This week 10, 20 ,30 years ago
10 years ago
The Met is currently in talks with television company Talkback Thames over what should happen to 400kg of uniforms used on police drama The Bill.
A Freedom of Information Act request revealed the discussion over the uniform last month.
It said the massive haul, was collected from Talkback Thames’ production offices on August 25.
The stash included 84 pullovers, 52 men’s white shirts and 40 women’s shirts, PCSO shirts, inspectors’ flat caps and body armour covers.
Some unused items could end up being worn by officers on the beat. l
A school has defended its decision to make a second application for academy status, saying it will bring in an extra £150,000 in its first year.
Tidemill Primary School in Frankham Street, Deptford, will this week apply to the Government to be taken out of Lewisham council control, following a vote by governors at a meeting on Thursday last week.
It is the second time the school has bid to become an academy, following an application last year.
This was withdrawn by governors in January after a parents’ group against plans claimed financial figures produced by the school did not add up.
Speaking to the South London Press on Wednesday, chairman of governors Keith Geary said the move would mean an extra £150,000 in its first year.
20 years ago
The son of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs featured as a prison warden in a film that was to be previewed at the Cannes Film Festival.
Michael Biggs, 26, played the role in the movie made by ex-gangland enforcer, and one of Biggs’ mates, Dave Courtney.
Mr Courtney’s first feature, Hell To Pay, was due to be screened at the world-famous film festival in the south of France.
Mr Courtney, 42, from Plumstead, said he cast Michael as a prison warder to have a dig at British authorities for taking more than 35 years to bring Britain’s most notorious fugitives to justice.
An ambitious plan to combat poverty, housing shortages, the overloaded transport system and environmental pressures were launched by London Mayor Ken Livingstone.
Mr Livingstone released the London Plan, a report which set out a 20-year blueprint to transform the city.
One of the recommendations was setting a target for 50 per cent of new residential developments being set aside for affordable housing.
It also identified the South Bank and Elephant & Castle as areas that could support new development.
30 years ago
Hundreds of people were expected to mount demonstrations outside Lambeth Town Hall as councillors prepared to axe £25million worth of services.
Among them were to be teachers, who were planning strikes to stop growing class sizes and cuts in schools.
Lambeth council was expected to rubber-stamp a decision to axe 389 education jobs, including 90 teaching posts, as part of its budget cuts.
Teachers, who said the cuts would prove “unbearable”, were warning that more walkouts or the withdrawal of classroom co-operation were both options.
Prime Minister John Major presented his very own Kalashnikov assault rifle to the Imperial War Museum for its Gulf conflict collection.
Mr Major had been given the Romanian-manufactured AK-47 by British troops in the Middle East when he visited the area after the Allies defeated the Iraqi army.
Museum exhibits and firearms curator Michael Allen said the rifle, unlike other spoils of war, did not belong to the Ministry of Defence, but was Mr Major’s personal property.
Mr Allen said: “If the Prime Minister had wanted he could have had the Kalashnikov mounted over the mantlepiece at Number 10.”
MC Hammer gave up rapping and started preaching on a surprise visit which sent hundreds of schoolkids wild.
The Californian star stubbornly refused to take his shades off when he visited Stockwell Park School in Clapham Road.
But he did give the teenagers a lecture on the dangers of drugs and the importance of education.
He said: “I like to remind kids to stay clear of the drugs scene, from dealing, to using or being a runner or lookout.”
Do you have any memories of stories in the South London Press from the past 10, 20 or 30 years that you would like to see reprinted again? If so, drop Alexandra Warren a line with details. Email her at alexandra@slpmedia.co.uk
Main Pic: The Met says uniforms from The Bill could end up being worn on the beat