Honor Oak Park Station Improvements (continued)

Following our report in the last newsletter, work is continuing. The stairs are being replaced and newly painted ironwork is emerging from under the tarpaulins. The cutting behind platform 1 is being re-graded and at some stage the platforms will be repaired and extended. When all of that is complete, the station is going to receive its Phase 3 upgrade with improved lighting, new signage and redecoration.

But we have not been informed how long this will all take. Getting information from Network Rail is proving very difficult; however the Society has been told that the stairs should be in place at the end of April.

We have suggested that getting the level of platform 1 rather closer to the level of the trains, either by raising the platform or lowering the track, might also be a worthwhile improvement. Getting Landscaping at Honor Oak Park station.

Looking more like the Pompidou Centre or Lloyds buildings, the stairs under construction! on or off trains is a nightmare for anyone who is not reasonably agile, or who has a buggy to contend with. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that this objective will be achieved any time soon.

Planning Matters

The last few months have seen a lot of new planning applications around Forest Hill, some that may be considered good, and some bad.

The former post office on Dartmouth Road has been given approval for conversion to a restaurant/bar by Antic, the owners of Jam Circus and the East Dulwich Tavern. The flats above will get a face lift and an additional floor. Whilst the Society expressed concern about the additional floor, we believe that the overall changes are very positive. The Perry Vale fire station, (see below), a listed building, had an application rejected despite Council officer recommendation. Lewisham’s planning committee agreed with us that some affordable housing should be provided on a development of this size.

St. John's Church on David’s Road had massive signs, and a concreted over garden. The Council deemed this not in keeping with the conservation area and the signs were removed. A suitable way forward for the garden area and footpath between David and Devonshire Roads is now being discussed.

A planning report would not be complete without mention of the Tyson Road development. The landscaping plans have been approved and building can now commence. Local residents had provided videos of bats in the gardens, but the Council’s ecologist said there was no evidence they were in the trees due to be removed.

29 April 2011 - ROYAL WEDDING STREET PARTY

Whether or not you are a royal fan, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on 29 April this year will be a great excuse for the whole community to come together and have a bit of retro fun.

So the Society is planning a Forest Hill Street Party! We’re still working on the details as we go to print, but we’ll let you know what they are nearer the time.

We’re particularly keen to get local craft groups involved in making this event distinctive. Jeni Johnson at Messy Makers is already on board with this project. She runs art workshops for pre-school children and they’ll be making exciting bunting for the street party next term. We can’t wait!

If you’d like to get involved, please contact: mail@foresthillsociety.com

Nature Reserves - Freecycle and Open Days

The Forest Hill Society organised a Freecycle day in January, hosted by the Friends of Devonshire Road Nature Reserve. Everyone was invited to bring along unwanted goods with the option to take away things they could put to good use. Items included electrical gadgets, household goods, children’s toys and games, clothing, books, films and music. Several larger items arrived, including a few bikes, baby-carriers, musical instruments and furniture.

Refreshments and cakes were provided and the Nature Reserve was open for visitors. Lewisham Council were on hand for advice on recycling and to supply ‘No Junk Mail’ stickers and freebie bags.

At the end, the best of the toys and books were taken away to donate to charity, everything else was taken by the council for recycling, so very little will have ended up in landfill. Good stuff.

The next event will be on 10 April from 11am to 3.00pm at the reserve. If you’re coming along, please carefully select the items to bring. DVDs are welcome, as are books in really good condition or of antique interest. Please do not bring old clothes or videos. Come along during the Easter holiday, and please do bring the family!

WALKING GROUP-FIRST STEPS

On Saturday morning, 5 February, 22 would-be walkers filtered onto trains at Sydenham, Forest Hill and Honor Oak Park stations for the inaugural walk of the Forest Hill and Sydenham Walking Group.

The route for the day took us across London Bridge to follow the Thames Path, on the north side of the river, to Canary Wharf – coming across some of the oldest and the newest buildings in London.

The Thames Path is clearly marked and recommended for all levels. The walk leaders had incorporated some interesting side steps away from the path which took in the pub frequented by JMW Turner, Wapping’s 18th century charity school, and a delicious coffee break in the London Hydraulic Power Company’s 1893 pumping station – now a stylish and highly recommended cafe. We were back in Forest Hill by 1.30; after over five miles of steady walking in a gusty wind, we were more than ready for lunch at the Dartmouth Arms.

It’s good to know there are so many keen walkers in our area. 35 people have now signed up to the Walking Group (which does not include any friends, spouses and partners who might also join them). In order to keep the group to a manageable size we have decided to stick with the numbers we have at the moment. We will create a waiting list for slots as they become available.

Contact for the walking group, and the waiting list, should be made through the new secretary of the group, Eva Holmes: eva.holmes50@yahoo.com

Chair's Report

One of the challenges with all voluntary organisations is that they rely on volunteers, often with precious free time. Luckily, although I have been otherwise occupied this quarter, other members of the Executive have been very busy.

We are, sadly, saying goodbye to Liz, who has been Editor and Communications Officer since the Society started. We are very thankful to her for all her gentle chivvying as she chased articles for the newsletter and e-newsletter and for her magnificent publicity efforts – the latest of which involves the publicity for Honor Oak Rec. on local television and BBC Radio 4. She will be sorely missed and we wish her and her family well in their new home. As with all farewells, this is also the time for a new start and I would like to thank Belinda, Alison and Alisa for continuing time and energy.

The imminent threat of closure hangs over Crofton Park and Sydenham libraries. The Mayor agreed to their closure on 28 May, despite strong lobbying. However, there have been four expressions of interest from Exam Success Education Centre Limited, Eco Computer Systems, John Laing Integrated Services Ltd and SociaCapita Solutions to run them on a community basis. Council Officers are now actively pursuing these solutions, there is also the possibility of a new library provision at the Ackroyd Centre.

We finally heard from TfL following a meeting to discuss the Red Route through Forest Hill. In a comprehensive reply, they have agreed to make several changes, including a right turn lane onto Waldram Place and extending the loading period outside Mirror Mirror to 7am-7pm among other changes. We continue to push for other changes including better traffic flow through Forest Hill and improved signposting to the car parks.

Richard

Dates for your diary

Crofton Pk Assembly: Weds 23 March 7.30 - 9.30pm

St Hilda's Church Hall, Courtrai Rd, SE23 1PL

Forest Hill Assembly: Weds 30 March 7.30pm - 9.30pm: Honor Oak Christian Fellowship, 39 Honor Oak Road, SE23 3SH

Easter Bring and Take: Devonshire Nature Reserve

Sun 10 April 11am - 3.00pm

Forest Hill in Bloom: Station forecourt planting: Sat 16 April from 2.30pm.

The Pools Progress

As the Forest Hill Pools are replaced over the next year or so, we’ll hear from members of the team involved in the improvements. This issue we speak to Dominic Collins, Construction Manager for Willmott Dixon.

Q: What is your role on the pools project?

A: I have overall responsibility for day to day running of the project.

Q: What sort other projects have you worked on?

A: I have just completed a major school redevelopment in Kent and prior to this constructed the new Grandstand at Epsom race course. Willmott Dixon has constructed over 100 swimming pools over the last ten years across the country. Locally, we have constructed Hither Green Primary School, Crossways Academy and just completed work at Goldsmith's College.

Q: What did you think of the site for Forest Hill Pools when you first visited it?

A: The original swimming pool had already been demolished but we were very impressed with the clean and tidy condition of the site.

Q: What is the most interesting aspect?

A: For me it is the retention and full refurbishment of the original Victorian entrance and lobby building. When set against the original features of the Victorian structure, the modern aspects of the new facility are striking and say a lot about the buildings’ main purpose and function.

Q: What is your biggest challenge on this project?

A: The refurbishment of the Victorian entrance and lobby will need complicated temporary structural supporting works on the internal walls and floors.

Q: You will be working from Louise House (next to the pools), do you know much about its history?

A: I have read up on Louise House on the internet, I know that it was a Girls Industrial Home built in 1891, with Thomas W Aldwinckle as architect and William Johnson, builder.

Q: What is your dream project?

A: I am a big rugby fan so would love to construct a new stadium.

Community says “NO” to loss of Park!

The Honor Oak Recreation Ground is a much loved and valuable resource for people in Forest Hill, Honor Oak and further afield, many of whom have no external space or garden access.

The users of the space have been right over the years to suspect that Southwark Council has been planning to take even more of the space for burials.

TV cameras at the Rec (cemetery in the background) Local authorities encourage residents to take more exercise and are active in promoting sporting opportunities for all. But then Southwark move to take away the very sites where these activities can take place.

Southwark's Executive Cabinet recently announced it will be reviewing the ground for more burial space. With the formation of an online petition by local residents against the move, the Forest Hill Society acted quickly to ensure that as many people knew about this as possible.

We raised the issue on the Today programme and BBC London News with interviews with FHS Chair Richard Hibbert and Councillor Alex Feakes.

Because of the activity and views of local residents, and coverage in the national media organised by the Forest Hill Society, the meeting, scheduled for 28 February, was moved to the end of March. So there's more time to ensure that we don’t lose this considerable local amenity and leisure space.

The online petition has over 1,300 signatures; please consider adding yours: http://bit.ly/savehonoroakparkrec

Residents and local residents' groups can still demonstrate how much demand there is for the site, raise awareness locally and building support for the campaign. Find out more at: www.honoroakparkrecreationground.blogspot.com

Forest Hill Pools Open Day

Lewisham Council has arranged a drop-in session for all residents as an opportunity to meet the Willmott Dixon team and ask any questions they may have about the construction works. The first session takes place today in Louise House, from 5 pm to 7 pm. There will be a further opportunity on 5th April.

Willmott Dixon Construction have been on site at Dartmouth Road for just over two months and in that time they have made a great start to the programme:

• The first few weeks were dedicated to enabling works, which included extending the hoarding line, carrying out remedial works to Louise House, setting up welfare facilities for the staff
• Lewisham Planning Department granted approval for all pre-commencement conditions, which allowed Willmott Dixon to commence building works.
• Construction work began in early February with ground excavation and levelling, using crushed material from the demolition of the pool halls to form a ‘piling mat’ - a temporary surface to carry the weight of heavy machinery such as the piling rig.
• To date Willmott Dixon have excavated and removed approximately 2,500m³ of soil, to be re-used on another site, and are currently carrying out piling works (piling 22 metres below ground level), in preparation for the new building’s foundations.