This week 10, 20, 30 years ago

10 Years Ago

A town hall was gearing up to challenge the Government over changes to planning laws that allow offices to be turned into flats.

But Whitehall vowed “vigorously” to fight any legal challenge to its policy.

The Government introduced new “permitted development” rights that made it easier f or business space to be converted into housing.

However, Lambeth council said the powers would lead to developers cashing in by turning businesses that provide jobs for local people into exclusive luxury flats.

Herne Hill Velodrome was singled out for praise by the Prime Minister.

The last-standing relic of the 1948 London Olympics was set to be given a Big Society Award in recognition of the work of campaigners who saved it from being closed for good in 2010 and its work with disabled groups, it reported.

Budding track stars who hoped to follow in the footsteps of Sir Bradley Wiggins enjoyed the fruits of the campaigners’ work at the Velodrome with summer classes throughout the holidays.

“Ill conceived, overly large and of modest architectural quality.”

That was the damning view of Westminster council on the controversial 29-storey and 10-storey tower blocks that were set to replace Elizabeth House, in York Road, Waterloo, if Lambeth council got its way.

Lambeth granted planning permission for the building to be replaced by two towers, designed by architect Sir David Chipperfield.

---

20 Years Ago

A controversial cleric was jailed for two months after running on to the track while a grand prix was in full flow.

Cornelius Horan donned a leprechaun outfit and carried banners on to Silverstone’s Hangar Straight – one of the fastest parts of the track – after slipping through a security gate.

Northampton magistrates jailed him after he admitted aggravated trespassing charges.

He walked free from court as he had been remanded in custody for the previous six weeks.

A bus driver from Dulwich became the toast of the town after being named as the capital’s best employee.

Silbert Chrichlow had notched up 42 years on the buses before being named as Transport for London’s employee of the year in 2003.

Silbert, 65, shared a raft of memories with readers of the South London Press, including ferrying boisterous passengers to and from the Live Aid concert in 1985 during his time at the helm of buses on more than 100 routes around the capital.

Musicians lined up to perform at a benefit concert following the death of a barman known affectionately as Vodka Vera.

Alan Tunnicliffe died of lung cancer and friends, including a Boy George tribute act, raised more than £1,200 for Marie Curie Cancer Care in his memory.

Alan, who was in his 30s when he died, worked behind the bar at the Two Brewers pub in Clapham, where the tribute concert was held.

---

30 Years Ago

A hospice announced plans to add a new wing to its building to provide beds for an extra 26 patients.

The British Home and Hospital for Incurables, in Crown Lane, West Norwood, wanted to build the extension to give more of its 123 residents their own private rooms.

Lambeth council’s planning committee approved plans for the hospice to demolish its Churchill Hale wing to make way for the four-storey block, 100 years after the facility first opened.

An ironmonger celebrated 70 years in business in the middle of a recession.

S Tray Ironmongers in Mitcham Lane, Streatham, was founded by Henry Tray in 1923, who named the shop after his wife, Sarah, who died in 1965 aged 64.

Mr Tray died in 1991 aged 91.

In 1993 the shop was run by his son, Stanley, who had three sons, but because none of the sons wanted to take over the business, 66-year-old Stanley announced plans to sell up and retire.

Police appealed for help in tracing a Max Bygraves lookalike after he conned his victims out of around £150,000.

The man used a number of elaborate scams involving the transfer of money between accounts and post offices, targeting the elderly.

The callous con-merchant befriended the elderly and got them to hand over their bank details.