Mystery man living in Blackheath hole (From News Shopper)
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Mystery man living in Blackheath hole
1:30pm Tuesday 20th March 2012 in Weird By Mark Chandler
A mystery man has lived in a Blackheath hole for four years
CONCERN surrounds the welfare of a mystery Middle Eastern man who has lived in a hole on Blackheath for nearly four years.
People say the elderly man lives in his makeshift, carefully camouflaged home all year long while car drivers, dog-walkers, kite flyers and the heath's famous crows carry on obliviously around him.
But with the arrival of the Olympics at nearby Greenwich Park, a live Games site planned for the heath and the proposed arrival of surface-to-air missiles nearby, there are worries he may soon have to be forcibly turfed out of his hole.
Ward councillor Cllr Chris Maines said it was high time the council found him some proper accommodation, saying the fact he had been left there for years on end was "unacceptable".
He said: "The world's press will be descending on the area to cover the Olympic Games.
"People living rough in a bivouac is a poor reflection on Lewisham's homeless policies.
"I am determined this man is treated sympathetically rather seen as a short-term inconvenience."
Though he has been based there for some time, the mystery hole-dweller, who Cllr Maines says is Iranian, is rarely seen in daylight hours.
But residents say the man lives on the heath 365 days a year, even camping out during the harsh winter, with his few possessions hidden away.
He is only occasionally spotted in the village and even workers at landmarks like All Saints Church and the Blackheath tea hut claim never to have clapped eyes on him.
Neighbour Andy Lewis, 39, said: "He's there all through the year pretty much, whatever the weather."
He added: "I've never really seen him but he's been there a good, long time.
"I suppose living on the heath might be better than sleeping on the streets. It must be safer."
Cllr Maines, who says he has tried and failed to contact the man on several occasions, said: "I and others have been asking that this person is treated sympathetically and found more suitable housing."
He went on: "The council needs to act now, this issue has existed for almost four years and I am concerned he will soon be dealt with by the military protecting the Olympic Games rather than the council's social services department."
News Shopper has made numerous attempts to speak to the man, but he has not been in his hole.
A council spokesman said: "Lewisham Council, along with the police, the South London and Maudsley and other voluntary agencies, are in discussion with this gentleman but so far all offers of accommodation have been declined.
"However, we are continuing, with our partner agencies, to discuss his needs with him in order to reach a satisfactory outcome."
Do you know the man in the hole? Call the newsroom on 01689 885714.
Comments(26)
Citygirl83
says...
2:29pm Tue 20 Mar 12
peteste
says...
3:37pm Tue 20 Mar 12
BlackburnExile
says...
3:38pm Tue 20 Mar 12
Lukeyboy
says...
4:24pm Tue 20 Mar 12
Jeepo 11
says...
4:29pm Tue 20 Mar 12
Linja
says...
6:43pm Tue 20 Mar 12
Jeepo 11
says...
7:04pm Tue 20 Mar 12
A happier time, long gone I'm afraid.
bizzymum
says...
7:07pm Tue 20 Mar 12
madras
says...
8:01pm Tue 20 Mar 12
cookster wrote:dunno, but I understand police were looking into it
Who grassed him up? Is there a mole?
madras
says...
8:02pm Tue 20 Mar 12
peteste wrote:I heard once about an old lady who lived in a shoe - she had so many children...
This situation isn't as unusual as you think - I recollect that a man in Wolverhampton lived amongst the thick undergrowth of the ringroad's central reservation for many years unnoticed. Sadly his hideaway only came to light after his death - at least they've been able to start a dialogue with this man, who I imagine has mental health problems and needs help...
the wall
says...
8:15pm Tue 20 Mar 12
Brook
says...
10:26pm Tue 20 Mar 12
Probably gone home to his partners flat/house and children. All paid for by taxpayers
mouthalmighty
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10:50pm Tue 20 Mar 12
Have your say
says...
7:08am Wed 21 Mar 12
Have your say
says...
7:12am Wed 21 Mar 12
DougMM
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9:22am Wed 21 Mar 12
Tongue in Cheek
says...
9:55am Wed 21 Mar 12
This could not happen in any other country where someone just arrives from a foreign country and ends up digging in and staying forever!
This country has NO immigration policies in place anymore!
HughJarrs
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10:24am Wed 21 Mar 12
Dr Lester Piggott
says...
12:51pm Wed 21 Mar 12
goldenbroomboy
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8:42am Thu 22 Mar 12
PaulErith
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1:09pm Thu 22 Mar 12
treesrgreen
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7:21pm Thu 22 Mar 12
DougMM wrote:My thoughts exactly.
Seriously why not just bung him back on a plane to Iran?
Perhaps a do-gooder should go and tell him about all the benefits he can receive.
Cynical? Who me? No just a realist.
lariej
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9:47pm Thu 22 Mar 12
He caught his trousers alight near Bickley station when he made his fire ......bless him
BigG
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12:55am Fri 23 Mar 12
shawaddywaddy
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11:11pm Sun 1 Apr 12
cookster says...
2:29pm Tue 20 Mar 12