Crayford Marshes – London Wildlife Trust objection to road/rail depot threat - Erith - Thamesmead - Slade Green - Crayford

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Chris Rose

London Wildlife Trust has submitted a highly critical objection to the re-heated proposal from an outfit called Roxhill to build a large rail/road interchange depot on a substantial part of the southern end of Crayford Marshes, adjacent to Slade Green train depot. We are now able to publish it here (see below). The previous exponents, Prologis, failed to start construction within the 5 years allowed.

The scheme would still destroy most of the separate Site of Importance for Nature Conservation on this part of the marshes, threaten the future of red-listed Skylark in Bexley, and red-listed Corn Bunting in London , when there may be only 20 pairs left in the whole of the capital. It would further industrialise one of the largest and most open areas left in the Borough for wildlife and people, on land classified as Metropolitan Green Belt, and add heavy lorry movements to local roads.

The planning decision on the previous scheme would have meant that the money from the destruction of this part of the marshes would have been put in a fund to properly manage the rest of it for nature. That ‘offer’ does not appear in the current application.

Other objectors include Bexley Natural Environment Forum, and Bexley Civic Society. More than 200 individual letters of objection have been signed so far.

For more background information see:

http://www.bexleywildlife.org/save-our-skylarks-string-of-marshland-sites-under-renewed-threat/

£150m of package deals to be won on Kent residential job

Around £150m of subcontract packages are up for grabs on a new housing job set to start in Kent next month.

Written by Grant Prior 

Residential specialist L&Q is partnering with the Anderson Group to develop 600 homes on the former site of Erith Quarry over the next five years.

Anderson will be carrying out core infrastructure works with a host of package deals yet to be awarded.

The development will see £300m invested in the 55 acre site including construction of a new 700 capacity primary school.

Andrew Jay, Group Managing Director at the Anderson Group, said: “We are dedicated to bringing life to lost land through responsible development and this project is no exception.

“Erith Quarry presented us with the perfect opportunity to create a thriving community on a site which is currently completely desolate.

“We have worked hard to ensure this project is innovative and replaced the familiar city pattern of flats and car parks with an ingenious, high quality design of terraced family homes that reveals the character of the land.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with L&Q on this landmark scheme and helping to provide much-needed housing in the area in addition to the provision of a new primary school.”

http://bit.ly/1MjlaPu

A Fine Bright Day Today

Written by Philip Goulding
Directed by Mary Board

Since the death of her trawler-man husband 30 years ago, Margaret Harvey has lived with her daughter, Rebecca, in a small cottage in a coastal town. Rebecca is moving out to live with her boyfriend, so when Margaret meets Milton Farnsworth, an American visiting the area to paint the landscape, she invites him to lodge with her during his stay. Margaret has become increasingly set in her ways over the years, dependent on ritual and superstition, but with patience, humour and cheap wine Milton gradually encourages her to relinquish control.

“A Fine Bright Day Today” sensitively explores love in later life and the shifting relationship between mother and daughter.

Cast

Margaret – Judith Brace
Rebecca – Terri McCann
Milton – Mark Jamieson

Crew

Stage Manager – Frank Andrews
Prompt – Elsie Bate
Props – Wendi Freeman
Lighting – Andy Woolliscroft
Wardrobe – Marjorie Sawyer and Carole Bramall

Tickets £9

This amateur production is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd

http://www.playhouse.org.uk/show/a-fine-bright-day-today/

David Lindo, the ‘Urban Birder’, backs campaign to save Skylark fields at Crossness

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Chris Rose

David Lindo, TV personality and conservationist, who has come to prominence as ‘The Urban Birder’, and fronted the recent poll to select Britain’s ‘national bird’, has spoken out about the poor signal building on important wildlife habitat adjacent to the Nature Reserve at Crossness will send to young people.

Cory ‘Environmental’ has submitted an application to build two huge computer server centres on the former Borax fields, which border the site, and are an integral part of its wildlife ‘resource’. If approved this will result in the loss of breeding red-listed Skylark from Erith Marshes (its other key nesting site in Bexley is also under immediate threat from ‘development’) and Ringed and Little-ringed Plovers as breeding birds from Bexley as a whole, as well as destroying key open mosaic habitat.

In a message to Reserve Manager Karen Sutton, David said: ‘It would be very disappointing to see further industrial development here. Crossness Nature Reserve is not only a vital urban resource for the birds and other wildlife that depend on it, but also for the local community who enjoy these urban reserves. In my speech at the bird hide opening event last year, I talked about the value of such places for our young people, how important it is to engage with them and increase their awareness of wildlife. Crossness does this! What kind of message will we be giving them if buildings are permitted on such valuable wildlife areas?’

You can make your concern – and your support for wildlife – known  by using the ideas here to submit a letter of objection to Bexley Council:

http://www.bexleywildlife.org/save-our-skylarks-cory-environmental-submits-plan-to-destroy-habitat-of-birds-in-serious-decline-four-storey-buildings-proposed-next-to-crossness-nature-reserve-please-object-by-f/

http://www.bexleywildlife.org/david-lindo-the-urban-birder-backs-campaign-to-save-skylark-fields-at-crossness/

New CAP Debt Centre for Erith and Thamesmead

Churches in Erith have combined with other local churches to set up a new CAP Debt Centre serving the area covered by the Erith and Plumstead Deaneries.

Erith and Thamesmead CAP centre, which was launched on 15th January at Bexley College by local MP Teresa Pearce, is an ecumenical venture supported by Anglican, Methodist, URC, Baptist and independent churches.

The service that the centre offers is designed to enable people trapped in spiralling debt the opportunity to become debt free. Negotiations with creditors are carried out by Christians Against Poverty from their base in Bradford, and the centre and its volunteers provide support to the person until they are debt free.

Julie Conalty, Area Dean of Erith, said: “We are delighted to have got this centre up and running. There is a real need for it in this area and it is wonderful to have done this as a collaborative venture with the other churches. We are also very pleased to be working in partnership with Christians Against Poverty and using their award winning service. We are also very grateful to the Church Urban Fund for their financial support, as well as to the Diocese of Rochester and Woolwich Episcopal Area .”

Caroline Clarke, Community Engagement Advisor for the Diocese of Rochester and CreditWise leader said:  “This is a super achievement and blessing.   Thank you to all those involved for your hard work  and determination to work both ecumenically and across two dioceses in order to get this CAP Centre open. This was in direct response to the local need to help and support people to become debt free, and is part of a wider vision to ensure access to responsible credit for all: work to open a branch of Kent Savers Credit Union in the area is ongoing.”

http://rochester.anglican.org/new-cap-debt-centre-for-erith-and-thamesmead.php

The proposal

The proposals have been designed around roughly three hectares of set-aside grassland and woodland belts across the site to protect and enhance ecology (animals and plants). The plans will provide up to 600 homes, a three-form entry primary school due to open in September 2017, and space for business or community facilities near the site entrance at Fraser Road.

http://www.erithquarry.co.uk/

Steam Survivors in Panama

Fraser and Chalmers

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MADE IN ERITH

in the Darien region about 20km from the border with Columbia. A British Company built a 700/750mm line from a port in Columbia to the site of pre-Columbian and Spanish gold mines around 1900. The site was abandoned in 1907 !!! and two locos were left behind, plus various steam pumping engines-one manufactured in Erith, Kent by Fraser and Chalmers. One locomotive is in bad shape, the other looks almost intact apart from loss of fittings. Much better than the Welsh slate quarry locos (like Wendy) looked in the 60s!

http://bit.ly/1PiTrEs

Going, going, gone? The ongoing loss of wildlife land at Erith Marshes, and missed opportunities to make up for any of this.

ERITH MARSHES. Google Earth imagery dated 2010 Bexley Council acknowledges the fact that the marshes are a highly important wildlife habitat, but the image above shows that this has not been reflected in planning decisions. Yellow and red boxes: very recently or currently being lost to ‘development’ Dark blue box: previous potential for habitat restoration, now lost to Incinerator until at least 2038. Black box: near-future loss due to planning permission being granted for ‘Veridion Park’ Light blue box: maturing brownfield with important amounts of bare ground/nectar-rich plant mosaic, and breeding Skylark and Ringed and Little Ringed Plover. BNEF asked for these areas to be designated as a SINC or part of the M041 MSINC to meet London mosaic habitat targets. Now under threat from Cory/RRRL planning application.

http://www.bexleywildlife.org/save-our-skylarks-cory-environmental-submits-plan-to-destroy-habitat-of-birds-in-serious-decline-four-storey-buildings-proposed-next-to-crossness-nature-reserve-please-object-by-f/

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John George (Jack) SMART, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

An Erith man - “HE DIED FOR OLD ENGLAND”…

Today, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of his death, we remember the life of Motorman Jack Smart, of Erith, who drowned at sea whilst serving on the British Motor-Boat ‘California’ in the Mediterranean…

Jack was a well-known character in Erith, and along the River Thames: a member of Erith Yacht Club, he worked for the family firm of Smart & Brown Marine Motor Engineers, so it’s no wonder his skills were in demand with the Navy.

He’d already served on ships in the Channel and off Malta (where he was badly burned in action), but in early 1916 he returned to duty on the MB ‘California’ where - in circumstances which remain unclear - he was drowned.

Jack’s parents, Joseph Garibaldi Smart and Sarah Ann of Alexandra Road, were informed of the news by The Admiralty. He had been expected to shortly return home on leave, and was due to marry his fiancée, Miss Humphreys, of Erith High Street later that year…

The local newspaper reported the case: “HE DIED FOR OLD ENGLAND”
“He had a winning, cheery, genial manner which endeared him to all with whom he came into contact…
His parents and many friends in Erith were anxiously awaiting and expecting his return when the news of his glorious death came to hand…
It must be a great consolation to all his family and many friends that he died in such a glorious cause”.

Today, you can see Jack’s name on the Erith (Christ Church) War Memorial. He was just 23 years of age.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

https://www.facebook.com/Bexley-Archives

Nemesis Muay Thai/MMA/Boxing/BJJ & Fitness Suite

Erith youngsters fight their way to Muay Thai World Championships

Nine youngsters from Erith have fought their way through to qualify for the ISKA Muay Thai World Championships, to be held in Germany next year.

The Under 16 team travelled to Birmingham earlier this month (November 22), where they defeated all of their opponents, including UKMF junior superleague champions Ella Marsh and Megan Pearce.

Coach and Nemesis gym owner Michael Teyki said: “It is fantastic to know that nine children from Erith will be representing their country and town.”

http://nemesisfitnessgym.com./

The "Our Erith" Exhibition

The “Our Erith” exhibition will be held in Christ Church, Victoria Road, Erith, DA8 3AN. The Church’s magnificent interior will be the backdrop to the unique exhibition.

The exhibition is being organised by Friends of Christ Church Erith in association with Bexley College.

The Friends of Christ Church Erith and Bexley College believe the local area is alive with artistic talent and would love to see this channelled to celebrate the local area. Budding artists, photographers and those who enjoy craftwork are encouraged to submit an original piece inspired by Erith. This could range from Erith’s history, its landscape, its architecture and its people. Local people of all ages are invited to take part and works will be displayed in the magnificent interior of the church. Entries should be submitted by 30 April and will be returned after the exhibition.

Entries will be invited from all age groups and in any visual art format depicting Erith, the place and its people.

http://christchurcherith.org.uk/content/our-erith-exhibition

cashinondt ‪#‎Erith‬ ‪#‎roundabout‬ 

‪#‎streetphotography‬ ‪#‎PhotoCredit‬ ‪#‎Gradedby‬ : Cashino NDT 

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CROSSNESS NATURE RESERVEWORKING PARTY on 17th February 2016Nature Reserve Manager Karen Sutton

The weather was cold and cloudy as we waited for Karen to give us our allotted tasks. Magnus Andersson [in lime green boots & two cameras] from Sweden came courtesy of the South London Press and the Mercury to take action photos. The chainsaw expert cut down some small trees and the volunteers cut them up into manageable pieces and constructed small brash piles. Sounds easy but dealing with hawthorn, blackthorn and wild rose can be a prickly backbreaking job. By lunchtime the volunteers were in need of nourishment and a natter. They then went there separate ways nursing their aching backs and limbs.

Report by Linda, pics by Karen & martin.

https://www.facebook.com/BexleyWildlife/

Shops at Erith Riverside see record sales figures

‪#‎ERITH‬

Following reports that the UK has seen a 24 per cent rise in shopping locally compared to last year, shops at Erith Riverside have announced record sales.

Shops including Wilko and Matalan have scene an increase in footfall over the past few months.

Barry Owen, centre manager of Erith Riverside Shopping Centre, commented: “Our sales figures once again thrived across the board, especially over the winter period. I would like to say a huge well done to all of our stores and a thank you to all the local residents that continue to support us by shopping locally.”

http://www.bexleytimes.co.uk/news/shops_at_erith_riverside_see_record_sales_figures_1_4422547

Erith and Belvedere Local History Society

Slade Green Ammunition Factory Disaster

Today the Society held it's 20th Anniversary Service at Brook Street Cemetery to remember those young ladies killed at the Slade Green Ammunition Factory on the 18th February 1924.

Here are a series of photos that we hope covers the event.

1. The Daily Sketch covers the disaster .2.The short meeting in the Chapel. 3 The walk in the presence of the Mayor to the Memorial. 4.The group gather at the Memorial. 5. The Mayor lays her tribute.6.Relatives of the victims lay their tributes. 7 The Mayor's departure.

A very successful tribute to those local young ladies.

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