Council to restart legal action on Corals

It doesn't come as any great surprise to hear that assurances given by Coomes (owners of the Coral building in Ladywell) to repair the building and bring the first and second floor flats back into use proved worthless, so it is good to hear that the Council has recently written to the Residential Property Tribunal Service seeking a hearing and, hopefully, service of an Empty Dwelling Management Order.

The Council supports LVIG's long held argument that this property is highly visible, a blight on the local amenity of the neighbourhood and contributes towards depressing the regeneration of the area and the sustainability of Ladywell Village as a local retail centre.

Thanks to Nick Long at the Council for his tenacity - HOWEVER if the Council is to be successful in seeking an EDMO they will need evidence by way of letters from local residents and retailers painting a picture of the impact this shabby building has on Ladywell and showing the strength of feeling on this matter.  Furthermore, when this comes to the Tribunal in January (date t.b.c.) it would be good if a small delegation of residents could attend to demonstrate the strength of local support for firm and decisive action.

Letters on this should be sent to Nick Long, Empty Homes Officer, 4th Floor, Laurence House, London SE6 4RU.

LVIG Christmas benefit gig (8 Dec) - and Santa Claus is coming to town!

Ahead of Ladywell’s strictly glitzy Christmas market on 15 December, the Ladywell Village Improvement Group is organising a lively benefit evening on Saturday 8 December.  The Ladywell Tavern will come alive with the ska, rock and soul sounds of the Grey Cats, with support from young acoustic singer-songwriter, Nyona, and acoustic sing-along covers with John and Stuart.  The line up of entertainment will start at 8.00pm and while entry is free, donations are welcome.  All money raised will go towards the cost of putting on the Christmas market and on improvement projects in Ladywell.

Cynthia Lamptey, Chair of the LVIG events team, said: “This is going to be a really lively and fun evening out.  Come with family, friends or neighbours and support your local community and your local high street.  The Ladywell Tavern is a great venue and we have an excellent evening of entertainment lined up.”

Children will also be thrilled to learn that, over the same weekend, Santa and the Christmas Angel will be visiting 'Slater and King' at 46 Ladywell Road SE13 on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 December from 10.00am-6.00pm.

Ladywell Christmas Market in ON! - Sat 15 Dec,11am-5pm

This year’s Christmas market is taking its inspiration from the popular BBC television show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.  There’ll be plenty of glitter and glamour as Ladywell celebrates ‘Strictly Christmas’.
The area outside Ladywell train station will be transformed into a festive food and gift market.  Entertainment and activities are just being finalised, but will include choirs and the all-important dressing and lighting of the village Christmas tree.
Cynthia Lamptey, Chair of the LVIG Events Team, says: “Many of the village’s businesses will be taking part in ‘Strictly Christmas’, but we’ll also have a wide range of Christmas stalls selling things you can’t easily find elsewhere. Ladywell will be the place to come if you want to find that unusual or special gift.  For the adults we’ll have some warming seasonal food and mulled wine on offer. For the kids we’ll have face-painting as well as a few surprises.  All of this will take place against a backdrop of a traditional Christmas tree with guest choirs.”

Ladywell Village Cycles

Mark Raistrick has twice proven extremely helpful (and his charges for bike repairs are very reasonable) so I thought he deserved mention on the Blogspot.  He's situated next to Ladywell Village Barbers.  Contact: (E) ladywellcycles@gmail.com and (T) 020 8265 4791.
Robert Sheppard  

Ladywell Baths ('Playtower') building works well underway

The building works, funded by the Council, to weatherproof and safeguard the structure of the building, are now well underway.  These works, once completed, will enable the Ladywell Tower Trust (a building preservation trust) to start to bring the building back into use whilst at the same time respecting its historical character.

The Trust is also exploring ways of securing the very significant funding that will be needed if the entire site is to be brought back into use.  Any future use(s) of the building will need to ensure an income stream that will cover the running costs of the building.

It is expected that early in 2013, once the building works are completed, a volunteer session will be arranged to clear and tidy the front forecourt of the building and, perhaps, to start to lay out a garden there.