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Westminster & City News SEE PAGE Established 1857, part of the London Weekly News group FREE TUESDAY JANUARY 17 2017 18 WHEN OUR NICKY MET GARY AND TIM Mum: I was powerless to help my mentally ill son FOR more than eight years Doreen High felt unable to talk about her son Ricky’s tragic death. While Ricky, pictured, wrestled with complex mental-health problems, she felt lost, alone and powerless to help him. In an exclusive interview with London Weekly Newsreporter Jack Dixon as part of our Change Is Possible mental-health awareness campaign, Doreen tells her story for the first time. See Page 10 Weknowthatmovingcanbeverystressful. Ifyouareconsideringmoving,thenletushelp takethestressaway. A group of synchronised swimmers took the plunge in Westminster to support the fight against homelessness. Members of the Seymour Synchro Swim School strapped on their colourful headwear before making a splash at Porchester Pool as part of the St Mungo’s charity’s Woolly Hat Day. Londoners are being encouraged to pop on a hat for the awareness event, which takes place on Friday January 27 Death-plunge fears rise as council backs ‘sport’ SHOE & BAG REPAIR Authority gives official recognition to urban craze parkour Drycleaning&keycopying BY GEOFF BAKER authorities, fears are growing that “Parkour, also known as [email protected] young Londoners will be putting freerunning, is the non-competi- Bring5itemsormoreforREPAIR their life at risk. tive physical discipline of training 20% DISCOUNT A GYMNASTIC urban craze The Home Country Sports to move freely over and through Andget which can involve jumping off Council last week approved Park- any terrain using only the abilities buildings and leaping between our UK’s application for recogni- of the body, principally through Shoes,Bags,Leather,Belts,Jewellery rooftops has been officially recog- tion of the sport. running, jumping, climbing and (excludesalterations) nised as a new sport and welcomed And Mrs Crouch and Sebastian quadrupedal movement,” said a by Westminster City Council. Foucan, president of Parkour UK, spokesman for Westminster City Mon-Fri8am-8pm Sat8am-5pm Although at least 10 youngsters announced the formal recognition Council. died in horrific falls while practis- at LEAP Parkour Park, England’s “In practice it focuses on devel- JsFulham JsRepair ing parkour, or freerunning, the largest outdoor parkour facility at oping the fundamental attributes A demonstration of parkour UK has become the first country the Westminster Academy. required for such movement, E:[email protected] in the world to officially give it But as the sport is introduced The park was launched by West- which include functional strength sport status –and sports minister into schools and is being keenly minster City Council in partner- and fitness, balance, spatial aware- Tel:07931470979 Tracey Crouch urged “give it a go”. encouraged by the Westminster ship with Parkour UK in 2012. TURN TO PAGE 4 621FulhamRoadSW65UQ HAVE YOUR SAY IN OUR NEW POINTS OF VIEW SECTION –SEE PAGES 6 & 7 2LONDON WEEKLY NEWS THE BIG INTERVIEW TUESDAY JANUARY 17 2017 I should have left school at CMN 14, admits plumbing magnate Part of Capital Media Newspapers Limited The London Weekly News Group Westminster & City News (Established 1857) Kensington & Chelsea News (Established 1857 & 1869) Fulham Chronicle (Established 1888) Hammersmith Chronicle (Established 2015) Shepherd’s Bush Chronicle (Established 2015) London Weekly News (Established 2014) DIRECTORS Philip Evans 07796 951991 Hannah Walker 020 883 59721 Tim Dixon (Editor) 07739300485 Editorial email [email protected] News Editor Geoff Baker 07864 992274 Reporter Jack Dixon 07973 565078 Sport - Tony MacDonald 07711 169427 Advertising Sales Executive Seniha Slowinski 0208 768 4930 / 07800 607121 Trades/ Services 0208 768 4920/22 Recruitment: 0208 768 4923/24 Motors 0208 768 4925/31 Property 0208 768 4925/31 Leisure/Ents 0208 768 4921 Retail Advertising Display Manager Garry Cole 0208 768 4926 Classified and Customer Service Manager MA truant as a boy, Charlie Mullins went on tobecome one of Britain’s most respected businessmen, with clients said to include David Craig Candy Brown 0208 768 4919 Distribution OST nine-year- But rather than skipping vision was simple. “I set out to Cowell, Daniel Craig and even Sir Hayley Bright 020 8768 4916 old boys spend classes to pop down to the sweet change the image of the plumb- Richard Branson are said to be their days dre- shop or run off for a kickabout in ing industry and get rid of the Pimlico clients. aming of life the park, the young Charlie was stigma associated with it,” he re- Notoriously ‘to the point’, his as an astro- earning two bob a day helping to calls, “plumbers who turn up late business model is built on keep- naut or racing bodge sinks, tubs and toilets. driving rusty old vans, not wearing things simple. His mantra is driver, a doctor, policeman or When he left school with no ing uniform, arses hanging out of to do “the right job at the right musician.But Charlie Mullins qualifications at the age of 15 – he their trousers, bad workmanship price at the right time” for the wanted to be a plumber. admits this was a big mistake, he and ripping off the customer.” customer. Even though he was barely be- should have left at 14 – little did Charlie gradually built a But he puts a premium on hir- yond the playground, the now he know he would go on to be- formidable plumbing empire and ing the right people and ensuring business tycoon and founder of come one of Britain’s most re- the business now ranks as everyone is “drinking out of the iconic London firm Pimlico spected businessmen. London’s single biggest indepen- same teapot”. Plumbers knew there was money After completing a four-year dent plumbing and service com- “The way I run my business in the pipes waiting to be made. apprenticeship in the trade, pany. isn’t rocket science, it’s common Idolising his local fix-it man Charlie found himself a second- With a workforce of more than sense,” he explains. “The only who – it seemed to Charlie, at hand van and a bag of tools. 350 people and a £35 million problem is that common sense least –led a life of great luxury In 1979, he started Pimlico turnover, Charlie has used his ain’t that common.” and wealth, he began bunking off Plumbers from the basement of a celebrity to attract some of the Despite keeping a close eye on U2 set for Twickenham Stadium date –page 18 school. Central London estate agent. His biggest names around – Simon the day-to-day running of the firm, Charlie –now in his early your council 60s – has used his notoriety to HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM campaign for change in the industry. Adult social care Family information [email protected]<mailto:pa 0845 313 3935 service [email protected] As patron of Women On The Benefits 020 8753 2450 Planning Tools – an initiative to encourage KENSINGTON & CHELSEA C0l2e0a 8n7e5r3 G 6re6e8n1er hotline [email protected]<mailto:[email protected] 020 8748 3020 stronger female representation in 020 8753 1100 - 0845 313 3935 [email protected]<mailto:plan- plumbing – he has been at the [email protected]<mailto:cl Libraries [email protected] forefront of changing the percep- Accessible Transport [email protected] Parking - permit [email protected] 020 7361 3610 Register Office tion of tradespeople. 020 7361 2390 Family Information Services (renewals) Council tax [email protected]<mailto: li- 020 8753 2140 [email protected] 0207 361 3302 [email protected] 020 7361 3019 020 8753 6681 [email protected] registeroffi[email protected]<mailto:reg- And with his involvement in Arts & Leisure Housing [email protected] Electoral services Parking control isteroffi[email protected] last week’s #MicroBizMattersDay 0aBr2et0ns ae7nf3id6tls1e [email protected] hL0a2on0u sd7i n3Cg6h@1a r3rgb0ek0cs8.gov.uk P&02a L0tii ae8in9s6to 2An d4S5ve4irc7vei ce ee0ll2eecc0tt 8oo7rraa5ll3..ss ee4rr4vv6iicc6ee ss@@llbbhhff..ggoovv..uukk<mailto: ip0n2agr0@k 7inl3bg7h@1f. lg5bo6hv7f..8ug kov.uk<mailto:park- R02e0p o8r7t5 i3t 1100 tsoo csiualp-mpoerdti ay oaupnpega el,n htree cpornetnineuuerss 020 7361 3006 020 7361 3554 Planning Environment Parking permits Switchboard who hope one day to follow in his [email protected] Libraries 020 7361 3012 020 8753 1081 020 8753 6681 020 8748 3020 footsteps. Council Tax 020 7361 3010 [email protected] CITY OF WESTMINSTER “I’ve been fortunate enough to 020 7361 3005 [email protected] Registrars [email protected] Parking - general enquiries 020 7361 4100 be in the position to be able to put Electoral Services 020 7361 3004 [email protected] Adult Services Children’s Services Housing waste and rubbish something back into society by 020 7361 3444 [email protected] Streetline 020 7641 2500 020 7641 4000 020 7641 1000 020 7641 2000 helping others,” he says. [email protected] Parking - penalty charges 020 7361 3001 [email protected] Libraries Planning Births, deaths and mar- General enquiries “The work that all the charities Education 020 7361 4383 Social Services 020 7641 6200 0 2 0 7 6 4 1 6 5 0 0 riages 020 7641 7000 020 7361 3009 [email protected] 020 7361 3013 Benefits Council Tax 020 7641 7500 020 7641 6000 carry out is amazing and so many [email protected] Parking - permit (new applications) [email protected] 0800 072 0042 0845 302 3400 Elections Westminster City Hall people in need benefit from them, Environmental Health 020 7361 4381 Tell Us Once Parking Licensing 020 7641 7500 64 Victoria Street which is very inspiring for every- 020 7361 3002 [email protected] 0207 361 3940 020 7823 4567 020 7641 6500 Household recycling, London SW1E 6QP one.” TUESDAY JANUARY 17 2017 WESTMINSTER AND CITY NEWS LONDON WEEKLY NEWS3 Garden Bridge project may be falling down BY GEOFF BAKER of plants. [email protected] In his introduction to the accounts, Trust chairman Mervyn Davies warned that the SADIQKhan is being urged to ditch support project faced “challenges that must be re- for the Garden Bridge as spiralling costs raise solved before construction of the garden fears that the tree-lined project could be bridge can start”. falling down. The challenges include securing final plan- The call for the Mayor of London to “put the ning consents for the south end of the bridge, whole sorry saga to an end” came after securing a guarantee from London authori- trustees of the bridge warned it cannot be ties for future maintenance costs and raising guaranteed as a “going concern”. more private money, including funds that can However, the Garden Bridge Trust, the char- be spent immediately. ity behind the planned bridge between Tem- He continued: “Due to the material uncer- ple and the South Bank, says it still aims to tainties in existence ahead of finalising these go ahead and building will start later this accounts, trustees are unable to conclude that year. the trust is a going concern, and feel it only The proposed Garden Bridge across the Thames The Trust has revealed that a series of de- appropriate to flag these risks in this report.” lays mean that costs are expected to “substan- Now Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Demo- that the costs of this project are spiralling up- to an end.” tially exceed” the predicted £185 million. crat member of the London Assembly, is call- wards. That can only mean an even greater However, the Mayor is unlikely to scrap the The Trust’s long-delayed accounts, pub- ing on the Mayor of London to uproot the risk to the taxpayer ultimately picking up the bridge as he has previously argued that can- lished last week, show it spent just over £26 Garden Bridge project. costs of this folly of a project. celling the project would cause a write-off of million in pre-construction costs during the “Even advocates of the Garden Bridge with “The other admissions of the Garden Bridge £40 million of taxpayers’ money which has al- 17 months covered by the figures, 80 per cent rose-tinted glasses will find these accounts in- Trust relating to a wide range of other risks ready gone to it. of which came from public money via Trans- credibly concerning,” said Ms Pidgeon. are also significant and should concern every In a statement released with the accounts port for London (TfL). “The Trust has finally admitted what most London taxpayer.” the Garden Bridge Trust said: “The trustees But the accounts show that over the same people have long expected was the case - that “The harsh reality is that the Garden are duty bound to disclose these risks and period the Trust raised just £13 million in new the final cost of the project is likely to in- Bridge is on the brink of collapse. The Mayor how we intend to deal with them, in this re- private donations for the bridge, which was crease substantially above the current £185 of London must now do the right thing. He port. We strongly believe we can progress all first suggested by actress Joanna Lumley and million predicted cost. should refuse to provide a taxpayer guarantee outstanding issues and we are determined to for the project and so put the whole sorry saga make the project happen.” is planned to feature 270 trees and thousands “The Trust is admitting for the second time Area in Theatre apprenticeships serious LONDONtheatres are offering new appren- AGE, City Bridge Foundation, LTC employers danger of ticeships to young people seeking careers in and the LTC itself. the spotlight. LTC Director Emma Rees said: “We worked losing its The London Theatre Consortium of 14 lead- really hard to find talented young people who ing theatres has announced plans for a fourth we don’t usually hear from when we are re- year of its apprenticeship programme offering cruiting. small up to a further 12 apprenticeships across the “Almost everyone working in the arts will group this year. say at some point that they owe their position companies, In a new development, the LTC will work to someone who saw something in them and with the National College for the Creative and believed in them. That’s brilliant if you’re Cultural Industries to offer the apprenticeship says new there to be ‘spotted’ but impossible if you’d qualifications and will pilot a new apprentice- never find yourself in that position in the first ship training hub at the Lyric Hammersmith. research The announcement comes as the consortium place. published a new report on the programme’s “We decided we needed to be proactive and first three years which sets out how an invest- to go out and look for talent and potential – INDUSTRYleaders have warned that West- The FSB London Policy Unit will urge the ment of £800,000 has created 56 entry level ap- and we found it.” minster is “in serious danger of losing its Government to address swingeing business prenticeships into theatre across a broad Sam Maynard, education manager of Don- small businesses” after new research has re- rate increases and the Policy of Permitted De- range of disciplines including Technical The- mar Warehouse, added: “Working with ap- vealed that small business confidence has velopment Rights: atre, Costume, Community Arts, Venue Oper- prentices makes me question a lot of practice dropped 28 points from this time last year. “The Government needs to reconsider its ations, Producing and Administration. that is taken as read within the organisation, The Federation of Small Businesses’ London policy of relaxing the conversion of office “The report shows how apprenticeships can and I think that is a really good thing for the Small Business Index (LSBI), which mea- space to residential space through permitted help arts organisations to diversify their culture of an organisation.” sures confidence amongst businesses, has a development rights – before it becomes a Lon- workforces and to create new routes into a ca- Sian Alexander, Executive Director of the reading of -3 which is a marked decrease in don crisis similar to Housing,” said a FSB reer in theatre,” said a LTC spokeswoman. Lyric Hammersmith, said: “The cultural sec- the level from this time last year when it spokesman. “Sixty two per cent of apprentices to date stood at +25. “The Government should also create an in- have been from non white-British back- tor is a real UK success story in terms of The fears for their future comes after 63 per creased inner and outer London Small busi- grounds and 27 per cent have a disability, most growth and economic development and Lon- cent of businesses reported that they have ness rate relief threshold that reflects the hidden. don is one of the most multi-cultural cities in seen an overall increase in the cost of run- specific problems faced by small businesses “The programme was also effective in reach- the world, yet the workforce of the theatre sec- ning their business operations in the past in the capital. In inner London we are calling ing people from socio-economic backgrounds tor is still under-representative of London’s di- quarter compared to five per cent who have for the threshold should be £20,000 rateable that are not currently well represented in the- versity. seen a decrease. value for 100 per cent relief tapering to atre staff teams. “From the start, we have seen this collabo- £23,000. The LSBI shows: “In outer London where rateable values “All apprentices were paid at least the adult rative programme as an important way to di- l The general economic conditions in the have increased by a lower percentage, we be- National Minimum Wage, regardless of their versify the workforce, to reach and train UK, getting appropriately skilled staff and lieve the threshold for 100 per cent relief age, to make sure that no one was barred from young people from backgrounds that are cur- consumer demand remain the greatest per- should be set at £15,000 tapering to £18,000. taking a role for financial reasons.” rently underrepresented in the theatre sector. ceived barriers to growth over the coming FSB London Chair Sue Terpilowski As well as college and workplace training to- “Working together has been key to this. I twelve months. said:“London is in serious danger of losing its wards an accredited qualification, apprentices don’t think the London theatres could have l44 per cent of businesses said that gross vital support system of micro and small busi- were given mentoring support, help to plan embraced apprenticeships on the scale that profits have decreased in the past three nesses. their careers and next steps and provided with they have, and with the success they have, if tmhoenret hhsa, dc boemepna arne di ntcor e2a7s eper cent who said it“ hTahse a b sutrsionnegs se caotstyrastcetmio no fo sf uLpopnodrot nse irsv tihceast owpoprokrst.u nities to build their contacts and net- it hadn’t been for that collaborative approach, lOnly 13 per cent have seen the value of from the micro and small business commu- Of 48 apprenticed, 23 have gone on to further as part of the London Theatre Consortium. their exports increase compared to 61 per nity. Some of these businesses are the ones employment in the arts and 11 will shortly “Although the funding climate makes it cent in 2015. that become high growth companies from a complete their Level 2 qualifications. harder now, we are committed to continuing l42 per cent expect wage growth to be above standing start, often in the high-tech sectors. “Apprentices reported that their self-confi- to work together to maintain the momentum 2 per cent in the next twelve months. “We must ensure that this support system dence, organisational skills and work readi- we have achieved and to create open and ac- The Federation of Small Businesses will be remains in place to keep the UK economy and ness improved enormously. Employers cessible opportunities for talented young peo- meeting with the Minister for London, Gavin the London economy thriving. We need to re- reported that managing an apprentice had en- ple from all backgrounds in our theatres.” Barwell, this week to argue how the cost of alise that the hard costs of operating a busi- couraged them to reconsider their standard Recruitment for the fourth year of appren- doing business in London is weighing down ness in the capital are starting to outweigh working practices to support better inclusiv- ticeships has now begun, with apprentice- on micro and small firms, making them less the benefits which simply does not make eco- ity and access,” said the spokeswoman. ships starting in March 2017. More details are competitive compared to their counterparts nomic sense – and so tacking these burdens The programme has been co-funded by CC- available from www.londontheatreconsor- in other parts of the country. early in 2017 is critical.” Skills’ Creative Employment Programme, tium.com 4LONDON WEEKLY NEWS WESTMINSTER NEWS AND VIEWS TUESDAY JANUARY 17 2017 Council recognises Writing for you every week, London’s most outspoken entrepreneur Charlie urban craze as sport pipes up! FROM PAGE 1 “I am pleased it has been recog- skylight after doing parkour cial sport was a barmy idea which nised as a sport, giving it the plat- jumping on rooftops. would alarm many parents, espe- ness, agility, co-ordination, pre- form for further growth in this l In Russia in 2015 two more cially if it is now encouraged in cision, control and creative vi- country, with Parkour UK as its parkour deaths were recorded, schools as a sport. Micro businesses, sion. governing body. The sport pro- one of a 17-year-old boy who He said: “We need to promote “Parkour motivates people to motes movement and using the plunged from a nine-storey build- sports in schools but this is not the get active. Participants can take great outdoors as a space to get ac- ing and another who fell from a answer. I don’t think that parkour not big retailers, part in the sport whenever and tive in and I encourage people to crane. should be brought into schools. wherever they want, without don their trainers and give it a l In the Ukraine in 2015 a 16-year- “It’s all right for stuntmen to do needing to meticulously manage go.” old boy fell 26 floors after a park- and I’m not concerned about that their busy diaries, buy special Mr Foucan said: “This is bril- our stunt went wrong. but that doesn’t relate to a school are the real heroes equipment, join a club, or book liant recognition for a discipline l Last year in Russia two more environment. There are concerns a pitch or court. All you need is that started off as child’s play with parkour enthusiasts died –a 20- about parkour because it involves T a pair of trainers and your my friends almost 30 years ago. year-old chessmaster plunged children taking risks, like leaping imagination to #GivePark- The beauty of parkour is that ev- from a 12-storey building and a 13- between metro trains and jumping HENew Year give 13 minutes of their ourAGo! eryone, of all ages, can do it re- year-old boy fell 100ft after dan- off rooftops, that are likely to kill started well time to help out micro “Recognition will enable spectfully in almost any gling by his fingertips from the them. It’s intimidating for other for the big businesses. tpiaornkso auffri lgiartoeudp tso Panardk oourgr aUnKis tao- eitnyv iarnondm pelnaty. fWulen ecsesle bwrhatiele a cctoinv-- pnrinesths hflioso frr ioefn ad tso.wer block to im- peMoprl eM wchGoo avreer nno st adiodi ntgh aitt. ”intro- retailers, It brought together apply to the home-country stantly challenging our mental On New Year’s Day in Paris, 17- ducing parkour into an urban en- Marks & more than one million sports councils for lottery or ex- and physical limits. It is more year-old Nye Newman, of Guild- vironment like London would Spencer, micro and small business chequer funding to support the than just jumping, it is a health- ford, died in an accident on the cause new dangers. Debenhams and Tesco, owners using the power of “We’re going to hear about more development of the sport locally driven way of life.” Metro. He was reported to be part accidents in London. People are who all posted positive social media and included in each home nation.” Parkour has proved a health- of the Browman group, famed for going to get knocked over by oth- Christmas trading state- a physical event, which dmteoeeBrnnsuatetigm otenhe enen tct tohohfuau tpns aciarimlsk’tsoas un,r irykn nfgaoioinwlfeg nd e iatntoss- dwdluro irImvnien anRgn uw hfseeaslryli a f1oi 7rfi snsdtt e o2par0ate1rh2yk sfao ot uro2 r 4sh -olyeemres asedor.en-ao.tlhd tjttuhhrameai tnp phsirn.e ag Hcw tisiabc sefe rt nwieooenfte dnttsrr aahitianhnv-e-sse uu itrrnoffipsinnissgg t eaod–tf cceerospnM tcdereod rMi ninncge G dspc oahtvrhoekaorotlns u irasf,a s” pi adha serhp kseooa rwuitd rai. ts i csmo uoalscdt- mdiecTnahttoes.ry fporro tvhide es taa tgeo oodf tihne- awGnoados g Flaeb cHreoabanodogcokau sLttsi v, Yet.houroTuugbhe traceurs, jump between rooftops l In Russia in 2013 a student the time of the tragedy. kill team-play as youngsters turn economy but more atten- The event was held at and across trains and a worry- plunged from 20 floors to his death Although authorities aim to re- from football and rugby to the new tion should be given to the Pimlico Plumbers’ Sail ijaungdgMe gdnri uonsn mgCl bytrheo 1reu3 ich.rha l vedeai dpd sine –do tat wmftoeer nw mtieoirsne- 4wlth0h muIinsl eib aC rfsirhtde igedneriae.u dinn na i2fnt0e1gr3. faa lplianrgk ofurorm en a- fspaetroaresir ecn t-tbho puwaati r l5itkn0 p o aLaucorrrnk otdsos os –s nt co,hh tfeoe weoUnlhKsai agc–hen cr drts hi pwteuiricrlesl- ivcnridatHouze ea slsw.cahhidoico: hl“s I insi tsar ollad a ubscotienupgt tpthoaeor kinofadurir.- pfbouerrs f9ion6r epmsesaren sc,ce wen ht iocofhf a allc mcroeigucirnsot- Scmoternnetetr ti– bhuaentaidod nqe untaaobr ttlheeerds mm –oicmvreyo- the incidence of parkour deaths l In Portugal in 2014, Hollywood copy the example of peers in other Schools won’t encourage kids to tered businesses in the business owners to inter- at the launch last week, when stuntman Carlos Lopez, 25, died cities around the world and turn jump from buildings –but that is UK. act with and learn from sopthhuheetym stshi acaeianrdled :a a“pcnIat idrwvk ifaoitnynu dtrt h ptihase teoc aepsprpletpoa ertiaton l alsgyn te doat abfpifuefttriehlfrdo- firflnmaoglo l.rian gpb aawrlhckoiolnuey ra tltteeoam p paftnrioontmgh etoar ctCoiat Cymeh’xspr tarirosieg omMnft efoco pGrpso R.avreekaroln uE, rdc uhacacairtroimosnsa nat nhodef ARwochDycaiaetd sli epStn iolttecesai iedstts yhn t eofoo t.r ”sa talhaferetm Pyer edfv eaeabnrostui,o tn tthh oeef btoupIst ib’nsi leelsianss gya bntuodt afipgvipevl aem uitdlhl ibeoming wiwneicnlllnu-kednrino wg TnTi emhne t rAeCppaprmernepnebtuierclsel fun, creative and innovative op- l In Greece in 2014 a 13-year-old a former Downing Street adviser, spread of parkour. micro businesses, provid- MBE, founder of the tion. boy died when he fell through a said that making parkour an offi- David Walker, leisure safety ing 33 per cent of the UK’s MOBOs Kanya King MBE, manager at RoSPA, said: “Parkour, total employment, with indie label owner Sway just like climbing, mountain bik- limited resources, are the ing and other activities that en- real heroes. and entrepreneur Chris courage exploration, is inherently Percival. risky. But with the right measures Established by en- During the eight-hour in place and proper assessment of trepreneurial individuals, event we discussed impor- those risks, it can be undertaken these businesses, which in an environment that is as safe employ between one and tant challenges and oppor- as necessary to prevent serious in- nine people, are crucial to tunities facing micro juries. Having parkour recognised businesses, shared best as a sport, with the establishment the success of our econ- practice and answered of a governing body, will help omy and should be af- questions from those achieve this. forded a lot more media “Stunts such as train-surfing coverage and support to tuned in, which hopefully and jumping between tall build- help them reach their full gave the entrepreneurs in ings are not, according to parkour attendance a better chance experts, considered part of the potential. of continuing their suc- sport.” Micro businesses and cess. Official parkour organisations self-employment are on are also keen to calm fears of par- the up –but as markets be- I know from personal ents. On the worrying matter of come more saturated and experience the difficulties sapinetodep pjlueam rdkpooiiunnrggt rabacaircnok.snfsle irtp osso aofitfdof: p b“srT,i whdogeesbes- bmiagr kbeutsiinnge smsuess cflleesx, itth heairs forfo mg rthowe ginrogu nad ubpu, swinhiecshs things are dangerous if your child become increasingly diffi- is why I am so passionate is not an expert. They are also not cult for smaller businesses about supporting micro what most traceurs do on a regular to compete. businesses during the ba“siWs.e recommend the gym for be- In the UK, one in seven most difficult part of a ginners to learn the basics of how people are self-employed business’ journey. to land properly, roll out of land- but are now earning 20 per It was encouraging to ings, jump with proper form and cent less than they were in see the passion and inno- other fundamentals. 2008. Therefore, it’s essen- vation that exists in this “The more we practise parkour, tial to nurture and support community – the future the more prepared our bodies become for real-life obstacles.” these businesses. certainly looks bright. A spokesman for Westminster One movement that is More attention needs to Council said: “Parkour UK works already well ahead of the be given to support those closely with partners to encourage curve is #MicroBizMat- that are looking to scale- and develop the safe and appropri- tersDay, which was up from modest begin- ate practice of parkour. The organisation also works with local launched by the Enter- nings. groups, organisations, national or- prise Rockers in 2015. As I often say, if you are ganisations, local authorities and It’s an annual, interna- more fortunate than oth- constabularies. Parkour UK has tional project, which, this ers, it’s better to build a forged a close relationship with the year, took place on Friday larger table than a taller education sector, developing programmes around videography and and encouraged people to fence. photography and cross-curricular links around the history and culture of the sport.” Views expressed are those of the authorL aondn ndoto nnec’ses slaerailyd thinosge o sf ethrisv niecwesp aper Chief executive at Parkour UK, Eugene Minogue, said: “Parkour company all day - every day! has come a long way since first arriving in the UK in 2003. Parkour 020 7928 8888 is now in the vast majority of primary and secondary schools, col- leges and universities all over the UK.” TUESDAY JANUARY 17 2017 LONDON WEEKLY NEWS5 Exhibition on Cast members of Portland Place School’s version of Our Country’s Good street project KENSINGTON and Chelsea Coun- and capacity will be maintained, cil is inviting residents to its traffic survey results and other Sloane Street public exhibition to technical information. find out more about a project Members of the project team which it claims will reduce the will be on hand to discuss the pro- dominance of traffic in the area posed changes and answer any and create an attractive, high- questions. quality environment. The exhibition will be held at A spokesman for the authority 129 Sloane Street on the following said: “In partnering with Cadogan dates: as the majority landowner and l Thursday January 26 from 2pm TfL, the council has an opportu- to 8pm; nity to improve the public realm lFriday January 27 from 10am to not only on borough-controlled 2pm; roads and pavements but also in lSaturday January 28 from 10am areas of the street that are in pri- to 2pm; vate ownership.” l Saturday February 4 from 10am Detailed information will be to 2pm. available including a model, For more details, visit rbkc. videos showing how traffic flows gov.uk/sloanestreet. Upper school’s maiden play is hailed ‘fantastic’ Experience a new start PUPILS of Portland Place School School has staged without the in- their roles,” said the school have been acclaimed for “a fantastic volvement of the lower years and it spokesman. “They have risen to the RESIDENTS of Kensington and “If you still have energy, why not ride production” – their first upper- was a huge success.” challenging of balancing rehearsals Chelsea who are looking for a the smoothie bike or at 1pm sing school play, Our Country’s Good. Our Country’s Good is a classic with their A-level and GCSE studies healthy new start are invited to Kens- your heart out at the Sing to Live The show, held at Theatro Technis, story about a group of Royal Marines and taking part in sports. Their im- ington Central Library today (Tues- workshop? showcased “the very best of pupil and convicts in a penal colony in pressive effort and stamina were ev- day) to browse a wide range of stalls “There is no need to book for talent” at the independent school for New South Wales. While the Royal ident throughout the play.” promoting health and wellbeing. these free sessions – just turn up.” those aged eight to 18. Marines plan on hanging the prison- David Chivers, head of drama at The Munro Co-operative will be Today’s event runs from 10am to “Parents, staff and pupils were ers, some of the men from the ship Portland Place School and the direc- on hand to offer a free taster alter- 6 pm. treated to an impressive and enter- try to find an alternative way to pun- tor of the play, said: “It has been native therapy session –and at mid- For more information about taining dramatic evening with out- ish the convicts. It is agreed that they great to see the students develop day the Time to Talk service will be health and wellbeing, visit standing performances throughout will stage a play instead. their stage craft and individual per- available to help you set your goals rbkc.gov.uk/health-and-social- the cast,” said a spokesman for the “Rehearsals were intensive with formance skills. Full credit goes to for the year. care/health-services/healthy- school in Westminster. the pupils dedicating five hours per them for balancing rehearsals with A spokesman for the council said: lifestyles. “This is the first play the Upper week since September to perfect their school work and sports.” 6LONDON WEEKLY NEWS TUESDAY JANUARY 17 2017 Points of view Have your say Email Jack Dixon [email protected] May’s chance to OPINION make a difference THE phrase of the day is “integrated care” as NHS leaders draw up ever-more ambitious THE Prime Minister was plans to restructure our health service and right to raise mental health turn down the heat on front-line staff. in her speech on the But at the coalface, the grind goes on. Bitter Downing Street steps when January brings a host of new challenges with she took office in July and which many fear our stretched doctors and we welcome her first nurses simply cannot cope. significant policy statement As we report this week, the number of visits to on mental health within six the A&E department at Charing Cross Hospital months of the start of her in Hammersmith is once again on the rise. And government. the level of demand shows no signs of slowing Mental health policy and down. people with mental ill- While this newspaper has followed the ongoing health have been too often struggles at our local hospitals for many months, overlooked by successive the extent of the pressures facing staff here in governments and there is West London was broadcast to millions across an urgent need for –to use the country for the first time last week. the Prime Minster’s own The BBC’s ground-breaking fly-on-the-wall words –a “step change” in documentary series Hospital, which aired its first episode on Wednesday, went undercover mental health. with the Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust In her speech on January last autumn. 9, Prime Minister May Its gripping exposé of the traumatic, life- demonstrated her personal changing decisions that staff are making on a commitment to “tackle the daily basis has shone a national spotlight on the burning injustice of mental challenges that, sadly, we in London know all too health care”. She has a huge well to be true. opportunity to make a In the first episode, television cameras transformative difference to followed the team at the Intensive Care Unit at St the mental health, life Mary’s Hospital as they were forced to postpone chances and wellbeing of an urgent cancer operation to make space for a the two million Londoners patient arriving from Norfolk with a ruptured who experience some form aorta. There were simply not enough beds to of mental ill-health every accommodate both patients. year, and to many millions “I think we do need more capacity because more across the country. we’re always under pressure,” said one of the The Prime Minister is hospital’s senior staff members in a striking admission. “It does feel to me as though the right to focus on children elastic’s a bit nearer to breaking now than it ever and young people. We have was.” long known that early Our treasured healthcare system – which is intervention in mental quite rightly the envy of the world –continues to health is critical to its be the single most emotive political issue on the effective management and table. treatment, and providing Here in London we have seen protest after extra training for teachers protest, demonstration after demonstration, all is a good proposal. Yet with In a speech last week, Mrs May demonstrated her personal commitment to “tackle the in the name of protecting the principles that less money coming from burning injustice of mental health care” underpin our proudest national symbol. local authorities in early We must take time to be thankful for the intervention, it is important children and young people’s symbol of the stigma and the nation. We are astonishing work that our dutiful healthcare this gap is filled by central services. It is likely that surrounding mental illness. delighted that London’s professionals continue to carry out in what are government. some of this is due to the Mental health provision mayor has, like the Prime increasingly becoming impossible The NHS has seen a four- contraction in local must also better reflect Minister, made mental circumstances. We owe them our lives. authority-provided services. changing times and we health a priority and we fold increase in referrals for More work in schools will welcome the Prime Minister continue to support Sadiq also be vital in paying attention to digital Khan in this. destigmatising mental solutions for enabling We appreciate the illness and encouraging a quicker consultation and increased transparency prevention-led approach; diagnosis. NHS England has creating the conditions and Important, too, is the introduced on spending, behaviours to grow more attention given by the access and outcomes, and resilient, mental health- Prime Minister to mental hope this will lead to friendly environments and health in the workplace. significant improvements. communities, and tackle ill- The working environment However, what is also health early, before it can be a major contributor needed is a very careful becomes entrenched and to mental health crisis – assessment of the two-year clinically problematic. but, equally, can be an NHS contracts about to be It is important to note, essential support to those applied –they must ensure Ravello,Positano&the Berlin,Colditz&Dresden however, that the previous with mental ill-health. The that the mental health government already set government should minimum investment AmalfiCoast 5daysfrom£499Flyingdirectfromanairportnear you,2,24April,1,7May,2,18June,11,14September, aside specific funding for encourage all employers to standard is adhered to. We 8daysfrom£719Flyingdirectfromanairportnear 8&13October2017 children and young people’s tackle stigma and create will be monitoring this very you,May,June,July,September&October2017 DiscoverthreeoferstwhileEastGermany’smost mental health –but positive working carefully. ThecolourfulcharmsofsomeofSouthernItaly’smost gloriouscitiesaswetakeafascinatingpeek systemic challenges in how environments and hold We do not underestimate celebratedresorts,discovered,exploredandenjoyed. behindtheformerIronCurtain.Sincethe‘fallofthe money in the NHS is them to account if the financial resources Tourhighlights Wall’,Berlinhasreturnedtotheworldstageasa allocated means we also discrimination does occur. needed to deliver a mentally SevennightsinaSouthernItalianresort vibrantmetropolis. need to see an immediate We are delighted that the healthy society but it is not DiscoverAmalfiandhill-topRavello Tourhighlights focus on ensuring the Prime Minister is all about money –we all CatchyourbreathontheAmalfiDrive AguidedtourofBerlin already-promised money recognising the importance have a responsibility to VisitSorrento,abovetheBayofNaples ExploretheuniversitycityofLeipzig actually reaches the front of cross-societal, multi- work together to build Wanderthestartlingremainsofonce-thrivingRoman AguidedtourofColditz line. agency approaches to better systems and services cityPompeii AguidedtourofBaroqueDresden The Prime Minister mental health and we fully and to assist people and EnjoyamemorableboattriptoPositano Fullyescortedbyafriendly,experiencedtourmanager should also be aware that endorse this. The NHS alone communities in supporting Fullyescortedbyafriendly,experiencedtourmanager Fournights’three-starbedandbreakfast tackling stigma will cannot provide what should themselves and to receive Sevennights’four-starhalf-boardhotel accommodationathotelsinBerlin(2nights)and accommodation,returnflightsandtransfers Dresden(2nights),returnflightsandtransfers inevitably lead to more best be carried out from high-quality, safe and people entering the system schools, by employers, at responsive services when seeking help. This vital home and in wider society. they need them. effort must therefore come The report of the Mental Call03301607747 QUOTESLP Call03301607747 QUOTESLP shuasntda iinne hda cnodm wmiitthm aent to Hgoevaeltrhn mTaesnktf’so recned, oarnsde mtheent TGhroeu Cpa,v reenpdreisshe nStqiunagr tehe 10 Visitwww.newmarket.travel/slp19910 Visitwww.newmarket.travel/slp17728 increase resources. The lack of it, represents a huge NHS trusts responsible for Theseholidaysareorganised&operatedbyNewmarketAirHolidaysLtd. Theseholidaysareorganised&operatedbyNewmarketAirHolidaysLtd. of equality of investment in opportunity to improve the mental health services in ABTAV7812.ATOLprotected2325.Subjecttoavailability. ABTAV7812.ATOLprotected2325.Subjecttoavailability. SinglesupplementsapplyStandardphonecharges SinglesupplementsapplyStandardphonecharges mental health is itself a mental health of London London TUESDAY JANUARY 17 2017 LONDON WEEKLY NEWS7 your letters and emails Resolve to back Mayor has broken promises, and it is ordinary working Londoners who are the Sea Cadets another promise paying the price. HAVE you made your New ORDINARY working Gareth Bacon AM, Greater Year’s resolution yet? If the Londoners faced more London Authority answer is no, why not misery as mayor of London Conservatives’ leader consider taking on a Sadiq Khan delivered his challenge in aid of youth third broken promise in less Club so grateful charity Sea Cadets? than a week. For the first time, we are After welcoming for green light thrilled to have places Londoners back to work last available for a whole host of week with a fares increase MORE than a year ago, a exciting charity challenges. and abandoning his planning application for a The money you raise commitment to have 32,000 new stadium at Stamford could really make a police officers on the Bridge with an expanded difference, as 93p in every £1 capital’s streets, the Labour seating capacity was that we receive goes directly mayor broke another submitted to our local to our valuable work with flagship promise to deliver council, Hammersmith and young people. “zero days of strikes”. Fulham. Sea Cadets helps 14,000 During his campaign last Over the past 12 months young people aged 10 to 18, year, the “mayor for all we have consulted widely in 400 communities across Londoners” pledged to “stop with neighbouring the UK, to see the world strikes on the residents, local businesses, with confidence, to develop Underground”, yet he’s statutory authorities and self-belief and skills for life. already broken his continued to work closely Our charity challenges promise and ordinary with the council. are a team effort between Commuters at Waterloo Station last week as they attempt to make their journey home amid working people are paying On Wednesday, the yfstwtaurhucohanorpuiioudpn laserso sn afaryo nidttorsh da iuueynss s o w gUo yu–.fioK rlwyul cto behphu eroran eohflgflpueee agplrnprh egyeio neo ypa,guolneudr ofwtwoenoimrIlg rflVp loyrdeiiao.cnsfuttgtou tarTohriuuaeebs Fmi enra aostleplstsrrti idewksseht ie aendrc tetihin oyeonu in a rfdtdoohoerweAdnmri esoec e abvairtesy cic r omooh jnutoauh nifbcerosh rmlreos lsma.ls tonsiarel ln os atfy nao ny dbedea trisc,ket-offipdFwlirouvhcoiileanvhn tgciag dil miosaen sn Ha cuodsoarr sumewdisnseomtcrra iektnlro igcsn heomg ief niioltnpgrh tt tahohn eobdsee tsu(sJhutnraeMpiin okppeunoerma srifc rtrbsieyotne. amr8ggs) R e 6–odpMfb matTrh i2 lena4a g-nLshitdano SbuTguo rScunShrdAa-aoys cctagphhoorpeiseaumrpt mtnlroemiecrcfiduisiialctselt’t siivehtoo heeponnl almco atwaop nenpnma.nldssaie i nwngdngrnetea ri oannefrdtg oee tduh rfeor We have sporting any of these challenges and Hammersmith and Fulham borough? to the capital and holding The committee decision challenges available such as would like to help raise vital Mind, I know the hardships They have been paying lip Londoners to ransom. does not mean that work can the Prudential RideLondon funds for Sea Cadets, please that people go through in service to those who are in Figures revealed his begin on site. and the Royal Parks Half- email [email protected]. order to deal with their own dire need of assistance for failure will drain London’s This is just the latest step, Marathon, both designed to personal issues before years. economy of more than £3,000 although a significant one, push you to the limit. Martin Coles, trying to find a warm and What constructive per second. that we have to take before The Snowdon Triple Sea Cadets’ chief executive caring service to help them measures are they going to The cost of Tube strikes to we can commence work, Challenge awaits those who deal with their day-to-day put in place in order to help London’s economy is including obtaining various fancy a tough and exciting How will council lives. address this problem? estimated to be £300 million other permissions. multi-activity trial, while I’m heartened to read that Or do we have to wait a day, equivalent to 10,172 We will continue to aspiring sailors may enjoy a sort this problem? Theresa May is now until the next council new police constables being inform you of progress day on the Solent with our recognising the crisis in this elections for them to address trained and paid for a year. throughout this process. Maritime Industry Regatta. CONGRATULATIONS to all area, especially since the issue in their party Mr Khan’s “zero strikes” Thank you for your If you would like to make those recipients in the New mental-health issues do manifesto? promise is just like all the continued support. a trip abroad, take a look at Year’s Honours list (London affect 20 per cent of the People with mental-health others º not worth the paper the Zambezi River Weekly News, January 10) population. issues matter whether they it is written on. Chelsea Football Club Challenge. It is not one for for their hard work in the It is unfortunately an vote or not. Like all Labour the faint-hearted. unfashionable area of ever-increasing problem politicians, he’s powerless You will paddle your way mental health. that desperately needs Amanda Lloyd-Harris, while in the pocket of his along the border with While this is a small targeted funding. member of the British union paymasters. Namibia, Botswana and reward for their Given the government is Association for Counselling His manifesto already Zimbabwe, steadily heading extraordinary work and now making it a priority, and Psychotherapy reads like a litany of broken Geoff Baker Honours list makes me want to puke I’M nominating my cat for a have simply worked in politics, let an honour, ie to be held in great them, much deserved. But I also So we approached Somebody knighthood in the Queen’s alone those who are honoured after esteem, the qualification should be have another friend who has pretty Rather Important and said “You Birthday Honours in June. I think making donations to political not to do things for yourself but to do much spent decades of his life know this guy, you know all about he’s in with a good chance because parties; if I have to discuss the stuff for others. wearing himself out through charity the charity work he does, you know as a cat he’s very good at being cat- merits of that unfair exchange we’ll Now in that regard there were work which is extra-curricular to his that it’s crippled his health, can you like. He has been a cat for all of his be up to our necks in my vomit. many in the New Year’s Honours exhausting job. He’s just an ordinary add your clout to our application?” life, last week he caught a mouse and But I am curious about this trend who were clearly deserving of a bloke, not famous or rich, but he Of course, said the Somebody yesterday I saw him up a tree. He to honour our already-successful gong; I was especially pleased to see does an awful lot for others. Rather Important, I’d be happy to, also drinks milk, sleeps a lot and sportsmen and women. What’s that OBEs and MBEs awarded to a He doesn’t know this but a couple and don’t worry, with my name purrs; as a cat, he’s utterly feline and all about? Isn’t being rich and handful who have worked hard to of years back me and two other behind him he’ll get gonged. I’m rather looking forward to calling famous and gold-medalled or cup- improve the sad lot of those with friends of his nominated him for an But he didn't. And now, after three him Sir Cat. winning enough? Why do they have mental illness, well done there. honour. We wrote to the many refused applications, I’m informed I think he’ll walk it all the way to to get honoured too? Similarly, those medics and charities and good causes for which that he never will. And I think I’ve the investiture at Buckingham It’s not as if some complete scientists who have made great he has raised tens of thousands of worked out why –he’s the wrong Palace because that’s how you get an unknown, otherwise full-time strides in research that is to the pounds and they sent back letters of sort of chap; working class, didn’t go official honour these days, isn’t it, employed as a bus driver or some benefit of all mankind –yep, gong effusive support of our application to to the right school, not a member of just for doing your job, for being such, won an Olympic gold; just them. But as for getting a medal “for the Honours Committee. Every man the club. good at your role? Nothing else is stepped off his No 30 to Marble Arch, services to local government” or “for Jack of them said absolutely, if It’s been said elsewhere and I'm essentially needed, just be good at put on his plimsoles and broke the services to business”... stroll on, anyone deserves an honour for saying it again –in part the honours what you are and you’ll get gonged. record. These honoured athletes didn’t you get paid for it? selflessly doing things for others system is a club, a clique, a means of It makes me want to puke every train for their specialist medals and I know well two people who without expecting a word of thanks the already rich or famous looking time I wade through all 120 pages of cups, that’s all they do. feature in the recent honours list. I it’s X, give him a gong. after their own. Non-entities to the the honours list. Time after time Oh it’s because of national pride, shan’t name them, although they are We inundated the Honours back door, please. they seem to be handed out to those is it? They've been knighted because quite famous, but although I see that Committee with such backing. One But post-Brexit, post-Trump, isn’t who have just done their job. Albeit they swelled the hearts of the nation. they were listed as being gonged for honours list was published and he there a lesson here which we should they’ve done their job well –but By doing what, winning? I thought services to their respective wasn’t on it. So we sent more stuff; force on this self-feathering doing your job successfully is what sport was meant to be just about professions, I happen to know that Press cuttings, laudatory establishment? Isn’t it time that the pay scales were invented for, you taking part, isn’t that “what counts”? they have both done a lot of work for testimonies, piles of evidence, stacks people’s vote should decide on who shouldn’t get honoured for it too. Silly me, I am daft. charity behind the scenes and have of it. Another honours list was gets gonged, so that those who are Don’t even start me off on the And in that daftness I would have helped raise a great deal of money published and again he didn’t get a not already rich, famous and matter of honours for those who thought that to be truly deserving of for very needy people. So well done look-in. fortunate get more of a look-in? 8LONDON WEEKLY NEWS TUESDAY JANUARY 17 2017 Fresh appeal for information after stabbing POLICE have launched a fresh appeal for information after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed in a Hammersmith park. The teenager was knifed in Ravenscourt Park on Thursday January 5 before jumping a locked gate and staggering to a bus stop in Goldhawk Road. Officers have arrested a 13- year-old boy in connection with the investigation and he has been released on bail while in- PopUp College quiries continue. boss Jason Elsom The usually quiet and peace- is behind the ful park was turned into a crime scheme to offer, scene overnight as forensic at Costa shops, teams and police dogs moved tuition for GCSE in to investigate the stabbing. English and a Ambulance crews treated the diploma in boy at the scene before he was health and social taken to hospital in a stable care. He says the condition. idea is to “fill the The incident prompted Ham- gap” in adult mersmith MP Andy Slaughter education left to raise concerns about safety. by local Local councillors also called for authorities’ witnesses to come forward. cutbacks Met detectives have renewed their appeals for help with the Coffee shop case, almost two weeks on from the stabbing. Anyone who can assist with the investigation is asked to call now centre officers on 101 or contact the Met Police Twitter account @MetCC. It is understood officers were focusing their investigation on for learning a playground inside the park known to be a meeting place for young people. Local schools COFFEE shops have be- fortable about returning to come popular meeting the classroom. “At a time among the best places for on-the-go Lon- when adult education is doners – the perfect spot under threat, we wanted to SCHOOLS in Hammersmith and for a working lunch or a give people the chance to Fulham have performed above business briefing. come in one night a week the national average once But one entrepreneur and learn a new skill, have again, according to official fig- now hopes to turn Ham- some fun and socialise at ures. mersmith’s cafes into hubs the same time,” he said. for learning. “The Costa store creates The number of students New evening courses a welcoming environment achieving the key measure of will be available at Costa for adults who want to five GCSEs including a C or shops from this month, of- learn but who are put off above in English and maths fering tuition for GCSE by the idea of a traditional reached 69.4 per cent last year. English and a diploma in college classroom.” The figure was almost seven health and social care. Mr Elsom was inspired per cent above the national av- The educational initia- to launch the scheme after erage for state schools –62.6 tive is the brainchild of a career switch of his own. per cent. Jason Elsom, a University He began his working life Provisional statistics for 2016 of Cambridge graduate in the technology sector released by the Department for who is aiming to launch before retraining as a Education revealed the bor- hundreds of evening teacher and turning his ough’s positive academic per- classes at coffee houses all hand to education. formance. over the country. Having risen to a senior Among the highest-achiev- His company – PopUp leadership role within the ing schools were the London College – has teamed up field, he now works on a Oratory School, Lady Margaret with the international cof- range of educational initia- School and Sacred Heart High fee chain in an attempt to tives with private-sector School. “fill the gap” in adult edu- partners. More than 85 per cent of cation left by local-author- Since launching PopUp pupils at each of the three ity cutbacks. College in 2015, the busi- schools achieved the bench- Starting this month, as- ness has grown to encom- mark score last year. piring students will have pass more than 50 Around 61 per cent of chil- the chance to take part locations and 240 courses. dren at the borough’s primary in weekly evening classes Costa said it wants to schools met expected stan- at the Hammersmith make a positive contribu- dards, compared to 53 per cent branch. tion towards customer nationwide. The English lessons are health and wellbeing by in- The London Oratory School taking place alongside vesting in educational pro- again recorded the most im- GCSE science classes in jects. pressive results, with St Romford and A-level Sandy Gourlay, the com- Stephen’s, Normand Croft, Mel- maths lessons in White- pany’s charity and com- combe and St Augustine’s also chapel, while business munity manager, said: performing well. skills are being taught in “We are delighted to sup- The figures also revealed that Ilford. One branch in Put- port Jason and PopUp Col- 93 per cent of the borough’s ney is even providing lan- lege with this exciting new school leavers in 2014 re- guage courses in Italian. initiative to create accessi- mained in education or em- Mr Elsom said the pro- ble courses to engage ployment after completing gramme is targeting adult adults in education and their schooling. students who feel uncom- teach people new skills.” TUESDAY JANUARY 17 2017 LONDON WEEKLY NEWS9 Khan to pump £1.5m more into homes scheme ‘Powering through’ stress PEOPLE could be ignoring the warning signs of LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan has set out poor health because of London’s “always on” plans to pump an extra £1.5 million into the culture, according to experts. development of new homes at Old Oak Com- New research found that almost half of Lon- doners deal with stress by “powering through” mon. while a quarter have worried about an ailment The mayor’s draft budget for 2017-18 in- without getting it checked. cludes a financial boost for the huge regen- The findings were revealed in a report by eration project. healthcare provider Bupa Health Clinics. Under the plans, a total of £7.3 million will Bupa’s Philip Luce said: “When it comes to our go to the Old Oak and Park Royal Develop- bodies, we ignore signs that something is wrong ment Corporation – up from £5.8 million last and regularly push ourselves into something year – to help it push forward with the pro- we don’t feel like doing.” ject. Drones start surveying The corporation is seeking to create tens of thousands of new homes and jobs on the COUNCIL-HOUSING teams have begun using site, which straddles the northern end of drones to survey homes in Hammersmith and Hammersmith and Fulham. Fulham. Outlining his draft budget last week, the The flying machines are being used to identify mayor said: “I believe Old Oak and Park repairs and reduce the need for scaffolding. Royal is one of the capital’s most important Specially trained drone ‘pilots’ are operating regeneration projects. the gadgets, which record high-quality images “The previous mayor inflated last year’s A digital impression of the Old Oak and Park Royal development of buildings from a bird’s eye angle. OPDC budget by allocating a one-off payment of £6 million to the organisation. don Assembly agreed last year.” The budget “Taking that into account, I am, in fact, sets out plans to hold a further £1 million in proposing to increase the development cor- reserve, pending a proposal for extra invest- poration’s budget compared to what the Lon- ment in the area. Gateway entrance to White City Place Royal College of Art set for White City BY JACK DIXON [email protected] HUNDREDS of the world’s most promising young artists and designers will make the move to White City this year as one of London’s leading universities opens a new campus in Ham- mersmith and Fulham. The Royal College of Art has announced plans The new RCA to launch a complex for architecture, humanities building in and communication at the revamped BBC Tele- White City vision Centre. It will place one of the world’s premier art and design institutions at the heart with new initiatives underpinned by our repu- of White City’s new creative quarter following tation for innovation and skill.” a £4 billion redevelopment. The campus will be based in close proximity The 4,000 square metre building is set to bring to Imperial College London’s new learning hub, more than 700 staff and students into the bor- which is set to put White City on the map for ough when the autumn term begins in Septem- technological and scientific innovation. ber. A burgeoning academic community will move Town-hall chiefs welcomed the announcement into the area this year ahead of the start of the last week as a major boost for the borough’s autumn term. young people who dream of a career in the arts. Cllr Andrew Jones, Hammersmith and Ful- The RCA becomes the latest high-profile in- ham council’s cabinet member for economic de- stitution to make the move to White City after velopment and regeneration, said RCA’s arrival fashion giant Yoox Net-a-Porter confirmed plans would cement White City’s reputation as a “cen- for a new tech hub in the area last autumn. tre of excellence”. The university’s schools of communication He said: “Having so many key names in the and humanities will both make a permanent area increases the opportunities for young peo- switch to West London, with new architecture ple in Hammersmith and Fulham who dream of programmes also in the pipeline at White City. making a career in the creative arts. Bosses also said the new campus would retain “We are determined to be the best place to do close links with the RCA’s design, fine art and business in Europe – and a vibrant arts scene fashion hubs in Kensington and Battersea. helps us do just that.” Professor Neville Brody, dean of the School of The former BBC Television Centre is due to Communication, said: “This is an unprecedented reopen at the end of this year with new offices, opportunity to extend and deepen our subject flats, restaurants and a hotel. A total of £8 billion landscape, allowing a more leading-edge ap- is being spent on the 15-year regeneration of proach grounding in experience and expertise, White City, providing 20,000 new jobs. 10LONDON WEEKLY NEWS TUESDAY JANUARY 17 2017 ‘There was nowhere for my son to go to for help’ For more than eight years Doreen High felt unable to talk about her son Ricky’s tragic death. While he wrestled with OUR MENTAL HEALTH MISSION complex mental health problems, she felt It’s straightforward enough to treat a lost, alone and powerless to help him. In physical wound. A broken leg or a bump to the head will heal over time given the an exclusive interview with London Weekly proper care and attention. Newsreporter Jack Dixonas part of our But the scars of mental illness run much deeper and are often difficult to spot. Change Is Possiblecampaign, Doreen tells Many people may not even be aware that her story for the first time they are suffering from a mental health problem – and worse still, because of the terrible stigma attached to it, some will hen Doreen High was ened her boyfriend with a hammer. choose not to seek help when they need it told her son had been He believed he was part of the con- most. sectioned, it was the spiracy. On a national and international scale, W best news she could “There was nowhere to turn. It mental health is a subject that we are only just beginning to tackle. There is a long have hoped to receive. was very distressing,” she adds. “I’d way to go before we can safely say we are “I thought, thank God for that,” never known anybody who had suf- living in a society that truly respects and she recalls. “I had been worried for fered with that. I didn’t know what it cares for people with mental health his own safety but now I knew he was and it was really hard to cope problems. was going to get some treatment.” with. That’s why it’s so important that we Doreen had never fully under- “If there had been somewhere for trigger change on a local level. By building stood what was wrong with Ricky. Ricky to go I would have taken him in the right values and practices from the From an early age he had endured and he would have come with me. ground up, we can help to change the spells of depression and struggled I’m sure they would have helped him misconceptions that many people have with dyslexia, and during his later and it definitely would have helped about mental health and create a more caring community in which everyone can teenage years his behaviour had be- me as well.” thrive. come increasingly erratic. At the sixth attempt, Ricky com- With the stresses and strains of modern “He said people were following mitted suicide. He could no longer life, particularly in cities like London, it is him and there were cameras in his live with the constant mental pres- more important than ever that we look flat watching him,” Doreen explains. sure of his psychotic illness. He was after ourselves and each other. “And he kept on about this con- 28 years old. Organisations like Lambeth and spiracy, that someone was going to Southwark Mind are leading the way – but come and kill him. He was really or Doreen, the loss was un- they need our help. frightened, he looked very, very, se- bearable – and the after- Our appeal is not only providing a riously ill.” shock has had a platform to bring mental health to the top of the agenda. It is also helping to raise the Doreen found it harder and harder devastating long-term im- F essential funding that Lambeth and to reach her son. They would go for pact on her family. “It Southwark Mind desperately needs to offer a drive together and begin to talk, nearly broke my relation- treatments and support services to guide only for Ricky to become distracted ship up. When Ricky died, my eldest people back onto the path towards good by his paranoia. son would not speak to me, he health. At the age of 20, he became so fear- blames me for the suicide. It goes on We’ve already raised more than £5,000 ful for his own safety that he armed and on, it really affects the family. towards the cause, won the support of local himself with an old dart gun he “My mum found it very hard to MPs and the Mayor of London, and found in the family home. When his talk about my son and my sister For more than encouraged dozens to come forward and girlfriend found the weapon and wouldn’t talk to me at all about him. eight years share their personal experiences – many called the police, officers decided “I virtually turned into a recluse Doreen High felt for the first time. Ricky needed help. and an alcoholic, just to cope. I unable to talk For too long mental health has been He was sectioned and spent a couldn’t get him help because there about the suicide overlooked. Now we have a chance to make month living in a specialist home in was nowhere for me to take him – of her son Ricky a difference. Change is possible. Kent for people with mental health and I felt guilty about that.” difficulties. Ricky was diagnosed as Lambeth and Southwark Mind is psychotic. set to launch a dedicated psychosis New psychosis therapy project “He wasn’t hallucinating, it was therapy service this year, providing just his imagination put things in expert support for people like Ricky. his head and he was convinced they Doreen hopes her son’s story will were actually happening,” says help others who find themselves in Doreen. “It’s really hard to cope with his position to seek support: “If Hallucinations, illusions and imaginary that you offer for people to be able to someone like that because I could Ricky’s story helps just one person voices may be the stuff of fantasy for benefit,” she adds. see how ill he looked and how con- to go for help then it will all be worth most of us, but for those living with “Time-limited work can be helpful in vinced he was that everything in his it.” psychotic conditions these symptoms some ways – but it’s just not enough. I brain was correct. There was just no Share your story can become a part of everyday life. really believe in the benefits of talk In complex cases, standard therapy for people with this profile. I talking to him, nowhere for him to Do you have personal experience of treatments don’t always work and think it will be highly beneficial in go for help.” living with mental health mental health practitioners face a south London.” A roofer and builder who loved his problems? Has a friend or family constant challenge to find the right Lambeth and Southwark Mind is set work, Ricky became increasingly member been affected? Your story form of therapy for each individual. to launch the free service as a pilot frustrated as his mental health prob- could help inspire others to donate Lambeth and Southwark Mind is set programme in partnership with the lems made it more and more difficult towards our campaign. to launch a pioneering new service this Mosaic Clubhouse in Brixton in March. fDoor“r Hheieemn rtleooc lvaeelaldds . a“ Hmneou rhsmaicda, l q luifdieta.en ac ilontg o,”f CHoerolgpua lundsi ysfuionnudg rs aauis pfeupnodrrt aoiusrin agp epveeanl tb yor starp emraientmngt etahnl aht tfe owarli tlLhl oo cnffrdiesoris nl.oenrsg i-nte trhme grips of tDooor omtuhcéhe eBmonpnhiagsails- Koant mz seadyisc athtieorne is Dorothée Bonnigal-Katz will friends. But even his friends started setting yourself a sponsored The psychosis therapy project aims what they tell us and take it on board present the charity’s annual lecture to drift away from him because they challenge? Every penny could be to promote and develop individualistic critically and non-judgementally.” on psychosis therapy to mark the said ‘we don’t know how to deal with crucial in helping us reach our support for people with psychotic In a crucial difference to other start of the project next month. The this, we just don’t know what to say campaign targets. diagnoses. services, Mind will offer open-ended lecture takes place at 336 Brixton to him’. He’d suddenly have one of Donate to our campaign It has already proved hugely talking therapies that are carefully Road, London, SW9 7AA on these episodes and just run off.” To make a donation to our appeal, successful in north London, where designed to avoid the pitfalls of Saturday February 25, starting at While living in his countryside you can visit the dedicated website Islington Mind has been delivering a labelling and rejection. Dorothée says 2pm. Tickets are available online at flat, Ricky’s psychosis kicked in www.givey.com/changeispossible similar service for the last four years. there is too strong a focus on http://bit.ly/2ijLXn3. again. He believed his housemate Alternatively, you can write to Dorothée Bonnigal-Katz, an medication and short-term targets. Her The South London Press is giving was a paedophile and that he’d been Lambeth and Southwark Mind, 4th experienced psychoanalyst who runs approach is to be less restrictive. away free tickets to the first 10 moved there because he was sus- floor, 336 Brixton Road, London, her own practice in Leamington Spa, is “People should have access to readers to contact reporter Jack pected of the same offence. He be- SW9 7AA. leading the initiative. therapy for long periods of time Dixon on 07973 565078 or via email lieved there were cameras in the flat, l For more information, please “We work with people on the basis because, especially with psychosis, at this address: watching him 24 hours a day. contact reporter Jack Dixon on of their experience, not their symptoms things are very slow and you need a [email protected]. When Doreen invited him to come 07973 565078 or email him: or behaviour,” she says. “We focus on permanence or steadiness in the work Maximum two tickets per person home and stay with her, he threat- [email protected]