When did you arrive in Forest Hill?
I
moved to Forest Hill at the age of 4 in 1978, and have lived in a number of
houses and flats around Forest Hill, on both sides of the railway. I now live
in the same road that I moved to more than 30 years ago.
What made you choose Forest Hill as a place to live
with your family?
Initially
that was down to my parents. However I met my wife, Anne-Marie, in the sixth
form of Sydenham School (we weren't married at the time) and we eventually
chose to rent a flat in Forest Hill. We both grew up the area and have many
friends who live in the area or close by, and both our sets of parents continue
to live in Forest Hill.
When did you join the society?
I
was one of the founder members of the Forest Hill Society. We met in the
Dartmouth Arms in May 2006 after discussions on SE23.com. I chaired the Society
for a couple of years before stepping down but I stayed on the committee and,
when Richard stepped down last year I took the opportunity to stand again for
Chair of the Society. I'm very proud of what we have achieved in the last 7
years and want to make sure we continue to find new ways to improve Forest
Hill.
Why did you join the society?
I
had always felt that Forest Hill lacked a clear voice and the closure of the
swimming pool in 2006 was the main driver for local people to set up the
Society. Other than the swimming pool, my main reasons for being part of the
Society are to improve the high streets and to create a greater sense of
community and shared pride in where we live.
What are the main things that the Forest Hill Society
have achieved since you joined?
The
swimming pool campaign was our main focus for a number of years. Had it not
been for the tenacious campaigning by the Forest Hill Society and other groups,
I don't think this would have happened.
Last
year the Food Fairs took up lots of the efforts of the Society and partially as
a result of this we now have a weekly market at the Horniman (not run by the FH
Society), and at least two new shops on the high street.
What has been your proudest moment in the society?
Seeing
the swimming pool built was wonderful. Swimming in the pool on the 15th
September 2012, and attending the official opening a few weeks later, were
certainly very proud moments – and the culmination of years of hard campaigning
by local residents.
How has Forest Hill changed since you moved to the
area?
It
has changed a lot. We used to have at least three greengrocers, a fishmonger,
cheese shop, health food shop, toy shop. But things changed on all high streets
and after some bad years (mid-90s to mid-00s), the high street has definitely
picked up in the last few years.
The
other big change is the Horniman. When I was a child it was a 'dusty old
museum', today it offers so much more for visitors. I'm sure part of this is my
perception now that I have a young daughter, but I think the team in charge of
the Horniman have done a fabulous job to improve and extend the museum.
What are you main priorities as Chairman moving
forward?
It
would be really nice to do something to make Forest Hill more friendly to
pedestrians, or at least more attractive in the public spaces. Unfortunately
this is not something that is easy to achieve and we need to find appropriate
sources of funding.
I
also want the Society to continue to enable local people to make things happen.
We have been involved in a number of groups that have started off small and
have made a difference to the local area separate from, but supported by, the
Forest Hill Society. If you have ideas about making the place better, get in
touch and we can help you to find a way to make it happen.
What's your vision for Forest Hill as Chairman?
Long
term I want to see a redeveloped town centre – the space around the station and
underpass on both sides of the railway. And I want to see the Bakerloo line
extended underground to South East London – it doesn't have to be Forest Hill
or Honor Oak, but either one would be my preferred route.
But
most importantly I want everybody in Forest Hill to feel part of the community
and to feel proud to live here. I think that is what being a member of the
Forest Hill Society is all about.