My LOCAL COMMUNITY
Hi Everyone,
A big thankyou to those of you who signed up on my email list last Sunday at the Hither Green Christmas Fair and have joined others on the list who attended the October Makers Fair. I really appreciate everyone’s support.
I’ve been thinking a lot about what the word ‘community’ means, particularly in our borough. I have lived in Lewisham since 1974, and have seen many changes over the years. The demographic has shifted a great deal; when I stroll through the market I cannot help but notice how it reflects so many different cultures, religions and traditions: a symbol of London. Hearing the stall holders calling out makes me think how the fruit and vegetables they sell represent the customers they serve. Plantains, yams, avocados, sweet potatoes, mouli and many other things were surely not on sale all those years ago when the market first opened, back in 1906.
There was an annual St Patrick’s Day parade through the town for a few years when people of all denominations joined in, whether they were of Irish descent or not. I used to shop in the local Chelsea Girl branch during the 70s and liked to think I was super cool as I came out with the fashion of the day in my shopping bag: perhaps a pair of hot-pants or a tightly waisted boiler suit … 😊
There are lots of building projects taking place in Lewisham and more planned for the future; I hope that things don’t change too much and that the spirit of our community will not be lost.
I’m not denying that things have always been hunky -dory and recall the ‘Battle of Lewisham’ in August 1977. One could feel the tension building for months as right - wing extremists became more and more visible on the street. I accepted one of their leaflets once and made a big deal of tearing it up in front of them before walking away. It didn’t occur to me at the time that I could have been putting myself in danger. The police presence was much more noticeable at the time and if groups of young people gathered together for more than a few minutes, they were quickly moved on. On the day of the riot, lots of people stayed indoors and waited; it was a terrible time indeed.
Much has changed. I’m sure you will remember the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign in 2017, when the then Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt threatened to make dramatic cuts to the hospital service, which would have meant closing down vital departments, resulting in a drastic impact on patients’ health. The case went to the High Court and people throughout the borough came together to protest in a variety of ways.
A brief selection of a few of the activities in the borough include:
• Lewisham having nominated the first Young Mayor in 2004, the first local council in the UK to have initiated such a programme.
• The Donation Hub, where volunteers work hard to support local people in need as well as helping refugees to have access to various household items as well as food and clothing.
• The Refugee Council which welcomes and supports refugees in our community.
• The Migration Museum in the shopping centre: a precious mine of information and displays, representing people from all over the world. It’s well worth spending and hour or two there to learn more about British history.
You probably know more than me regarding other initiatives across our community.
So here we are approaching the end of another year of you-know-what. I’m not going to dwell on the awfulness of it all, we all know what we need to do and plod on as we have been doing.
Thankyou to those of you who willingly give up your time to help stewarding people as they queue for their booster jabs, helping out at the Donation Hub, do shifts at Covid Test Centres and so many more who support their neighbours, friends and families in one way or another.
Let’s see what 2022 has in store for us.
Take care, stay safe and enjoy a happy, peaceful season.
Anna x
A big thankyou to those of you who signed up on my email list last Sunday at the Hither Green Christmas Fair and have joined others on the list who attended the October Makers Fair. I really appreciate everyone’s support.
I’ve been thinking a lot about what the word ‘community’ means, particularly in our borough. I have lived in Lewisham since 1974, and have seen many changes over the years. The demographic has shifted a great deal; when I stroll through the market I cannot help but notice how it reflects so many different cultures, religions and traditions: a symbol of London. Hearing the stall holders calling out makes me think how the fruit and vegetables they sell represent the customers they serve. Plantains, yams, avocados, sweet potatoes, mouli and many other things were surely not on sale all those years ago when the market first opened, back in 1906.
There was an annual St Patrick’s Day parade through the town for a few years when people of all denominations joined in, whether they were of Irish descent or not. I used to shop in the local Chelsea Girl branch during the 70s and liked to think I was super cool as I came out with the fashion of the day in my shopping bag: perhaps a pair of hot-pants or a tightly waisted boiler suit … 😊
There are lots of building projects taking place in Lewisham and more planned for the future; I hope that things don’t change too much and that the spirit of our community will not be lost.
I’m not denying that things have always been hunky -dory and recall the ‘Battle of Lewisham’ in August 1977. One could feel the tension building for months as right - wing extremists became more and more visible on the street. I accepted one of their leaflets once and made a big deal of tearing it up in front of them before walking away. It didn’t occur to me at the time that I could have been putting myself in danger. The police presence was much more noticeable at the time and if groups of young people gathered together for more than a few minutes, they were quickly moved on. On the day of the riot, lots of people stayed indoors and waited; it was a terrible time indeed.
Much has changed. I’m sure you will remember the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign in 2017, when the then Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt threatened to make dramatic cuts to the hospital service, which would have meant closing down vital departments, resulting in a drastic impact on patients’ health. The case went to the High Court and people throughout the borough came together to protest in a variety of ways.
A brief selection of a few of the activities in the borough include:
• Lewisham having nominated the first Young Mayor in 2004, the first local council in the UK to have initiated such a programme.
• The Donation Hub, where volunteers work hard to support local people in need as well as helping refugees to have access to various household items as well as food and clothing.
• The Refugee Council which welcomes and supports refugees in our community.
• The Migration Museum in the shopping centre: a precious mine of information and displays, representing people from all over the world. It’s well worth spending and hour or two there to learn more about British history.
You probably know more than me regarding other initiatives across our community.
So here we are approaching the end of another year of you-know-what. I’m not going to dwell on the awfulness of it all, we all know what we need to do and plod on as we have been doing.
Thankyou to those of you who willingly give up your time to help stewarding people as they queue for their booster jabs, helping out at the Donation Hub, do shifts at Covid Test Centres and so many more who support their neighbours, friends and families in one way or another.
Let’s see what 2022 has in store for us.
Take care, stay safe and enjoy a happy, peaceful season.
Anna x
No comments have been added yet.
