This week 10, 20, 30 years ago

10 years ago

Stars of the grime music scene were in South London to encourage young people to embrace sport and reading.

Dizzee Rascal, the country’s top rap star, visited a community boxing gym at the old Lilian Baylis School site.

While Wretch 32, had a summer No 1 hit with Don’t Go last year, visited Sydenham School on World Book Day.

Dizzee joined StreetGames, a sports charity for disadvantaged kids, at its headquarters in Lollard Street, Kennington.

Youngsters got to spar with the Mercury Prize winner on Tuesday and looked on as he posed for a promotional photo shoot.

Adam Smith, the charity’s project manager, said: “We really enjoyed his visit. He was a good guy and really engaged with young people.

“He did some boxing with some young people and two of our volunteer community coaches led the sessions.

“After he’d finished the pictures he spoke to them.

“They were asking him about what music he likes, his favourite sports and who inspired him.”

A violin worth £25,000 that was taken from a train luggage rack was returned to its owner Catrin Win Morgan.

The 30-year-old from Lewisham found the instrument was missing when she left her train at Putney on February 8.

It was handed in on February 29 at Hounslow station in west London.

20 years ago

Shocked residents woke up to discover up to 60 cars in their street had been blitzed by a graffiti tagger, causing thousands of pounds of damage.

People living in Duncombe Hill in Forest Hill found all the cars on both sides of the roads had been targeted.

Shopfronts, street furniture, hoardings and waste bins also had graffiti on them.

One of the worst affected vehicles was a white Volvo, which had been tagged across the bonnet and with a red stripe down its wing.

Police confirmed they were investigating the incident.

Most mothers were hoping for a card or two on Mothering Sunday – but for Violet Tucker it may well have been a sackful.

The 92-year-old, who was born in Streatham and lived in Tooting, had 12 children, 29 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren.

Her son Jeffrey, who lived next door to Violet, said he was expecting that his mum would also have lots of visitors.

He said: “I’ll be the one who has to open the door to them all.

“It can be very difficult trying to get the whole family together – for parties we have to hire a hall to fit them all in.”

Kids Company founder Camila Batmanghelidjh pledged to fight a planning decision which could have seen the charity close down.

The psychotherapist said she would take a legal bid to save the charity’s Camberwell House to the High Court.

Southwark council had refused retrospective planning for the site, with the decision upheld by the planning inspectorate.

30 years ago

Wimbledon FC supremo Sam Hammam was ready to reward Joe Kinnear with the full-time position of Dons manager.

Kinnear had been appointed as caretaker boss until the end of the season following the sacking of Peter Withe in January.

But after five games in which the Dons went undefeated, Hammam made it clear that Kinnear had his full backing.

Kinnear said: “At the moment all I’m thinking about is the next game against Notts County.

“But it has been a dream come true, going unbeaten in my first five games.”

Pupils at a new £17.5million college had their noon break scrapped and replaced by a two-hour “working lunch” in a bid to avoid playground mischief and bullying.

The 1,110 youngsters at Bacon’s City Technology College in Surrey Docks, Rotherhithe, began the regime at the start of term.

Pupils were escorted to the dining room by their teacher, who would remain with them throughout the meal.

Principal Peter Jenkins said: “It is an attempt to promote good relations with staff and students working together.

“It also helps to avert bullying and mischief.”

A gang of thieves had it licked when they raided a printer’s and stole a massive haul of stamps worth nearly £1.4million.

But they could well have faced a sticky end, with a £25,000 reward being offered for information leading to their conviction.

The thieves struck on a Sunday evening at a printer’s near Wells Way in Camberwell.

They stole 90,000 booklets and 376,000 sheets of first class stamps.

Detective Constable Andy Innes of Carter Street police said: “If anyone is offered any stamps for they should contact us.”

Compiled by alexandra@slpmedia.co.uk

 

Picture: Dizzee Rascal, the country’s top rap star, visited a community boxing gym at the old Lilian Baylis School site this week, ten years ago.