30 April 2012

Honor Oak Rec's future

Southwark Council have published their Cemetery Strategy, which will go before the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 8 May 2012. The meeting will be held in the Ground Floor Meeting Room G02A at 160 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QH.

According to the Executive summary, the Strategy considers a range of options addressing short, medium and long term provision of burial space, and focusses on the Camberwell Old Cemetery and Camberwell New Cemetery.

The ‘immediate’ options presented to cabinet have been considered and are being developed alongside and as part of the ‘short term’ options proposed in this report. These include recently decontaminated land at the old Honor Oak Nursery site, as well as an area of old public (or common) graves in the south of Camberwell Old Cemetery which requires to be ‘topped up’ with soil to enable it to receive burials. A wooded area of virgin ground in the west of Camberwell New Cemetery is similarly proposed to be taken forward.

In addition further burial is proposed for the remainder of the old nursery site and for a second area of public graves that had previously been ‘topped up’ in the north of Camberwell Old Cemetery. These proposals also include capacity for Muslim burials.

‘Medium Term’ options from 2022 onward include the re-use of unmarked public graves older than 75 years old (and in most instances nearly 95 years old) in consecrated parts of Camberwell Old and Camberwell New Cemeteries. This would be subject to church permission (a ‘Faculty’) and any remains encountered would be re-interred and recorded in a consecrated grave adjacent. This has been approach has been successful elsewhere, notably in the City of London Cemetery.

In addition, in the medium term, it is proposed that rights to private graves older than 75 years could be cancelled under the provisions of an Act of parliament of 1975. Unused space in that grave could then be reclaimed for burial, or alternatively, if the grave is set within consecrated ground, the grave could be re-used subject to a Faculty. In these instances memorials would be selected and where appropriate restored and reinscribed.

The whole process would require the adherence to a Conservation Management Plan bespoke to each cemetery. Reclamation of graves along with the restoration/re-inscription of memorials has also been successfully implemented at the City of London.

Other measures proposed in the medium term include development of mausoleum sites in Camberwell Old and Camberwell New Cemeteries and the remediation and use of a disturbed area of ground (currently being investigated) in the north west of Camberwell Old Cemetery.

According to the Strategy report, medium term options potentially provide space until 2040 depending on burial rates and delivery of space. However, the Council has been noticebly inaccurate in its previous estimates. Long term options proposed include the re-use and reclamation of both private and public graves, mainly in Camberwell New Cemetery.

There are, however clouds on the horizon.

Firstly, whilst other authorities in London may re-use private graves in areas that are not consecrated (under the provisions of Acts of parliament of 1976 and 2007), that same provision does not extend to Southwark on account of the way the 2007 Act is drafted. This needs legal clarification and/or a change in the law to remedy and it is proposed that Southwark should pursue that matter in the short and medium term.

Secondly, most areas of Camberwell New Cemetery do not become ‘old’ enough for re-use until at least 2045, by which time all the short and medium term options will have been exhausted.

The Strategy report proposes taking up a third of Honor Oak Park to bridge this gap, whilst retaining the football pitches and substantively enhancing the remainder of the Park. (See page 65 of Strategy Report)

The Strategy report recognises that this is likely to be unpopular and, at this point in time, it is not an option preferred by the Council. The Strategy therefore considers it essential that the Council should also conduct a review of Nunhead Cemetery to ascertain whether there is any scope for limited reclamation/re-use in conjunction with restoration. In addition, the Council should work in partnership with other London authorities and seek to secure alternative burial space, (potentially also including natural burial space) by way of an additional landholding.

We appreciate that this is a sensitive issue and that the land was originally purchased for use as burial plots. However, although a lot of the area had been developed by the time the New Cemetery was purchased in 1901, significant further development has gone on as evidenced by the large number of 1930's houses nearby. We must, therefore, keep the pressure on to ensure that the amenity provided by Honor Oak Rec is not lost to future generations.

24 April 2012

Nominate your Favourite Businesses

It's time for Lewisham's Business Awards again.

Nominations can be made at any time by customers, suppliers, partners or the business themselves, but the deadline for the current awards is Tuesday, 19 June.

All nominations will be considered by a judging panel which meets four times a year and includes people from business and professional business advisors. Winners are able to use the Mayor of Lewisham Business award winner logo in promotions and the Council will promote them through existing channels, such as Lewisham's website, Lewisham Life and in local media.

There are eight categories to choose from:

  • ​Corporate and social responsibility
  • ​Creative digital entrepreneur
  • ​Customer care
  • Environmental practice
  • Fairtrade business​
  • ​New business
  • ​Social enterprise
  • ​Young entrepreneur

Further details on the categories can be found on Lewisham's website (here). Nominations must be made by Tuesday 19 June 2012 using the online form or you can download a paper copy

The Mayor of Lewisham Business awards are an opportunity for local businesses to celebrate their successes and to increase their profile within the community. The awards are open to any business in the borough.

22 April 2012

Forest Hill Food Market - A Great Success

The stalls almost all ran out of stock before the end of the day in a busy Sunday in Forest Hill Station Car Park. Many thanks to all the stall holders and everybody who came along to sample the culinary delights of Forest Hill and beyond.






20 April 2012

Food Fair - Sunday 22nd April

This Sunday (22nd April), the Forest Hill Society will be holding a Food Fair at Forest Hill station from 10am - 4pm.

There will be eight stalls selling Fresh Delicacies - Hot Food - English Cheeses, Pies & Tartlets - Handmade Scotch eggs - Award winning Chutneys - Caribbean Sauces and Spices - Artisan Bread - Delicious Cakes - Fresh Coffee from Fleisch - Hills & Parkes - The Egg Boss - BreadBread - The Forest Hill Cake Company - Mridula’s Kitchen - Pimento Hill - Franklins and On The Hoof.

The majority of the stall holders live locally and are trying the waters out here to see what demand is like. Please come along and show your support.


Once you have made your purchases, why not try one of our local restaurants? The Black Hummingbird, India Gate, Canvas & Cream, Sylvan Post, Question Bar, Dartmouth Tandoori and All Inn One are all running special taster dishes for £1 - £2. The Dartmouth Arms will also be offering free nibbles.

Finally, Sugar Mountain will be selling their sweets at the special rate of £1/100g

News and Events - April to May 2012

We have been extremely busy in the past three months, pushing forwards various projects including our "Portas Pilot" bid.  If you haven't seen the video yet, then please watch it on Youtube and then and 'Like' it.  The link is http://bit.ly/LoveOurTowns.
 
This month there is plenty going on:
 
Sunday, 22 April 10am-4pm Forest Hill Food Fair at Forest Hill Station
We will have a Market at the station, with eight stalls selling various produce and a taster trail involving nine pubs, cafes, restaurants and a sweet shop offering small portions for you to try - go along and sample those restaurants you haven't yet tried

Saturday, 28 April 2pm - 4pm Honor Oak Planting Honor Oak Park Station
Join us as we start this year's "In Bloom" effort with planting at Honor Oak Park Station.  All you need is a little enthusiasm - we have four planters to plant and may try to clear the weeds by the bins too.  Beginners welcome.  If you cannot make it on the day, please contact email@foresthillsociety.com to get involved with the watering and nurturing of the plants.
 
Sunday, 29 April 11:30am - 3:30pm Birds of Prey Devonshire Road Nature Reserve, 170 Devonshire Road, SE23 3SZ
The Devonshire Road Nature Reserve are hosting another of their successful "Birds of Prey" days.   There will be flights at 12 noon and 1:30pm, with tickets limited to 80 per flying session (Adults £3, Children £2, Family £8).  The reserve will be open until 5:30pm.
Some photos from a previous event can be seen here.
 
Sunday, 29 April 2:30pm - 4pm Forest Hill Planting Forest Hill Station
** PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE **  NOW 29 APRIL.
Come along and build on last year's success.  We only have two new planters to plant as two have been damaged in storage, but we need to tend to the existing beds as well.  Beginners welcome - all you need is a little enthusiasm.  If you cannot make it on the day, please contact email@foresthillsociety.com to get involved with the watering and nurturing of the plants.
 
Saturday, 12 May 10:25am Lullingstone Castle outing Meet at Catford Bridge Station
Lullingstone Castle is one of England's oldest family estates, dating back to the time of Domesday.  Henry VIII and Queen Anne were both regular visitors.  In addition to the Manor House and Norman Church, the World Garden is a special attraction.
The Forest Hill and Sydenham Societies are arranging a joint trip.  If interested, please contact Quetta by emailing environment@foresthillsociety.com. Departure will be 10.25 a.m. from Catford Bridge station to Eynsford.  This is one station beyond Zone 6 so a ticket for the extra should be purchased at Catford Bridge if using a Travelcard.
Light refreshments are available on site or at the Country Visitors' Centre a short walk away along a path beside the River Darent - or take a picnic with you.
Please book your ticket with Quetta the week before the visit - i.e. between Monday April 30th and Saturday May 5th so that we can qualify for the Group rate (£6, in additon to train fare).   
 
Saturday, 12 May 11am - 3pm Sydenham Garden Spring Fair 28A Wynell Road, SE23 2LW
Sydenham Garden's annual Spring Fair takes place on Saturday 12th May 2012, 11am to 3pm.
They are a community charity and part of their mission is to involve the local community in their project, which offers therapeutic horticulture and creative opportunities to promote the physical and mental wellbeing of residents. There will be a stall aimed at promoting wellbeing and breaking the taboo about talking about mental ill health - their clients will be running many stalls at the event.  Go along and find out more about who they are, what they do and why.
 
Saturday & Sunday, 12-13, 19-20 May 11am - 6pm Open Artists Havelock Walk and others
Various artists are opening their doors as part of the Dulwich Festival.   
Almost all venues are open on the first weekend and many are also open on the second. A few venues are open on the second weekend only. For easy reference in the booklet and on the maps, green denotes venues open on both weekends, blue those open on the first only and yellow those open on the second weekend only. There is also an alphabetical list of artists at the back of the booklet.  Full details can be found at http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk/openhouseprogramme

15 April 2012

Saatchi and Nigella come to Canvas & Cream

Press Release from Canvas & Cream:

Canvas & Cream a new concept art space and dining experience in Forest Hill were host to Charles Saatchi and Nigella Lawson yesterday, there was a bit of something for both of them in Canvas & Creams’ unique Up-Cycled dining room which adjoins their Gallery/Project Space where artist Raf Zawistowski is exhibiting his new work.

Saatchi......

Raf Zawistowski’s solo debut show was bought outright by Saatchi before the show has opened.
Raf Zowistowski’s show Halo curated by Juan Bolivar is showing at Canvas & Cream Gallery/Project Space from Thursday 19th April until 1st June.
Zawistowski’s exhibition focuses on the relationship between materiality and his use of religious iconography, what Zawistowski refers to as existing between "the sublime and the anti-sublime".
In this new body of work comprising of twelve paintings derived from the imagery of the 265 Popes to have reigned to date, Zawistowski hints at the Apostolic connection they have with the Christian faith, and the succession of spiritual authority embodied by these religious figures.

Contact:
Joanna Gore at info@canvasandcream.com
+44(0)208 699 9589 / +44(0)7745 899462
Gallery Opening Hours: Thursday to Sunday 12-5pm (or by appointment)
Canvas & Cream, 18 London Road SE23 3HF
www.canvasandcream.com

Above photo by Annie Nilaker ©



Nigella........

After viewing the artwork in the Canvas & Cream gallery Nigella, wowed by the eclectic selection of cakes tweeted... ‘Fabulous Cakes at Canvas & Cream SE23 ‘You Must Go’,  after being presented with an Up-Cycled gift box made from a cigar box, two glass trinket boxes and fairy lights, containing homemade cakes she sent out a picture saying ‘My enchanting parcel of takeaway cakes, why haven’t I, of all people ever thought of fairy light giftwrap’.
Canvas & Cream casually offers a fine dining cook to order menu and/or a tea with ‘fabulous cakes’,diners are surrounded by a creative Up-Cycled environment as they eat. See www.canvasandcream.com for details and events



Planning Applications: 113 Bovill Road and Forest Hill Hotel

113 Bovill Road
The Forest Hill Society has objected to a three storey office block in Bovill Road.
The details of the application can be viewed on the Lewisham council web site.

Our main reasons for objection are:
1. The site is not suitable for a 3 storey office building and other workshop uses
2. The inappropriate design of the replacement building

The full objection can be read here.


Forest Hill Hotel (Stanstead Road)
The Forest Hill Society has objected to the conversion of this pub to residential units.
The details of the application can be viewed on the Lewisham council web site.

Our main reasons for objection are:
1. The application fails to provide affordable housing
2. Poor internal layout

The full objection can be read here.

02 April 2012

Into the Garden

Sydenham Garden will be opening its gates to the public for a unique musical event. Dreamt up by two students from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, ‘Into the Garden’ is all about promoting local musicians and highlighting the work of Sydenham Garden.
This is not your average concert; everyone is welcome to pop in at any time during the event. Performers will include the fabulous Sydenham Garden Choir and students from the Guildhall School, with further acts to be confirmed. Please see their website for the latest information – http://www.intothegarden.moonfruit.com
The event will run from 2.30-5.30pm on Sunday, 15 April at Sydenham Garden (28a Wynell Road, SE23 2LW) with performances taking place around the garden throughout the afternoon. There will be plenty of refreshments and homemade cakes on sale. Entrance is free, but donations for Sydenham Garden will be welcomed. They ask that children under 16 are accompanied by a responsible adult.