Organisers of the now-closed farmers’ market in East Greenwich have confirmed they are looking at other venues in the area.

Despite initially being “very optimistic”, City & Country Farmers’ Markets took the “difficult decision” to cancel the market at Halstow School after it failed to attract enough business.

City & Country initially tried to launch the Saturday morning market at East Greenwich Pleasance before moving it across to the grounds of Halstow School.

A spokesperson commented, “We are very grateful that Halstow School agreed to let us use their grounds [but] we tend to think that one of the main problems was location as there is no real passing trade.”

“We are most definitely looking at other venues in the area…All suggestions are very welcome!”, added the spokesperson.

You can find out more about City and Country and contact them with your venue suggestions via their website.

A Greenwich hotel has opened an “Academy of Hospitality” that will “train the future stars of hospitality.”

The training facility at Devonport House is De Vere‘s fifth such academy and the first based in London.

400 young people who are not currently in education or employment will receive training for careers in the hospitality sector at the Academy every year.

Richard Balfour-Lynn, Chief Executive of De Vere Group and Patron of the Academy said at the opening:

“As London, and in particular Greenwich, prepares for one of the biggest hospitality events in the world in 2012, it is perhaps particularly opportune that we are opening here today.

“We recognized the shortage of well trained, experienced individuals entering our business and therefore, through the Academy of Hospitality, our mission was simple: to create the right environment and training programme that would kick-start the career of many young people and give them all the tools they need to be outstanding in what they do.”

Councillor Denise Hyland, Cabinet member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Skills, commented:

“We welcome the opportunity to work closely with De Vere, not least because we share the common goal that skills and training programmes should truly open doors for participants.

“Greenwich Local Labour and Business, an agency supported by us to help local people access training and jobs, and are working closely with De Vere to recruit local young apprentices to the Academy and we look forward to seeing them graduate with a bright future at an exciting time for this sector in Greenwich.”

The Greenwich Academy of Hospitality is working in partnership with Greenwich Council, The Green Kitchen and Charlton Athletic FC and is supported by the National Apprenticeship Service.

A shipping magnate who contributed millions of pounds to heritage sites in Greenwich has died.

Sammy Ofer, 89, reckoned to be Israel’s richest man, died on Friday. He, together with his brother Yuli, were estimated to be worth $10.3billion (USD)

Ofer had donated £20million to the National Maritime Musuem and his death comes just weeks before the new Sammy Ofer Wing is due to open.

The philanthropist also contributed millions of pounds towards the restoration of the Cutty Sark.

The Leader of Greenwich Council, Cllr Chris Roberts, commented:

“I learned of the sad death of Sammy Ofer last week. His commitment and support to the Maritime Heritage of Greenwich is almost unsurpassed.

I am delighted that he was able to witness the progress of both the South West Wing of the National Maritime Museum which will bear his name and the Cutty Sark to which he also contributed.

The NMM expansion simply could not have taken place without his generous support and the iconic interpretation of the Cutty Sark would also not have been possible without him.”

Councillor Nigel Fletcher, deputy leader of Greenwich Conservatives and spokesman on heritage issues, commented:

“Sammy Ofer made a huge contribution to preserving and enhancing the maritime heritage of Greenwich, and his generous donations mean he will be remembered for years to come. It’s a great shame he died just a month before the opening of the museum wing that bears his name, but it will now stand as a lasting memorial.”

Updated 07/06/2011

The Chairman of the National Maritime Musuem, Lord Sterling, has given this response to Sammy Ofer’s passing:

“We were deeply saddened to hear the news that Sammy Ofer died early on Friday morning. He was a very close personal friend of mine and had been ill for some considerable period of time and had grown very frail.

“It nevertheless gives us all great pleasure that we were able to have the cornerstone ceremony for the new Wing, last year, enjoyed by Sammy and his whole family: also that, even in recent months, he enjoyed coming with his wife to see the Museum and took great pleasure in seeing our hopes and aspirations taking shape. Our new wing would not be possible without his generous gift of £21m.

“His family and in particular his two sons, Eyal and Idan, continue to take a great interest in the Museum and its affairs, and the Sammy Ofer Wing, the opening of which will be celebrated on 12 July.”

Cllr Jim Gillman became the Mayor of Greenwich last night at an inauguration ceremony at the Old Royal Naval College.

This is the second time that Cllr Gillman has been Greenwich’s first citizen – he previously served as Mayor in 1985/86.

His wife, Cllr Janet Gillman, has become the Mayoress of Greenwich.

Greenwich West’s Cllr David Grant has been installed as the Deputy Mayor of Greenwich and his wife, Anne, is the Deputy Mayoress.

Speaking at his inauguration, Councillor Gillman said: “It is with considerable pleasure and pride that I accept the position of Mayor of Greenwich for the forthcoming municipal year. Greenwich has been my home for the last 70 years and is the place where I met my wife Janet and where my children and grandchildren live.

“It has changed immeasurably during that time but has still managed to maintain its wonderful heritage whilst delivering plans to ensure a future which will be just as memorable as its past. I look forward to a very exciting year ahead.”

Stepney-born Gillman moved to Greenwich in the 1940s and attended primary school in Calvert Road. He had a 40 year career in the newspaper industry and has been active in the local Labour Party and Co-operative Party since the 1960s.

He was first elected to Greenwich Council in 1974, representing the old Hornfair ward. He went on to represent the Ferrier ward and the Trafalgar ward – which covered most of what is now the Peninsula ward.

He retired from the council in 2002 but made a return in the elections of  2010. He now represents the Kidbrooke with Hornfair ward.

A fellow councillor from the Labour group told Greenwich.co.uk, “As a councillor Jim has always worked hard within the communities he represents –  he gets to know families and understand their roots and aspirations.  He has a solid reputation for integrity and committment.”

Conservative deputy leader, Cllr Nigel Fletcher, commented, “Jim is a popular Councillor who has given long service to the Borough, and we were happy to support his election as Mayor.”

Inauguration Controversy

The decision to continue to hold the ceremony in Greenwich’s famous Painted Hall has attracted criticism and some councillors, who have recently voted through big spending cuts, opted not to attend the inauguration.

Previous estimates for the cost of the event put it at £30,000, but cabinet member, Cllr John Fahy, recently revealed that the cost of this year’s event had been cut to £10,000.

Opposition leader, Cllr Spencer Drury, recently criticised the event as an “opportunity to wine and dine the selected few” but added it was “fantastic to have got the costs down”.

Mayoral Charity

The new mayor has chosen the Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice as his official charity for the municipal year. He commented, “The Greenwich and Bexley Hospice recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. It has done so much for people and families in Greenwich and I will do my utmost during my year as Mayor to raise as much money as possible to assist its work.”

Work begins today in Greenwich Park to prepare it for this summer’s Olympic test event.

Contractors will be working between now and July and to set up a temporary 2000-seater arena south of the Queen’s House.

Athletes and horses will begin to arrive in Greenwich on 1st July, with the Greenwich Park Eventing International taking place on the 4th, 5th and 6th. The Cross Country element of the competition will see 40 horses and riders traverse a course across the east side of the park.

The Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final will take place on the 9th and 10th of July. Removal of temporary structures will begin the day after and organisers say the the park will be handed back for reinstatement to begin on August 1st.

There will be no access to the main competition area, marked in orange below, from today until August 10th. The eastern side for the park, to be used for the cross country course and marked  in amber below, will be closed from 1st June to August 10th.

Thousands of tickets for the events will be made available to Greenwich schools and to Greenwich residents through a council run ballot.