This week 10, 20, 30 years ago
10 years ago
Riot police launched raids on squats across the capital on the eve of the Royal Wedding.
Vanloads of cops swooped on at least three squats in Camberwell yesterday morning ahead of the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
But the Met has insisted the raids had nothing to do with the Royal Wedding.
A Met spokesman said 19 people had been arrested in Camberwell in connection with illegally obtaining electricity.
Occupants of one of the raided squats at 298 Camberwell Road – which has been renamed Ratstar – believe otherwise.
Speaking as the raid continued, squatter Jason Cortez said:“They’re obviously looking to generate a story about stopping anarchist groups from targeting the wedding, but they won’t find nothing here. No one here is remotely interested.”
Comedy scriptwriting genius John Sullivan has died aged 64.
The Balham-born brains behind TV classics Only Fools And Horses and Citizen Smith passed away on Saturday following a short illness.
He was born in 1946.
Only Fools And Horses, starring David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst as Peckham schemers Del Boy and Rodney Trotter, was regularly voted the nation’s favourite comedy.
Speaking to the South London Press in 2008 on receiving an honorary degree from Goldsmiths University in New Cross, Sullivan said South London was at the heart of his writing.
He said: “My father came from Bermondsey and my mum’s family was from Balham.
“Because I was born here I have an understanding of the area and the people.
“I have always written about London, which I only thought about when I got this award.”
20 years ago
An ugly concrete channel that cut through a South London park was to be transformed into a gentle, meandering river.
Nearly 30 years earlier the River Quaggy, which runs through Chinbrook Meadows in Grove Park, Lewisham, was made to flow through the channel with high concrete sides.
Lewisham Tory Councillor Barrie Anderson described the channel as “an open drain that scars an area of potential beauty”.
After a 10-year campaign by residents, Lewisham council gave the green light for the river to be “naturalised” under a £360,000 plan.
A loving mum and dad raised more than £2,000 to thank doctors and nurses who saved their son’s life.
Four-year-old Steven Latamsing had undergone 25 operations after he was born in February 1997 with three holes in his heart.
His heart problems and other complications caused Steven to spend his early years needing frequent treatment at King’s College Hospital in Camberwell.
His parents, Gary, 38, and Karen, 25, organised events at The Royal Oak pub in Loampit Vale, Lewisham, in thanks.
After almost 80 years of business, staff at the C&A clothes shop held a ceremony to mark its final day of trading.
Lewisham C&A opened in Lewisham High Street in 1922.
The shop chain folded due to falling sales and 40 staff in Lewisham had been told they would lose their jobs.
Sales manager Jan Crabtree said: “The customers have been brilliant.
“I think they’re sad to see us go.”
30 years ago
Workers and residents took over two advice centres which were due to be axed by Lambeth council to save £80,000.
The occupation was staged at the centres in Lambeth Walk and Streatham High Road against the plan, and vowed not to leave until talks with council leaders.
Staff claimed the centres brought in £400,000 in benefits and refunds to customers, and helped thousands with debt and welfare issues.
The council, which was attempting to save £25.5million in total, was believed to be seeking legal advice on evicting the protesters.
Crystal Palace FC chairman Ron Noades pleaded with UEFA for the Eagles be allowed a place in European football competition if they finished third in Division One.
A meeting was due to be held between European soccer bosses to discuss lifting the ban on Liverpool following the Heysel Stadium tragedy.
Mr Noades said: “I’m as delighted as anybody that Liverpool look sure to have the ban lifted.
“But I would be angry if that meant that Palace or whoever finished third missed out.
“We all thought that the third placed team would qualify, and we set our sights on that.”
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: John Sullivan, scriptwriter for Only Fools and Horses died at 64, ten years ago