Events update - January 2013

Society Events

This month's events include our traditional Burns Night celebration. This year it will take place on Friday, 25 January at Canvas and Cream (18 London Road, SE23 3HF). For £19.99 you will get a three course meal of Cock-a-leekie Soup, Haggis wi' bashit neeps an' champit tatties, Typsy Laird (a Scottish whisky trifle) and a wee dram to toast the haggis. (A vegetarian option is also available). Ceremonies will begin at 7:30pm, so turn up at 7pm for a pre dinner drink. Please book directly with Canvas & Cream at the restaurant or on 020 8699 9589. As well as food, there will also be a selection of music and poetry from the bard; bring along something to share if you would like to join in.
The Food Fair will return on Sunday, 3 February. We have decided to change our operating hours - we will now run from 11am to 3pm, which will hopefully catch the Sunday footfall in the town centre better.

In Other News...

The Butchery Limited, one of our stallholders from the Food Fair and a SEE3 PopUp, have signed a lease for 49 London Road. They are busy installing permanent refrigeration and hope to open the doors once more in early to mid February. We are delighted that another of our stallholders is moving into permanent premises and wish them well in this venture. Some people have asked why a local family was not given the chance to try the shop as a PopUp. Although Ruth and Nathan have an outlet in Bermondsey, they live in the heart of Forest Hill, so we couldn't get more local.
The TSA for the South London Health Trust, Matthew Kershaw, presented his final report to the Secretary of State for Health on January 6. The Secretary of State now has 20 working days to review it and make a decision on the future of the NHS in south east London by 4 February 2013. The final report makes the same recommendations as the draft report. ie that the A&E and Maternity units at Lewisham Hospital are closed and that we all use King's College Hospital or Queen Mary Hospital in Woolwich instead. These plans could have serious impacts on health provision in South East London and, once implemented, cannot be undone as they are planning to sell off 60% of the land. If you haven't already done so, please sign the petition against the closure of Lewisham's A&E and Maternity unit. There is going to be a march from the roundabout outside Lewisham Station to Mountfield Park on Saturday, 26 January from noon to 4pm. Watch our website for details of where to meet if you would like to join us - we will probably meet in Forest Hill first.
The Metropolitan Police have announced plans to close Sydenham police station, along with many others across London and reduce the number of police stations operating 24 hours to one per borough (in our case, Lewisham police station). The police station in East Dulwich is also earmarked for closure. There will be a Borough public consultation event on Monday, 28th January at 6pm in Lewisham town hall (opposite the Library in Catford). If you would like to attend you must register first. The full draft MOPAC Police and Crime Plan can be found on the GLA website and there is a questionnaire for your feedback.

Local Events

We try to publicise all local events on our calendar, but this is very dependant on the amount of free time we have. Apologies to any we have missed
If you are self employed and looking for a little support, then head down to the Dolphin (121 Sydenham Road, SE26 5HB) on Thursday, 24 January for 1:15pm where a new group is getting started. The Self Employed Self Help (SESH) group’s Inaugral meeting will decide how often they should meet and discuss the support needed by its members. Go along and have your say at this free event which will run from 1:15pm to 3:15pm. Simply buy your own drink and show your appreciation by donating to the collection for Sydenham Community Radio. For further information email Anna Baghari at annabaghari@ntlworld.com.
The Devonshire Road Nature Reserve (170 Devonshire Road, SE23 3SZ) will be open as usual on the last Sunday of the month (Sunday, 27 January) from 2pm. Jacob Twyford is a vital member of our Executive and the Friends of Devonshire Road Nature Reserve. If you want to show your appreciation for all that he does, catch his band (Jonah's Raft) at HopScotch (72 Honor Oak Park, SE23 1DY) on Friday, 1 February.
After last year's sell-out production of 'Cinderella', Pirate Pantomimes return to St Augustine's (One Tree Hill, Honor Oak Park, SE23 3LE) with 'Dick Whittington' starring Gabrielle Bradshaw, Lisa Thorner and friends. There will be three performances, guaranteed to be extremely popular, on Saturday 9th February at 3pm and 7pm and Sunday 10th February at 3pm. Book your tickets now and arrive early to get a good seat. (Please try and arrive 15 minutes before curtain up). Adults are £10, Concessions and children aged 5 to 18 £7.50, children of 4 yrs and under free. Seats unreserved. If you don't manage to get your tickets in advance, queue at the door and they will try and fit you in, but ticket holders will be admitted first.
The Friends of Albion Millenium Green will be holding their second AGM on Saturday 23rd February, at Forest Hill Pools Community Room from 11am-1pm. There will be elections for the positions of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, and ordinary committee members. If you would like to join their committee, please email tim@lund.co.uk

Looking Forwards...

2013 is going to be a worrying year for many people as the budgetary cuts start to take effect. We will do our best to keep you informed about local issues, but need more people to get involved to spread the word. I'm always looking for people to help run the Society, coordinate publicity and help organise events. If you would like to help in any way, please write to volunteers@foresthillsociety.com. I know I keep saying this, but we really could do with more volunteers and helpers. Bring your family along for a fun day out at one of our events, or spend ten minutes on your way home, helping out with the planting at the stations. If you don't know how you could help, call me and we'll sort something out. Every little helps.
Thank you to all those who volunteered and helped make 2012 so successful. I look forwards to meeting many more in 2013. If you would like to receive these eNews updates in your inbox, then please signn up now.