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Greenwich news and information

Greenwich People: Anthony Cross

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The first in our new series of portraits of local Greenwich characters is Anthony Cross from Warwick Leadlay Gallery. The gallery, set across two shops in Nelson Arcade at the southern entrance to Greenwich Market, specialises in antique maps, prints and fine art, and was founded by Warwick Leadlay in the 1970s.

Anthony, fresh from graduating from York University, was looking to make his way “Whittingdon-like to the bright lights of London.” He applied for a position at the gallery in 1978 after seeing a small ad in the Mercury, with the intention of one day “getting a proper job” instead. But he has been at Warwick Leadlay ever since and now owns it as well as managing it.

Anthony lives locally and is also the President of the Greenwich Historical Society. He says of the gallery, “I’ve always tried to express Greenwich in its many guises and talents.”

Warwick Leadlay Gallery, 1-2 Nelson Arcade, Greenwich Market.

Daily Photo: 19/06/2012 – Au revoir

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The two French military vessels that had been berthed next to HMS Belfast for the last couple of days passed Greenwich as they headed out today.

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The raised Cutty Sark offers a great spot from which to observe passing river traffic.

Council to set up local heat network for Peninsula

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GREENWICH COUNCIL will decide tomorrow night whether to proceed with setting up a power company to provide hot water and energy for Greenwich Peninsula for decades to come.

The council’s cabinet looks likely to give the go-ahead to establishing the Peninsula Heat Network – a join venture with energy provider E.ON.

The new company would build a plant on the peninsula that uses gas and biomass sources to provide hot water and electricity to homes and businesses in the area.

Although existing properties could be connected, the new plant would primarily be intended for the thousands of homes planned, but yet to be built, on the peninsula, delivering on-demand hot water without the need for a gas boiler and savings on energy bills.

The planning masterplan for the peninsula that was adopted by the council in April suggested that the heating plant could be constructed in the southern part of the land between the A102 and Millennium Way.

The council has secured £7.3 million of funding through grants from the mayor of London and the HCA which it will plough into the new company in return for a minority shareholding and a place on its board.

Powers to establish the joint venture are contained in the Localism Act introduced by the coalition government, the report by council officers notes. The cabinet agreed to commission a feasibility study for the heat network in April 2010.

Building of new homes on the peninsula is expected to be kickstarted after a £500 million investment was just announced by Hong Kong-based Knight Dragon.

Firefighters tackle Trafalgar Road blaze

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TWENTY firefighters got a blaze under control in Trafalgar Road last night.

Four fire engines were deployed after emergency services were alerted to the fire above Coral bookmakers at 7.30pm.

The fire caused damage to offices on the first and second floors at 181-185 Trafalgar Road which for over a hundred years were the offices used by local solicitors, Grant Saw.

Since they left in 2003, the offices have been used by several colleges although the space is currently advertised as being available to let.

Firefighters East Greenwich, Greenwich and Deptford fire stations had the fire under control by 9.24pm.

This post has been updated since first published – thanks to Ray Cruddington for information provided in comments.

Cable car to open to public next week

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Emirates Air Line

THE CABLE car across the Thames will open next week, it has been announced.

Passengers will be able to make the journey from Greenwich to the Royal Docks when the Emirates Air Line officially opens at midday on Thursday June 28th.

A single journey for adult Oyster card users will cost £3.20 with children between 5 and 15 paying £1.60. Children under 5 will travel for free in the gondolas, each of which can fit up to two bikes in.

Travelcard and Freedom card users will pay as the same as Oyster Pay As You Go users but frequent flyers can buy ten trips on the cable for £16. Journeys across the river will be available up until nine o’clock seven days a week although hours will be extended when events take place nearby.

Construction of the £60 million cable car started last summer and contractors Mace have raced to complete it before London 2012.

Peter Hendy CBE, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: ‘Passengers will very soon get to experience this unique and exciting new addition to London’s transport network.”

Emirates Air Line opening hours

Monday – Friday: 07:00 to 21:00
Saturday: 08:00 to 21:00
Sunday: 09:00 to 21:00

Emirates Air Line

Daily Photo: 15/06/2012 – FS Premiere-Maitre L’Her (F792)

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Thanks to Daren, now tweeting lots of great local content as @MisterGreenwich, for this photo of French warship FS Premiere-Maitre L’Her passing Greenwich this morning on her way up to a berthing next to HMS Belfast.

Look out for another, currently unknown, vessel tomorrow lunch time, which will be heading back out again, along with FS Premiere-Maitre L’Her, on Tuesday afternoon.

Daily Photo: 11/06/2012 – Dead Parrot sculpture

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There was some concern that the dead parrot sculpture in the grounds of Devonport House might have become an ex-parrot sculpture when it seemed to vanish but fear not: the dead parrot is safe and well (or as well as a dead parrot can be).

The piece by John Reardon, titled ‘Monument to a Dead Parrot’, has been moved to a safe place and a marquee will temporarily take its place. The hotel is being taken over by London 2012 equestrian grooms this summer and the dead parrot will return when the hotel is handed back in September.

Thanks to Rosie from Dotmaker Tours for the photo.