Three men have been charged with drugs offences after a police operation in Charlton on Monday.
Tjay Burrell, 30, of Swanley, and Matthew Exall, 24, of the Cherry Orchard estate in Charlton have been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Danny Richings, 28, of Harvey Gardens, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine, possession of criminal property, dangerous driving and using a vehicle without insurance.
The men were charged after a vehicle stop on Monday, and following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime South Unit.
All three were charged on Tuesday, 21 April. They were due to appear today at Wimbledon magistrates, police said.
The coronavirus emergency has seen demand for Greenwich Foodbank rocket. Some of the food bank’s regular donation points have been closed, but two local households have stepped up to the mark by hosting collections in their front gardens…
There is a cardboard box left outside 49 Banchory Road (between Charlton Road and Old Dover Road) all day, every day, where you can leave food that is in date and in closed packaging – the box will be taken to the food bank a couple of times a week.
There is a second garden collection outside 59 Delafield Road, but this is only between 2pm and 3pm on Tuesdays. More on the Charlton Central Residents Association website.
Supermarket collection points at the Sainsbury’s and Asda branches on Bugsbys Way remain open. Check on the Greenwich Foodbank website for what’s needed (UHT milk is the big shortage right now).
You can also donate cash – Charlton resident Nick Buckland’s appeal for the food bank has passed the £20,000 mark. Can you make it £21,000?
Charlton Park’s Big Red Bus Club has been given a grant to help it keep its volunteer programme running for another year – including its online storytelling sessions for families stuck at home during lockdown.
The charity, which runs the under-fives’ play centre off Cemetery Lane, was awarded £6,825 from the housing association L&Q’s Place Makers Fund.
Since the coronavirus emergency began, its volunteers have been running daily live storytelling online for local families with a range of activities and songs. These run every weekday at 1.30pm.
The club also offers career development support for its volunteers, aiming to support those kept out of the workplace through being a parent.
Its chief executive, Annie Drewry, said: “Big Red Bus Club and the families we support are facing uncertain times. L&Q support means we can carry on and keep supporting families and children so they don’t feel so alone and isolated even though they are living in isolation. We urge local families across Greenwich to join our online community of activities that L&Q support has kept alive.”
The Old Cottage Cafe in Charlton Park has been delivering food to people stuck at home since the crisis began
The owner of a Charlton cafe offering free lunches to the vulnerable says he is giving back to the community following an outpouring of support after a break-in last year.
As the coronavirus outbreak turns the lives of vulnerable residents upside down, Michael Lauricourt, along with his wife Mimi and an employee from the Old Cottage Cafe in Charlton Park have been cooking and delivering free lunches to local people.
Elderly and isolated households in Charlton, Woolwich and Blackheath are being treated to hot meals courtesy of the cafe.
Michael, who has run the cafe since it was opened in 2012, said: “We have always been part of the community – the community was behind us when we were broken into. When this all started the thought about how we could best help the community.
“Councillor John Fahy gave me a few names of people who couldn’t get out and about and we gave them free lunch, at first it was out of our own pocket. Since then, somebody else gave me a donation to help the work I’m doing. I’m keeping that ‘somebody’ private – but I’m very privileged to be able to do this to help the elderly.”
While he is helping the effort against the virus, Michael is mourning the death of his own father, George, who passed away on 22 March, aged 94, of circumstances not related to coronavirus.
Michael recently delivered food and tea to staff at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich
But Michael insists he and his wife wouldn’t be able to sit still if they had to sit at home, with their cafe closed due to government restrictions.
He said: “It has been overwhelming actually. It does feel good to give something back to the community – it’s very rewarding. When I see the people, I can see that they are so in need. Their mobility is not good. They are struggling – one person’s wife has dementia and he struggles to walk around.
“I’m sort of putting myself at risk – but I feel like I need to be out in the community and helping. In the cafe we are used to working seven days a week – if we are at home we’ll be wondering what we can do. We need to be out and about.”
At the moment a dozen households are being given free lunches – but there is scope to help more in the coming weeks.
Michael added: “We would like to stretch it out – but we can’t go too big you know. It’s only two people delivering at the moment, one is a worker, Erica, who volunteered. We need to keep it manageable. It’s only me and my wife and Erica, it’s only three of us.
“But we will look at helping more, if more people do need support. We can think about going down that road.”
On top of delivering the lunches three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Fridays) Michael and the team are going shopping for the vulnerable for their necessities and giving them vital human contact.
He said: “When we see these people we can see they are in need. Their mobility isn’t good and they are isolated. They need to have some human contact.”
The Old Cottage Cafe has also, as of this week, began donating tea, coffee and cake to NHS workers at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Woolwich Common. Workers were given banana cake and bread pudding along with two urns of coffee and tea.
The future remains uncertain for many small businesses – including the Old Cottage Cafe – but for the time being helping the community is the priority.
Michael said: “We don’t know how long this is going to go on for. We may have to ask for donations later down the line to keep going and delivering the food but at the moment we are managing. It’s very uncertain. I’m quite concerned about the future – we have been closed down. At first we were doing just takeaway but then we were told to shut the shop down.
“The council aren’t too sure themselves about what is going on with the rent – everyone’s situation is different. In the meantime we’ll just plod on as we are. If anyone else is needs help we can consider if we can do it – we need to be out and about.”
The Old Cottage Cafe can be reached on Twitter at @oldcoffeeshop.
TOM BULL is a freelance journalist and former BBC local democracy reporter. We have commissioned him to write about how communities and businesses are reacting to the coronavirus emergency in SE London – something we can only do because of the generosity of people who fund The Charlton Champion and its sister site 853, or bought our postcards. Thank you to all who have helped.
It goes without saying that this is a very tough time for local businesses. But what ones are helping you get through the coronavirus lockdown?
Now the situation has settled down a little, we’d like to compile a list of local shops and services that are staying open to serve their communities or SE London businesses that’ll deliver to Charlton. (After all, it’s a little frustrating finding “free delivery!” and then discovering it stops in SE10 or SE3…)
We’re looking for…
places in Charlton or within easy walking distance where you can pick up goods, or
places elsewhere in SE London offering delivery to SE7 – particularly ones that didn’t do that already and aren’t on the usual services
Please tell us about them in the comments below or email us and we’ll add them to the list. Thank you.
Here’s our list so far – updated on Tuesday 21 April – if you use them, tell them we sent you!
Groceries
💥CHARLTON CHAMPION DISCOUNT!💥 Little Sparrow Tea will do free local delivery and 20% off if you are in SE7, SE10 or SE18. Enter CharltonVIP at the checkout, and select “free local pick-up” – it’ll be delivered to you instead. Thanks to Adrian at Little Sparrow for arranging this for our readers. (website)
The Village Greengrocer in Charlton Village remains a staple – currently open Monday to Saturday 9am-3pm (check Twitter for updates)
There’s also Apple N’ Orange on Old Dover Road (Facebook page)
Brothers Bakery on Old Dover Road remains open (Facebook)
Very Green Grocer delivers across south-east London from Shooters Hill (website)(closed to new customers)
Paul Rhodes Bakery delivers within an eight-mile radius of Greenwich, so that’s us sorted (website)
Blackheath Pantry will deliver to SE7 – email jennifer[at]theblackheathpantry.co.uk for more details (Instagram)
Charlton Bakehouse will deliver bread to Charlton, Blackheath and Lee (website)
Tortoise Tom will deliver coffee all the way from Woolwich (website)
Drury Tea and Coffee will also deliver from Woolwich (website)
Spier’s Salads are delivering fruit, veg and meat staples boxes as well as coffee to SE postcodes (website)
Stickleback Fish will deliver to SE7, although its website hasn’t yet been updated to reflect that (website)
The Cheeseboard in Greenwich does free local deliveries in SE7 for orders over £35 (website)
Drings butchers in Greenwich does free local deliveries for the over-70s and isolated (website)
Salento Food and Wine, an Italian deli, will deliver free in SE7 if your order is over £30 (website)
Daun’s Deli in Catford will deliver in SE London on orders over £15 (website)
Mar de Olivos is offering free delivery of olive oil and more from Blackheath to SE3, SE7, SE9, SE10 and SE18 addresses (website)
Corner shops: It should go without saying, but your local corner shop can get you out of a pickle. We’ve had good reports of Victoria Food Stores on Inverine Road.
Children’s stuff
Ottie and the Bea at Blackheath Standard is delivering books and toys locally (see its website).
Charlton’s own The Big Red Bus Club is doing online storytelling at 1.30pm daily (website)
Singalong Sally is performing online for children live from Catford at 10am on weekdays (website)
Greenwich Libraries are offering Baby Rhyme Time sessions via Facebook
Beadoir in Greenwich Market is offering same-day delivery to SE7 (website)
Lots of children’s activities at Mycenae House have moved online (website)
Cakes
Dolce Idea Cake Design in Abbey Wood have been offering deliveries (Facebook)
Books and newspapers/ magazines
Greenwich Libraries offer e-books, audiobooks and online access to newspapers and magazines (website)
Southwark Libraries give access to a broader range of magazines and the wonder that is the Times Digital Archive (website – you can sign up for one month online)
Order books via hive.co.uk, which will give a portion of your money to Ottie and the Bea or any other independent bookshop of your choice – you choose at checkout.
Food
EaTurkish on Woolwich Road is open for takeaways from 4pm (website)
Alan’s Garden Centre in Halstow Road, Greenwich is “closed but open” – take a look at the website, send a text to check availability, and then make an appointment to pick up. (website)
PlantSavers will deliver plants from nurseries that would have gone to waste to SE postcodes (website)
Opticians
Page & Small on Charlton Road are still working from home: “We are still providing urgent and essential eyecare primarily by telephone and video but f2f if required / genuine emergency. We can offer repairs and replacement specs where needed. Contact lenses can still be ordered and will be delivered straight to home. We’re offering sunglasses style consultations via video calling for those we have seen before.” (website)
The Greenwich and Charlton delivery office on Horn Lane is now only open from 7am to 9am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Booze
CHARLTON CHAMPION SPECIAL:Husk Brewing is across the river in the Royal Docks, and they’ll deliver fresh beer south of the river on Sundays between 2pm and 6pm (within three miles – easily includes Charlton). We asked and they offered to deliver south of the river, so order away! (Check for updates @HuskBrewing and order on their website – the day has now changed from when we first published this.)
The River Ale House in Woolwich Road, Greenwich is open for takeouts Mon-Fri 5-7pm, Sat-Sun 3-5pm (Facebook)
A little further afield, the Pelton Arms in Greenwich is doing drinks and food to take away (Twitter)
Villages Brewery, Deptford is doing free delivery of cans of fresh beer (website)
Common Rioters Brewery, Plumstead offers craft beer from all over the place and delivers free within Greenwich borough (website)
The Kentish Belle, a micropub in Bexleyheath, is delivering to SE7 on orders of £20 or more, including some cask ale (website)
Theatre of Wine in Greenwich is delivering (website)
Davy’s in Greenwich is offering free delivery of wine over £75 in SE7 (website)
Beerguideldn.com has details of other breweries and shops who may deliver.
The Rusty Bucket pub in Eltham is now delivering to surrounding areas including Charlton (website)
Cycling
Greenwich Cycle Workshop on Woolwich Road, Greenwich is still open (see website)
Local arts
Fiona Veacock Ceramics is running classes online – if you ever wanted to learn how to do things with clay, now’s the time to do it from home! (website)
Greenwich Theatre is running events online under the name Greenwich Connects
Trinity Laban‘s Self Isolation Creation programme includes a live stream or film from one of its students, staff members or alumni every weeknight at 8pm (website)
Equality Dance has been holding virtual dance classes on Saturdays (Facebook)
Kerry on Dancing, usually in Mycenae House, has moved to Zoom (website)
Lots of other arts classes and activities at Mycenae House have also moved online (website)
My Only Desire Records is a Plumstead reissue label that will deliver to you (website)
Deptford Northern Soul Club Records will also deliver (website)
Casbah Records in Greenwich will send records to you (website)
The How Does It Feel To Be Loved? club night, which used to have occasional nights at the Montague Arms in Peckham (and they’re mates of ours), will bring its indie pop and soul disco to your front room every Saturday night (website)
Happy Mondays Comedy, usually at the Amersham Arms in New Cross, has moved online with a show on Easter Monday (Facebook)
Dulwich Hamlet Comedy Club has also moved online, with its next show on Sunday 5 May (website)
Greenwich Council’s community hub is available if you are self-isolating and have not got a family member, friend or neighbour who can help. Volunteers can collect and deliver prescriptions, deliver essential food packages and connect you to local community services. Call 0800 470 4831 or email covid19support[at]royalgreenwich.gov.uk.
Alternatively, you can also contact Greenwich Covid-19 Mutual Aid which is run by local residents. Call 020 7183 7127, fill in the form, or email greenwichmutualaid[at]gmail.com. (Facebook)
If you know any more – please leave a comment or email us (it’s easier to keep track of than social media). Also, if you’re a business happy to expand your delivery options a tiny bit further to include SE7, or would like to offer our readers a discount, we’d love to hear from you!
What’s more, many people’s Easter plans will be in tatters with a holiday weekend spent in lockdown rather than visiting friends and family.
If you want to send your loved ones something special for Easter to show you haven’t forgotten them – or just want to tell chums you’re okay – we still have stocks of our popular Greetings from Charlton postcards available.
All you need to do is visit our online shop, and we’ll deliver as quickly as we can (combining it with daily exercise, of course). All proceeds go towards the running costs of this website.
Times may be tough, but at least you can tell everyone you’re having a staycation in SE7 with one of our cards.
If you’re looking to take a local stroll over the next few days, you could do it along the Charlton riverside – before it changes forever. Greenwich University landscape architecture student MEREDITH WILL takes us for a walk from the Greenwich Peninsula to the Thames Barrier.
Charlton Riverside is a unique area within London, and it is about to change dramatically. While Charlton residents will probably be aware of the local master plan and large-scale development proposals, the history of the riverfront in Charlton is less well known, and in need of celebrating.
An easterly amble down the two-mile stretch of the Thames Path from Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park to the Thames Barrier provides a fascinating mix of active industry and remnants of the past along the river.
At the ecology park, you can step back in time to experience the river as it was before the 1800s. The wetland habitats have been reconstructed to emulate the environment that although now almost forgotten, once covered the entire Charlton Riverside area. There you can see the kinds of water birds and insects that would have been common before industry took hold. Now a watery urban oasis, visitors can search for snipes, reed warblers, swifts and the many butterflies and dragonflies that thrive in the wildflower meadow.
Following along the Thames Path, around the Greenwich Yacht Club, you come towards Angerstein and Murphy’s Wharves. Angersteim was the first wharf to be developed to the east of Greenwich, opening up the area for all future industry.
Looking back up the Thames from Riverside Wharf
It was built in the 1850s by John Angerstein, originally born in Russia to a Germany family, who later settled in Greenwich. Angerstein, like many others at the time, made his fortune in the slave trade, profiteering off the trading of enslaved people in Grenada. Angerstein’s extensive art collection became the basis of The National Gallery. Over time the wharf has been involved in dredging, metal works, glassworks, and aggregates industries.
For the last 30 years both Angerstein and Murphy’s wharves have been home to Day Group Ltd, loading and unloading sea-dredged aggregates and supplying material for London’s ever-expanding construction projects. The works are unmissable as you pass by; the many conveyer belts, corrugated irons shacks and mountains of tarmac are like walking onto the set of Mad Max.
A barge being repaired at Cory Environmental
Murphy’s Wharf – originally known as Christie’s Wharf – was built alongside Angerstein in the 1920s for the import and treatment of timber. It was famous for having a concrete pier, instead of the older wooden structures lined along the banks and for the quick unloading time of the dockers who worked there. The pier and cranes remain largely as they were built, but now stand unused and mossy – monuments to the workers and their industry. For the keen eye, the train track linking these wharves to the rail network can still be seen from the line between Charlton and Westcombe Park.
Beyond this lies Cory’s Barge Works. Now Cory Environmental, the company still operates on site, building, maintaining and repairing barges that take domestic waste out of central London. This is probably the only continually-operating boat repair company that has been working on the same site since 1873. Some of the timber sheds may be even older than Cory’s.
Durham Wharf from the Anchor & Hope beer garden
Further downstream is Durham Wharf, built in the early 1900s, which once transferred coal and sand into the city along the narrow gauge railway line which can be seen across the yard. Cory’s last used it in the 1970s and since then it has remained untouched.
Next you’ll reach the jewel in the crown, one of London’s best public houses, and a welcome sight for many a sailor, the Anchor and Hope pub, where the community of workmen have been served since Tudor times. The current building was built in 1898, and is a very popular stop-off point for people attempting to cover the whole Thames Path. A winkle shack is just next door if you fancy a salty snack.
The remains of Castle’s shipbreaking works
If you’ve timed your journey with the low tide, brave the mud and explore the foreshore by going down the steps by the pub. You’ll be rewarded with one of the most important maritime archaeological sites in the country – the remnants of huge Victorian battle ships which were broken up on the foreshore for parts. People have been able to identify what these timbers were used for and which ships they came from. The most famous of these ships was the HMS Duke of Wellington, a first-rate triple-decker flagship, powered by both sail and steam.
Down on the foreshore
A short distance away is the youngest wharf along this stretch, Maybank Wharf, occupied by Westminster Waste. Built in 1966 for transporting paper from it nearby factory, it is no longer in use but is in near-perfect condition. A development from Hyde Housing is set to replace the current buildings with flats and a public park on the jetty.
The Maybank jetty
Next you will come across Riverside Wharf, a striking yellow and red structure which stretches over the Thames Path. This Tarmac plant, as well as Angerstein and Murphy’s wharves, is safeguarded, meaning it has been given special protection by the Mayor of London to prevent their redevelopment.
The final wharf along this walk is the Flint Glass Jetty and Thames Wharf, erected in 1920 by Johnsen and Jorgensen, Swedish cod liver and polar bear traders, for their glass works business. The factory was one of the world’s leading glass works, importing bottles to be made into thermometers and other glass equipment.
Riverside Wharf at high tide
Although just short of two miles long, this amble along Charlton Riverside allows walkers to traverse across 200 years of history, from misty marshland through waves of 19th and 20th century industry and into the next chapter of redevelopment. While the developments will inevitably change the industrial character of this area, there’s hope that Charlton’s unique history will not be lost or forgotten. The redevelopment offers an opportunity to re-engage with this history and ensure its legacy is respected.
A group of students from the University of Greenwich are conducting a project on Charlton and the Thames. If you have any stories relating to the Charlton foreshore, industry past or present or anecdotes and memories, please get in touch with us at CharltonForeshoreStories[at]gmail.com.
The Charlton Champion 