This week 10, 20, 30 years ago
10 years ago
A plaque is planned and a statue being considered as a memorial to one of South London’s most famous sporting sons.
People in Bellingham had called for Lewisham council to honour former heavyweight boxer Sir Henry Cooper, who grew up in Farmstead Road, Bellingham, and died on May 1.
Labour councillor Jacq Paschoud presented a 200-signature petition on behalf of residents calling for a permanent memorial to Sir Henry at a council meeting on June 29.
In response to the petition, Lewisham Mayor Sir Steve Bullock is now making the necessary arrangements for the special maroon plaque – which the council awards to celebrate people’s achievements.
Other ideas Sir Steve is considering include a bursary in Sir Henry’s name for promising young amateur boxers, a gym in his name and the possible statue.
A family of florists took their inspiration from The Beatles as they came up with a Yellow Submarine arrangement for the Hampton Court Flower Show.
Flower shop owner Julie Gillett, was invited to exhibit the 1960s-themed display.
Her piece, based on the Fab Four’s song Yellow Submarine, was shown this week at Hampton Court Palace in South-west London.
The huge display was put together by Julie Gillett, who owns Gillett Flowers in Lower Road, Rotherhithe.
Her daughters Lucy, 24, and Katie, 29, niece Rosie-Joyce, 24, and husband Mark also helped.
The submarine was covered in yellow chrysanthemums, red and yellow carnations and blue roses.
Julie applied to the Royal Horticultural Society six months ago to take part in the prestigious show.
Julie, 50, said the display took 12 hours to make and it will be put up in her shop window on Sunday.
A mystery Twitter user has set up an account claiming to be the famously overstuffed walrus on display at the Horniman Museum in London Road, Forest Hill.
‘Outrageous’ Its profile says: “I lack the skin folds that would be present in nature. Also, outrageous as it might seem, you cannot buy a toy version of me in the museum shop.”
The animal has been on display at the museum since it was founded by Victorian tea trader and philanthropist Frederick Horniman in 1901.
Messages published about life for the walrus have included details about its Monday morning commute to work being “not very taxing”.
It also has a tweet saying that “some days I hate that ‘please do not touch the walrus’ Horniman director Janet Vitmayer said: “We were surprised to see the walrus tweeting as he hasn’t made any sound in his 130 years at the museum.”
20 years ago
A petition against a waste transfer station signed by 650 people was handed to Dulwich and West Norwood MP Tessa Jowell by concerned residents.
The proposed station was to be built between Ernest Avenue and Rothschild Street in the Norwood Industrial Area.
But residents feared it would see a dump created in the middle of their neighbourhood.
Lambeth council was due to decide if the station constructed by builders Christopher St James Plc should go ahead.
Ian Covey, a Christopher St James director, said: “Waste is becoming a crisis – we’re trying to help the situation.”
Dudley the bulldog went missing for 23 days – but was reunited with his owner thanks to an appeal in the South London Press.
The nine-month old puppy had been stolen from Philip D’Ulisse’s garden in Battersea Park Road in May.
A man returned Dudley after buying him for £300, but became suspicious as he had no papers.
Mr D’Ulisse said: “If it wasn’t for the piece in your paper he may not have been returned.”
Tory housing minister Sir George Young was at the centre of a political storm after branding London’s homeless as “the sort of people you step on when you come out of the opera”.
His remarks, made at an exclusive Conservative dinner at Dulwich College, were met with outrage by politicians and homeless charities.
Shelter spokeswoman Jessica Morris said his words were a “slap in the face to homeless people who need help and cannot afford to go to the opera.”
A Department of the Environment spokeswoman said Sir George could have worded it better, but that he accepted it was not easy for every rough sleeper to settle to a more conventional life.
Former Millwall winger Jimmy Carter was looking at a potential return to South London after being sold to Liverpool for £800,000.
Carter was a target for Crystal Palace boss Steve Coppell, who was hoping to bring him in before pre-season training began.
He only left The Den five months earlier, but had suffered a miserable time on the pitch at Anfield, where he had struggled to establish himself.
Carter started his career in Palace’s youth team, but after being shown the door, proved his ability at QPR, before being transferred to the Lions in 1987
Compiled by alexandra@slpmedia.co.uk
Main pic: A plaque is planned for Henry Cooper ten years ago this week
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