Friday 12 December 2014

Rivoli developer seeks additional storey

Just as we all thought the new Rivoli development, flung up at 59 Ladywell Road, is all-but finished with a sales open day just last month, it seems the developer wants to squeeze more value out of the site by adding another floor.  This is logged as planning application DC/14/89383 and you can find more here.
A lively debate has already opened up on this on Brockley Central.
Robert Sheppard

Monday 17 November 2014

Ladywell (Christmas) Supper Club - Friday 12 December at The Larder, Ladywell


Elen from the Ladywell Supper Club writes:

I am very excited to announce that I will be hosting a festive supper club at The Larder in Ladywell on Friday 12 December.  I believe it will be our best supper club to date and am so excited about celebrating this season's foods with a festive twist.

It will be a cocktail and four courses (and a few little extra bits here and there - it will be Christmas after all!) and tickets are priced at £32.00.


Tickets will go on sale on Friday November 21st @10am and will be available here.


Robert Sheppard

Thursday 23 October 2014

Save Fossil Road's historic lampposts


Residents in and around Fossil Road are campaigning to save their historic lamposts which are to be replaced, under the controversial and oft-criticised Skanska contract, by bland modern lampposts. There are few similar examples in our increasingly bland and characterless Lewisham streetscape and one has to feel very sypathetic to the petitioners' goal.  Surely refurbishment to acceptable modern standards, albeit with some costs attached, must be an option?
They have set-up a petition to Sir Steve Bullock.

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Ladywell Christmas Market - Sat 6th December

Following the great success of last year's market, this year's Christmas Market in Ladywell will be taking place on Saturday 6th December.
Applications for stalls are available from Slater & King on Ladywell Road or by emailing hello@slaterandking.co.uk - £45 if you have your own insurance or £55 if not. There are only a limited number of stalls, so be quick!

Wednesday 8 October 2014

New Ladywell CPZ Consultation closes THIS WEEK


The Council is currently consulting on a new CPZ at the top of the hill which could, if approved/implemented, include Vicars Hill and roads either side of Shell Road.  For full details see map on the Council website.

The consultation finishes at the end of the week.

Robert Sheppard

Ladywell Fields User Group - get involved!

The Ladywell Fields Park User Group will meet as follows.

Tues 2 Dec 2014 (AGM - to be held at the Gallery, r/o the Ladywell Tavern, Ladywell Road)
Tues 31 March 2015
Tues 30 June 2015
Tues 29 Sept 2015
Tues 1 Dec 2015

Meetings will always start at 7.30pm and the venue will be booked/publicised closer to each date - but likely either to be the Ladywell Tavern (Gallery), the Environmental Education Centre (in the Park), the hut at the Adventure Playground (in the Park) or The Town Hall, Catford.

If you're a regular user of the Park and have the skills and interest, please email ladywellfields@yahoo.co.uk to put yourself forward for election, at the 2 December AGM , for the position of Chair, Secretary or Treasurer as the current incumbents, Tony Rich and Robert Sheppard, have been undertaking these roles for 10+ years now and will be happy to pass over the reins.
 
Robert Sheppard

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Friday 26 September 2014

Ladywell 'Pre-loved' - List of Participating Addresses

Walk round the neighbourhood this weekend and pick up a bargain.

Tuesday 23 September 2014

Ladywell Fields Park User Group - 30 Sept meeting

Many of you will already be aware of the existence of the Ladywell Fields Park User Group, the motley grouping of local residents, volunteers, councillors, eco champions, joggers and cyclists, dogwalkers, statutory reps and others that works together to protect and enhance our wonderful Park and the River Ravensbourne that runs through it.
Some of you are doubtless already members and/or have participated in some of our volunteer activities. 
The £2+million investment in Ladywell Fields since 2007 (under the EU 'Quercus' and LDA 'Parklands' projects) is in no small measure due to the commitment of, and pressure exerted by, the User Group - which continues to look for ways to improve the park for everyone.
The User Group will meet next at 7.30pm on Tuesday 30 September in the Gallery at the rear of the Ladywell Tavern on Ladywell Road.  Come in through the pub, buying your drink on the way, then head out through the rear door of the pub and into the Gallery.  We hope to see you there.
If you want to contact LFUG you can email ladywellfields@yahoo.co.uk or you can join the Ladywell Fields Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/ladywell.fields
The more the merrier!
Robert Sheppard and Tony Rich   

Ladywell 'pre-loved' table-top sale, 27-28 Sept 2014

 


Thursday 7 August 2014

Ladywell Fields Cafe to reopen on 13 August

The inside of the cafe today (Thurs 7 Aug), with refurbishment works well underway.
The refurbished Ladywell Fields cafe, which will be run by the Jimmy Mizen Foundation's 10,000 Hands Campaign, will open on 13 August.  As you'll see from the photo above, the existing cafe and the former Park Keeper's office have been knocked together to create a much more flexible and practical space for an all-year-round cafe.

There will be an official opening by Mayor Bullock on Weds 27 August from 1.00pm.  There will be bouncy castles and other fun-and-games.  All welcome.

For more see the Ladywell Fields Facebook page.

Robert Sheppard

Sunday 27 July 2014

The Horror that Lurks Behind (Ladywell Video Nasty Vol.II)

It seems the earlier post has got people videoing eyesore sites.  Another Ladywellite has sent in this video of the site at the end of the 'stables' on Mercy Terrace, which you can see if you walk up and over the bridge past Rumbles.
Get writing to your local Councillors! 

Saturday 26 July 2014

Video Nasty - The Horrors behind the Hoarding!

One of our readers has provided this short clip of the disgusting state of the derelict garages site at the junction of Malyons Road with Ladywell Road.  The Council has been informed.

Friday 11 July 2014

Future use of 10-14 Mercy Terrace, Ladywell - Opportunity to comment



Local organisations and amenity groups have been approached by Goldcrest Architects who are  inviting local people to a drop-in session at which people can to view their proposals to redevelop the redundant warehouse building at 10-14 Mercy Terrace.
The invitation comes from Daniel Francis (Email daniel.francis@yourshout.com and Freephone 0800 4586976) who writes "Before a planning application is submitted to the London Borough of Lewisham, we would like as many people . . . . as possible to see the proposals and meet the project team.
Goldcrest Architects proposals includes flexible office space for small and medium businesses on the ground floor with high quality student accommodation above, contributing to a wider mix of accommodation that is compatible with and will support local businesses in the existing shopping parade.
The drop in session will be held on Wednesday 23rd July from 2pm to 8pm at the St. Mary’s Centre, Ladywell Road, SE13 7UW.
If you are unable to attend the drop in session, we would be pleased to meet with you and brief you on the proposals at a time of your convenience."
If you would like more information you can email mercyterrace@yourshout.org or call the freephone number above.
You can find some photos of the current building here.
Robert Sheppard, LVIG Secretary

Wednesday 2 July 2014

Council refuses permission for metal shed taxi office

Belated news . . . in April the Council’s planners refused permission for the construction of a metal shed in the alley adjacent to the Fish Bar, 52 Ladywell Road, for use as a taxi office.  In its refusal letter the Council cites the following grounds for refusal (both issues of concern highlighted by LVIG in its objection to the application):
“The proposed use as a mini cab office would give rise to parking congestion and would be likely to occupy parking spaces intended for shoppers, which would compromise the viability of the local shopping parade . . .” and 
“The proposed metal container, by virtue of its design and siting would detract from the appearance of the property and the street scene and would fail to enhance or preserve the appearance of this part of the Ladywell Conservation Area . . .”

You can find full details on this application, and read the refusal letter, here.
LVIG welcomes this signal that planning applications within the Ladywell Conservation Area will be expected to contribute to, and not detract from, the streetscape.
Robert Sheppard, LVIG Secretary

Restaurant Plans for Ladywell's 'Snack Bar'

A planning application has been submitted to convert the long-empty 'Snack Bar' at 40 Ladywell Road (next to Le Delice) into a restaurant. You can have a look at the plans here.

Wednesday 14 May 2014

Ladywell Hustings tomorrow - come to hear what the candidates are promising

 At tomorrow evening’s Ladywell hustings meeting (at Prendergast Hilly Fields College) questions will be asked, by the public, to candidates standing for election in Ladywell Ward in the 22 May Borough Elections.
Each party will be given 5 minutes to explain what their priorities will be if elected; what commitments they’re prepared to make, in advance of the election; and what skills, experience and local knowledge they can bring to bear.  Then questions will be asked, covering some or all of the following:
  • supporting the local business community
  • tackling the poor quality of shopfronts and signage
  • the Ladywell CPZ
  • empty business and residential properties
  • the maintenance of parks
  • enforcement of the 20mph speed limit
  • aircraft noise
  • public realm contracts and communication between the Council and residents
  • the London Living Wage and zero hours contracts
  • the use of Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs)
  • affordable housing
This meeting, which will take place at Prendergast Hilly Fields College, Adelaide Avenue between 7.00-9.00pm on Thursday 15 May, has been organised by the Ladywell Village Improvement Group and the Ladywell Society for the benefit of local residents

Tuesday 29 April 2014

Ladywell traders challenge Council ruling

The Brockley Central blog reports the current battle being fought by Ladywell traders to ensure that commonsense prevails and that the Council's plans to ban all business use of the Ladywell pavements is reconsidered.

A blanket ban as proposed will do nothing to help local business to attract passing trade and compete in a difficult retail environment.

It's reported that Mayor Steve Bullock plans to visit Ladywell on Friday to talk to traders and take a look for himself.

Ladywell Fields Café plans clarified


The Ladywell Fields User Group reports that the Ladywell Fields café is to be refurbished by the Jimmy Mizen Foundation (10,000 Hands) on the basis of the plan shown here (Option 3 from the feasibility study of 2 years ago).

The current Park Keeper's office will become the kitchen, freeing up the whole of the current café space for indoor seating. The works should start in June and should take no more than 6 weeks. The café will accommodate up to 20 people, seated, and will be furnished with secondhand wooden furniture. The work of local artists will be showcased on the walls.
Robert Sheppard, LVIG Secretary

Wednesday 23 April 2014

New Operator for Ladywell Fields Café

The Ladywell Fields User Group reports that 10,000 Hands (the Jimmy Mizen Foundation) has been chosen to run the Ladywell Fields café and undertake its refurbishment.
Apparently the building works to improve the café facility will begin this Summer.

Monday 14 April 2014

'The Larder' to open for business this Weds, 16 April

The Larder, 71 Ladywell Road, will open for business at 9.00am on Wednesday.  We hear it will be stocking bread from Coopers Bakehouse, beers from Brockley Brewery, sausages from Peter James (and his successor, Ollie) as well as a range of British and European cheeses (including Blackwoods), wine, charcuterie and store cupboard essentials.
Opening hours will be:
Monday - closed
Tues and Weds – 8.00am – 6.00pm
Thurs and Fri – 8.00am – 8.00pm
Saturday – 9.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday – 10.00am – 4.00pm

Monday 31 March 2014

LVIG Public Meeting & AGM now on 9th April at 7.30pm

Thank you for your patience with us for changing the date of the LVIG AGM - the Brockley Noise Action Group is very grateful to us for postponing so they could maximise the turn-out at their meeting that evening.
We hope that you will be willing and able to come to the public meeting which will now be held at the St Mary’s Centre from 7.30pm on 9th April. We have lots of ideas for events, activities and campaigns for the year(s) ahead and we’d love you be part of bringing them into life with a view to improving our quality of life in Ladywell. We’d really like to hear your great ideas and throw them into the mix too!
For the group to make these happen we need to elect a committee for 2014/15 and that’s where LVIG needs some help from you! For LVIG to continue to exist it needs members of the local community to represent it and become the public face for it.
As a committee member your contribution does not need to be time consuming or onerous – your level of input is your choice, but it will involve attending a few meetings a year and doing a bit of admin as a minimum – anything more you can do will, of course, be very much appreciated. Obviously, positions such as the Chair and Communications and Events Officer require more activity, and you would need to feel comfortable talking to community groups, leaders, councillors and the press when the occasion warrants. A brief description of the committee roles can be found below. Please email us if you’d like further information about these.
If you’d like to make a difference in your local community by taking on one of the Committee roles below please fil out and return a nomination form before midnight on Saturday 5th April. 
Click on this link to the nomination form in PDF format, print it out, fill it in and post it to 120 Algernon Road, London SE13 7AW - OR click on this link to the nomination form in Word format, download it, fill it in and email it to ladywell.info@gmail.com

COMMITTEE POSITIONS
  • The Chair is the primary contact for the organisation, representing the organisation as necessary at meetings.  He/she will, in normal circumstances, chair all meetings of the Group and ensure adherence to the Constitution.
  • The Vice-Chair & Treasurer handles all the Group’s financial arrangements, including any bank account the Group may open and any donations or subscription, and will chair meetings in the Chair’s absence
  • The Secretary arranges all the Group’s meetings, prepares and despatches agendas, minutes meetings, and retains copies of all agendas and minutes
  • The Membership Officer maintains the Group’s membership list
  • The Communications & Events Officer is responsible, in close liaison with the Chair, for the Group’s internal and external communications, including maintenance of the Blog and Twitter account)
  • The Deputy Secretary (see bullet 3 above)
  • The Deputy Communications & Events Officer (see bullet 5 above)

Saturday 29 March 2014

'The Larder' will open in April

The Larder, 71 Ladywell Road, SE13 will open its doors for business within the next few weeks.
The new owners are two local mums, Cynthia and Katherine.  They say: "We are absolutely thrilled to be opening 'The Larder' in Ladywell.  Food is our passion.  Our aim is to provide customers with fantastic tasting fresh produce and cupboard essentials, sourced as locally as possible. We're interested in the way food tastes, what's in it and how it's produced.  We just love good, honestly produced food and hope you do too.  We look forward to welcoming you to our lovely new shop soon."

Friday 28 March 2014

Love Ladywell Day - Saturday 5th April

Spring has well and truly sprung - so the Ladywell traders have come together again to hold another 'Love Ladywell Day' on Saturday 5th April.  There will be special offers, great discounts and live performances to keep you entertained!  Come and support your local businesses and bag yourselves a bargain – look out for the red posters at participating stores!

 


 

Thursday 27 March 2014

Flat building starts on Adhesive Specialities site

Some mourn loss of the Adhesive Specialities building, formerly at 59 Ladywell Road (north of the bridge between the railway and River Ravensbourne).  Replacing it we'll soon have another somewhat characterless low-rise apartment block.  Work looked to be well underway today.
 
 

Saturday 22 March 2014

New delicatessen for Ladywell

The keen-eyed amongst you will have seen much activity on the site of the former El's Kitchen.  I'm catching up with the new owners and will report more fully soon.

In the meantime, we spoke with El of El's Kitchen who says "I'm delighted to confirm that the sale of the lease of 71 Ladywell Road has now been completed.  Having met the new owners many times I felt that together they had the skills and experience to run a delicatessen and make it work long term. They both know the community in Ladywell and Brockley very well and have a good understanding of what customers want and how to deliver it to them.  I wish them every success and hope to be queuing up to buy their lovely produce very soon!"

More on this very soon . . .

Robert Sheppard

Get out on Mothering Sunday, 30 March


Tuesday 18 March 2014

Zenubian

The former Sunrise Ceramics premises at 218 Algernon Road in Ladywell Village has now been replaced by Zenubian which  describes itself on its Facebook page as a 'cultural gift shop'.
LVIG welcomes Zenubian to Ladywell and wishes this venture all the best.

Sunday 16 March 2014

18th March AGM and public meeting DEFERRED

Having discovered a unfortunate clash with two other local meetings, we have decided to defer our meeting scheduled for this Tuesday 18 March.
The two other meetings, that WILL go ahead on Tuesday 18 March, are:
Brockley Noise Action Group's public meeting with BAA about aircraft noise, which will take place at 7.30pm at St. John's Church (Howell Hall), St.John's Vale, London SE8 4EA.  BNAC says "The purpose of the meeting is to provide a forum for local residents to discuss the impact of increased noise from aircraft on the local area.  Rick Norman, Head of Noise, BAA has agreed to attend, and we will also have Councillor Darren Johnson, John Stewart from HACAN, and a representative from Joan Ruddock’s team present."
The Friends of Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries (FoBLC) public meeting which will be held at 7.30pm in the Cemetery Chapel.
We'll post a new date for the LVIG public meeting here very shortly
Robert Sheppard

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Ladywell Public Meeting - 7.30pm on Tuesday 18 March

LVIG has arranged a public meeting for Tuesday 18 March, 7.30pm at the St.Mary's Centre on Ladywell Road.
This will be the AGM, at which the Committee positions (see below) will be filled - but after this we'll have a general discussion around the actions that LVIG will need to prioritise over the next year; and LVIG's proposed Ladywell hustings meeting in early May at which Ladywell Ward candidates in the 22 May local elections will be invited to 'make their pitches' and answer questions.
If you feel you have the time and what it takes to perform one of the Committee roles below please complete a nomination form and email it to ladywell.info@gmail.com before midnight on Saturday 15 March.
Robert Sheppard 
 
COMMITTEE POSITIONS TO BE FILLED
  1. The Chair is the primary contact for the organisation, representing the organisation as necessary at meetings.  He/she will, in normal circumstances, chair all meetings of the Group and ensure adherence to the Constitution.
  2. The Vice-Chair & Treasurer handles all the Group’s financial arrangements, including any bank account the Group may open and any donations or subscription, and will chair meetings in the Chair’s absence
  3. The Secretary arranges all the Group’s meetings, prepares and despatches agendas, minutes meetings, and retains copies of all agendas and minutes
  4. The Membership Officer maintains the Group’s membership list
  5. The Communications & Events Officer is responsible, in close liaison with the Chair, for the Group’s internal and external communications, including maintenance of the Blog and Twitter account)
  6. The Deputy Secretary (see 3 above)
  7. The Deputy Communications and Events Officer (see 5 above)

 

Friday 28 February 2014

The only way is up! - Ladywell Public Meeting, Tues 18 March 2014, 7.30p.m.


Following a lull in activity during last year's streetworks, LVIG is now priming itself for a new push over the next 2+ years to ensure that Ladywell develops as a sustainable, vibrant and attractive retail centre with thriving businesses in every premises.  As part of this we are keen to work with landlords and traders to improve buildings and work with the Council and others on enforcement, planning issues etc. to improve the Ladywell public realm for everyone.
It's planned to hold a public meeting and AGM on Tuesday 18 March (venue to be confirmed) at which all present can elect a new LVIG Committee for 2014/15 and at which we can seek to prioritise some of the possible actions LVIG might pursue during this period.
If you're likely to have a few hours a week spare time over the next year and share LVIG's vision for Ladywell please do think about putting your name forward for one of our Committee positions - Chair, Vice-Chair & Treasurer, Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Membership Secretary, Comms & Events Officer and Deputy Comms & Events Officer.  We need new blood to help drive forward this agenda so do email ladywell.info@gmail.com to let us know what you have to offer and which position might interest you.
Those of us who've been involved in LVIG over the last 5 years have enjoyed the challenge and the achievements, made great friends and found working together most rewarding, especially our periodic meetings at the Ladywell Tavern!  So get on board!
Robert Sheppard, LVIG Deputy Secretary

Wednesday 5 February 2014

Ladywell Fields Café - business opportunity

After a long delay, Glendale is finally seeking 'expressions of interest' from persons interested in investing in, and taking on a 6 year lease to run, the café in Ladywell Fields.  Glendale is seeking responses by 19 February 2014.

Friday 24 January 2014

Ladywell Village - the Achievements, and the Challenges for 2014

Some things looking good . . .
Clean, wide, well-drained pavements - with 'traditional' benches

Plenty of short-stay bays (signs yet to be erected)


Despite appearances these flats are almost ready for occupation we hear - just the windows to do . . .






One 'missing tooth' in the Ladywell smile - at the junction of Ladywell Road with Malyons Road.  A few family houses would be a nice addition, but a supermarket is more likely.







A nice business opportunity for someone, but El's Kitchen will be a hard act to follow!










 
 
 
But some eyesores still to be tackled . . .
Highly visible on the corner of Gillian Street, but in a sorry state
A garish jumble of signs and window stickers
Shopfronts that make no contribution to the streetscape
And some enforcement issues to be addressed . . .

Trolley outside the newsagent on Algernon Road

Bins left on the pavement day after day