October 2012

nine

Totally independent, serving the Community

Eltham SE9 OCTOBER 2012 SENINE CONCERT

www.senine.co.uk

LONDON KENTCONSTRUCTION

98 Riefi eld Road Eltham London SE9 T: 020 8333 0452E: scott @londonandkent.co.uk

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London and Kent construction is a solid player in the construction market with a portfolio of clients and building projects. We also have a great team of talented tradesmen and tradeswomen which has grown in strength over the years.

London and Kent construction is centrally located in Eltham SE9, giving easy access to southeast London and northwest Kent, however we do work in other areas by arrangement.

Home 020 8355 5232 Mobile 07426553093

www.facebook.com/OvencleanJohnDenoon

Plans for a relaxation of the planning

rules for home extensions will

exclude conservation areas such as

the Progress Estate and homes around

Eltham Park, Greenwich Council have

confi rmed.

The government has published

proposals to allow homeowners more

scope to improve their homes without

gaining planning permission.

But the Progress Estate, built rapidly

during the First World War to house

munitions workers at the Woolwich

Arsenal will be excluded.

Keith Billinghurst of the Progress

Residents Association said: “The

publicity for the initiative might lead

people to think that all property

owners will be included. But it won’t

apply to conservation areas, such as

the Progress, where permission for

extensions will still be required.”

Further information is available from

the council’s planning department on

020 8921 5222.

Planning Changes

SEnine

2 It is your community, you have the right to a say in what happens

'Come Dine With Me'

Some funny requests come across my

desk each month. This month it is from

Channel 4. They are seeking people in

SE London to take part in a new series

of 'Come Dine With Me'. While I suspect

that by the time this is published they

will have fi lled the vacant places, there

is no harm in trying.

Visit www.senine.co.uk for full details.

SEnine Concert

The big event for October is the Annual

SEnine concert. If you have not been

to one you are missing out. They are

fun fi lled entertaining nights where a

variety of eclectic performances take

place.

This year will be the most diverse in our

6 year history of performances, with Rap

to Pop and a lot in betwen.

See back page for details.

Old Co-Op site purchase.

On page 4 we carry the story of the

council purchase of the old Co-Op site

now leased by Poundland.

The council have not made their

intentions clear on plans for this

strategic site.

While Eltham has done well with school

redevelopment, it seems to have been

lagging behind in the regeneration of

the High Street.

While this may not signal a change to

council attitude, it seems to be a step in

the right direction.

Well Hall Road Toilets

The toilets in Well Hall Road are an

example of the tardy approach to things

in Eltham SE9.

After a constant drive from this magazine

and others we were led to believe

that, pending a grant application,

the redevelopment of the toilets was

imminent. The fi rst grant application

failed. So here we are back to square

one after years of complaining about

the disgusting state of the toilets.

We can only hope that what ever the

council plans are for the Co-Op site that

it does not linger.

Coronet Site

There seem to be no takers for the

proposed restaurant at the Coronet,

and SEnine has been told that the room

allocated to a 'Arts' cinema is too small

to be viable.

This is a signifi cant gateway building to

Eltham and while not in the mess we

fi nd the Grove Market Place, how long

will it be before it degenerates to that

level.

For my money, turn it into housing, that

is better than an empty building.

In what has now developed into a

tradition in this column, I am proud to

announce the arrival, on September

14th, of my 3 grandchild, Isla Erin Joy,

daughter of Erin and Chris.

Isla is the fi rst to be born in the UK, the

fi rst two, Dash and Gray, being born in

Perth, Western Australia.

This Christmas, both my Perth based

daughters Kate and Lisa, along with

Lisa's husband Danny and their children

Dash and Gray are travelling to the UK

to celebrate with us.

It should be a

great reunion

and most

certainly the

highlight of a

big year, 2012. Enjoy life:

Enjoy Eltham.

Cover: Early morning glow. Taken from the Westmount

bridge looking toward falconwood.

Photos by: Steve Eldergill

Cameo: Chris Lloyd will be leading this years SEnine Concert

Mark Wall

[email protected]

Editor: John Webb

[email protected]

Phone: 020 8333 7493

Web: www.senine.co.uk

Publisher: SEnine Ltd:

PO Box 24290, Eltham, SE9 6ZP

Totally Independent

Friends Membership. Support for the magazine is always appreciated. You can

help the magazine with an annual Friends Membership

The standard membership is £24.00 per year (in the delivery area)

Royal Mail membership £36.00 per year (delivered by post)

Payment to 'SEnine' PO Box 24290 Eltham SE96ZP

Opinion, From My Desk

Closing Dates. All copy must be received by about the 15th* of each

month to appear in the next edition. Contributions and Stories are

always welcome from the residents of Eltham. Submissions are

subject to our overall editorial policy. *Some months do vary,

check our web page www.senine.co.uk for exact dates.Web Site Price List

Pop with Isla, age 22 hours

Dash, approaching 3yo & Gray 8mths

SEnine

3

OCTOBER 2012ISSUE NUMBER 71

This publication is subject to copyright - if you want to use something, ask we will usually grant permission

How Many Pounds to Land this Property?

The first step in implementing the council’s long term

regeneration plans for Eltham High Street has been taken. by John Webb

In a surprise move, the local authority

has bought the freehold from the Co-Op

society, now occupied by Poundland, in a

central town centre location.

It is expected that the site might be

bulldozed to make way for a new

development.

The decision was rushed through in fi ve days

using emergency council powers which by-

pass the usual democratic procedures.

The council’s justifi cation for its hasty action

was the need to secure the freehold from

the Co-op before it became off ered on the

open market. However, SEnine understands

it had been ‘on the cards’ for several weeks.

The purchase price is unknown (It was

off ered at around £4 million when the Co-

Op closed), which will come from the £14m

fund announced earlier in the summer for

the regeneration of High Streets across the

borough. The precise amount paid is subject

to the council’s strictures on commercial

confi dentiality.

It will fi re the starting gun on a fi erce battle

on the future of the central site, going to the

heart of the future appearance of Eltham’s

town centre.

One indication of the council’s thinking is

contained in its documentation attached

to the ‘delegated decision’ process under

which deputy leader Cllr Peter Brooks gave

the go-ahead. It indicates that housing will

be a key priority for the re-development of

the site.

The building is currently on three stories,

the ground fl oor of which is occupied by

Poundland. The basement and upper fl oor

are unused.

Greenwich is under pressure to allow

increasing housing accommodation and

has recently approved six and fi ve storey

retail and housing developments at Grove

Market Place and the former Eltham Baths.

But any proposal to allow a development

on that scale in the centre of the High Street

will be controversial and bitterly opposed

by some local civic interest groups which

are keen to avoid an Eltham which is a

mini-version of recent developments in

Lewisham and Woolwich.

Another possibility is a major expansion of

Sainsbury’s which has long craved a High

Street frontage in Eltham and is heavily

over-trading on its cramped site. The

associated arcade, St Mary's Place, behind St

Mary’s Community Centre is expected to be

subsumed in the new development and is

already owned by Sainsbury’s.

Another possible part of the mix is leisure.

Demand for keep-fi t classes is outstripping

capacity at the successful Eltham Centre

and there will be hopes of a post-Olympic

sporting legacy boom.

Two other issues which are bound to

emerge are parking and pedestrianisation.

In the council’s masterplan, agreed in April,

extra parking was a priority and the idea

of double-decking Sainsbury’s car park

was fl oated. This would be combined with

reduced parking on the High Street itself,

with wider pavements and an enhanced

‘public realm’ for seating, trees and

pavement cafes.

The outcome of a bid to the Mayor’s Fund

for re-generation is expected to be revealed

this autumn with up to £2m made available

for making the town centre more attractive

for shoppers and inward investors.

The council’s overview statement on the

development stated: “The site has the

potential to signifi cantly increase the footfall

on the high street and reinvigorate the local

economy.”

It said the council needed to play a lead

role in responding to and creating the right

opportunities and climate for economic

growth.

“The key to the survival and improvement

of Eltham High Street is a pressing need

to maintain, support and enhance it. The

purchase of the former Co-op department

store represents a key opportunity to

achieve this.

“The site is under-utilised and has

signifi cant potential to intensify the use of

the high street The primary objective of this

purchase is for the Council to kick-start the

development of a key part of the high street

which in turn will increase the footfall on

the high street, enhance and diversify the

town centre off er and re-invigorate the

local economy.”

“The town centre is relatively low density

and has capacity for further intensifi cation

to provide additional housing and business

use.”

SEnine

4 Don't be a litter lout, fi nd a bin

NEWS

For months it was secret. Months

of hush-hush preparations and

rehearsals meant their mouths were

sealed.

Together with 70 others from diff erent

parts of London, it wasn’t until a

television audience of billions were

watching that the truth came out.

The eight, members of the Greenwich

Centre for Young Musicians, led by

tutor Kate Hands, fi rst heard in March

that they would be taking part in the

opening ceremony for the Olympic

Games.

They were hand-picked to join the

premier musicians of the London

Symphony Orchestra who were to play

a central role in Danny Boyle’s pageant

which raised the curtain on the Summer

of Sporting Success.

Proud mum Cherylea Wynne said: “It

was hard keeping quiet for so long but

now they can take credit for what they

achieved.”

The group played with the London

Symphony Orchestra (LSO) in playing

‘Nimrod’ from Elgar’s Variations in the

ceremony which put an emphasis on

involving youth.

Later, they accompanied Dame Evelyn

Glennie in the track ‘And I Will Kiss’ by

Rick Smith from the band Underworld.

Rehearsals meant much travelling

into central London to the LSO’s

headquarters at St Luke’s at Old Street

and to the Abbey Road studios where

the music was recorded.

But the reward was to be in the Olympic

stadium for much of the evening,

witnessing the memorable events from

the centre of the action.

Greenwich Centre for Young Musicians

is a Saturday morning club for aspiring

players based at the Corelli Academy

(formerly Kidbrooke School). It is one

of a network of eight centres across the

capital which have an affi liation to the

LSO. The centre encourages members

to have a go at music from a range of

genres and they give concerts to local

audiences.

“They all really enjoyed it. It was a great

opportunity and experience for them

all”, said Cherylea.

The full team was Eren Ali, 10, violin, Lili Evans,

14, viola, Bethany Grogan, 15, viola, Robert

Grogan, 13, clarinet, Rofi at Ogundapo, 15,

violin, Paula Suciu, 14, violin, Nancy Wang, 15,

violin and Hollie Wynne,11, viola.

Eight young musicians have had a summer

they will remember for ever.

Secret Olympic Players

Special Off er for New Clients to salon

Visit our new stylist, Kelly and get 30% off our published prices. (Ends 31/10/12)

We are unisex and during October Kelly is off ering a gents cut (Tue & Sat) for half price

436a Wellhall Road SE96UD

Cnr Westmount Road, Opp old Welcome Inn

020 8856 5282www.thehairstudioeltham.co.uk

Tue & Wed 9.30 - 5pm

Thu late open 12 - 8pm

Fri 9.30 - 6pm

Sat 9 - 5pm

Closed Mon & Sun

Lights Up This year's Eltham Lights Up will take place on

Thursday 15 November.

Any local groups interested in taking part in this popular

community event, either by providing entertainment

or participating in the parade, should contact the Royal

Borough's Senior Arts Offi cer Tracey Sage at

[email protected]

SEnine

5Strong People Strong Families Strong Community

At seven o’clock on the fi rst Tuesday

of term, Neil Litten, of Lovelace

Green on the Progress Estate, awoke

to take a doorstep picture of his son,

Alexander in his new uniform, ready for

his debut at Bexley Grammar.

To his surprise, he found three horses

grazing on the green opposite his

house that defi nitely hadn’t been there

the night before.

The horse box that had been carrying

the horses from West Malling to a horse

show in Aylesbury had broken down

at around 3am by the Westmount

roundabout.

A local, who was ‘horsing’ around at that

time in the morning, directed them to

the haven of the Green.

It was here that they remained while

a replacement box was summoned.

The rider wasn’t on her own ‘furlong’

as another kind, local gentleman slept

out on the green with them. Their safety

was his ‘mane’ priority.

“It was quite an experience’ said Mr

Litten. ‘It’s not the kind of thing that

happens every day and I was bewildered

when I opened the door to fi nd three

horses outside my front door.

“They were surprisingly calm, which

cannot be said for my dog who was

very excited. They gratefully accepted

the tub of water my ‘neigh’bour brought

out for them.

“She has lived here for

forty years and has never

seen anything like it. I

already had the camera to hand so I

started snapping. Unfortunately, I don’t

operate too well in the morning, I didn’t

think to get any of their details before

they ‘bolted’ into the distance”

The newly-turned horse stables of Lovelace

Green is named after the poet Richard

Lovelace who lived from 1618-1685 who

was rumoured to have been born in the

area. With apologies to his most famous

stanza from his poem ‘To Althea, From

Prison’:

“Rough hedges don’t a prison make,

Nor Progress roads a cage;

Kind passers-by and local folk

Made horse a hermitage.”

Story by David Hall

When an eleven year old boy asked his dad ‘Why the

long face?’ he couldn’t have predicted the answer.

Just Horsing around

"What's the fuss?"

Brickwork & DrivesPainting & decoratingTilingAny home improvement and instalment work

Mobile: 07944 575 848 Home: 020 8850 0354Email: [email protected]

Building Contractor

For free estimates and advice contact

Bill Treadgold

Reasonable rates and reliable

020 8850 2772

140 Well Hall Road

SE9 6SN

Near Eltham Station

Come & meet our friendly team in our 97th Anniversary year

OAP special off ers - Tue or WedOAP special off ers - Tue or Wed

Trims £9.00 - Perms from £34.00Trims £9.00 - Perms from £34.00 all inclusiveall inclusive

We do Mens HairdressingWe do Mens Hairdressing

OAP's Tue & Wed £6.50

Cuts Tue to Sat from £8.00

SEnine

6

NEWS

Buy Local, Support the Town Centre

WINE RESTAURANT BAR VENUE

Christmasat Tudor Barn Eltham“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter

and good humour.” Charles Dickens, ‘A Christmas Carol’

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20 minutes from central London, each December Tudor Barn Eltham

offers a full programme of events, which run from the beginning of

December right through to New Year and include a special Christmas

Eve event when there will be live music and a late opening. So

whether it’s a Christmas lunch with colleagues, a catch up with friends

and family or the greatly awaited work Christmas Party, Tudor Barn

Eltham promises the perfect setting for a magical festive season.

The Tudor Gallery

A classic space, with enchanting features, that guarantee a truly

atmospheric party. The space holds a maximum of 150 for a seated

dinner or 200 for a standing party, complete with canapés, platters or

finger buffet.

The Restaurant

An elegant space perfect for every variety of Christmas cheer. A

special Christmas Fayre Menu has been created by the catering team

and is available throughout Christmas. For intimate gatherings, the

restaurant provides a fantastic setting to enjoy both Tudor Barn

Elthams culinary delights and captivating atmosphere.

Step back in time... View our brochure for our Christmas and New Year menus

and party options

Contact Us today on:

0845 459 2351or view online at

www.tudorbarneltham.co.uk

SEnine

7Find and Support Local Tradesmen

Jane Webb has lived in Eltham since '85 with her husband and daughter. She has taught at several local primary schools'

FOOT PAIN IS NORMAL ISN’T IT?FOOT PAIN IS NORMAL ISN’T IT?Our Podiatrist/Chiropodist, with over 20 years experience is able to treat

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Common complaints include:

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020 8294 0066 020 8294 1113

James Grabham

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93 Eltham Hill

Eltham SE9 5SU

DON’T IGNORE FOOT PAIN!CALL JAMES GRABHAM NOW

Home visiting service available

Free Parking

It was in the middle of the night

recently we heard voices and music.

A party down the road or some home

comers from a late bus perhaps? The

answer was more prosaic. My old Sony

radio had suddenly switched itself on

and was broadcasting a night owl show

to itself.

The question is, what’s a 40-odd year old

radio still doing amongst our household

possessions? In truth, it’s because I can’t

bring myself to throw it away.

A present from my parents when I

went off to university, it sported the

latest tuning technology, with built-in

cassette recorder, and has followed me

everywhere I’ve been since.

How could such an old friend be cast

aside? Especially when it still works.

Most of the time anyway.

Behind it stands a much more modern

version bought recently, in the age

of digital technology, to replace

the old Sony. But that just sits there

accumulating dust.

For a start, I reckon the older model has

a richness of sound which its young

pretender can’t match. It was made for

the honeyed sounds of Radio 4 and its

cut glass news announcers.

And then, it’s so simple to use. Just one

on/off button. Am I the only one to

despair of modern devices which seem

to require two zappers and a degree in

IT just to get them working?

It’s amazing how attached you can

get to inanimate objects. The Sony’s

predecessor came wrapped up one

Christmas and took me into teenage

heaven. What joy!

My fi rst radio came just in time to tune

in to Alan Freeman’s Pick of the Pops

on Sunday afternoons for the latest Top

Twenty sounds. It was a real trannie with

a special button for tuning direct into

Radio Luxembourg and an earphone

for listening under the pillow in my

bedroom after lights out.

These objects take on a life of their

own in our imaginations, connected,

as they are, with people and places

now departed. With the constantly out-

dated appliances of today, perhaps our

children won’t have these companions

that travel with them from lodgings to

apartments to marital homes.

There’s plenty of life in

that old Sony yet, and

a shelf in the old folks’

home if it wants it!

A party down the road or some home comers from a late bus perhaps?

The answer, a night owl show to itself.

Things That Go ... 'Noisy' in the NightSEnine

8 Vote at elections, it is your right

JANE’S JOTTINGS

MANGAL PHARMACY

MANGAL PHARMACY 59 WELL HALL ROAD ELTHAM SE9 6SZ

020 8850 6860

146 WELL HALL ROAD ELTHAM SE9 6SN

020 8859 0036

8 GREEN PLACE GREENWICH PENINSULA SE10 0PE

020 8305 0748

WWW.MANGAL.NET

Free prescription collection

and delivery service.

StarSStarS BarberBarber

Professional Hair StylistGents Hair Cut £7.00

Child's Hair Cut (U11) £5.00

O.A.P Hair Cut £5.00

Cut and Wash £10.00

Shave and Hot Towel £7.00

Beard Trim £3.00

020 3638 9625136 Well Hal l Road Eltham SE9 6SN

Nex t to Eltham R ail Station

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Thu & Friday

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Sat 9am to 6pm

Sun 10am to 3.30pm

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est 1969

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Commercial & Residential Conveyancing

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4 Novar Road, New Eltham SE9 2DN

We will better any local competitor’s quote*

All our fee earners are Solicitors*Proof to be provided

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call us on: 020 8850 6366

Eltham Choral Society

Vivaldi: Gloria

Bruckner: Locus Iste

Bairstow: Blessed City Heavenly Salem

Parry: I was Glad Saturday, 6

October 2012 at 20.00

Christ Church 229 Eltham High Street, SE9

Christ Church Priory Centenary Celebrations Tickets: £10 and £8 (concessions) available at 020 8850 3532 or Normans Music, Well Hall Road www.elthamchoral.org.uk

SEnine

9 Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how.

SEnine

10 Join in a Community Activity

Eltham opera duo Grant and Elly

Doyle of Earlshall Road, Eltham have

lived locally for 10 years, are also the

brains behind “The Mini Proms”, to be

staged at the Blackheath Halls on Friday

October 5.

As the name suggests it will be based on

“The Last Night of the Proms”, featuring

classics such as “Jerusalem” and “Land of

Hope and Glory” alternatively in a more

intimate setting.

Grant, a baritone opera singer, originally

from Adelaide, Australia came to London

15 years ago to further his singing

studies after winning a scholarship to

attend The Royal College of Music.

He spent his childhood experimenting

with music, singing in choirs, learning

the organ, guitar and fl ute, combining

his love for rock music as well as

classical. Falling into singing when he

joined bands at school, he was then

sent to singing lessons which lead to his

winning a scholarship in London.

It was there he met Elly, from Devon,

who had been learning the violin from

the age of four. and who had attended

Chetham’s School Of Music, a specialist

boarding music school since aged13.

Both Grant and Elly have been

professionals in their fi eld for over 10

years, with Elly having toured with the

CBSO, performing at the BBC Proms

as well as performing with a variety of

artists from Katherine Jenkins to Kanye

West and a number of TV appearances

including X Factor and The Brit Awards.

Grant’s big break was being part of the

Young Artists Programme, performing at

the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden,

then at venues such as The Royal Albert

Hall and working with Channel 4 as well

starring in several shows such as Gilbert

& Sullivan’s ‘Ruddigore’, and ‘Moby Dick’

where he played ‘Starbuck’ and recently

starred at The Edinburgh International

Festival.

The couple have been living in Eltham

for the past ten years and they can now

call SE9 ‘home’. Ideal for their lifestyle

Grant explains, “We wanted more of a

‘green’ living style but with our work we

can’t live too far out of the city. We do a

lot of travelling and Eltham is perfectly

situated on a cross-road of motorways

and you can’t even tell! I can’t imagine

living life somewhere else. We’re so

lucky here.”

On the ‘mini-Proms’, they say: “The crowd

can really get involved and love the fl ag

waving!” and the show promises to be

“charismatic and very personable”.

An SE9 professional singing duo

Grant and Elly Doyle

talk to SEnine's Nicola Jones..

Mini Proms

Grant Doyle as Sir Ruthven "Ruddigore"

(Opera North, 2010/11)

Last Night of the ‘Mini’ Proms

Blackheath Hall's, Friday October 5th

The 2013 Well Hall Pleasaunce

calendar is now available. Featuring

14 pictures taken in the grounds of the

borough’s fl agship park, the calendar is

produced by the Friends group to raise

money to help develop the park and

gardens.

It is priced £4 and available from

Woodhead Hair Stylist,

the Tudor Barn and

newsagents in Well Hall

Road and direct from the

Friends on 07894 711765

or wellhall@hotmail.

co.uk. Bulk discounts are

available.

Pleasaunce CalendarPleasaunce Calendar

SEnine

11

CULTURE

Don't be a Litter tosser, put it in a bin

Sunday September 30Soul Grenades cover bandTudor Barn, Well Hall Pleasaunce

2-4pm

Wed 3rd, Sat 6th, Tue 9th,

Mon 15th OctoberOpen days at Eltham Hill SchoolEltham Hill Chance to view the school

for prospective parents

Times as per advert (page 10)

Tue 2nd, Wed 3rd, Thu 4th and

Mon 8thOpen days at Harris Academy(formerly Eltham Green)

Chance to view for prospective parents

Eltham Green Road

9.00am - 10.30am (6 – 8.30pm Monday)

Thursday – Saturday October 4 – 6‘Further Beyond Broadway’Songs from the musicals, films and adverts!

Eldorado Musical Productions

Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road

Tickets £13.50 (conc £11.50)

020 8850 3702

or www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk

7.45pm (2.30pm Sat)

Saturday October 6thEltham Choral Society Autumn Concert Christ Church, Eltham High Street

Music - Parry, Bruckner, Vivaldi and Bairstow

Tickets £10 (£8 conc) from Norman’s Music

or on the door. 8pm

Saturday October 13Meccano OlympicsThree halls of working models

Eltham United Reformed Church, Court Rd

Details www.selmec.org.uk,

[email protected]

or 020 8856 0148. Adults £3.00; OAPs £2.50;

Unaccompanied Children £1.50; free with

adults. - 10.30am – 4.30pm

Saturday October 13‘All About The Voice’A fun packed show of music and comedy

with impressionist, comedian and

ventriloquist

Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road

£12.50 (conc £10.50) - 2.30 and 7.30pm

Wednesday - Saturday October 17 – 20Peter Pan the MusicalBromley Players

£11.50 (Weds and Thurs) £13.50 (Fri and Sat)

020 8850 3702 or www.bobhopetheatre.

co.uk - 7.45pm (and 2.30pm Sat)

Tuesday October 23The mushrooms and toadstools of ElthamIllustrated talk by expert Ann Andrew

Eltham Nature Club

St Mary’s Community Centre, Eltham High

Street. £1.50 members, £3 non-members

7.30pm

Saturday October 27Fright Night ChallengeWidehorizons, Bexley Road

Camp out overnight or enjoy a spooky

evening. £5 per tent or £3 for the evening

per child. 020 8850 1581 or

[email protected] 6pm

Monday 29 – Wednesday 31Holiday Art ClubRange of materials, tuition and techniques

Gerald Moore Gallery, Eltham College

Tickets £75. [email protected].

7 – 10 years 10am – 12.30pm

11 – 14 years 1.30 – 4pm

Thursday Nov 1 and Friday Nov2Art for A-level studentsOne day courses to develop exam portfolio

with contemporary artist

Gerald Moore Gallery, Eltham College

Tickets £50 from info@geraldmooregallery.

org. 10am – 4pm

Saturday October 27thSEnine concertHoly Trinity Church Southend Crescent.

This is a great night.

See details on the back page.

Wednesday October 31Tudor Barn Wine ClubThree course meal and six wines

£35, booking essential on 0845 459 2351

7.30pm

Saturday November 3Craft fayre for NSPCCAll Saints Church Hall, Bercta Road, New

Eltham. Selection of craft stalls, cakes, books,

bric-a-brac, raffle. Light lunches available

Admission free. 10am – 2.30pm

Wednesday 7 – Saturday 10 NovemberWuthering HeightsDramatisation of Emily Bronte’s epic tale

of love and revenge. Bob Hope Theatre

production Wythfield Road

020 8850 3702 or www.bobhopetheatre.

co.uk £9 (£8 conc, not Fri/Sat even)

7.45pm (plus 2.30pm Sat)

Saturday November 10Open morning, St Olaves Prep School, Southwood Road

Chance to look round for prospective

parents 10am – 12 noon

Wednesday 14 – Saturday 17 NovemberBad Girls – the MusicalProduction by the Glenlyn Academy

Fresh funny musical based on TV drama

Bob Hope Theatre. 7.45pm (plus 2.30pm

Sat) £13.50 (£11.00 conc, not Fri/Sat even)

Thursday 22 – Saturday 24 November‘When the Lights Go On Again’Hulviz Productions. War-time songs and

drama. £11 (£12.50 Sat even)

7.45pm (plus 2.30pm Sat)

December 2012 - January 2013Annual pantomimeDick Whittington and His Cat

Bob Hope Theatre

Booking inquiries 020 8850 3072

Every MondayGreenwich Community ChoirEltham Park Methodist Church on

Westmount Road 7.45pm. All Welcome.

An opportunity for people aged 18+ to

enjoy singing in a fun choir. It meets every

Monday during term time.

Every TuesdayGreenwich Soul Choir rehearsalsEltham Green Community Church,

Westhorne Avenue

7.30pm, contact: 07958 612 582

Alternate WednesdaysEltham KnittersSocial craft group

St Mary’s Community Centre

2-4.30pm

Monday & Wednesday EveningsMartial Arts taster session Reality based Martial Arts & self defence

school. Teen' & adults welcome. Learn to

defend yourself while having fun.

Eltham CKD. web www.eltham-ckd.co.uk

020 8304 3500 or 07919 356980

C o m m e r c i a l Ad ve r t i s i n g i n W h at 's O n

Rates start at £12.50 per Column Centimetre This space would cost £25.00 / month** plus vat, term booking

SEnine

12 Eltham has something for everyone

WHAT'S ON

Bromley Players last show was Chess,

and before that was Rent. They

have enjoyed these serious shows,

but were keen to put on a more family

friendly light-hearted show that would

really appeal to children. They picked

Peter Pan The Musical.

They have been rehearsing hard since

June and under the direction of Sarah

McPartlan will give Bob Hope a musical

show that will lift our spirits no end.

Bobby Youle (last seen as the arbiter

in Chess) is Peter Pan, and as well as

learning lines and music, has had to

learn how to fl y. Katherine Vennard

plays Wendy in her fi rst principle role,

and experienced pirate Ian Chapman

is Captain Hook (he was the pirate king

in Broadway Pirates). Captain Hook’s

sidekick Smee is played by Tom Harvey,

and is certain to add comedy value.

There are some younger members in

the cast. John is played by Harry Butters

and Michael by both Joshua Williams

and Barnaby Marchant, who at age

eight is the youngest member of the

cast.

Under Musical Director Richard Sands,

the wide variety of musical styles has

been mastered. There are child friendly

lullabies, traditional musical theatre,

rowdy numbers from the lost boys and

some very comical pirate numbers.

How can you not laugh out loud to

‘Look back through a rose tinted eye

patch’.

The costumes will be very traditional.

Edwardian outfi ts, for the parts set in

London, and Pirates and Lost Boys in

customary Never Never Land garb.

Captain Hook, Peter Pan and Tiger Lily

have their costumes provided by Larger

Than Life Stagewear. The special eff ects

will be as impressive as we are used

to at Bob Hope, and the set has been

specially designed for this production,

with Bromley Players members putting

the fi nishing touches to it around there

rehearsals.

To add to the family friendliness of this,

after the matinee on Saturday 20th

October, children can come and meet

Peter Pan, Wendy and Captain Hook.

But it is close to selling out, so you

better fl y and get your tickets now.

nd Tiger LiLilyly

Never Never Land comes to ElthamFamily friendly light-hearted show

Wednesday - Saturday October 17 – 20

Peter Pan the MusicalBromley Players

£11.50 (Weds & Thurs) £13.50 (Fri & Sat)

020 8850 3702 or www.bobhopetheatre.

co.uk - 7.45pm (and 2.30pm Sat)

Eltham Choral Society is holding an

evening of popular classics at Christ

Church, Eltham High Street on Saturday

October 6.

The evening is part of the church’s

centenary celebrations which started

last year.

The works of Vivaldi, Bruckner and Parry

will all feature in the programme, which

starts at 8pm, tickets for which cost

£10.00 (£8.00 conc).

The Society, whose membership has

risen to more than 100, is currently

rehearsing for its annual Christmas

concert which is being held this year at

Holy Trinity Church, Southend Crescent

on Saturday December 15. Anyone

wishing to take part should contact

them via their website on

www.elthamchoral.org.uk

Family ‘sleep-over’ with a diff erence is being

off ered at the Widehorizons Environment

Centre in Bexley Road on Saturday 27 October.

Julianna Feher, events organiser, said: “The

challenge will be for families to survive a night

of ghostly encounters at our Fright Night

campsite. As families venture into the haunted

woodland they will be faced with their biggest

fears including; a cackling witch hunt, spooky

stories around the campfi re, a magical bouncy

castle and live creepy crawlies”.

To get involved in the overnight camping

challenge there is a £5 registration fee for each

family tent and a pledge to fund raise for local

charity Widehorizons.

Those not brave enough to stay the whole of

Fright Night can just come for an evening of

Hallowe’en activities from 6pm – 10pm for just

£3 a child.

Places are limited so if you are brave enough

to take on the Fright Night Challenge or would

like to fi nd out more please call 020 8850 1581

or [email protected]

Choral Event Camp OutA new self-help group for people who care

for dementia suff erers has been set up.

The Dementia Carers Group will meet one

morning each month at St Mary’s Community

Centre in the High Street.

Its aim is to enable carers to exchange

information and give support to each other

through an informal meeting.

The co-ordinator of the new group, Jenni

White, said that carers often found it diffi cult

to share their experiences with other people.

“The group will give people a chance to talk

to others in the same position. It will be a

combination of sharing practical advice and

providing a sympathetic ear”, she said.

The group met for the fi rst time in September

and its next meeting will be on Monday 15th

October at 11am.

Further details can be obtained from Jenni on

01322 341504 or by emailing

[email protected].

Dementia

SEnine

13Be a good neighbour

PREVIEW by Beattie Slavin

This years event will be a variety

performance extravaganza.

Featuring, as usual, the Greenwich

Concert Band led by Chris Lloyd.

Supporting performances will include

The Greenwich Academy of Music

and Drama as well as the Greenwich

Community Choir.

Eric Whiting and ensemble will present a

number of acts including a performance

of 'The Elements Song'.

We are also presenting a young Eltham

rapper Lee Regelous who is featured in

this issue and will present two raps.

Local young song writer and singer

Harvey Montague will perfom a

number of songs.

The night will be

as usual bright and

breezy, celebrating

the 6th year of

operation of the

SEnine magazine.

We do appreciate your support and look

forward to meeting you at the concert

and making this years celebration the

best ever.Ticket are £10.00 cons £8.00

and Friends £6.00 and are available from

Normans Music in Well Hall Road or by

sending a cheque to SEnine, PO Box

24290 Eltham SE96ZP.

SE SE nine 6th Birthday Concert2012 sees the return of the SEnine concert

this year at Holy Trinity Church,

Southend Cresent.

Also In October

All About The Voice

Saturday October 13th,

Details see Page 15

Pater Pan October 17th - 20th

Details see page 13

SEnine

14 Help keep Eltham tidy! Put your litter in bins.

NEWS

One of London’s oldest music stores. Over 90 years in Eltham.OO

We stock a large range and variety of musical instruments and printed music, including Associated Board Publications

32 Well Hall Road Eltham SE9 6SF tel: 020 8850 1263

Why risk buying from the internet or a catalogue shop when you can buy from the specialists?

Free advice and guidance on all our products before and

after your purchase.

www.normansmusic.co.uk

tel: 020 8850

uk

We don't just sell guitars! Wide range of music and instruments

always available.

Want to take up playing a musical instrument

come in and have a chat.

Take advantage of our hire-to-buy

scheme on brass and woodwind

instruments

Comedy’s coming home next month

to the Bob Hope Theatre when a

three-handed show hits town.

It’s co-ordinated by stand-up Paul

Adams, a former member of the theatre,

who returns to Eltham, where he did his

fi rst ever slot, on the Wythfi eld Road

stage.

But it also marks 30 years since the King

of Comedy himself, Bob Hope made the

second of his three return journeys to

Eltham, the town where was born, in

1903.

His return in 1982 was to re-name the

Eltham Little Theatre. The theatre’s

board at the time had suggested the

re-naming after Bob because he had

dedicated some of the proceeds,

£58,000, of his charity golf tournament

to save the theatre from oblivion,

enabling them to buy the building.

They were delighted when he accepted.

In two shows on Saturday October

13, Paul Adams welcomes singing

impressionist Maddi Cryer, which

closes a further loop in the history of

this remarkable amateur theatre.

Maddi actually appeared at the

Palladium with the Great Man in 1991 at

a benefi t concert to help to refurbish the

theatre, the highlight of a career which

has seen her billing on television variety

shows and Dr Who. The sum of £28,000

was raised, which provided many of the

internal equipment and furnishings of

the theatre building as it stands today.

Maddi’s singing impressions include

Wynonna Judd, KD Lang, Dolly Parton,

Olivia Newton John, Patsy Cline and

many more.

Also on the bill is Steve Hewlett,

considered one of the country’s most

innovative comedy ventriloquists, who

has performed internationally alongside

stars including Brian Conley, Max

Bygraves, Sir Cliff Richard, Ken Dodd,

Richard Digence, Felix Dexter, Omid

Djalili, Sacha Baron Cohen, Stephen K

Amos, Dominic Holland, Jonathan Ross,

Russell Brand and many more.

‘All About the Voice’ with Paul Adams, Maddi Cryer and Steve Howlett is on Saturday October 13 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, tickets £12.50 (£10conc)from 020 8850 3702 or www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk.

Bob Hope, ‘A World of Laughter’: The World Golf Hall of Fame’ exhibition continues at the Greenwich Heritage Centre until October 28 (Tuesday – Saturdays) with 170 artefacts relating to his life

Stand Up Comedy at Bob Hope

SEnine

15Make a diff erence in your community

The girls technology college moved

into its new three storey building

alongside the main road on return from

this year’s summer break, together with

a purpose-built sports and dance centre

next door.

But the move marks only half way in the

school’s complete modernisation under

the previous government’s Building

Schools for the Future programme,

which has also seen the complete re-

build of Crown Woods and Thomas Tallis.

Eltham Hill just managed to squeeze into

the programme, having signed contracts

with the builders before the election in

2010. The former Eltham Green school,

now the Harris Academy, has been

promised funds for a complete re-build

from the re-opened programme.

In the second phase of Eltham Hill’s

modernisation programme, building will

continue throughout the school year

at the rear of the new building, which

will enable it to accommodate a co-

educational sixth form from September

2013.

It will become the borough’s centre

for the International Baccalaureat, an

alternative to A-levels, which entail

students taking a wider range of subjects

and community engagement. The IB is

becoming increasingly welcomed by

universities as an entrance qualifi cation.

The new buildings will enable student

numbers to rise to more than 1,000.

The students themselves have been fully

involved with the new developments,

having designed the school’s new

logo, its leaf motif internal décor, the

re-modelled uniform. Student Megan

Clayton was the designer of the image

which has been woven into carpets

throughout.

The leaf theme runs through the walls

of the open public spaces of the three

storey building, giving a light and

attractive atmosphere, in complete

contrast to the hemmed in corridors of

the old Eltham Hill.

On the roof, a living landscape has been

planted out to increase the building’s

biodiversity and supplying an ‘in-house’

environmental teaching resource. From

the roof, there are extensive views across

Eltham and towards central London.

A centrepiece of the new school is

the 17th century garden house and

boundary wall, associated with Eltham

Palace and named after the Flemish

artist Van Dyck, who stayed at the Palace

at the invitation of King Charles I. The

listed building is attractively set in a new

area of landscaped gardens between the

new blocks.

Powered by energy-saving biomass

boilers, the school boasts the latest

technology aids for learning, all based

on Apple technology, interactive white

boards replaced by the latest projection

techniques. Students will make use of

iPads to enable easier work from home

and better direct contact with staff and

parents.

Madeleine Griffi n has been planning the

transition to the new building since she

became head at the school fi ve years

ago.

She said: “I’m delighted that the new

building is fi nished and able to off er

students the latest facilities for their

learning.

“It has been a great team eff ort and

students themselves have been involved

throughout the process.

MP Clive Eff ord, on a tour of the building,

said: “The re-building of local schools

is very important to the community.

Each one is diff erent but none better

than Eltham Hill, which will provide its

students with up to date facilities.”

Eltham Hill has had a series of open days to

allow potential students and parents to see the

new facilities. Further dates are on Wednesday

October 3, Saturday October 6, Tuesday October

9 and Monday October 15 between 9am and

12noon.

Students at Eltham Hill are now enjoying the most up to date facilities

of any school across the borough.

Local MP Clive Eff ord inspects the new Sports facility

with the School Head and Board Members

Madeline Griffi n, staff and Board Members on the roof garden of the new building

School with a ViewSEnine

16

NEWS

Take a walk in the Tarn

51 Welling High Street Welling, Kent DA16 1TU

F I R E P L A C E S

020 8303 1131

Well ing-- Modern & Traditional

Fireplaces

Large showrooms

Wide Selection on

Display

Site Survey & Fitting

Service

Friendly Service

Easy parking

Over 20 years in

business

We service gas fi res

Issue landlords

certifi cates.

The White Hart is a traditional Carvery & Steak house on Eltham High Street now Operated by HRM Pubs Ltd, (opposite the now demolished 'baths')

We pride ourselves on a fantastic service and hope you will certainly agree.

We are a passionate and dedicated company with a team that prides itself in exceeding our customer expectations. Our carvery including; beef, turkey and gammon operate 7 days a week, Mon 12 midday - 10.30 pm, Tue to Sat Evening 4pm-8pm, (early bird discount 4pm-6.30pm Tue - Fri). Sunday. Lunch from noon until 6pm. The Carvery also operates Lunchtimes Wed - Fri Noon - 2pm. We are Closed Mondays (Available for Large groups or Private Hire) Please call to book.

Open for breakfast Tue - Sat 9.30am

The Full Grill & Restaurant Menu operates from noon until 9pm Tue - Sat,. Try our Wonderful Steaks from the Grill, T-Bone, Sirloins, Rump, Try our Famous HRM Mixed Grill

We invite you, your family and friends to visit the restaurant or just pop in for a drink in the bar. Off the bar we have a lovely lounge area, with big leather chairs as well as a secluded beer garden at the rear. Come and relax and enjoy the great surroundings and atmosphere have a drink or enjoy a meal. You will not be disappointed in the new look White Hart. Follow us on Facebook & Twitter@TheWhiteHart3

2 Eltham High StreetEltham London SE9 1DA

020 8850 [email protected]

Under N

ew

Managem

ent

Open morning

Saturday November 10th

10am - 12 midday

SEnine

17Join a local community group

Arden Post 16 Open Evening

Thursday 25th October 2012 6pm-8pm

Subject Subject SubjectAccounting Government and Politics Music TechnologyArt Health & Social Care L2 PhilosophyBiology Health & Social Care L3 PhotographyBusiness Studies History Physical EducationBusiness Studies BTEC L2 & L3 ICT PhysicsChemistry ICT BTEC Level 3 Product DesignDrama Law PsychologyEconomics Maths Public Services L3English Media Studies SociologyEnglish Re-take MFL - French Sports & Exercise BTECGeography MFL - Spanish Extended Project & DoE Award

Mr. M. J. Murphy, Principal, Crown Woods College, 145 Bexley Road, Eltham, London, SE9 2PT Telephone Number: 020 8850 7678 Fax: 020 8294 1921 www.crownwoods.org.uk

Arden Post 16 Open Evening 25th October 2012

Disabled Parking Only

‘Destiny is not a matter of chance its a matter of choice choose Arden Post 16’

A* - B 37%A* - C 71% A* - E 99%

2012 Exam Results

In September we celebrated our

1st anniversary. We look forward

to greeting you on your next visit.

Book now for Christmas

SEnine

18 Be active in your community

David Roberts, 52, took the old

saying "everyone has got a book in

them" to heart when he came up with

the idea for a bio-thriller Doomsday-

style novel set in south east London.

David, who runs his own IT management

consultancy fi rm, has fi nally enabled his

imagination to run wild.

Now he has become one of a

new breed of authors who are

by-passing the traditional route

of getting books printed thanks

to the internet and the boom in

electronic reading tablets such

as Kindle.

David, from West Hallowes in

Mottingham, came up with the

idea of writing the book while

standing out in his back garden

at night trying to encourage

his timid greyhound, Charlie,

to make a call of nature before

bedtime.

His book ‘Fierce Alchemy’ is set in south

east London in the run up to the 2012

Olympics when an aeroplane releases

an airborne contagion with disastrous

consequences.

Panic hits the streets as the mysterious

illness takes hold, leaving hospitals

unable to cope and society in meltdown.

Unless the authorities can act quickly

and decisively to stop the rampant

spread, the whole of the country will be

put in peril.

With the imminent start of the Olympics

Games, the government throws every

available resource it has at the problem.

David said: "I came up with the idea one

evening as I took Charlie out to try and

get him to answer a call of nature. I work

in the IT world and this was the fi rst time

I had been able to use my imagination

in my writing.

"I'd try and spend a couple of hours an

evening around 5pm and sometimes at

weekends, but I didn't want it to take

over my life.”

He began writing his novel in February

this year and completed it in August,

publishing it on August 20 on Kindle.

Now, a second novel is on its way which

he hopes to fi nish by Christmas.

David, who has a degree in marine

biology and zoology from Bangor

University in North Wales, has an

international background.

An Australian national, his father was

an airline pilot with Qantas, David was

born in New Guinea. After schooling

in England, he has lived in Kuwait,

Singapore and Nigeria as his dad

changed jobs with diff erent airlines,

settling in Mottingham with his partner

Catherine 15 years ago and, of course,

Charlie.

David runs his fi rm, Inala Technology

Solutions Ltd, from home.

He said: "Moving to Mottingham was

only meant to be temporary but we

have been here 15 years. But I think that

happens to a lot of people."

David said it was very easy to publish

his book on Kindle. He is now looking

to get an agent to try and get his book

published in paperback.

He said: "I would love to get the book

into print. I prefer hard copies of books,

a lot of people do.”

David's book, Fierce Alchemy is available

through Kindle via the Amazon website:

Visit http://www.amazon.co.uk

and search for Fierce Alchemy

An SE9 businessman with a career background in

computer technology has turned his hand to creative

writing. Adam Gillham spoke with him.

Doomsday Novel SEnine

19Help keep Eltham safe - report suspicious activity!

REVIEW

For over twenty years a

variety of community

activities have taken

place in an historic

building in Eltham

High Street known as

St Mary’s Community

Centre which for many

years formed part of St

Mary’s Roman Catholic

Primary School. Standing

alongside was a chapel

built in 1890 as the

fi rst post-Reformation

Catholic church in Eltham

and as St Mary’s served

as the parish church until

Christchurch, further

along the high street,

was opened in 1912.

A house has stood on the site of the

community centre for hundreds of years

and the present building’s Victorian

appearance covers an older house

incorporating red bricks from earlier

times, as is apparent in the cellar.

Between 1837 and 1852 the house and

garden was let to William Henry Goshen

and his family by owner William Stace.

Goschen was of German extraction and

moved to Eltham from Stoke Newington

where the rural neighbourhood was

disappearing under the spread of urban

villas. His eldest son, George Joachim

was born in 1831 and at the age of

nine travelled by pony to Blackheath

Proprietary School.

In 1857 George married

Lucy Dalley and two years

later took up residence

nearby at Eagle House,

now Christchurch Priory

and already alluded to.

George was MP for the

City of London from 1863

to 1880 and held many

high political offi ces

and in 1900 was created

Viscount Goschen of

Hawkhurst.

By 1861 the boyhood

home of Lord Goschen

was used by William Knightly as a private

school for young gentlemen and in the

census of that year are recorded fi ve

members of the Knightly family, forty

eight scholars and four servants.

By 1870 the house was known as

Torrington Lodge. It was bought with

the adjoining

Meadow View

house, by

Father Cotter of

Woolwich for

the revival of the

Roman Catholic

faith in Eltham.

The Sisters of

Mercy opened

an industrial

school for girls

at the lodge and

a poor school in

Meadow View.

Two rooms

in Torrington

Lodge served as

a chapel for the

institution and

the district. Mother Clare Moore, who

worked with Florence Nightingale at

the Crimea War, later came to work with

the Sisters of Mercy at Eltham.

Various types of schools for

disadvantaged children were run from

the premises and Torrington Lodge was

renamed as St Mary’s Convent. In 1920

the designation was, ‘St Mary’s Diocesan

St Mary's Community CentreJohn Kennett looks at the history of

this popular venue

Lord Goschen as a boy

Meadow View and St Mary’s, 1920s

St Mary’s in 1909 with a front garden

SEnine

20

HISTORIC ELTHAM

Orphanage and Skin Disease Hospital

for Little Boys and Girls (Sisters of Mercy

in charge)’. In 1925 the same sisters were

responsible for the ‘School for Poor Law

and Rescue Society for Children’.

Time was running out for the poor

law school as there was local pressure

for the provision of a ‘non-provided

Catholic day school’. This was achieved

in 1928 and St Mary’s RC School was

opened in the former poor law school

premises that had been established

on the rear gardens of the two houses,

which edged Back Lane, now Philipot

Path. The new school opened on 17

April when 186 children transferred

from other local schools. When the high

street was widened the Convent lost its

front garden and the chapel frontage

was rebuilt in 1932. The former Eltham

Church of England Infants School

premises, fronting Back Lane, were

acquired for similar use in 1934 as the

pupils had transferred to a new building

at Roper Street.

During the Second World War St Mary’s

School was used by Civil

Defence. It became a

Rest Centre and the HQ

of the Eltham Rescue

Service which remained

there for the duration

of the war with lorries

parked in the playground

south of Philipot Path.

The infant school was

almost demolished by

a ‘fl ying bomb’ in June

1944, which landed in

Philipot Path and caused

damage over a wide

area, but rebuilt

after hostilities

c o n c l u d e d .

When St Thomas

More Secondary

School opened

at Footscray Road

in 1964 St Mary’s

ceased to be an

all-age school and

settled down to

cater for the 5-11

age range.

For many years

Sainsbury's had been seeking a site

for a new supermarket in Eltham and

had their eye on St Mary’s but only if

new premises could be found for the

school. Following refusal of planning

permission by Greenwich Council an

appeal was upheld by the Government.

Arrangements were then made for

the school to

relocate to

Glenure Road

in premises

f o r m e r l y

used by the

Ava Maria

C o m m u n i t y

S c h o o l .

A d a p t a t i o n s

were made

for the school

to restart the

new term in

September 1984.

Part of the hard fought ‘planning gain’

was the restoration of the Convent

building as a community centre. The

building is Grade 2 listed and the

diffi cult restoration was carried out

in conjunction with English Heritage

by Sainsbury's. The work included the

installation of a lift and the reconstruction

of the rear wall which was attached to

the school buildings. A reminder of this

attachment is the internal door near the

top of the stairs which leads nowhere!

Sainsburys opened on 28 March 1988.

The parade of shops was named as St

Marys Place to respect the history of the

site as does the Ancient Lights sign on

the community centre.

On 17 March 1998 there was an

explosion at the side of St Mary’s by

the bus stop and the high street was

closed as bomb experts checked the

site. This was to be the last of 36 attacks

by the so called ‘Mardi-Gra’ bomber

who had a grudge against Sainsbury's;

his movements were picked up by the

Halifax CCTV opposite St Mary’s.

The St Mary’s Community Centre

came into being through the skill of a

small group of local people who were

determined to make the enterprise

a success and secured funds from

a variety of sources. The centre was

offi cially opened by Councillor Annette

Barratt, Chair of Greenwich Council’s

Leisure Services Committee on 20 April

1990, and continues to be a popular

venue. The meeting rooms have been

named after historical associations with

the building and are, Goschen, Knightly,

Torrington, Stace, Sainsbury, Moore, and

Cotter – all of which will be apparent to

the reader of this article.

All pictures are from the John Kennett collectionDemolition at rear of St Mary’s Convent and chapel, 1986

Shops that replaced Meadow View and the re-fronted chapel, 1984

St Mary’s Community Centre, as restored in 1988

SEnine

21

HISTORIC ELTHAM

After a summer of successful art

classes and workshops for all ages,

the Gerald Moore Gallery has drawn up

an autumn programme of workshops

and study.

It starts off with an open access art

session, The Big Draw, on Saturday

and Sunday October 6 and 7 with the

chance to use crazy materials and

unexpected tools.

Visitors, both big and small, are invited

to drop-in between 10am – 2pm to

work on a large-scale drawing with

other families and a local artist.

The Gerald Moore Gallery is a new

centre for modern and contemporary

art that places learning at its centre

and a range of evening and weekend

community workshops and courses are

running over the autumn period for all

abilities.

These include life drawing, art skills and

printmaking with the chance to learn

from a professional artist on a six-week

course, designed for those who wish to

create in a relaxed and sociable setting.

For young children there is a term-

time Saturday Morning Art Club and

Half-Term Art Classes where they get

a chance to be an artist, get creative

with materials and try out a range of

activities.

Alternatively, for secondary school

pupils from any school, there is an

intensive GCSE and A Level portfolio

development one-day workshop

during the October half-term holiday.

Working closely with a contemporary

artist you will explore drawing using

a variety of techniques and models -

perfect for pushing your artistic talents

further.

For more details visit the website

www.geraldmooregallery.org.uk

To book, contact Meghan Goodeve on

[email protected]

or call 020 8857 0448.

The new Gerald Moore Gallery at Eltham College

is proving to be a Big Draw with the community.

Pushing Your Artistic Talents

Adult Evening Classes (16 years and above)

Life Drawing

Mondays 5 November to 10 December, 7-9pm £90.00

Art Skills

Tuesdays, 6 November to 11 December, 7-9pm £90.00

Printmaking

Thursdays, 8 November to 13 December, 7-9pm £90.00

Young People’s Activities Saturday Art Class Ages 7-11

15 Sep to 20 Oct 10-11.30am £7.50 per session

10 Nov to 15 Dec 10-11.30am £7.50 per session

Half-Term Art Club

29 to 31 October

7-10 years, 10am-12.30pm £75.00

11-14 years, 1.30-4pm £75.00

GCSE Portfolio Development

Workshop Age 14 to 16

2 November 10am to 4pm £50.00

A Level Portfolio Development

Workshop Age 16 to 18

1 November 10am to 4pm £50.00

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner

Peter Sull ivan

Local area specialist. Fast and friendly service

07866 905 424020 8850 2085

www.peterscarpetcare.co.uk

SEnine

22

NEWS

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

Cut & Blow Dry's £20.00Highlights (Bleach) with Cut & Blow Dry (foil) Short Hair £49.95Med £59.85Long Hair £69.95Tinting extra per colour £8.95

Zoe Kim Kelsey

Senior Stylist Off er

Ring for your appointment today Appointments not always necessary

Mon - Thur 9 - 6 Friday 9 - 7

Saturday 9 - 6

020 8859 5228

020 8850 2931 190-194 Eltham High Street

Hair &

Beauty

Cut & Blow Dry's Short Hair £36.95 Long £39.95Highlights (Bleach) with Cut & Blow Dry (foil)Short Hair £75.00Medium Hair £85.95Long Hair £95.95Tinting extra per colour £13.50

Stylist Off erWelcome back Kim, colourist

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leave. Kim, and the staff

welcome old and new clients

Beauty with Seeta

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22

SEnine

23

SEnine

Take an interest in local events

The Trustees of Eltham

United Charities are seeking

applications from couples and

single people who are

interested in moving into our

Almshouse consisting of 19

self- contained fl ats at 8 Blunts

Road, Eltham. The applicants

must currently reside in the

parish of Eltham or Mottingham

and have done so for at least

two years, be of retirement

age, capable of looking after

themselves and be on a

restricted income.

The accommodation is rent,

heat and maintenance free.

Retirement aged?Couple or Single?Restricted income?

Looking for accommodation?We might be able to help!

ELTHAM UNITED CHARITIES

Registered Charity No 223491

Application forms can be

obtained from the resident

manager Mrs Pam Davis at

Flat 3, Thurland House,

8 Blunts Road,

Eltham, London, SE9 1HT.

SEnine

24 Local Business - use it or lose it

We are an independent family business that has been trading for

more than 40 years in Eltham.

Our professional approach, coupled with our desire to off er

complete customer satisfaction, are the hallmark of our

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of experience, we can advise you on the perfect fl ooring for your

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For landlords we offer a special "Rental"

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part of a £60 million group of retailers collectively buying fl ooring

to ensure that our prices are as keen as our service.

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It PaIt Payys To Advertises To Advertise

SEnine Friends is

Seeking New MembersWe really appreciate the fi nancial support generously sent by our existing Friends. In this time of austerity every penny counts, but we really believe your support of SEnine is well worth it. Don't delay, send off your cheque today or visit our web page to pay on line.Friends of SEnine is just £24.00 per year or delivered by Royal

Mail £36.00 per year.

To support, visit our website www.senine.co.uk or forward a

cheque along with your name, address and phone contact

number to SEnine PO Box 24290 Eltham SE96ZP.

SEnine

25When in doubt, do the right thing

What are your links to Eltham?

I was born in Sparrows Lane in New

Eltham and brought up in Eltham. I

went to Wyborne Primary School and

Colfe's, then a state grammar school.

Some of my family still live in the area.

I was a workaholic and a number of

people were telling me that I needed to

slow down before I keeled over! For one

of the few times in my life I listened.

What is the AHOY centre?

We provide activities and courses

including sailing and rowing for young

people and adults, both able-bodied

and disabled. People gain national

qualifi cations and also life, team and

leadership skills. Everyone is treated as

a person who can achieve something.

But we have a wide range of courses

which anyone can join.

What sort of courses?

We run education and training

programmes with schools, various

organisations including Youth

Off ending units and Special Needs

Groups. The courses run from ‘starting

sailing and rowing’ through to

becoming an Instructor and NVQ’s/

Apprenticeships in boat building.

How did you fi rst get involved?

I used to work as a builder and the

people running the initial project

wanted my help. Unfortunately they

ran into ‘diffi culties’ and I had to step in

completely otherwise the council were

going to take back the land.

How long ago was that?

It was in 2000. I was the fi rst volunteer.

Within a few months we had over

20 volunteers. We relied on people

giving us so much of their time as

well as donating so many things. We

built the centre from scratch.

Will 2012 inspire more volunteers?

We've got fi ve paid staff and 20 key

volunteers but we desperately need

more who can commit to maybe

half a day or a day or even longer.

You can't put a price on the value of

your work when you see the smile

on someone's face when you have

helped them achieve something.

When a person attends for the fi rst

time what happens?

We teach them safety and explain

the diff erent programmes we have.

We put them in a group with a leader.

Then they are put onto courses and

training programmes where they learn

to sail and row.They're quickly made

to understand the River Thames is the

most challenging environment.

How do you pay for the equipment

and its maintenance?

We are always applying for grants and

asking for charity donations. We've got

20 sailing boats, seven team rowing

boats and all the safety kit and adaptive

equipment for disabled users. I'm proud

to say we've got a Powercat boat ‘The

AHOY Freedom’ which we built. It's the

world's fi rst boat that can be steered

and crewed solely by people with

disabilities.

Have you got expansion plans?

We've just opened a new two-

storey building with classrooms for a

programme for delivering NVQs and

apprenticeships. We can take someone

from the age of eight through to 18, not

only teach them to pass qualifi cations,

but also equip them with practical skills

and the ability to lead. We've recently

installed some new state of the art

indoor rowing machines for all the

community to use.

Do you still live locally?

Now I live in Cornwall. I still come into

the Centre for two to three weeks every

other month and when not there I'm

normally found on the phone and on

the computer at home, writing emails,

having telephone meetings to try and

get funding.

How did it feel to be awarded an MBE

in the Queen's Birthday Honours

List?

It truly was an honour and also humbling.

I see the award as recognition for all the

hard work put in by the volunteers and

staff at AHOY. Without them we would

not have made AHOY into a success

story.

The AHOY Centre: phone 020 8691

7502 email: [email protected] and

websit:www.ahoy.org.uk

Father of two Clive Ongley, 57, who grew up in Eltham, was awarded the MBE

in June for his tireless voluntary work as founder and Chair Trustee of the AHOY

Centre charity in Deptford. Matt Bell spoke to him.

AHOYSEnine

26 Help keep Eltham tidy! Put your litter in bins.

PERSONAL ELTHAM

The Woodcroft Club is nearly fi nished the building

and refurbishment of its club

rooms. The offi cial opening

is to be announced but will

be during October.

Membership is currently

open, please contact the

club for further details.

WOODCROFTCLUB

Trading name of the Eltham Conservative and Unionist Club Ltd

254 Eltham High Street SE91AA

020 8850 8659

Weddings

Anniversaries

Birthdays

Funerals

The extension has allowed the club to develop a number of

rooms suitable for meetings, training and functions. These rooms

can be hired at very reasonable rates. The restaurant an bar is also

available and the building has free Wi-Fi access.

Eltham College, Grove Park Road,Mottingham, London, SE9 4QFTelephone 020 8857 1455www.eltham-college.org.uk

Sixth Form Open Eveningat Eltham College

Wednesday 10th October7.00pm – 9.00pm

Boys and Girls 16 -18

LARGE ENOUGH TO EXCEL SMALL ENOUGH TO CARELARGE ENOUGH TO EXCEL SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE

C O L L E G EE L T H A M

SEnine

27Don't fi nd fault, fi nd a remedy

Eltham Station

Our minimum fare is still only £4.50

Call 020 8859 7666

West End £35.00Heathrow £55.00Stansted £55.00Victoria £30.00Gatwick £45.00City Airport £25.00

Add £7.00 for estate cars and fare and a half for 5-8 seater

£5.00 OFF OutboundFor Airport bookings - outbound journeyQuote MD-OUT at booking or clip this coupon

Name

Phone number

Address

Date

Wheel chair access cars available with 24 hours notice

Saloons, Estates, 5, 6, 7 & 8 seater cars available

£5.00 OFF ReturnFor Airport bookings - return journeyQuote MD-RETURN at booking or clip this coupon

Flight Number

Phone number

Name

Date

Return journeys add £5.00 for parking, up to 45 min waiting time is free

A team of 22 karate kids is heading

for Serbia to try to prolong the

summer of sporting success.

After a training regime of six days a

week, the team from the Lionel Road

Community Centre will be taking on

the world.

Members of the England Shotokan

Karate-do Federation are competing in

the World championships for children,

cadets and juniors.

The club, which takes members from

Lewisham and Greenwich boroughs,

is rated second in the country, 15th in

Europe and is hopeful of lifting gold at

the championships on October 10 -14.

Erica Francoise said: “This is what

we’ve been training for. Karate is very

competitive and we don’t want to come

back empty-handed.”

In a

sense,

t h e y

will, as

t h a t

is the

l i t e r a l

meaning in Japanese of ‘karate’; it’s

a sport without weapons, relying on

punching, kicking, knee and elbow

strikes.

Not yet an Olympic sport, the

world championships is as big as

it gets in the martial art, with its

emphasis on self-defence.

The team has members up to the

age of 18, the youngest just six.

Erica said: “The club has been

going since 2005 and has gradually

built in strength. I hope we will

be bringing back some medals to go

with those we won at the European

championships last year.”

Karate Kids

SEnine

28 Smile , it feels good

Lee Regelous, 13,

who attends Kemnal

Technology College,

has written the rap to

commemorate the

London games and he

has performed it in a

number of venues.

Despite only being in Year

9, Lee has already written

a number of raps on the

issues that aff ect him and

his friends.

Lee got started through

his local youth club which

has its own recording

studio. After making a

small number of songs in

the studio, Lee was asked

to write an Olympic piece

which he has successfully performed

for the youth club and at the 2012 party

organised by St Mary’s Community

Centre at the Progress Hall..

His success as a young rapper has

prompted him to take music GCSE

and he aims to carry on his hobby

throughout his school career.

The rap is fast paced and energetic and

symbolises the legacy of the London

2012 games, ‘inspiring a generation’, in

this case Lee’s musical abilities.

The main problem for Lee and his

rapping career has been getting time in

a studio; the studio at the youth club is

only open twice a week and he has to

book it if he wants to use it.

Despite, this Lee’s mum Jo said that “the

youth club has been a tremendous help”

in helping Lee to further his hobby. But

Lee admits that he needs to get more

time in recording studios and more

chances to perform, as these are limited

at the moment.

“Lots of people have told me there is

no point carrying on because there

isn’t any money in rapping”, said Lee,

“But I think if I keep going at it then it

doesn’t matter because I love it and I

could make a career out of it if I’m good

enough.”

Lee ultimately is looking for a record

deal to help him further himself as a

musician but at the moment he really

just wants to perform on a bigger and

better stage to allow himself to progress.

London 2012 Rap

Chorus

Cummon Britain we must win

Don’t let our talents go to waste in the

bin

Common athletes do us proud

Put a big smile on our crowd

Verse 1

S w i m m i n g ,

volleyball we’ll

win it

High jump, long jump easy-ish

Red, white and blue that’s our kit

We’ll beat everyone bit by bit

Playing football, 4-4-2

That’s old school to me and you

Giggs and Sturridge in the crew

We will win 2012 we’ll break through

Wenlock and Mandeville cheering us

on

There our mascots day till dawn

They don’t stop not even a yawn

They are excellent from the day they

were born

Our new mascots brightening the

game

Team GB getting all the fame

Hopefully it don’t rain

Do us good save the pain.

Verse 2

On my bike wizzing round the track

Ill keep on tryin I wont lack

Going past everyone don’t look back

Becoz I wonna be rich and not live in

a shack

Phillips Idowujumpin in the sand

Jumpin so high waitin to land

Hearing our national anthem played

by the band

First place is where I’ll stand

We built it we made it

We will never break it

Serving our nation we will never fail it

First place is where we will make it

We are bringing this world into this

place

Andy Baddeley you’ve got pace

Running the 1500 metre race

But Usain Bolt is who we will face.

George Evans

A boy from Avery Hill has been performing his own

rap as part of the local 2012 celebrations., and will

be a featured artist at the SEnine concert

It's A W'RapSEnine

29Put your money where your house is - shop locally

YOUNG ELTHAM

Although water lilies are among

the most exotic and attractive of

plants, not everything that fl oats on

water is good.

In many lakes and ponds, it’s duckweed

which is the menace. Spreading quickly

across the surface of water, it can be

diffi cult, if not impossible, to eradicate.

It often thrives in water with too many

nutrients, so cleaning out a pond can

help. Growing competing plants can

make a diff erence, as these may take

up the excess nitrogen which helps to

cause its spread. Reeds and bulrushes

are often used for cleansing purposes.

In stagnant water, blanket algae can be

an issue, its dense matting clogging up

water with its fi ne fi laments.

Pulling these pests out by hand can

be satisfying but ultimately this is a

time-consuming exercise which needs

constant repetition through a hot

summer.

In addition to

these common

water weeds is

a new threat.

C r e e p i n g

water primrose

might sound

as though

it should be

a colourful

addition to

a pond. It

is, however,

considered a

new and major

environmental

hazard.

One of its footholds in London of the

yellow fl owering primrose, latin name

Ludwigia, is at Kidbrooke Pond, a small

nature reserve sandwiched between

the old Rochester Way and the relief

road.

Although not normally open to the

public, Greenwich Council and the

environmental charity Froglife are

working to renovate the site, which

plays host to a range of wildlife,

including smooth and palmate newts.

Eff orts are being made to lift it from the

connecting ponds on the site, to allow

native wildlife to thrive.

There are 14 sites across the capital

aff ected by the invasive pest, and it has

taken the London Wildlife Trust more

than a decade to eradicate it from its

fl agship site at Barnes.

Although some was lifted out by

hand, given the huge area involved, it

could only eff ectively be tackled using

selective weed killers which have been

particularly formulated for use in a

wildlife setting.

The plant eventually disappeared

after careful treatment by hand-

wiping a herbicide directly onto the

plant’s stems. The harsh winter of

2010 probably helped to eradicate the

species altogether, a rare success when

it comes to tackling this type of invasive

species.

Jason GreenJason GreenJason GreenByForeign Invaders

Local mycologist Ann Andrews will

give an expert illustrated talk on

fungi which are to be seen in the area

at Eltham Nature Club’s meeting in

October.

The meeting is at St Mary’s Community

Centre, Eltham High Street, at 7.30pm

on Tuesday October 23.

People are encouraged to bring in

specimens for identifi cation, preferably

in a plastic container and marked with

a note of their habitat.

Members £1.50, non-members £3.

Annual membership is £5, payable in

the evening.

Illustrated Fungi

SEnine

30 Take a walk in the Pleasaunce

NATURAL ELTHAM

Free Delivery to most areas

New Eltham Butcher

Finest Fresh ProduceFinest Fresh Produce

350 Footscray Road

New Eltham SE9 2EB

Open Tuesday to Saturday

Major credit cards accepted Phone Orders welcome

020 8850 4467

Friendly service & adviceFriendly service & advice

Succulent traditional pork sausages - just the way

you love them. The fi nest for Miles. All our sausages

are made on the premises from the finest local Kent pork.

They come in a wide range of different flavours;

Cumberland Pork & Leek Apple & Stilton Chilli

Spicy Irish (Garlic & Black Pepper) Tomato & Basil

Herby Old English St George (Rosemary & Herbs) Minted Lamb Beef & red Wine and many more

3lb (1.36kg) Boneless Pork Chops £7.99 6 Fresh Chicken Fillets £7.99 3lb (1.36kg) Loin Lamb Chops £11.99

OCTOBER SPECIALS

Succulent Lamb Shanks £8.99kgStar Special

Why not join our Xmas club? Make the cost of Xmas that little easier

Don't leave it too late

SEnine

31Your Community is what you make it

Fourth Saturday of the month 10.00amShrewsbury House, Bushmoor Crescent SE18 3EG

Clive Efford MP

Fourth Friday of the month 6.00pmSt Mary’s Community Centre, Eltham High Street SE9

First Tuesday of the month 11.00amAnstridge Community Centre, Anstridge Rd SE9 2LL

Second Friday of the month 6.00pmSlade Hall, Pendrell Street, London SE18 2PJ

Third Tuesday of the month 11.00amMiddle Park Community Centre, 150 Middle Park Avenue SE9 5SD

First Friday of the month 11.00amHorn Park Community Centre, 96 Sibthorpe Rd SE12 9DP

Second Saturday of the month 10.00amSt Mary’s Community Centre, Eltham High Street SE9

Third Friday of the month 11.00amColdharbour Library, William Barefoot Drive SE9 3AY

Clive holds eight advice surgeries a month, where constituents can meet him in private. He will see everyone who comes along, but it is best to telephone beforehand so that you can get some indication of when you will be able to see Clive.

SURGERIES

10.00ammG

132 Westmount Road, Eltham London SE9 1UT

T: 020 8850 5744E: [email protected] W: www.cliveefford.org.uk

Suspended until further notice due to renovations

Tuesday 2nd October9.00am – 10.30am

Wednesday 3rd October9.00am – 10.30am

Thursday 4th October9.00am – 10.30am

Monday 8th October6.00pm – 8.30pm

ADMISSIONS OPEN EVENTS

For further information or to request a prospectus, please contact us:

Executive Principal: Dr Chris TomlinsonPrincipal: Mr George McMillan

Middle Park Avenue, London SE9 5EQ

T: 020 8859 0133

E: [email protected]

Come and see the new Harris Academy, already one of the highest performing schools in Greenwich and set to accelerate progress even further to outstanding in every area.

73% OF STUDENTSACHIEVED FIVE OR MORE GOOD GCSEsincluding English And Maths99% ACHIEVING 5 OR MORE GOOD GCSEs

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SEnine

32 Support local traders - shop locally!

Caught red-handed…

An investigation into the theft of some

valuable produce is under-way, SPY

understands. Woodlands Farm, the lovely

community farm on Shooters Hill, has been

sending out challenging E-mails about

the 'Case of the Disappearing Plums'. A

consignment of luscious Victorias went

missing under the noses of volunteers

recently, coinciding with the impending

departure of a walk organised by the farm’s

bête noir, Greenwich Council.

Tensions are running high between the

council and the farm due to the looming

emergence of the Olympic Legacy

equestrian centre next door, which they

bitterly opposed. Apparently the walk’s

organisers received a waspish E-mail from

farm bosses telling them keep their hands

to themselves while on their premises.

SPY can authoritatively report that the total

loss from the farm was one or two pieces

of fruit, downed by a peckish rambler,

whose identity is known to SPY and whose

environmental credentials are impeccable.

One for 'Plum'stead Police perhaps?

Unkind cut…

Keen fruit-pickers came back empty-

basketed from a trip to Falconwood Field

this autumn, in the Case of the Disappearing

Blackberries, SPY understands. The thick

hedgerows normally sport enough fruit to

make thousands of pies and pots of jam.

But, more importantly, the abundant trees

and shrubs supply a whole season’s fruit for

a host of wildlife, including over-wintering

birds. The offi cial guidelines suggest that

hedgerows should be cut back in January

or February, after the berries have been

eaten and before the bird nesting season

begins. That’s from Natural England. The act

of environmental vandalism was, naturally,

Greenwich Council.

No lodging objections…

Another act is the whacking of a shiny

sign on the charming Grade II listed West

Lodge at Avery Hill in Bexley Road. For lesser

mortals (like the public), a whole planning

procedure would have been necessary and

the proposal would undoubtedly have been

turned down after objections from the civic

policemen and women from the Eltham

Society. Being the council, however, such

niceties can be dispensed with, so the new

park sign serves to obscure some pleasant

ironmongery, mentioned in the council’s

own listing designation. In any case, listed

buildings are not meant to be used as

billboards. Also, if a consultation exercise

had been carried out, someone might have

mentioned that the writing is too small to

be read by passing motorists.

Pointing the right way..

One positive aspect of this signing

exercise is a fi ngerpost, pointing

out the park’s entrance. A pity it’s

only visible from one direction

through. It raises hopes,

however, that one of these days,

the borough’s oldest and most historic

buildings, the 16th century Tudor Barn at

Well Hall, might have heritage signs of its

own.

Fly past…

Regulars at Well Hall might have noticed

that the clouds of birds, which once

frequented the Pleasaunce, have much

reduced in number of late. SPY hears it’s a

Case of the Disappearing Pigeons. Elderly

ladies, mums with kids and animal lovers

would often amuse themselves chucking

indigestible white bread to the fl ocks which

besieged any passer-by fumbling in their

pockets. The reason for their disappearance,

however, is the loss of their purpose-built

breeding ground, namely, the old Coronet

cinema auditorium, which served as their

shelter and nursery for many years.

Off yer bike…

Less amusing is the Case of the Disappearing

Bike. SPY understands the proud owner

of a black Giant two-wheeler, which was

severed with bolt cutters from the railings

outside the Banker’s Draft at Eltham

crossroads, is willing to stand a round or

two for information leading to its return.

B16 bummer…

News has reached SPY on south east

London’s most inconsistent bus service,

the B16, which runs from Bexleyheath to

Kidbrooke via Eltham. Regulars have been

despairing for months about its late or

non-appearance which TfL are blaming on

roadworks, now completed, at Crook Log.

Further assistance is said to be at hand by

cutting the route at Kidbrooke, abandoning

the circumnavigation the old Ferrier Estate.

Now you see it..1..3..2..gone!

Meanwhile regulars of the Eff ord Express

bus service to North Greenwich have

been luxuriating in double decker status

for the duration of the 2012 Games. SPY

understands that an informal arrangement

had been made for the Bonus Boys from

Docklands to sit atop while honest yeoman

and Games Makers were on the deck below.

However, passengers with a ‘double vision’

for the future are likely to be disappointed.

Mr Eff ord’s pleas to TfL to retain the extra

capacity to alleviate over-crowding have,

so far, gone unheeded. No Olympic legacy

there then.

Non-developing news..

Rumours continue to swirl about the future

of Eltham’s longest-running saga, the Grove

Market Place. Like most market places at

the moment, deep gloom has set in with

the most likely scenario that Tesco has now

pulled out of the running, but others are

seeking to take their place. With Travelodge

also yet to sign on the dotted line, the

chances of any crumbling of old mortar by

Christmas seem to be receding fast.

In the dark..

But there is gloom in the Cathedral camp

about the prospects for fi nishing off its

re-development of the Coronet, SPY

understands. Its planning permission

requires the foyer of the old cinema to be

let as a restaurant and a 60-seat cinema.

But SPY learns that cinema experts have

told them that there is insuffi cient space

to install a properly functioning public

auditorium. Furthermore, to create a

restaurant would need at least £250,000 up

front, which is not helping to attract suitors.

SPY wonders whether the government’s

planning ‘free-for-all’ might help, allowing

the development to be fi nished off with

additional housing units and a renovation

of the Art Deco glazing feature.

Not retiring…

Phyllis Duignan, a local Eltham resident,

has recently been voted onto the Board

of Directors of the Civil Service Retirement

Fellowship (CSRF) which is a registered

charity. Phyllis has been the Treasurer and

Chair of the local Eltham Group which

meets every fourth Thursday at the United

Reformed Church from 1000 to 1200 noon.

Phyllis said that she was delighted to be

chosen to be part of the Board which has

some challenges ahead as the Government

has decided that the funding from the

Cabinet Offi ce for the CSRF should cease

from 2014. Therefore some of the smaller

Groups throughout the UK would have

diffi culties in carrying on their vital work

of helping the elderly and lonely to enjoy

the regular meetings and trips out. Phyllis

said that the Eltham Group is fortunate in

having an enthusiastic regular membership

and therefore funding is not such an issue.

Not all the members of the Eltham Group

are Civil Servants as everyone is welcome

to come along and as non Civil Servants

they are invited to pay a small annual fee.

If you require any further information about

joining this local Group please phone Phyllis

on 02082650810 for details

SEnine

33Have your say, your opinion counts

Yalways newsy, sometimes

irreverent and often controversial.

Work on Eltham’s new social venue,

the Woodcraft Club, is expected to be

completed this month.

The £1m plus refurbishment includes

a new 100-seat function room, upstairs

snooker suite, lounge bars, meeting

room, kitchens and pool room.

An offi cial opening ceremony is

expected next month at which

prospective members will be able to

view the club’s new facilities.

The former Conservative Club occupies

a former 19th century villa which

suff ered considerable bomb damage in

the War, which destroyed its east wing.

This has been restored with the removal

of a post-war single storey extension.

The club’s bowls section has been using

a new green to the rear of the premises

for which re-vamped changing

rooms will be provided and extensive

landscaping will take place around the

green and to the front of the building in

the coming months.

Club secretary Richard Todd said:

“It has been amazing watching the

transformation of the building over the

last year. We’re receiving a great deal of

interest in membership with around 80

new recruits so far.

“The bowls team plays in a league

and there are also club matches and

competitions. We hope to set up

snookers, darts and pools team when

the club fully re-opens next month.”

Bookings for weddings, parties and

celebrations are being taken for the

new function room from members and

non-members.

The club will be open for lunches for

members between 12noon – 2pm most

days and the bars from 12 – closing time

each day.

Membership is £30 a year, plus an initial

introductory joining fee. Enquiries can

be made on 020 8850 8659 or

[email protected]

Woodcroft Club Offi cial Opening

SEnine

34 SEnine does not necessarily agree with or support any letters published.

As certain of the Eltham area

developments start to take shape

it is obvious developers and most

importantly council planners seem to

have thrown any concept of keeping

these buildings in character with the

area out of the window.

The new housing in Eltham Green

Road is vastly over dense as existing

local residents are now fi nding out and

the replacements for the Ferrier do not

look much better than the buildings

they replaced. It’s as if no lessons have

been learnt from the past and planners

are pandering to the current mantra of

‘build housing and more housing’.

The additions to Eltham Hill School are

overpowering being so close to the

perimeter and the design seems to be

based on a house brick, a more tasteless

outcome is hard to imagine.

The housing now rising on the Eltham

Baths site is also far too large for the

footprint and seems to overpower the

area. You could not build any closer

to the footpath if you tried. Even the

We do enjoy having a drink at the

Tudor Barn or even a meal, with family

and friends.

In the summer we like to sit by the

moat, what a beautiful setting.

Unfortunately the only thing to spoil

the vista is the state of the water in the

moat.

It would be so nice for the wild life to

be able to swim about and also for

visitors to be able to watch them.

So come on Greenwich Council please

clean up the moat so everyone can

enjoy it.

Sue Williams

A i f h El h

Over Developed?

W

TT

a

I

m

U

t

m

I

b

v

S

c

e

S

builders have taken away the footpath

and closed half the road just to erect this

monolith.

All this and yet more to come if the

Grove Market Place development ever

sees the light of day. My fear is that as

each piece of Eltham’s land becomes

available our Planners will approve yet

more monolithic, tasteless and politically

led over sized developments.

This is all a domino eff ect from having

too many people. Now we have a

housing shortage, so they build more

houses than is sensible in area like

Eltham. More houses mean more

people, so we do not have enough

school places so they increase the size of

the local schools. Then we do not have

enough healthcare facilities and so on,

the domino eff ect.

Its time government grasped the

problem by the scruff of the neck and

built some new towns with hospitals,

schools etc to match instead of blighting

areas already at maximum density.

Paul Nudds. Eltham

Either go to the SEnine web site atwww.senine.co.uk

or write to the Editor at:

SEnine, PO Box 24290

Eltham SE9 6ZP

MAILBOX ....... Have your say

Mail Box is for your opinion, express it

Do you have an opinion?

Write and tell us.

d h d k h

Moat Morbid

SEnine

35

ELTHAM

HARRISON INGRAM

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 E: [email protected]

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You can make a diff erence in your community

SEnine

36

“Goodbye Summer – Hello Sales”

Historically, summer was always a time of slower sales and, according to the NAEA, this year has been no exception.

The “excuse” is of course that the Olympics were a distraction for prospective buyers and sellers, compounded by the traditionally quiet summer holiday period. However, we are acutely aware that even such glorious events as the Olympics pale into insignifi cance for someone who has a real need to move. Indeed, Rightmove reported a marginal increase in new properties entering the market in August, and dips in buyer activity on their site only at key moments in the games, when activity dropped by up to 50%

Real buyers and real sellers still need to move and this year seems to be heralding a new focus by sellers to get in ahead of the expected autumn rush to sell before Christmas. Indeed, nearly 128,000 more properties entered the market this summer than last year. Signifi cantly however the asking prices of these fell by their greatest rate on record (2.4% representing an average drop of around £5,837) suggesting that sellers are heeding their agent’s advice to price aggressively in order to compete with properties already on the market.

This of course should alert existing vendors that we are now in a new cycle on the property calendar. If your property has been on the market since last spring perhaps it’s time to consider repositioning your property in the market. The average time on market is 92 days nationally (albeit ours is a lot faster)!

So our message as we enter the autumn is that although volumes nationally remain half what they were at the peak of the boom, activity is hotting up quickly. If you are serious about selling, then a combination of the right agent, the right marketing, the right negotiation skills and the right price advice combined with an Olympian attitude, really should have you moved by Christmas.

Moira Road, Eltham £189,995 Two Bedroom Top Floor Maisonette Within The Progress Estate Sole Use of Own Rear Garden Modern fi tted kitchen & Bathroom Double Glazing & Gas Central Heating In Good Decorative Order Throughout Easy Access To Eltham Town Centre & Station Long Lease & No Ground Rent

Arsenal Road £250,000 Two Bedroom Cottage Style House Set Within The Progress Estates Set On A Corner Plot With Own Detached Garage Modern Fitted Kitchen & Bathroom Hardwood Conservatory Double Glazing & Gas Central Heating Within Easy access To Eltham Town Centre & Station Chain Free

Simon Hughes, Managing Director

Pick up litter and bin it

conranestates.co.uk

Why not follow us on Twitter / @conranestates

Why not like us on Facebook?”

Search for our properties with ease on your iphone, android or other mobile device

SEnine

37

ELTHAM / MOTTINGHAM42 Well Hall RoadEltham SE96SFT: 020 8378 5450E: [email protected]

GREENWICH / BLACKHEATH221 Greenwich High RoadGreenwich SE10 8NBT: 020 8312 8312E: [email protected]

CHARLTON / WESTCOMBE46 Charlton Church LaneCharlton SE7 7ABT: 020 8293 0454E: [email protected]

ASSOCIATED PARK LANE121 Park LaneMayfair W1K 7AGT: 020 7409 4693E: [email protected]

LETTINGS MANAGEMENT DEPT221 Greenwich High RoadGreenwich SE10 8NBT: 020 8312 8316E: [email protected]

FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPT221 Greenwich High RoadGreenwich SE10 8NBT: 020 8312 8317E: [email protected]

Laburnham Place £158,000 One Bedroom 1950's Purpose Built Flat Set on The Second Floor Modern Kitchen & Bathroom Double Glazing & Gas Central Heating En- Block Garage Chain Free Share of Freehold

Mayday Gardens £275,000 Three Bedroom Semi-Detached House With Driveway To Front Through Lounge With Double Glazed Patio Doors Leading To Garden Fitted Kitchen & Modern Bathroom Large Summer House & Garage Further Scope To Extend Chain Free

Escott Gardens £189,995 Two Bedroom Mid-Terrace House Modern Fitted Kitchen & Bathroom Two Double Size Bedrooms UPVC Double Glazed Conservatory Double Glazing & Gas Central Heating Chain Free

Marvels Lane £259,995 Three Bedroom Mid-Terrace House Recently Refurbished Throughout Modern Integrated Kitchen & Modern Suite Bathroom Newly Laid Garden With Decking To Front Double Glazed & Gas Central Heating Chain Free

Footscray Road £179,995 Two Bedroom Victorian Flat In Good Decorative Order Throughout Newly Fitted Kitchen & Modern Bathroom Partly Double Glazed & Gas Central Heating Share Of Rear Garden Low Service Charges of Only £60.00 Per Month Share Of Freehold

Rennets Wood House £189.995 First Floor Purpose Built Flat Overlooking Well Maintained Green Newly Refurbished Throughout Well Maintained Communal Rear Garden Double Glazing & Gas Central Heating New Lease Of 125 Years Chain Free

Look out for you neighbour

Formerly of Crown Woods Way, Eltham, widow of the late

Bernard Rice (d 2009), mother, sister, grandmother and

great grandmother.

Donations please for Great Ormond Street Hospital or

Dementia UK to W Uden & Sons undertakers.

020 8850 2868, [email protected]

May she rest in peace.

Mary Rice 1929 - 2012

Passed away on 26th July 2012 at Lynde

House care home in Twickenham and

very sadly missed by her family.

Cleaner Eltham

Do you require a regular cleaner?

Call Elana on 07701 023 455

Reliable and effi cient.

Classifi ed Adverts Entries start from just £25.00 +v

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Plumber, electrician, tiler, PC repairs,

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People are waiting to dial your number

ST MARY’S COMMUNITY COMPLEX

020 8850 2040 Main Offi ce 180 Eltham High St

'St Mary's Afternoon Tea 29th October 2012, 2pm to 4pm

Special Afternoon 'Tea for 2', £10 please book, and 'Tea and cake £2'

Book our wonderful halls and rooms for Parties,

Commercial Training, Business Hire, and other functions

Anstridge Hall

Anstridge Road SE9 2LL

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Wedding Reception

Rooms.St Mary's Complex has aff ordable

rooms available for wedding

receptions at all its 5 locations. For

details and availability contact the

main offi ce on 020 8850 2040.

New Groups EncouragedSt Mary's Community Complex is keen to encourage and

support any new community groups.

Do you have an idea, something you feel would benefi t

Eltham and its people?

Contact the Main Offi ce for details, more information and

support.

Royal Eltham Writers Circle' is looking for new members

contact the main offi ce

ALLOY TECAlloy wheel

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SEnine

38

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

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Branches also at:Petts Wood, Dulwich,

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New Cross & CamberwellIn the care of Nicholas & Matthew Uden

Having now adapted his new motor,

alias The Flying Carrot, to his special

needs, Herbaceous has been turning his

attention to that more important form

of locomotion, his wheelbarrow.

A crucial companion in the compost

spreading season,

soon to be upon

us once more,

the capacity and

robustness of one’s

‘wheel’ can give an

important edge

over other plot

holders.

The choice of

his replacement

vehicle has come

with a seriousness

akin to Jeremy

Clarkson fi ngering

his way over the

curves of the latest

GTx.

In the midst of

viewing countless used models on

E-barrow, Herbaceous had a piece of

lottery luck, the like of which usually

applies only to others, normally those

who buy tickets.

Word came from an associate who had

heard of a house clearance, including

an antique barrow which had been

thought ideal for a man who believes in

traditional values.

It was love at fi rst site when Herbaceous

spotted its ageing

carapace, obviously

designed along

the lines of a First

World War tank, and

manufactured not

long after.

Constructed out

of some early form

of wrought iron,

deep rust had set

in. But, such was

the thickness of the

plating, apart from

one or two bullet-

hole sized punctures

it remained intact, the

wounds serving for

drainage purposes.

In a previous manifestation, it had

clearly been in the hands of builders, as

there were the remains of several layers

of cement, now serving to protect the

metalwork still further.

Its ample capacity would guarantee

that huge scoops of manure could

be transferred to his plot, at speed,

thereby giving him a vital edge on his

competitors, or rather colleagues.

From their point of view, however,

this item was widely agreed to be skip

fodder. Particularly as its broad and

bouncy pneumatic wheel seemed only

capable of rolling forward at an angle

at variance with the vertical, tending to

take its drivers on involuntary circular

journeys.

To some amusement, one of the

younger generation stage-whispered

that the barrow clearly had a mind

of its own and an intellect not too far

removed from the Old Fella with his

mits on the handles.

Love at First SightIn our last instalment Herbs got a new car.

Now .....................!?

SEnine

39Never stop trying

HERBACEOUS

Wheelchair Access

Saturday October 27th 2012 - doors open 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start

Holy Trinity Church, Southend Crescent Eltham

Tickets just £10.00 - Cons £8.00 - Friends of SEnine £6.00*Tickets available by sending a cheque to SEnine PO Box 24290 Eltham SE96ZP

or from Normans Music, 32 Well Hall Road or at the door.

6th Annual Concert6th Annual Concert

*Limit 2 per member

S S EE nine nine

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