I'll get my suit out and write a speech then, but I won't be doing a Kate Winslet.

The current state of play with regard to Forest Hill Pools is that we are awaiting the outcome of a Feasibility Study ordered by the Mayor and Cabinet on 17th September 2008. This study will look at the land and money available and consider, among other things, the possibility of retaining the pools frontage block. I am hoping that we will hear more about the results of this at the Stakeholders? Meeting on Thursday 5th February 2009.

In the mean time there have been a number of developments:

1) The Save the Face of Forest Hill Campaign has found common cause with the Forest Hill Society and the Sydenham Society on two fronts. We are all pressing Lewisham Council to improve their consultation methods for any new designs and to hold an architectural competition this time round.

2) A SFFH supporter and local architect has produced a series of sketch proposals. These demonstrate that it is possible to fit in two new pools behind a retained frontage block and suggest ways in which the retained building could be reused perhaps as a cafe and gym. These sketches have been shown to the Sydenham Society, the Forest Hill Society and two local councillors at an informal meeting. They were formally presented to Lewisham council officers at a meeting at the Civic Centre on the 8th January 2009. There has been no response to these ideas as yet.

3) We and others have had discussions with a local playwright and artist with a view to investigating a proposal for the reuse of Louise House as an arts centre and rehearsal space.

The SFFH Campaign Group is seeking to raise five agenda items on Thursday:
a) Improving consultation
b) Having an architectural competition
c) Asking about the Feasibility Study
d) Presenting a range of ideas about the future of Louise House
e) Presenting the sketch proposals to the Stakeholders' Group to test opinion

I am sure that minutes of the meeting will become available on this site once it has taken place.