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EXCLUSIVE: Headstones reduced to rubble in St Alfege Park

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St AlfegeS

Gravestones that survived for hundreds of years have been reduced to rubble in St Alfege Park.

The headstones which had been positioned around the perimeter wall have been broken up and now sit in a large pile in the deconsecrated church yard.

Greenwich.co.uk understands that the Friends of St Alfege Park have been engaged in removing the headstones over a period of months, although this process was accelerated recently with the assistance of workers from the Community Payback probationary scheme.

The London Probation Trust confirmed to this website that a team from Community Payback has been working to clear the grounds at St Alfege Park. A spokesman commented:

“Part of this work has included the clearance of stone markers believed to be monumental and/or gravestones as requested by a representative of the Friends of St Alfege Park. This has now been completed and we are now working on another project within the grounds.”

Local historian, Horatio Blood, was left appalled by the scene of broken headstones:

“The smashing to smithereens of these historic tombstones is wanton destruction and a terrible tragedy. All that remains are a few sorry stumps, like broken teeth, and the ghost impressions left behind on the brick wall. The Friends of St Alfege Park appear to have succeeded where the rioters failed.”

But there is confusion as to who authorised the removal of the headstones in the park, with Greenwich Council legally obliged to ensure headstones remain safe in what is classed as a “closed church yard.”

Additionally, the removal and destruction of gravestones is subject to controls under the 1977 Local Authorities Cemeteries Act.

Greenwich Council’s cabinet member in charge of parks, Cllr John Fahy, told Greenwich.co.uk:

“There would seem to be some dispute as to what instructions were given to the Payback Team. As this is a Council responsibility I believe that the Friends should not have been involved. The memorial stones are an important legacy. Not all of the Headstones were damaged and I have asked Officers to look at creating a memorial garden where all of the tombstones can be brought together to create a large memorial plaque.”

A request for information on why the work was carried out had not been answered by the Friends group at the time of publication, but a clue may be found in the Management Report of 2008.

It says the headstones around the perimeter wall are prone to vandalism or damage from plants behind because of the gap between the stone and the wall. The report recommended mortaring the stones in place to reduce the possibility of damage.

The authors of the Plan also commented “memorials within the park add an excellent ambience to the site.

“If they were removed, it would significantly decrease the site’s visible heritage.”

The Friends of St Alfege Park was formed in recent years and its volunteers have worked to improve the quality of the park. It has become a venue for live theatre events and the Friends are aiming to achieve Green Flag status by 2013/14.

Update

Conservative Deputy Leader and shadow cabinet member for culture and the Olympics, Cllr Nigel Fletcher, commented:

“‘I’m shocked that this appalling desecration of headstones could be allowed to take place in this way, and I’m glad Cllr. Fahy is taking the matter seriously. Whatever instructions were given should never have been allowed to be carried out, and I hope we will get some answers, fast, on just what happened. ”

Council will consult on closing Blackheath Bluecoat

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Greenwich Council has set the wheels in motion to close Blackheath Bluecoat school.

The cabinet agreed on Tuesday night that a consultation on whether to close the secondary school will take place.

Blackheath Bluecoat, the only Church of England secondary school in the borough, has seen improving results but council officers say “this has not been translated into an improvement in the perceptions of the school in the wider community or the pattern of recruitment.”

A report presented to the cabinet says “Blackheath Bluecoat CE Secondary School has failed to recruit to its planned admission number over an extended period.”

The school also has a “very substantial financial deficit with a high risk that it cannot be recovered within a reasonable timeframe.”

The cabinet agreed a period of consultation which will see a decision on the school’s fate decided in January next year. Officers have suggested a timetable which could see the school close in August 2013.

The closing of the Old Dover Road school, details of which were first revealed on the 853 blog, will be the final chapter for a school that can trace its history back over hundreds of years.

Greenwich restaurant comes top in respected food guide

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Greenwich restaurant, Inside, has been given the nod in the latest edition of the Harden’s guide to London restaurants.

The Greenwich South Street eaterie, founded by local chef Guy Awford in 2000, has been placed number one in the Modern British Restaurants under £50 category.

Awford, who also writes a monthly column for Greenwich.co.uk, commented:

“It really lifts the team and the business to receive recognition of our hard work over the year from such a well respected and popular guide book.”

Daily Photo: 21/09/2011 – Stillness at the ORNC

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Thanks to Summeet Kaur for this photo, kindly contributed to the Greenwich.co.uk Daily Photo. Summeet writes: “I captured this photograph of The Old Royal Naval College during the Open House weekend, I liked the shadows and the stillness it portrays.”

The Cost of Love set for DVD release

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A feature film that was filmed and produced locally is set to be released on DVD.

The Cost of Love was shot at locations in Greenwich such as East Greenwich Pleasaunce, the Metro Centre in Norman Road and pubs, the Rose and Crown and the George and Dragon.

The movie, reviewed here, stars Valmike Rampersad and also features performances from local actor and hotelier, Robert Gray, and entertainer Michael Joyce, who sadly died before the film was released.

Writer, producer and director, Carl Medland, who lives locally, told Greenwich.co.uk:

“I’m really excited that The Cost Of Love film is being released on DVD. I love the way that Greenwich comes across in the film, as well as many of its local characters.”

The Cost of Love is out on October 17th and can be .

Medland’s latest movie, The Adored, has been nominated for the Best Feature prize at the Iris Film Festival.

 

Tall ship spectacular planned for Dutch invasion

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De Wylde Swan on the Thames yesterday. Photo credit: Getty Images/Stringer/Getty Images Publicity/Getty Images

A SPECTACULAR flotilla of tall ships will arrive in Greenwich next year as part of Sail Royal Greenwich.

The Dutch organisers unveiled their plans to paint the town orange yesterday at a press launch on board De Wylde Swan – the world’s largest two mast topsail schooner.

As the tall ship set off from North Greenwich Pier, the team behind  Sail Royal Greenwich – who were also involved in the staging of SAIL Amsterdam – put forward their vision for next summer, describing it as a chance to “get in touch with the Dutch.”

Sail Royal Greenwich will bring 18 tall ships to the River Thames during July and August to coincide with London 2012. The ships will be moored at Woolwich for the duration of the Games and each carry out two sailings per day to Tower Bridge and back.

Those on board, groups between 20-140 and expected to mainly be corporate clients, will enjoy menus designed by Michelin star chef Richard Corrigan.

The showpiece event comes on July 25th when the tall ships will be joined by private yacht owners for what promises to be a stunning parade up the Thames.

Sail Royal Greenwich press event

Sail Royal Greenwich press event

Views from aboard de Wylde Swan

But the orange invasion does not end there: fellow Dutch firm, OranjeCamping, is planning an up-market camp site on the Greenwich Peninsula.

Following their excursion on to the Thames, the assembled media were taken to a piece of land which will form half of the OranjeCamp – Meantime Nursery, off West Parkside.

Described just six months ago as being a “unique new nature site“, the former industrial site will instead provide “glamourous” temporary accommodation for sport fans next summer.

OranjeCamping made its name with luxury temporary accommodation for fans of the Dutch football team and last summer they travelled around South Africa for the World Cup in their distinctive orange double decker bus.

Accommodating approximately 4000 sport fans, the camp will offer various levels of accommodation ranging from those bringing their own tents through to luxury VIP safari style tents at the high end, equipped with bed, wardrobes, wireless internet and “mood lighting”.

The guests in the campsite will predominately be from the Netherlands and are expected to include many who are Olympic ticket holders.

OranjeCamping Chairman, Jokko De Wit, explains more about their offering:

“The Oranjecamping offers more than just accommodation; it will be a true orange experience right in the heart of the Games in a world renowned ‘orange atmosphere’. We expect about 4000 guests per day and we offer a daily entertainment programme.”

Sail Royal Greenwich press event

A failed licensing application for the site just a day earlier did little to dampen the organisers’ spirits as de Wit exchanged flags with Greenwich Council’s cabinet member for Culture and the Olympics, John Fahy (both pictured above).

Click here for more information Sail Royal Greenwich and Oranje Camping.

Illustration of the camping area from Oranjecamping promotional video

Illustration of one of the high end Oranjecamping tents