SE22 Councillors

Councillor Charlie Smith - Goose Green Labour Councillor | charlie.smith@southwark.gov.uk

Good news for Goose Green primary school. The Chase Rewarding Futures scheme has improved the library facilities at the school and will receive 500 new books from one of the UK’s top publishers, Penguin Random House UK. 16 other schools across the Borough will also be part of this project. The aim is to create more reading and to encourage reading both in and outside of the school.

A new enterprise has come to East Dulwich. Fettle are a bicycle repair and maintenance company that have opened a workshop in Grove Vale on the Kwik Fit site. As more people are turning to cycling, this will be a much-needed facility to have your bike serviced or repaired. I was invited to open the workshop recently and talk to staff.

Councillor Maggie Browning and I recently attended a 75th Windrush celebration service at Christchurch in Barry Road. Also, in attendance was his Worshipful the Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Michael Situ. It was a great service with testimonies from those relatives of the original pioneers.

I have received many complaints regarding E Bikes being abandoned and causing obstructions to pavements and footpaths. The companies that own these bikes are aware of the dangers these bikes can cause especially to partially sighted people or those with mobility problems and wheelchair users. The Council is working with these companies to try and resolve this issue.

Now the summer holidays are here, there are lots of activities for children and young people. There is the Football Magic Holiday Camp that is being held at the JAGS Sports Centre, Red-post Hill throughout August. There are also African Drumming Workshops being held at St Giles Parish Hall, in Benhill Road. Go to Southwark Council’s website for details of these and other summer events.

June was a month that saw high temperatures. This along with recent heatwaves across most of Europe have proved difficult for many older people or those with young children. If temperatures rise again during August, it is advisable to take some simple precautions. Government advice is to keep out of hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm. Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun. Drink plenty of fluids and limit alcohol intake. Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk and ask them to do the same to you. Take care and enjoy the summer.