The Gruffalo comes to Kirkdale

Children in arms, prams and on foot crowded into the Kirkdale Bookshop on Saturday 16th October to meet and cuddle their favourite monster.

More information here >>

Zebra Row - now closed!

A row has broken out over a new zebra crossing on the bridge by Sydenham Station. There have already been near misses because cars as it is on the hump of the bridge it cannot be seen by vehicles coming up the hill.

More information here >>

The Tube is Coming...

Great News! According to Peter Boxell, Communications Manager of the East London Line Extension (ELLX) the new line is finally being given the go-ahead in the next few weeks and an announcement to this effect will shortly be made by Transport for London (TFL) saying that the line will be in place by 2010 - or at least the bit that matters to us running from Croydon in the south to Highbury and Islington in the north via Canada Water and Whitechapel.
* Background information <here>
* Full report in the Town Forum discussion area <here>

Crystal Palace Park Consultation

An exhibition in a Marquee in the Park on future plans for the Park and the National Sports Centre. Have a look and have your say. The Exhibition is open 10am to 6pm From September 18th to 26th.

The event is organised by the Mayor Of London's LDA who will be taking over the NSC and possibly the park. More information here >>

Kirkdale Bookshop Gallery

Lorna Hadfield Paintings - 17th Sept to 30th Oct 2004
Concerned primarily with colour, texture and light, Lorna’s work is influenced by natural landscapes, changing light and the passage of time. She works with oil, wax and raw pigment to create a layered, textured surface into which she draws, scratches and carves. More information on Kirkdale Bookshop >>

Sydenham Society News

This lady was caught on camera stuffing letterboxes. No, not another Pizza offer - but the summer edition of Sydenham Society's Newsletter has just hit the streets.

Pat Trembath has been chair of the society since ... well time began. The Sydenham Society has been a campaigning force for improving life in the town. Their Newsletter is always a valuable insight into what is going on - or about to go on.

Articles in the summer edition include 'Sainsburys in Forest Hill & Sydenham', 'Crystal Palace National Sports Centre & Park', 'Losing the De Frene Allotments' and, of course, 'Cobbs Corner Roadworks'. More information on the Sydenham Society Website >>

New Town Centre Manager

I'm Julie Sutch, the new South Lewisham Town Centre Manager. I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to improve and develop the vibrancy and attractiveness of the South Lewisham Town Centres, which include Forest Hill, Sydenham, Bellingham and Downham, to shop, live and work in.

More information on the here >>

Sydenham launches the RPO

Sydenham Music, who run the very successful series of Summer Concerts at St Barts, are now bringing The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to the Broadway Theatre in Catford.

The RPO's Catford Residency was launched on June 30th by the Mayor Of Lewisham (left) in the Horniman Museum's amazing new Conservatory (actually the refurbished original conservatory from the Horniman House in Croydon).

The orchestral series will start in October 2004 and will comprise four concerts at the Broadway Theatre. There will also be a special Children's Concert together with a variety of education and community projects in the area. More information on the Sydenham Music Website >>

Sydenham Garden

Sydenham Garden is an association formed in February 2003 whose aim is to help people living with a significant illness in their lives. We will be looking after a nature reserve in which a small community garden will be created.

Can you help us make thisinto a place where those with serious illness can find help? More info <<here>>

Barclays becomes Credit Union

Sydenham 10 years ago had 5 banks. Now it only has three and it can be long wait to be served!

Which makes the re-opening of the former Barclays Bank as the new ACTS Credit Union on June 12th so very welcome. Situated on the infamous island joining Westwood Hill & Kirkdale to Sydenham Road - the Credit Union offers financial services to people who may find it difficult or expensive to use the commercial banks.

A community service for local people by local people. More on ACTS Credit Union >>