A 69-year-old athlete who only took up running in his early sixties has become the oldest person to receive funding from a sports charity John Barron from Blackheath, has won countless awards for his sporting prowess and will now be offered a boost from GLL’s Sports Foundation in Lewisham – an opportunity which is one of the area’s ‘best-kept secrets’ Mr Barron’s award will enable him to train for free in sports centres across Lewisham and at the Alex Yee running track in Ladywell He said: “I was sporty when I was young and played football tennis and cricket but life and children got in the way and I forgot about keeping fit “I discovered running just over a decade ago when I started doing ‘Parkruns’ in Hilly Fields It took me about 30 minutes and I thought I was going to die “But I found that running can be quite addictive – I also realised that I’m competitive – so I kept going back week-after-week and soon I was completing the circuit in 20 minutes.” After signing up for Kent Athletics Club and gradually improving his speed and stamina Mr Barron now competes in a variety of distances from 100m to 5km but considers 800m to be his ‘best’ race particularly since he wound up the design firm he’d founded thirty-five years earlier He said: “People think of running as an individual activity but you’re actually part of a community which is very rewarding “It’s brought me into contact with people of all ages keeping fit and healthy is important but exercise is also crucial for mental health.” The Sport Foundation was set up seventeen years ago by charitable social enterprise GLL which runs leisure centres in Lewisham in partnership with the council under the ‘Better’ brand The Foundation has just announced that it will support almost 3,000 athletes in 2025 across England and Wales including those in Lewisham Mr Barron said: “The Sport Foundation is great but more people need to know about it “Lewisham is a very diverse borough and lots of communities might not even be aware of the funding that’s available I’m helping to spread the word so that other local people might apply.” For more information on GLL’s Sport Foundation Pictured top: John Barron (left) from Blackheath takes to the track (Picture: GLL) Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Olympic gold medalist and world triathlon champion was left “speechless” after one of his childhood running tracks in Lewisham was renamed in his honour which will be named Alex Yee Ladywell Arena was attended by local officials the Lewisham-born athlete said: “This lovely tribute from my local community is the first time I’ve felt this emotional since Paris [Olympics] and realised the significance of what I’ve achieved I hope many more young people in Lewisham continue to enjoy and use this arena to follow their dreams and become the best versions of themselves.” Brenda Dacres, Mayor of Lewisham, expressed her hope that the renaming of the Ladywell Arena in Yee’s honour would not only recognise his achievements on the world stage but also celebrate his role as a community hero. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lewisham Council (@lewishamcouncil) Friday 22 November saw Lewisham's Ladywell Arena renamed in honour of the world's most successful triathlete - Alex Yee MBE GLL operate the arena as part of the borough-wide leisure contract with Lewisham Council 'The Pride of Lewisham' - born in Lewisham hospital 26 years ago - has remained in the borough inspiring a new generation from his old school 'Stillness Primary' - who came to meet their hero at a special ceremony at the track - now renamed the Alex Yee Ladywell Arena - where he trained as a young teenager VIP attendance included Brenda Dacres - Mayor of Lewisham; Cllr Louise Krupski - Deputy Mayor; Cllr Edison Huynh - Cabinet Member for Culture & Communities; Vicky Foxcroft - MP Lewisham North; Ellie Reeves - MP; Ruth Daniels - Chief Executive Officer- British Triathlon; Andy Dalby-Welsh- Chief Executive Officer Lewisham's Mayor Brenda Dacres and local MP Vicky Foxcroft made speeches alongside Alex who said: "I hope many more young people in Lewisham continue to enjoy and use this arena to follow their dreams and become the best versions on themselves." News crews from ITV London and BBC London were also there to mark the occasion The self-effacing sports star - an alumnus of the GLL Sport Foundation - has had a momentous year unbeaten as World and Olympic triathlon champion and crowned SJA Sportsman of the Year see more articles here RUSS takes cues from Walter Segal’s radical self-build housing in a south London apartment block by Architype and Shepheard Epstein Hunter Its story begins 15 years ago, with resident Kareem Dayes. The young musician was struggling to afford a home, but family history suggested an answer. He had grown up nearby at Walters Way, where his parents were part of a small community that came together to build their own houses on council-owned land in the 1980s, using the simple method devised by architect Walter Segal. Broome knew of a council-owned backland plot on a dead-end street of Victorian cottages. Shaped like a bow-tie, it is bounded on its long northern edge by the River Ravensbourne. Decades ago it accommodated a school, but various proposals made since had been thwarted by neighbours’ objections. The local authority took some persuading that it should become a successor to Walters Way. ‘We were shocked to find no institutional memory whatsoever of Lewisham community self-build’, says Broome. Nevertheless, with some coaching it discovered new pride in that radical heritage. Feasibility studies followed, and eventually a competitive bid for the site. RUSS won a 250-year lease on a peppercorn rent. The scheme which won consent in 2018 grew out of that brief and consultation with future residents. Two blocks would be linked by bridges at the site entrance and wrapped in deep, veiled walkways perforated by lightwells, intended to foster interaction. Timber construction and a fabric-first approach to energy conservation addressed sustainability. Under a mature tree by the river, a play area would be open to all. When tenders came in, however, they were way over budget. At the suggestion of contractor Rooff, Shepheard Epstein Hunter revised the design and went on to deliver a building comprising a mix of tenures: shared ownership, social rent, flats for sharers, and homes for sale at the cost of production. While some significant alterations were made, the completed scheme retains much of the original character. That was important both to preserve its ethos and to save time and money. ‘Changes had to be permissible as Minor Amendments,’ says SEH director Tzeh Bin Cheong. Residents have also been busy with landscaping. One led the construction of a timber bike shelter, and gardens are emerging around the blocks. Plant pots have colonised the wide decks, watered from galvanized butts fed by downpipes. Planters that hang from balustrades are sized to hold tomato grow-bags. Climbers will grow over metal trellises that shade the loggias. All will help to soften a palette that is unavoidably austere, with asphalt walkways and rough concrete soffits threaded with ductwork. Remaining flats were ‘self-finished’. At handover they had bare plaster walls and screed floors. Some self-finishers took up tools and others hired tradesmen, but all those I spoke to appreciated the chance to shape their homes. Complications arising from the project’s unusual objectives compounded those that now face all developers: risk aversion, soaraway costs, mushrooming regulation. Flood studies had to be redone twice as rules changed. ‘Every hiccup extended the timescale, and progress halted more than once for lack of money,’ says Broome. Initial intentions that Church Grove would be self-financing proved impossible to meet. Latest articlesRIBAJ Spec: Architecture for Housing and Residential Development Webinar20 May 2025SpecRIBAJ Spec: Architecture for Housing and Residential Development Webinar Chelsea Waterfront integrates public realm and affordable housing to hold out the possibility of an inclusive future Baillie Baillie Architects used contemporary techniques while drawing inspiration from local traditions Sign up to receive regular briefings, updates and our weekly newsletter – all designed to bring you the best stories from RIBAJ.com Sign up to receive regular briefings, updates and our weekly newsletter – all designed to bring you the best stories from RIBAJ.com Sign up to receive regular briefings, updates and our weekly newsletter – all designed to bring you the best stories from RIBAJ.com Your Ads Privacy ChoicesIMDb A mum says she will miss her ‘dream’ home in a crumbling pop-up apartment block where she had to dodge a human poo in the stairwell said she loved her two-bed flat in Place Ladywell a housing and retail complex in Lewisham High Street despite the estate’s problems with antisocial behaviour Lewisham council is due to dismantle the pop-up village – made up of 24 two-bedroom flats for homeless families as well as premises for businesses – around eight years since the building was finished back in 2016 said as she was packing up to leave last Friday: “I will miss this place I’m going to miss the massive windows and the massive doors I was in a hostel for four years with two kids [before] “The living room is massive and there’s a huge storage room The bad thing is that a lot of my letters are stolen and at the moment there’s a human poo in the stairwell.” Ms Hall paid £1,240 per month for her two-bed flat in the building which she acknowledged was ‘very expensive’ after the council gave her and other residents in Place Ladywell the highest priority for rehousing as it prepares to dismantle the complex The portable village was due to be moved to another location in the borough by 2021 to allow for a permanent development on the site on Lewisham High Street Despite the fact the structures were meant to last 60 years the council said the buildings had now reached the end of their lifespan and would not be relocated to another part of Lewisham who has run a dressmaking and clothing shop out of a ground floor unit in the village since 2016 said the building had given her a space to build her business despite ongoing issues with the structure itself She said: “There were challenges with the building There was a leak and the ceiling fell through “Otherwise it gave me a platform and it gave me a start: it introduced me to the world out there I believe I have got what I need to move on now.” who has lived in the building for six years was less fond of her time in the pop-up village said: “I have got a floor to ceiling door that has not closed for the last four years It’s boiling in the summer and freezing in the winter Gemma added that despite her rent being classed as ‘affordable’ her two-bed flat cost her £1,426 per month which she said was more than her sister’s mortgage A council spokesman said: “Place Ladywell was created as a temporary building on the former site of Ladywell Leisure Centre while long term plans were developed for new homes We have carried out repairs to extend its lifespan but recent surveys have indicated it is not economically viable to maintain it for the long term.” Pictured top: Place Ladywell has been on the site on Lewisham High Street since 2016 (Picture: Robert Firth) Ladywell Arena has today been renamed the Alex Yee Ladywell Arena in a special event to honour Lewisham’s amazing Olympic and World triathlon champion The athletics park in Silvermere Road this morning staged an official unveiling of a new golden plaque by Alex himself followed by speeches by various local dignitaries cabinet member for communities and culture and Alex’s childhood sports coaches This was followed by some sporting activities on the track with pupils from Stillness Infant school – one of his old schools The multiple use sports arena is used by the Kent and Blackheath Harriers athletic clubs and Lewisham Borough and Forest Hill Park football clubs It has has a 400m all weather running track and a gym Alex himself has written “Lewisham to the World” on his Instagram bio The 26-year-old athlete was born very close to Ladywell Arena at Lewisham Hospital and lived locally with his family in Brockley Alex went on to excel at running during his time with Kent AC training on the Ladywell Arena track Alex represented Lewisham at the London Youth Games and the national Mini Marathon He was awarded bursaries from Lewisham council to support him with travel expenses for meets and competitions and was awarded the Mayor’s Special Achievement Award at the Lewisham Sport Awards in 2012 Alex is now the most successful triathlete in Olympic History He won the gold medal in the men’s triathlon at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris the silver medal in the same event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics the gold medal in the triathlon mixed relay at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the bronze medal in the same event at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris Alex was also the 2022 Commonwealth Games triathlon champion in both the men’s and mixed team events and also finished his 2024 season being crowned world triathlon champion He was honoured with a special mural near Brockley station in 2021 which was updated this year in honour of his Olympic success to BrockYee Alex was named as the first ever recipient of the Mayor of Lewisham’s Recognition Award in 2021 a new award given to inspiring individuals from Lewisham who have done the borough exceptionally proud and inspired others to aim high Pictured top: Alex Yee with his gold medal after an incredible finish to the triathlon in Paris (Picture: PA/Alamy) Inclusive sporting events will take over a multi-use sports arena in the heart of Catford this Easter The Alex Yee Arena in Ladywell will be buzzing with an assortment of fun free events for young people with special needs Located at the back of Ladywell Fields Park the sporting centre is fully equipped with a 6-lane 11 aside floodlit grass football pitch and an on-site gym open to all ages and abilities disabled or neurodivergent are invited to take part in a range of exciting sports and games that have been adapted for their individual needs The events kick off on April 7 with tennis Or get stuck into adaptive cycling and athletics sessions on April 15 finishing up with tennis and sensory football on April 17 All activities run between 10am to noon and participants must be accompanied by a parent or carer The event has been organised by charity Access Sport in partnership with Lewisham council and charitable social enterprise GLL GLL runs the Alex Yee Arena under the ‘Better’ brand GLL’s community sports manager in Lewisham said: “We’re delighted to be hosting such a groundbreaking and inclusive event supporting some of South London’s most vulnerable young people We’re proud to be working with Access Sport Lewisham council and other local partners from across Lewisham.” visit Disability.Inclusion@AccessSport.org.uk or call 0207 993 9883 Pictured top: Inclusive sporting events at the Alex Yee Arena in Ladywell (Picture: GLL) Emergency services were called to Ladywell East Road in Livingston after reports of a collision at around 5.15pm on October 16. Emergency services were called to Ladywell East Road in Livingston after reports of a collision at around 5.15pm on Wednesday. Thee ambulances and three special operations vehicles were mobilised to the area following the incident. Two children and two adults were taken to New Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment. Officers closed off the road for more than two hours to allow for the vehicles to be recovered. An investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash is ongoing. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 5.15pm on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, officers received a report of a three-vehicle crash on Ladywell East Road, Livingston. “The road was closed for the vehicles to be recovered and later reopened around 7.30pm. A spokesperson from the Scottish Ambulance Service added: “We received a call on Wednesday at 5.22pm to attend a road traffic collision on Ladywell East Road in Livingston. “We dispatched three ambulances and three special operations vehicles to the scene, with our first resource arriving within two minutes. We transported two children and two adult patients to New Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.” STV News is now on WhatsAppGet all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Follow STV News on WhatsAppScan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country '+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text+' "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title+" "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text+" Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Ladywell Mills part of the West Yorkshire-based textile specialist SIL Group in her capacity as President of the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) The group employs almost 300 people at multiple sites in the UK and its supplier and customer network covers more than 50 countries Businesses include independent yarn merchant MBA Yarns luxury woven fabric specialists William Halstead commercial interiors fabric producer Abbotsford Textiles cashmere and accessories weaver Joshua Ellis and specialist yarn dyer FTS Dyers the SIL Group has grown from its modest beginnings into a global leader in the textile industry continuing the legacy started founder Raymond under the leadership of his sons The royal visit highlighted the key role the fibres division plays in the group’s global operations Specialising in sourcing natural fibres from origin markets worldwide SIL Group provides premium materials like cashmere and mohair to a broad spectrum of clients including high-end fashion houses to bespoke tailors learning about the intricate processes involved in refining cashmere and mohair She was also given insight into the Group’s vertical integration model which has been a cornerstone of its success Every stage of the textile production process from sourcing raw fibres to delivering finished products is managed with a meticulous attention to detail The SIL Group is focused on combining its heritage with innovation Many of the Group’s businesses can trace their roots back over 250 years with some still operating from their original sites This rich history is a source of immense pride heritage alone is not enough to ensure future success Every company within the Group is continually evolving to stay relevant in today’s fast-paced markets by investing in advanced technologies refining contemporary designs and staying ahead of global trends He said: “We are deeply honoured by the royal visit today passion and dedication of our team across all our businesses we are also committed to shaping the future of textiles and today’s visit reflects the confidence in that vision.” The Royal Visit forms part of UKFT’s mission to support the sustainable growth of the UK fashion and textile industry said: “We’re excited to introduce The Princess Royal to Ladywell Mills in the heart of Yorkshire’s textile industry and to showcase the wider group which has links to much of the UK’s luxury textile sector Most people don’t get to see what goes into creating luxury fabrics at a fibre level – it is inspiring to see the remarkable skill and expertise required in every step of the process.” FIND OUT ABOUT MORE ROYAL VISITS The SIL Group is a UKFT member. To find out more about UKFT membership, click here. Subscribe Subscribe Login My orders My detailsSign OutIcons/Chevron/Right1 / 2 Sign up to our newsletterSubscribeBy subscribing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and consent to receive news, events, offers, and partner promotions. ig pi tw yt https://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/section/1234/advertise-with-us All the latest breaking local news from Dundalk and Louth County Keep up to date with the latest sports news Read the latest crime and court news from Dundalk Read all the latest Irish news and updates from around Ireland Find whats happening in and around Dundalk and Louth Enjoy our award winning photos and picture galleries taken in Dundalk and Louth Read about the latest properties available in Dundalk and Louth Enjoy our latest and up to date motoring review and news in Dundalk and Louth Dundalk and Louth Met Eireann Weather Forecast Recent death notices and obituaries from Dundalk and Louth Latest environmental and climate change news in County Louth Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter Support our mission and join our community now you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism The annual tradition of celebrating the Feast of the Assumption at Ladywell Shrine in Dundalk is set to continue tonight with organisers making final preparations for this year's marking of the Assumption of Mary into heaven The rosary and mass will be celebrated at Ladywell Shrine on the Dublin Road in Dundalk Devotions at the Shrine will continue on 15 August Organisers ask that people bring their own bottles for holy water Further information on Ladywell Shrine in Dundalk can be found at the Facebook page here. " + $(".testo_articolo").html().replace(//g please subscribe and support local journalism Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles To continue reading this article for FREE,please kindly register and/or log in Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news Ronan Brennan with his wife Siobhan and son Kai at Breathe Sauna in Magheroarty ALERT: Irish homeowners warned renovation jobs could lead to €10,000 fine or jail A day in the life of a children’s residential care worker at Ashdale Care Did you know you can save up to 75% on your electricity bills with Activ8 Solar Energies Arthur's Sporting Archives | Take a trip down memory lane GALLERY: Louth advance to Leinster MFC semi-final with victory over Westmeath There’s something for everyone in Louth Life - on sale now The Spring issue of Louth's number one glossy magazine is on sale now Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie now might be the time to put this little place in SE London’s Lewisham on your destination dining list This new venture from three locals is already popular with bookings released four weeks in advance and snapped up fast You’ll see why when we reveal the impeccable credentials of those three local friends: Henry Freestone Chef Henry comes to Wilson’s after most recently helping to open Bambi in London Fields. He also had a Bib-Gourmand-acclaimed stint as Head Chef at Peckham Cellars and also opened Crispin in Spitalfields Husband-and-wife team of Alina and Joel Falconer have front-of-house and operations covered as well as opening Flesh & Buns in Covent Garden and Shack Fuyu in Soho Joel spent 14 years at the Busaba group learning directly from Alan Yau and becoming MD in 2015 before taking on the MD role at Ibérica restaurants Joel and Alina opened two other Ladywell outlets: coffee shop Oscar’s in 2019 and the crowdfunded Plenty (next door to Wilson’s) in 2021 If we’ve already sold you on the solid neighbourhood vibe here the all-important menu at Wilson’s is a short one Word is that guests have insisted a couple of the small plates at least become regular favourites The three-page drinks list is both well-considered and evocative Bold’ to send you in the right direction wine-wise Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @wilsonslondon Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners Please enable the javascript to submit this form By signing up you agree to our privacy policy View on Google maps About us | Contact Us | RSS Feed | Site directory | Privacy policy | Log in/out Join 50,000 other Londoners getting exclusive news and restaurant offers from Hot Dinners. Please enable the javascript to submit this form By signing up you agree to our privacy policy See our previous newsletters here Create an account for FREE to unlock articles and receive Realscreen Daily ™ Realscreen is a trademark of Brunico Communications Ltd and the events are produced by Brunico Marketing Inc View our privacy policy We understand your decision to use an ad blocker however realscreen journalism takes time and funding.. Subscriptions and advertising are both necessary to fund the journalism we bring to you Take out a subscription to get immediate access to Broadcast: Get your ideas seen by the industry’s biggest names with the help of the leading TV development site Unlock essential intel on what top commissioners and distributors are looking for and how you can work with them By Ellie Kahn2024-05-29T16:20:00 Former Raw execs Bernadette Higgins and Felicity Morris land investment Access premium content subscribe today If you have an account you can now Site powered by Webvision Cloud A soft day for those who visited Ladywell on the 15th of July Joanne McCabe with Harley and Maria Geoghegan and Bridie McCabe who visited Ladywell on the 15th of July Fiona McKeown and Martina Donlon at Ladywell on the 15th of July Ruby Geoghegan and Nancy Greenan who visited Ladywell on the 15th of July Anna Donlon and Cara Dawson hand out water to the visitors to Ladywell on the 15th of July The young and the not so young visit Ladywell on the 15th of July Seán Marron who visited Ladywell on the 15th of July Filling the Bottles....Anna Donlon and Cara Dawson at Ladywell on the 15th of July Margaret RoddyThe ArgusTue 20 Aug 2024 at 10:00The centuries old tradition of visiting Ladywell Shrine on August 15 is alive and well judging by the numbers who visited the ancient shrine on the Dublin Road believers attended the annual Mass on the eve of the Feast of the Assumption when it is said that the water in the well rises The local committee of volunteers ensured that the shrine which is believed to date back to medieval times was in immaculate condition with new whitewash and blue paint A drawing of the structure over the shrine is included in Thomas Wright's famous Louthiana thought to be the earliest detailed visual record of an Irish holy well the Iniskeen poet Patrick Kavanagh wrote about how people made the journey on foot from Monaghan and Cavan (some placing a pebble in their shoe to add to the difficulty of the pilgrimage) in 'The Green Fool' which was published in 1938 Today Ladywell remains one of the best-known holy wells in the north east and still attracts pilgrims from neighbouring counties for the annual Mass and devotions Many brought with them bottles to collect holy water from the well OpinionMedders at Large: Mystery of the disappearing road to the coast‘Oooh A new cinema is once more being planned for Lewisham after the council successfully completed a fresh £6.5m agreement to restore the historic but crumbling Ladywell Playtower The cinema was originally due to be run by popular cinema chain, Curzon, in an agreement with Guildmore the development company appointed by the council in 2017 Curzon later withdrew due to the effects of the pandemic A new outfit, ‘The Ladywell Cinema’ now have a fresh agreement with the council to run the planned cinema. They group is led by Lyn Goleby a chain of neighbourhood cinemas that was originally set up in 1989 Now self-styled as an ‘investor and active partner in… cinema-related businesses’ Goleby said in a statement: “I’m pleased to be working with Guildmore to help them bring a cinema to Ladywell I hope it will make an important contribution to the economy and liveliness of the area” “It is very exciting to be working on bringing back such a beautiful building to a vibrant new use and I’ll look forward to working with the local community”. The new project will be named the ‘Ladywell Cinema’ and will include an independent four-screen cinema with a restaurant and bar All employees will be paid the London Living Wage of £11.05. Guildmore, will be “submitting a planning application as soon as possible” work on the £6.5 million development aims to begin next year and finish in 2024 Mayor Damien Egan expressed his delight at the new plans, saying that “a new local cinema will be a fantastic addition to our community” and will bring “more good local jobs”. Ladywell Cinema will be one of just two cinemas in Lewisham. In July last year, Curzon also withdrew from running the cinema at Goldsmiths in New Cross, again citing the financial effects of the pandemic, leaving Catford Mews as the only commercial cinema in the borough The restoration work will also include 33 new homes in the east and south of the Playtower as well as ‘affordable office space’ provided to Lewisham residents and workers at less than 50 per cent of market rates. The Playtower was originally opened as a swimming pool and public hall in 1884 and was “one of the first public swimming pools in the country” according to the council. After closing in 2004, the Playtower was badly affected by a fire in 2006 and has since been listed as an “At-Risk Heritage” by Historic England Families are moving into homes they designed and built themselves with a community housing group is the capital’s largest community-led self-build housing project The block of 36 homes, which has taken 15 years from conception to completion, was co-ordinated by Lewisham-based organisation the Rural Urban Synthesis Society (RUSS) which was set up to address the lack of suitable affordable housing in the area Volunteers organised by RUSS have driven all stages of the process The new homes are part of a community land trust meaning they are owned by a non-profit organisation Units are offered in various sizes and tenures including full ownership Residents determine how their housing is managed with regular meetings in an on-site community space built by volunteers RUSS has worked with the Greater London Authority The principal architect is Shepherd Epstein Hunter with contributions from Architype and Jon Broome Associates and occupants had the choice of self-building or self-finishing their homes The building is also fitted with an air pollution sensor that will measure the effect of trees and plants on air quality in the area said: “This has been a momentous and challenging project but this community-led organisation has succeeded in creating a sustainable neighbourhood and unique housing model “This shows what can be achieved when ordinary people work together with a shared vision and determination.” A new public riverside garden and play area is being built as part of the project It was made possible by a crowdfunding campaign and a grant from the Veolia Environmental Trust Pictured top: The new development in Church Grove An Bord Pleanála has upheld a decision of Louth County Council to grant permission for a residential development near Ladywell Shrine in Dundalk The local authority had given the go-ahead to V & P Matthews Development Ltd for 8 houses and twenty-two apartments on a 0.568ha site at Dublin Road which is bounded by a pedestrian pathway to the shrine What’s proposed is 2 three-storey blocks fronting on to Dublin Road at the entrance to the site each consisting of 2 two-bed and 2 three-bed units; 1 three-storey block at the western boundary of the site consisting of 7 two-bed and 7 three-bed duplexes; and 1 terrace of 6 (reduced from 7 with one unit now detached following further information) two-storey three-bed houses at the eastern boundary; along with 2 two-storey A number of observations were received by the council These raised concerns about the proposal not being in keeping with residential properties in the surrounding area and that mature trees and woodlands would be materially impacted It was argued that there would be overlooking at Dunmore and that no details were provided on the impact on Ladywell Shrine The decision to grant permission was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by Charlie McCann density and height of the development was not in keeping with residential properties in the surrounding area or the zoning of the site; and that the proposed entrance off the Dublin Road was not suitable as sightlines could not be achieved ‘The site cannot accommodate the required number of car parking spaces or access for emergency services ‘The height and density of the proposal will result in overlooking of existing properties as well as blocking natural light.’ An inspector from An Bord Pleanála recommended that permission be granted generally in accordance with the inspector’s recommendation ‘Having regard to the objectives of the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 scale and design of the proposed development its location within an established residential area and the pattern of development in the vicinity the proposed development would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area would be acceptable in terms of the safety and convenience of pedestrians and road users and would not be prejudicial to public health be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.’ Seventeen conditions include that a 2m high boundary wall be constructed along the eastern boundary and a 2m high fence along the western boundary (Ladywell Shrine pathway side) A 400-strong community society is urging its council to restore a crumbling Grade II listed building back to its former glory after years of delays The derelict Ladywell Baths in Lewisham High Street dates back to 1884 It was closed down in 2004 after it stopped being used as a community centre and has since become infested with pigeons and vandalised with graffiti A scheme to restore and redevelop the Playtower received planning permission from Lewisham council in the autumn of 2022 is a member of the Ladywell Society which is currently campaigning to see the building restored The local historian said: “As a youngster I learnt to swim in the Ladywell baths I won a prize for the fastest width in 1965 “It’s not only been a part of my life but is a piece of social history The baths were built when people didn’t have bathing facilities themselves – as well as a swimming bath for the community “It stands as a monument in local history and how things have changed If it is left to deteriorate it will be a major disaster.” Last autumn the developer behind the renovation told the council it would not be able to begin work on the project until it found extra cash The development plan included a new cinema and housing on the site A spokeswoman for the council said:“Guildmore remain committed to the scheme and want to work with the council to identify new funding that enables the restoration of the building without changing the fundamentals of the scheme.” Mr Smith said the redevelopment would see the Ladywell restored as a central part of the community but if it was not completed soon the building could become “damaged beyond repair” He said: “The Picturehouse said they would screen locally produced films we could hold events and it would offer a great boom to the area “Gradually we would build up a night-time and daytime economy and there’s a bus stop right outside so there shouldn’t be any issues with parking we need genuine commitment before it is too late.” A Lewisham council spokeswoman said: “We are working with Guildmore as swiftly as we can to identify the best way forward “This will include looking at new and additional grant funding opportunities The cinema operator that Guildmore partnered with remain committed and the cinema use remains a key part of the vision for the site “The site remains the council’s responsibility for the time being We appreciate that this will be frustrating news for the local community and will provide further information as soon as we are able to.” Mike Keogh and Robert Smith are both members of the Ladywell Society (Picture: Mike Keogh) Pilgrims visiting Ladywell Shrine on August 15 The tradition of marking the Feast of the Assumption at Ladywell Shrine on the Dublin Road is alive and well as plans for the August 15 celebration gather pace The committee have been busy preparing the Shrine for hundreds of people from north Louth and neighbouring counties who visit it every year The Rosary and Mass will be celebrated at the Shrine on Wednesday August 14 at 11pm followed by the blessing of the well Devotions will continue the following day and people are asked to bring their own bottles of holy water Ladywell is one of the best known holy wells in the north east and attracts pilgrims from all over Louth and surrounding counties The structure over the well is included in Thomas Wright's famous Louthiana and his drawing of it is arguably the earliest detailed visual record of an Irish holy well It indicates that the well-chamber is at least 250 years old and is probably medieval in vintage The Inniskeen poet Patrick Kavanagh wrote about how people made the journey on foot from Monaghan and Cavan (some placing a pebble in their shoe to add to the difficulty of the pilgrimage) in 'The Green Fool' which was published in 1938 In those days The Fifteenth was regarded as the farmers' holiday and many would make the pilgrimage to Ladywell before continuing on to Blackrock Your guide to London's culture and transport news and events taking place across the city Published on 24th January 2022 by ianVisits in Architecture A run-down former swimming pool and public hall that has been decaying for years is to be restored after a long-planned restoration was finally agreed upon as it’s being restored and converted into an independent cinema The restoration project will be led by Guildmore in partnership with an independent cinema operator with the cinema due to open to the public in 2024 The Playtower originally opened in 1884 as a swimming pool and public hall and and having suffered from some fire in 2006 the Grade II listed building remains a feature of the neighbourhood the Council has been developing plans to bring the building back into public use and safeguard its future The intention is to bring the Playtower back into public use (estimated cost in excess of £7 million) by delivering a mixed-use scheme comprising a cinema being a short walk from Ladywell station and Lewisham town centre While the original restoration plans were delayed as a result of the pandemic, an agreement has now been finalised with Guildmore to progress the project Curzon had to withdraw from the project due to the impact of the pandemic an independent operator has been found to run the new Ladywell Cinema There are going concerns that further delays to the restoration will cause more damage to the already badly decaying building and push up the cost of the eventual works The cost of the restoration has already risen sharply from an original estimate of £4.5 million to the £7 million it’s expected to cost now That also means that original plans for 21 flats in the new homes had to be increased to a likely 33 flats to cover the extra costs said: “I’m pleased to be working with Guildmore to help them bring a cinema to Ladywell This project has been long in the making and I hope it will make an important contribution to the economy and liveliness of the area It is very exciting to be working on bringing back such a beautiful building to a vibrant new use and I’ll look forward to working with the local community.” This website has been running now for over a decade, and while advertising revenue contributes to funding the website, it doesn't cover the costs. That is why I have set up a facility with DonorBox where you can contribute to the costs of the website and time invested in writing and research for the news articles It's very similar to the way The Guardian and many smaller websites are now seeking to generate an income in the face of rising costs and declining advertising Whether it's a one-off donation or a regular giver every additional support goes a long way to covering the running costs of this website and keeping you regularly topped up doses of Londony news and facts If you like what you read on here, then please support the website here It was a a terrific little venue showing all the latest and best of commercial and world releases it was the one thing that Goldsmith did for the local area I remember it in the 1990’s when it was a free indoor and sometimes outdoor in good weather play centre for under 5’s A brilliant resource for parents and it would be nice if something of that might be retained Before Power League or Goals there was this venue In the main hall Friday night five a side tournaments in the 1970s and the latest news published on ianVisits You can unsubscribe at any time from my weekly emails © ianVisits Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy London without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. London Here's everything you need to know to become a Ladywell native Average property prices: Flats £340k Bus routes: Lots to Lewisham and other parts of south London multicultural brew of recently installed parents and community-minded Lewisham lifers ambling through the park with KeepCup flat whites Long known as an attractive-but-relatively-unhip thoroughfare, Ladywell Village is on the brink of big things. Case in point: the crumbling Victorian Playtower bathhouse is being turned into a three-screen Curzon cinema (and restaurant) that’s due to open in 2020 The Ladywell Fields User Group – which encourages residents to don waders for an annual mass cleanup of the river – is worth knowing about. And ladywell-live.org is an essential passionately run oracle for all things SE13 The Good Hope Café (a parkside, dog walkers’ fave that even does pup-friendly ice cream) is great to spill out of on summer days. Ditto the recently revamped Oscar’s From the plentiful toys in the authentically Gallic Le Délice café to a constellation of well-regarded nurseries there’s enough of a social mix to stop the area being wall-to-wall with double buggies Ladywell Fields is the jewel in the crown. A sprawling grassy expanse dotted with playgrounds, teeming with parakeets and bisected by the River Ravensbourne. Or venture to Hilly Fields for further bucolic vibes Ladywell Fields with St Mary's church tower in the background There’s a Tesco Express on Lewisham High Street or an Aldi near the edge of Catford. The Larder deli is great for schmancy add-ons and impromptu picnic provisions too there is a volunteer-run Christmas market every December Mamma Dough’s expertly scorched sourdough pizzas can be eaten in boxed up for the park or ferried to the hungover via Deliveroo The Village Cafe does above-average greasy-spoon staples as well Ladywell Arena has a small gym and Would-be Serenas can also work up a sweat at a handful of swish The Ladywell Tavern is a visual riot of a pub (complete with an actual giant painting of Russian activist group Pussy Riot) with capable food Expect hulking roasts and lots of pint-supping NHS staff from nearby University Hospital Lewisham Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! tiktok facebook twitter youtube About us Contact us A group of Ladywell residents have taken matters into their own hands as 2023 Metropolitan Police Data shows Lewisham has joined Croydon and Tower Hamlets in the top ten boroughs in London for rates of sexual offences The Women’s Survey, spearheaded by local campaign group Ladywell Women and designed by UCL senior research fellow Meena Khatwa aims to map sexual harassment hotspots across the ward and reverse a reduction of specialist women’s services in recent years. told ELL: “There used to be a Women’s Centre there used to be a women’s employment project Despite offences falling slightly over the past three years, the ward maintains the second-highest rate of sexual offences in the borough Wakefield hopes the Women’s Survey will reverse this trend by: “raising awareness of the street harassment and violence faced by local women and improving the police and council response to the issue.” Ladywell Women aims to address gender-based violence and follow in the footsteps of similar campaigns within the ELL region. In 2021, Hackney had the 7th highest rate of sexual offences in London, causing the Council to launch a public interactive portal to track street harassment incidences. Since then, survey data has been used to develop the Hackney Eliminating Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2022-2025, and rates of sexual offences have fallen Cabinet Member for Community Safety in Hackney told ELL: “We installed and funded an enhanced CCTV network; improved street lighting; and removed light blockages [and now] regularly deliver Bystander Intervention Training across the borough.” Hackney ranks 13th for sexual offences while Lewisham has moved from 14th to 10th place Croydon occupies 8th position and Tower Hamlets is the worst performing local borough in 2023 in 6th place £5,000 from Lewisham’s Community Infrastructure Levy has helped the 100-member voluntary group finance the survey and plan for additional projects These include a ‘safety spots’ scheme which would signpost victims of harassment to shops or centres willing to provide immediate shelter to those in need The idea could be brought for discussion with local businesses in the new year The group also runs a number of free women’s walks which Wakefield said are: “designed to familiarise women with the area” and “give them confidence to walk at night.” Ladywell Women have previously held a Vigil in partnership with local historian Julie Robinson to remember 17-year-old Jane Clouson a young Deptford woman murdered in 1871 and whose publicly raised memorial still stands in Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery. Another walk is planned for tomorrow, Sunday, November 26, following today’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (Saturday, November 25). In the UK, this is more commonly known as White Ribbon Day The Ladywell Women’s survey is open until December 15 and all women over 18 in the area are invited to have their say. Results will be published next year with findings presented to Lewisham Council If you or someone you know, has been affected by gender-based crime in the Lewisham area, The Athena Service, run by Refuge Four people have been arrested after the ‘shocking’ incident in a busy road in broad daylight News | Crime Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice A murder investigation has been launched after a 29-year-old was found with fatal stab wounds inside his car in Ladywell, south east London William and Kate donate to food bank after thieves raid its warehouse Pausing city deals funding ‘unacceptable and deplorable’ – O’Neill Anti-vaxer in Chris Whitty violence post guilty of encouraging terror Covid conspiracy theorist from London guilty of terrorism Police say the man’s family are “reeling” following the “shocking” attack which happened in broad daylight in a busy street Four people have now been arrested in connection with the stabbing Police were called to Malyons Road in Ladywell just before 2pm on Wednesday when they discovered the injured man in his grey BMW Paramedics and an air ambulance were scrambled to the scene but attended but the man could not be saved said: “This was a shocking incident that took place on a busy street in the middle of the day There were a large number of witnesses and I thank those people who have already taken the time to share what they saw “If you have footage or information but haven’t yet spoken to police “We are building a timeline of the events surrounding the murder and your information could be a missing details in that picture “The victim’s family is reeling from the shock of losing their loved one in such a violent way Our thoughts are with them as our investigation progresses.” A post-mortem examination and formal identification will take place in due course Four people have been arrested in connection with this offence They remain in custody while police continue their “urgent” investigation Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry added: “It saddens me to see another life ended by knife crime in our city “I know that this incident will send shock waves throughout our community and while my officers are supporting the murder investigation team they are also available to provide support and reassurance through enhanced patrols in the area “If you are worried please do feel free to approach officers and speak with them.” Anyone with information or footage relating to this incident should call 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 3928/10May To speak with officers from the investigation team direct please call 020 87214622 VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade David Beckham extends olive branch to son Brooklyn amid 'family feud' Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin Pregnant Jesy Nelson reveals plans for future in message from her hospital bed after surgery Pregnant Jesy Nelson reveals plans for future in message from hospital