Graham Little

Its good to hear concern for this amazing resource. If you ever visit you will find it full of Dulwich teenagers upstairs studying for exams, community is so vital for that generation. I am sure we dont want that to evaporate entirely. There is not much left. With all knowledge of the huge wealth that exists in the area, it would be so warm and rewarding for some of that to be passed to Dulwich library. The ground floor loos were returning to a state of nature itself. Moss was starting to grow. X

yes!

I agree its good to have a conversation about what Lordship lane really needs and I feel we are doing that in this forum; and some trying to steer it away from what commerce needs (lordship lane) and toward what people need, particularly our future generations who are being left a fractured future and are responding with higher suicide rates and depression. no doubt the world of profit will win, but that is why some of us wish to speak out even if in vain. I agree with you that there may be some underage drink drugs but would we all prefer that to be done behind closed doors .... I think more dangerous actually. I applaud your optimism that dulwich estates could consider a skatepark into Dulwich park, maybe, although it could have closing time, insurance, safety issues. It would be great if a developer wants to include a skatepark, but I wonder what he would gain from that in terms of his profit. I would rather give the benefit of doubt to those who leave behind the empty digital world and bravely try something communal, generative, challenging. In the 1970s a tv programme urged teenagers to "turn off your TV set and do something less boring instead" only some families can afford clubs......

We have an endless choice of supermarkets, large ones, small ones, long ones, short ones, metros, petrol station supermarkets- even a stones throw from that skatepark and good to be realistic...I doubt social housing would really appear....like nearly every building that pops up it would be yet more luxury flats, not that well made, and not that attractive.

Skateboarding is so misunderstood...it is more technical than ballet and the use of drink is not very compatible with a practise that requires rare dedication and degrees of skill and coordination impossible with alcohol and for most people... impossible at any time. The mutual support and encouragement in that culture is something to be valued. My Godson's friend had just taken his life which really put things into perspective for me. being trapped alone in a bedroom instead is not great for mental health... think of the access previous generations had to no mans land. London has always been a place where wealthy corporate areas remain next to areas of interesting creativity. The skateboarders beneath south bank centre have a constant audience of tourists; places like that keep London from becoming stagnant and cold.