This week 10, 20, 30 years ago

10 years ago

People had a glimpse inside a “funky” new 2012 Olympics venue which has been steadily taking shape in their neighbourhood.

The main construction work for the steel-framed venue on Woolwich Common – which will host the shooting and Paralympic archery competitions next year – is finished, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) announced.

The building, which is overlooked by the Grade II listed Royal Artillery Barracks, has been handed over to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), to have seating and scoreboards fitted.

Abby Green, ODA construction manager, said the 800-seat venue had been designed so it can be easily removed from the site after the Games.

Concrete has only been used where it is essential – such as the area where the shooters and archers will stand to take aim.

She said: “The steel-framed structure and fabric skin has a funky look. It is a wacky design, but also very functional.”

Bogus binmen are knocking on doors asking for Christmas tips.

The conmen are on the prowl in Wandsworth, attempting to collect a bonus from residents.

Several attempts were made in the Lavender Hill area of Battersea last week, prompting the council to issue a warning to people to be aware.

Wandsworth has said the reports “strongly suggest” those calling for a seasonal tip were not genuine refuse collectors but tricksters.

Wandsworth council’s spokesman for environment, culture and community safety, Councillor Jonathan Cook, said binmen employed by the waste contractor were forbidden from approaching residents and asking for gifts.

20 years ago

A campaign was launched to stop unnecessary 999 calls after research showed 40 per cent of Londoners admitted they would call an ambulance if they could not get through to their doctor.

It was also revealed 30 per cent said they would call 999 if they could not get an appointment with their GP for several days.

The campaign was launched by London Ambulance Service (LAS) in a bid to educate people into only calling the emergency number in the event of a real emergency.

LAS chief executive Peter Bradley said: “It’s obviously very frustrating for staff taking calls in the control room and the ambulance crews who respond when people phone for help without seeming to have considered other options.

“LAS doesn’t want to deter anyone with a genuine emergency from calling us but LAS is not a free taxi service.”

Christmas shoppers were warned to be aware of dodgy deals after it was revealed there was a lack of trading standards officers in Lambeth.

The council said the shortage meant it would not be able to carry out half its usual number of inspections.

The officers protect the public from retailers selling dangerous or faulty goods and have the power to bring prosecutions.

A council spokesman said there was a shortage of officers nationwide.

Thugs went on the rampage before and after Millwall’s home game against Portsmouth.

The Windmill pub in The Cut, Waterloo, was wrecked, with bar stools and pool balls thrown through the windows.

They also clashed in the streets around The Den in Bermondsey.

Millwall operations manager Ken Chapman said: “If the perpetrators from Millwall are identified, sanctions will be imposed by the club apart from any action by the police.”

30 years ago

Armed robbers stole the contents of a pub safe, then turned their attention to a charity collection of pennies.

The £1,000 worth of coppers was intended for King’s College Hospital in Denmark Hill.

It was taken from The Commercial in Railton Road, Herne Hill.

The pub manager said: “I just hope the two guys who took the money never need hospital attention because they don’t deserve it.

“There was a notice over the pennies saying where the money was going so they know it must have been for charity.

“Even the lowest kind of rat would not do that.”

Cops in Battersea held a whip-round for a pensioner attacked and robbed outside her flat.

The bobbies raised more than £100 to replace the money stolen by the mugger.

The 82-year-old was robbed on the Winstanley Estate and her purse contained the £106 pension she had just collected.

The money was raised by officers at the Battersea Bridge Road station.

The very grateful pensioner said: “It was marvellous of them.”

South London Press readers came up trumps by donating toys for needy children.

Toys, games and books came flooding into our offices in Leigham Court Road, Streatham, in response to the annual Christmas appeal.

The donations were distributed to children’s homes, one-parent families, nurseries and toy libraries across South London.

The Bromley United Services Club was singled out for its generosity.

Compiled by alexandra@slpmedia.co.uk

Picture: People had a glimpse inside a “funky” new 2012 Olympics venue 10 years ago this week