Greenwich.co.uk

Equestrian centre nears completion as council launches legacy report

December 13, 2012 By Greenwich.co.uk

A NEW equestrian centre on Shooters Hill is nearing completion.

The facility will be run by Hadlow College and offer a range of equine courses for various age groups, including degree courses in partnership with the University of Greenwich.

American style barn

Equine bath

Horse gym being delivered

Surface material donated by London 2012 – it had been used in Greenwich Park.

The facility will also host a new therapy centre where horses can be referred to by vets and one of the only equine baths available in the south east.

Surface sand used at Shooters Hill has come from Greenwich Park. It made up about 1/80 of the surface material using in the park this summer and has been donated by London 2012 organisers.

Hadlow College’s Derek Payne told Greenwich.co.uk there had been an uplift in interest in equine courses since London 2012. “Especially on the equestrian sport side, for people that want to start riding or take it more competitively. Many had been looking at it for leisure but now are thinking more seriously about it as a career,” he commented.

A new “pegasus crossing” outside the equestrian centre will allow horses to cross the road in to Oxleas Wood.

The press were invited to see the new equestrian centre and also the new “sports hub” at Hornfair Park on the day that the council launched its Legacy Report.

Read Greenwich.co.uk tweets from the launch event

The report, which is available to download here, outlines the benefits that the council claims the area has received through its role as a host borough.

Greenwich.co.uk changing, new forum launching soon

December 13, 2012 By Greenwich.co.uk

AFTER over four years of delivering news, photos and features for a Greenwich audience, Greenwich.co.uk will be taking a break from after Christmas.

Since starting in 2008, we’ve invested in great content from local writers, had some of the best photos and tried to keep readers informed about what’s happening in their town, and in their town hall.

We’ve attracted high profile contributors, including Andrew Gilligan and Nick Raynsford MP and even had some local stories, such as the controversy of broken in headstones in St Alfege Park, picked up by the national press and blogs across the world.

After Christmas we will be taking a break from posting news and photos to Greenwich.co.uk but we will in place of that have an exciting new forum where you can set the agenda by discussing the local issues that matter to you.

As well as the new forum, Greenwich.co.uk will also still have the only local What’s On guide you control and brilliant Charlton Athletic match reports from the incomparable Kevin Nolan.

And before Christmas, we have lots more surprises lined up and will be publishing end of year interviews with the Leader of Greenwich Council Chris Roberts and local MP, Nick Raynsford MP. We’ve also been speaking to the leader of Greenwich Consevatives, Spencer Drury and the new chair of Greenwich Lib Dems Chris Smith.

If you have enjoyed Greenwich.co.uk since 2008, remember there’s still time to get our souvenir calendar for 2013 featuring some of our favourite photographs from 2012.

Schools perform "Winter Wonderland"

December 11, 2012 By Greenwich.co.uk

In the presence of the Mayor of Greenwich, children from five schools from the Trafalgar cluster performed a carol concert at the Old Royal Naval College chapel yesterday.

The concert ended with all the schools coming together for a group rendition of Winter Wonderland.

listen to ‘Walking in a winter wonderland ’ on Audioboo

The five schools taking part were Meridian Primary School, St Joseph’s RC Primary School, Christ Church Primary School, Invicta Primary School and John Roan School.

Greenwich People: Robert Gray

December 10, 2012 By Greenwich.co.uk

ACTOR, hotelier and broadcaster Robert Gray was born in Malta and moved to Greenwich in the early sixties. He runs a B&B in St Alfege Passage called Number 16 which “gained notoriety on the Hotel Inspector on Channel 5.”

Robert’s highlight of 2012, he says, was “the Olympics and all the jolly people visiting Greenwich for the equestrian events in the park.”

Robert got in to the equestrian spirit by commissioning a topiary horse called Benson, which has been in his front garden since the spring. What now for Benson?

“Well don’t tell anybody this but Benson is going to become an installation for St Alfege Advent Windows. He’s going to have a bit of a makeover so watch this space from the 16th December.”

As well as continuing with his Youtube chat show, Robert’s Full English Breakfast Show, he has also just started a show on local radio station, Meridian Radio.

“They’ve let me loose with a lot of knobs and controls on Meridian Radio which is really quite scary, a bit like flying Concorde. In fact, I think flying Concorde would be easier.”

After fifty years in Greenwich, what is it that Robert still loves about the area?

“Greenwich is such a beautiful and happening place but it still feels like a village because in other parts of London you can live and not know who lives in the flat above or below you. Greenwich has a big sense of community.”

See Robert’s latest RFEBS with actor Pete Egan

Greenwich People: Karin Tearle

December 3, 2012 By Greenwich.co.uk

Karin Tearle lives in Greenwich, next to Greenwich Park, and runs Belle, a fashion boutique in College Approach.

“I love Greenwich. I love the variety, the people – there’s quite a few eccentric people here. I’ve met some very interesting people from all walks of life and they’ve become my friends,” she explains. “That’s the part of my job that I love.”

However, after almost nine years, Karin has decided to take a break and not to renew her shop lease at the end of this year.

“I’m planning a break for the time being and to see where I go from here.” But before that, Karin will be donning a Santa outfit on December 9th to take part in a charity run in Greenwich Park.

“I’m doing the run for the Rwanda Development Trust. I’ve been a trustee for the charity since 1994 and a voluntary translator and interpretor. I’m also a project co-ordinator, assessing small capacity building projects.”

You can support Karin through her sponsorship page

Daily Photo: 30/11/2012 – Satisfaction

November 30, 2012 By Greenwich.co.uk

Thanks to Paul for this photo of a Corvette seen in Stockwell Street with photos of the Rolling Stones emblazoned on it.

The Rolling Stones have been performing at the O2 this week with Mick Jagger reportedly telling fans, “It took us fifty years to get from Dartford to Greenwich!”

It was reported earlier by the this week that the Rolling Stones were facing a £200,000 fine by the local council after their concert at the O2 overran but Greenwich Council told this website today they had not fined the group.

This is the last Daily Photo for a while on the site so thanks for all contributions thus far. Greenwich.co.uk has twenty four features, interviews, videos and pictorials planned for December, however, in our very own Greenwich.co.uk Advent Calendar.

Basement bar and club due to open at the Plaza

November 28, 2012 By Greenwich.co.uk

A NEW bar and nightclub could open in the basement of the Plaza building in Trafalgar Road by next month.

Woolwich-based Thomas Rahmani has signed a seven year lease on the premises in what was originally Greenwich’s Granada theatre.

Refurbishment is already under way and the TR Bar & Club is expected to open in mid December.

Mr Rahmani told Greenwich.co.uk that he plans to “host club nights during the week and weekends.” He also plans jazz and soul nights, open mic nights as well as discos that would “attract local residents in the area for a good night.”

The building opened in 1937 as a cinema, built for “Mr and Mrs Greenwich.” Since then, it has been a bingo hall and the Stars nightclub before being redeveloped to include residential and commercial units.

WWII grenade discovered during Olympics

November 23, 2012 By Greenwich.co.uk

A GRENADE from World War II, a missing child and a slump in Greenwich town centre business were just some of the issues that the council had to respond to London 2012, according to information just revealed.

The incidents were all recorded in a Daily Log that was made available to councillors last night as Chief Executive Mary Ney gave an update on the Games to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The WWII grenade was found near Woolwich Pier on August 6th. Two more devices were found on the 7th and 8th of August at Murphy’s Wharf near Greenwich Yacht Club but disposed of without further incident.

Other incidents recorded by the council included:

An attempted “late night incursion” by revellers in to Greenwich Park on the night of the Opening Ceremony
Abuse of military personnal in Greenwich town centre, for which three people were charged
Illegal trading during the Olympic Torch Relay – flags, glowsticks and t-shirts were seized
A peaceful protest against the Syrian government outside the Old Royal Naval College
Problems with parking permits which led to the council delaying the introduction of enforcement measures

The well publicised issue of spectators being prevented from accessing some parts of the town centre led to light barriers being removed and the council allocating “entertainers and animation to direct visitors to Greenwich Market.”

An operational Command and Communication structure had been put in place before the Olympics with Gold, Silver and Bronze teams.

The only issue to be escalated to Gold command – Mary Ney and director of regeneration, John Comber – during the Olympics was a child reported missing in Greenwich town centre on August 8th. The child was found later that day with its grandmother.

Following the presentation, committee chairman Mick Hayes thanked the Chief Executive and council officers for their “excellent work” during Games Time.