Greenwich.co.uk

Greenwich news and information

The news section of Greenwich.co.uk has been paused since 2018. Please enjoy browsing archive news articles below.

King’s Troop receive annual inspection at historic barracks

By

THE KING’S Troop Royal Horse Artillery has received its annual inspection at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich.

The Troop, which moved to Woolwich from St John’s Wood in 2012, formed up in the Parade Ground in front of the 18th century barracks this morning shortly after 9am.

With a stirring musical accompaniment from the Royal Artillery Band, making a rare return to Woolwich since leaving the town in 2014, the Royal Horse Artillery was inspected and ‘declared fit to represent the nation.’

After the inspection, the Troop moved on to Barrack Field where they performed a Musical Drive and fired six guns for a crowd of spectators which included local school children.

It’s the first time the King’s Troop has received the annual inspection in Woolwich since their move to south-east London. They had continued to use Regent’s Park until last year’s event which was held in Charlton Park.

Photos from the King’s Troop RHA Annual Inspection

greenwichcouk_kings_troop_inspection02
The Troop made the short journey from the purpose-built facility at King George VI lines along Repository Road.

greenwichcouk_kings_troop_inspection06
The Royal Artillery Barracks provides a stunning backdrop to the inspection. At 329 metres in length, it is thought to be the longest Georgian frontage in Europe.

greenwichcouk_kings_troop_inspection07
The Troop formed up shortly after 9am this morning.

greenwichcouk_kings_troop_inspection10
The inspection found the Troop “fit to represent the nation”

greenwichcouk_kings_troop_inspection04
The Royal Artillery Band attended the Inspection – they left Woolwich in 2014 after a 250 year association with the town.

greenwichcouk_kings_troop_inspection09

greenwichcouk_kings_troop_inspection11
The Royal Artillery Band march out of the Parade Ground and on to the Barrack Field.

greenwichcouk_kings_troop_inspection03
The impressive Musical Drive took place in glorious spring sunshine.

greenwichcouk_kings_troop_inspection12
The next major event for the King’s Troop will be a Royal Salute in Green Park for the State Opening of Parliament on May 18th.

greenwichcouk_kings_troop_inspection13
A sword glistens in the sunshine this morning.

greenwichcouk_kings_troop_inspection05
Six guns were fired by the Troop, bringing the demonstration to a close before they returned to the King George VI Lines.

Short video from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery Annual Inspection – April 2016

 

Storm Katie crumples crane in Greenwich

By

Storm Katie in London

CREEK Road was closed to traffic today after a huge crane buckled under the force of Storm Katie during the night.

Greenwich woke up to the startling sight of the wilted crane – visible from around town – hanging overhead. It was reported to have crumpled in high winds shortly before 2am.

Nobody was hurt when the large crane, positioned behind the Lord Hood pub, collapsed as wind speeds reached up to 70mph around London

The bent-double crane is one of three that are currently working on a development site on Creek Road.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police commented:

“Officers attended and the road was closed between Greenwich Church Street and Norman Road until the crane’s structure can be made safe. There were no reported injuries.”

© Licensed to London News Pictures. 28/03/2016. London, UK. A collapsed tower crane on a construction site in Creek Road, Greenwich, south east London. The crane collapsed during the windy weather of storm Katie. Photo credit : Vickie Flores/LNP

Storm Katie in London

Other damage caused by Storm Katie included the felling of a lamp post and tree in Stockwell Street and the upending of benches at the National Maritime Museum.

Thames Clipper boats had to stop calling at North Greenwich Pier because of damage to the canopy there and both the Woolwich Ferry and cable car across the Thames were halted until the strong winds subsided.

Storm Katie in London
Fallen tree in Stockwell Street with the damaged crane seen in the distance

greenwich_storm_katie_alex_brooks_1
Benches turned over at the colonnade next to the National Maritime Museum

greenwich_storm_katie_tom_de_wit_1
Damaged canopy at North Greenwich Pier

Storm Katie in London
The QEII Bridge was also closed, causing long traffic tailbacks on the M25 throughout Bank Holiday Monday

 

 

Thames Barrier closes to protect London from flooding

By

THE THAMES Barrier was shut yesterday to protect London from being flooded.

It was the first time this winter that the capital’s flood defence system has been raised by the Environment Agency.

A combination of a high river flow recorded at Teddington weir and a predicted high astronomical tide forced the eighth wonder of the world in to action.

The closure began at about 11.40am and the barrier remained shut until about 5pm. It was the 176th time in the barrier’s 33-year career that it has been closed in response to a flood threat.

The barrier was first used in earnest when it was raised on 1st February 1983.

Photographs of the Thames Barrier’s 176th closure

Thames Barrier Closure 10/02/2016
View of the barrier mid-closure with one gate still open

Thames Barrier Closure 10/02/2016
Thames Barrier fully closed with grey skies above

Thames Barrier Closure 10/02/2016
With the barrier closed, the footpath and gardens at the Thames Barrier visitor centre begin to flood.

Thames Barrier Closure 10/02/2016
A small number of spectators watched the engineering feat in action

Thames Barrier Closure 10/02/2016
The barrier started to reopen again shortly before 5pm.

Daffodils flower two months early after mild December

By

COLOURFUL signs of spring have arrived early in Greenwich this year.

The daffodils which grow in front of the Queen’s House and the National Maritime Museum have already started to open up.

The flowers, which create a popular spring view in Greenwich, more typically open at the beginning of March.

The daffodils flowering a full two months earlier than usual comes after one of the mildest Decembers in memory.

Photos of early daffodils in Greenwich

GREENWICH DAFFODILS
Daffodils in front of the Queen’s House which is closed until July of this year

GREENWICH DAFFODILS
The daffodils arrived 2 months earlier than usually expected

GREENWICH DAFFODILS
Tourists were intrigued by the unexpected flowers

GREENWICH DAFFODILS
It’s starting to look a lot like spring.

While December was exceptionally mild, a trawl through the pages of the British Newspaper Archive has thrown up a fascinating clipping reporting on a previously very mild December in Greenwich.

577659_10154046414774505_5581061609830182167_n

This article from 1920 reports on a Christmas Eve temperature which was the highest for 80 years and records temperatures of 54 degrees F (12.2 deg C) from the 24th – 28th December. 1848 apparently saw similar temperatures during December, rising to 62 degrees F (16.6 deg C) on one day.

 

King’s Troop RHA appear in Christmas outfits

By

THE KING’S Troop Royal Horse Artillery have made their now-traditional Christmas eve appearance in seasonal outfits.

Horses and riders alike were decorated with tinsel and Christmas costumes as they made the journey from their purpose-built barracks in Woolwich to Blackheath.

The Troop were greeted by residents of Morden College where mince pies, mulled wine and brandy were served.

greenwichcouk_ktrha_1
The Troop on Prince of Wales Road, Blackheath, with a 108 bus behind them

greenwichcouk_ktrha_4
The outfits included Christmas jumpers, Santa costumes and snowman suits.

greenwichcouk_ktrha_2
Once at Morden College, the Troop spent time talking to residents and having their photographs taken.

greenwichcouk_ktrha_3
Rudolph the red nosed horse

greenwichcouk_ktrha_5

greenwichcouk_ktrha_7
King’s Troop RHA leaving Morden College

greenwichcouk_ktrha_6
Seen from across the heath as they head off back to their base at Woolwich which they moved to in 2012.

Greenwich.co.uk would like to take this opportunity to wish readers, subscribers and followers on the site and on our social media channels a very Merry Christmas.

Image from the Royal Greenwich 2016 Calendar

Image from the Royal Greenwich 2016 Calendar

 

Greenwich calendar on sale at Halstow Craft Fair this weekend

By

halstowcraftfair

GREENWICH.CO.UK’s new photo calendar for 2016 will be on sale at Halstow Craft Fair on Saturday afternoon.

The calendar will join an assortment of other wares produced by local crafters at this popular event at Halstow School in Halstow Road.

Images from around Greenwich, including Greenwich Park, the ORNC and the Cutty Sark, feature in the limited edition calendar which is also available online and in shops across the borough.

Local historian Mary Mills will also be at the fair signing copies of her new book which tells the story of Greenwich Peninsula.

Halstow Craft Fair is on Saturday 14th November from 12pm – 4pm. Entry costs £1 (children free).

See what’s inside the Greenwich.co.uk Royal Greenwich 2016 Calendar

Mary Mills launches new book on history of Greenwich Peninsula

By

peninsulabookfrontcover

A NEW book telling the story of Greenwich Peninsula has been released by local historian and former councillor Mary Mills.

Innovation, Enterprise and Change on the Greenwich Peninsula explains how industry started on this former marshland when monks from Ghent built a tide mill in the 12th century.

The book rattles through the developments since then which include gunpowder works, rope making, cable making, automatic linoleum production, ship building, the gas works and the Millennium Dome.

An eye-catching drawing of the peninsula by acclaimed Greenwich-based artist Peter Kent adorns the front cover of the book which features old and new photographs inside.

The book was officially launched on Tuesday evening at The Hub, a stone’s throw from the O2, where Deputy Leader of Greenwich Council, John Fahy, paid tribute to Mills and the new book.

Self-published and printed in Greenwich, the book costs £8 and is available now in selected local shops – Sabo’s and Warwick Leadlay Gallery, initially – or can be bought online.

Greenwich & Woolwich MP Matthew Pennycook also attended the launch.

Royal Greenwich 2016 Calendar now on sale

By

Greenwich2016

THE 2016 edition of the Royal Greenwich calendar is now on sale, online and in local shops.

It’s the fourth time that Greenwich.co.uk has produced a photo calendar using images from Greenwich and nearby.

This new calendar has sought to capture some wonderful moments such as a seal on the foreshore, a hippo (!) passing Greenwich, a Royal Navy ship passing the Thames Barrier and dozens of hot air balloons floating over Blackheath – a photo provided by Stu Mayhew.

There’s also classic shots of Greenwich throughout the seasons with the cherry blossom of spring in April, autumn leaves in October and a snowy, wintry scene for December.

The price of the Royal Greenwich 2016 calendar is £6.99. If purchased online, postage and packing is £1.80 or free if two copies are bought. The calendar is already available in a range of local retailers with more being added soon.

Buy Royal Greenwich 2016 Calendar Online

Or find it in the following stockists:

  • E.M. Sabo newsagent – Stockwell Street, SE10
  • SBS Stationery – Stockwell Street, SE10 & Greenwich South Street, SE10
  • Susan Clark Interiors – Humber Road, SE3
  • Warwick Leadlay Gallery – Nelson Arcade, Greenwich Market, SE10
  • Karen Woolven Flowers, Royal Hill, SE10 (* as of Fri 4th Sept)
  • Pegga Cards & Gifts, Westcombe Hill, SE3
  • Old Cottage Coffee Shop – Charlton Park, SE7
  • Firepower Museum – Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, SE18

Greenwich201614

Pennycook resigns as councillor ahead of General Election

By

Matthew PennycookCOUNCILLOR Matthew Pennycook has today announced his resignation to the Chief Executive of Greenwich Council.

The move means that a by-election in the Greenwich West ward can now take place on the same day as the General Election in which Pennycook is standing to be the MP for Greenwich and Woolwich.

Cllr Pennycook’s letter to Chief Executive John Comber says it has been an “enormous privilege” to serve as Greenwich West councillor but he has decided now “is the right time to stand down from the council in order to avoid the costs which might arise if a by-election has to be held after Thursday 7 May.”

Pennycook was first elected as a councillor in 2010 and then re-elected at last year’s elections. He was selected in December 2013 to be Labour’s candidate at the General Election after incumbent MP Nick Raynsford announced he wouldn’t be standing again.

The General Election takes place on May 7th.

Full text of Matthew Pennycook’s letter to John Comber:

Dear John,

 I am writing to let you know that I have decided to stand down as an elected member of the Royal Borough of Greenwich with effect from today.

 As you know, my normal term of office ends in 2018. However, I have decided that now is the right time to stand down from the council in order to avoid the costs which might arise if a by-election has to be held after Thursday 7 May should the people of Greenwich and Woolwich give me the honour of electing me as their Member of Parliament at the forthcoming General Election.

 It has been an enormous privilege to have served the residents of Greenwich West ward over the past five years and I’m incredibly proud of everything that we have been able to achieve together during that period. I very much hope to have the chance to continue to serve the area and its residents in the years ahead.

 Lastly, can I thank you for your support during my time in office and ask that you please pass on my sincere thanks to the dedicated officers with whom I have worked over the past five years. Their support, advice and commitment to making our Borough a better place in which to live is appreciated enormously. 

Best wishes,

Cllr Matthew Pennycook

10pm update – response from Twitter

From fellow Greenwich West councillor, Aidan Smith

From Conservative Greenwich & Woolwich candidate, Cllr Matt Hartley

From Charlton Lib Dems

Nelson in Greenwich website goes live

By

GREENWICH.CO.UK has today launched a new website all about one of this country’s greatest heroes.

The dedicated Nelson in Greenwich mini website catalogues the connections in life and in death between Nelson and maritime Greenwich.

The centrepiece of the microsite is a brand new Nelson in Greenwich trail, detailing fifteen places to visit in Greenwich to see Nelson related statues, busts, memorials, plaques and more.

The trail, which is available to view on the website and as a printable download, also includes two of Nelson’s Band of Brothers, Sir Thomas Hardy and Sir Thomas Boulden Thompson, along with his faithful servant Thomas Allen.

There’s also details of streets and pubs named after Nelson in Greenwich and a section for new articles about Greenwich where long forgotten or untold stories about Nelson and his connections with Greenwich will be shared.

The first article is all about the astonishing scenes witnessed in Greenwich as thousands of people waited – sometimes impatiently, sometimes violently – to see the body of Nelson as it lay in the Painted Hall in January 1806.

More articles are planned over the coming months. The new site is now live at: http://nelson.greenwich.co.uk

nelsoningreenwichscreenshot