Lewisham

As a birthday present to Transpontine contributor Skister, here's a link to a spooky story partially set in Lewisham. Rooum by Oliver Onions (1873-1961) tells of a man pursued by an invisible runner that can pass through his body. It includes an encounter in the local area: 'we were somewhere out south-east London way, just beyond what they are pleased to call the building-line - you know these districts of wretched trees and grimy fields and...  

The first stage of the demolition of south London's Heathside and Lethbridge estates has begun, bringing regeneration of two housing estates in the borough of Lewisham another step closer. Lewisham’s Mayor, Sir Steve Bullock, and Brendan Sarsfield, Chief Executive at Family Mosaic, signed an agreement back in October, to cement the deal for Family Mosaic to take forward the development of a new housing estate on the site of the two estates...  

Continuing with the World Wars One and Two remembrance theme, Lewisham Local History and Archives Centre is hosting the interesting Lewisham War Memorials wiki, seeking to document the various local war memorials that exist or have existed. There are 10 for Brockley, 19 for Deptford and 15 for New Cross, among many others.I find the ones that have vanished particularly poignant. For instance at the long gone South East London Synagogue in New...  

At the beginning of last year, Lewisham Homes’ residents had the chance to apply for a share of £500,000 from the Resident Led Programme, to help make improvements to their communities. Those ideas are turning into a reality with the first projects in the Programme, now complete. The Security Contract was the first of three contracts to go ahead, and was completed ahead of schedule at the end of September 2009. The contract saw door entry...  

Below is the text of a letter published in the South London Press from the Forest Hill Society, other local civic societies, and local councillors.Dear Sir,We are deeply concerned by the proposed deep cuts to already overcrowded train services run by Southern Railways via Sydenham, Forest Hill, Honor Oak Park, Brockley and New Cross Gate. Passengers are rightly outraged by these cuts and concerned that an already overcrowded and unpleasant...  

Some kind of aliens/snow people/monsters have taken over the garden at Brockley Mess for the festive period. Well, whatever they are it's the cutest Christmas installation spotted so far this year. Inside there's an exhibition of paintings by Brixton-based artist Martin Grover. There's a picture of Brockwell Park ponds, but I was particularly taken by the large scale paintings of 7" singles.What lifts them above straightforward reproductions...  

Keren'Or's Spiral of the Inner Space performed by the Hilly Fields stone circle there at Brockley Max in June this year:Keren'Or is a Laban trained dancer (the name is Hebrew for Ray of Light - keep up kabbalists!). There's also footage of this dance at Laban in Deptford.It's getting towards the Winter Solstice, is anybody planning to watch the sun rise by the stone circle this year? I did it once - you have never been alive until you've...  

It's easy when you got all the information. Inside help, no investigation - The Pet Shop Boys, Shopping More good news for people who live near Brockley Station - Brockley Road stalwart Costcutter is currently undergoing a refurbishment ...  

I just received the replies to my questions for tomorrow’s Council meeting, here’s the first. PUBLIC QUESTION NO. 20 LONDON BOROUGH OF LEWISHAM COUNCIL MEETING 25 NOVEMBER 2009 Question asked by: Mr M Calò Member to reply:    Deputy Mayor Question How long has the Ladywell Playtower been under 24hr security and at what cost? Reply 24 hour security was installed at Ladywell Playtower on 12.05.06. [...]  

South London Press TodayLewisham Hospital slammed in reportSouth London Press TodayLewisham Hospital in Lewisham High Street came third from bottom in an independent report released on Sunday, with the lowest possible rating for patient ...  

The Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust has scored 3.43 our of 100(!) ending third from the bottom in the list of Hspital Trusts in Britain for patients’ safety. Dr Foster’s Hospital Guide for 2009 has revealed that death rates in English NHS hospitals have fallen by seven per cent last year, but that quality of [...]  

'Brixton, Lewisham' by Tony Tomas was a track on the b-side of an early Island records single by Tony & Louise, 'Ups And Downs', released in 1963. Tony Tomas was presumably the Tony of '& Louise'. I don't know much more about it - seems to have been a pre-ska record by a Jamaican singer, but with a title like that I obviously long to know more. Anybody heard it, or better still can anybody sling me an MP3?  

Yesterday’s public meeting of the Central Lewisham Action Group was much better attended that I expected, halfway down the meeting I counted 55 people, and most of them stayed until the end, and it was a very long meeting. Here’s Cllr Andrew Milton’s speech which was really well received: Other speakers from the platform were Helen Mercer [...]  

A few days ago it was Darryl’s turn, yesterday it was my turn, only that this one is actually a bit worse. The unadorned truth is that besides those that do it for the good reasons local politics is also the playground of a lot of big morons. The last two commenters on this blog may have [...]  

Brockley Ukelele Group's session at the Amersham Arms on Oct 11th had a good crowd, with the usual uke box 'shout the number, and we play' format. A couple of new members made their public singing/strumming debut.There's an unbiased review at ЯocktobeR, whose author is documenting 31 consecutive nights of London music-making (the following two photos are from there): The November session is on Sunday 8th November, 8:00 pm.