Croquet in Mayow Park

By Jane Sheridan

Sydenham Croquet are relocating from their current site on Lawrie Park Road, where we have been part of the wider Sydenham Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club,  to the former bowls green in Mayow Park.

We are one of the oldest surviving clubs in the country, being established in 1899, and it is with great sadness that we move after a decision was taken to redevelop our lawn as a tennis court.
 
We have been made to feel very welcome by both The Friends of Mayow Park, and Lewisham Council, as well as their management company, Glendale, and look forward to a long and settled future in our new home. We will start to play from April, usually on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

We are a thriving club with a strong social side and offer a warm welcome to anyone who’d just like to try this engaging and fun game. For free taster sessions please contact:  info@sydenhamcroquet@gmail.com

Local Olympians

By Gary Thornton

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held over to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will be especially memorable for each of the Team GB medal winners, who between them secured 65 medals, including 22 golds.

And for Forest Hill, these games will also be remembered as the first gold medal for one of our local athletes. Alex Yee followed his silver medal in the triathlon by anchoring the mixed relay team — also comprising Jessica Learmonth, Jonny Brownlee and Georgia Taylor-Brown — and obtaining the gold medal. Although Alex grew up close by in Brockley, he attended Stillness Infant School, so here in SE23 we can claim at least part of him as one of our own.

The 23-year-old first attracted attention when he won the 2012 Mini London Marathon and took gold for Lewisham in the London Youth Games, where he competed in cycling and the aquathlon. He recovered from a serious cycling injury in 2017 and began competing in the triathlon in 2019, finishing second in his first event, and winning his first World Triathlon Championship Series in Leeds earlier this year. 

 
Local artist Lionel Stanhope was also quick off the mark, commemorating Alex’s success with an addition to his Brockley sign:

 

There are few past Olympians from Forest Hill, and we have to look to our neighbours to bask in their reflected glory:
 
Tasha Danvers attended Sydenham Girls’ School. A finalist at Sydney in 2000, she won bronze in the 400m hurdles at Beijing in 2008.

Lesley-Ann Skeete was born in Sydenham and ran in the 100m hurdles at Seoul in 1988 and Barcelona in 1992.

Duncan Goodhew lived at Wells Park Road in Sydenham during the 1980s. He famously won gold in the 100m breaststroke and bronze in the 4x100m medley relay at Moscow in 1980.

Linda Ludgrove lived on the Sydenham Hill Estate, and took part in the 4x100m relay and the 100m backstroke at Tokyo in 1964. Linda also won 5 gold medals and 1 silver at the Commonwealth Games of 1962 and 1966.

Photo: Linda Lovegrove, Nederlands: Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo


Victor Gauntlett was born in Forest Hill in 1884, but after his family emigrated, he represented South Africa in the 1908 London Olympics, playing in the men's singles and reaching the quarter finals of the men’s doubles.

Richard Barnett was born in Forest Hill in 1863 and finished fourth in the Men's Free Rifle 1,000 yards in the 1908 London Olympics. He later served as the MP for St Pancras South West.

These, and other Lewisham Olympians, are recorded in the London 2012 legacy website,
http://lewishamlegacy.wikidot.com/lewisham-s-olympic-heroes

125 Years of Bowling in Forest Hill

The Forest Hill Bowling Club is celebrating its 125th Anniversary this year, and they will be hosting three Special Celebration Matches plus other events throughout the summer season.

Bowls is a sport and pastime for everyone. You can make new friends at the Club and spend summer afternoons and evenings in safe and pleasant surroundings.

For those who have not bowled before or who have limited experience, the Club can provide the assistance of its qualified bowls coaches.

Their outdoor season starts on Saturday 20th April and runs until Sunday 22nd September. From the beginning of May, they meet for practice, skills and coaching on Tuesdays and Fridays at 5pm.

The Club’s members play matches on Wednesday afternoons, Thursday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Why not pop along to try bowls for yourself?

Address: 28 Wynell Road, Forest Hill, SE23 2LW
Website: www.foresthill-bowling-club.com

Forest Hill Bowling Club

Would you like to play outdoor lawn bowls this summer? We are looking for both new bowlers and those with previous experience to join us this season.

Bowls is a game for men and women of all ages and sporting abilities. Participation promotes good health and offers the opportunity to make new friends. Coaching (by qualified coaches) and support can be provided for those wanting to start learning the game.

From mid April until the end of September, Forest Hill Bowling Club will hold club evenings on Tuesdays and Fridays from 5pm. League matches against other clubs are held on Wednesday afternoons and Thursday evenings, with friendly matches held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Come along to the green and club house in Wynell Road, off Mayow Road.

For more information email peterharris1955 [at] hotmail.com

Anyone for Table Tennis?

A table tennis table has now been installed in the Horniman Triangle between the cafe and the sandpit. This was funded by the Forest Hill Ward assembly following a bid from the Forest Hill Society.

Please come along and give it a try!

Wacky Olympics - Saturday 20th August - Mayow Park

Information has been sent to us regarding a fun local event in a few weeks time, and all for a good cause....

Wacky Olympics – Mayow Park, Saturday August 20

Lewisham’s first ever Wacky Olympics – a family sports day with a funny twist
Date: 20th August
Location: Mayow Park, Sydenham (SE26)

Bring your trainers and winning attitude and join us for fun, laughter and games to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Take part in the space hopper and two people sack races. Get stuck together and go under in twin limbo & many many more silly competitions for the whole family.

Time: Opening ceremony for the Games begins at 12pm and ends at 3pm. To get involved in the games, contestants are encouraged arrive earlier to register.


Other activities include:
· Bouncy castle
· Food and refreshments
· Beat the goalie
· Face painting and arts and crafts and nail art
· A raffle

Entry for the games: £3 adults. £2 for children
Concessions: none


WHY I AM ORGANISING THIS EVENT
I’m a 33-year old L&Q resident from Forest Hill, who, had a clean bill of health and used to go to the gym 5 days a week. I was working as an Associate TV Producer for C4 until September 2009, when I was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukaemia after going to Lewisham Hospital for a routine blood test. On diagnosis, I was given a 20-40% chance of survival and spent four months in hospital isolation receiving chemotherapy. I’ve had to give up working to have 2.5 years of cancer treatment have had 72 blood transfusions to stay alive. Without the help of Macmillan Cancer Support, I would have probably lost my home. To show my enormous gratitude for the financial generosity received from the charity, I want to raise money for Macmillan Cancer to help other families affected by this disease.
Where is the money going to:
I aim to raise £5000 which will to Macmillan Cancer Support. In the process of trying to restrict the funds to local Macmillan services to support local people affected by cancer.

Alternatively you a can make a donation on
http://www.justgiving.com/Bengu-Shail0

Football Crazy

Maybe you had too many mince pies at Christmas, or maybe you would just like to make some new friends and kick a ball around. Either way, there are two new groups setting up locally, one for adults and the other for kids.

Sunday Kickabout

Sunday, 30 January at Mayow Park
Various contributors to local forum SE23.com are planning an informal kickabout for adults in Mayow Park. See this thread for further information.

Jumpers for Goalposts

Saturday, 29th January 10:00-11:30 at Blythe Hill Fields
Local parents Emily and Ian are organising the first of what will hopefully be a regular Saturday morning activity. Meet at the flat area near the adventure playground for the chance to meet other families in the area and for the kids to have a good, old fashioned kick around. Contact Emily on 07967 836 018 or emilyseed@hotmail.com or Ian on 07908 907 122 or ianmc5@hotmail.com for further details.