04 April 2007

MPs visit Lewisham College

The Chancellor Gordon Brown and Education Secretary Alan Johnson visited the college to meet the students and learn more about how young people are being equipped with skills necessary for the future.

Girl collapses at play centre and later dies

A FIVE-year-old girl has died after collapsing at a children's play centre. The youngster was playing at Gambado, Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, when the incident took place on March 22. Paramedics then took over and took her to Lewisham Hospital, High Street, Lewisham, where she was pronounced dead.

Arrest in 'bankrupt councillor' inquiry

A LIBERAL Democrat councillor who was expelled from the party is believed to have been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and perjury. News Shopper previously reported Cllr Sera Kentman, who is alleged to have used different names, was the subject of a police investigation.

Campaigning to save derelict pub

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a derelict pub from demolition face another battle. Developer Renewal Beckenham Ltd was refused planning permission to knock down the Green Man pub in Bromley Road, Catford, to make way for 54 flats.

Election battle for Army major

CONSERVATIVES in Bexley and Bromley have chosen a Territorial Army major and prolific blogger to fight for their London Assembly seat. James Cleverly, from Lewisham, was chosen to run in the election at a meeting at Sidcup Rugby Club, Sydney Road, Sidcup, on March 21.

29 March 2007

Art show is a true winner

AN EXHIBITION of art by hospice patients is proving a major success. Staff from St. Christopher's Hospice, Sydenham have had a stream of compliments about the high quality of the pieces displayed.

Priest cleared of sexually abusing 11-year-old

A PRIEST walked free from court today after a jury cleared him of sexually abusing an 11-year-old boy helper more than 30 years ago. Father Edward Michael Wright, 69, was accused of plying the schoolboy with drink and repeatedly molesting him at St Stephen's Church in Lewisham, in the early Seventies.

Town centre cordoned off in bomb scare

A 23-year-old kitchen assistant from Catford was arrested in relation to a hoax bomb call made to the Copperfield pub in Catford Bridge. The man is currently being held at Lewisham police station pending further enquiries.

Gangs should join ceasefire

A CAMPAIGNER is calling for a "ceasefire" day after a series of stabbings and shootings across London. Child counsellor Minty Challis is hoping thousands of people will attend a march from Catford to Lewisham next month to unite the community.

25 March 2007

Working for a better childhood

Luziane Tchiegue-Nouta, the deputy young mayor of Lewisham talked about "breaking down the barriers" between adults and children that could push some people into gangs.

Leonard looking for rugby stars in Lewisham

Rugby legend Jason Leonard has been talent spotting in Lewisham to search for the next generation of England stars. The World Cup winner was at Whitefoot Lane in the London borough on March 20 for one of the Royal & SunAlliance SEE U @ RUG B coaching sessions.

Kids in cook-off to decide best healthy food

PRIMARY school children put their culinary skills to the test in a cookery competition.
Pupils from St Mary's Primary School, Lewisham High Street, Lewisham, took part in the competition called On Your Marks, Get Set, Cook.

Child abuse 'is imagined'

A vicar accused of molesting an 11-year-old church helper admitted having a gay lover but branded the child abuse claims a figment of the boy's imagination. The Edinburgh-born clergyman denies a catalogue of sex crimes while at St Stephen's Church, in Lewisham, south-east London, in the 1970s.

New Lewisham Blog! - From Rush Hour With Love (SE23)

New Lewisham Blog! - Catford Living

21 March 2006

Kate takes it to the press!

Lewisham Sucks and Kate is getting the media on side! While I wallow in Lewisham Nostalgia, LewishamNews favourite Kate is reporting from the front line. Click the link for her big feature and remember her petition here.

Max Goes to Court!

Another LewishamNews favourite hits the headlines! This time it's Max.

CAMPAIGNING residents are taking a decision made by Lewisham Mayor Steve Bullock to the High Court after calling his plans to replace Ladywell Pool "unlawful". The plans will see the pool in Lewisham High Street demolished, with a new pool built in Loampit Vale, along with 750 homes by 2010. But the Save Ladywell Pool Campaign says the plans have been ill-considered and are unjust.

Max Calo, the group's secretary, said the pool would be surrounded by tall buildings. He said: "The new pool will basically be in the basement of a block of flats. Full details at Save Ladywell Pool

Swimmer's hopes boosted by quiz

Perrymount School raised more than £1,000 at their third annual quiz night to support a Forest Hill swimmer who has been selected to compete in the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2007 in Shanghai.

Mayor of Lewisham Steve Bullock and Lewisham West MP Jim Dowd both took part in the quiz. Sarah Paschoud is 15 and has been training with the Sharks Swimming Club for the past five years.

Hunt for dealer’s killer continues

An inquest on March 14 into the death heard how the 36-year-old Jamaican man was found dead in his house.

The shooting happened after neighbours heard a disturbance at his home between 9pm and 10pm on September 19. The weapon used was a Russian Tokarov 9mm handgun.

Deptford Dance 'could keep young healthy'

Public health minister Caroline Flint and culture minister David Lammy touted the idea on a visit to the Laban dance centre in London.

They highlighted research by Laban which found children who dance enjoy physical and psychological benefits. The researchers said creative dance should be considered as an alternative to sport for children.

19 March 2007

Pupils start work on centre revamp

STUDENTS pulled on their overalls to help give a youth centre a new lease of life.

Nine pupils from Deptford Green School are giving the Evelyn Arches Youth and Community Centre in Childers Street, Deptford, a complete makeover. Lewisham Council donated materials, tools and overalls so the youngsters could paint the centre and work on the garden.

Why kids join gangs ... and how to save them

Politicians are trying to prove they are taking action, police are attempting to show they have the problem under control and volunteer groups are bidding to stem the problem.

But is any of this making a difference to the lives of the young people in the gangs? "No way," says one 19-year-old from Catford.

Horror knife fight broke out in A&E

The Old Bailey heard how John Saunders was held down and slashed in the face and Owen Saunders was stabbed in the back by members of the Coyle family as a savage turf war spiralled out of control. Patients and medical staff were forced to flee as the families - who had been feuding since 2001 over their road surfacing businesses - produced knives and other weapons for the showdown at Lewisham Hospital.

Teenager denies murder of 19-year-old

A TEENAGER has denied stabbing a 19-year-old to death near a bus stop in Lewisham High Street.

Jordan Mayers, also 19, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Emmanuel Odunewu via video link from prison at the Old Bailey yesterday. Mayers, of Birch Grove, Grove Park, spoke only to confirm his name and plea.

Funeral for man hit by bus

THE FUNERAL of a 46-year-old man who died under the wheels of a bus is being held today.

Dennis Sudlow was hit by a 261 double-decker bus in Baring Road, Grove Park, on March 1. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His funeral is being held today at Lewisham Crematorium, Verdant Lane, Lewisham.

Councillor is bankrupt

A LIBERAL Democrat councillor has been expelled from the party and is at the centre of a police investigation. Cllr Sera Kentman, who has represented Whitefoot ward in Lewisham since last May, was axed after breaching rules, which included failing to disclose her debts as a councillor.

Other allegations involving Ms Kentman include:

A £9,000 overpayment of housing benefit on a house she part owns.

Outstanding council tax payments back dating over a year.

Her use of a number of different names. Ms Kentman was temporarily suspended three weeks ago from the party and given time to provide information on her debts and proof of her identity.

Five alleged "crack houses" closed after raids

FIVE alleged "crack houses" have been closed down and 12 people arrested following raids across Lewisham.

The raids were carried out in a partnership between Lewisham police and various safer neighbourhood teams across the borough.

The following premises were closed as a result of the raids:

Two business addresses in , Brockley Road, Lewisham
A house in Hazledon Road, Crofton Park
A house in Stondon Park, Crofton Park
A flat in Wickham Road, Brockley