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Greenwich news and information

Stockwell Street Development Approved

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It appears that permission has finally been granted for a redevelopment of the site at 4-19 Stockwell Street. Currently the space is occupied by John Humphries House, and car parking space which is used as Greenwich Village Market at the weekends. Planning application 07/0897/F is still listed as "Decision Pending" on the Greenwich Council Planning website, but "Hi, Standard" has a report from someone who was at the council meeting where it was unanimously voted in favour of, and in the application's supporting documents there is a letter filed last week which says permission has been granted.

The market on that space has been going for nearly twenty years and has a quirky charm which I think will have many supporters who will mourn its passing, but it is a weekend market, and for the rest of the week it's just a car park used by businesses renting offices in the really, very dated John Humphries House.

The approved plans include a four storey block with 129 residential units, offices, retail spaces and an arcade area which will still provide for some market stalls. I believe the sensitivity of the area - with it being part of the UNESCO World Heritage site - and the proximity to the railway line, have been the cause of the delays over the years but with permission now seemingly given, what do you think about the decision?

Frozen by Bryony Lavery

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Starting Monday night at Greenwich Theatre and running through to Wednesday night, Frozen is an award winning psychological drama, where a bereaved mother comes face to face with her daughter's killer.  The play has won awards for "TMA Best New Play" and also the "Eileen Anderson Central Television Award for Best New Play".

Go along on Tuesday night for a post-show discussion - Performances start at 7.30pm.

Find out more about Greenwich Theatre

London Bloggers Tour ITV Local

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ITV Local invited a select group of bloggers, and somehow I got invited too, up to their studios today to learn more about their own London blog and to give us the chance to see them putting out an edition of London Tonight.

This eclectic bunch of bloggers from across London assembled at 200 Grays Inn Road on this muggy Friday afternoon, and were duely given a tour of the newsroom, the ITV evening news set and the London tonight set. The picture on the right shows inside the iconic, Norman Foster designed building with a stunning atrium at its heart, which we learned was once home to a hanging art installation like a "stick of rock" which fell loose and came crashing down into the cafe area on the ground floor, just as Katie Dereham was down there grabbing a coffee.

Highlights of the walkabout for me included passing Bill Neely in the corridor and then getting to meet and shake hands with the legend that is Alastair Stewart. In fact my neck was starting to ache from constantly turning round to see more recognisable faces.

After the tour, we settled down in the gallery with the director to see the main evening news programme, London Tonight, being created. Being a Friday show, there was a bigger element on the fun stuff - a  guide to What's on this weekend, a look at the movies and a funny video featuring a surfing dog. The other tell tale sign it was a Friday was that Alastair wasn't wearing a tie! Having seen London Tonight so many times, it was fascinating to see the show being made and also to enjoy the banter that goes on between the presenters when they're not on air.  It was a privelege to be invited, so big thanks must go to ITV Local and their social media consultants, 1000 Heads.

Have a look at the ITV Local London Blog to find out more about their blog which includes regular posts from Alastair, Salma Siraj and Katie Dereham.

Greenwich Park Faces Review as Olympic Venue

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Greenwich resident, Andrew Gilligan, has a to re-assess some of the 2012 venues, including Greenwich Park. The report says that Tessa Jowell has asked KPMG to run a review of the sites in the face of criticisms that the too small or not suitable, as well as offering limited post Olympic legacy.

The controversy over Greenwich Park looks set to rumble on....

Poll: Do you think Greenwich Park should be used an an Olympic venue?

Family Fun Day and Sing The Nation

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As the baton passes from Beijing to London, and the countdown begins to 2012, enjoy a family fun day by the O2 Bubble where there will be puppeteers, carnival dancing and sports demonstrations. Then take part in Sing The Nation, as groups from around the country join together for a singalong to celebrate becoming the host city.

Sunday 24th August 1pm - 4pm, O2 Bubble, Millennium Way

Slave Trade Remembrance Day at National Maritime Museum

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This coming saturday - August 23rd - the National Maritime Museum plays host to International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition 2008.  The day promises to be packed with events exploring cultural legacies from the history of transatlantic slavery. Events include a theatre workshop, jazz and hip hop workshops and performances and "Sea of Voices" - a participatory singing event that everyone can join in.

Find out more

Tube and DLR Engineering Works This Weekend

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Watch out for longer journey times this Sunday and Monday, as TFL carries out engineering works on the Tube and DLR networks. Replacement buses will be provided services between North Greenwich and Stratford underground stations, as well as replacing DLR services between Canary Wharf and Lewisham.

Royal Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet at Greenwich Picture House

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This Sunday you can enjoy a peformance of the Royal Ballet's Romeo and Juliet at the Greenwich Picture House in Greenwich High Road. The interpretation uses the choreography of the legendary Kenneth MacMillan, and was filmed by the BBC last November at the Royal Opera House. The recording will be broadcast on Sunday the 17th August throughout the Picture House chain at 15:30 and is repeated on Tuesday 19th August at 18:00.

Greenwich Property Prices Take A Hit

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RightMove.co.uk has published its monthly property price index report, which shows the average asking price in London falling by 5.3% in August as compared with July.  Greenwich was one of the worst performing boroughs, with an average drop of 6.6%. The only boroughs to perform worse were Kingston Upon Thames (-7.2%), Richmond Upon Thames (-6.8%), Brent (-7.5%) and Wandsworth (-7.9%).

“Destination Greenwich” Launched

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With the Beijing Olympics in full swing, eyes inevitably start to turn to the next summer Olympics, in 2012. An exhibition was launched by Greenwich Council in Longtanhu Park, Beijing, yesterday in order to promote Greenwich as a major, worldwide destination.

To coincide with that, DestinationGreenwich.com was launched with information in English and Chinese, extolling the various benefits and potential of Greenwich.