Follow us on Twitter @DulwichSociety
In April the Dulwich Estate published plans to refurbish the upper floors of the pub to provide five new flats and also build a new house on the site of the old garages in the rear garden. A public consultation is taking place on 12th April at the Old Grammar School on the corner of Burbage Road and Gallery Road (5-8pm).
The Southwark Clinical Commissioning group (SCCG) which has taken over from the Southwark PCT is running a further consultation on the future of health services in Southwark. To the Society’s knowledge this appears to be the third such consultation in the last three years –Your views can be expressed at a series of public meetings and, for those who like filling in survey, there is an online questionnaire available at: http://www.southwarkpct.nhs.uk/improving_services_consultation
The public meetings are at: St Barnabas Church at 7pm on Tuesday 30 April. St Barnabas Church at 2pm on Tuesday 22 May. Drop in session at the Dulwich Community Hospital at 12:30pm on Wednesday 1 May
The Dulwich Estate’s planning application to refurbish the Crown and Greyhound pub in Dulwich Village and turn it into a boutique hotel was approved by Southwark Council on 26th March. The Society welcomes the proposal as it will bring a much needed benefit to Dulwich while retaining the historic character of the pub itself. It is not clear when work will actually start on site as the Estate still has to complete its ongoing negotiations with the current tenant, Mitchell & Butlers.
The refurbishment work on the well-known ‘concrete’ house on the opposite corner of Lordship Lane and Dulwich Common junction is progressing well and completion is due shortly. The project, funded by the Heritage of London Trust, started last year after Southwark Council had compulsorily purchased the property from its former owner who had left it derelict. When completed the building will have five social housing flats managed by the Hexagon Housing Association.
MINUTES OF THE 49th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE DULWICH SOCIETY
held on Thursday 26th April 2012 at The Crown & Greyhound, SE21
PRESENT:
President (Chairman): Dr Colin Niven OBE.
Vice-Presidents: HH Michael Goodman, Peter Lawson, HH Michael Rich QC;
40 members.
APOLOGIES:
Vice-Presidents: Marion Gibbs, Dr G.Savage, Dr Joseph Spence;
Brian Green
Jill Manuel.
PREVIOUS MINUTES:
The minutes of the 48th AGM (previously available on the Society’s website and at the meeting) held on 23rd May 2011 were approved. There were no matters arising.
SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS FOR 2012
These had been posted on the website and were also available at the meeting. The following summary highlighted the points made by the Sub-committee Chairs.
CHIARMAN’S REPORT (Ian McInnes)
Plans are being made to celebrate next year the Society’s 50th Anniversary. We continue to inspect all applications to the Dulwich Estate under the Scheme of Management, and relevant ones to the local Councils. The Advisory Committee, comprising representatives of the Dulwich Estate and this Society meets 3 times a year. The Estate has agreed to us placing name plates ‘Lovers Walk’ on the path between College & Gallery Roads. As previously agreed we have made a £5000 grant to the Velodrome to assist in its renaissance, and are pleased to note its increased use and the resurfacing of the track.
We were able to secure funds from Southwark to refurbish part of Rosebery Lodge in Dulwich Park to allow the Dulwich Vegetable Garden Group to cultivate the garden; also funds to renovate the road fingerposts. We funded the Dulwich Park Friends’ improvement works to the rivulet by the lake in Dulwich Park, and joined them in objecting to the Council’s plans for what, we considered, an unsuitable event to be held in the Park; the funds for this will be available for other events following consultation. The Journal continues its high standard under the editorship of Brian Green and now includes coloured photographs. He and all executive and subcommittee members and active volunteers, such as those that deliver the Journal, and allow the Society to flourish and are heartily thanked.
SECRETARY’S REPORT (Patrick Spencer)
The Executive Committee met 6 times in the year. We unfortunately were asked to remove the Post Office cart and have yet to find a secure place to display it. In view of metal thefts we are considering further security measures for the Edward Alleyn statue. We wish to encourage members to let us have their e-mail address to facilitate passing on information; we commend our web-site which is regularly updated.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Wilf Taylor)
The Society has 1082 ordinary and 5 corporate Members. Charity Gift Aid amounted to £2556-38 and we would encourage those members who have not signed declaration forms to do so.
PLANNING & ARCHITETCURE GROUP REPORT (David Roberts)
We commented on just over 200 Scheme of Management licence applications in the year. For a considerable time we have pressed for renovation of the Concrete House (549 Lordship Lane) and it now appears likely that work will start next year. Following a detailed report on the Mill Pond (College Road) the Estate propose to clean out and improve it next year. We hope to see the renovation of the pavement boundary wall to St. Peter’s Church, Lordship Lane, and some of the funding has been arranged with this Society offering £3000. We have supported, in general terms, the Estate’s proposals to refurbish the Crown & Greyhound, retaining the bars and function room and forming a small hotel in the upper part
TRAFFIC & TRANSPORT SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT (Alastair Hanton)
Road safety and improvements of facilities for walking and cycling continue to be a main focus. The percentage of children being taken to school by car has fallen this year which is encouraging. A long term project is to achieve a network of safe cycling routes. We keep a watching brief on the Velodrome improvements, and a 15 years lease has been granted to British Cycling and which has made a successful application to Southwark’s Olympic Legacy Fund. Work has been completed at the Herne Hill road junction with improvements also in Railton Road and a pedestrian refuge built in Half Moon Lane. Refuges have also been provided in Red Post Hill. Improvements we are pressing for include to the Paxton Green roundabout, easier access to the platforms of West Dulwich station, and a better entrance to Belair Park from the South Circular Road. Take up of membership of Car Clubs is disappointing and we will continue to publicize and encourage use.
LOCAL HISTORY GROUP REPORT (Bernard Nurse)
History walks were arranged in association with the Dulwich Festival, Picture Gallery, and the Herne Hill Society. Brian Green gave a talk on Richard Randall, an 18th century organist at the Chapel.
Members have researched and published articles in our Journal including on the local Homeguard, and the development of various streets. We are working on the project in our Anniversary year to erect commemorative plaques to honour groups of civilians who died in the area during bombing raids in the Second World War.
GARDEN GROUP REPORT (John Ward)
Our annual publication “Dulwich Gardens open for Charity” was very well received and appears to have increased the number of visitors and consequently the sums raised for various charities. Events arranged were a talk on the work of the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, and a visit to Plashley Manor and Scotney Castle.
TREE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT (prepared by Jill Manuel)
We arranged a Tree Walk in Dulwich Park as part of the Dulwich Festival and about 60 attended. The Garden Manager of Buckingham Palace is a member and led a walk around that garden. The beech trees we had planted in the Horniman Triangle did not survive but are being replaced by Lewisham. The zelkova tree which had to be so drastically reduced in height has shown signs of re-growth. We attend tree visits by the Trustees of the Dulwich Estate and hope to have some influence on their decisions. The Journal generally includes an article on a local tree of interest; our Tree Map sells well and can be purchased locally.
WILDLIFE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT (Angela Wilkes)
The vegetation on the west side of Gallery Road has been much improved by volunteers arranged by the Society with help from London Wildlife Trust and part funded by the Society; the work included the planting of 250 small hedging plants. In Belair Park the lake was partially cleaned out made possible by a Southwark grant which the Society had requested. We work alongside the Friends of Belair Park, and similarly with Friends of Dulwich Park. Bird records are diligently maintained, and nesting boxes designed for swifts were placed in Dulwich Park.
TREASURER’S REPORT (Russell Lloyd)
Audited accounts for 2011 were circulated. The excess of income over expenditure in the year was £4452. Income (£18772) was approximately similar to that of the previous year, as was expenditure. The net bank account balances at the end of the year amounted to £27051. Some of this sum is earmarked for projects in our Anniversary Year (2013).
The accounts were approved by the meeting.
We are most grateful to Sally-Anne Jeffries for acting as our Honorary Auditor, and she was duly re-appointed.
ELECTIONS FOR 2012/13: The following, having been proposed and seconded, and were duly elected:
Officers: Chairman Ian McInnes
Vice-Chairman Kenneth Wolfe
Hon. Secretary Patrick Spencer
Hon. Treasurer Russell Lloyd
Membership Secretary Wilf Taylor
Executive Committee:
Brian Green Journal Editor
Alastair Hanton Traffic & Transport Sub-committee
David Roberts Planning & Architecture Group
Jill Manuel Trees Sub-committee
Angela Wilkes Wildlife Sub-committee
John Ward Garden Group
Bernard Nurse Local History Sub-committee
Sue Badman
Bill Higman
Adrian Hill
Honorary Officers:
President: Dr.Colin Niven O
Vice-Presidents: Ian Dejardin MA
Marion Gibbs BA Mlit
HH. Michael Goodman
Peter Lawson FRIBA, FRSA
HH Michael Rich QC
Dr. Gary Savage
Dr. Joseph Spence
The evening concluded with a power point presentation by Ian McInnes which included pictures of the Crown & Greyhound over the years (including when they were separate buildings), together with proposals for its future.
The first public consultation meeting was held at the Dulwich Picture Gallery on 2 March. The next one will be at the Dulwich Leisure Centre on Wednesday 10 April, from 5pm-8pm. It is important that residents do attend to influence on the document as it will guide planning in the area over the next 5-10 years.
To celebrate the 20th Dulwich Festival, Southwark Council has created London Life, a series of innovative live art events celebrating the heritage and people of south Southwark. Pedal pulled art, moving sculptures and a host of curiosities will all be coming to Dulwich this May.
The Culture Cart (12, 18 & 19 May, various venues) A hand-crafted, cart, drawn by an English gentleman on a vintage bicycle will travel around Dulwich hosting a range of printing workshops, inspired by Dulwich’s historical and cultural heritage.
The Curious Exchange (10 to 19 May, East Dulwich) Artists and makers are invited to give something they've made to be displayed in a cabinet of curiosities. Each contributor can then exchange their object for someone else’s creation. The Curious Exchange will be open to view throughout the festival.
Build Your Worlds (19 May, Dulwich Park Fair) Bringing people of all ages together in a vibrant celebratory performance, Build Your Worlds features over 200 local people working together to create musical buildings, dancing paintings and moving sculptures.
They Are Coming... (11 to 19 May, Dulwich Library) Who? What? Why? We could tell you, but that would spoil the surprise.
The festival also includes a lively walks and talks programme, the popular Festival Fair on Goose Green (12 May) and Dulwich Park Fair (19 May), as well as the much-loved Artists’ Open House programme. A street art festival with internationally renowned artists will enliven the streets of Dulwich with large murals re-imagining famous paintings from Dulwich Picture Gallery.
The events delivered by Southwark Council have been developed in partnership with Dulwich Society, Dulwich Park Friends, Dulwich Festival, Pavilion Café, local councillors and residents.
For more information, visit www.southwark.gov.uk/londonlife
Six councillors, from all three political parties, and all three wards, answered question for an hour and a half at the public meeting on 4 March at Alleyn’s School. It was well attended and was very useful in briefing residents on how the Council’s current programme impacts on the local area. Subjects ranged from health to education and traffic. There were questions about the future of the East Dulwich Hospital site, the East Dulwich Police Station, and what the Council was doing to address the shortage of primary school places in the area and its attitude to free schools. Concerns were also raised about traffic speeds, problems over parking, and pedestrian safety.
Network Rail will be replacing three of the local rail bridges early next year. The bridges in Village Way, Rosendale Road and the bottom of Croxted Road are over 160 years old and the supporting structures need to be brought up to current standards. There will clearly be some disruption while the work is carried out but the Society is most concerned that the historic character of the bridges is retained. Network Rail has said that they will be keeping the railings and the plaques (the latter include the crest of Alleyn’s College, plus the date 1866, and the coats of arms of the Dulwich College Estate and the railway company) but we are also keen to see the old supporting columns retained – even if they no longer support anything. There is also the question of the colour; two of the bridges still have remnants of the original London, Brighton & South Coast railway (LBSCR) colour scheme - a sort of distinctive yellow ochre (apparently famous to railway enthusiasts, perhaps because it was known, most misleadingly, as "improved engine green").
The exhibition at Dulwich College will be open again on the afternoons of Saturday 23rd February and Sunday 24th March, but anyone can visit during school days as long as they obtain a visitor pass from the College’s reception area first.
The remaining two 50th anniversary celebrations talks in the Dulwich Picture Gallery will be on 17th and 24th March on ‘Wates and Re-invention 1945-1969’ and ‘Leasehold Reform, Conservation and Wealth 1979-2013’. Tickets can be booked through the Picture Gallery’s website or at the Friends’ desk in the lobby.
Southwark Council is now consulting on an updated version of the Dulwich SPG. It is important that local residents, the Society, and other amenity groups have a positive influence on the document as it will guide planning in the area over the next 5-10 years. There will be two public consultation ‘drop-in’ sessions as follows:
Saturday 2 March, 2pm-5pm, at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, Dulwich, London SE21 7AD (There will be a workshop from 3.30pm-5pm)
Wednesday 10 April, 5pm-8pm, at the Dulwich Leisure Centre, 2b Crystal Palace Road, London SE22 9HB
The London Wildlife Trust (LWT) is undertaking a project within the Dulwich, Herne Hill, and Loughborough Junction areas to look at how community groups can engage with relevant organisations to provide water management strategies.