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

Retail Therapy

We take a look at some great new shops opening in SE23; next issue we’ll feature some firm old favourites.

b CARDS

A great new shop selling with refreshingly distinctive stuff...unique and beautiful greeting cards and stationery from the likes of Treasures Pop-Ups, Orla Kiely, Moleskin, Paperblanks and Pantone, to name but a few!

There are lots of lovely and stylish wrapping paper and gift bags, all of a very high quality including party accessories, thank you cards, notelets and much more. They have a great selection of Children’s cards too.

Well worth a visit and excellent for those gift purchases from the lovely Bunka. Bunka opened this shop in March; good to have such nice shops just a hop and skip apart.

Canvas and Cream

Situated on the old Aceri site on London Road this has multiple community roles:

* Neighbourhood Dining/Cafe

* Artist's and Artisan's studios

* Gallery and Showcase

* Community Workshops and Gatherings

In opening her new venture, Proprietor Joanna Gore is enlisting the help of her family, including her Mum.

“We are going to convert it from a space that has been empty for at least five years into an arts community hub.

All furniture and fittings will come from recycled materials - two old Mercedes car seats will become cafe chairs, chandeliers will be made from old decanters and walls will be papered with old music sheets and comics.”

Looks like a great addition to Forest Hill!

Home Accessories Extra

Opened recently on the former Blockbusters site, this shop with the bright frontage is a real treasure trove of household and other useful wares.

VAIDAS BICYCLES

Vaidas, originally from Lithuania, trusted his instincts having no experience of Honor Oak, when he started his bike sales and servicing business , close to the station, 18 months ago. And that proved a very good decision for local cyclists. Vaidas says that this is a small shop with big ideas! He is looking to build further links with the community with a series of short rides, aimed at beginners and social cyclists. Watch this space of go to www.vaidasbicycles.com

HILLS AND PARKES

49 Honor Oak Park

Since setting up their stall outside Honor Oak Park station most weekends for the last six months, Mrs Hills and Mrs Parkes are about to take over their own delicatessen in the old ID premises on the same road.

The shop will sell freshly baked artisan breads from Blackbird Bakery, fruit and vegetables, cheese, milk and other dairy products, charcuterie, pies, cakes and pastries, jams and chutneys, dips, salads, ready to cook meals, pasta, rice, spices, oils and vinegars and all number of other tasty delights.

Planned opening is mid to late July.

Visit www.hillsandparkes.com for developments.

We are the Champions

LATEST FOOTBALL RESULT: Forest Hill Park 1 Hildenborough Athletic 0

In a nail biting final game of the football season in, Forest Hill Park FC won the Vandanel Kent County Football League cup against Hildenborough FC.

Although played on Hildenborough’s turf, Forest was the home team and took full advantage of it.

Forest took the initiative and threatened early on but the away side showed some predatory play in retaliation. As the nervy, tense affair settled it was the home team that gained control of the game putting the Hildenborough defence under pressure.

Early through the first half a well-angled kick from the first post put the score at 1-0.

With the away team under more pressure, substitutes were made and a red card given but to no avail; as the official signalled full time Forest Hill FC were well and truly the champions.

Forest Hill Park FC is a local community club made up from players from, or previously from Forest Hill – a fact they are very proud of. Their home ground is Ladywell Arena with its excellent facilities. As ticket prices for the big football clubs continue to rise, the thought of a local team with good transport links sounds just the thing for next season.

More information, contact details and a fixtures list can be found at www.fhpfc.co.uk

“Back of the net!”

Southern Passenger Forum

Southern Railway will be running an online Passenger Panel forum between 1700 and 2000 on Tuesday 28 June 2011. This is an opportunity to ask questions and post messages with Southern managers responding direct online. In order to log on to the forum you need to be a member of their Passenger Panel. If you are a regular user of their services and not yet a member of their Passenger Panel, please sign up now.

The Southern managers hope to respond to as many posts as possible within the timeframe but if they are not able to do so Southern will ensure that outstanding questions are followed up and answered over the following few days.

If you are unable to sign up in time, please contact us at email@foresthillsociety.com and we will forward your questions.

St Clements Heights public meeting

The Clement Danes Trust provides almshouses for the elderly at St Clements Heights on Wells Park Road. The majority of their intake comes from the local area and the price of accommodation is subsidised by the trust to affordable levels. However, the current housing on the site is now starting to decay and needs rebuilding to provide residents with housing of a decent standard. This is obviously a costly process and in order to finance the project it will be necessary that some of the existing site is developed into private housing.

Aside from the obvious benefit to the community of decent quality, affordable sheltered accommodation for the elderly, the project will help to meet local housing demand and will be designed to meet Lewisham Council’s 20% sustainable energy target.

Curtin & Co, a specialist community consultancy; will be working in conjunction with Pellings LLP and the St Clement Danes Holborn Estate Charity to conduct a programme of consultation on the proposed redevelopment. They will be running a Public Exhibition on Thursday 30th June 2011, from 3pm to 9pm, and on Friday 1st July 2011 from 3pm to 6pm in St. Philip the Apostle Church Hall, Coombe Road, off Wells Park Road.

Further details can be obtained from Ian on 0207 399 2293 or by email at iang@curtinandco.com. Please note that the workshop referred to previously is an invitation only event while the public exhibition is open to all.

Bloomin' Marvellous

As you are hopefully aware, Forest Hill Society has entered the RHS "It's Your Neighbourhood" scheme and planted the beds outside the station. But now it is your chance.

The annual Lewisham in Bloom competition is here again.

The competition which is open to residents, schools and businesses, gives recognition to the best front gardens, residential planters, business premises, school grounds, wildlife gardens and community gardens in the borough.

There are prizes of £150, £100 and £75 for the winners and runners up.

There are six categories:

Category A: Residential front garden (small – under 20m squared)
Category B: Residential front garden (large – over 20m squared)
Category C: Residential planters (window boxes, hanging baskets, tubs etc)
Category D: Business premises
Category E: School grounds
Category F: Wildlife garden
Category G: Community garden

To enter, download and complete the application form, stating which category you are entering, and return it to Lewisham Council by Wednesday 29 June.

For more information call Katy on 020 8314 2277.

Planning Applications: Radlet Avenue and Waldram Park

The Forest Hill Society has recently objected to two planning applications in the local area:

14 Radlet Avenue

Details of the planning application can be read here.

Details of the objection can be read here.

The main points of the objection concern over development and poor design and layout.

14 Waldram Park

Details of the planning application can be read here.

Details of the objection can be read here.

The main points of the objection concern impact on the character of the street, lack of family units, poor design and layout, inadequate parking provision.