02 April 2006

Apologies if updates are patchy, I finished working in the Lewisham area last week and start work for a new company this coming week. It's going to take some adjusting to that's for sure! In the meantime...

'Too posh to push' mothers cost NHS £80m

The NHS is spending more than £80 million a year carrying out Caesarean sections that are not medically necessary. The highest rate was at St John's Hospital, Chelmsford, Essex, at 33.3 per cent, closely followed by University Hospital London, in Lewisham, at 33.1 per cent.

Parents' anger at decaying school

THE roofs leak, the playground is cracked, the classrooms are cold and too small - and the toilets are outside. Even Lewisham council admits Gordonbrock Primary School in Brockley is in a dilapidated state. Parents were furious and dismayed when it was announced the primary school would not be rebuilt after all.

How we will deal with education

CHRIS JOHNSON asks the Lewisham mayoyal candidates their views on the Government's Education Bill, how they would tackle the problem of truancy and where they would build a new secondary school in the borough.

Pools closed over roof safety fears

THE Forest Hill pools have been shut for health and safety reasons. Timber supporting the main roof truss has been found to be unsafe because of decay, and both swimming pools at the Dartmouth Road facility have been closed. The problem was discovered during a routine safety inspection last week.

24-hour off-licence booze bid rejected

THIS off licence has been refused permission to sell booze 24 hours-a-day because councillors fear residents will lose sleep. An application to extend opening hours at ARD Food Store in Blackheath Hill was rejected at a meeting on Monday morning.

Licensing sub-committee members dismissed the application because the area is largely residential and due to objections made by neighbours of the business.

Good turnout for local government strike day

"A number of primary schools were partly closed, i.e. open 'til lunchtime or staggered closing throughout the day - don't know of any totally closed. A not very strong picket line at the main council offices in Catford, none at the FE despite threats of one (though they may had one first thing I suppose, no one there by 10am). Only two people striking in my work place two or three miles from main council offices (only two Unison members out of 29 staff)."

Borough is top dog for social housing

LEWISHAM is at top of the league when it comes to social housing, according to a new survey. Of all homes built in the borough in 2004/05, 57.6 per cent were social housing set aside for poorer residents the joint highest in London.

According to the survey carried out by the GMB trade union, this far outweighs the London-wide average, where only a quarter of homes built are social housing.

Better access for disabled people

DISABLED commuters are on track to benefit from multi-million pound plans to improve facilities at three train stations. The Government has announced a £350m cash boost to make life easier for disabled people at 47 stations across the country.

The first wave of this investment will see a trio of the borough's mainline stations Lewisham, New Cross and Blackheath being made more user-friendly for disabled people.

Vote of confidence for political project

A PROJECT aimed at getting more young people interested in politics has won a national award. Lewisham is the only London borough to have a young mayor with his own youth cabinet and a budget.

Now this scheme has been recognised, with Lewisham Council being awarded Beacon status for positive youth engagement.

Ward closures to cut costs

HOSPITAL bosses have named the three wards which will close as part of a cost-cutting exercise. Lewisham Hospital is to close the trio of wards in the next three months, meaning the loss of 55 beds.

But Lewisham has avoided having to make the major surgery needed at nearby Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, where up to 100 jobs are set to go.

Council under fire as election looms

A POLITICAL storm has erupted over the relationship between the ruling Labour party and council officers. Opposition members claim Lewisham Council has become too involved in "partisan politics" and have accused some officers of being politically motivated.

26 March 2006

Man shot at for telling travellers to leave his flat

A TRAVELLER who shot two bullets inside a flat after his plans for an early morning drinking session were rejected has been jailed for four years. Michael Ward, 28, pulled out his Smith and Wesson revolver and fired into a wall and a kitchen boiler. The Old Bailey heard on Tuesday how the men had turned up at the flat in Arnulf Street, Bellingham, at 4am on April 26 last year.

Danger as scientists predict rapid sea level rise for Lewisham

Sea levels will rise much faster than previously thought leading to the flooding of many cities unless major steps are taken to curb carbon dioxide emissions this century, scientists warn today.

In the London area, much of Southwark, Lewisham, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets, Bexley and Barking and Dagenham would be under water, along with large areas of south Essex and north Kent earmarked for the Thames Gateway Development.

Roadside lifesaver given parking ticket

Kelly Harry, 29, who works in Devonshire Street, near Regent's Park, had stopped in a 20-minute parking bay in Lewisham when she spotted a crowd around a man.

She realised he had no pulse and used her first aid training to try to revive him until an ambulance arrived. Returning to find a £100 ticket on her car, she spoke to a warden who said she could not cancel the ticket but would note the circumstances.

Socialist Party takes up the fight against ALMOs

"For some weeks we have been using a petition from our two councillors Ian Page and Chris Flood, which nearly everyone we spoke to signed, demanding a fourth option. Lewisham council recently announced that they have appointed a 'shadow ALMO board' and aim to set up an ALMO company over the next few months.

The council claims that ALMOs give tenants and leaseholders a bigger say. But the board that will manage many of our homes is designed to make sure that the seven tenants' and leaseholder reps on this board are in a minority. Most places go to appointed councillors (Blairites at present) and business representatives."

Leisure centre should be knocked down

LADYWELL Leisure Centre should be knocked down to make way for a new school, according to an independent body. The School Organisation Committee (SOC) voted in favour of Lewisham council's plans on Thursday.

Afterwards Lewisham Mayor Steve Bullock said: "This decision is recognition that our plans for building a new school in the north of the borough are justified and necessary.

School revamps are axed

A DECISION to scrap refurbishment plans for two schools has meant pupils will have to go on learning in cramped conditions. Lewisham council had drawn up proposals to revamp Ashmead, Childeric, Downderry and Gordonbrock primary schools.

But at last Wednesday's Mayor and cabinet meeting, Mayor Steve Bullock decided that only the first two would benefit from a £9million Government grant.

MPs approach the disengaged

Parliament has attempted to reach places it doesn't normally reach with the launch of a scheme for people from black and ethnic minorities to shadow MPs from all parties.

Bridget Prentice, Labour MP for Lewisham East, referred to the Power Inquiry's suggestion of reducing the voting and candidacy age to 16, saying: "government is keeping this decision in active consideration".

She also spoke of projects where youth are directly involving themselves in the political arena such as the newly established Young Citizens Panel in Wales, where approximately 300 young people discuss current issues affecting them.

Fury at back garden flats

RESIDENTS in Lee have been angered for the third time over fresh plans to build on a back garden. Plumstead-based developer Kallar Investments Ltd caused concern last year with plans to build three flats behind 17 and 19 Northbrook Road.

Neighbours objected, saying the timber-clad, flat-roofed extension would not blend in with the surrounding Victorian houses and would take away their privacy.

Jessica Tilbury

Appeal for information with regards to missing local girl

We are growing increasingly concerned about the welfare of fifteen year old Jessica Tilbury.

The last reported sighting of Jessica was on Sunday 19 March 2006 at approximately 23:15 getting off a bus in Burnt Ash Hill, London SE12. It has been reported to police by Jessica's friend who was travelling with her that Jessica left the bus to speak to two young men whom she thought she knew. It is believed Jessica may have walked in the direction of Lee, London SE12 at approximately 23:30 in the company of the two men. Jessica has not been seen or heard from since.

Jessica has gone missing before but has always kept in touch and returned after a short period of time. Jessica is known to use public transport in London and Kent.
Acting Detective Sergeant Declan Goddard of Lewisham CID said: "We are now very concerned about Jessica as she has not been in touch with any of her family or friends.

"I would like appeal directly to anyone who has seen or spoken to Jessica since Sunday or anyone who may have heard of her whereabouts to contact police as soon as possible.

"I would like to assure anyone contacting the police, in particular any younger members of the community, that they will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.

"I would also like to appeal to Jessica directly and ask her to contact the police or if she prefers the National Missing Persons help line on 0808 800 70 70.

"Jessica is not in any trouble and our main concern is her welfare."
Jessica is a white and has fair complexion. She is of thin build and has black hair which she sometimes wears in a ponytail.

It is believed that on the day Jessica went missing she was wearing a white shirt, a grey fur-trimmed cardigan and blue jeans. She was also wearing a casual jacket which has fur trimming on the hood and black suede boots. It is believed that Jessica was also wearing a yellow metal teddy bear and clown on two yellow metal necklace's.

The two young men Jessica was seen with are described as:
Man one: White, approximately sixteen years old and possibly wearing a dark hooded top and Reebok Trainer. Man two: White, approximately eighteen to nineteen years old. This man has fair or ginger hair, blue eye's and was also wearing a dark hooded top and trainers.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Lewisham CID on 020 8297 1212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Please click on this link for a photograph of Jessica.
http://ls/News/Image%20Library/MISPER%20Jessica%20TILBURY.jpg

23 March 2006

Missing girl alert

Taken from the Evening Standard today, I can't find this article online yet so this scan will have to do for now. Jessica Tilbury - last seen near Lee Station on Burnt Ash Hill. Anyone with information should contact Lewisham Police on 020 8297 1212.

Englishman in New York

RETURNING from battle on the mean streets of New York, a young Lewisham MC is forging a business career in hip-hop. Richard Price, aka Mic Assassin, recently flew stateside to take part a series of freestyle rap battles.

Richard is completing a business studies course at Lewisham College. He has set up a recording label, Elite Team Entertainment. To hear Mic Assassin and for details of gigs and releases, visit www.eliteteament.com

New entrant in election race

AN EDUCATION campaigner has decided to stand for Mayor of Lewisham because he feels the current incumbent is "failing the children of this borough". New School Campaign secretary John Hamilton says if elected he would keep Ladywell Leisure Centre and build a new secondary school in the north of the borough.

And he would make sure his cabinet would be made up of all parties represented in the council to "end the one-party state which has dominated Lewisam".

Opposition to licence plan

AN APPLICATION for a 24-hour alcohol licence is being opposed by residents. The Euro Supermarket wants a licence allowing it to stay open and sell alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Lewisham Council's licensing committee has received a petition containing 250 signatures from residents objecting to the application. They fear if the store, in Downham Way, Downham, gets the licence it will lead to an increase in the level of violence and anti-social behaviour in the area.

It's unlucky seven for big yellow warehouse

ANGRY neighbours saw red when the Big Yellow Self Storage Company tried to build a large warehouse near their homes for the SEVENTH time. In its latest planning application, the company tried to disguise the warehouse by designing a row of homes along the sides to face on to Baring Road and St Mildred's Road in Lee.

The Big Yellow Self Storage Company did not send a representative to the meeting at Lewisham Town Hall in Catford, which was packed with residents who were joined by Lewisham East MP Bridget Prentice. Before the committee unanimously voted to refuse planning permission, Councillor David Britton said: "What part of the word 'no' don't they understand."

Students' to take condom test

Students at a south-east London college are to receive tutorials and take tests on condom use in a new drive to cut teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, it was revealed today.

Under the scheme 16 to 19-year-olds at Lewisham College will attend classes on how to use condoms. They will then have to pass a test on the subject before being issued with a certificate - dubbed a Condom Card or C-Card - which entitles them to collect free condoms at the college and at sites nearby.

Borough by Borough Average Class Sizes

Borough Average Class Sizes - Source : Evening Standard. Making the "Hit List" for improvement was 'Athelney Primary'.