Booking Your Library Books

By John Firmin

Forest Hill Community Library has partially re-opened for a ‘click and collect’ book service. Sadly, we are not able to fully reopen the library due to Covid-19, but we are pleased that volunteers are running the click and collect book service three days a week:

• Tuesday, 10am ‒ 2pm

• Thursday, 3pm ‒ 7pm

• Saturday, 10am ‒ 2pm 

To reserve books you can call the library service on 020 8314 8024, email libraries@lewisham.gov.uk or order your books using the online library catalogue by going to https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/libraries/using-the-library

You will get a call when your books are ready to be collected from Forest Hill Library.

As well as reserving books you can drop in to the library during opening hours and pick up a ‘lucky dip’, which will be three books chosen according to genre or subject. If you need help with click and collect you can also call Forest Hill Library when it is open on 020 8244 0634.  

Good reading!

Children's Second-hand Book Sale

On Sunday 20th September we will be attending Horniman Farmers' Market with second-hand books for children. This is organised in conjunction with Forest Hill Library and Leaf and Groove bookshop and to raise money for the library. Actually, our main priority is not to raise money but to get more children reading books, particularly while access to the library is limited.

If you have books to donate please make sure that are donated to Leaf and Groove before 13th September so that all books can be quarantined for at least three days.

 

 

History of Forest Hill Talk

 

On Monday 14th September, 7:30pm, The Forest Hill Society presents a free online talk on the History of Forest Hill.

Find out about the history of the local area, its buildings and its people.

Please register in advance of the meeting to receive joining instructions: https://historyfh.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Gardening in the Town Centre

Forest Hill Society will be undertaking gardening ‘tidy up’ from 2:30pm on Saturday, 29th August. Please join us for some socially distanced weeding, trimming and tidying up for the autumn.

 

Meeting point: Forest Hill station forecourt, 2:30pm.
Tools provided, no experience necessary just enthusiasm!
Face masks may be needed in some locations and please bring your own gardening gloves.

Make Mayow Road Safer

The high number of road accidents on Mayow Road, close to schools and the park, is a cause of concern for local residents. They have set up a petition for safety on this road to be improved.

The residents of Sydenham and Mayow Road request immediate action from Councillor Sophie McGeevor. We recommend a full review of Mayow Road's safety risks and propose the following safety measures are put in place:

     - Full length speed bumps
     - Pedestrian crossings by all Mayow park entrances
     - A speed camera

You can sign the petition at:https://www.change.org/p/lewisham-councillor-sophie-mcgeevor-cabinet-member-for-environment-and-transport-make-mayow-road-safer

Summer Lockdown Quiz

While it is difficult to organise community events during the present time, we still want to bring people together across the community, so we invite you to join us via Zoom for a quiz evening, including some questions specifically about Forest Hill.


8.00pm, Thursday 2 July 2020

Click here to register

Entry is free but donations to Lewisham Foodbank welcome
You can play by yourself or as a household, and once you have registered details of the Zoom link will be sent to you close to the event. We hope you can join us for a bit of fun with your neighbours and local community. (Bring your own bottle!)

10th Anniversary of London Overground Reaching Forest Hill

23rd May 2010 saw the first services from Forest Hill to Dalston Junction.

After ten years, it is a route that many of us take for granted (or at least we did until Covid-19) but the Forest Hill Society and Sydenham Society were there on the first day; leading a group of intrepid explorers into the unknown realm of North East London, and to such enticingly names places as Haggerston and Shoreditch High Street. All returned from the adventure safe and well - leading the way for closer ties between these previously unconnected communities. 

Below are a few photos from that first trip 'Up North' on Day One of the Overground service on the East London Line.

The Great Big SE4 & SE23 Raffle

Small independent businesses have been hit hard by the lock-down and a raffle has been organised to help them.

There are some great prizes you can win - all purchased from local businesses.

Enter the Great Big SE4 and SE23 Raffle to support local business and win great prizes!
 
Over £6,000 has already been raised from local people.
Find out more and enter the raffle here.

Helping Local Families

Two ways to support local families struggling at this time:

You can support the local food bank with one-off or regular donations:
https://lewisham.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/
At present all food is being delivered to clients by the food bank.






Revd Edd Stock is also raising money for food for local families:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lewisham-citizens/

Helping Each Other

Whatsapp
We encourage all members to help other members of the community. A number of streets, estates, and areas across Forest Hill have Mutual Aid groups on Whatsapp and there is a map available here.



Volunteering
Lewisham Local, Voluntary Services Lewisham and Age UK Lewisham are working with Lewisham Council and local partners to coordinate support for people who are vulnerable or self-isolating.  This support will include the delivery of food and supplies, befriending and provision of accurate information.

If you need support or wish to volunteer to help you can:

Call 03330 150 378 (Mon-Fri 9-5) or complete an online form at https://www.lewishamlocal.com/request-support/

Call a Neighbour
Many people will feel isolated if they cannot leave their homes. Perhaps give elderly friends and neighbours a call on the phone, just for a friendly chat, and to safely break the monotony of lock down.