urban
Birder’ David
Lindo will
be giving an
i l l u s t r a t e d
talk in
E l t h a m
this month
about his
birdwatching experiences across the
capital.
A familiar face on nature programmes
such as Countryfi le, Countrywise,
Springwatch and Birds Britannia, David
brings a fresh, urban perspective to
modern birding.
He will explain how nature is all around
us in the capital and the city can be just
as exciting as the country.
The talk, hosted by Eltham Nature Club,
will be at St Mary’s Community Centre,
Eltham High Street on Tuesday February
18th at 7.30pm.
Entry £1.50 members, £3 non-members,
membership £5 a year. More details at
www.elthamnatureclub.org.uk.
In March, the club will be having its
fi rst coach outing, to the Wildwood
Conservation Trust near Canterbury, on
Saturday March 22. This will be £18 for
adults and £10 for under 16s, including
entrance and two hour guided tour.
Booking required in advance.
Winter FlowersWinter Poem by Claire McLaughlin
Bare boughs wave wildly in a cold pale sky;
relentless heavy rain darkens a day
that’s hardly seen the light; the sodden clay
of empty plots in windswept gardens lies
compacted, cold. The self-suffi ciency
of Nature, who goes her sullen winter way
not caring if we carp at her, and say
Why can’t we have some sun, some nice blue sky?
inspires a new determinedness in me
to be my diffi cult self: though you may fi nd
me not entirely to your taste, I’ll be
true to my heart, secure in my own mind.
So I pull on my boots, pocket my key,
step boldly out into the rain and wind.
Visit
SEnine
30 Take a walk in the Pleasaunce
NATURAL ELTHAM
Quick thinking from
a 15 year old has
helped to save the life of
an Eltham resident.
Fifteen-year-old Joshua
Robertson saw smoke
coming from the address
in Alderwood Road, as he
was delivering Sunday
newspapers.
He heard the smoke alarm
going off and banged
on the door to check if
anybody was inside. An
elderly woman answered
the door, but refused to
leave the house, which
was now full of smoke and
had fl ames engulfi ng the
kitchen.
Joshua alerted neighbours, who called
the emergency services and, covering
his face, he went back into the house,
where he talked to the woman and
eventually managed to persuade her to
get out of the house.
Now Joshua, who is a Volunteer Police
Cadet, has been awarded an Assistant
Commissioner’s Commendation for his
gallant deeds.
He said:
"She was very shocked and distressed
and as I rushed into the house I saw
that the kitchen and parts of the fl oor
were on fi re. It seemed that the fi re
had started from the toaster. I told the
woman that she had to get out right
away but at fi rst she wouldn’t leave.”
"After informing neighbours of the fi re,
I returned to escort the disorientated
woman from the house".
Emergency services arrived shortly after
and both Joshua and the woman - in
her 70s - who did not wish to be named
were taken to hospital
suff ering from smoke
inhalation, but were both
discharged later that day.
Joshua cited the skills that
he has learned as a Police
Cadet, his experiences on
the Duke of Edinburgh
Awards and his work as a
volunteer at a care home
in Abbey Wood all helped
him to remain calm in the
situation.
Joshua said:
"Looking back I feel very
happy and proud that
I was able to help save
her life. I don’t think she
would have left her house
without my help.”
Photo
Joshua was recognised for his heroic
eff orts and received the award from
Assistant Commissioner Simon Byrne
for his ‘bravery, tenacity and maturity' at
a ceremony held on 10 January.
He attended the ceremony, held at
Scotland Yard, accompanied by his
mother, Judith Robertson and the
Deputy Head Teacher from Saint Paul’s
Academy, Tony Ring.
Left to right, Josua's mother, Mrs J Robertson, Assistant Commissioner Simon Byrne,
Volunteer Police Cadet Joshua Robertson, Deputy head of Joshua's school Mr Tony Ring
and Supt Parm Sandhu, Greenwich Borough. (Photo from Met Police web site)
Young Cadet Hero
A bill which will limit the publication
of local authority news-sheets is a
welcome boost for local newspapers,
says the Chartered Institute of
Journalists.
The Local Audit and Accountability Bill
cleared its last Parliamentary hurdle
this week and puts onto the statute
book measures to protect the local
press, including limiting council run
newspapers to publication four times
a year and clamping down on content
which is too political or biased.
Amanda Brodie, chairman of the
Institute’s Professional Practices Board,
said: “We are delighted that the Publicity
Code is now on the statute book, which
will mean that councils can no longer
ignore it".
The CIoJ has watched in anger as council
after council
has fl outed the
guidelines which
were put forward
to protect the
fl agging local
newspaper industry from tax-payer
subsidised attacks on their advertising
revenue and circulation.
"Most of these so-called newspapers
lack balance and are full of council
propaganda", Said Brodie.
It's Time
SEnine
31Your Community is what you make it
NEWS
SEnine
32
MORTGAGES
Need an update
on the mortgage
situation? Contact
us to speak to our
fi nancial adviser.
SURVEYS
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property? Call our
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for details and a free
quote.
THINKING OF SELLING?
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phone for one of our
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Independent Estate Agents serving the SE9 area for over 50 years www.bernardskinner.co.uk
020 8859 3033
22 Well Hall Road, Eltham, SE9 6SF OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
PROBATE SERVICEPhone for details of our comprehensive service designed to help you through the process.he
YS
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Eltham £430,000Exceptional 4 bed semi with potential for side extension, 26'
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Eltham £215,000Situated about three quarters of a mile or so from Eltham High Street and
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Refl ecting on a very busy year2013 saw the local property market grow signifi cantly, prices rose in some areas
by as much as 20% in the second half of the year.
Eltham was the second most popular town to Blackheath in the local area,
receiving a staggering 31,810 hits on Rightmove in the last month
67% of the properties our offi ce has sold in the last half year achieved the asking price or above!
Let us help you make the most of a boomtime for sellers
Call 020 8859 3033 to arrange a free valuation
Spybet
SPYbet is back for the New Year, off ering
starting prices to interested punters on the
various fi ctional developments in Eltham
High Street. For years, we gave odds on
which supermarket group was being lined
up to occupy the Grove Market Place.
However, all monies had to be refunded
when it became apparent that no retailer
wanted to touch the site with a bargepole.
Not to be put off , however, we’re proud to
off er the following odds on the possible
occupants of the Poundland Cinema
project, greatly helped by the fact that only
a limited number of picture house chains
appear capable of theoretically mounting
such an initiative. These include market
leaders, the Odeon group (2-1 against),
with a mighty 113 multi-screens around
the country. Already operating from the
Greenwich Peninsula and Beckenham, the
group is also looking to open a seven screen
complex in Orpington this year or next. Are
these too close for comfort, SPY wonders?
Rapidly expanding chain Cineworld (11-8
favourites), is opening new outlets at around
six a year, having only come into existence
in 1995 and recently having taken over the
upmarket bijou Greenwich Picturehouse
group. They already run the mega-screen
O2 cinema and the complex at Bexleyheath,
also both nearby. An interesting possibility
is, therefore, that the 80 site Vue group
(100-30 against) will seek its fi rst outlet in
south east London, it is currently only in
Croydon, Dagenham and central London.
A possible outsider is the Showcase group
(20-1 against), currently with 14 screens at
Bluewater and 13 at Newham. Seem a bit
too big for Eltham, which SPY understands
is being lined up for the standard eight
screen treatment. Also in the fi eld are the
Empire group (10-1 against), 16 sites overall,
but already in Bromley and Sutton. Must
be a contender. Always keen on including
a rank outsider, SPYbet off ers at 1,000 – 1
against the Palace cinema at Broadstairs,
the charming 111 seat single screen
emporium by the seaside. And why not, as
Barry Norman used to say? And that was the
name of the cinema that used to be on the
corner of Passey Place and the High Street
so the odds might be better!
Taking a punt…
Perhaps the aforementioned is a bit
frivolous, given a peculiar piece of silly
season PR over Christmas which saw SE9
cast as the Las Vegas of south east London,
thanks to Royal Greenwich. It was portrayed
as a town of betting shops, due to a pretty
daft piece of addition, which lumped
together all the bookies in Avery
Hill, New Eltham, Mottingham,
Middle Park and Eltham to make
13, whereas Woolwich’s 35
were sub-divided between
Woolwich itself, Plumstead, Abbey
Wood and Charlton. Apparently, the council
wants powers to limit their number and
keep them from ‘areas of deprivation’. Never
mind that, thanks to the lottery, every
newsagents is now a de facto betting shop,
also everybody’s lap top, mobile phone
and PC in the age of internet. Or that the
council’s best friends, Charlton Athletic, play
in the Sky Bet championship?
Lidl change…
SPY has been playing ‘spot the diff erence’
on Lidl’s submitted plans for a store in
Mottingham, comparing it with their earlier
sketches presented to the public meeting
in the village in August. Little change is
apparent, despite widespread concerns
that the project doesn’t seem to sit too
happily with the current street scene. SPY
notices a promise to replace two trees
in the Porcupine’s garden which will be
turned to sawdust in the re-development
and treats this promise with a pinch of salt.
The German group, which only reached
these shores 20 years ago and now boasts
around 600 outlets, said the planting would
be similar for their store in Eltham High
Street. Having planted two replacements,
at their entrance to Orangery Lane, it let
one die, a fact which went under the radar
of town centre bosses in Eltham and the
planning department. SPY understands a
guerrilla gardener has recently replaced the
missing tree, shaming the aforementioned.
Uncontrolled parking zone…
A heavy thumbs down appears to have sent
to the council in response to its attempts to
milk householders in Eltham Park for car
parking charges for the pavement space
outside their homes. Just before Christmas,
leafl ets were sent out in the hope that locals
would back a massive expansion to the
current controlled parking zones for Eltham
Station and the town centre. However,
SPY understands that the ‘vast majority’
of respondents have expressed varying
degrees of outrage at the idea, not least
the risk that the current cost of a permit,
£57, may well go up further in this year’s
budget round. Or, more likely after the next
council elections, as they did after the ballot
in 2010. No word of that possibility in the
consultation documents, of course.
Not fi ne….
The current zones are designed to deter
shoppers and commuters from snagging
up local streets and perform a useful
function. But is SPY the only resident to be
aghast at receiving a £110.00 fi ne (prior to
discount) for a minor contravention of the
rules when parking outside his own home?
As the zones are clearly aimed at outsiders,
rather than residents, the fact that these
fi nes are not always rescinded on appeal
suggest that fund-raising is high on the
council’s agenda.
Closing the fl oodgates….
Unedifying to see Greenwich Council using
its propaganda sheet to argue the blame
to the Environment Agency for terrible
fl ooding of homes in Westhorne Avenue.
The questions are; who approved the debris
grille being placed at the end of residents’
gardens, instead of 200 yards away at Eltham
Palace Road, where an overspill wouldn’t
have mattered? Who failed to ensure there
was a proper maintenance programme in
place? Who’s threatening to charge council
tax for homes that are empty awaiting repair,
while the residents have to live elsewhere
in rented accommodation? No mention
in Pravda of these things, of course, which
suggested ‘blocked drains’ rather than a
fl ood caused by lack of maintenance on the
grille.
Public announcement…
It has come to SPY’s attention that some
of the people who run Greenwich Council
believe the scrutiny which SEnine Magazine
and this column undertakes on behalf of
its readership is in some way politically
motivated! This kind of fundamental
misunderstanding of the role of a free press
in a democratic society is usually fostered
in the fevered minds of a propaganda
publishing authority operating in a one
party state. So no surprise there perhaps.
SEnine
33Have your say, your opinion counts
Yalways newsy, sometimes
inaccurate or irreverent, often
controversial or gossip, but never
the opinion of SEnine.
Either go to the SEnine web site atwww.senine.co.uk
or write to the Editor at:
SEnine, PO Box 24290
Eltham SE9 6ZP
What is your opinion?
Article re- The White Hart and PUB1Stan Elliot purchased PUB 1 in 1972, the plate was attached to a rusty Triumph convertible.Stan paid £1750.00 for the car and the plate.The car was worth a few hundred pounds.The plate was placed on a new white Daimler Sovereign in 1972 and subsequently to a blue Mercedes-benz. It ended up in the late 80,s on the car in the photo (SEnine Jan 2014), which was Margeret's car. The plate changed hands a couple of years ago for £45,000.00.Bob Gillespie
Clocked Another
CPZ
Thank you very much for including the article on the Clock Repair evening class in the SEnine issue for January 2014, it is very much appreciated. I have met so many people who have mentioned the article, it is obvious that your magazine is very popular and widely read.Happy New Year to you and the team at SEnine!David Hemingway
Prickley
I read in the latest edition of the Greenwich Spin paper that the Council has been awarded £4m from TfL for "traffi c improvements" within the Borough, and a list is provided of it's intended use. This includes £230,000 to be spent on parking controls. Surely to goodness the Council has enough control over almost every aspect of our lives already without introducing yet more ways of fi lching money from the local residents and visitors. Has there been any consultation with local people to see if more controls are required, or is it yet another set of schemes that are to be imposed by people who think they know what is good for us? Just for once, wouldn't it be great if the Council put the residents fi rst, and took away some of the interference rather than adding to it. Great news that the Council has been awarded the money, but why can't it be spent on something more useful?E Wood
Sir, having been a Mottingham resident for 53 years and an Eltham resident for the last 10, I feel I am in a position to comment about the Porcupine situation.As a young man the pub was well patronised every evening and well looked after by the publicans. Over the last thirty years it has been allowed to become run down and fi nally closed due to lack of interest by the owners and customers.Instead of the local residents, the MP and others shouting about saving the pub, sorry they really mean, WE DON'T WANT LIDL, why don't they take a leaf out of the villagers of Bamford in Derbyshire and put their money where their mouths are and buy the Porcupine and run it. The villagers of Bamford raised £ 263,500.00 to buy the Anglers Rest and have it professionally run.So how about it then those who obviously didn't drink regularly in the Porcupine doing something practical instead of whinging.
Leslie Sullivan
Having just read another interesting copy of your magazine, I thought I would drop a line from across the pond and congratulate you on such an interesting and well put together magazine. Myself and my husband live just outside Washington DC in Virginia. A good friend of ours travels to Eltham several times a year to visit her elderly mother still living in Eltham. Each time she comes back with the latest issues for us to read and read them we do! We are both ex-Londoners from over 43 years ago but feel a real connection to your magazine though we have never lived in Eltham we have visited often. So, just to let you know how far your enjoyable magazine travels! Well done!Paula and Robert Earp
USA Connections
A
CCll k dd AA thh
I write concerning the article in January's SE9 magazine regarding the Council’s consultation on Parking in the Eltham. I think it is important to recognise that the Council states clearly that "Any decision to extend or amend the parking controls will be based on the response received" and that "once residents have responded ... plans will be ... sent out for further comment ... before any decisions are made". It is therefore up to us, the residents of Eltham, what, if any, changes are to be made to Parking provision in Eltham. It is important that, if new proposals are made, as many people as possible respond to them and comment on them. We must encourage all of our neighbours to respond. That way we will ensure that we get the scheme that the majority of local people want.Wynn Davies
All In The Numbers
CPZ
With regard to the letter 'Park Path' in the December issue of SEnine I would like to add that the path round the park should be completed but for the use of cyclists as well. Living where I do I fi nd cycling on the roads very dangerous and have had a few near misses with vehicles and would prefer to be able to cycle around the park in safety. I know the arguments regarding cyclists, pedestrians and young mums with pushchairs but in my regular visits to the park in the summer the existing path is never really busy and I do not believe that if cycling were allowed on a path around the park it would suddenly be taken over by hundreds of cyclists. Perhaps the café would also have more trade if the park was open to cyclists. Leslie Sullivan
Park Cycling
y
A
p
Asking people if they would like more controlled parking.It makes them think they will have their own dedicated space, 'but no' as by the time you have put lines all over the road, there is not enough space for each house to have one. So we have to pave over the garden, and we get fl ooding and less road parking. It's just the council interfering costing business and residents more. Permits started at a reasonable rate of £11.00 p.a. but each year it increases, now it's about to be £57.00 p.a. A parking fi ne £110.00 don't get caught. Why not put 50 pence p .a on every ones council tax it's a more honest way of solving the fi nance problem.J Nock p.p K E Willison
I write concerning the article in January's SE9
CPZ
SEnine
34 SEnine does not necessarily agree with or support any letters published.
MAILBOX ....... Have your say
You can make a diff erence in your community
There could not be a better time to sell
your property. With a growing waiting list
of prospective purchasers, it’s no surprise new
properties going on the market are attracting
in excess of thirty viewers and resulting in
sealed bid off ers that can exceed the advertised
selling price, a sure sign of the desperation
some purchasers are now fi nding themselves
in.
For over 28 years Harrison Ingram have been
successfully serving the homeowner and
Landlords of Eltham and can honestly say,
these are by far the most challenging market
conditions we have ever experienced.
To achieve maximum price, you need to select
a local agent with extensive local knowledge,
someone who advertises locally, nationally and
internationally yet are equally able to tailor a
marketing plan that meets the individual needs
of you, the vendor.
Harrison Ingram can respond to your needs and
work with you to secure the maximum price
for your property but without
the ‘corporate’ pressure to have
you packed the week following
acceptance of the off er – unless
of course, that’s what you want!
We are proud to say that
despite the 'excitable market
conditions’ we have not had a
single case of ‘gazumping’ and
treat all purchasers fairly and
with respect, open day viewing
on properties are broken into timed slots so
everyone has a fair chance to view the property
and make an informed decision, rather than an
‘open door- free for all‘ that can later lead to an
aborted sale after the applicants go back for a
more leisurely look.
We, at Harrison Ingram, never forget that
Vendors are often purchasers as well!
Even if you are only considering the option
of selling and would like a no obligation free
valuation and to discuss your property then
please call the offi ce on 020 8859 4419 and ask
for Christine or Paul Harrison, or Jackie or Philip
Ingram
A Sellers' MarketIf you have even briefly thought about selling your property, now is the time to consider your options.
We Have the Applicants.We Have the Applicants.
You have the Property.You have the Property.
Let's work together Let's work together to get you moved. to get you moved.
SEnine
35
rede
finin
g th
e a
rt o
f
sellin
g h
omes
ESTATE AGENTS RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
156 Well Hall Road, Eltham, London, SE9 6SNT: 020 8859 4419 F: 0208 859 8207
[email protected] www.harrisoningram.co.uk
ELTHAM
HARRISON INGRAM
SEnine
36 Pick up litter and bin it
SEnine
37Look out for you neighbour
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Detailed plans have been lodged
with Bromley Council for the shop,
which will be a smaller version of their
unit in Eltham High Street.
It will mean demolition of the Porcupine
pub, a version of which has stood in
Mottingham village for centuries, the
current incarnation having been there
since 1922.
Lidl are standing by their plans, believing
there will be a strong demand from the
local community, which currently has
to travel elsewhere to access a range of
grocery products.
They acknowledge that their proposals
received an overwhelming ‘thumbs
down’ during an open day held in
August in the village, at which residents
mounted a protest stall.
Of the 230 attendees
registering an opinion, 207
were against.
But Lidl say that an on-
line petition attracted
185 messages of support,
which demonstrated an
underlying demand for its services.
A spokesman said: “it is apparent that
the majority of people who attended
the public exhibition were those
who had latent concerns and so the
feedback from the consultation event is
predominantly negative.
“However, it is clear that there is also a
groundswell of local support for the
proposed scheme, as registered on the
online petition and through individual
letters and emails.”
If turned down by Bromley Council, the
supermarket would be expected to win
on appeal, a process that might delay it
for up to two years.
Just a Lidl More NewsSupermarket giants Lidl are pushing ahead with their
proposal for an outlet in Mottingham, SEnine understands.
SEnine
38
NEWS
Support small business, give them a call today
W. UDEN & SONS LTDFAMILY FUNERAL DIRECTORS
ESTABLISHED 1881
The Family Business that still off ers a personal service
51 - 53 Passey Place, Eltham SE9 5DATel: 020 8850 2868
Covering all areas Pre-paid Funerals Monumental Masons
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Branches also at:Petts Wood, Dulwich,
Forest Hill, Sidcup,
New Cross & CamberwellIn the care of Nicholas & Matthew Uden
In his distant days of paid employment,
working as a gardener in a public
park, Herbaceous had a love-hate
relationship with the visitors or ‘grockles’
as he liked to call them.
The diff erence in perception between
the ‘people that did the work’ and the
‘amateurs’ was at its starkest when it
came to the trees which stood on ‘his’
patch.
To the grockles, these were things of
natural varied beauty and character, a
unique contribution to the structure of
the space, displaying their spring-like
and autumnal charms year upon year; a
symbol of the majesty and longevity of
nature set against the transitory nature
of an individual’s lifespan and frailties.
To the professional, they were relatives
who’d out-stayed their welcome and
whose routines had long since become
boring.
It would serve the grockles right if one
of their charming branches blew off
and banged them fi rmly on the head,
Herbs always thought.
After all, it wasn’t them that had to
pick up all those soggy disgusting
leaves every autumn, no sooner one
lot bagged up and cleared away than
another lot coming tumbling down.
Then there was the over-sized black
poplar, whose main achievement was
to sprinkle fl uff on the fl ower beds every
spring. The stuff obscured the pansies
he’d spent hours planting out and was
a blatant fi re risk.
Fruit trees deposited rotting material
worthy only of the compost heap,
chestnut trees their spiky cases with
shiny bullets which the grockles’ kids
occasionally lobbed in his direction,
usually accompanied by shouts of ‘take
that grandpa’. The cherry tree blossom
they all drooled over always ended up
in drifts on the ground, another time
consuming clear-up operation to be
mounted.
Then they also played host to the
irritating squirrel population which
could always escape into the branches
when being attacked by a gardener’s
rake, lobbing nuts down on people’s
heads from on high. The strawberry
tree shed noxious red fruits and the
mulberry’s black mush that was
impossible to remove from clothing.
In all, his dream job was to be gardener at
Blackheath, whose treeless extremities
were joyfully unencumbered by these
inconveniences. However, the ‘grockles’
suggested his next career move might
be the Gobi desert.
Grockle GardenersSEnine
39Never stop trying
HERBACEOUS
We Need YouWe Need You
Stand Out in the Crowd.
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