New Cross Ogres vs Brockley Trolls

Hans Gruber: "And when Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer." Benefits of a classical education.
- Die Hard

Ian, author of this year's Telegraph Hill pantomime reveals his terrible betrayal, saying:

I thought you might like to know that the only bit where the villain got cheered in this year's performances was in this exchange...

DUKE OGRE Yes, I will be King! And when I am king of Hatcham there will be none of this nonsense about skate parks and community cafes. I have a REAL Bold Vision. I shall raise up an army. An army! And invade...Brockley! 
WIZARD TOPPING Impossible. Haven’t you read the Brockley Central blog? No one can challenge Greater Brockley! 
DUKE OGRE When I’m finished Greater Brockley will just be Lesser New Cross.

The Deptford Cookbook Project Pop-Up

The Brockley Art Heist

Sergey has fallen prey to the preternaturally efficient domestic recycling system that greases the wheels of the conservation area. He writes:

I moved to Brockley (Wickham Road) on Saturday 7 December. I had unloaded this painting along with a few boxes onto the pavement outside Jasmin House, and went into the building with a few items. When I came back out a few minutes later, this painting was missing – someone thought it was free to take and it wasn’t. It is not financially valuable, but very important to me sentimentally. If you have seen it, please let me know. I would be very grateful to have it back. Reward offered — call or text Sergey on 07412 147309.

Speedicars now Keen

Your Hopes and Fears have been realised. Speedicars is changing.

Fred reports that Speedicars have been taken over by the Keen Group, a major South East London fleet operator. Local journeys are now £6 rather than £5, for some reason only they know.

Love on the Dole

St Asaph Road film-maker Mark is trying to raise money to fund a film called WASTED.  He writes:

WASTED is about a man desperately trying to keep his family together working part time/zero hours.   It's an alternative voice in the whole skiver/striver debate. WASTED takes a look at three generations of men and their relationship to work. It's saying not everyone on benefits is a scrounger. It's saying if being unemployed is a lifestyle choice it's a pretty crap one.

But it's NOT poverty porn.

It's warm, tender, funny; a man out there right now, doing his best.

Click here for the project's Kickstarter page.

Christmas Eve Brockley Market

Toby from Brockley Market writes:

We will be be opening the Car Park on Christmas Eve this year, between 10am and midday.

The Butchery, Jacobs Ladder, Foss Meadows and our fishmonger Veasey & Sons will be on hand for pre-ordered collection of Turkeys, Geese, Cockerel, Chickens, Beef Joints, Pork Joints, Lamb Joints, Stuffing, Sausages/bacon and all fish orders.

You will need to pre-order with the individual stalls at the market in the coming weeks, for Christmas eve collection...

Perry Court Farm (Organic) will be setting up a Christmas eve stall stall where you can buy your Christmas day vegetables. (Potatoes, Parsnips, Cabbage, Carrots, Sprouts etc..)

You can also order Christmas trees from Brockley Logs for collection from the market in the run up to Christmas. Order via email or at the Market with 'Brockley Logs' email: ask@brockleylogs.com

The last Brockley Market of 2013 will be December 21st (Closed for a week, then open weekly again from Saturday January 4th 2014)

A big thanks to all who have supported the traders and market in 2013, from all at Brockley Market we wish your a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

TfL plans for DLR, Overground and Bakerloo extensions in Lewisham

BCer Monkeyboy has sent us a copy of the latest TfL Business Plan. In the section called "Unlocking the Future Growth of London", the document highlights Lewisham as a borough where future capacity is required and alludes to the possible extensions of Overground, Bakerloo and DLR services in the borough:

We are continuing to assess ways to improve access to Lewisham and Bromley. These will be considered through a coordinated approach, which will include options such as a possible extension of the Bakerloo line, the DLR or the Overground. A key focus is how any proposal will be funded.

The Mayor has been teasing us with the prospect of a Bakerloo extension for a long time now, though at best, it appears to be a rhetorical admission that such a scheme makes a lot of sense, rather than a serious plan. However, the steady drip of news and commentary about these three projects is encouraging. Each of them has the potential to unlock huge regeneration benefits.