Blanche Cameron

Southwark Muslim and Jewish residents must change burial rites or be buried out of the borough 30th March 2017 Southwark Council is claiming that there is no religious discrimination in its Burial Service. Cllr Wingfield, Southwark Member for the Environment and Public Realm, has claimed to the press: ?We do not discriminate against residents of the Muslim faith or any other faith in Southwark? (South London Press, 16th March). But Cllr Wingfield claims to be unaware of the burial needs of Southwark?s 30,000 Muslim residents - whilst also claiming to provide for them. He stated in Southwark News on 9th March: ?It could be that there is provision for them elsewhere in London. It?s not for us to second guess their needs.? But that?s exactly the Council?s job - if it is actively working to avoid or eradicate religious discrimination as the Human Rights Act 1998 requires. He then states: ?If the demand for Muslim burials increases we would have to make that provision for them.? But lack of complaint isn?t proof of lack of religious discrimination. And the demand is already there - Muslim residents are 10% of the population but at least 30% of borough burial need. The ONS reports around 9 deaths per 1,000 per year - meaning Southwark?s 30,000 Muslim residents experience approximately 270 deaths a year. Southwark has what they laughably call a ?dedicated Muslim burial area?, with ?space for 48 grave plots?. Southwark records show fewer than 7 Muslim burials take place here each year - around 2.6% of Muslim residents? burial need. This area is unsuitable for the burial rites of the vast majority of Muslim residents. Southwark is effectively saying all Muslim residents could be buried in Southwark - if they changed their religious burial rites. In the Southwark News 9th March, Cllr Wingfield is quoted as celebrating Church of England approval: ?We are delighted that the Diocese has approved our plans to create more burial spaces in Southwark. Local people will now continue to have the choice to be buried locally, rather than being forced to pay higher costs for burials outside of the borough.? But Muslim and Jewish residents are already forced to pay for burial in private cemeteries outside the borough, while Southwark subsidises burial plots suitable for other faiths in its municipal cemeteries. Southwark Council's blatant religious discrimination is yet another reason why Southwark are unfit to run a burial service. Our letter today to the press in response to Southwark's denial is below. The Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries' letter to the South London Press in response to Southwark's denial of religious discrimination in its Burial Service. 30th March 2017 Dear Editor, Unfortunately, Cllr Wingfield?s letter of 16th March far from reassuring us highlights perfectly the religious discrimination of Southwark?s burial service. Cllr Wingfield appears to be claiming that all Muslim residents could be buried in Southwark - if only they changed their religious burial rites. This is clearly discriminatory. He states ?we have a dedicated Muslim burial area which has space for 48 grave plots?. The ONS reports around 9 deaths per 1,000 per year, meaning Southwark?s 30,000 Muslim residents experience approximately 270 deaths a year. Fewer than seven burials take place in this ?Muslim burial area? a year as it is unsuitable for most Muslim residents? religious burial rites. Southwark is aware most Muslim residents have specific religious burial rites it does not provide for. The Council relies on Muslim and Jewish residents being buried in private cemeteries outside the borough in Tooting or Ilford while subsidising burial in its cemeteries for other faiths. Religious discrimination is yet another reason why Southwark are unfit to run a burial service. Blanche Cameron Chair, Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries Save Southwark Woods campaign savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk References: Southwark News, 9th March: https://www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/southwark-diocese-approves-council-plans-hundreds-new-burial-plots-fought-cemeteries/ Office of National Statistics death rates data 2015: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregistrationsummarytables/2015

Area F, Woodvale Camberwell Old Cemetery and the Rec Ground Site at Camberwell New Cemetery. Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries was founded as Save Southwark Woods in January 2015 to stop the destruction of the woods and graves of Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries. We are for maintaining recreational activities already taking place on cemetery grounds, such as the Recreation Ground and the Allotments.

Area F Woodvale, Camberwell Old Cemetery in 2012 before the graves were mounded over and a old hawthorne hedgerow was cut down. And in February of this year.

The future of London's cemeteries with a few before and after photographs. http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/who-is-stealing-cemeteries/4593762863 Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries was founded as Save Southwark Woods in January 2015 to stop the destruction of the woods and graves of Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries. We are for maintaining recreational activities already taking place on cemetery grounds, such as the Recreation Ground and the Allotments.

Area F on Woodvale. Area Z on Underhill Road after public graves were stripped and mounded.

The memorials of the poor dead in the 'public' areas are to be removed and recorded. What they will do with the memorials we do not know. Photo attached is of Area F on Woodvale in the Old Cemetery (a 'public' area), where memorials were removed, graves mounded over and new plots sold on top of the dead. Later, should Southwark get permission to 're-use' private graves (and it is expected) - the memorials of the better off will be removed, the dead dug up and the grave deepened. The remains of the dead will be put in the bottom of the grave and new bodies will buried on top of them with new headstones. What they will do with the old headstones we do not know. For more information on the digging up of the dead: http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/grave-reuse-unacceptable/4593658115

Area Z, Camberwell Old Cemetery There was a stump and before that an entire tree.

Temporarily. The newly exposed headstones are to be removed and the graves covered in crushed building waste to create new burial plots.

Photo taken yesterday in Area Z, Underhill Road Wood, Camberwell Old Cemetery. Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries was founded as Save Southwark Woods in January 2015 to stop the destruction of the woods and graves of Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries. We are for maintaining recreational activities already taking place on cemetery grounds, such as the Recreation Ground and the Allotments.

STATEMENT: Southwark Council is risking disturbing the graves of London?s poorest people in Camberwell Old Cemetery including possibly the graves of First World War soldiers. This is something Southwark has promised they would not do. More than 300 First and Second World War soldiers are buried in the Victorian cemetery. Southwark doesn?t know where many of them are. 48 WW1 soldiers are known to lie in Area Z. But how can Southwark be sure that other unknown soldiers do not also lie under the trees in Area Z? The Council has promised the Commonwealth War Graves Commission that no soldier?s grave would be buried over, let alone disturbed. Read more: http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/trees-chopped-above-dead-poor/4593756900 The disrespect of the graves of soldiers and the poor are another reason why this cemetery project must be halted. Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods

Screenshot of Consistory Court ruling regarding CWGC graves. There are at least 48 known war graves in Area Z and probably more. Southwark have told the CWGC they will not bury on top of soldiers's graves but we believe it will be impossible to meet. This is a heritage site and should not be disturbed.

Photo attached taken in Area Z on Underhill Road, Camberwell Old Cemetery, March 23rd 2017. Large trees cutdown yesterday without tree cutters first removing the memorials of the poor buried there, including possibly the memorials CWGC WW1 soldiers, who are buried on the site. How they will remove the tree without disturbing the graves, as they promised, we don't know. Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries was founded as Save Southwark Woods in January 2015 to stop the destruction of the woods and graves of Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries. We are for maintaining recreational activities already taking place on cemetery grounds, such as the Recreation Ground and the Allotments.

Photo attached taken at Camberwell Old Cemetery March 23rd 2017.

Email or call us if you have a question. Or if you have a complaint as to how we are working to save the trees, woods and the graves of our local cemeteries. Lewis is blocked from posting on this forum but can be reached at lewisschafferpr@gmail.com and 07886504221. Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries was founded as Save Southwark Woods in January 2015 to stop the destruction of the woods and graves of Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries. We are for maintaining recreational activities already taking place on cemetery grounds, such as the Recreation Ground and the Allotments. We are for preserving the cemeteries as Memorial Park Nature Reserves, like Nunhead or Highgate Cemeteries.

STATEMENT 23 March 2107 We are asking Southwark and Lewisham residents to object again to burial plots in the Honor Oak Nature Corridor. Even though it won?t change a thing. The July 2016 consultation for Area B, the Old Nursery Site behind Honor Oak Park Station, showed overwhelming public rejection of burial plots on this site. 86% of 454 respondents said it should be made a nature reserve or some other social amenity. Southwark Councillors and officers have already said in cemetery ?stakeholder? meetings they are going to ignore the results and dig up Area B anyway - in violation of the Gunning Principles on Local Authority consultations. Click here for links: http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/phoney-burial-consultation/4593754452 ONE TREE HILL SITE(Area D1) Southwark Council has cut down dozens of trees at Area D1 on One Tree Hill and moved on. We are waiting Council to start on roads over local poor people's graves and up the hill. UNDERHILL ROAD WOOD, CAMBERWELL OLD CEMETERY (Area Z): As of Wednesday, the site was quiet. We are awating work to restart. We asked for a site visit but have not gotten a reply from the Council. OLD NURSERY SITE, CAMBERWELL NEW CEMETERY (Area B) Southwark Council's planning application has been received by Southwark Council open land next to Honor Oak Park train station and also in the Honor Oak Nature Corridor (HONC). Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries was founded as Save Southwark Woods in January 2015 to stop the destruction of the woods and graves of Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries. We are for maintaining recreational activities already taking place on cemetery grounds, such as the Recreation Ground and the Allotments.

We have responded to Cllr Wingfield's denial that Southwark's burial policy is discriminatory. "Cllr Wingfield appears to be claiming that all Muslim residents could be buried in Southwark - if only they changed their religious burial rites. This is clearly discriminatory. He states ?we have a dedicated Muslim burial area which has space for 48 grave plots?. The ONS reports around 9 deaths per 1,000 per year, meaning Southwark?s 30,000 Muslim residents experience approximately 270 deaths a year. Southwark buries 7 Muslims" To read more: http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/council-burial-discrimination/4593751887 Religious discrimination in burial provision is just one reason why burial cannot continue in Southwark's cemeteries. Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries was founded as Save Southwark Woods in January 2015 to stop the destruction of the woods and graves of Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries. We are for maintaining recreational activities already taking place on cemetery grounds, such as the Recreation Ground and the Allotments. We are for preserving the cemeteries as Memorial Park Nature Reserves, like Nunhead or Highgate Cemeteries.

Statement: Felling trees on One Tree Hill in bird nesting season proves Southwark not fit to run burial service 22nd March 2017 Southwark's planning application categorically promised ?No felling is to take place in bird nesting season? (Area D1 Design & Access Statement, para 3.2.13). But Southwark starting felling on Friday 10th March without an ecologist on site to ensure no bat roosts or nesting birds were disturbed. Why the rush to move forward on such a destructive project? Southwark says these 122 burial plots are needed to stop Southwark from ?running out? of burial space. But something is very wrong if - almost 20 years into their permanent ?burial crisis? - Southwark needs 122 plots immediately or in-borough burial will stop. Read it all. http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/not-fit-to-run-burial-service/4593750633 Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries was founded as Save Southwark Woods to stop the destruction of the woods and graves of Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries. We are for maintaining recreational activities already taking place on cemetery grounds, such as the Recreation Ground and the Allotments. We are for preserving the cemeteries as Memorial Park Nature Reserves, like Nunhead or Highgate Cemeteries.

Tree Cutting continues today on One Tree Hill, next to the One Tree Allotments and the One Tree Hill Nature Reserve. Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods

Photo attached: Wood chips from oak trees, cut down on the side of One Tree Hill in the Camberwell New Cemetery grounds, adjacent to the One Tree Hill Nature Reserve and the One Tree Hill Allotments. Some of the trees in the distance are on the Nature Reserve land. This land is being prepared for 122 burial spaces - or seven or eight months supply.

Another photo. You can see trees on One Tree Hill Nature Reserve in this photo. Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods

UPDATE The tree cutters are on One Tree Hill. Photos attached. Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods

UPDATE 11AM Southwark Responds to breaching their own planning consent terms: Southwark just claimed that ?late? Church approval and demand for burial plots - a non-statutory service - is forcing them to breach the terms of their planning consent and fell trees on One Tree Hill and in Underhill Road Wood in bird nesting season. Southwark Council?s new statement: ?Unfortunately the timing of the Faculty approval and the fact that they have given us a deadline to implement the project has meant that, although we would prefer not to we must undertake vegetation clearance and see if it is possible to remove trees early on in bird nesting season.? http://www.southwark.gov.uk/parks-and-open-spaces/improvement-projects/the-future-of-our-cemeteries?chapter=7 But Southwark has breached the terms of their planning consent - ?No felling is to take place in bird nesting season? (para 3.2.13). It doesn't matter whether an ecologist now okays it or not. It doesn't matter if they have an urgent deadline for burial. It doesn't matter if it is early or late in bird nesting season. It?s one law for Southwark and another for everyone else. Read our updated statement. http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/southwark-breaches-planning/4593745140 Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods

STATEMENT: Southwark Council breaches planning consent by felling on One Tree Hill in bird nesting season - 20th March 2017 Southwark Council has breached the terms of its own planning consent by clearing undergrowth and cutting down trees on One Tree Hill during bird nesting season. Southwark gave itself consent to fell up to 60 trees and lay roads over graves for 122 burial plots in The Glade in the part of Camberwell New Cemetery. But Southwark?s own planning application promised to carry out works such as ?removal of trees and scrub outside of bird nesting season? (Area D1 Design & Access Statement, para 2.4.7). ?No felling is to take place in bird nesting season? (para 3.2.13). Read the complete statement: http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/southwark-breaches-planning/4593745140 Thank you to Kiera for the invaluable work. The Council?s wilful destruction of nature in its cemeteries is just another reason why Southwark?s burial service is not fit for purpose. Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries was founded as Save Southwark Woods to stop the destruction of the woods and graves of Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries. We are for maintaining recreational activities already taking place on cemetery grounds, such as the Recreation Ground and the Allotments. We are for preserving the cemeteries as Memorial Park Nature Reserves, like Nunhead or Highgate Cemeteries.

OLD NURSERY SITE (B) Southwark has applied to build 1,022 burial plots in 3 acres of Honor Oak Nature Corridor land next to Honor Oak Park Station. In the 2016 Consultation, 86% of respondents were against all burial on the site. The deadline for objecting is Midnight 3rd April 2017. http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/area-b/4592585837 Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries was founded as Save Southwark Woods in January 2015 to stop the destruction of the woods and graves of Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries. We are for maintaining recreational activities already taking place on cemetery grounds, such as the Recreation Ground and the Allotments. We are for preserving the cemeteries as Memorial Park Nature Reserves, like Nunhead or Highgate Cemeteries.

'LOCAL BURIAL FOR LOCAL PEOPLE' In 2015 Council Leader Peter John stated: "If we start reusing grave space as other cemeteries are doing, this is potentially a long-term answer to the problem of London running out of grave space." (24th February 2015, BBC London Radio) Southwark?s ?Super Cemeteries?: Camberwell Cemeteries to become London?s inner city burial ground 20th February 2016 http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/southwarks-super-cemeteries/4591821704 The Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries estimate that there are less than 290 plots available in Southwark or less than 17 months burial provision. The Glade will provide 122 burial plots and the side of One Tree Hill scarred for generations. UPDATE The Glade, Camberwell Old Cemetery (D1): No workers on the site as of 2:45PM. Underhill Road Wood, Camberwell Old Cemetery (Z): No workers on the site as of 4:00PM. The Old Nursery Site, Camberwell New Cemetery (B): Planning application available on line. http://planbuild.southwark.gov.uk:8190/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=_STHWR_DCAPR_9571538 Blanche Cameron Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries / Save Southwark Woods Campaign 07731 304 966 savesouthwarkwoods@gmail.com [www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk] Twitter: @southwarkwoods Facebook: Save Southwark Woods Friends of Camberwell Cemeteries was founded as Save Southwark Woods in January 2015 to stop the destruction of the woods and graves of Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries. We are for maintaining recreational activities already taking place on cemetery grounds, such as the Recreation Ground and the Allotments. We are for preserving the cemeteries as Memorial Park Nature Reserves, like Nunhead or Highgate Cemeteries.