Cllr James Barber took me and Jonathan out this week to witness the installation of a second round of ‘Alert Boxes’ in stores on Lordship Lane and Northcross Road thanks to Cleaner, Greener, Safer money from the Dulwich Community Council

Alert Boxes are a simple means of helping local stores to warn each other about shoplifters and other trouble in their area.

Alert boxes work like a small digital radio. If a shopkeeper wants to warn others about potential shoplifters or to issue a distress call then they simply press a button. Experience has shown that their neighbours will be very quick to come to their aid. 

As well as boosting the fight against crime, these boxes help to build relations between local stores and are especially useful in helping stores run by just a single person to feel safer.  Its ba practical way of cutting crime and supporting localshops.  Well done James!

Southwark Council has engaged Living Streets (the national charity campaigning for better streets and public spaces for people on foot) to look at Lordship Lane (from Goose Green to the Plough, by the Library) from the point of view of local people. The idea is to identify ways to improve our main shopping street and make it a better place to walk, talk, shop and meet friends.  

Most people I have spoken to think Lordship Lane could be a better place for pedestrians.  If you have views - now is the time to make them heard!

COME TO A MEETING: on Wednesday 31st January at 7.00pm, at the Dulwich Grove United Reformed Church Hall, opposite Dulwich Hospital – free refreshments

COME FOR A WALK: You can join Living Streets and local councillors on Lordship Lane to point out problems first-hand on Saturday 3rd February at 11.00am, starting from Dulwich Grove United Reformed Church Hall, opposite Dulwich Hospital.

Please come along and raise the issues important to you about Lordship Lane, and how it affects your quality of life. If you can attend, please let Paul at Living Streets know on 01539 738610, or 07917 312911; or email paul.holdsworth@livingstreets.org.uk – or simply turn up on the day!

Last night, I was able to attend the Community Celebration organised by the Southwark Muslim Council at the East Dulwich Community Centre. Prof. Dawud Noibi spoke eloquenty about the true nature of Islam and rightly denounced those carrying out terrorist attacks in its name.

I spoke briefly about the importance of religion in the community - particularly in East Dulwich where we are blessed with chapels, churches, a mosque and a Sikh temple.

As well as Muslims of all ages, representatives of other faiths were also present. With music and halal food a-plenty, a good time was had by all.

Yesterday’s Goodrich Carnival was a fun as predicted. Bigger and better than last year and all the bicycle floats survived the trip.

It’s a briliant community event. It’s not just the parents and children that join in but locals line the streets to cheer on the procession.

It’s carnival time at our local primary school  - Goodrich. I’m particularly pleased that this year’s carnival is to be an eco-carnival. The theme is recycling and looking after the environment.  I’ve promised to pull something on my bike - though I am not yet sure what!

There will be floats, a procession through the streets, steel band, face painting, DJ, BBQ and Bar. And the drink cans will be recycled.  For the first time, there wil be a fashion show too.

All the money raised will go to Goodrich School. Support is welcome on the day from 3.30 - 8pm. If you want to get involved, let me know and I’ll put you in touch with the organisers.