Rachel Onikosi (L) MP Ellie Reeves (R)
Lewisham West and Penge s MP deleted a tweet after she was asked had she “checked the facts” about a claim related to a by-election candidate for Bellingham. On April 23, MP Ellie Reeves tweeted that Labour candidate Rachel Onikosi “has a proven track record delivering for the community leading on the regeneration of Beckhenham Park and the Fellowship and Star”. The Fellowship and Star is a Grade II listed pub in Bellingham, which was restored after a campaign. But Ms Reeves deleted the tweet after the board chair of an organisation behind the campaign asked had she “checked the facts”.
Melfield Gardens A scheme that rewards students with lower rent for being “good neighbours” to older people has been approved in Lewisham. The development, to be owned and run by Phoenix Community Housing, will involve the demolition of 16 vacant bedsits in Melfield Gardens, near Beckenham Hill station, to be replaced with 32 flats in two blocks between three and six storeys. Residents aged 55 and above are set to live in 30 of the homes, with two, four-bed flats set aside for postgraduate students. The older residents will pay London Affordable Rent, while the students will pay intermediate rent. The eight students will also spend a number of hours per week helping the older residents, offering their company and taking part in activities with them.
Cllr Sue Hordijenko A Lewisham councillor who passed away recently was described at a meeting of full council on Wednesday (March 3) as someone “who always saw the best in people” and fought tirelessly for her residents . Bellingham ward Councillor Sue Hordijenko grew up in Gloucester but moved to Lewisham in 1985 to do a degree in French and drama at Goldsmiths. She became a councillor for Bellingham in 2016 after a by-election. Lewisham Council announced that she had passed away last month. Last night Cllr Hordijenko’s colleagues paid tribute to her “selfless generosity” and compassion for others. Her close friend, Cllr Liam Curran, said: “Our friend Sue Hordijenko commanded your attention. When you attended an event or went to a restaurant or the pub with her, heads would turn.