Nunhead Station

Since no-one came up with any photos of the new artwork at Nunhead Station, we jogged over there at sunset tonight and got some of our own. It's a rather lovely gateway, which does with metal what Rob Ryan does with paper. It transforms a humdrum station entrance and shows an admirable commitment by Southwark Council to provide a high-quality public realm.

On our way back along St Asaph Road, we saw the streetlamps that a few readers have mentioned. Southwark has installed retro metal lamps all along the street, which vastly improve its appearance. We got this rubbishy shot, which just about gives you the idea.

The handsome metal lampposts (right) give way to concrete beasts (left) at the borough boundary, where Nunhead meets west Brockley. It's indicative of a wider commitment to high-quality design shown by Southwark (see also, Dulwich's bollards) that Lewisham would do well to copy.

The Leander Music Studio

The Brockley Assembly has awarded funding to help a community group, led by local Dean Edwards, to create a music studio for local young people in the Leander Community Centre, Deptford.

The project is still in development and seeking funding partners, but the group is supported by the Institute of Music Technology at Hurricane Studios in Deptford (which provides creative apprenticeships to give people the technical skills to work in the music industry) and the project already has volunteer teachers attached.

The planned opening date is summer 2010. More then.

BC Mayor Bid: Official

I think, therefore you are.- Sutter Cane, In the Mouth of Madness

Brockley Central is running for Mayor of Lewisham. Fact.

That's what we reported yesterday morning*, but any old fool can write a blog - it's not official until it's appeared on honest-to-goodness paper and ink.

And it doesn't get more official than the news in brief column on page five of the South London Press.

Today, the paper reports:

Blogger to stand as directly elected mayor

The writer of a popular internet blog will run as a mayoral candidate in the upcoming elections. Nick Barron, who runs the Brockley Central online forum, will stand as an independent candidate in Lewisham in May.

Ominously for the Labour Mayor, it concludes:

Labour's Sir Steve Bullock is the current directly elected Lewisham Mayor.

*Yesterday was April 1st.

Glasshouse application resubmitted

The developers behind the Glasshouse proposal have re-applied for planning permission for the apartment block development on Mantle Road.

Simultaneous construction of both Glasshouse and the Bridge House development on the opposite side of the road would have been very difficult without causing major disruption to Mantle Road traffic. Mantle House is now nearing completion.

RSVP Deptford

RSVP London is a creative industries network, based in Deptford. Established by local digital design firm Raw Nerve, the network meets through regular informal events in Deptford venues.

Last night, Brockley Central attended one of RSVP's networking events at Bearspace, a small gallery on Deptford High Street. We were thoroughly useless networkers, hobbled by two young children in tow (if anyone tells you a gallery full of young artists is a kid-friendly venue, don't believe them) but it was clear that everyone else was getting a lot out of it and the events prove that Deptford has succeeded in attracting the critical mass of artists and creative entrepreneurs that it has been threatening to build for many years.

Brockley Central enters Lewisham Mayoral race

Pete: Wait a minute. Who elected you leader of this outfit?
Ulysses Everett McGill: Well Pete, I figured it should be the one with the capacity for abstract thought. But if that ain't the consensus view, then hell, let's put it to a vote.
- O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Brockley Nick here:

In the past, I have promised to be non-partisan about the local elections. However, I am afraid that I am going to have to retract that promise.

I have decided to stand for the Lewisham Mayoral election as an independent candidate, on behalf of the Brockley Central party.

It's not a decision I have taken lightly and it is clearly not an election I expect to win. Brockley Central might be able to fill a pub from time-to-time, but is unlikely to attract much of a borough-wide following. In fact, I will be pleased to avoid being seen as a joke candidate.

However, it is my hope that, if I can secure enough of your votes, then Brockley's concerns will have to be taken seriously by the next Mayor. While I respect many of the other candidates, when it comes to SE4's real problems, I believe they remain aloof.

My manifesto is a simple seven-point plan:

1. Cleaner streets - increased investment in sanitation, voluntary schemes for local businesses to cut plastic bags and packaging


2. Better pavements - removing clutter and unnecessary street furniture and railings


3. Draconian treatment of selfish parking - more traffic wardens, more car-free areas in our main streets


4. Compulsory purchase orders against car dealerships in Brockley's main centres - allowing them to be redeveloped as valuable shops, such as delis and galleries


5. Increased funding and powers for volunteer groups, such as Brockley Cross Action Group - allowing them to appoint their own contractors for the successful delivery of local projects


6. Relaxation of planning rules in Brockley's mews - unleashing private investment and enterprise on these neglected spaces


7. Cancelling Lewisham News and all other forms of written communication from the Council - all communication will be delivered digitally, to reduce costs

Nominations close on April 8th. I will begin campaigning properly at that point.

I hope I can count on your support on May 8th.

Thank you for listening.

Ghoul times at the Rivoli

Many things have been said on these pages about Justin Lee Collins, but he's no fool.

The host of 'Good Times' on Five claims to have seen ghosts at the Rivoli Ballroom, the venue for the chatshow.

According to an article in The Sun spotted by reader Annabelle, Collins claims to have seen seen three ghosts while recording the show.

He's quoted as saying:

"According to the owner, this is something the ghosts tend to do a lot. The mirrors were steamed up, and as she wiped them she felt something move by her head. It freaked her out."

And what more evidence do any of us need?

Justin Lee Collins is currently promoting his new series, Justin Lee Collins: Good Times.