Wanted! Creative Writers

South London & Maudsley, Ladywell Unit are looking for volunteers to join their flourishing creative writing project.

Their groups seek to improve the well-being of patients during their admission. Working on acute mental health and alzheimer wards, they seek to provide an environment where creativity is used as a form of self-expression. If you have some experience in music, arts and craft, dance or working with Alzheimer sufferers they would also like to hear from you.

You will be involved in enabling small groups on an adult acute mental health ward

• To access poetry/literature as part of promoting well-being and recovery.
• To maintain accurate records of sessions.
• To prepare and deliver small group poetry/literature sessions
• To work within a team of volunteers to give support.
• To occassionally assist in accompanying small groups to off-site activities

If you are interested in getting involved, please email fay@volunteercentrelewisham.org.uk for further details. The deadline for applications is Friday, 1 March 2013.

March with us to Save Lewisham Hospital

Act Now!

Defend yourselves from having one A&E between 750,000 residents.

As you hopefully know, various services at Lewisham Hospital are under threat due to the recommendations of Matthew Kershaw, the TSA appointed to review the South London Health Trust. The South London Health Trust was created in 2009 to try and solve the problems of the Princess Royal in Orpington, Queen Mary's in Sidcup and the Queen Elizabeth in Woolwich which were losing money. The trust has since accrued debts of more than £150M. The TSA has made a series of recommendations to the Secretary of State for Health on how he would deliver access to safe, high quality, affordable health services and a long-term sustainable health economy for the people of south east London. These incluse closing parts of Lewisham Hospital, selling off land and expecting us to go to King's College Hospital in Camberwell or Queen Elizabeth in Woolwich.  We, and many physicians, disagree with his conclusions.

Save Lewisham Hospital is a community campaign fighting against the proposed closure of Lewisham Hospital including its new A&E department, Intensive Care, maternity and children's services. We will be joining them in a demonstration on Saturday 26th January to show Jeremy Hunt that the people of Lewisham are determined to SAVE LEWISHAM HOSPITAL! Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, will make his decision at the start of February.

If you would like to join us, please either meet us at The Capitol (JW Wetherspoon's) on London Road at 10:45am or at Catford Bridge station, where we will be catching the 11:38am Southeastern train service towards Lewisham and London Cannon Street Rail Station. The march will start at Lewisham Roundabout (by the station) at 12 noon on Saturday 26th January and march past the hospital to Mountsfield Park for a rally, music and giant petition (about two miles). If you are planning to travel to the march independently, there are four buses from Forest Hill to Lewisham; routes 122, 185, 75 and P4. However, based on experience from the previous demonstaration, we would recommend either walking from Catford or catching a train to Lewisham as traffic in Lewisham was severly delayed.

Over 10,000 people marched through Lewisham on 24th November 2012 – young, elderly, families and people from every background, so we have allowed for delays in getting to the march. We need a huge turnout, so encourage everyone you know to come and march with us on Saturday 26th January. We will be easy to spot - we will have placards and hi-vis jackets on.

The Big Sunday Sing

The Big Sunday Sing is taking place on Sun 17th Feb 2013, 10.30am - 5.30pm at Forest Hill Pools.

The workshop is being organised by Sydenham Singers, a community choir in association with the charity Sydenham Garden, and part-funded by Sing Out (Lewisham Arts). The aim is to have a joyful day of singing in harmony in a big group with an informal performance of what we've learnt at the end.

The charge is £10 full / £6 conc / £5 under18s for the whole day, and it's £2.50 for members of the public to attend the concert which will be from 5-5.30pm and is fundraising for Sydenham Singers. I'm leading the workshop (I also lead Sydenham Singers choir sessions), everything will be taught by ear and there's no need for any experience. All welcome from 12+. (12-16s must be accompanied by an adult).

Booking is essential - Contact Lynn Barclay: 0208 659 1227

Lewisham PCT - Patient Event

Lewisham PCT contacted us to inform us that they are planning a patient event at the Civic Suite on the afternoon of Thursday 31st January 2013.  Lunch from 1 o’clock, with a 1:30pm start.

Last summer they ran a survey with patients across Lewisham and were impressed by the feedback. The information was used to feed into their plans for 2013 – 2015

The afternoon will

• Feedback what was heard from patients
• Share how Lewisham PCT used the information and fed them into plans
• Share the plans they have developed
• Hear patients views and opinions on them plans
• Give opportunity for people to make suggestions
• Discuss the role of the patient in our local health service.

They would like it to be as reflective of the population as possible. If you are interested please contact Grainne Bellenie at gbellenie@nhs.net. There is a limit of 60 places for this event.

Events update - January 2013

Society Events

This month's events include our traditional Burns Night celebration. This year it will take place on Friday, 25 January at Canvas and Cream (18 London Road, SE23 3HF). For £19.99 you will get a three course meal of Cock-a-leekie Soup, Haggis wi' bashit neeps an' champit tatties, Typsy Laird (a Scottish whisky trifle) and a wee dram to toast the haggis. (A vegetarian option is also available). Ceremonies will begin at 7:30pm, so turn up at 7pm for a pre dinner drink. Please book directly with Canvas & Cream at the restaurant or on 020 8699 9589. As well as food, there will also be a selection of music and poetry from the bard; bring along something to share if you would like to join in.
The Food Fair will return on Sunday, 3 February. We have decided to change our operating hours - we will now run from 11am to 3pm, which will hopefully catch the Sunday footfall in the town centre better.

In Other News...

The Butchery Limited, one of our stallholders from the Food Fair and a SEE3 PopUp, have signed a lease for 49 London Road. They are busy installing permanent refrigeration and hope to open the doors once more in early to mid February. We are delighted that another of our stallholders is moving into permanent premises and wish them well in this venture. Some people have asked why a local family was not given the chance to try the shop as a PopUp. Although Ruth and Nathan have an outlet in Bermondsey, they live in the heart of Forest Hill, so we couldn't get more local.
The TSA for the South London Health Trust, Matthew Kershaw, presented his final report to the Secretary of State for Health on January 6. The Secretary of State now has 20 working days to review it and make a decision on the future of the NHS in south east London by 4 February 2013. The final report makes the same recommendations as the draft report. ie that the A&E and Maternity units at Lewisham Hospital are closed and that we all use King's College Hospital or Queen Mary Hospital in Woolwich instead. These plans could have serious impacts on health provision in South East London and, once implemented, cannot be undone as they are planning to sell off 60% of the land. If you haven't already done so, please sign the petition against the closure of Lewisham's A&E and Maternity unit. There is going to be a march from the roundabout outside Lewisham Station to Mountfield Park on Saturday, 26 January from noon to 4pm. Watch our website for details of where to meet if you would like to join us - we will probably meet in Forest Hill first.
The Metropolitan Police have announced plans to close Sydenham police station, along with many others across London and reduce the number of police stations operating 24 hours to one per borough (in our case, Lewisham police station). The police station in East Dulwich is also earmarked for closure. There will be a Borough public consultation event on Monday, 28th January at 6pm in Lewisham town hall (opposite the Library in Catford). If you would like to attend you must register first. The full draft MOPAC Police and Crime Plan can be found on the GLA website and there is a questionnaire for your feedback.

Local Events

We try to publicise all local events on our calendar, but this is very dependant on the amount of free time we have. Apologies to any we have missed
If you are self employed and looking for a little support, then head down to the Dolphin (121 Sydenham Road, SE26 5HB) on Thursday, 24 January for 1:15pm where a new group is getting started. The Self Employed Self Help (SESH) group’s Inaugral meeting will decide how often they should meet and discuss the support needed by its members. Go along and have your say at this free event which will run from 1:15pm to 3:15pm. Simply buy your own drink and show your appreciation by donating to the collection for Sydenham Community Radio. For further information email Anna Baghari at annabaghari@ntlworld.com.
The Devonshire Road Nature Reserve (170 Devonshire Road, SE23 3SZ) will be open as usual on the last Sunday of the month (Sunday, 27 January) from 2pm. Jacob Twyford is a vital member of our Executive and the Friends of Devonshire Road Nature Reserve. If you want to show your appreciation for all that he does, catch his band (Jonah's Raft) at HopScotch (72 Honor Oak Park, SE23 1DY) on Friday, 1 February.
After last year's sell-out production of 'Cinderella', Pirate Pantomimes return to St Augustine's (One Tree Hill, Honor Oak Park, SE23 3LE) with 'Dick Whittington' starring Gabrielle Bradshaw, Lisa Thorner and friends. There will be three performances, guaranteed to be extremely popular, on Saturday 9th February at 3pm and 7pm and Sunday 10th February at 3pm. Book your tickets now and arrive early to get a good seat. (Please try and arrive 15 minutes before curtain up). Adults are £10, Concessions and children aged 5 to 18 £7.50, children of 4 yrs and under free. Seats unreserved. If you don't manage to get your tickets in advance, queue at the door and they will try and fit you in, but ticket holders will be admitted first.
The Friends of Albion Millenium Green will be holding their second AGM on Saturday 23rd February, at Forest Hill Pools Community Room from 11am-1pm. There will be elections for the positions of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, and ordinary committee members. If you would like to join their committee, please email tim@lund.co.uk

Looking Forwards...

2013 is going to be a worrying year for many people as the budgetary cuts start to take effect. We will do our best to keep you informed about local issues, but need more people to get involved to spread the word. I'm always looking for people to help run the Society, coordinate publicity and help organise events. If you would like to help in any way, please write to volunteers@foresthillsociety.com. I know I keep saying this, but we really could do with more volunteers and helpers. Bring your family along for a fun day out at one of our events, or spend ten minutes on your way home, helping out with the planting at the stations. If you don't know how you could help, call me and we'll sort something out. Every little helps.
Thank you to all those who volunteered and helped make 2012 so successful. I look forwards to meeting many more in 2013. If you would like to receive these eNews updates in your inbox, then please signn up now.

Burns Night party - Fri 25th January

As has become the custom, we will be celebrating Burns Night for our January social event. Everyone is welcome.

The venue this time will be Canvas & Cream (18 London Road, SE23 3HG) and the cost is £19.99 for the traditional three course meal and a wee dram. A vegetarian option will be available. Come along at 7pm as ceremonies will commence at 7:30.

We are arranging a great evening of entertainment for you. There will be the traditional Address to the Haggis and a chance for people to read some of the Bard's poetry as well as a couple of surprises (if everything works out). Feel free to bring along something to read yourself and don't feel shy!

It would be lovely to have as many people from Forest Hill (and Sydenham!) there as possible, so hope to see many of you, new & old to the area, on the night. The event is open to all (sassenachs, members and non-members alike).

Please book directly with Canvas & Cream at the restaurant or on 020 8699 9589

Please note correction: Correct phone number for Canvas & Cream is 020 8699 9589

Sydenham Police Station Closure - Public Meeting

The Metropolitan Police plan to close Sydenham police station, along with many others across London and reduce the number of police stations operating 24 hours to one per borough (Lewisham police station for Lewisham).

There is a borough public consultation event on 28th January 2013 on the MOPAC Police and Crime Plan. This meeting will take place at the town hall in Catford at 6pm. If you would like to attend you must register on the following weblink: http://www.london.gov.uk/events/policing-and-crime-consultation-events?source=mopac

 

The full draft MOPAC Police and Crime Plan can be found at: http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/policing-and-crime/community-engagement

 

The online questionnaire for the Police and Crime Plan can be found at:  http://www.smart-survey.co.uk/v.asp?i=67232epffs

Perry Vale Local Assembly - 15 January

The next Perry Vale Local Assembly will be held on Tuesday, 15 January from 7pm to 9pm at Kilmorie School, Kilmorie Road, London, SE23 2SP.

Topics to be covered include

• Report by the Safer Neighbourhood Team about crime in the ward and news about the possible closure of Sydenham police station.
• Presentation on the Perry Vale Action Plan. The action plan details the five ward priorities, actions to address them and a progress report. The five ward priorities are
  • The environment
  • Roads and Traffic
  • Youth provision
  • Anti-social behaviour and crime
  • Activities for the whole ciommunity
• Update on the refurbishment of Forest Hill Underpass
• Meet the SEE3 Town Team Manager and hear about the exciting developments surrounding the Portas Pilot
• Learn about the Dog Activity Day taking place in Mayow Park on Thursday 21 February.
• Hear about the final recommendations for the South London Health Trust from the TSA (Trust Special Administrator)and how they will affect Lewisham Hospital (if implemented)

There will also be a chance to meet your local councillors and discuss how you can help make Perry Vale a better place to live. Local groups will also have the chance to make any announcements if they want to publicise an event or share some ideas.

Food Fair Update

Thank you to all our loyal supporters. We're taking a break this month as most of our traders are on holiday or busy with new plans, but we will be back in February as usual.

Wishing you a happy 2013

2012 has been a fantastic year for Forest Hill and we hope that 2013 will continue to see the positive development we saw in 2012.

This year saw the reopening of the swimming pool, the completion of the Horniman Gardens redevelopment including their new education centre, a monthly food fair at Forest Hill station, and many new shops up and down the high streets.

The Forest Hill Society were able to play our part in the changes that took place in Forest Hill this year in a number of ways:

• With local assembly funding we were able to arrange the installation of swings and table tennis in the Horniman Triangle
• We have set up a monthly food fair, bringing people into the town centre
• Our market stall holders have begun to set up a permanent presence in Forest Hill, with Aga opening a deli, and we hope Ruth and Nathan will continue the success of the pop-up butchery into 2013
• We were instrumental in the successful bid for Portas Funding which will continue to build on the progress made in 2012, with more pop-up shops, more markets, and a town centre hub
• We helped Dacres Wood gain a Friends group, with some great plans to improve this unique habitat in Forest Hill 
• We were also able to help local businesses re-launch the Traders Association, and it has been great to see them working together to improve the attraction of the town centre
• Finally, with the support of the local assembly funding, we have been able to brighten up the town centre and stations in Forest Hill and Honor Oak Park 

What's going to happen in 2013?
It is always difficult to predict the future but we can be sure of a few things;
On transport - Honor Oak Park station will have step free access (at least to the platforms - the gap between the platform and the train is another matter), and the subway in Forest Hill will be refurbished making the crossing of the railway a more pleasant affair.
We will continue to run monthly food fair (though not in January), with the SEE3 team running complimentary markets to make Forest Hill even more of a destination.
The success of new businesses, and the continued availability of empty units, should attract more new businesses to Forest Hill and Honor Oak Park. We know of a number of businesses currently looking for the right location in Forest Hill for their business, and the Forest Hill Society and SEE3 team are giving them every encouragement.

So we wish everybody in Forest Hill a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.