The Streets are Filled with Art

Forest Hill and surrounding areas have seen a growth in the use of public art to better address the needs of 'dressing the street'. These works do more than brighten up a drab area, they also play a role in our sense of collective purpose. But what constitutes public art and how is the commissioning process able to support community goals?

With momentum building behind interest in these questions, the time is right to capitalise on the trend. The “Lewisham School of Muralism” is a proposal by Artmongers. A Spacehive crowdfunding-campaign has been launched to fund this initiative to teach participants the process of creating murals.

To find out more or to donate, visit www.spacehive.com/lewisham-school-of-muralism

Looking out for your Neighbours

Our community is faced with some challenges ahead, and it is at this time community is at its most important. Right now, is a very good time to introduce yourself to a neighbour and swap telephone numbers.  Particularly elderly ones, stay at home parents, neighbours with disabilities and even those who just moved into the area. If your neighbour is not at home consider leaving a note such as this one with your contact details.

Think about creating a WhatsApp group for your neighbours or street.  And remember that some people are 'off-grid', consider sharing important information whenever you hear it.

There is a Lewisham-wide Covid-19 Mutual Aid group on Facebook which is intended to put people in contact and share information on a wider scale.

Related to this are local whatsapp groups based on ward areas:
Forest Hill https://chat.whatsapp.com/BGzBE202C6cELrzhg2SMFc
Crofton Park https://chat.whatsapp.com/BBw6zHu1G4ZG4F6jJ4njbf
Perry Vale - https://chat.whatsapp.com/GLijgM6K7AyK3pkvfjTVFJ

Shop Locally

While major retailers are finding it difficult to keep stock levels replenished, please consider shopping at local independent shops. Many continue to have good stock levels and need the support of the local community to keep it that way.

Similarly, why not consider ordering in a take away from your favourite local restaurants? (and keep your stockpile for another day).

From our foreign correspondent…

Goings-on from beyond the borders of SE23

New Cinema in Catford
Catford has been cinema-less since the ABC closed in 2001 — but no longer! 2019 saw the opening of “Catford Mews”, an independently-run venue comprising a three-screen cinema, café, bar, five local food vendors and a community space.
Located in the shopping precinct off Rushey Green, the cinema is open seven days a week with screenings throughout the day. It shows both the latest releases and independent films, and also hosts comedy nights, live music and the occasional live theatre broadcast.

Film ticket prices are under £10 and there are various membership packages entitling members to free tickets, discounts on further tickets, and 10% off food and drink.

For more information visit www.catford-mews.co.uk

New Shops and New Locations

Olives and More now open


New to 13 Perry Vale is ‘Olives and More’, which sells the finest Spanish extra virgin olive oils, made from a number of varieties of olive, each of which has its own distinctive taste. There are monthly Olive Tasting Workshops where you can learn how olive oil is produced, its uses and health benefits (for details and booking visit mardeolivos.co.uk/olivesandmore).

The shop also sells olives by weight, and other products made with extra virgin olive oil such as tapenade, chocolate and honey.



Forest Hill’s Co-op has moved
 
The Co-op grocery store has moved to Stanstead Road, next to Shurgard Self-Storage. The new store is much larger and more spacious than the previous one. There is more retail space for fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled and frozen food, groceries, household goods and off-licence sales. There is also an in-house bakery.

There is a small car park at the side, but note that Co-op parking is at the back (access through the gate) and limited to 30 minutes.

EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY

The following events have been cancelled:

Gin Tasting: Thursday 23rd April, 7pm. Sample a selection of English Gins to celebrate St George’s Day.

Spring Planting: Saturday 25th April, 2pm.

Havelock Walk Open Studio Days: May 9-10th and May 16-17th.

Walk Through History: Sunday 17th May, 2:30pm




We will be postponing the Edible Plant Give-Away and looking for a safe way to continue with this project without congregating in one place while the government advice is to stay indoors.

The Monsters are Coming … to the Horniman

The Horniman Museum’s temporary exhibition space is going back to a time BEFORE the dinosaurs to showcase fossil skeletons as well as full-size models and animatronics which bring the Permian back to life after 250 million years!

Visitors to the Permian Monsters exhibition can sift through interactive dig pits, get creative in an art area, and see a collection of artwork offering a glimpse back in time through the eyes of award-winning palaeoartist Julius Csotonyi.

The exhibition lasts until the end of October and is free for members (tickets required for non-members).

For more information visit www.horniman.ac.uk

Subway Cleaning - 22nd February, 11am

As our unofficial contribution to the Great British Spring Clean we will be attack the subway with sponges and buckets on Saturday 22nd February at 11am.

Many hands make light work, and we can usually clean the subway in less than 50 minutes with a few people with sponges and your favourite household cleaning products. Please come along and lend a hand and be amazed at how quickly the subway can be transformed from dirty to sparkling!

Walk through History - 1st February

Meet at 2pm on Saturday, 1st February at St. George's Church, junction of Woolstone Road and Vancouver Road.

A gentle 2 hour circular walk starting and ending at St. George's Church. Read the topography of the edge of Perry Hill with its hidden histories.
We will investigate the theory that a Roman Road briefly enters SE23 at Blythe Vale.Walking on the flat we shall locate Sidnum Place, the origin of the name Sydenham.
We will tell the amazing story of how Sidnum Place is also the origin story behind the Oak of Honor!
We will find the old vinery beside the river Pool and a wetland landscape.

Starting point is close to the bus routes of the 75 and 202 and a short walk from the 185 and 171 bus stop for the Blythe Hill Tavern.

Clean Air for SE23 Campaign

The next meeting of the clean air campaign will be on Saturday, 25th January from 10am-11.30am at Forest Hill Library
Discussion will include:

•     Update on air quality monitoring project
•     Clean Air Day in April
•     What do we want to focus on in 2020?

For more information about the Forest Hill Society's Clean Air campaign please visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/cleanairSE23/

Train Services on New Year's Eve

Last year there were no train services to Forest Hill after 00:30am on New Year's Day (until 6am).

The Forest Hill Society complained and this year they are running all night long!


Full details at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/172218.aspx