Charlton fans act to protect The Valley – but what else in SE7 needs looking after?

Darryl Chamberlain2 Comments

Newspaper front page from The Royal Oak

The Charlton Athletic Supporters Trust has launched a petition to officially designate The Valley as an “asset of community value” to protect the historic ground from being sold for development.

There’s no suggestion that the stadium is in any immediate danger of being sold, and relations between the relatively new trust and the club are good.

Instead, it recognises the fact that almost every club in England outside the Premier League is in permanent financial peril – and given Charlton’s unhappy history of ground moves, it makes sense to safeguard the ground in case any new owners plan to sell up.

Even if Charlton are successful, this isn’t a totally unlikely scenario – Greenwich Council planning masterplans show a possible stadium on the west side of the Greenwich Peninsula, and it’s felt by some that this would be an option if the club were to return to the Premier League, given the natural restrictions on developing what used to be the biggest ground in the League.

Charlton moved to share Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park ground in 1985, returning in 1992 via a short spell at West Ham. Even earlier in the club’s history, it spent a disastrous year at a ground in Catford called The Mount (now Mountsfield Park) in the 1920s.

So what is an asset of community value? Quite simply, every council is now required to keep a register of places which are deemed valuable to their local communities. If the council approves this application, then if the property is ever sold, then a six-month block is placed on the sale to enable local community groups to bid. Nominations have to come from community groups, rather than individuals. Assets can include community centres, libraries, pubs, open spaces and more.

At present, Greenwich Council does not have an register of assets, but Lewisham has registered the Baring Hall Hotel pub in Grove Park and an artists’ studio in New Cross. So it’s easy to see where The Valley fits in – indeed, Manchester United fans are making similar moves to protect Old Trafford.

So, what else locally should be on this register? The Place Station allows anyone to list places they think could or should be on the list – in Charlton, I added the old St Austin’s sports field in Highcombe, and the summer house (ex-public toilets) outside Charlton House. That said, it’s possible neither would qualify because they’ve been out of use for so long, but just outside SE7, I added East Greenwich Library (due to be sold by the council) and Hervey Road Playing Field too.

But what else could go on there? The biggie’s Charlton House – itself due to be moved to a heritage trust soon. But where else? Charlton Assembly Rooms? The pet cemetery in Hornfair Park? The Old Cottage Cafe in Charlton Park?

These are just suggestions – where else do you think could benefit from special protection? Share it here – and The Place Station would also like to know, too.

This Saturday: Charlton Society plus Pound Park table sale

Darryl Chamberlain1 Comment

Here’s a note from Charlton Society chairman David Gardner…

Trees in our local parks is the focus of the talk at the Charlton Society this Saturday 20 July starting at 2.30pm at Charlton House. Local tree expert Jim Hedges will speak and there’s much more than you would think!

Good to shade us from the sun, great for the environment and very much part of Charlton’s look and feel as a green village. We will also have time for local news and discussion and, of course, a refreshing cup of tea.

On the subject of trees, we are making strong representations for the new Charlton Sainsbury’s/M&S landscaping. We have also been trying to urge quick resolution to widening the pavement by the new Sainsbury’s local store going in opposite the station. And on shops, you may have noticed Charlton Village has a brand new green grocers by The Baguette. Good quality and value with a wise range, give it a try.

There’s also a table sale earlier in the day at Pound Park Nursery, with painting and other fun for kids.

table_sale

Charlton Champion Summer Social – update

Neil Clasper1 Comment

We have a date and venue for the inaugural Charlton Champion Summer Social – your chance to meet the people behind the Champion, tell us what you like and don’t like, what we’re missing (and any juicy stories you want to pass on), while meeting new people (and maybe your neighbours). We’ll be meeting in the Rose of Denmark on Woolwich Road from 8pm on Wednesday 24th July.

Rose Of Denmark
296 Woolwich Rd
London
SE7 7AL

If you’re planning on coming along, I’d be most grateful if you could send a quick email to neilclasper [at] gmail.com, so we can get an idea of how many to expect.

Charlton Park footballers get Run to the Beat reprieve

Darryl Chamberlain

Run to the Beat final route, July 2013
Sunday footballers at Charlton Park and Meridian Sports Club won’t be cut off by September’s Run To The Beat half-marathon, organisers have revealed two months before the race.

Earlier this year, The Charlton Champion revealed plans for the controversial race to be diverted via Canberra Road and Charlton Park Lane, dividing the two green spaces which are packed with sports players every weekend.

But those plans have now been dropped, with the race now running via Charlton Village instead. To make up the lost mileage, the route will run alongside the Thames between Anchor & Hope Lane and Peartree Way, Greenwich, passing the Anchor & Hope pub and Angerstein Wharf.

Details are still sketchy, although some residents have received leaflets warning them of the new route. There’s a more general discussion about Run To The Beat over at 853, but if you’ve any views on how the route will specifically affect Charlton, feel free to share them here.

Charlton Lido – late opening for the hot weather

Neil Clasper2 Comments
Charlton Lido - August 2012
Charlton Lido – August 2012

Good news for Charlton lido swimmers as GLL announce extended weekday opening hours from this week. The pool will be open 6.45am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5pm on the weekend. This will be especially welcome for those swimmers whose working hours make it otherwise impossible to use the lido during the week. As London temperatures soar, there’s never been a better time to try Charlton’s outdoor pool.

Last week GLL suggested on Twitter that opening hours would be extended once the refurbishment is completed, but was unable to confirm how late they’d be staying open. If you want to swim in the evenings beyond the summer, let them know. If feedback on this site and Twitter is anything to go by, there’s definitely demand for post-work swimming in SE7.

As ever, we’re keen to hear your thoughts on the lido. Four months since its reopened it’d be interesting to get your feedback- let us know in the comments below!

NB: GLL do vary the opening times, so it’s always best to check the official website before going: http://www.better.org.uk/leisure/charlton-lido

Charlton Champion Summer Social

Neil Clasper18 Comments
River Thames from Anchor and Hope pub, 30 June 2013
Where else in London do you get views like this?

Would you like to meet the people behind the Charlton Champion? A chance to tell us what we’re doing right, what we’re getting wrong, and what we’re missing? Got an SE7 story you want to tell or a rumour to pass on? Would you like to get involved and contribute to the site?

Plans are afoot to organise an informal drinks evening locally. It should be an excellent opportunity to get together with the Champion’s contributors, and meet new people (or maybe your neighbours!), and have a chat about what’s going on in Charlton.

It’s most likely to take place on a weeknight in a local pub, in the last full week of July; but we need at least a general idea of how many people are likely to turn up, so that we can either reserve an area of a pub, or at least let the pub know we’re expecting a few people.

So, if all of this appeals – and we promise that a) we are a friendly bunch, and b) we won’t twist you arm too hard to write for us – let us know in the comments below or email neilclasper [@] gmail.com.

UPDATE 15th July: We have now confirmed a date and a venue – the evening of Wednesday 24th July, probably starting around 8pm, at the Rose of Denmark on Woolwich Road. If you plan to come along, it’d be appreciated if you could drop me a quick email at neilclasper [at] gmail.com so I can manage expectations of numbers.

Photography exhibition at Charlton House

Neil Clasper
Aperture's Charlton House Exhibition
Aperture’s Charlton House Exhibition

Local photographic club Aperture have an exhibition at Charlton House opening tomorrow, running through to July 31st. The show presents some of the group’s best work, and is open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm. Additionally, it’ll be open on Sunday 28th of July for the Charlton Horn Fayre, where Aperture club members will also be out and about taking photos. If you’re interested in what else they’re up to, you can follow Aperture on Twitter: @aperturewps.

Update: We’re told the exhibition will be open on Saturdays, 10am-5pm.

In related news, Charlton House still have pitches available for the Horn Fayre. Hopefully they’ll have some more publicity for the Horn Fayre shortly (and not just on Facebook).