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LWN LONDON WEEKLY NEWS GROUP Chelsea NEWS First established 1857 PICK UP A FREE COPY ursday, January 29th 2015 (cid:1) INSIDE THE SHOCK OBESITY FIGURES IN BOROUGH SCHOOLS CITY’S Get your children BRIGHT NEW WEEKLY down to the gym (cid:1)By LWN reporterGEOFF BAKER geoff@londonweeklynews.co.uk PARENTS in Kensington and Chelsea are being urged to urgently take their children to the gym and swim at the new leisure centre after shock figures have revealed that one in three of the borough’s 10 to 11-year-olds are overweight. Alarmed councillors and health experts are calling on parents to act now to save their children from a life of illness, misery and mockery. Frightening figures show that 13.1 per cent of Year 6 children in the borough’s state schools are overweight – and a whopping 20.1per cent are obese or very overweight. With a weight problem affecting 33 per cent of children, alarm bells are ringing that Kensington and Sophie - hard Chelsea faces becoming a Billy Bunter Borough as NHS research shows that the vast majority of overweight chil- at work on her dren – 79 per cent - will grow up to become fat adults. Besides the associated health risks including diabetes 50th birthday and heart disease parents are being warned that overweight children are also being condemned to suffering - see page 13 a life of heart-breaking insults. A new survey by Slimming World has found that 47 per cent of adults who struggle with weight loss have (cid:2)GETTING FIT: The Duchess of Cambraidge talks to youngsters using the new £29 million leisure centre suffered ridicule and abuse at least once a week. in Kensington which she officially opened last week. More photosof Kate;s visit pn pages 15 & 16. Insults reported range from staff in clothes shops laughing when overweight customers asked for larger sizes to supermarket staff making jibes about the con- The survey discovered that as a result of abuse, 65 “There is troubling data about childhood obesity in tents of their shopping trolleys. Others reported humil- per centof overweight people turned in their misery to parts of Kensington and Chelsea,’ said Mr Paget-Brown. iations including being filmed on smart-phones by eat more food for comfort. “We want our children to have more years of good strangers in the street, abuse shouted by passing mo- The call for parents to take action now to protect their health than us, not less. For that we need to make sure torists and overweight women on a night out jeered by children has come from the Leader of Kensington & that they grow up in and absorb a culture of good diet men. Chelsea Borough Council, Cllr Nick Paget-Brown. and exercise. It’s up to us to show them the way.’ Serious challenge Centre up and running after break-in The new £29 million Kensington Leisure Centre, opened last week by The Duchess of Cambridge, has been designed to maximise facilities for losing weight and getting fit, with an eight-lane swimming pool, two THEdistressing break-in at the Portobello “It’s a terrible loss but I’m very heartened fitness studios and a 120-station gym. Road Salvation Army community centre has that some local people have already started gen- The council says: “Child obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Obese cost £13,000 in lost equipment and damage re- erously giving donations to help us out,’ said children and adolescents are at an increased risk of de- pairs. Major Scott. veloping social, psychological and other health prob- Are the Stones Major Paul Scott, who runs the135-year-old “The repairs have started to the doors, cup- lems. They are also more likely to become obese adults centre which is used weekly for meetings of boards and cabinets that were smashed up and with poor health outcomes.’ heading for everyone from pensioners to toddler groups, has we have re-opened the centre for pensioners’ Parents in the borough are being told that they cannot breyp tohret ebdu trhgalat r£s9, ,i0n0c0lu-wdionrgth a okfe iytebmoasr wd,e rthe et aPkAen meetings and the toddler groups.” start soon enough to help their children with their weight London? sbyesintegm c,o all e5c0t-eidn cfho rT nVe, epdryo jfeacmtoilrise,s faonodd nthinaet wpoasst- fuAnnd sa tpop meaal khea tsh bee ceenn ltarue nrcighhedt atgoa riani.s Ae ntryyone –in a sst athtee pcoriumnacriyl fsigcuhroeosl ss hino wK tehnasti n2g0t poenr acnedn tC ohfe clhseilad raerne - Find out on page 21 already overweight or obese by the time they are five- man’s sacks of toys that the Army was planning wishing to donate should contact Major Scott at to donate to local disadvantaged children. [email protected] (cid:2)CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 THE paper serving the HEARTof London 2London Weekly News [email protected] Thursday, January 29th 2015 Award winning actress appointed as TB ambassador Fighting a disease that is prevalent in London he Mayor of London Boris Johnson has nearly five times with Emma to support vital projects that work appointed award-winning actress Emma higher than the US. to help Londoners with this debilitating condi- T Thompson as his TB Ambassador in a bid TB is concentrated in tion.” to raise awareness of the disease which is more large urban centres Emma Thompson sent a message of support to prevalent in London than any other capital in the with TB clinics in the launch saying: “I am delighted that my in- developed world. London managing volvement in this fight will be ongoing as the The appointment comes as Public Health Eng- more cases a year Mayor of London has invited me to be his TB land and NHS England announce an £11.5 mil- than those in all other ambassador to highlight the action we need to lion investment to tackle TB cases over the next western European take to fight this disease, a disease of which I five years and as University College London capital cities put to- have personal experience. Hospitals (UCLH) launches a unique mobile gether. “My son Tindy’s experience of being diag- 'Find&Treat Service' health unit which will The Mayor of Lon- nosed and treated for TB is one of the reasons travel across the capital to help diagnose TB and don Boris Johnson, why I am committed to this cause. You are all other infectious diseases. said: “I am thrilled aware of the scale of the problem and that this (cid:0) COMMITTED TO THE CAUSE: Actress FROM THE The campaign is of personal significance to that Emma Thomp- great world city has the unenviable title of being Emma Thompson with her son Tindy Agaba Emma Thompson whose son Tindy Agaba was son has agreed to be MAYOR’S the TB capital of the developed world. who was treated for TB at UCLH diagnosed and treated for TB by UCLH doctors. a TB Ambassador for “The service provided by the Find&Treat van Tindy joined Deputy Mayor Victoria Borwick London, lending her OFFICE is invaluable and it clearly demonstrates that we going campaign to diagnose and treat TB. This and UCLH staff to launch the van at Portcullis immense talent and can reach all sections of the community if we unit will provide an invaluable service to our House in Westminster. enthusiasm to help try. The scale of TB in London is a genuinely capital and help to tackle this disease.” In 2013 there were 7,290 TB cases reported in raise awareness of this alarming situation that can and must be ad- The Find&Treat Service has been redesigned England, an incidence of 13.5 cases per 100,000 disease. dressed and I look forward to supporting you all by UCLH to provide a ground-breaking mobile of population – just under 3,000 of these were “Emma is passionate about taking action in this work in the coming months and years.” health service unit capable of testing and vacci- in London. against TB following the experience of support- Deputy Mayor Victoria Borwick, said: “This nating for a range of serious public infections in- The UK has the second highest rate of TB ing her son through the diagnosis and treatment mobile health unit is set to make a real differ- cluding TB, HIV and Hepatitis C – all of which among Western European countries and rates are of this illness. I look forward to working closely ence to Londoners’ health especially in the on- are on the rise across the capital. YOUR COUNCIL City of Westminster Kensington & Chelsea Capital News & Media Limited The London Weekly News Group Adult Services Housing Accessible Transport Parking - Westminster & Pimlico 020 7641 2500 020 7641 1000 020 7361 2390 general enquiries News [email protected] 020 7361 3004 (Established 1857) Libraries Births, deaths Chelsea News Arts & Leisure [email protected] 020 7641 6200 a n d m a r r i a g e s (Established 1857) 020 7361 3003 Parking - 020 7641 7500 Kensington News [email protected] penalty charges Benefits Londo(Esnta bWliseheedk 18l6y9 )News 0800 072 0042 Elections Benefits 020 7361 4383 020 7641 7500 020 7361 3006 [email protected] (Established 2014) Parking [email protected] Parking - permit (new CHAIRMAN 020 7823 4567 Household recycling, Council Tax applications) Sir Ray Tindle waste and rubbish 020 7361 3005 020 7361 4381 WVeICnE-dCHyA ICRMraANig Children’s Services 020 7641 2000 [email protected] [email protected] 020 7641 4000 Business line Electoral Services Parking - permit General Enquiries JOINT MANAgINg DIRECTORS 020 7361 3444 (renewals) Karen Sheppard Planning 020 7641 7000 [email protected] 020 7361 3019 020 7641 6500 020 7641 6000 0208 768 4903 Education [email protected] Philip Evans (Editor) Council Tax Westminster City Hall 020 7361 3009 Patient Advice 07796 951991 0845 302 3400 64 Victoria Street [email protected] & Liaison Service Editorial Email: London Environmental Health 020 8962 4547 [email protected] Licensing SW1E 6QP 020 7361 3002 Planning News Editor geoff Baker 07864 992274 Sport - Tony MacDonald 07711 160427 020 7641 6500 [email protected] 020 7361 3012 Advertising Apprenticeship Scheme Family Information [email protected] Trades/ Services Registrars Services 0208 768 4920/22 WESTMINSTER City Council is committed to helping young peo- 0207 361 3302 020 7361 4100 Recruitment: 0208 768 4923/24 Motors 0208 768 4931 ple into employment and is very proud of the apprentices on its [email protected] [email protected] Apprenticeship Scheme. 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In 2012, the cost of the scheme But fears are growing that the new railway project navvies’ yard. Draft plans for the massive north-south tunnelling was estimated to be £20 billion, but the new cost is New Chaplain at the Abbey project, which aims to cut journey times from Tring now put at around £27 billion. in Hertfordshire to Bond Street by all of 16 minutes, The new report suggests that fares could fund the in- reveal that Soho Square could be ‘cordoned off’ to be creased sum or that funds could come from the Mayor used as a temporary builders’ depot during works that of London’s Community Infrastructure Levy, a tax on could last 10 years. land owners and developers used to bring in money THEReverend Mark Birch has been ap- The prospect of sharing much of a decade with the for big building projects. pointed Minor Canon and Chaplain of West- builders and being unable to get to Soho Square unless The Mayor, Boris Johnson, said: “Crossrail 2 is an minster Abbey. by foot is not expected to delight many key businesses essential infrastructure project and this report shows A new post at the Abbey combining the role in the square, which is the home to offices owned by the range of financing initiatives we could employ to of a Minor Canon with that of Chaplain to the Sir Paul McCartney, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, get it moving. Abbey community, the Reverend Burch Barclays Bank and many advertising and creative “We’ll now be discussing those financing options tookup hispost this month. As a Minor Canon, companies. closely with London boroughs, business groups and Safeguarding the route he will be responsible for planning and partici- other key players who have a stake in getting behind pating in services, in particular the pastoral Crossrail was unavailable for comment on the Crossrail 2.” offices – baptisms, weddings and funerals – scheme, and Transport for London was reluctant to and memorial services. House in Oxford, and before that Chaplain discuss its details. As Chaplain, he will support the Canon and Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford. He When asked about the prospect of Soho Square Steward in responsibility for the pastoral care served his curacy at the parish of Cirencester being shut down, TfL said: “It may be part of safe- of the Abbey’s 800 staff and volunteers and the with Watermoor in the Diocese of Gloucester. guarding the route but it is too early to say.” Abbey’s regular worshippers. The role of He said this week: “It is a great delight to be Tfl said that Crossrail “may need this area” as a Chaplain has been filled in recent times by a joining the Abbey, and it will be a joy to work space to put builders and construction plant necessary self-supporting Minister and previously by re- as part of such a talented team. The Abbey has for the huge excavation project but details would not ligious Sisters. a global reputation for liturgy and music of the be available until consultations with businesses and Mark Birch comes to Westminster Abbey highest calibre, and few places have greater residents were held later this year. after two years as Priest-in-Charge of the spiritual or historical significance for the na- TfL was also reluctant to discuss reports that the parish of St Faith, Chaplain at the Hospital of tion. It will be an enormous privilege to have a iconic arthouse cinema Curzon Soho faces being de- St Cross and Chaplain at Treloar College in role in this illustrious institution, and, with molished in order to build a ticket office and entrance WHY I Alton, in the Diocese of Winchester. He was others, to offer Chaplaincy to the employees for a new Crossrail 2 station. previously Chaplain at Helen and Douglas and volunteers who are its ‘living stones’.” The cinema was built in 1912 and some 7,000 Soho residents and Londoners have already signed a peti- Mayor getting tough on gangs SOHO L (cid:1)FROM PAGE ONE “As part of the 12-month pilot, the police and key tackling gang violence in London is for the Metropol- ongestablished as one of London’s other criminal justice agencies have made tackling community representatives in the pilot boroughs will itan Police Service to work in partnership with those most vibrant entertainment dis- gang violence and the causes of gang violence a key work together and ‘call-in’ gangs for face-to-face communities most affected. Collectively we will do tricts, for much of the 20th century, prTiohrei tMy. ayor’s office said: “The new Group Violence mtoelde tiinn gnso w uhnecreer ttahieny t ewrimll sb teh mata tdhee iarw vaiorele onft Sbheihealdv iaonudr aevlseor yptrhoinvgid ew ea cmaena tnoi nbgrfiunlg aoltfefernnadteirvse ttoo juthsotiscee ,w bhuot Soho had a reputation as a base for the Intervention method (GVI) has already proven suc- is no longer acceptable in their communities and must want to turn their lives around and exit a gang sex industry in addition to its night life cessful in the United States, where it was pioneered, cease. lifestyle. This is the purpose of Shield. and as a location for the headquarters of hanasd sae esnim yiolaurt hm voiodleeln icnet rdordoupc bedy ainlm Golsats 5g0o wpe irn c e2n0t0. 8 th“eH peillpoitn ga nydo uantg tpheios pmlee teot ienxgit, gaanndg st hisr oau kgehyo puat rtt hoef w“itShh lioecldal w auiltlh boer ilteieds b; yw bitohr othueg Mh peot ltiackei ning pthaert lneeards hriep- leading film companies. “It is being introduced in London as a direct result process, those wishing to leave the gang will be of- garding the enforcement element, building on the suc- Since the 1980s, the area has undergone of the Mayor’s international Gang Summit held at City fered help to do so with the funding boosting measures cesses we have already had through the work of considerable transformation. It now is Hall in June 2014. ablerheianddy. ”in place to help young people leave gang life Tr“iWdeen tw ainlld d Loo envdeorny tbhoinrogu wghes c. an within the criminal predominantly a fashionable district of Future is looking The Mayor said: “Gang crime is down in London and civil law to bring all members of any targeted upmarket restaurants and media offices - but a minority of young people continue to join gangs gang to justice. Gang members in London will know home to industry, commerce, culture and and commit serious crimes. It is time we gave these that if they commit crime there are consequences. uncertain in Soho gang members a clear ultimatum – the police know They have a choice to make.” entertainment, as well as a residential who you are and if anyone in the gang steps out of line The new project is based on the Group Violence In- area for both rich and poor. (cid:1)FROM PAGE ONE then every member will face consequences. tervention model which has been responsible for re- Soho remains one of London’s most “There is absolutely no place for violence in our city ducing shootings in US cities by up to 60 per cent. rapidly under way, and with rising rents looking and through Shield we are redoubling our efforts to Professor David Kennedy, director of the New York- charismatic areas in which to live and likely, the future looks uncertain. stamp out gang crime once and for all.” based National Network for Safe Communities, de- work - and that’s why we are launching a “We are calling for rate exemption in designated Huge progress signed the GVI programme and will be offering areas of special interest and heritage zones. The idea support to the pilot in London. new “Why I Love Soho”feature. being to free up money to increase profits and The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen He said: “The Shield pilot represents a major ad- If you live or work in Soho we would like thereby enabling retailer growth in these very special Greenhalgh, said: “London has a gangs problem but vance in addressing the small number of people driv- you to send us five reasons why you love areas. it is not a crisis. The police have made huge progress ing serious violence in London. The approach behind “A proposed ‘one tax’ would remove tax on square in tackling gangs and youth crime is down, but a mi- Shield works: it has a long track record around the Soho (maximium 300 words) so much. footage and make the traders stakeholders in the nority of individuals continue to cause significant U.S. of effectively reducing violence, and it will work Email your five “Why I Love Soho”rea- wider economy. Their profitable taxes would be split harm and we need to take a tougher approach. in London. with HMRC and the local Boroughs.’ “Shield is about the police and the moral voices from “It has unparalleled results in formal evaluations and sons to He added: ‘This is not meddlesome fantasy nor the local community uniting together to send out the its impact is dramatic when it takes hold on the streets. [email protected] naivety. This happens in Paris with bookshops, in clearest message that the violence must stop or else Shield will focus on preventing violence and incarcer- stating your name, address or place of Amsterdam with small retailers, and in Berlin and the whole gang will be held to account. Evidence ation among those most likely to be touched by both; Dublin, too. So why not in London? shows that this ‘one rule for all’ approach cuts vio- helping law enforcement to do their job in a way that work, and attaching a photo of yourself. “This method might actually see more revenue lence and so following our gangs summit we devel- does not harm, and instead strengthens, the commu- coming in to local authorities, and the money would oped this London pilot with the input of world-class nities they serve; making a genuine offer of help to (cid:2)Copies of the London Weekly News be spread around locally. Central government, local experts who will continue to support the pilot and gang members who want a way out; and supporting government and the London Authority need to show evaluation.’” the community to step forward, stand together with are available in Soho from the Co-op in willing here rather than just advocating the further Commander Neil Basu, who leads the Met’s Gangs law enforcement, and reset its own public safety stan- Berwick Street. selling off of land and much loved property.” and Organised Crime Command, said: “The key to dards.” 4London Weekly News [email protected] Thursday, January 29th 2015 LW n NEWS FrOM WESTMINSTEr & PIMLICO [email protected] Community talent on show By LWn Reporter CHurCH Street Library in Westminster The project was a chance for the local commu- He said:“Last Wednesday I was deeply touched nity to le ave its mark on the newly refurbished by w itnessin g members of the com m unitie s point- unveiled its n ew comm unity l ibrar y wall at building. The idea was that local residents could ing at details of the drawing and recognising aonf peevoepnlt e t ion c leol ceab lr ca oti mn gm tu h nei tcyr. e a tiv e tal en ts Schooloirms ofrno Amc Satd eE mdwy.a rd’s Prim a ry Sc ho ol an d King ianrtpiustti cc rtea aletinvtes loyf t coo tmh em supnaictye gbryo us phso.w casing the tthh ee m r esseulvlte.s in th e b oth the p ro cess of ma k ing and More than 60 pe ople attend ed the l aau snncihp iantc laul-d- Local galle ry, Th e Showroom , was co m mis sioned Cll r Steve Summe rs, W estm inster C ouncil’s “I wa nte d th e o utc ome t o e volve into an open ing Wmestm inster councillors, artists and local peo- to overs ee th e proj ect w ith artis t C hristian Nyam- Cabinet m emb er for Sports Leisure and Open and l ong lasti ng in vit ation that is ex ten ded to ple involved in designing the w all. peta hol ding art work shop s wi th loca l ch ild ren, Spac es. who atte nded the event, , said:“ This is a tho se w ho work and ma ke use o f the fac ilities of The guests w ere trea ted to performa nces f rom schools, and local residents to create the design. truly stunnin g pi ece o f art work which people will the libr ary to en gage with the ex em pla ry richness be ab le to enjoy At irmtiet ias ntidc ttiamlee natgai n. of c om mun ity struggl e s of the neigh b o urhood and “It stan ds as a testa ment to the creativ e a nd artis- to enc ourage furth er in tera ctions a nd soli darities tic talent we hav e her e and reflects j ust w hat ex- be twee n ea ch other .” citing thin gs c a n be achieved when we work Ins talled over two storeys at the back of the together as a community.” Church Street library, the wall will remain as per- The artist in charge of leading the creative manent installation for the public to enjoy. process was Christian Ny ampeta. He was keen to T he projec t has demo nstrated that libraries serve find an open and collaborative way to giv e every- not only for places of reading, learning and access one involved their own place within the work so to information, but also as platforms for creativity it would speak for the community. and cultural engagement within the community. (cid:1)LiBRARY EntERtAinERs: Pupils from st Edward’s Primary school performed at the unveiling of the new community wall at Church street Library in Westminster (cid:1) iMPREs sE D: C llr steve s ummers,We stminst er Co unci l’s Cabinet Memb er for sports, Leis ure and O pen sp ace s, pi ctu red with local resi dent s a fter the unveiling o f the communi ty wall a t the Church street Library (cid:1)stu nn ing:th e comm unity wal l a t Church street Li bra ry which is go in g to be a pe rma nent fixture COMING SOON! The London Weekly News website is currently under construction. In the meantime, if you would like to view the LWN pages digitally, you can access them by clicking onto http://bit.ly/1vS5sl8 Thursday, January 29th 2015 [email protected] London Weekly News 5 LWN NEWS FROM KENSINGTON & CHELSEA [email protected] Get your children to the gym (cid:0)By LWN reporterGEOFF BAKER ies for allowing the capital’s family-favourite attrac- A spokesman for the child obesity charity Health PARENTSin Kensington and Chelsea are geoff@londonweeklynews.co.uk tion the London Eye to be newly-rebranded the Coca Exercise and Nutrition for the Really Young – which being urged to urgently take their children Cola London Eye, with heavy promotion including is part funded by the Department of Health – said: “If to the gym and swim at the new leisure cen- turning the Eye ‘Coke Red’ and staff in Coca Cola we are going to turn around rising rates of obesity we tre after shock figures have revealed that their children has come from the Leader of Kensing- uniforms. A normal size can of Coca Cola contains need to see a reduction in the promotion and avail- one in three of the borough’s 10 to 11-year- ton & Chelsea Borough Council, Cllr Nick Paget- the calorie equivalent of six teaspoons of sugar. ability of these kinds of products.” Brown. olds are overweight. “There is troubling data about childhood obesity in Alarmed councillors and health experts are calling parts of Kensington and Chelsea,’ said Mr Paget- on parents to act now to save their children from a life Brown. of illness, misery and mockery. “We want our children to have more years of good Frightening figures show that 13.1 per cent of Year health than us, not less. For that we need to make sure 6 children in the borough’s state schools are over- that they grow up in and absorb a culture of good diet weight – and a whopping 20.1per cent are obese or and exercise. It’s up to us to show them the way.’ very overweight. Serious challenge With a weight problem affecting 33 per cent of children, alarm bells are ringing that Kensington and The new £29 million Kensington Leisure Centre, Chelsea faces becoming a Billy Bunter Borough as opened last week by The Duchess of Cambridge, has NHS research shows that the vast majority of over- been designed to maximise facilities for losing weight weight children – 79 per cent - will grow up to become and getting fit, with an eight-lane swimming pool, two fat adults. fitness studios and a 120-station gym. Besides the associated health risks including dia- The council says: “Child obesity is one of the most betes and heart disease parents are being warned that serious public health challenges of the 21st century. overweight children are also being condemned to suf- Obese children and adolescents are at an increased fering a life of heart-breaking insults. risk of developing social, psychological and other A new survey by Slimming World has found that 47 health problems. They are also more likely to become per cent of adults who struggle with weight loss have obese adults with poor health outcomes.’ suffered ridicule and abuse at least once a week. Parents in the borough are being told that they can- Insults reported range from staff in clothes shops not start soon enough to help their children with their laughing when overweight customers asked for larger weight – as the council figures show that 20 per cent sizes to supermarket staff making jibes about the con- of children in state primary schools in Kensington and (cid:1)AWARD WINNERS: PC Jayne Richardson (left) pictured with DAC Fiona Taylor, Tarik Hardadou, tents of their shopping trolleys. Others reported hu- Chelsea are already overweight or obese by the time Stephen Desmond and DAC Helen King miliations including being filmed on smart-phones by they are five-years-old. strangers in the street, abuse shouted by passing mo- The overweight epidemic is no better at primary torists and overweight women on a night out jeered state schools in neighbouring Westminster – where Another top award for by men. 21% of four to five-year-olds are overweight or obese. The survey discovered that as a result of abuse, 65 Among Westminster’s 10 to 11-year-olds the fat fig- per centof overweight people turned in their misery to ures have horrified health officials – with almost 40 eat more food for comfort. per cent (39.4 per cent) overweight or obese. police cadets co-ordinator The call for parents to take action now to protect Westminster powers are facing flak from health bod- PC Jayne Richardson from Kensington and isations in Uniform) and took a team of cadets to Chelsea has scooped the award for co-ordinator of Morocco at the invitation of the Moroccan Gov- Centre up and running after break-in the year for the second time running. ernment. PC Richardson runs the Volunteer Police Cadets The Met said: “Jayne is dedicated and passionate in Kensington and Chelsea borough. Her achieve- in what she does providing support and guidance ments during the last 12 months saw her collect her to both cadets and their families.” THEdistressing break-in at the Portobello “It’s a terrible loss but I’m very heartened award at the first dedicated ceremony for the cadets Assistant Commander Helen King added: Road Salvation Army community centre has that some local people have already started at the London Oratory school. “Cadets do amazing work - their enthusiasm for cost £13,000 in lost equipment and damage re- generously giving donations to help us out,’ said It is not only the first time ever that a co-ordinator policing, their pride in the uniform and the contri- pairs. Major Scott. has won the award twice but also a win two years bution they make are an example to us all. They Major Paul Scott, who runs the135-year-old “The repairs have started to the doors, cup- in a row. are the future and this is a well earned celebration centre which is used weekly for meetings of boards and cabinets that were smashed up and Singled out for special praise among Jayne’s of which I’m proud to be a part.” everyone from pensioners to toddler groups, achievements were the trip to Morocco with the Each borough recognised achievements of their we have re-opened the centre for pensioners’ has reported that £9,000-worth of items were cadets and having her cadets achieve the highest senior and junior cadets. In Kensington and taken by the burglars, including a keyboard, meetings and the toddler groups.” number of volunteer hours across the Met. Chelsea, the awards went to Tarik Hardadou, 16, the PA system, a 50-inch TV, projectors, food An appeal has been launched to raise try “I wasn’t expecting to win again, it is amazing from Earls Court, who won Senior Cadet of the that was being collected for needy families and funds to make the centre right again. Anyone and I am so pleased and honoured,” said Jayne. Borough, and Stephen Desmond, 10, from Lad- nine postman’s sacks of toys that the Army was wishing to donate should contact Major Scott Jayne runs three cadet evenings a week and has broke Grove, who won Junior Cadet of the Bor- planning to donate to local disadvantaged children. at [email protected] organised special events with YOU (Youth Organ- ough. 6London Weekly News [email protected] Thursday, January 29th 2015 LOnDOn weekLY news Keeping the memory alive by Geoff Baker Nschools all across West London and Westminster this week, children will be I taught not just to learn but to learn to remember. For this week marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and across the capital nu- merous events will be held to reflect on the death camps and how they represent the most evil hour in the entire history of the human race. Every organisation involved in the Holocaust me- morials across London shares one message – keep the memory alive. Much-quoted on the many Holocaust websites is a paragraph from the last letter of a man called David Berger, who was murdered by the Nazis in Vilnius, Lithuania, in 1941. David Berger was born 100 years ago in Przemysl in Poland. In 1939 he went to Vilnius to join a gath- ering of Zionist youth movements. On March 2nd 1941 he sent a postcard to his girlfriend Elza Gross. He was executed by the Nazis soon afterwards. In his farewell message he wrote: “If something happens, I would want there to be somebody who remembers that someone named D. Berger had once lived. This will make it easier for me in the difficult moments.” unimaginable horror Across London on January 27th – the day that Auschwitz was liberated by the Allies and the time when the full unimaginable horror of the consequences of racism was revealed – and all of this week, some will remember David Berger and the more than six million Jews who died in the Holo- caust, unknown to most of us. Two talks in Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea libraries this week mark Holocaust Memo- rial Day. On Monday the Mayor represented the borough at the Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony at City Hall. She said: “All those who attended this poignant (cid:0)AuschwItz-BIrkenAu, liberated on January 27th, 1945 event were able to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and also reflect on the many other dreadful atrocities without socks. A prisoner's orchestra was forced to ing day, we witness a rising tide of hatred and vio- which have happened since, sadly some all too re- play cheerful music as the workers left the camp. lence filling the gulf of misunderstanding. This par- cent.” The working day lasted 12 hours. Much of the ticularly affects the current relations between In an illustrated talk at Westminster Reference Li- work took place outdoors at construction sites, Muslims and Jews. In the face of ignorance, preju- brary this week, Katy Jackson gave an illustrated gravel pits, and lumber yards. No rest periods were dice and competing memories that we reject, we be- talk on the work of the Weiner Library for the Study allowed. A second mandatory roll call took place in lieve in the power of knowledge and the primacy of of the Holocaust and Genocide. the evening. If a prisoner was missing, the others had history. More than 11 million people were exterminated by to remain standing in place until he was either found “The Holocaust is a historical fact: the genocide in the Nazis in the death camps of the Holocaust; Jews, or the reason for his absence discovered, regardless which six million European Jews were exterminated. Poles, Romani, Russians, Communists and Leftists, of the weather conditions, even if it took hours. To deny this crime against humanity is not only an Slavs, Serbs, Freemasons, the physically and men- Prisoners received a hot drink in the morning, but insult to the memory of the victims, but also an insult tally disabled, Jehovah Witnesses, homosexuals and no breakfast, and a thin meatless vegetable soup at to the very idea of civilization. Hence, we believe British secret agents among them. These are the sort of stark facts that today’s chil- noon. In the evening they received a small ration of that the teaching of this tragedy concerns all those Perhaps the most dreadful of all – if anything can dren will be taught in West London this week. In mouldy bread. The daily intake did not exceed 700 who have at heart the will to prevent further genocides.” be ‘most’ dreadful about deaths and suffering that in Kensington on Holocaust Memorial Day, students calories, except for prisoners being subjected to live The London-based Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, mevaenryit ys i–ng wlea cs atshee w 1e.5re mheililnioonu sc chriilmdreesn a wgahion swt heure- afrto Kme nFsoixn gPtroinm Careyn tartatel nLdibedra ary t aolnk tbhye Vstaonreys soaf WKaozoilkf medical experIimnfeensttaetido nw, iwthh ov ewremrei nbetter fed. cwahpoitsael ptoa tbroen i nivs oTlhvee dQ iune tehne, ehvaesn ctsa lalendd oanct aivlli tiine st hoef ptamwnuCBuyto raa s duclbtcerhsiuaeerieills gaadd atshr.ine ntl nadgtob oct ohdnhuae ihlrtade ittsrrhh eso e unf rapo thvoroe enotrrh aayoegro wrGeui nvcen,ahrg omli ltvadoate n grtbh rwetoeh c awedor esg ne aeusftnfiphdoe tcerrotaar ewtmhidoaep vnorseesf. PnsmwhoiIaueot s ccwow hhtca ao aymtsweuo aorgsu, r kth efybito ,p ui onabitcd, ty Pea,a lroct nethltrsoiueastrai hn nlGw slgbpyea’o,o.s ry wrtmt asaeptct hiooho, u anatvto n iew ndA fh aouto ocrs aalcydtthot ,ltw ueh‘ eiwtstr zoaue mgc aeskneh ,odt ohwf uit in1hlthdg8e wictlranaitimSmnrthieaanp sntev eicwsetsoa r aernmsnrysued ita fnr nfrua erosc arluttena icidocgnhk nes a m taobnasfeeld lngd fertdaidsesni esewu.ha dnTes twerhiienl-ea c 1p taece9orpar4or.mi y3r-I,inp, n w stgAw iw tulhoies cicyrneehe,a waidanreinsftq edzaus, f ttaltheaetdeer- httowhhunYweem oswwiomau.enc hpeid.maokolr,d n tmb.a’otyne r cghdae.aitu atvoek efnf -r dk ot ieoomne rg pb b tieohyn re gJl ise mgthwhhaaetirnis inmnhygg eo t amoan c oHtatrahnoykedl eioalr elc ip wavtaoueer s.stbt,i s gsiotntoneirf lyyy– of 70 years, that means 22.5 million people - those following is an example of the sort of usual day demics of typhus and other dis- children of the camps and their children, grandchil- there. eases. Noma, a bacterial infection dren and great grandchildren - never lived because The prisoners' day began at 3am with roll call occurring among the malnourished, of the Holocaust. which lasted four hours. They were ordered to line was a common cause of death up outdoors in rows of five and had to stay there until (cid:1)reflect on the 7am, when the German officers arrived. amTohnogse c hwilhdore enn.dured this life in Meanwhile the guards would force the prisoners to many other squat for an hour with their hands above their heads Auschwitz were the ‘luckier’ ones. For some 2.5 million others, babies dreadful or levy punishments such as beatings or detention to the elderly, death was delivered for infractions such as having a missing button or an atrocities by the Nazis by gassing, shooting, improperly-cleaned food bowl. which have The inmates were counted and re-counted. Even hanging, beating and torture. In this time of rising racial ten- happened the dead had to be present at roll call, standing sup- sions across the capital and in Eu- ported by their fellow inmates until the ordeal was the Mayor of since, sadly over. rope, the Paris-based Aladdin kensington & chelsea some all too After roll call, the work details walked to their Project has issued a call for reflec- ccoounndciollno-rs Mimamigohnredasd recent (cid:2) ptilgaucees o, fn wo ournkd, efirvwee aabr,r eaansdt, wille-afirtitningg s twripoeodd ecnam shpo feas- toifo wn hoant Acauns chhawppitezn awnhde ints f aeixthasm apnlde beliefs collide: “With every pass- Thursday, January 29th 2015 [email protected] London Weekly news 7 LWN London WIdE Talks ongoing to avoid ambulance strike action TALKSin London involving GMB to avert GMB members have already taken part in the strike action in the nHS across England & northern Ireland strike action this Thursday in the pay dis- in october and november last year. pute in England and northern Ireland were GMB conducted an official ballot of 22,000 mem- continuing early this week. bers in the nHS in England and northern Ireland. A 24-hour stoppage by GMB members in the am- There was overwhelming support for industrial action bulance service will commence at one minute past to secure a better offer. The pay offer for nHS staff midnight on Thursday and continue until 11.59 pm. in England and northern Ireland is 1 per cent cash Unison and Unite ambulance members with com- payment in 2014, restricted to staff not eligible for mence a 12-hour strike from 12 noon on that day. incremental progression and the same approach in GMB and the other health unions will also take 2015. This goes against the recommendation of the strike action on Thursday. This will be a 12 hour stop- independent nHS Pay Review Body for a 1 per cent page from 9am to 9pm in the rest of nHS. For the consolidated pay rise for all staff. other union this action will be followed by action Rehana Azam, GMB national officer, said: “We short of strike until February 24th, This will be fol- are pleased we are still in the talks. We are making lowed with a 24 hour stoppage on Wednesday, Feb- every effort to get a tangible offer on the table to take ruary 25th, the time to be confirmed. back to our members to avert the strike next week”. 1,000 different beers now brewed in London London is seeing resurgence in the people. Since 2010 the government has signed deals city’s breweries as new figures suggest the to open more than 600 food and drink markets abroad with overall exports up 7 per cent in the same period, number of beer makers has quintupled over reaching a record £18.9 billion in 2013. the last three years with more Londoners The Government supported the beer industry in last turning to brewing as a career. year’s budget by cutting duty on every pint by 1p for With around 1,000 brands of beer now produced in the second year in a row. They have also scrapped the capital there has been an explosion in flavour and the beer duty escalator which added inflation plus 2 diversity of beers, leading to an ever increasing de- per cent to the pBinut.siness booming mand for London’s new breweries, supporting our growing economy and creating jobs. Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said:“From The ‘father’ of London’s breweries – Fullers is the great brewhouses of the 18th century to today’s leading the way for the city’s growing brewing sector entrepreneurial micro-breweries – beer and brewing training its new recruits on brewing techniques, lab- is as much a part of London as the black cab. oratory analysis and exporting abroad, offering a “It is fantastic to see business booming with so wealth of opportunities for London’s booming beer many more beer makers opening up shop in the cap- industry. ital, providing jobs and generating millions for our Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss visited the growing economy. 170 year old brewery which proves great British beer “Across the country we’ve had huge successes is still thriving both here and abroad with the com- shipping more than a billion pints around the world pany now exporting to almost 80 countries – more in one year – Fullers, one of our oldest brewing com- than ever before. panies, is helping lead the charge exporting an im- Fullers are blazing the trail for London’s 72 brew- pressive 46,000 barrels last year. eries showing the world’s the limit as exports of their “We want more of our breweries to follow in the finest beer have increased by more than 400 per cent footsteps of Fullers, satisfying the growing world- over the last ten years to countries ranging from Swe- wide thirst for a great British pint.” den to Brazil. The company have also invested an ad- Simon Emeny, Chief Executive of Fuller, Smith & ditional £1.7 million in new conditioning tanks to Turner P.L.C: “As the oldest brewer in London, we meet global demand for their beer. are delighted to see the recent surge and interest in These exports build on record numbers showing the the London brewing scene. We believe that a wider world has an ever increasing thirst for UK beer with choice in beer is good for the consumer; it brings new our breweries exporting 1.1 billion pints to 113 coun- people to the beer market and is therefore good for tries in 2013 – more countries than ever before – gen- us. Brewing is one of Britain’s great traditions and is erating £630 million for the UK economy supporting one of its greatest exports. our long-term economic plan. This has contributed “over recent years our own business has gone from to a record year for the UK food chain which gener- strength to strength and we hope that has helped to ated £103 billion in 2013 and now employs 1 in 8 inspire the next generation of brewers.” BREAKING NEWS Man critical after double-stabbing in Kensington TWO men are in hospital, one with critical similar age in nearby Royston Court. injuries, after a stabbing in Kensington in One of the men is in a serious condition, the early hours on Monday morning. according to police. Police were called to Kensington Mall, Parts of Kensington Church Street were near Notting Hill, at about 3.30 am. They found one man in his mid-twenties closed for several hours while police carried with knife wounds and another man of a out investigations. 8London Weekly News [email protected] Thursday, January 29th 2015 LWN NEWS FROM KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA [email protected] Big fines for unauthorised works on listed buildings KENSINGTONand Chelsea Council fined up to £20,000 for a single offence’. altered in any way unless listed building con- ing’s historical and architectural importance,’ is to write to owners of the 3,800 listed In an attempt to remind, and in some cases in- sent has been obtained from the Royal Bor- says the council. buildings in the borough to remind bfourimld,i nogw inse lriss taendd, p hloaunsneehros lfdreorms tthhaet Rthoeyiarl Bor- o(cid:1)u gThh.at consent may be required for works of bCero fuonrc Pilllaonr nTiinmg oPtholyi cCy,o slearidid: g‘eL, iCstaebdi bnueti lMdinemgs- them that they face big fines if they ough of Kensington and Chelsea are writing to repair, cleaning or painting (or repainting of come in all shapes and sizes ranging from the get the builders in without permission. all the borough’s listed homes this year. t(cid:1)h e interior or exterior). hicoounsiec. Trellick Tower to a Holland Park Mews The council says: ‘Listed buildings are such (cid:1)When a property has listed status this means: All grades of listed buildings are equally pro- “One thing they do have in common though is an important part of our heritage that it is a The whole of the building is protected and tected. the responsibility for the owner to ensure they crime to carry out works on one without first specifically includes the inside as well as the “This does not necessarily mean that a listed are properly looked after. This means there are getting consent from the council. outside and all architectural features and struc- building has to be preserved exactly as it is tight rules governing what can and cannot be ‘If unapproved works take place both the t(cid:1)u res within the grounds. now, but alterations and extensions must be done inside and outside the building which owner and the builder will be liable and can be A listed building may not be demolished or carried out in a manner that respects the build- often catches our residents out.” New bursaries for budding artists NEWS FROM NEWartists in Kensington and Chelsea are and Julian Wild have gone on to develop distin- being offered the chance to team up with guished careers as professional artists, while leaving a legacy that benefits not only practising artists but the prestigious Chelsea Arts Club. NICK ... also the wider community in the Royal Borough. The Kensington and Chelsea and Chelsea Arts Club “We hope our two new awardees – whoever they Trust has announced two new bursaries for budding may be – will go on to emulate the achievements of artists and designers as part of the council’s artists’ their now illustrious predecessors.” with Nicholas Paget-Brown, studio programmme. Donald Smith, Chair of Trustees of the Chelsea Arts Chelsea Arts Club Trust has offered the two bur- Club Trust, said: “We very much welcome this part- Leader of the Royal Borough saries: one for a visual artist, the other for a fashion nership with the Royal Borough of Kensington and designer. Each bursary is for three-years, at the all- Chelsea, which demonstrates a very real commitment of Kensington and Chelsea inclusive rate of £10,000 a year. to art and design and an investment in people. The generosity of the trust will be matched by the “Constrained by financial pressures, it is very hard Council, which will cover the rent and rates on each for even the most talented artists and designers to find (cid:1) studio. the time and money to make their work and take up LEADER OF THE COUNCIL, NICK PAGET-BROWN, PRAISES HIS neCt oMunecmilbloerr Tfoimr tohteh yA Crtos,l esraiiddg: e“, Wthee aCroeu dnecliilg’sh tCedab tio- oarptpisotsrt uanndit idees siing na enrus rctuanri nflgo eunrivsihr oannmd epnrto fgrroemss wtoh itchhe A-TEAM FOR DELIVERING A WONDERFUL NEW ACADEMY AND announce these two bursary opportunities and ac- next level on their career paths. LEISURE CENTRE FOR THE PEOPLE OF NORTH KENSINGTON knowledge the generosity of the Chelsea Arts Club “With our support the award recipients will hope- Part of a more ambitious plan Trust. fully succeed in their ambitions and, in turn, con- “The trust shares our commitment to supporting the tribute to the life of the Royal Borough and the wider highest standards of artistic practice in the Royal Bor- community.” for North Ken regeneration ough, and nurturing new talent, and there can be no better testimony to that than the announcement of Full details of each bursary can be found at: these two new bursaries. www.rbkc.gov.uk/fashiondesigners and AT THE denoue- where else. And as if that giving Her Royal Highness “Previous bursary recipients such as Jodie Carey www.rbkc.gov.uk/visualartist ment of an wasn’t enough, it also re- The Duchess of Cambridge episode of the A- quired a new leisure centre the tour of our new build- which is surely set to be ings and she was absolutely Team it was always one of the very best in Lon- terrific – charming and gra- highly likely that don. cious to functionaries such Colonel John ‘Hanni- Bringing that plan to- as I, warm and friendly to bal’ Smith would re- gether has not been easy. It the school children and to move his cigar (cid:2)has been the culmination of our basketball players and momentarily to say “I tai-chiers over in our splen- love it when a plan She was absolutely did new sports halls. comes together.” terrific – charming Monday 19 January was a And the Colonel was dead and gracious to very proud day quite right, it is indeed a wonder- functionaries such frankly and I couldn’t help but reflect on how lucky the ful moment. Of course his as I, warm and Royal Borough has been to plans generally involved a friendly to the school have its very own A-Team fake explosion followed children and to our to make it all happen. And swiftly by a stuntman tram- polining to an unconvinc- basketball players the important thing to un- ing death over the bonnet of and tai-chiers over in derstand is this: the new a jeep. our splendid new academy and leisure centre Our plan was somewhat sports halls(cid:3) are just part of a much big- different, and with all due ger and more ambitious respect to the Colonel, years of planning, years of plan for regenerating North somewhat more difficult to saving so that we could Ken. bring off. meet more than two thirds That plan involves hun- It needed the help of our of the overall cost (£40 mil- dreds of new homes, the future Queen and hundreds lion of a total of £57million, restoration of traditional of well scrubbed children in the rest coming from the street patterns, new school smart school uniforms wav- Government), and it has buildings and entirely new ing Union Jacks. meant long years of work schools, new businesses It required two glistening by members, planners, and much, much else be- new public buildings that lawyers, leisure and educa- sides. have given the whole area tion experts, project man- It’s ambitious alright, an aesthetic boost. agers and many others even for the team that has It demanded a brand new drawn from right across the already delivered the acad- academy providing addi- Council. emy and leisure centre, but tional school places in a I was lucky enough to be we aim to bring that plan borough that does better at one of those there to apply together too, so watch this GCSE than practically any- the finishing touches by space. To contact the Leader of the Council, Cllr Nick Paget-Brown, email [email protected] Thursday, January 29th 2015 [email protected] London Weekly News 9 10London Weekly News [email protected] Thursday, January 29th 2015 LWN LONDON WIDE (cid:0) GATWICK REPORT CLAIMS 320,000 EXTRA PEOPLE WILL BE AFFECTED BY NOISE Runway row takes off again By Jack Dixon THOUSANDS of residents in Kensington is given the green light, and call for residents to back and Chelsea have been warned that new a new runway at Gatwick instead. The airport’s latest retort comes after Heathrow flight paths will pass over the borough if have written to households in the area surrounding bosses claimed there was a “growing consensus” be- plans to expand Heathrow airport are fol- Heathrow, warning that 320,000 extra people will be hind the plans, with more than half approving the ex- lowed through, causing untold levels of affected by noise if a third runway is built. pansion in a recent poll. The verbal sparring continues as the Airports Com- noise pollution. They suggest 16 of the capital’s most densely pop- mission’s consultation on runway capacity draws to a Bosses at London’s other major airport, Gatwick, ulated boroughs will be flown over if the expansion close next week (February 3rd). “Some 320,000 people will be newly impacted by noise if Heathrow expands”, said Alastair McDermid, Gatwick’s AirportsH Ceoamlthm iimssipoanc Dtsirector. (cid:1)FLYING LOW: According to Gatwick Airport this will become a more familiar sight over West Lon- “In contrast, if it was to remain as a two-runway air- don if a third runway is built at Heathrow port Heathrow’s noise footprint would actually reduce because of new quieter aircraft.” governments, as well as the aviation industry, have He added: “As we reach a crucial phase of the Air- “underestimated and continue to underestimate” the ports Commission process, we would encourage all in- impact of noise from the airport’s flight paths. terested residents to have their say and respond to the The MPs warned that failure to take action to ad- national public consultation into airport expansion.” dress the problem would represent a “Victorian disre- Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council is a mem- gard for the population of London.” ber of the ‘2M’ group of London authorities united in A reported 86,000 complaints were made to opposition to Heathrow expansion. Heathrow about aircraft noise in the space of just five A council spokesman said the scale of the proposed months last year. development warrants a more detailed assessment of John Stewart, chair of the anti-expansion group the environmental and health impacts before any de- Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft cisions are made. Both airports were visited by record numbers of pas- Noise (HACAN), said the airport’s noise issues con- sengers last year, with more than 73 million fliers tinued to be a significant blocker against a new run- touching down or taking off from Heathrow alone. way. Meanwhile, the number of people passing through “Heathrow is in a league of its own as far as noise is Gatwick flew up to 38.1 million – an increase of 7.6 concerned”, he said. per cent on the previous year. “Twenty-eight per cent of all people impacted by Only one, however, will secure the Commission’s noise in Europe live under the Heathrow flight paths. recommendation for an extra runway, and the impact It remains the biggest political barrier to the expansion of noise on the surrounding boroughs could play a key of the airport.” part in the decision. Heathrow points to a recent Populus poll suggesting The World Health Organisation warns that regular that 58 per cent of residents in the airport’s surround- noise problems can have serious social and medical ing constituencies “feel positive” about the expansion. connotations, with an increase in stress and aggression The airport’s CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “There among the possible side effects. is a growing consensus that expanding Heathrow is Noise pollution can affect both the old and the vital for the British economy. It will create 180,000 young, it says, with potential impacts ranging from ris- jobs up and down the country and keep Britain at the ing blood pressure to problems with child develop- heart of the global economy. ment. “Now we can see that it is not only the right solution, An All Party Parliamentary Group set up to investi- it is also deliverable. With the majority of local resi- gate noise issues at Heathrow published a report dents backing expansion, the time has come to be am- shortly before Christmas, concluding that successive bitious and get on with it.” MAYOR OF LONDON CAMPAIGN Dame Tessa’s pledge on empty home owners DAMETessa Jowell, the Labour MP London homes like they are gold bars, as assets who is the bookies’ favourite to be- to appreciate, rather than homes in which to live. come the next Mayor of London, has “In a city enduring a housing crisis, those kicked off her campaign with a homes could house 55,000. That’s a scandal and pledge to get tough on the owners of it’s time to get tough. Absentee owners should empty houses in Kensington and live in the house they own or sell up – or face Chelsea, Westminster and across the uncapped charges until they do.’ Under Dame Tessa’s plan, councils would be capital. able to levy Dame Tessa, currently the MP for Dulwich, unlimited has hit out at the “buy-to-leave super-rich” penalties on and says she wants London’s 22,000 empty owners who houses to be freed up to provide homes for leaves houses half of the 114,000 people currently living in empty for six temporary accommodation. months.” Launching her bid on the website of The In- dependent, she said: “Today in London, hundreds of thousands of people are stuck in (cid:1)Labour temporary accommodation, on social housing candidate waiting lists or face years of saving short of Dame Tessa buying their first home. Jowell “At the same time the global super-rich buy