June 2024
GOODBYE FROM THE GROUP (OR IS IT AU REVOIR?)
It is with sadness we report that this will be the last newsletter from the Lewisham, East Southwark & District Group. It is issued a little later than usual because the Group wants to consult members about the future options, following a meeting with the Regional Representative (David Owen) and Deputy General Secretary (David Luxton) last month.
In the last newsletter it was reported that volunteers were needed for the Group to be able to continue, as people have moved away or are now in poor health and unable to continue. At the Group AGM in February nobody put themselves forward for any of the Group Officer positions, so the Group is no longer viable and will need to close. After notifying the Regional Representative and DGS of this, an alternative to closing has emerged.
It has been suggested that one of the neighbouring Groups (Croydon & District) may be willing to merge with Lewisham & East Southwark to create a new CSPA Group covering South London. This option would mean that all members remain in a Group and continue to be represented. Croydon is a very active Group, with a full committee and good attendances at meetings. We feel this is the best way forward for the Group, although we recognise that Croydon is not particularly close to some of the areas covered by this Group. Members will be able, if they prefer, to opt to join Inner London Group if that is more convenient.
This option depends upon both this Group and Croydon Group agreeing to it, and Croydon & District also agreeing to a name change to reflect the wider area of membership.
If any member has a view on this option, please send comments to either Andy Beglin (andy.beglin@talktalk.net; 07906 330186) or Mike Sparham (m.sparham@sky.com; 07798567415). Comments in writing can be sent to 87 Westcombe Hill, London SE3 7DU. Please send comments by 3 July 2024.
A meeting of the Group is arranged for 17 July 2024, which will take the decision on whether to close the Group or pursue the option of a new South London Group
LEWISHAM CENTRE
RE-DEVELOPMENT
The developers of the Lewisham Centre are holding further pop-up events during June, updating their plans and enabling visitors to talk to the team leading the project. There is a model on show of what the Centre will look like.
To the left is the Wetherspoons pub and a rebuilt Model Market Square, which will contain a new music and cultural venue; then a path leading through to the river; then an indoor shopping mall with green spaces on the roof; and finally, a mixed development of offices and housing. The green spaces will be fully accessible, with lifts and escalators. None of the housing is high rise, thankfully.
The present open air market will remain as it is, as will the bus stops.
The developers say the new shopping centre will develop a more diverse retail experience with a mix of independent shops, high street brands and supermarkets. They say they will “do their best” to retain Boots, Sainsbury’s and the Post Office but it is, of course, up to them. The plans also include a food street.
The plans sound promising and the Group’s earlier comments about ensuring the new centre is age-friendly seem to have been taken on board, although it remains to be seen whether the reality lives up to the promise.
There are two further pop up events, on June 12 (3pm – 7.30) and June 15 (10am – 5pm). Further information is available at https://centrallewisham.commonplace.is
AGE UK CAMPAIGN: OFFLINE AND OVERLOOKED
This campaign calls for public services to always provide easy to use offline options. As part of this campaign, Age UK have now issued a report on digital exclusion and its impact on older people.
Age UK estimate there are 4.7 million older people who cannot use the internet to undertake complex tasks, which can include the uploading of photographs and documents in support of applications. These people should not be excluded from public services, but if no offline option is available, they become reliant on other people, such as neighbours and family.
The report gives examples of people who have struggled with access to their GP and hospital appointments; council services, including permits and blue badges; parking; access to benefits; and banking.
In order to guarantee equal and fair access to essential services Age UK make six recommendations:
- All public services must offer and promote an easy to access offline way of reaching them
- Local government to receive enough funding to provide offline services
- More funding support for people who would like to get online
- A digital inclusion strategy
- Banks to be required by law to maintain a face-to-face service
- Banks should accelerate the roll-out of shared banking hubs.
A copy of the report can be obtained by emailing campaigns@ageuk.org.uk or by writing to Freepost Age UK Campaigns.
The CSPA supports this campaign nationally, and also sits on the Digital Working Party of the National Pensioners Convention
GENERAL ELECTION 2024
We now know that the General Election will be on July 4th. If you need a postal vote because you will be away, or cannot reach the polling station, you can apply to the local council’s electoral registration office by 5pm on June 19th.
The CSPA is not party political and does not make any recommendation on supporting one party or another. However, the CSPA does have its own policies and objectives that aim to improve the lives of older people. Many of these can only be achieved politically, so the content of the parties manifestos is important.
Along with our colleagues in NARPO (retired police officers) and NFOP (retired post office and BT staff), the CSPA has produced a Later Life Ambitions
pensioners manifesto (Standing by Pensioners – a manifesto for later life).
The main points of the manifesto, in summary, are:
- A National Social Care Service integrated with the NHS that is free at the point of delivery
- Guarantee the State Pension triple lock for at least the duration of the next Parliament.
- All new homes to meet the Lifetime Homes standard with a national strategy for more adaptable and accessible homes.
- Investment in local bus and rail services for uprated concessions and improved accessibility
- An Older People and Ageing Commissioner for England
- Combat digital technology’s role in social exclusion and access to services
These are the commitments the CSPA will be looking for in the election manifestos, and they will form the basis of our campaigning and lobbying of whoever is in power after the election. A copy of the manifesto can be obtained from Head Office (020 8688 8418).
BAKERLOO LINE EXTENSION
The Group has supported the extension of the Bakerloo Line from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham and participated in the two public consultation exercises that were held.
It is a pity that no further progress has been made due to a lack of funding, although the route has been safeguarded since 2021. The estimated cost is £5bn – £8bn, so some central Government funding is required.
Work has now begun again on updating the business case and completing the feasibility design.
The potential start date for the service is 2040, ten years later than originally expected when the proposal first emerged. In the meantime, to improve transport links, TfL are investigating the viability of a Superloop fast bus service along the Lewisham-New Cross-Old Kent Road corridor.
GROUP MEETING
For now, the Group continues to meet on the third Wednesday of every month, and there will be a meeting on June 19th and July 17th.
As reported on the first page, the July meeting is expected to make the decision on whether to close the Group or to seek a merger with Croydon Group and create a new South London Group.
Any CSPA member can attend. Meetings are held in the Jubilee Room at the St Laurence Church Community Centre, 37 Bromley Road, Catford, SE6 2TS. Meetings start at 11.00 and tea/coffee is available.
LOCAL LANDMARKS: GROVE PARK HOSPITAL
Right at the southern end of Lewisham borough in Grove Park lies this building, which used to be a hospital. The building was originally built as a workhouse by the Board of Guardians of the Greenwich Union Workhouse in what was then predominantly a rural area. The Board of Guardians were unable to expand their workhouse in Greenwich, so purchased Spicers Meadow, a 10 acre site, in 1896 to build an overspill workhouse. Building started in 1899 and was completed in 1902 with accommodation for 815 people. The first Master of the Workhouse was Edward Tyler. It was difficult to get people to go to the overspill workhouse because of its remote location. Able bodied people in the workhouse were put to work breaking up granite, which was then sold to councils for road building.
The building ceased to be a workhouse in 1914, when the building was requisitioned by the Army Service Corps. The remaining occupants were relocated and the buildings were used as a mobilisation training camp. At the end of the First World War the workhouse was sold to the Metropolitan Asylums Board for use as a TB hospital for patients living in south London. At that time, the area was still rural and staff recruitment was difficult. It remained unused until 1926 when it was finally adapted for hospital use with 299 beds (117 males and 182 females). In 1930 it came under the control of the London County Council, and it joined the NHS in 1948.
During the Second World War, in November 1940, it was damaged by a high explosive bomb. Two nurses rescued trapped patients and were awarded the George Medal for their bravery. After the war it continued as a TB and chest hospital until 1977, with 316 beds. By then, TB was no longer a major health issue with the number of cases falling significantly during the 1970s. The hospital was redesignated as a facility for patients with mental illnesses with 168 beds but, as treatment practices changed, and patients were resettled in the community, the number of patients fell and in 1994 the hospital was closed.
Unfortunately, the buildings were never listed and only the administration block and the entry lodges remain. The site was sold for housing redevelopment although an NHS clinic facility continues to be provided in one of the old workhouse buildings. One of the roads on the site, Edward Tyler Road, is named after the first Workhouse Master.
