Westcombe News April 2013
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April2013x.QXD_WN.QXD 14/03/2013 14:27 Page 1 40 th YE AR Westcombe NEWS Est. 1973 Free to 3800 homes, and in libraries & some shops April 2013 Issue 3 A community newspaper commended by the London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies Monthly newspaper of The Westcombe Society: fostering a sense of community The sky’s the limit Sarah Winterbottom ven before his re-election, Boris Travel experts understand his sense of Johnson has made his views urgency: airports in Europe such as Eknown on the London airport Schiphol are a threat to Heathrow, as are debate – he wants to see either a new new hub airports in the Gulf, where airport built on the Thames Estuary or massive investments are taking place. an additional runway at Stansted. Proposals to build a new airport on Additional air capacity is currently the Thames Estuary received much criti- being looked at by the government, but cism from environmentalists both from the Airports Commission, headed by Sir an air and noise pollution perspective, Howard Davies, is not due to publish its as well as the prospective damage to review and recommendations until 2015. globally significant wildlife areas which MPs, peers and campaign groups have support notable amounts of bird life. joined with the leaders of nine local London Assembly Green Party mem- authorities to call on the Government to ber Jenny Jones said: "Instead of squan- PHOTO: bring forward the publication date of the dering taxpayers' money on developing Neville Grant final Davies report. They have written a fantasy airports that will inevitably lead joint letter to Transport Secretary Patrick to massive carbon emissions, he should The Westcombe Society’s Daffodil Tea has become so popular that senior citizens are McLoughlin asking for the report to be be prioritising climate mitigation and even being bused in to enjoy the delicious tea party organized by the Westcombe published well before the 2015 General adaptation projects." Society. Others were collected, and driven home, by volunteer drivers, though some Election. What might be the local impact of an arrived at Mycenae House on foot. See the story on page 2. The scheduled date for publication is airport in the estuary? There are already currently July 2015, two months after local complaints from people who find Operation Big Wing the Election. They are also calling on Sir themselves under both the Heathrow and Howard Davies in his interim report, due City Airport flight paths. They fear that olice officers working on Operation Vehicle and bicycle thefts by the end of this year, to “lay out very an airport in the estuary would add to PBig Wing at the end of February Since the Olympics, thousands of pounds clearly the direction of his thinking.” rather than ease the problem. arrested some 350 suspects across London. worth of pedal cycles have been stolen. Cycle Keen to accelerate the government’s Others argue that an airport in the In Greenwich there were 27 arrests for a owners should contact the Safer Transport timetable, Boris has lost patience, and estuary would be too far away to create a variety of offences from burglary to GBH cycle task force for advice on cycle security. announced to the Transport Commission noise nuisance in SE London. Medway and possession of drugs. In addition, 82 Streets in the southern and northern parts that he has brought together his own Council has earmarked funds to fight the vehicles were stopped in Automatic of Westcombe Park in particular have been team of experts to deliver a shortlist of idea of an estuary airport, partly on these Number Plate Recognition operations, four targeted by thieves stealing from cars and vans. Motorists are urged always to lock their possibilities within weeks followed by a grounds, but a campaigning group of which were seized for no insurance and cars – even for brief periods – and not to no MOT. detailed feasibility report against each (Demand Regeneration in North Kent leave valuables on display. option as soon as early next year. (DRINK) is in favour. Other incidents included the arrest of a "The government has set a timetable man suspected of absconding from prison Bogus callers that dawdles when dash should be the Sinister development after he was found hiding in a loft at a Residents are yet again warned not to admit order of the day," said Johnson. "It is Meanwhile, in a sinister development, it house in Beckenham, while in Bromley, bogus callers: use a door chain, and always absolutely imperative that work to has been reported that John Stewart, the police officers raided a cannabis factory ask for ID. If you have any doubts, close the progress a new hub airport in the South chairman of the airport campaigning and seized 80 plants. Local police warn of door while calling the number displayed on a number of ongoing problems: the ID card. East is completed as soon as possible.” group HACAN, arrived in New York only to be met by armed guards, and sent Burglaries Phone and email scams home. HACAN is a peaceful and very Despite regular police patrols, burglaries Email messages from friends claiming to well organised campaigning group. Why have occurred in the Westcombe Park area _ have been mugged in Madrid, or Manila (or the Americans should have thought Mr especially in and around Seibert Road. wherever) and asking you to send money, are Stewart a threat to public security is a Recently, two people were arrested in almost certainly fraudulent. Recently some- complete mystery. Humber Road: one got five years, the other a one received a fraudulent email from nine month suspended sentence. Residents Lagos from a friend, whom they knew Mr Stewart is the author of Why Noise are urged to contact the police if they want happened to be in Lagos: it was, nonethe- advice on security, and an officer will arrange Matters (Earthscan 2011). less, a scam! a visit. Never do business on the phone: always < < NEWS BRIEFS > > ask callers, however plausible, to put it in writing. And just because someone refers Emergency services closures The Fox Project deep concern over local crime – The Virgin London Marathon you to a website does not mean that it is Boris Johnson is pushing ahead Several readers have asked for much of it knife crime, and much This is on Sunday April 21st. trustworthy! with plans to cut twelve fire sta- information about coping with of it gang- related. He said: Beware road closures! (see p.7) The number to ring if you want the tions, 18 fire engines and 65 police foxes. The “Fox Project” can be “Soon after arriving at Inner police is 101; in real emergency, 999. front counters across the capital. contacted on 01892-824111, week- London Crown Court, I tried to Run from the beat Finally, computer users should beware of days from 9.00 am - midday. start an initiative by inviting local Local resident Annie Keys has a fraudulent email from “Microsoft Digital The fight for Lewisham Hospital (www.foxproject.org.uk) For schools to send groups for visits: to started a petition asking the Crimes Unit” designed to trick them into Secretary of State for Transport, Lewisham Council has decided to Humane Fox Deterrence advice, watch a case in action, meet a installing malware on their PC. apply for a judicial review into the ring 01892-826222. judge, to sit in the dock. Few Patrick McLoughlin, to refuse permission for the road closures Government’s decision to down- If you are concerned about an replies were received, sadly none The Westcombe Society grade the accident and emergency injured or sick fox, ring the project of them positive. necessary for the Run to the Beat event on Sept.8th. unit at Lewisham Hospital. on 01892-731565 between 9.00 “I’m going to try again; with Forthcoming events: Those who do not live in am to 9.00 pm, or, outside these the additional clout that you have The event raises funds for Lewisham, but want to help, can hours, please contact the RSPCA given me as the honorary recorder Leukaemia & Lymphona Research. The petition is at: April 20th. 7.30 for an 8.00 pm start donate to the Save Lewisham on 0300 1234999. of Southwark I might achieve more Quiz Night, Mycenae House Hospital Legal Challenge Fund, to than I did last time around.” Let’s https://www.change.org/en- Why not get up your team (of six) ready help offset the possible £200,000 Schools in the dock? hope that he tries the same here. GB/petitions/the-secretary-of-state- costs of this appeal – a small price The Royal Borough’s new recorder for-transport-dont-close-the-streets- for this popular event - or come alone! to pay to ensure Greenwich, is Nicholas Hilliard Q.C., M.A., a Stop beefing! for-run-to-the-beat Enjoy a fish & chip supper too. Reserve Lewisham and Bexley boroughs former chairman of the Criminal Those who are beefing about the this date, and your table, by calling don’t have to rely on one, already- Bar Association. He is currently contamination of beef ready meals Sorry to lose you, Sue Caroline on 020 8853 0948. overloaded, A&E unit in Queen Leader of the South Eastern Circuit with horsemeat should be reassured We are sorry to hear that Sue is Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich. and is also Southwark’s recorder. by government statements that eat- leaving Apples ’n Oranges in Old BOOKINGS CLOSE ON SAT. 13TH APRIL He is on record as expressing ing beef is as safe as horses.