End of an era: Adhesive Specialities Ltd.

This is actually in Ladywell, rather than Crofton Park, but I felt a touch of sadness none the less seeing what was happening to such a lovely old iconic building. I thought the crows seemed particularly ominous in this setting.




There's something I found quite touching about this image of the stopped clock, the useless door that leads off a ledge and the abrupt finality of closing off the entrance.

Keep watching the skies

Apologies for the light blogging of late, this may be a trend that continues for a while! Anyway, the News Shopper has two bird related articles that made me smile this week and I thought I'd pass them on.

First we have the vital news that Swans and chicks (or is it signets?) have been snapped using a zebra crossing. Glad to see they are being road safety conscious and crossing in the correct place.

Can't be too careful where the young ones are concerned.

That probably sounds snarky but I'm all for a bit of froth in my paper as long as it doesn't take over. Very cute pics.

The second piece is on the front page (although don't forget to check out the hilarious pictures in the associated story). Killer crows? Picking off joggers? With what - a sniper rifle?

Click on the pic for a clearer image which will tell you that this menace has a "grudge against blondes"... now I don't mean to cast doubt on the News Shopper's journalistic credentials but I may retain a little bit of healthy scepticism on this one.

The official advice against this "deranged" bird that could end up killing someone? "Wear a hat".

Glorious comedy gold. Thank you News Shopper.

Sights of Crofton Park

Yesterday the London launch of the Green Party's Parliamentary campaign took place in Crofton Park in front of our green Party billboard. For the first time we're standing a candidate in every London constituency and are hoping for an extremely strong result right here in Lewisham deptford of course!

Sights of Crofton Park II

I pass this sign most days.


It's probably my odd sense of humour but I always imagine it's a permanent reminder of a historic football score. "Oh yes, that was the time Peckham beat Catford 2-1 in the Crofton Cup" I say to myself.

Yup, just me then, as always.

Blythe Hill Fields

When a 'field' has its own wikipedia page you know it has made it as a field and is regarded by other fields with a mixture of admiration and jealousy. Blythe Hill Fields also has its own festival and friends group of course and it is undergoing some improvements.

Not only has there been recent hedge planting there is a whole overhaul of the play area going on. This set of works is due to be finished around the end of April and I'm curious to see what it looks like in the end.

As you can see it's difficult to tell right now how it's going to turn out as some of it is still a pile of rocks or muddy patches - however, it certainly looks like when the work is finally done (and we have been waiting a while) it could well look very nice.

First I had to sneak past a sign telling me to go no further, ahem.
Spot the dry stone wall.

A pile of stones full of potential,
potential to become more walls anyway.

Lots of machinery and a ship, untouched by the works.
Let's see what it looks like in April.

Sights of Crofton Park

I was staring up at this bit rather splendid creation the other day and trying to work out exactly what it was saying. A skeletal figure sat atop the globe in cool shades and triumphantly waving the Union Jack. It's difficult not to see it as a comment on the British Empire.

If you're keen on the old days of the Raj you might see it as a bit of black humour, the Empire dead and only it's bones to remind you of its past splendors. If, like me, you're critical of Britain's past role around the world you might chose to see it as a comment on how the Empire brought death and exploitation with it across the globe.

Whatever you think it means I love the fact that someone has gone to the trouble to put a fun into their community.

The skeleton is not alone of course. Other items on the roof include a huge gorilla and a rocket, whilst inside lurks a large shark on one of the walls.

My question to you is where did I take this picture? No prizes available but the kudos of being first, but what greater prize could there be?

More pot holes

Due to the cold weather there's been quite a few new pot holes opened up around Lewisham, and existing holes appear to have been made much worse. Blog reader Jonathan has brought to my attention the shocking state of the roads up round the Blythe Hill Lane / Montacute Road junction.

I went down and took a few pictures today as the council has already been made aware of the problem but there does not seem to have been any movement as yet.

Mind you the Envirocall number isn't always the easiest experience (I was waiting for over ten minutes today trying to get through for instance). However, this is one of the best ways of reporting problems which you can do at 020 8314 7171 - this is the same number for pest control, discarded mattresses, abandoned vehicles and pot holes.

You can also go online at www.lovelewisham.org to report issues - which also allows you to download photos.

There's certainly been a lot of hole filling going on over the last few weeks, so hopefully we'll see some of this dealt with as soon as possible and we'll see if following up on residents' complaints will do any good. Fingers crossed!

Crofton Pot Holes

The heavy snow about a month ago had the knock on effect of creating a swathe of pot holes across the country. It was news to me that it could have this effect, but you learn something everyday don't you?

Some parts of Lewisham have been pretty badly hit, a few of the roads I've been on over the last few weeks have been ridiculous. Thankfully, Crofton Park has escaped reasonably unscathed although some of the more residential roads have seen a few holes appear here and there.

Brockley Grove was one of those roads which was badly effected, which simultaneously had quite a serious burst water main - so the last couple of weeks has seen quite a bit of disruption on the road.

This was the scene at the beginning of last week as roadworks tried to sort out the problems.


This was the position today where all the work seems to have been completed (nice job too) and the only thing left to do is lay the white paint.


Do get in touch with us if your road still has problem pot holes though, as the weather has made this problem worse. Just because we've got off lightly round here doesn't mean we want to ignore pot holes when they do appear.

Mayors for Peace

I mentioned the Mayors for Peace presentation the other day and thought I'd post up a pic of Lewisham CND presenting Mayor Bullock with a very delicate thin clay sculpture.

A few new residents of Crofton Park

Out and about this weekend I spotted a few new residents in the area.



There was also this wonderful sculpture on Riseldine Road, complete with note saying "Please do not touch. It is a university project. Thank you." I wonder what degree they are doing (cue jokes about 'below zero' degrees, etc.)

You can choose not to carry a knife

Anyone who knows Crofton Park will be familiar with our 'ample supply' of fried chicken places. However, whether or not cheap and greasy is your style it's interesting that the police have started supplying, free of charge, those little boxes that your meal comes in.

I'm sure that's a very welcome cut in costs to these small businesses. However, it isn't because the Boys in Blue have a famous love for fast food. In fact it's part of an anti-knife campaign.


The box says;

READ THIS: It could stop you going to prison.

In prison;

You CAN'T go to chicken shops whenever you want
You CAN'T hang out with your mates
You CAN'T see your family whenever you want
You CAN'T wear what you want

But right now;
You CAN choose not to carry a knife

In terms of targeting their audience this is genius. Whether or not anyone reads a chicken box and thinks "Yeah, I'm going to leave my knife at home next time," well, that's another story - but all credit to the police for trying something a little bit different.

Of course, it might help everyone if there was a little more variety in places to go in Crofton Park. I'm sure chicken shops have their role to play in combating crime, but a few more community spaces might also help tackle crime.