The Big Sunday Sing

The Big Sunday Sing is taking place on Sun 17th Feb 2013, 10.30am - 5.30pm at Forest Hill Pools.

The workshop is being organised by Sydenham Singers, a community choir in association with the charity Sydenham Garden, and part-funded by Sing Out (Lewisham Arts). The aim is to have a joyful day of singing in harmony in a big group with an informal performance of what we've learnt at the end.

The charge is £10 full / £6 conc / £5 under18s for the whole day, and it's £2.50 for members of the public to attend the concert which will be from 5-5.30pm and is fundraising for Sydenham Singers. I'm leading the workshop (I also lead Sydenham Singers choir sessions), everything will be taught by ear and there's no need for any experience. All welcome from 12+. (12-16s must be accompanied by an adult).

Booking is essential - Contact Lynn Barclay: 0208 659 1227

Lewisham PCT - Patient Event

Lewisham PCT contacted us to inform us that they are planning a patient event at the Civic Suite on the afternoon of Thursday 31st January 2013.  Lunch from 1 o’clock, with a 1:30pm start.

Last summer they ran a survey with patients across Lewisham and were impressed by the feedback. The information was used to feed into their plans for 2013 – 2015

The afternoon will

• Feedback what was heard from patients
• Share how Lewisham PCT used the information and fed them into plans
• Share the plans they have developed
• Hear patients views and opinions on them plans
• Give opportunity for people to make suggestions
• Discuss the role of the patient in our local health service.

They would like it to be as reflective of the population as possible. If you are interested please contact Grainne Bellenie at gbellenie@nhs.net. There is a limit of 60 places for this event.

Events update - January 2013

Society Events

This month's events include our traditional Burns Night celebration. This year it will take place on Friday, 25 January at Canvas and Cream (18 London Road, SE23 3HF). For £19.99 you will get a three course meal of Cock-a-leekie Soup, Haggis wi' bashit neeps an' champit tatties, Typsy Laird (a Scottish whisky trifle) and a wee dram to toast the haggis. (A vegetarian option is also available). Ceremonies will begin at 7:30pm, so turn up at 7pm for a pre dinner drink. Please book directly with Canvas & Cream at the restaurant or on 020 8699 9589. As well as food, there will also be a selection of music and poetry from the bard; bring along something to share if you would like to join in.
The Food Fair will return on Sunday, 3 February. We have decided to change our operating hours - we will now run from 11am to 3pm, which will hopefully catch the Sunday footfall in the town centre better.

In Other News...

The Butchery Limited, one of our stallholders from the Food Fair and a SEE3 PopUp, have signed a lease for 49 London Road. They are busy installing permanent refrigeration and hope to open the doors once more in early to mid February. We are delighted that another of our stallholders is moving into permanent premises and wish them well in this venture. Some people have asked why a local family was not given the chance to try the shop as a PopUp. Although Ruth and Nathan have an outlet in Bermondsey, they live in the heart of Forest Hill, so we couldn't get more local.
The TSA for the South London Health Trust, Matthew Kershaw, presented his final report to the Secretary of State for Health on January 6. The Secretary of State now has 20 working days to review it and make a decision on the future of the NHS in south east London by 4 February 2013. The final report makes the same recommendations as the draft report. ie that the A&E and Maternity units at Lewisham Hospital are closed and that we all use King's College Hospital or Queen Mary Hospital in Woolwich instead. These plans could have serious impacts on health provision in South East London and, once implemented, cannot be undone as they are planning to sell off 60% of the land. If you haven't already done so, please sign the petition against the closure of Lewisham's A&E and Maternity unit. There is going to be a march from the roundabout outside Lewisham Station to Mountfield Park on Saturday, 26 January from noon to 4pm. Watch our website for details of where to meet if you would like to join us - we will probably meet in Forest Hill first.
The Metropolitan Police have announced plans to close Sydenham police station, along with many others across London and reduce the number of police stations operating 24 hours to one per borough (in our case, Lewisham police station). The police station in East Dulwich is also earmarked for closure. There will be a Borough public consultation event on Monday, 28th January at 6pm in Lewisham town hall (opposite the Library in Catford). If you would like to attend you must register first. The full draft MOPAC Police and Crime Plan can be found on the GLA website and there is a questionnaire for your feedback.

Local Events

We try to publicise all local events on our calendar, but this is very dependant on the amount of free time we have. Apologies to any we have missed
If you are self employed and looking for a little support, then head down to the Dolphin (121 Sydenham Road, SE26 5HB) on Thursday, 24 January for 1:15pm where a new group is getting started. The Self Employed Self Help (SESH) group’s Inaugral meeting will decide how often they should meet and discuss the support needed by its members. Go along and have your say at this free event which will run from 1:15pm to 3:15pm. Simply buy your own drink and show your appreciation by donating to the collection for Sydenham Community Radio. For further information email Anna Baghari at annabaghari@ntlworld.com.
The Devonshire Road Nature Reserve (170 Devonshire Road, SE23 3SZ) will be open as usual on the last Sunday of the month (Sunday, 27 January) from 2pm. Jacob Twyford is a vital member of our Executive and the Friends of Devonshire Road Nature Reserve. If you want to show your appreciation for all that he does, catch his band (Jonah's Raft) at HopScotch (72 Honor Oak Park, SE23 1DY) on Friday, 1 February.
After last year's sell-out production of 'Cinderella', Pirate Pantomimes return to St Augustine's (One Tree Hill, Honor Oak Park, SE23 3LE) with 'Dick Whittington' starring Gabrielle Bradshaw, Lisa Thorner and friends. There will be three performances, guaranteed to be extremely popular, on Saturday 9th February at 3pm and 7pm and Sunday 10th February at 3pm. Book your tickets now and arrive early to get a good seat. (Please try and arrive 15 minutes before curtain up). Adults are £10, Concessions and children aged 5 to 18 £7.50, children of 4 yrs and under free. Seats unreserved. If you don't manage to get your tickets in advance, queue at the door and they will try and fit you in, but ticket holders will be admitted first.
The Friends of Albion Millenium Green will be holding their second AGM on Saturday 23rd February, at Forest Hill Pools Community Room from 11am-1pm. There will be elections for the positions of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, and ordinary committee members. If you would like to join their committee, please email tim@lund.co.uk

Looking Forwards...

2013 is going to be a worrying year for many people as the budgetary cuts start to take effect. We will do our best to keep you informed about local issues, but need more people to get involved to spread the word. I'm always looking for people to help run the Society, coordinate publicity and help organise events. If you would like to help in any way, please write to volunteers@foresthillsociety.com. I know I keep saying this, but we really could do with more volunteers and helpers. Bring your family along for a fun day out at one of our events, or spend ten minutes on your way home, helping out with the planting at the stations. If you don't know how you could help, call me and we'll sort something out. Every little helps.
Thank you to all those who volunteered and helped make 2012 so successful. I look forwards to meeting many more in 2013. If you would like to receive these eNews updates in your inbox, then please signn up now.

Burns Night party - Fri 25th January

As has become the custom, we will be celebrating Burns Night for our January social event. Everyone is welcome.

The venue this time will be Canvas & Cream (18 London Road, SE23 3HG) and the cost is £19.99 for the traditional three course meal and a wee dram. A vegetarian option will be available. Come along at 7pm as ceremonies will commence at 7:30.

We are arranging a great evening of entertainment for you. There will be the traditional Address to the Haggis and a chance for people to read some of the Bard's poetry as well as a couple of surprises (if everything works out). Feel free to bring along something to read yourself and don't feel shy!

It would be lovely to have as many people from Forest Hill (and Sydenham!) there as possible, so hope to see many of you, new & old to the area, on the night. The event is open to all (sassenachs, members and non-members alike).

Please book directly with Canvas & Cream at the restaurant or on 020 8699 9589

Please note correction: Correct phone number for Canvas & Cream is 020 8699 9589

Sydenham Police Station Closure - Public Meeting

The Metropolitan Police plan to close Sydenham police station, along with many others across London and reduce the number of police stations operating 24 hours to one per borough (Lewisham police station for Lewisham).

There is a borough public consultation event on 28th January 2013 on the MOPAC Police and Crime Plan. This meeting will take place at the town hall in Catford at 6pm. If you would like to attend you must register on the following weblink: http://www.london.gov.uk/events/policing-and-crime-consultation-events?source=mopac

 

The full draft MOPAC Police and Crime Plan can be found at: http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/policing-and-crime/community-engagement

 

The online questionnaire for the Police and Crime Plan can be found at:  http://www.smart-survey.co.uk/v.asp?i=67232epffs

Perry Vale Local Assembly - 15 January

The next Perry Vale Local Assembly will be held on Tuesday, 15 January from 7pm to 9pm at Kilmorie School, Kilmorie Road, London, SE23 2SP.

Topics to be covered include

• Report by the Safer Neighbourhood Team about crime in the ward and news about the possible closure of Sydenham police station.
• Presentation on the Perry Vale Action Plan. The action plan details the five ward priorities, actions to address them and a progress report. The five ward priorities are
  • The environment
  • Roads and Traffic
  • Youth provision
  • Anti-social behaviour and crime
  • Activities for the whole ciommunity
• Update on the refurbishment of Forest Hill Underpass
• Meet the SEE3 Town Team Manager and hear about the exciting developments surrounding the Portas Pilot
• Learn about the Dog Activity Day taking place in Mayow Park on Thursday 21 February.
• Hear about the final recommendations for the South London Health Trust from the TSA (Trust Special Administrator)and how they will affect Lewisham Hospital (if implemented)

There will also be a chance to meet your local councillors and discuss how you can help make Perry Vale a better place to live. Local groups will also have the chance to make any announcements if they want to publicise an event or share some ideas.

Food Fair Update

Thank you to all our loyal supporters. We're taking a break this month as most of our traders are on holiday or busy with new plans, but we will be back in February as usual.