Deptford High Street : two bookies robbed in two days...

Word on the street today: Ladbrokes was robbed yesterday. In the attack, a female member of staff was beaten about the head and is in hospital. The premises is now closed.

Around the corner in Evelyn Street, Coral's was also robbed, this morning. Meanwhile Monday began in the high street with an immigration raid, and police took several men away.

Update 27 June:
It seems the most important thing that happened on 24th June 2013 was the death of cyclist, Paul Hutcheson, on Loampit Vale. We are pretty sure there were other ways, Paul, you had in mind for bringing South East London to a standstill. RIP.

The furore over Paul's untimely death can be followed on many cycling forums, but check 853 blog for a perspective on proposed Cycle Super Highways. NewShopper on the scene here. East London Lines later and more considered here.

Meanwhile, we've still to check in with Brenda from Kim's newsagents on her Monday news feed about the Ladbrokes female staff member getting bashed about the head on Sunday. We know for sure there was an incident (Ladbrokes was closed, see above), but there is no 'official news' on it. Perhaps Bren heard the story that was going around on Monday morning about the Coral's robbery and got confused over what happened at Ladbrokes? A story appeared on Tuesday from NewShopper regarding the robbery at Corals on Evelyn Street on Monday morning. This sounded similar, in that a member of staff was assaulted, but it features a man, and not the young woman Brenda described (who she knew and was concerned for).

This is the NewShopper report of Monday morning's robbery at Coral's on Evelyn Street:

POLICE are investigating a Deptford bookmaker robbery which left a member of staff in hospital. Officers were called out to the Evelyn Street bookie on June 24 at around 9.33am. The victim, an employee, was followed into shop by one man when he was opening up and forced  to hand over large sums of money before the suspect fled

Police say the victim, who received an injury to his face, was taken to hospital initially but his injuries were not life threatening.

The Flying Squad are investigating but no arrests have been made so far.

Update 29 June:
The story is that a plank of wood was taken to a certain shop doorway and the young lady who works in Ladbrokes was hospitalised by that action. Maybe nothing was stolen and that is why it didn't make the news headlines, even though there were two people hospitalised in two days as a result of their jobs. Just Google Ladbrokes Robbery or Corals Robbery to get an idea of how betting shops play a part in the community nationwide. Some people are beaten to death.

Unfortunately, the news media is organised so that you only hear local news and have no idea what's happening in the rest of the country. Much of the time you don't even hear the local news either.

Council try before you buy bikes.

There was a bit of a surprise in the Crosswhatfields? inbox yesterday.  It came from the council and it was about bikes!

Yes, it's a bike but it's not for sale!  Wave if you see it....

Anyhow, their ''sustainable transport'' people have a number of bikes of varying sizes and descriptions that people can borrow (though there is a £10 pound charge) for a month and then anyone tempted has the option of buying it at a reduced price or simply returning it.  With the bike comes a lock, helmet and a hi-visibility vest, and you can also get arrange for lights and child seats to be provided.  Here is what they say:

Cycle loan scheme

For those keen to take up or do more cycling but are unsure if it is for them, they could try the cycle loan scheme. Anyone who lives, works or studies in Lewisham  can borrow a bike for one month for £10 and use it for any/all their journeys. They will also be given a helmet, high-viz vest and lock and at the end of the month, they can either buy the bike at a reduced cost or return it.

Full details here:

http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/transport/cycling/Pages/Cycle-loan-scheme.aspx

Their link also gives details about free lessons to get you back on the road or if you're a complete beginner, and if you're interested in learning a bit about bike maintenance there are subsidised  one-day courses available from CycleTrainingUK for £10, and links to free maps.  (Very well worth it - I've done one and it was excellent.)

For the more involved cyclist, Lewisham is also participating in a European cycling challenge for the month of May.  Log your rides to make Lewisham a cyclier place.  And if you're not a regular cyclist but feel a bit more exercise and fresh air might do you good, taking part in this is a great incentive - it might just get you back into being a regular cyclist....

During May there is also the European Cycling Challenge

Cyclists from all over the borough are being encouraged to register for the Challenge. They will  track their cycling for one month (May) using the web or their smartphone and the area or city that has the most mileage is the European winner!

There is also  the chance to win prizes at a local level for the cyclist who has done the most cycling for fun, for work or for journeys such as shopping, to and from school etc.

Full details and how to register here:

http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/transport/cycling/Pages/European-Cycling-Challenge-2013.aspx

And, while I'm on about bikes, Lewisham Cyclists, a part of LCC (London Cycling Campaign) organise a fair number of led rides.  For example, there's a 25 mile ride around SE London's parks tomorrow, there are longer jaunts out into Kent as well as beginner-and-children friendly flat riverside rides.

New bike racks for the estate

Towards the end of March, a couple of residents volunteered an hour of their time to walk around the estate with Peter Stunell, Transport Policy Officer at Lewisham Council, and Faye Martin, our new Tenancy Officer (standing in for Kerrie Taylor who is on maternity leave).

Transport for London gave Lewisham Council some money to install bike racks around the borough this year, and as the tax year drew to a close, there was still some money left to spend, or some bike racks still to place. Crossfields was considered as one of the areas that might benefit.

Although bike owners living on the upper floors on the estate would rather not leave their bikes in insecure locations at ground level, it was felt that more racks would be useful for visitors, or as temporary lock-ups. Around 45 locations around the estate were identified where there was space to install the new racks. Installation is scheduled to happen in May.

TJ's killer guilty

An Old Bailey jury yesterday found Barry Normah of Watergate Street, SE8 guilty of killing TJ last year.  He's yet to be sentenced but we can hope for justice.

I only knew the red light bit second-hand before but it came out in the trial. This is Local London reports:

Pedestrian Claire Ridge was standing beside him at the pedestrian crossing before he was hit by a silver Audi A3 at around 5pm.
She told the Old Bailey: "A boy on a bike came to my right hand side. He crossed the road - the red man was still showing but the cars had stopped, the traffic lights were red.
"Then I saw this car approaching really quickly and I thought 'what is this car doing - it was my turn to cross, it was the pedestrian's turn to cross'.

"I thought it was going to stop but it slammed straight into the boy. The boy flew to the other side of the road and crashed to the floor."
Jurors heard that the driver of the car initially failed to stop, continuing along Deptford Church Street, before turning around at the traffic lights and coming back to the scene.
He paused for a short while before eventually driving off again. Police later found the Audi dumped in nearby Watergate Road at around 7pm.

Ghost bike for TJ

Last week, six months after his death, a 'ghost bike' was placed next to the pedestrian crossing on Deptford Church where Olatunji Johnson Adeyanju was knocked from his bicycle while crossing the road. This coincided with the announcement that the hit-and-run driver has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident. The accused man will stand trial at Woolwich Crown Court on October 2nd.

Along with the appearance of the ghost bike, some of TJ's friends came to stand vigil, and another tribute to TJ was added to those already left in the comments section of the Crosswhatfields' post written the day after TJ was killed on 23rd March.

Also this week, The Times named TJ as one of 88 cyclists killed on Britain's roads so far this year.

Update 3/10/2012: Marmoset failed to get any information from the court over the phone so went down to Belmarsh today.  The accused, Barry Normah, appeared on 2 October for what was a preliminary hearing.  2 dates were decided: 21 December 2012 for a Police and Case Management Hearing and trial proper on 11 March 2013,  both at Belmarsh. 

Friday night ride to the coast

Whilst filming goes on all night in Deptford High Street, another all nighter is taking place. Over 100 cyclists will be leaving the National Film Theatre at midnight and will be whizzing along Creek Road less than half an hour later on route to Whitstable. Look out for the peloton if you're still out and about near the A200 – it'll be like watching the Tour de France in the dark.

If the idea appeals, check out Friday Night Ride To The Coast (fnrttc.blogspot.co.uk) to join up for future rides.

Deptford remembers TJ

A massive attendance ensured St Paul's Church was filled to the rafters last Tuesday morning, 24th April, as family, friends, well wishers and distinguished guests (including Dame Joan Ruddock) came to say goodbye to TJ, the young man who died from his injuries after being knocked down by a hit-and-run driver on Deptford Church Street.

TJ's white coffin arrived in a beautiful white horse drawn carriage, and was borne into the church by six of his friends (including Crossfields resident Jordan). TJ's uncle Steve delivered a superbly eloquent eulogy about the boy who he had raised as his own child. TJ would have been celebrating his 18th birthday in early May, and his graduation in a couple of month's time.

Young Jamilia touched everyone's hearts as she sang a note perfect and emotional rendition of I Will Always Love You – there could not be a dry eye in the house. Tributes were paid by many others: young relatives Ololade and Abimbola; teachers and leaders from Addey & Stanhope, Croydon College and Second Wave Youth Arts; and his friends stood up as a group and one by one came forward to speak.

Their words came unrehearsed and from the heart as they talked of their friend's supportiveness, his sunny disposition, his academic achievements and ambitions, and how he was always looking out for them.

Although the service was very High Church (St Paul's is Anglican), Father Paul's no-nonsense shepherding ("mobile phones off please") kept the congregation on terra firma. Since the accident had occurred right next to the church, the rector had observed the daily vigil held by TJ's friends at the crossing on Deptford Church Street now known as 'TJ's place'. Father Paul suggested TJ's real 'place' was next to God, in our heads and hearts. At the end of the service, Second Wave gave mourners a memorial card which had photos of TJ and the words "a good friend, our beloved TJ was respected by everyone. We will never forget his kindness, his gentle smile and his friendship."

As is Deptford tradition concerning very special people, the cars (and coach) followed the horse drawn carriage bearing the coffin all the way down Deptford High Street as the funeral cortege processed to Grove Park cemetery, where the service continued and TJ was buried.

Rest in peace, TJ

See our earlier post in March to read further tributes.

Bike Heads Spring Bash – Sunday 18 March

Union Cycle Works are hosting a day for people who love bikes and cycling:

Bike Heads Spring Bash

Sunday 18 March 2012, 10am – 3pm

121-123 Deptford High Street SE8 4NS (in the arches at the Deptford Project Yard)

10am - 1pm: Dr Bike repairs - heal your bike - get repaired & on the road
12.30pm: “Ride the Divide” film screening in the arch (popcorn provided)
2pm: Hear from Julian Sayarer - Guiness World Record Holder for cycling round the world - who will read from his book and speak about his world-touring experience
All day:
• Breakfast, bbq, cakes, cider...
• AMAZING raffle (Top prizes!)
• Silent bike auction - been looking for that perfect bike? Come and grab a deal!
• Music
• Bike beauty pageant - enter for a great prize!
Alternating every hour:
- Learn BMX tricks from Jake
- Learn basic bike maintenance skills from Jake, Edd, Jon and Nick

(Suggested donation £3-£5 – proceeds go to the Union Cycle Works Community Fund)

Union Cycle Works make bespoke bikes – find out more at their fab website or go along on Sunday and join the party!

UCW are also one of many projects in the arches who will have to move towards the end of the year, if not sooner, since their landlords, Cathedral plc have finally received planning permission (only last week) for the development of this site.

What to do with bikes...

Sylvia from Browne House wrote to the blog yesterday asking whether any of the sheds were free.  She says she would love to buy a bike but there are simply too many stairs between street and home.  I fear the answer will be no because, while many are unused, they've effectively been privatised.

But, as a regular cyclist, I appreciate her problem.  While there are a couple of stands dotted about the estate there is nowhere safe for cyclists to leave their bikes overnight. And when I get home from a ride, with the shopping I've picked up on the way home, carrying the bike, the shopping, the locks, the pump, the puncture repair kit up the 67 stairs up to my penthouse suite, with tired legs, I get to hate those 8 flights of stairs.  I count them like I used to count the hours doing night shifts, struggling through and only feeling I'm almost there when 6am is in sight.  And while I'm still capable of doing it, the time will come when I'm no longer able to do it. 

And, of course, not everybody wants to keep a bike for company in their living room!

If there is anybody who would be willing to release an unused shed or share/co-rent an underused one, please send Crosswhatfields an email, and I'll see whether I can negotiate a way of sharing a secured shed with her.

Quite by chance I was cycling along a back street in Battersea the day before yesterday and was astonished to see secured street parking for bikes.  And then, through a mysterious process of cyclosynchronicity - as I didn't have a camera on me,  the Guardian's bike blog published a picture of one of them the next day for me.

There are only 4 of them so far and it appears to be a Lambeth council initiative.  But we've got partial car parking spaces where trees effectively stop them being used for proper parking.  Ideal space for installing a few of these without competing against the car lobby.  There's room for about 4 bikes inside each one and there are lockable stands inside.  The outer cover also is locked so I guess participants share a key.

So, would the TRA be prepared to lobby for something similar - and they'd need to lobby because Lewisham Homes will make sympathetic noises before stymying the idea?

Near and Fahrräder (Nummer 3)

Children brave the weather forecast and tackle today's London Skyride (Himmelfahrt?)

...and ride past the bottom of our road.

The very tall man in the blue jacket is not really that tall - he's riding a Pfennig-Grosschen, or whatever they're called.