Greenwich news and information
A rare repeat on the Daily Photo, here – a photo that was kindly contributed by local historian Dr Mary Mills and first published on Greenwich.co.uk on Christmas Eve, 2009.
Employees at the gas works in Greenwich created this mock plane for a seasonal photograph complete with Santa in the cockpit.
Thanks to photographer Warren King for these great photographs from yesterday’s Pantomime Horse Race. It was the second time the event has been held and over £2,000 was raised for Demelza Hospice Care.
A busy couple of days for the ubiquitous Robert Gray. Yesterday the Christmas tree he donated was hoisted on to one of the Cutty Sark’s masts and today sees the release of the latest edition of his YouTube chat show, Robert’s Full English Breakfast Show. Later on today, it’s Robert’s turn to take part in the annual Advent Window series, too.
I took this photo above of Robert and camera man Ian Ramsdale as they put the episode together last week.
GREENWICH will be at the forefront of protecting London during next Summer’s Olympics, it has been revealed.
The Royal Navy’s HMS Ocean will be moored at Greenwich and used for logistics support, accommodation and as a helicopter landing site. Puma and Lynx helicopters will operate from the “Mighty O” to support airspace security.
The announcement that the 200-metre-long amphibious assault ship would be berthed at Greenwich was made today by Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond.
He also revealed that 13,500 military personnel will be involved in ensuring the smooth running of London 2012. Mr Hammond said:
“I am proud to announce the role our Armed Forces will play in support of the police, LOCOG [London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games], and others, in delivering a safe and secure Games.
“The Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force between them will provide up to 13,500 personnel. Up to 7,500 of them will support the smooth running of Olympic sites, while the remainder will use their specialist capabilities and equipment to contribute to the delivery of Olympic security.
HMS Bulwark, a visitor to Greenwich earlier this year, will be offering support in Weymouth where Olympic sailing events will take place.
HMS Ocean’s Christmas Video
Crew members on board HMS Ocean have become YouTube stars. A video of their military personnal performing Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas has been seen over 2 million times since it was posted earlier this month. Carey herself tweeted that it was the “best thing I’ve ever seen.”
It’s Christmast!
LESS than a week after the Cutty Sark got her masts back, a Christmas tree has been hoisted up.
The seasonal addition to the Cutty Sark, which is nearing the end of its restoration, was donated by local broadcaster and hotellier, Robert Gray.
The tree was raised into place earlier this afternoon by workers from Essex-based TS Rigging who are setting up the rigging on the old tea clipper.
Robert Gray commented, “I’m very pleased to make this donation and I’d like to wish everyone in Greenwich a happy Christmas. I’d like to also say a special thank you to Jim Dines and his team at TS Rigging Ltd for getting it up.”
The Cutty Sark, which was ravaged by fire in 2007, is expected to reopen to the public in April 2012 with a visit by the Queen.
Going up…
Photos: Daren Clarke
See Also: Greenwich Phantom
Work is progressing at pace on the cable car at North Greenwich, and the station building is beginning to take shape.
Many thanks to Darryl from 853 for sharing with me his photo of the London 2012 shooting venue which has been set up at Woolwich Common. For exclusive pictures taken inside the venue, take a look at Darryl’s post about it.
Took this photo yesterday on a walk around a bright, crisp Greenwich Park.
An eagle-eyed passer-by spotted these intriguing arches yesterday, revealed by contractors who are working on the University of Greenwich development in Stockwell Street.
I understand that the University of Greenwich believes these brick built arches to be part of a former basement from the 1920s, and they say photographs have been taken which will be kept for posterity in the university archive.
I went to get some photos of my own today but unfortunately the view from the gate was obscured.
COUNCILLOR Maureen O’Mara warned against a “return to Rachmanism” at a council meeting last week.
O’Mara said the borough had a “hidden population” living in houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) at risk of exploitation.
The Greenwich West councillor, who has cabinet responsibility for community safety, said:
“HMOs are growing and growing and what they’re doing is exploiting the kind of people forced to go and live in these kinds of accommodation. What we need to do is find out where they are because… I think there is a huge hidden population living in our borough who we don’t know about. We need to tackle this problem because if we don’t, we could see a return of Rachmanism.”
The term “Rachmanism” refers to the type of exploitation of tenants that was practiced by London landlord, Peter Rachman in the 1950s and 1960s. Councillor O’Mara added:
“Rachmanism is something we can never go back to because people’s lives were made hell by Rachman. As a local authority, not just here but across London, we need to do something about rooting out what’s going on in houses of multiple occupation and make it clear to these landlords that we’re not going to put up with it, and we’re going to deal with it.”
Councillor O’Mara was answering question on HMOs in the borough from Eltham South councillor, Eileen Glover at the full council meeting on Thursday evening at Woolwich Town Hall.