Showing posts with label Forest Hill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forest Hill. Show all posts

26 April 2024

Forest Hill Walking Festival and Edible Plant Giveaway

The Forest Hill Society will be organising the very first FOREST HILL WALKING FESTIVAL on June 9th, 2024.


The Festival will showcase a series of local walks around the local area, each with a different theme, so that you can explore places and views you may not already know about, and meet other local residents and visitors while exploring our corner of London.


On Sunday 9th of June we will have maps for 5 different walks starting and ending at Forest Hill Station, each of which will include one walk at a specific time of the day that will be guided by a member of the Society.


There will be a range of themes, from local history, musical trivia, lots of nature and also some stunning views, and will also include some activities for children and families. The walks will be of different lengths, from 1 mile to over 5 miles, and levels of difficulty to suit a range of participants, so whether you want a challenge, or just a pleasant stroll, there will be something for everyone.


So put this date in your diary, break out the walking boots, and look out for more information coming soon on each of the walks, including themes and times for the guided tours.



EDIBLE PLANT GIVEAWAY



As the Forest Hill Society will have tables in the station car park for the Walking Festival, we will also be celebrating our popular Edible Plant Giveaway from 12:00 noon on 9th June.


We are once again offering a free edible “starter” plant to anyone who comes to our tables. The aim is to encourage people to grow their own edible plants, or plants with edible products. Maybe you can even pick one up after a walk!

There's no need for a garden, these plants can be grown on a window ledge or small balcony in any old container. Many of our plants are provided and grown by members of the Forest Hill Society Committee, but also by the Forest Hill Library garden team.

We recommend coming down as soon as possible after 12 o'clock as plants go quickly. We particularly welcome families to give children a chance to grow these edible plants. If you don't have children who wish to grow the plant then you are most welcome, but we want to give priority to children for the first 30 minutes.


08 December 2023

Christmas Tree Lighting - 9th December 2023

 Join Us for a Festive Celebration!

We're thrilled to invite the #ForestHill community to the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, hosted in partnership with ChurchesTogether.
 
📅 Date: Saturday, December 9th
⏰ Time: 4 PM for 4:15 lighting
📍 Location: Forest Hill Station
 
Don't miss the lighting of the stunning Christmas tree, artfully designed by the talented local Lee Jackson. Immerse yourself in the festive spirit as we enjoy heartwarming carols led by the wonderful the Ichthus Fellowship.
 
Come along, bring your friends and family, and let's spread some holiday cheer together! 
 

 

30 August 2023

Children's Book Sale

The Forest Hill Society will be running a book sale for second-hand children's books on 23rd September outside Forest Hill Library from 10am-2pm.

We already have lots of donated books, but if you have additional children's books in a good condition that you would like to donate, please bring them to the library before 17th September.
 

All funds raised will go towards supporting the library, but even more importantly, we will get books to local children to increase reading.



27 April 2023

London City Airport- all day Saturday flights over Lewisham are in the balance

by Tim Walker and John Doherty

In summer 2022 London City Airport launched its latest expansion consultation, this time proposing to operate all afternoon and evenings on Saturdays, with more early morning flights on weekdays too. The Forest Hill Society made a response, along with many other Londoners and Borough Councils, including Lewisham. We opposed the extension of operating hours, saying that until the airport, together with Heathrow, introduces replacement flight paths, due 2027-28, no changes should be applied for or considered. This is consistent with our approach since City introduced its 2000 ft concentrated flight path over Forest Hill in 2016. The current 24 hour weekend ban on flying gives all overflown Londoners peace and quiet from this centrally located airport at a time when we are enjoying our homes, parks and gardens. City-bound flights over our area occur in east wind conditions, often associated with prolonged periods of fine weather in summer.


That non-statutory consultation was poorly publicised but still drew considerable opposition. Inevitably though, this expansive airport followed up by putting in a planning application running to over 100 technical documents to its planning authority, the London Borough of Newham. Newham was forced to launch their own planning consultation which ended in March. Again, this happened with minimal publicity- the only people written to directly about this lived in a small area close to the airport’s runway. Despite this, some 800 comments, the vast majority being objections, were submitted to Newham – it would surely be many more if all the communities under low City flight paths had been informed directly.


City’s planning application this time proposes flying an additional 7 hours of flights on Saturdays, an hour less in winter. This will include the largest jet we have seen from them so far, the E195-E2. They make a case that this is to meet demand for more holiday and leisure flying from the airport – originally given permission in the 1980’s to open as a small, business orientated airport with no noisy jet flights.


We have spent much time looking at these new proposals and then providing analysis, briefing and information to HACAN East, the campaign group concerned with London City Airport and to our elected representatives including Lewisham Council, our MP Ellie Reeves and the London Assembly. We wanted to support our elected representatives with solid, evidence based information and argument and to encourage them to take a clear position against the expansion of the airport.


One way we did this was to conduct our own noise measurements last summer, comparing the maximum noise levels of City airport jet aircraft at 5 measurement points under the SE London arrivals flight path. Taking 265 separate noise measurements including high up in Horniman gardens meant we were able to compare the maximum noise level of ‘new generation’ aircraft such as the Embraer E190-E2 against its predecessor, the E190. The reason for this is that City Airport has been claiming for several years that the new planes will be ‘quieter’. We wanted to put that to the test.

 

The LCA flight paths are set out by the airport above. In easterly wind conditions the airport uses a low
(at or around 2000ft ) concentrated single arrivals route over SE London then turning north towards the airport, shown by the pink east-west line.


The results were quite dramatic. Our measurements showed that over SE London the new planes were not noticeably quieter than the older ones. And neither type could be described as quiet, at around 70 decibels as they pass low overhead. When we met with the airport’s noise consultants in late 2022 they were unable to provide measured data to show any different; they said that they would expect perhaps a 2 decibel difference over Forest Hill. But we both noted that the Civil Aviation Authority state that this difference would not be noticeable to the human ear.


We published our results as a ‘Citizen Research Study’ in collaboration with HACAN East, and presented it to the airport’s senior management at their Consultative Committee. We also used it in information and briefings to our elected representatives. We said that claims that new generation aircraft are ‘quieter’ in these consultations without giving people a full understanding of where and when they might be experienced as quieter and how noticeable it would be was potentially misleading. Locally we have been delighted to see support in the form of written objections to City’s planning application from Cabinet Member Cllr Louise Krupski on behalf of Lewisham Council and from Ellie Reeves MP, both drawing on our discussions, information and analysis. At a London-wide level, both influential London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon and the Chair of the GLA Environment Committee Zack Polanski directly quoted from the Citizen Research Study and other briefing we supplied, as members of the Forest Hill Society, to the London Assembly. Our report was quoted or referred to directly or indirectly by a number of other bodies. The full study is here. It’s been a lot of work, but we feel we have done what we can for now to draw attention to this new threat to the peace of our homes, parks and gardens at weekends and to try and make sure our area is represented as best it can be by people in positions of influence.

The next step is for Newham Council to consider the Planning Application. Most, perhaps all overflown London Borough Councils have lodged a strong objection to the application. Newham’s planning committee has the unenviable job of assessing it, probably in May. If they reject it, an appeal by the airport is possible. And at any stage this decision may be called in by either the Mayor of London or by the Department for Transport to take over the issue and make the decision in place of Newham. One positive is that the Mayor of London has recently made it clear that he is against further expansion of this type by the airport.

01 April 2023

FoHo Coins - Launching The Local Crypto-Currency

 

Combining the ideals of local currencies such as the Brixton Pound with innovations in blockchain technology, the Forest Hill Society is excited today to announce the launch of a new hyper local crypto-currency for Forest Hill and Honor Oak - the FoHo.

FoHo coins will be accepted at virtually all local shops with the current rate of exchange standing at 10,000 coins for a Ferfect Chicken Box. But that price is expected to pass the 1,000,000 coin mark before the end of April - showing that now is a great time to invest in FoHos (and in chicken boxes).

Locals will be able to buy FoHo via the universally popular PayByPhone parking app which can also be used to 'pay' for free parking in local car parks. Mining FoHo coins is also particularly simple, our new FoHoApp will generate 0.01 FoHo for every footstep taken along one of Forest Hill or Honor Oak’s shopping streets, or 10 FoHos if you arrive at a shop by bicycle. 
 
Ms A Showers, a local crypto enthusiast, said that the idea of FoHo coins was somewhere between SoSo and HoHo.

More details on how to become a FoHo miner can be found here.
 
* Press release issued by the Forest Hill Society on 1st April 2023. Some of the details in this article may not be valid on any other day of the year.

31 March 2023

Children's Book Sale - 29th April

The Forest Hill Society will be running a book sale for second hand children's books on 29th April outside Forest Hill Library from 10am-4pm.

All funds raised will go towards supporting the library, but even more importantly, we will get books to local children to increase reading.

 




Spring Planting - April 22nd

Saturday April 22nd

Forest Hill Society volunteers will be planting in Forest Hill station forecourt, and the platform and other planters we care for in the town centre, on Saturday April 22nd, meeting by the main station entrance at 2.30pm. No experience is necessary and we welcome all comers, but please bring protective gloves and, if possible, a trowel - although we do have some spares. As we work in close proximity to busy roads this will not be suitable for children.

If you would like to find out more, please email email@foresthillsociety.com

Tell your friends, and come to lend a hand.


26 November 2022

Christmas Tree Lighting for Forest Hill 2022

The Forest Hill Christmas Tree will be switched on Saturday 10th December shortly after 3:45pm at Forest Hill station with carol singing led by Churches Together for Forest Hill and Sydenham. We hope you can join us.


2020 Christmas Tree at Forest Hill Station and carol singing from 2018.


This year we will be planting a sustainable Christmas tree at the station. This does mean that this year's tree will be smaller than usual, but it will grow!

25 November 2022

Forest Hill Society Christmas Quiz

 

The Forest Hill Society invites you to The 2022 CHRISTMAS QUIZ


Tuesday 20 December, 7.30pm at All Inn One pub, 53 Perry Vale, London SE23 2NE

Maximum 6 people per team. Register at Eventbrite

Entry is free, but donations to Lewisham Foodbank welcome via our fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/foresthillsocietyxmas2022


02 October 2022

Forest Hill Society AGM 2022

 

All members and non-members are welcome to attend our AGM, which will take place at 7:30pm, Tuesday 11th October at the All Inn One pub on Perry Vale, just opposite Forest Hill Station.

The AGM is an opportunity to find out more about what is happening in Forest Hill, to share your concerns and to shape the future of the Society.


At the AGM in October we elect the new committee for the Forest Hill Society. We are always keen to have new members on the committee, as well as existing members who wish to continue.

We are fortunate to have a committee consisting of many people who are passionate about Forest Hill and making a difference to benefit the area. The most visible way this can be seen is the planting and maintenance of plants around the town centre. This year the Forest Hill Society has again been awarded “Outstanding” for the In Bloom competition organised by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Having more members on the committee means we get a better idea of what is important to you and the everybody in the community. And it also means more people to help at events and in campaigns.

We are particularly looking for people with an interest in the following areas:
 

Environment - including planting and gardening around the town centre and looking at ways to improve air quality in the local area

 

Transport - including improving roads for pedestrians and cyclists, ensuring Forest Hill is well served by public transport, and considering flight paths over Forest Hill
 

Planning and Development - including developing long-term plans for the town centre, and also reviewing planning applications in the area
 

Communications and Events - including contributing to our newsletter and arranging events for the community (e.g. book sales, gin tasting, history talks, pub quizzes, Christmas tree lighting and carols).

We are particular interested in anybody who would like to assist with the editing of our paper newsletter.

You can put your name forward for the committee in one of two ways:
1. Email email@foresthillsociety.com to let us know you wish to stand
2. Join us at the AGM and raise your hand when we ask for nominations
and you can become part of the team that has been making Forest Hill even better for 16 years.

 

20 September 2022

Planning Application: 43 Dartmouth Road

43 DARTMOUTH ROAD, LONDON, SE23 3HN, application DC/22/127781: Prior Approval under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class MA of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended) for the change of use of the existing ground floor and basement from retail (Use Class E) to a single dwelling (Use Class C3) at 43 Dartmouth Road SE23.

We are writing to object to the above application by virtue of the unsuitable accommodation proposed and the detrimental impact on the Forest Hill Conservation Area.

The proposals do not satisfy the requirements within “Technical housing standards – nationally described space standard” (Department for Communities and Local Government, March 2015) or the London Plan (March 2021). The above space standards do not cater for a 1 bedroom/2 person accommodation over two floors, so this would be subject to the 1 bedroom/2 person requirement. The proposed 45 sqm unit would therefore not satisfy the requirement within both of the above documents of 58 sqm.

The Forest Hill Conservation Area is characterised by its commercial and retail centre around the railway station and surrounding suburban residential streets and green spaces. The commercial core, including the retail units along Dartmouth Road contribute to this area’s character. The loss of a retail unit in this area and the resulting inactivity of its frontage would erode this commercial character and ultimately, the character of the wider Conservation Area.

We therefore request the application is refused.

03 September 2022

Forest Hill Station Forecourt

A new trial access to Forest Hill station started on 30th July which is designed to demonstrate that we can make the station more pedestrian friendly.

The car park remains open except the side closest to WH Smith. Drop-off and parking at the station is still possible through the existing vehicle entrance, but this also functions as the exit from the car park. The initial trial was not designed to be the final solution and as such was never expected to be perfect.

We have received lots of predominantly positive comments about the scheme with pedestrians feeling safer getting to the station, particularly with young children. We understand that it has made it harder for some cars manoeuvring around the car park after dropping off passengers and for the next phase we are looking at ways that this can be improved. Based on feedback they key issue is widening the entrance and exit and providing an easier way to turn around and drop off. In regards to that we will propose removing the 4 car parking spaces in front of the Lazy Chef cafe in order to widen the entrance/exit. We are also working with the council to remove the dilapidated toilet that has been closed for a number of years.


Any final plans will need agreement of TfL, Network Rail, Lewisham Council and other parties. This trial has demonstrated that there are ways to improve this important location in our town centre and make it safer for all users of the station. We now feel that we have collected sufficient feedback and therefore we propose to end the trial early - within the next couple of weeks. We are targeting mid September, pending availability and discussions with station staff, TfL and councillors.

Finally we are continuing to campaign for a nicer station as a whole. In the longer term we would love to have a better station building (with a public toilet), improved crossing on the south circular, and also lifts for disabled access and a pedestrian crossing on the Perry Vale side.

Thanks to everybody who has provided feedback to us already - both positive and negative comments. Please do continue to send feedback and suggestions to email@foresthillsociety.com

09 August 2022

Planning: Drakes Court, Devonshire Road

DC/22/127093 

The construction of residential dwellings (Use Class C3) together with new play space, cycle parking spaces, refuse/recycling stores and associated landscaping works at Drakes Court Estate, Devonshire Road SE23. | DRAKES COURT, DEVONSHIRE ROAD, LONDON, SE23 3LY

Following the final consultation phase the planning application for the above is now being considered. The Planning Committee of the Forest Hill Society discussed this application at their meeting on 26th July 2022.

We would like to support this thoughtfully considered scheme which is considerate to existing residents and neighbours in scale & design, sympathetic to its context and with a particularly comprehensive & imaginative landscaping plan. The documents and plans in the application were clear and detailed which is not always the case with infill developments. The scheme will provide 8 new quality social rented council homes and substantial improvements to the landscaping & amenity areas.

It is pleasing that comments made by residents and others have been incorporated in the final submission.

However, we do consider it important that the contractors respect the intentions of the plan during the construction. Once large quantities of plant & materials are moved on site, we have unfortunately seen too many ‘non material amendments’ seeking to remove inconvenient trees or RPA’s compromised in some other infill developments.

We feel this plan should be a source of pride for those who have worked hard to develop it, and welcomed by the local community.

15 July 2022

Horniman wins Museum of the Year

 We are so proud of and grateful for the Horniman Museum - 2022 winner of Museum of the Year.

 


 

The Horniman Museum and Gardens was announced as Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022 yesterday (14 July 2022). The £100,000 award – the largest museum prize in the world – was presented by DJ and broadcaster Huw Stephens at a ceremony in the spectacular setting of the Design Museum, London. 

The Horniman Museum and Gardens was recognised for its transformational programme in 2021, re-orientating its activity to reach diverse audiences more representative of London and engaging people in addressing the climate emergency.

Nick Merriman, Chief Executive of the Horniman Museum and Gardens, says: ‘To be awarded Art Fund Museum of the Year, when the other finalists have such wonderful achievements to share, is an incredible honour. Thank you to the judges and to Art Fund. I particularly want to pay tribute to everyone involved in the Horniman, in whatever capacity, in 2021. It takes a community of people to create a museum that truly serves its local area. People love museums – we hear “I love the Horniman” a lot – and this award is a great endorsement of love as a motivation for the work that we do here; love for our communities and love for the world we all share.’

30 June 2022

Station Forecourt Changes

 A new trial access to Forest Hill station will implements from 30th July 2022 which is designed to make the station more pedestrian friendly.

The car park will remain open except the side closest to WH Smith. This side of the car park will be converted into a pedestrian friendly space with additional plants and flowers. We hope that this will improve the welcome to Forest Hill and encourage events to take place in the town centre.

Drop-off and parking at the station will still be possible through the existing vehicle entrance, but this will also function as the exit from the car park. During the trial period the impact of the scheme will be monitored to see if the scheme works for all the community, and consider whether any changes are necessary to turn this into a permanent change.

Once the changes are in place we would welcome your feedback (positive or negative) to understand the views of the community.

23 May 2022

FREE DRAMA WORKSHOP - May 25th

 

 

FREE DRAMA WORKSHOP as part of Lewisham Borough of Culture 2022


As part of Borough of Culture TEATRO VIVO have been made 'Artists of Change' working with the Climate resilience team at the council.

The end result will be a 20-minute show that will be performed twice in every ward in the borough - representing what the people of Lewisham think the borough should be doing around climate, greening, and reaching net zero by 2030.

After working with the climate team, we're reaching out to residents to hear what they want to say and we’d love for you to get involved. We’re running a drama workshop in each ward in the borough including one at Albion Millennium Green on Wednesday, May 25th 6.00-7.30pm.

To participate, please contact email@foresthillsocety.com


For more information then please visit www.teatrovivo.co.uk

27 April 2022

Old Photos of Forest Hill from SE23.life

 Nice old photos of The Forester’s Arms, currently know as the All Inn One

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and the Forest Hill Hotel, including floor plan).

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Forest Hill Station


1910

1911

Some film from 1964 driving up from Lordship Lane to junction with South Circular then down into Forest Hill and round under the railway bridge.
You may notice there are works happening down London road… nothing much changes eh?

(link takes you to relevant bit @ 3:10 ish but there may be more you notice)

 

 

From Facebook. 1971 apparently.

image

 

I saw this pic the other day which I thought was gorgeous. 1960 apparently

image 

 

Here’s a blast from the past - Spiggy’s on Dartmouth Road

spiggys


Here you go, it became a Dairy in 1927:

Some background here: https://www.se23.com/forum-archive/messages/9/1029.html



An old favourite!

 

 

In the 1870’s the Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro painted Lordship Lane station from the bridge in Sydenham Hill Woods looking north at the Crystal Palace High Level Railway. What was open countryside then is all overgrown now, but there are a few visible pointers to the old railway track.

I’ve led walks for friends along the railway route from Nunhead to Crystal Palace a couple of times. Here’s an overlay of some current views with the painting to compare. The accuracy of his drafting, of the landscape and especially of the houses that are still there is, as you might expect, excellent.

In his painting, centrally we see the railway line, then the station buildings, just beyond them was a bridge over Lordship Lane heading into the current Horniman Nature Trail, at the back of Woodvale. To the right in the distance we see the hill on which Horniman Gardens now stand. In the near right foreground now stand the apartment blocks of the Sydenham Hill Estate. Finally, left of centre, the red house with the cream house left of it on the corner of Woodvale.


Pissarro_lordship

 

this pic appeared on Twitter recently, the original wooden bridge from which Pissarro painted Lordship Lane station. Don’t know the date - guessing around 1900 from the dress of the two children pictured?

image

 

 

Lordship Lane Station looking north in c. early 1920’s

Lordship Lane Station looking north in the early 1950’s

Photo from Brian Halford collection

Lordship Lane Station looking south during demolition in 1956
Photo by John L. Smith

The site of Lordship Lane Station looking north east in July 2007
Photo by Nick Catford

Aerial view showing the site of Lordship Lane Station - the platforms are shown in black. The arrow indicates the camera position and direction of the photograph above.

Click here for more pictures of Lordship Lane Station
Click here for pictures of Cox’s Walk footbridge south of Lordship Lane Station
Click here to see literature advertising the ‘Palace Centenarian’ - the last train

 

and this is one side of the station, a 2 storey building with steps up to platform level.
image

 

 



Information for New Residents

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Article first published on SE23.life forum based on user contributions.