Greenwich news and information
With the news that the Royal Observatory is going to start charging visitors £10 to access the Meridian Line in its courtyard, I started to wonder if alternative markings of the line may start to become popular with tourists. Did you know that the Meridian Line is marked in the tennis courts at Greenwich Park, just a stone’s throw from the Observatory?
Accessing parts of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park will cost visitors £10 from March, it has emerged.
The new charge is being introduced from March 8th this year and applies to Flamsteed House and the Meridian Line. Adults will pay £10 and those that qualify for a concession will pay £7.50. Once paid, the pass will enable free returns for 12 months. Children aged 15 and under will continue to get free access.
The Astronomy Centre with its three interactive galleries will remain free.
Charging was abolished at the museum in 2001, when free entry was introduced at national museums in England, Scotland and Wales, but a spokesperson for the National Maritime Museum says it “needs to look at generating more of its own revenue” after a “a prolonged period of limited investment”.
Lord Sterling, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Maritime Museum said, “After thorough deliberation, Trustees have taken the decision that the only responsible and practical course of action we can adopt is to return to charging for the Meridian Line and Flamsteed House at the Royal Observatory.”
When asked if the Royal Observatory would be considering discounted entry for holders of the council’s “Greenwich Card” scheme, the NMM spokesperson commented, “It is something we are looking into.”
Additional coverage at the Greenwich Gazette, Greenwich Phantom and 853.
A lecturer from the University of Greenwich has been named as the joint winner of a competition to design a new water fountain for London’s eight Royal Parks.
Mark Titman, a part time lecturer at the University’s School of Architecture & Construction, submitted his “Watering Holes” design to the international competition which attracted over 150 entries from 26 countries.
Mark commented:
“Having won, I feel encouraged that there remains civic pride in this marvellous city. So much effort and money is spent on the built environment lately with little care for the person on the pavement.
“My first response to the brief was to ask, what is a water fountain? I answered this by suggesting it was a civic monument and that it offered a delightful connection between the drinker and the natural elements. I came up with the design after meeting architect Robin Monotti in Hyde Park and looking at an ancient sundial which was a block of stone with an engraved hole carved into it. From there I developed the notion of two or more holes.
“The references to the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey, standing stones, grottoes, sculpture and seaside photo panels in which you insert your head all showed our proposal to be one of both contemporary delight and timeless classicism.
“Water fountains save energy and prevent pollution by reducing the need for water bottles which consume energy in their production and are the cause of much litter in our parks. Therefore it is hoped the fountains will re-emerge as an engaging and sustainable addition to our cities and parks.”
The competition, called Tiffany – Across the Water, has been organised by the Royal Parks Foundation in partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and mainly funded by the Tiffany & Co. Foundation, the charitable arm of the famous jewellers.
Sara Lom, CEO of the Royal Parks Foundation said: “The new drinking fountain will benefit millions of runners, walkers, riders, cyclists and other visitors to The Royal Parks and will, we hope, be adopted by other green spaces around the world.”
Today’s ‘Daily Photo’ isn’t a photo but a very lovely video that was sent over to me. You might have already seen it doing the rounds on Twitter or over at the Greenwich Phantom, but it’s very nicely put together so deserves as wide an airing as possible.
The protestor who had charges against him for damaging London 2012 course markers in Greenwich Park abandoned has claimed a “moral victory”.
Prosecutors dropped their case against Edward Hill last Friday. They had previously described him as “anti-Olympics” – a tag he is keen to reject in a written response provided to Greenwich.co.uk.
Mr Hill says his actions were intended to prevent “further damage to Greenwich Park” and he calls for the equestrian events to be moved to Windsor.
Edward Hill’s full response to the CPS’s decision
With regard to the statement of the Crown Prosecution Service that my actions were ‘anti-Olympics’, I wish to make clear that I in fact share the educational and health ideals of the Olympic Charter. My actions were not in any sense generally ‘anti-Olympics’, but were solely aimed at preventing further damage to Greenwich Park from the works that are taking place due to the decision to hold the Olympic Equestrian Event there.
After 35 years living and working locally, and as a previous Artist in Residence for Greenwich Park, I probably know it as well as anyone. I have studied its archaeology and history, enjoyed its landscape and tried professionally to visualize its future.
I certainly see the dropping of the charges against me as a moral victory for common sense, and it may even be a sign of the authorities’ anxiety about the evidence which could have been stirred up by a court case.
Ever since it was first proposed that Greenwich Park should host the Olympics Equestrian Event, very many people have pointed out that Windsor has always been a better choice in every way. Windsor is iconic, it is an established site for equestrian events, it is easier for security, it is accessible, it is a 2012 Olympic Borough and was used in 1948 for an Olympic event which had to be moved, it has plenty of accommodation and other facilities, it is cheaper to build, and a legacy could be left.
Most importantly, the local community in Windsor would welcome the event. This change of venue should now take place, in the same way as when the Montreal Olympic Equestrian Event was moved to another venue at a similar stage of preparations, when it became apparent that it was the right thing to do.
Thanks to Peter Grahame Woolf for sending me this photo showing one of the course markers in Greenwich Park.
Many thanks to Emily Norton for sending me this photo taken in Greenwich Park on the 2nd November.
Here’s another one that Emily took on her walk around the park.
Autumnal photo of Greenwich Park.
The boating lake in Greenwich Park, as seen from One Tree Hill.
Bench at One Tree Hill in Greenwich Park
A photo showing the scarification work being undertaken in Greenwich Park for the London 2012 cross country event. Read about “acid grass” here and here on the Greenwich Phantom’s blog and on the Greenwich.co.uk forum.
There’s more photos in the “Greenwich _Park” photostream on Flickr.com