NOV 19x_WN.QXD 24/10/2019 11:14 Page 1 WestcombeNEWS Free to 3800 homes, in libraries and some shops November 2019 No. 9 A community newspaper commended by the London Forum of Amenity & Civic Societies PHOTO: Malcolm Hardy Silvertown Tunnel to be reviewed? reenwich Council has done a U- Victoria Rance, Coordinator of the Stop Gturn on the A102. More exactly, we the Silvertown Tunnel Coalition told the should say on the Silvertown Tunnel WN: plan. And we thought it was all over . “It's great to hear that, in the light of the Cllr Danny Thorpe, the leader of the climate emergency and the local air quality Council, has written to the Mayor of crisis, Dan Thorpe and the Labour Group London Sadiq Khan requesting that work running Greenwich Council have decided on the tunnel should pause while a full to look again at the forecast effects of the review is carried out of alternative ways of Silvertown Tunnel, and have subsequently reducing pollution and congestion around asked the Mayor to halt and review the the Blackwall Tunnel. scheme. The decision follows expressions of “This is a brilliant achievement by the The Viking Sun seen in Greenwich at sunset one Saturday in September public concern over environmental issues. cross-party group from Labour, the Green before it left on the longest (245 day) round-the-world cruise. Cabins range as reported in October’s issue of the WN. Party, the Lib Dems and the Womens's from £193,000 to a modest £66,000, not including tips (10-20%?), and it's Among the possibilities the Council sug- Equality Party. fully booked. Feel like selling the flat for when it comes round next time...? gests is a Dockland Light Railway exten- “This coalition group have worked sion to Thamesmead (already listed on the tirelessly with local climate activists from Council’s Transport Strategy). Extinction Rebellion, residents’ groups Rectory Field under threat Other possibilities include an from across the borough, and air quality exploration of how pedestrians and cyclists campaigners to raise awareness across t was heartening to read in club is a constituent member. The BSC is can cross the River Thames more easily, Greenwich about this eye-wateringly ISeptember’s WN that the Hervey the body which manages Rectory Field; and improving public transport links, such expensive new road. Road playing field has been restored for last season the Rugby Club offered only a as a DLR extension to Eltham. “We are gravely concerned about the the use of the community. drastically reduced amount as its share of Among other suggestions are ways of massive harm it will do to efforts to It makes an excellent venue for the ground maintenance for the season. This reducing traffic volume through the improve air quality and reduce carbon Blackheath Mini rugby players on Sunday was very reluctantly accepted by the other Blackwall Tunnel, possibly including emissions. mornings and all the other community three constituent sports clubs, Cricket, imposing a toll for an experimental period. “We hope that now Greenwich have activities that are happening there. Tennis and Squash, as being marginal- (Toll charges were to be imposed in order signalled their opposition to the scheme, Well done to all those who helped to P.J. ly better than receiving nothing. For to finance the new tunnel.) adding to the overwhelming existing restore this sports ground. this rugby season the two sides have In his letter, Cllr Thorpe suggests a opposition from top climate, traffic, and It is very sad therefore to hear that Brown been unable to reach any agreement wider discussion of the transport and environmental health experts, leaders of during this season, 2019-2020, it is likely on Blackheath Rugby's financial contribu- infrastructure needs of the borough. four other boroughs, active travel NGOs, that no Blackheath rugby teams will be tion. TfL has already commenced making cycle logistics businesses, and local resi- using Rectory Field in Charlton Road for With the Mini rugby players now using some preliminary moves, notably a dents' groups, the Mayor and TfL will take the first time since 1883. the Hervey Road facility and the Junior consideration of what kind of barrier the opportunity to halt the scheme, look at Blackheath F.C. is the world’s oldest rugby section and the Millwall F.C. Soccer should be erected to shield residents of the evidence, and think again.” open rugby club, founded in 1858, and its Academy using Well Hall on Sundays, the Siebert Road and Westcombe Hill. See also Letters page 3. traditional home ground, Rectory Field, in Women's Rugby section was left complete- those past 136 years has been host to ly out on a limb, with nowhere to play, by England International games, Varsity the rugby club’s hierarchy. The Sports matches between Oxford and Cambridge Club refused to let any of the sections of and many other prestigious encounters. the rugby club play at Rectory Field until it Right: Blackheath Rugby’s senior sides no paid a satisfactory amount as its share of longer use Rectory Field and have moved the upkeep of the ground. The Women’s Fighting to a ground share with the Millwall F.C. section was forced to look elsewhere for a for the Soccer Academy at Well Hall, Eltham. ground to play their matches and train, and cause in However, Blackheath F.C. has only a so it approached Charlton Park R.F.C. An Trafalgar relatively short term lease there. agreement was reached for Blackheath Square on Last season Rectory Field was used only Women to play their Championship South October by the Blackheath Women's Rugby section League fixtures at Charlton Park R.F.C’s 15th: for games on Sundays, Junior rugby on ground at Broad Walk, SE3 8NB. George Sunday mornings, and for midweek train- So, if there are no longer any Blackheath Monbiot, ing and, occasionally, by the men’s junior Rugby sides playing on the historic pitches Rupert teams. at Rectory Field, how long will it be before Read & Blackheath Rugby has indicated that it there is a need for a "Save Rectory Field Victoria PHOTO: wishes to reduce its costs to the Blackheath Action Committee?” Rance. Fiona Moore Sports Club (BSC), of which the rugby < < Newsbriefs > > Wanted: Youth homelessness charity Depaul UK Our MP’s resignation property price in Greenwich is £2,000 cheaper than A new co-editor! is calling for people with spare rooms in their By now most residents will have had a letter the London average. This means a 5.4% slump in The February edition homes to volunteer to become Nightstop hosts – from our MP for Greenwich & Woolwich Matt the last three years. But a one-bedroom flat near the and be trained to accommodate and look after a Pennycook explaining why he resigned from the Park may still cost you £450,000. of this popular local newspaper young person for a night.Last year, 600 households Opposition frontbench as a Shadow Brexit Minister. Ed: Readers please note: the suggestion is that could be the last if we across the UK gave up their spare rooms to help He also gives reasons for his belief that the British Greenwich may be slightly grungy round the edges, more than 1,200 young people who might other- people should have the final say on the issue, with No, not the financial services sector. Just in case cannot find a new co-editor! wise have been out on the streets. To find out more the option of staying in the EU – an option he that’s what you inferred....... If you have any interest about volunteering call 020 7939 1220 or visit strongly favours. www.nightstop.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer. St George’s lecture series in this rewarding job & would Grungy round the edges? The next lecture, by the Very Rvd Jeffrey John, like to become part of a Roaming gangs Cancel your subscription to the Financial Times at Dean of St Albans Cathedral, is at 8.00pm on Greenwich has been experiencing gangs of roving once! The FT for Sept 28th/29th quoted a Thursday 28th November, and is entitled Thank mutually supportive and marauders: parakeeets. An article in last year’s WN Hamptons International Land Registry report that God for Equal Marriage. friendly team please quoted the manager of Greenwich Park as saying Greenwich was facing a “lean, mean time.” they were not currently a threat. But authorities in Accepting that Maritime Greenwich is popular Whales in the Thames ring Neville on 8858 8489 Madrid have had enough, and are to carry out a with buyers from the financial services sector Seen in the Thames at Woolwich: a humpback later to arrange an exploratory “humane cull.” (though “slightly grungy around the edges”), “the killed after colliding with a ship. Ten days later, the A local resident said: “I do have some sympathy shine has come off the local property market.” body of a rare, 32-foot long fin whale was spotted meeting to discuss what is with Madrid. Greenwich Park is overrun by them In 2016, property prices in Greenwich were 8% near the pier at Gravesend. The Zoological Society involved. sometimes.” What do readers think? higher than the London average. Now, the average of London is carrying out a post-mortem. NOV 19x_WN.QXD 24/10/2019 11:14 Page 2 COMMUNITY Westcombe News Raising funds for Macmillan Drivers beware Al l editor iAl cor r espondence t o: very Monday morning, the Mycenae unday 15th EHouse Local History Group group neville Grant, Editor SSeptember was meets to hear talks on local history.