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Greenwich news and information

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had Bono in Greenwich Park in 2012?”

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Greenwich Council’s cabinet member for Culture and the Olympics has raised the prospect of a concert being held in Greenwich Park next year.

Speaking to Greenwich.co.uk, Cllr John Fahy has proposed using London 2012’s temporary stadium for a cultural event during the gap between the Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had Bono in Greenwich Park in 2012?”, he says in the interview for this website which will be published in two parts beginning tomorrow. The proposal is in its infancy and would require the agreement of London 2012 organisers before it could go ahead.

“It’s a space that’s there and we need to talk to LOCOG and the police … to see if it’s possible to use it”, he says.

Elsewhere in the interview, he:

  • Reveals his ambition to secure a ticket to an Olympic event for every child in the borough.
  • Says he has “no hang ups” about council meetings being recorded and put online.
  • Sets a target of 12 Green Flag Award winning parks in Greenwich by 2012.
  • Calls the decision to charge £10 to stand on the Meridian Line at the Royal Observatory “overkill”.
  • Backs away from plans to enforce charging for tennis at Plumstead Common in the short term.

Part one of Greenwich.co.uk’s interview with Cllr John Fahy will be published on Greenwich.co.uk tomorrow.

Daily Photo: 03/05/2011 – Old Royal Naval College / Photo workshop review

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I took this photo on Sunday whilst taking part in a one day photo workshop with local photographer, Fergus Noone, and digital imaging guru, Richard Riddick.

I joined Fergus and ten others at Richard’s DPC studio in Peyton Place where we were taught the basics of ISO, aperture and shutter speed settings. The aim of this was to understand how to take photos once moving your digital SLR off of the ‘Auto’ mode and into the previously intimidating world of manual settings!

We then strolled over to the Old Royal Naval College and through the foot tunnel to Island Gardens to put our new found knowledge to the test. It was great to get our work reviewed by the professionals throughout the tour and to benefit from their tips and suggestions for improvement.

Once back at the studio, we each selected our best photo, with help from Fergus, and then Richard showed us some of the post production magic he could do in Photoshop to further enhance them.

It was a really enjoyable day – I’d certainly recommend booking yourself on a future event if you’re interested in learning more about photography. The rest of the ‘best’ photos from the day can be found on Fergus’ Facebook page, along with his and Richard’s feedback, so do take a look.

Here’s a couple of behind the scenes photos I took on my phone during the day.

Market hotel boss will work with “traders and the people of Greenwich”

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The boss of the company that will run a new boutique hotel at Greenwich Market has spoken out about his plans for the venture.

Robin Sheppard, Chairman of Bespoke Hotels, has told boutiquehotels.co.uk that he wants to work with local people to make the project a success.

The proposal to redevelop the market and add a new 100 room hotel was initially thrown out unanimously by Greenwich Council’s Planning Board.

Local landlords, Greenwich Hospital, got this decision overturned, in spite of continued opposition, by taking a revised scheme to Independent Appeal.

Sheppard acknowledges that the planning process was “a difficult time” but adds that it’s “very important … that we work with the traders and the people of Greenwich.”

“Greenwich is such a beautiful place, there is so much history but as far as I can see it does not have much nightlife.”, he adds.

During the appeal procedure, concerns were raised that the noise of the market would be a problem for guests at the hotel but Sheppard maintains that “guests will be able to look down on the market, but the roof will act as an extra sound buffer.”

Bespoke Hotels is also the operator of the award winning Bermondsey Square Hotel. The full interview with Robin Sheppard can be read at boutiquehotels.co.uk

Work on the redevelopment project will begin in January 2013 and is expected to take a year.

Norman Road development moves forward

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Developers have been given the green light to build new flats and hotels at the corner of Norman Road and Greenwich High Road.

The Movement, covered previously on Greenwich.co.uk, is a mixed use development including hundreds of new homes, two new hotels, residential units and a new street.

The application got the backing of Greenwich Council’s Planning Board last Thursday night at Woolwich Town Hall.

There will be 181 residential properties, over 350 rooms of student accommodation, a 104 bed 3* hotel, a 30 bed boutique hotel as well as commercial units, office space, shops and a health club.

The scheme from local developers, the Cathedral Group, will be built on a disused industrial yard. Cathedral are also behind the Deptford Project and the redevelopment of Eltham’s Grove Market.

Daily Photo: 19/04/2011 – John Humphries House

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The deep blue sky on this sunny day almost matched the blue panels at the front of John Humphries House in Stockwell Street.

The 60s office building will soon be demolished to make way for the University of Greenwich’s purpose built School of Architecture and Construction.

Did you take a photo in Greenwich during today’s scorching weather? All contributions welcome – rob@greenwich.co.uk

Southeastern’s draft timetable for London 2012 revealed

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Services at local railway stations are likely to be severely affected by the London 2012 summer Olympics.

Details of the disruption to Southeastern’s train timetables has been revealed in an exclusive report by Darryl Chamberlain at 853.

The draft time table, which will be subject to consultation, will see trains stopping in only one direction for most of the day at Maze Hill station.

Trains through Deptford and Westcombe Park will be cut to a third of their normal frequency and Woolwich Dockyard will be closed altogether.

Details of how the Olympics may effect Greenwich, Charlton, Woolwich Arsenal and Blackheath stations, which are designated access points for spectators, have not yet been revealed.

A notice on Southeastern’s website says, “Currently the Olympic timetable is being consulted on with stakeholders, including user groups, local authorities and MPs and this is due to be completed by the middle of May. Following this, the timetable should receive final approval from Network Rail, Department for Transport and Olympic Delivery Authority over the summer.”