New Chairman for the Forest Hill Society

After four years as chairman, Richard Hibbert has stepped down from the role and at our AGM last night Michael Abrahams was elected chairman of the Society. Michael has been vice chair for the last four years and has previously been chairman. Richard will continue to sit on the executive committee along with many of the old executive plus some new members.

The last four years have been a great time for Forest Hill and Richard has worked tirelessly to develop the Forest Hill Society and to make a real difference to the local area. Thank you to Richard and also to all the other volunteers who have put so much effort into all the work of the Forest Hill Society. We will continue to look for new ways to make Forest Hill an even better place to live.

Totally Locally Forest Hill - Fiver Fest

Visit independent shops in Forest Hill from 4th-8th December for some special deals - from the sweet shop to the pub, and the card shop to the jewellers - they've got something for everybody!

Forest Hill Tree Lighting & Santa's Grotto

Saturday 7th December, 3:30pm

The Forest Hill Society will once again be decorating the tree in the town centre, and the lights on the tree will be switched on from 3:30pm on Saturday, 7th December. Please join us for the popular event with carol singing.

With thanks to Forest Hill Ward Assembly for arranging the tree, and to Winkworth for funding decorations and carol sheets.

SEE3 Christmas Calendar

You may have received a copy through your door, but just in case, the SEE3 calendar is now available on the web. It’s packed with all the festive events happening in the area throughout December. From Christmas markets to special shows, late night shopping and carol concerts, it’s all in here!

SEE3 Calendar 2013

Forest Hill Food Fair - This Sunday

December Food Fair - Sunday 1st December 2013

The Forest Hill Society started running our Food Fairs on a monthly basis in April 2012. Sunday 1st December 2013 will be the last in the series. We have enjoyed them all and we are delighted with what we have achieved and that we have demonstrated the demand for a market in Forest Hill.

September saw the launch of the weekly farmers' market at the Horniman which has proved incredibly popular and make the need for a monthly food fair far less than it used to be. Many of our most successful stallholders are now present in Forest Hill on a weekly basis.

We are proud that two stallholders from the Forest Hill Food Fair now have permanent shops on the high street; The Butchery and Aga's Little Deli - exactly the types of businesses the Food Fair was setup to attract, to enhance Forest Hill's high street.

In 2014 the Forest Hill Society will look at other ways to support the town centre and we are in discussions with local traders and organisations who may be interested in continuing the legacy of monthly/occasional markets in the town centre.

We are incredibly grateful for all the support shown to our food fairs by traders, customers, the weather, and the volunteers who made it all happen. And Sunday 1st December will be a market to equally all others, with a good range of delicious hot food and items to fill your cupboards.

Honor Oak Pub to reopen in March 2014 (Updated)

East London Lines is reporting that the Honor Oak pub, on Brockley Rise, will reopen in March 2014.

A statement from Punch Taverns said: "With the Honor Oak currently being closed for trade, we are aware that there may be some concern regarding the future of the pub. We can re-assure the community that we see the pub very much part of the long term future of Punch Taverns and we are planning a £350,000 investment and refurbishment beginning in January with a gala reopening in mid March."

After closing in May, The Honor Oak was the subject of a campaign by the Forest Hill Society to turn the business into a co-operative pub. The co-operative would have required Punch Taverns to consult the group on any sale, giving the community the option to take over the pub before it could be sold to another buyer.

Richard Hibbert, the chairman at the Forest Hill Society, said: “That’s excellent news. A much-loved pub by the locals and one that was very good at one stage. I’m sure it will have a bright future.”

Update: The Forest Hill Society has received confirmation from Lewisham Council that on 13th November 2013 the Honor Oak Pub was added to the council's list of assets of community value.

Now that the property is included on the Council’s list of assets of community value, if the Owner subsequently decides to enter into a relevant disposal of it, it will be required to notify the Council in writing under Section 95(2) of the Act. For the meaning of “relevant disposal” and for when a relevant disposal is entered into, please see Section 96 of the Act.

On receiving notice of a relevant disposal, the Council will then update the entry in the list for the property to reveal that notice has been received, give written notice to the Forest Hill Society (as the community nominee who originally nominated the property to go on the list) and will also publicise the proposed disposal in the locality. 

Honor Oak Park Christmas Celebration

Forest Hill Society AGM 2013

Thursday 12th December, 7:30pm
Upstairs at The Hob (opposite Forest Hill Station)

The Forest Hill Society AGM is a chance to elect the new executive and set out our priorities for the year ahead and beyond. We have some great ideas and want to hear all suggestion for ways to improve SE23.

We welcome members and non-members to our AGM.

Update: We have now confirmed our guest speaker: local resident and PhD student Jacob Phillips will be telling us more about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the local resident (80 years ago) and German pastor who opposed the Nazi regime in Germany. This follows on from Jacob's article for the newsletter earlier this year.

Day of the Dead Late, at the Horniman

Thursday 7th November, 6-9pm 

The Horniman’s next after-hours party for adults, Day of the Dead Late, is inspired by the annual Mexican festival. Follow a procession of fluorescent skeletons and Mexican musicians through the galleries, dance with a giant skeleton, experience a magical puppet performance with Theatre of Dolls, join in a Day of the Dead party with DJ Stylus in the Conservatory, discover fascinating skeleton facts, and enjoy short films. Food and bar open including Mexican street food and Day of the Dead cocktails.

Find out more about Day of the Dead Late at http://www.horniman.ac.uk/visit/events/day-of-the-dead-late. Tickets are £3. Over-18s only due to the nature of the events.

Hat  Tip: Brockley Central