Disruptions during the presentation. Photo: Adrian Scott-Kemp

An 86-year-old Holocaust survivor was heckled by pro-Israelis while giving a controversial talk on Wednesday night at Goldsmiths University in Lewisham.

Dr. Hajo Meyer delivered his talk, ‘The Misuse of the Holocaust for Political Purposes’, on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day .His criticisms of the Israeli government were met with aggression by two audience members, who shouted interruptions during talks by both Dr. Meyer and fellow speaker, Palestinian Journalist, Haidar Eid. They also held up signs with the word ‘lies’ written on them.

In 1944 Dr. Meyer spent 10 months in Auschwitz; the largest of the World War II concentration camps. He is now a published essayist based in the Netherlands, and is involved in campaigning for ending, what he views as, the occupation of Palestine. He is delivering a series of talks as part of a tour organised by the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network.

The Network’s Founder, Sarah Kershnar, claimed they had not been  allowed to list any of the talks on the official Holocaust Memorial Trust website due to their position on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Ms.Kershnar said: “We tried three times and it wouldn’t go through.”

She has launched a petition in response to the banning, but when EastLondonLines approached The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, they denied having received the submission from IJAN.

James Haywood, the Goldsmiths College student who organized the hosting of the talk for IJAN, said he believed it contributed an important perspective to the Memorial Day; “The talk we’re holding tonight is not conventional but its important to remember that racism in all its forms is bad.”

Other East London line boroughs, Croydon and Hackney, hosted more traditional ‘Candle Lighting Events’ yesterday to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.

Foster carer Marrion Collins says the role has changed over the years. Photo:Adriane scott-Kemp

A  drive encouraging people to consider fostering children as a job has been launched this week.

Run by the council and Care UK, a leading independent provider of health and social care services, ‘Lewisham Fostering Week’ aimed to boost the number of foster carers in the borough by 100 over the next four years.

There is a desperate shortage of foster parents in Lewisham and the week, which ran from 18-21 January at Catford’s Civic Suite, was designed to inform locals of the rewards associated with fostering in an effort to urgently raise the number of applications.

Alongside the social benefits of caring for a child, foster parents in the borough can earn up to £500 a week.

Marrion Collins, a foster parent for over a decade and Chairwoman of the Lewisham Fostering Association, acknowledged the need for a shift in how the role is perceived.

She said: “There have been enormous changes over the past 15 years, it’s gone from a mumsy role and crossed over into professionalism.”

But Ms Collins maintained: “You can’t do it without the money, but you can’t do it for the money.”

Mark Pomell, Care UK director, described the campaign as more ‘media-savvy’ than usual while Anessa Lagerdien, registered manager of Care UK, insisted: “Although we want numbers, we want quality.”

Ms Lagerdien said that the screening process for prospective carers remains intensive, emphasising the need for “skills, accommodation and love.”

Cllr Robert Massey, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: “We need more local foster carers so that we can keep young people in care near to their friends, the schools they go to and to other community ties.”

Owner Lynne chats with some of her dedicated customers. Photo: Adriane Scott-Kemp

You Don’t Bring Me Flowers‘ in Hither Green is not just a florist, its not just a cafe – it’s an experience.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door reveals a magical space: flowers spill across the room, homemade baked delights adorn the counter, boutique cards and gifts nestle in pockets of shop while vintage furniture and antique china fill any remaining space.

No wonder this unique shop, which opened 6 years ago, has effortlessly brushed aside any recession woes and remains as busy as ever.

The owner, Lynne Norledge, was a local of Hither Green for 5 years before opening You Don’t Bring Me Flowers. The near-by neighbourhood, Blackheath, has always had dozens of cafes and delis and it struck Lynne: “why haven’t we got anything like that in Hither Green?”.

All the goods in this boutique cafe are locally sourced or made in the UK. The cakes and biscuits are all supplied by local bakers – Lynne’s own mother is among the talents – while the bread comes from a local Blackheath bakery. The delicately handmade cards and numerous treasures are products from small designer boutiques. Visiting this local gem is not just a slice of pampered heaven for yourself, it is also a way of supporting a number of local businesses. What more could you want from an afternoon tea?

You Don’t Bring Me Flowers

15 Staplehurst Rd, Hither Green, London, SE135ND

www.youdontbringmeflowers.co.uk

020 8297 2333

]]> http://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/2010/01/sugar-and-spice-and-all-things-nice/feed/ 1 http://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/2010/01/food-banks-will-help-feed-people-in-need/ http://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/2010/01/food-banks-will-help-feed-people-in-need/#comments Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:56:49 +0000 Adriane Scott-Kemp http://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/?p=4838

Food bank volunteers. Photo: Adriane Scott-Kemp

Food banks to help the needy will soon be sprouting up across the EastLondonLines boroughs.

They aim to provide families and individuals with a short-term food supply made up of donations, are part of a national initiative by the Christian charity, the Trussell Trust.

Volunteers from Tower Hamlets and Croydon are currently developing food banks with the Trust, while Lewisham have their initial meeting with the Trust scheduled for early February.

Each food bank is a combined effort between the Trust, who provide the infrastructure and training and  volunteer community groups  responsible for management of their individual bank.

Andy Adenegan, the London area coordinator for the Trussell Trust,  is currently developing a food bank with Croydon volunteers. The same process is now underway in Tower Hamlets, following a successful meeting which took place on Wednesday.

Mr Adenegan says he is hopeful that there will be a positive outcome  from the Lewisham meeting.

The Trussell Trust began the food bank network five years ago. There are now 56 food banks open across the United Kingdom. Currently only five are in London, although  the Trust aims to have  a food bank open in every borough by the Olympics in 2012.

Food banks already exist in the United States, Australia and New Zealand, but are a relatively new concept to many Britons

The aim of the banks is  to provide emergency food for people in crisis who cannot get help through other means.

The Trust say they aim to provide enough food for three days, which is the average time  it takes social services departments or similar organisations to respond to emergency cases.

Peckham opened their own food bank just last month through the Trussell Trust and Pecan Charity.

Larliene Miller the project manager has seen the bank provide for a variety of people already -  from refugees to the unemployed and families suffering bereavement or a sudden financial crisis. Ms Miller said: “It doesn’t take a lot for a situation to change.”

The food banks are reliant entirely on donations from individuals, charity groups, and local businesses. In Peckham, the local branch of supermarket chain Morrisons is one of the main supporters.

Jeremy Ravin, The Trussell Trust’s food bank network manager, describes it was a “charity led reaction” to the way  governments ”do nothing for people in these circumstances.”

To donate to a food bank go to the Trust’s website at http: www.trusselltrust.org/content/foodbank/links.htm