DEPTFORD MISC

Mirror 'EXCLUSIVE' is two years old

2011-12-12T16:15:00.004Z

A report by Gary Anderson in the Mirror, dated 11 Dec 2011, is headed "Bankers cost each one of us £8.40 for every £1 they produce, study shows" it is marked EXCLUSIVE and the article starts "Rich bankers can today be exposed as a huge drain on society... costing the rest of us £8.40 for every £1 they produce."The article goes on to claim that hospital cleaners create wealth because they prevent

Deptford Soil @ UTROPHIA

2011-12-08T13:26:00.004Z

It is cold and windy so it is time for Deptford's hardiest perennials to move inside.The McMillan Herb Garden and various good friends are taking a short stroll down the High Street to the comparative warmth of UTROPHIA to present "Deptford Soil". I cannot improve on what the Deptford Dame has said about creative processes, location etc, but I can promise a veritable cornucopia of aural and

Trinity Square Gardens - New Threat

2011-12-05T14:29:00.007Z

In an extraordinary farce on Monday 28 Nov 2011 Tower Hamlets's Strategic Development Committee (or rather two of its members) stuck two fingers up to UNESCO. Having been defeated in their attempt to use Trinity Square Gardens for corporate entertainment, Tower Hamlets are determined to grant planning permission for a grotty glass box that will dominate the space. This was despite councillors

Meet the Met

2011-11-23T14:53:00.002Z

Senior police officers are a rare sight nowadays in Deptford, but on 7 December we are led to believe the Commissioner himself (Mr Bernard Hogan-Howe) will be paying us a visit. I say led to believe because as Crosswhatfields? set out on 5 Feb 2011 Move along there - Police notebook - Betfred update plod do not always turn up when they say they will.6.30 for 7.00pm till 8.00pm at Lewisham

Wandsworth Housing Policies

2011-11-14T17:27:00.004Z

Earlier today the BBC reported that Wandsworth Council is considering introducing a policy under which Wandsworth council tenants could lose their homes if they lost their jobs.Jobless 'may lose council homes', warns WandsworthOn Wandsworth Council's hompage I find a link "Refusal to work could cost council home" which leads to a news release dated Saturday 12 November.Near the start we have:"

Environmental Justice: The Thames Tunnel

2011-11-13T16:12:00.003Z

The internet is currently buzzing with stories and comments regarding Thames Water's proposals for a sewage storage tunnel under the river Thames. The project was approved by government when Tony Blair was premier and is now approved by coalition. As I found out on Thursday at the Thames Estuary Partnership's Annual Forum the current minister Mr Richard Benyon MP is a firm supporter of the

The Urban Politics of Deptford Regeneration

2011-11-11T12:59:00.004Z

In my inbox this morning I find a short article by Portuguese academic Daniel Azeredo Lobo on the politics of the regeneration process we in Deptord enjoy / suffer / put up with * in University College London's journal Opticon . (*Delete as applicable)Opticon1826, Issue 11, Autumn 2011 (pdf)Short summary of the article:"Report for planners on the urban politics of Deptford regeneration" is

2011-10-27T15:06:00.004+01:00

Lewisham Homes have failed again.Yesterday on their twitter account they posted the above link to a story on their website.Some other tweeters referred to it as a 'new' scam, and I responded that it sounded like a very old one. The truth is, as can been seen on the Crimestoppers website, the scam took place in 2005, but was closed down and the perpetrators fined. Emails that were circulated at

BETFRED LOSE PLANNING APPEAL

2011-08-17T14:28:00.002+01:00

Although the planning inspector has reached his decision by a somewhat circuitous route the end result is welcome news in Deptford. Appeal Decision Site visit made on 20 July 2011 by David Smith BA(Hons) DMS MRTPI an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Decision date: 16 August 2011 Appeal Ref: APP/C5690/A/11/2151228 93-95 Deptford High Street,

George Wheelhouse 1772-1864

2011-04-15T17:41:00.002+01:00

George Wheelhouse was born in Scarborough on 22 Aug 1772 the fourth and youngest recorded child of John Wheelhouse and Ann Graham who had married in the town on 15 Nov 1764. George was baptised in Scarborough on 4 Nov 1772.Little is known of his first forty years, but by 1814 he was a distiller in Deptford, appearing in a list of creditors of bankrupt marine stores dealer Thomas Fleming that

Marine Tower

2011-03-21T12:18:00.002Z

Following the Marine Tower double fire fatality at the beginning of February, the London Fire Brigade have issued an enforcement notice against Lewisham Homes detailing various failings.The notice issued pursuant to Article 30 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 deatails the following failings:Failure to review the fire risk assessment. (Article 9)Failure in the effective management

The Sad Death of Edward Pluck

2010-12-02T14:34:00.002Z

The inquest into the death of Edward Pluck took place in the Brown Bear Public House in Deptford High Street on Monday 29th May 1893. Pluck had committed suicide after being sacked from his job as a bricklayer in the Royal Victoria Victualling Yard, supposedly because he had reached the age of 65. Subsequent to the inquest, questions were asked in Parliament, but the government, as governments do

Days of Wine and Roses

2010-08-02T18:56:00.003+01:00

This afternoon there was a short ceremony at Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery to mark the restoration of Ernest Christopher Dowson's grave on the 143rd anniversary of his birth. The original memorial has been restored as fully as possible and a new stone at the foot of the grave quotes two verses of his poetry. The restoration was paid for by public subscription after a facebook page was set up in

Twinkle Park Event

2010-07-15T15:04:00.002+01:00

As part of Greenwich Council's Parksfest 2010 Twinkle Park presents Musical Notes this Saturday 17th July, 1 - 5pm.Music from jazz quartet Paul Zec & Friends, Deptford Divas and Venavi Drummers and a drumming workshop from the latter.Petanque, pond dipping and also creative fun with Artyparty Arts.At 5.00pm it will only be a short stroll to the Dog and Bell in Prince Street.Twinkle Park is in

McMillan Herb Garden

2010-06-11T19:49:00.004+01:00

As part of the St Nicholas Community Festival on Saturday 12 June, the McMillan Herb Garden present three hours of postry and music featuring Paul the Poet, Leanne, Provoceteers, Bloco Maluco, Goy, Sons of Phycho Yogi and Ruthi Tooti.The garden is here opposite St Nicholas Church.View map of SE8 3HA on Multimap.comBird's Eye view of SE8 3HAGet directions to or from SE8 3HA

Marie Lloyd

2010-06-11T18:16:00.003+01:00

On Wednesday 9 June I attended a Lewisham Council consultation at the 2000 Community Action Centre in Grove Street regarding proposed works in Fordham and Pepys Parks. A local artist Richard somebody or other who carves totem poles is apparently to produce works celebrating Peter The Great, Margaret McMillan and Marie Lloyd. What, I asked has Marie Lloyd got to do with Deptford? I was told that

Fox paranoia and Deptford

2010-06-09T16:45:00.005+01:00

Doing a routine Google News search for 'Deptford' I was surprised to read an article by somebody called Philippe Naughton from The Times dated 7th June 2010 containing the line:"A 14-week-old baby boy in Deptford, southeast London, was bitten in 2002 when a fox crept into his house while his mother slept. "Firstly I do not remember such a thing happening and secondly searching Google's News

Some thoughts on the Common Toad

2010-05-17T13:24:00.003+01:00

Yesterday Bob from Brockley quoted George Orwell from 16 May 1939. A few years later Orwell observed in his essay Some Thoughts on the Common Toad that:Even in the most sordid street the coming of spring will register itself by some sign or other, if it is only a brighter blue between the chimney pots or the vivid green of an elder sprouting on a blitzed site. Indeed it is remarkable how Nature

JOHN CROUCH 1915-1939, THE KING'S JOCKEY

2010-05-13T16:44:00.004+01:00

Wally Crouch was born Walter Thomas Crouch in Portsmouth in 1877, the son of a shipwright. After his father died his mother remarried and he took the name of Armstrong. By the time of his Peckham marriage on 10th June 1899 to Blanche Phillips he had reverted to the name Crouch and gave his occupation as a Public House Manager. Wally and Blanche moved to Deptford firstly at 6 Lucas Street, then 29

The Jacob Brothers - Mayors of Deptford

2010-05-06T16:42:00.008+01:00

Benjamin Joseph Jacob became the first Mayor of Deptford on Friday 9th November 1900. He served two consecutive terms (until November 1902). His younger brother Jesse Jacob was Mayor for the municipal year 1906-7.Benjamin was born on 10 March 1836 and christened at St Pauls Church, Deptford on 13 April. Jesse was born 27 July 1840 and christened at St Pauls on 24 August . Their parents were

Conservative Election Poster

2010-04-30T14:50:00.003+01:00

According to the site electionchampion.com this somewhat irreverent alteration to a Tory billboard is near to New Cross Gate station.

Mayors of Deptford

2010-04-21T15:50:00.004+01:00

The Metropolitan Borough of Deptford was created by The London Government Act 1899, and abolished by the London Government Act 1963. The first election of councillors to the new Borough took place on 1st November 1900. Over the next 65 years 43 men and 5 women held the office of Mayor up until the Borough's abolition in 1965.The list of Mayors in the council chamber of Deptford Town Hall on New

East London Line Farce

2010-04-20T18:46:00.003+01:00

This morning I attempted to travel between Deptford and Whitechapel. Being aware that the re-opening of the East London Line had been postponed I made the (perhaps naive)presumption that the ELW replacement bus service would be running the same service as in recent months.Coming out of Shadwell DLR station there was a "Buses on diversion sign" at the south end of Watney Street pointing west (

Master Shipwright's House for Sale

2010-04-09T12:13:00.006+01:00

Leafing through the Times this morning my eye was caught by this photograph of the Master Shipwright's House in the Bricks and Mortar property supplement. (link to article) The house is for sale with an asking price of £5,000,000. Marcus Binney refers to the house appearing in John Cleverly's 1747 painting of the St Albans being floated out of dry dock. The painting is here.This 300 year old

Fair Betsy of Deptford

2010-03-21T13:43:00.003Z

Fellow local blogger Transpontine has, over the years, been collecting and posting South London Songs. Fair Betsy of Deptford, alternatively Pretty Betsy of Deptford, appears in his lists as in several others. The text of the song is difficult to find, but back in 2004 I downloaded an image file of the song. I cannot remember from where I downloaded it, so many apologies to the owner of the image

CONVOYS WHARF

2009-12-07T19:06:00.007Z

Saturday 5th December 2009 presented a rare opportunity to visit the Convoys Wharf site in Deptford and a small group of us took a stroll around this huge site. Site owners Hutchison Whampoa are intending to amend the current planning application in January 2010 and Saturday was a chance to see the new proposals. Contrary to what some people believe the previous proposals were never formally

The Allure of the East

2009-10-13T15:18:00.003+01:00

Some fascinating London geography in Sunday's Brisbane Times.Not only is Deptford just "around the corner" from Spitalfields and Whitechapel but violent crime is 20 times worse here than the oh so peaceful east end.A note at the end of the article informs us that The writer was a guest of VisitBritain and British Airways.

The Return of Beau Geste

2009-10-02T11:11:00.007+01:00

At 3.00pm on Sunday 4th October 2009 BBC Radio 4 will broadcast the first of two hour long episodes of Graeme Fife's new audio adaption of Beau Geste. The broadcast will be available live online and on BBC iPlayer for seven days. As previously mentioned, here and elsewhere author Percival Christopher Wren was born in Deptford in 1875 as plain Percy Wren.The new radio production was commissioned

Jazz at the Herb Garden

2009-08-27T16:50:00.004+01:00

Chill-out on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon with Lol Coxhill (above) and Friends including Steve Noble at the McMillan Herb Garden in Deptford. Gate opens 4.00pm and the music is about 4.30 - 6.00pm. A family afternoon of accessible jazz, bring your own refreshments but remember you can retire afterwards to the Dog and Bell or Bird's Nest. Free, but the hat will be passed round.The McMillan

Homeward Bound - Dog and Bell 2

2009-08-12T17:33:00.004+01:00

The sea shanty below appears in various magazines and books from the 1870s to the present day. Many of those who have published the song seem to have assumed that the references to the Dog and Bell and 'old Archer' are to some sort of every-pub and every-pub landlord respectively. A long discussion of various versions of the song appear here. Notably the song appeared, complete with references to

I might have to move to Clapton, o

2009-08-11T16:05:00.004+01:00

Nothing to do with Deptford, but Bad Dalston Short Stories is a wonder to behold. William McGonagall meets the urban edge.Try this Haiku or this one. Plenty more besides.The Question is: Should we have a Deptford equivalent, or should we leave it to the national press to write rubbish about us?

HIGH STREET BLUES

2009-08-10T16:24:00.010+01:00

Even by Lewisham Council's lax standards the current occupiers of 172 Deptford High Street seem to be allowed to get away with just about anything. An air-conditioning unit and cage has, between Friday afternoon and lunchtime today, been bolted to the footway in front of this shop unit. I telephoned the call centre number, published on Lewisham's website as a contact for Highways, to report the

The Devonshire House Deptford Ball 1920

2009-08-05T16:51:00.008+01:00

After the 1st World War Deptford was down on its luck, again. The Foreign Cattle Market, now Convoys Wharf, lay empty as live imports of cattle and sheep had been replaced by frozen and chilled meat. Thousands were out of work.The Duchess of Albany had established the Deptford Fund in the 1890's to finance existing Deptford charities, but it soon provided services itself, the best known of which

Tesco come to Deptford

2009-08-03T20:53:00.009+01:00

Deptford Se8ker spotted the signs on Friday. A Tesco express store is opening on 30th September at 20-22 Deptford High Street (south end, east side). Opinions may differ as to whether or not this is a good thing for Deptford. Some shops will think that Tesco will bring more trade to the High Street and others will think that Tesco will take their customers. It is the first investment by a major

TROLLY LOLLY

2009-08-02T11:19:00.004+01:00

Mary Nichols was born in Deptford in about 1685.In her twenties she married a butcher and she had children, but for whatever reason by 1713 her marriage had failed and she then took to stealing to provide for the children. She was caught and convicted several times. She was branded for the third time in December 1714.On 22 July 1715 she committed her final crime. She was living in Whitechapel and

IN SEARCH OF BEAU GESTE 1

2009-07-29T20:53:00.007+01:00

In June Caroline posted Deptford and the Foreign Legion about Beau Geste author Percival Christopher Wren having been born in Deptford in 1875 as plain Percy Wren. He amended both his place and year of birth in later life. As Caroline outlined accurate details about Wren's life can be hard to pin down, but are by no means impossible.In 1933 Philadelphia autograpgh collector Frank Tricker wrote to

The Dog and Bell (1)

2009-07-28T10:38:00.007+01:00

The June / July 2009 issue of the Campaign for Real Ale's London Drinker magazine carries an excellent article by Julian Stone outlining the History of The Dog and Bell. Julian has carried out extensive research in Lewisham Local History Library and suggests that William Boyes's 1749 victualling business in what was then Dog (or Dock) Street was the forerunner of the pub. Julian may well be right

YOGA AND FINANCE

2009-07-25T16:47:00.007+01:00