I would like to start a (personal) campaign to raise the profile of Forest Hill within the 'corridors of power' in Lewisham to ensure we get appropriate levels of support in 2008 to "make Forest Hill an even better place to live and work" (borrowed and adapted from the Forest Hill Society).

In the spirit of our concerted efforts with Southern and their nonsensical closure of the Perry Vale entrance to the station, I thought it might be useful if we could all write to Sir Steve and express our frustrations at not being a higher priority for the borough.

I suggest we all send Sir Steve a lovely Christmas card or email to wish him all the best for 2008, and to ask him to pay more attention to Forest Hill next year. This is pester power, not a complaint. I hope to keep the tone positive and in the spirit of the season.

My own text is below. Feel free to copy, adapt or ignore, but do let me/us know if you too have sent him a note.

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Sir Steve

My family and I wish you, your family and everyone at Lewisham Council all the best for Christmas and the New Year.

We are proud residents of Forest Hill and we were not surprised that Forest Hill and the Horniman Museum were recently voted Lewisham's top 'Pride of Place'. However, there are still too many empty shops, we desperately need our pool back and we would appreciate your active support in helping to regenerate our sadly neglected station area.

The best gift we could hope for would be for you and Lewisham Council to make Forest Hill a much greater priority in the coming year.

Wishing you a happy 2008
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I'm sure others out there can word their notes better, but a few cards like this might just make the difference, you never know.

Please send your cards or emails to:

Sir Steve Bullock
Mayor of Lewisham and Forest Hill
Mayor's office
Civic Suite,
Town Hall, Catford
SE6 4RU
Tel: 020 8314 6193
E-mail: steve.bullock@lewisham.gov.uk