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 Bill Duke, structural engineer on the Forest Hill Pool’s rebuild

What is your role on the pools project?

I am the structural engineer – which basically means making sure it doesn’t fall down!

What sort of projects do you normally work on?

All sorts of developments including schools, hospitals, factories, retail and leisure projects. This is the fifth pool I’ve done; the last one was the Corby East Midlands International Pool which won a number of awards. It will be an Olympic training venue.

What do you think is the most exciting aspect?

I think any project like this has a major positive impact on the local community and playing a key role is very rewarding

What will be your personal biggest challenge?

As structural engineers we must deliver the design and details to meet the build program and this is always a challenge, particularly on a ‘wet leisure’ type project

How much involvement will you have in the pools project during the construction?

I’ll visit site every two to four weeks and at key steps. Our team will have a heavy involvement in the early stages whilst the building gets off the ground.

What sort of projects are you most interested in?

I’ve done many projects but I find the most challenging are the most rewarding. They are not necessarily ‘high profile’ jobs. I led a team of up to twenty over a two year period in the design and construction of a major factory extension. Contractors worked round the clock to complete it and it was quite invigorating.

Which of the facilities in the new pools complex would you be most likely to use?

Definitely the swimming pool!

ST AUGUSTINE’S

February 5 this year saw the launch of a new exhibition ‘Changing Faces’ telling the story of the life of One Tree Hill, St Augustine’s Church and the people connected with it. As time has moved on, so has the building which is now in desperate need of repair.

Changing Faces launched a major fundraising campaign to save this iconic landmark, and the plans are to develop as a key venue at the heart of the local community; the exhibition is still on show in the studio space.

St. Augustine’s is also about to launch a new project called The Green Rooms which will focus on the areas of the Arts, quiet and meditation and the natural and built environment. Through performances, workshops and community volunteer days we want to serve and celebrate our local community as well as connecting faith and the world around us.

There are many more exciting projects planned. If you would like to be involved in any of the fundraising projects, donate further archive material to the exhibition or would like to hear more about The Green Rooms, please e-mail info@augustaineonetreehill.org.uk

A SIGN OF DAYS GONE BY!

Commuters may have seen the original rear signage that was revealed for the first time for decades during recent building work. This can be seen from the train line. Sadly the brewery has gone, and so may the public house.

Chair's Report

Five years ago, on 23 May 2006, a group of people who had met through a local forum got together at the Dartmouth Arms and put into motion the formation of the Society.

A few months later, they had delivered 10,000 leaflets throughout SE23 and surrounding roads, held the first Annual General Meeting and published the first newsletter.

Since then, the Society has achieved a lot. Notable highlights include a successful campaign to retain the swimming pools on Dartmouth Road, persuading Southern Railway that we needed at least five trains per hour in the evening peak and a respected presentation at the Tyson Road planning enquiry.

Other highlights include:

• Organising evenings out, history talks and nature walks
• Campaigning to improve park facilities at Horniman Triangle and Honor Oak Rec
• Keeping the rear stairs open from platform 2 at Forest Hill station
• Responding on a range of planning applications in the local area
• Decorating the Christmas Tree in Forest Hill
• Planting the raised beds outside Forest Hill station and entry into the RHS "It's Your Neighbourhood" scheme
• Pop Up Forest Hill, an evening when we matched drummers with estate agents, puppets with pubs and generally created a buzz in Forest Hill

There is also the less glamorous attending of Council and other meetings, ensuring that our local needs are heard and addressed. We continue to push for improvements to the underpass and the high street environment, better winter gritting and preservation of Honor Oak Rec. Thank you for your support - please spread the word and encourage your friends and neighbours to join.

POP UP TWO

Following the huge success of our Pop Up event last December, we are now organising a second event to bring a buzz to Forest Hill, again matching artists and venues, shops and customers, locals with something new. There will be more information over the coming months.

In the meantime, we are keen to hear from businesses interested in getting involved, artists wanting to find a venue or local groups or parties willing to help get involved with organising this.

You can get in touch with us via chair@foresthillsociety.com

LET’S KEEP SNAPPING

The Forest Hill Society digital photo competition is still open. With its fabulous views and eclectic mix of old and new, there are sure to be some fantastic images to be found in Forest Hill. Pictures can be of any part of the area and taken at any time of day, night or year.

There will be 12 winning photos selected which will then go on to form the Forest Hill Society Calendar 2012, which will be available for everyone to buy. Winners will be notified and presented with an award at the Forest Hill Society AGM in November.

Entrants can submit as many digital pictures as they like to www.flickr.com/groups/foresthillcompetition

Every submission must be accompanied by an e-mail sent to PhotoComp@foresthillsociety.com with your name, address, phone number and photo ID/name.

The closing date is 15 October 2011 and the final 12 photos will be chosen on 30 October. The competition will be judged by Paul Murphy, local resident and winner of the ‘Rose Award for Photography’ Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2010. Paul is the second person ever to win this award.

Please read the rules for copyright and privacy issues. Full competition rules can be found here

The competition is only open to digital photographs. We hope to be able to accept printed images in the future.

DIGGING FOREST HILL STATION

Eighteen volunteers joined members of the Forest Hill Society in replanting Forest Hill station’s forecourt, as the Society’s entry to the London in Bloom ‘It’s your neighbourhood” category’.

Many of the volunteers became involved through leaflets or were just passing by on the day. Expert help was also given by the head gardener of the Horniman Gardens, Shannon’s Garden Centre and Lewisham’s Green Scene.

Judging will take place in mid-July so we need to make sure that the forecourt continues to look its best.

Constant watering will be needed for the coming summer months, plus occasional weeding, a watering rota of eight regulars has been established but additional volunteers would be really welcomed.

The beds have suffered a little from littering, even with bins right next to the beds, so if you feel like helping you could help here, or with dead heading, then please do.

LOROL have been very supportive of the scheme and have now agreed that the Society can use a bed on platform 1 and we plan to plant bulbs in autumn for a delightful spring display

Posters were kindly donated by Willmott Dixon

Honor Oak Park Station

Station users will be delighted that the new and improved stairs are now open. They also include a second hand rail for children.

The re-grading of the bank up to the Southwark cemetery land continues and, once the planting on the bank develops and matures, the station should feel very much more pleasant than before, hemmed in with ugly fencing and the overgrown cutting.

Unfortunately, we continue to get no answers to our questions about exactly what is planned for the future of the station, although London Overground have indicated that lifts may be provided in the period 2012-2013. We are seeking confirmation of this information. With a platform to train step of around 15 inches, disabled access to trains will still be difficult without the use of a ramp.

As the major works at the station come to a close, we expect London Overground to complete their ‘Phase 3’ upgrade which includes total re-painting, new signage etc; smart new benches have appeared on the platforms which are very welcome.

TUNNEL VISION

Plans for refurbishment of the Forest Hill Station subway are finally beginning to come together thanks to the efforts of Lewisham Council’s nominated officer.

Details of the new cladding and lighting for the subway are being finalised and Network Rail will undertake surfacing and drainage improvements to co-ordinate with the installation of the cladding and lighting.

Unfortunately, it is anticipated that the works will require the subway to be closed for around two months to allow the refurbishment to take place.

We’ll share more information as soon as it comes to light.

SYDENHAM ARTS FESTIVAL

Friday 1 – Sunday 17 July

Since its beginning in July 2008, the Sydenham Arts Festival has grown to be one of the biggest arts festivals in the country.

There are a whole host of events going on including classical concerts, comedy, dance, drama, family activities, visual arts, and craft workshops.

There are far too many fabulous events to mention here, so best visit the website and see the calendar of events for details, venues, dates and timing.

Many of the events are happening in Forest Hill, a nice way to enjoy a start the summer.
http://www.sydenhamartsfestival.co.uk/2011