DEC2012y.QXD_WN.QXD 19/11/2012 11:28 Page 1 S e as on ’s G re et in Westcombe NEWS gs Est. 1973 Free to 3800 homes, and in libraries & some shops December 2012 Issue 10 A community newspaper commended by the London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies Monthly newspaper of The Westcombe Society: fostering a sense of community Seren Park: Crossed “God bless us, every one!” wires replaced with By WN crossed fingers . reporter alk to anyone living in Seren It’s happened time after time: no Park, and the frustration is almost sooner does the Council fix the gate and Tpalpable. For years they have been fence, than they are vandalised. waiting for what they were promised by “You get children playing around our the developer, Urban Solutions, when flats,” said another resident. “Not that they bought into Seren Park – direct I'm against children: but they shouldn't access to Maze Hill Station, the only be there. This is meant to be a quiet cul alternative being a very long detour. de sac for old people. Yet people wander Their frustration is matched by those through all the time – sometimes you living in nearby Tom Smith Close, even hear them going home in the small PHOTO: because people – no names no pack drill hours. And when you ask if they have Neville Grant – have taken the law into their own seen the notices saying there is no right hands, and created their own short cut of way, you get a flea in your ear.” Two of the many colourful stalls at the Westcombe Society’s annual Dickensian through what was Tom Smith Close. Look at it from the point of view of Christmas Bazaar on 17th November, raising money for the society’s Charity of “It's no longer a close,” said resident residents of Seren Park: faced with a the Year, Woodlands Farm Trust. More picture and story on pages 2 and 8. Angela Durham. “Because people living large hole in a fence, who could resist in Seren Park – and I think probably going through it to save a twelve minute further afield too – regularly walk walk to the station, or a twenty-minute Threat to our A&E services through the close as a short cut to the walk to the park? Especially if you are ith Lewisham Hospital’s A&E 13th of December, and can be found on station, and the park; and they walk their disabled, or pregnant, or pushing a pram. Wdepartment currently under threat, www.tsa.nhs.uk. Along with proposed cuts dogs here as well. What was a peaceful A solution may be around the corner: waiting times at the Queen Elizabeth in services, the report also calls for the close has become a public footpath.” the WN has heard that Royal Bank of Hospital (QEH) are set to get even longer. Department of Health (DoH) to help bear Another resident complained of dog- Scotland (RBS) is expected to take over With a target waiting time of less than some of the financial burden. fouling, and damaged cars. ownership of Seren Park soon from the four hours (four hours!) for patients to be It recommends that the DoH funds the dealt with, official figures show that South ‘excess’ costs of the PFI buildings at QEH London Healthcare Trust’s (SLHT) is only and the Princess Royal University just missing its goal by 4%. Hospital, as well as writing off the However, the WN has been Sarah debts accumulated by the SLHT contacted by readers who have Winterbottom deficits – estimated to reach £207m had to wait well over the target by March next year. Feelings are time in an overcrowded and dirty reception running very high – demonstrations are area, packed full of vending machines sell - planned against the proposed closures and ing unhealthy snacks and fizzy drinks, to an online petition has been set up on receive a service which at best could be www.savelewishamhospital.com. The padlock and described as unsatisfactory and at worst a No decisions will be made until after chain hang uselessly, “complete waste of time”. the public consultation period has ended the gate hangs open, As ‘the most financially challenged and Matthew Kershaw has submitted his and the wire fence Trust in the NHS’, the SLHT, which ran final report to the Secretary of State for has been cut and the QEH in Woolwich, the Princess Royal Health early in the New Year. in Orpington, and Queen Mary’s in Sidcup, Cllr. Geoff Brighty says: “Closing rolled back. is being faced with radical cost-saving Lewisham A&E raises serious questions PHOTO: Neville Grant measures put forward by Matthew about capacity at QEH. Unmistakable There is a gate - Kershaw, the Trust Special Administrator sound of chickens coming home to roost way between Seren Park and Tom Smith original developer, Urban Solutions, (TSA) brought in by the Government. though! The SLHT is in the hands of the Close, intended for allotment owners which has gone bust. The proposed closure of Lewisham’s Special Administrator largely because of only. But on numerous occasions the So it is now hoped that RBS will be brand-new A&E department (which cost the ruinous terms of the Private Finance lock on the gate has been removed or able to enter into an agreement over the £22m) so that patients in Lewisham would Initiative agreed under the last Labour destroyed; go there today, and you will railway access problem that has dogged have to go to QEH, is just one of a raft of Government.” find a bolt-cutter has been taken to the residents for years. money-saving measures put forward by the Echoing these comments, Cllr. Alex chain fastening the gate – and the wire A condition placed on the previous TSA. Other critical services at risk include Wilson added: “One silver lining to this fence separating the properties has been developer, and any new owner, was to the consultant-led maternity services for decision to close Lewisham A&E is that cut and coiled back. fund the necessary infrastructure to oper - high-risk mothers at Lewisham. the PFI debts will be paid off, meaning “On one occasion, I saw a lock being ate the access point – including Oyster The TSA’s draft recommendations are QEH will be able to continue functioning fitted to the gate,” said Mrs Durham. card validators, CCTV and lighting. subject to a public consultation until the and plan properly for the future.” “But a young man on the other side of RBS is currently in dialogue with the fence said ‘That won't last a day!’ Network Rail and Southeastern to satisfy The Westcombe Society Sure enough, next day, it was gone.” this requirement. (cont. on page 3) NEWS BRIEFS RENT A SANTA Putting Charlton on the map Carol singing News Flash……. Our local Olympian Gemma Gibbons, who won The Westcombe Society’s Christmas carol the Silver Medal for Judo, has been named the singing this year is on December 17th. Meet-up Santa has agreed to help us raise new patron for the Balfour Beatty London is at Mycenae House at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm funds for the Woodlands Farm Youth Games. She follows in the footsteps of start. Musicians with instruments are particular - Trust by making a few visits Paralympic gold medallist David Weir, and ly welcome. If you can’t make the start, and Commonwealth weightlifting medallist Zoe want to catch up, the mobile number to ring is to homes in the area as a special treat for children. Smith (also from this borough.) 07709 571 777. Ho Ho Ho Gemma slightly blotted her copybook recently Good news of Father Thames when invited to a reception at Buckingham Angler Rick Dodson caught a 9lb cod near If interested please contact Santa’s Hope I get invited to your home Palace. She sneaked a photograph of a Royal Gravesend. Mr Dodson was winner of the City local agent: HURRY AS VISITS Loo at the palace, published in the Telegraph . of London Corporation’s annual angling compe - Caroline Owens ARE LIMITED . ! “Very posh,” she reported. History does not tition. Other fish caught included two pouting, on: record whether H.M. was amused. Will Gemma three dab, and 520 whiting. (No points awarded Cost from £15 per visit be invited back, one wonders? for tyres, shopping trolleys or traffic cones.) 020 8853 0948 DEC2012y.QXD_WN.QXD 19/11/2012 11:29 Page 2 COMMUNITY NEWS WEST CO MBE N EW S The Dickensian All editoriAl correspondence to : neville Grant , The Editor [email protected] Christmas Bazaar Tel. 0208 858 8489 All MAteriAl to Be sent to : he Westcombe Society is still recovering from yet another highly [email protected] Tsuccessful (and very enjoyable) Christmas Bazaar, raising money to assist the society’s Charity of the Year, Woodland Farm Trust on deadline for the February issue: Shooters Hill. Marilyn Little, chairman of the society, writes: 15th January “I really appreciated the efforts of all our volunteers who did so news editor: Geoff Garvey much to make the event a success. It was hard work, but well-worth environment editor: Sarah the effort and strangely very enjoyable. New helpers are always very Winterbottom welcome, so do get in touch if you have a few hours to spare - you reporters: Denise Scott-McDonald would be warmly received. We raised a substantial amount on the day environMent coMMittee which will fund the projects that Woodlands have in mind. dick Allard All queries and “I would particualrly like to thank the headmistress of Blackheath comments to: 020 8858 7305 Girls High School and local traders for their generous support.” The Planning and environment sub- committee: [email protected] http://westcombe.gold.ac.uk Christmas fun at the bazaar distriBution Great fun was had by Myles dove & Barbara Henley all.