Lewisham bloggers meet-up

This was the scene in the Royal Albert pub on the New Cross/Deptford border last night, at about 9.30pm. Some of the great and the good of the Lewisham blogging scene met to drink, chat, swap anecdotes, and (of course) knit.

Thanks to Andrew and Robert for organising it again and for nagging us all to remember. The venue was chosen with the idea of giving us more space to spread out - but although the Royal Albert is a larger pub than the Jolly Farmers, it is just as popular! The first hour or so was rather cosy, until we managed to annexe another table, but we managed to scrape through without anyone having to stand!

Present were:
Andrew
Robert
Clare
Andrew
Max
Transpontine
Inspector Sands
Michael
and Steve, who's not strictly speaking a blogger, he's a forum hoster, but we didn't let that get in the way of things!



The Lewisham Bloggers Knitting Subgroup was officially launched by myself and Clare; she had brought along a knitting kit that was given to her at Christmas, so I cast on for her and then set her on her way with the knitting. I kept her company by working on my latest sock, and our creativity was noted by one of the bar staff who was a novice knitter. Hopefully she will come along to join one of our meetings at Deptford Properly!

At this point I'd just like to digress somewhat to recount a rather disturbing experience at the bar, and I will precede this by saying that I have always found visits to the Royal Albert to be very pleasant. The beer is well-kept, although I'm not keen on the large tankards they insist on using (they aggravate my RSI-inflicted wrists as they are rather heavy), the food is good, the ambience is always relaxing and quite traditional in feel. In short, a valuable part of my local pub scene.

But in 25-odd years of drinking real ale by the pint, I have NEVER had my request for a top-up refused in such a rude and ignorant manner! Sure, sometimes I've had to gently explain to bar staff who are obviously lager drinkers, that I prefer less head on my pint, but they have always been happy to oblige. This particular pint of London Pride, served in a straight glass with no pint mark on it, had a good inch of head on it. My request to the chap behind the bar for a top-up resulted in a point-blank 'no, it's fine'. I was fair gobsmacked! I had to insist, and even then he had the gall to try and argue that the Pride was 'a bit more fizzy' than the others! Yes, knob-head, that's why you let it settle before you top it up!

I didn't let a fine evening be marred by the incident, and luckily I wasn't served by him again, but mark my words, the Dame will be Keeping Her Eye on this particular establishment over the next few months.

Thanks to all who came, for a very entertaining and pleasant evening, thanks to Andrew and Robert for your organisational and nagging skills, and hope to see you all again soon!

Reassuring words from Joan?

Following Andrew Brown's comment on my previous post, I dropped a line to my local MP Joan Ruddock to ask if she knew what was happening on the station redevelopment.

Fair play to Ms Ruddock, it did only take her a few weeks to reply - much quicker than I was expecting. Unfortunately the letter, which came on official House of Commons notepaper, was inspiring in its blandness and lack of information. The envelope was probably the most exciting thing about it.

Three of the seven lines were taken up in telling me that she had been looking into the matter (which I already assumed since that's what she was responding about). The other four lines were vaguer than a government press release.

Apparently "there were some concerns regarding the architects which had the potential to delay the start of the project". There is no elucidation as to who had these concerns, what the concerns were, where they came from, why they had arisen etc. Were the architects potential crooks? Were they about to go bankrupt? Were they revealed as having faked their qualification certificates?

But not to worry, apparently these 'concerns' have now been resolved! Hurrah for whoever did the resolving, whatever it involved. It's obviously not my place to be appraised of the details.

Apparently whatever it is that has been happening, has set the project back 'a couple of months' but 'certainly not to the degree you mention in your email'. Now, as the email was submitted via Joan's website and I don't have a record of what I said, I can't defend myself here. All I know is that I submitted what I thought was a rather measured enquiry. I certainly wasn't in rant mode! I probably alluded to the fact that the station redevelopment plans have been in the pipeline for at least two years, if not more. If I root around in my records I will be able to find the letter for the original planning application, which was more than two years ago. And every time I have met any of Cathedral's or the architects' staff at exhibitions, and asked them about timescales, it has always been about to start 'in the next six months'. I still have the card they handed out at last year's festival promising the craft market 'Autumn 2007'. In case you hadn't noticed, it's now nearly March. Sorry Joan, I'm not making it up.

All the same, the letter finishes with the bland reassurance 'all the parties concerned now believe the project is deliverable and plans are progressing'. Plans for what? The market, the station, the live-work units? In what way are these plans 'progressing'? Does that just mean that the documents are on someone's desk waiting for an approval signature, or is someone actually mobilising staff and equipment as we speak? Is the funding in place? If so, how much funding is in place and what will this cover? If not, what are we waiting for? How long is the wait likely to take? Once work starts what is the timescale? Are there any further hurdles that need to be cleared?

It's good to see that our MP is responsive to requests for information. It's just a shame that her response is so bland and devoid of any facts.

Vandalism at the Stephen Lawrence centre - arrests

It seems four youths have been arrested for the recent vandalism to the Stephen Lawrence Centre. Let's hope it leads to some convictions...

Next RSVP event

Remember the RSVP BBQ/naming competition that the Dame had a bit of a rant about last year?

Watch out, cos the next RSVP event is almost upon us:

"The next RSVP gathering will take place at Artspace, an interesting alternative not-for-profit gallery hidden in the Victorian vaults of the Deptford Arms. Enter this space down the old stone stairs lit by the moon and candle.

Date for your diary: Tuesday 26th of February 2008. 6pm til late.

Venue: Artspace"

Incidentally, does anyone know what name won the competition? I haven't seen anything about it anywhere and can't find anything on the website. Who got the Witcomb bike?

Ta dah!

Slightly incongruous-looking, but fun!

Carriage of delight

The rumours of a railway carriage in Deptford High Street were true! A slightly scruffy looking slam-door style carriage has turned up in the space formerly occupied by a dodgy-looking butchers, and the shop that sold every type of cleaning product under the sun (except Ecover!).

I'm not sure where the butchers went, but the household shop moved a couple of doors up, and the old lean-to they used to be housed in, opposite Iceland, has been flattened.

The train carriage looks ever so slightly incongruous, sitting there on its own piece of track, with 'To Deptford with Love' painted on the side. Apparently it's to be our new cafe and station site HQ, as promised by the Cathedral Group in their latest press release which I reported in January.

Naturally I'll be bringing more news as soon as the carriage is open for business! (and some photos hopefully tomorrow!)

Chinese new year in Deptford

A colourful New Year celebration outside Lai Loi in Deptford High Street. The two dragons, accompanied by the drummer and percussionists, moved on down the street to the West Lake Vietnamese restaurant afterwards. Much more intimate than Chinatown!

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Consultation part III

This latest press release from Lewisham Council sets the scene for some MORE consultation! Great to see so much effort being expended on improving facilities in Deptford; hopefully we'll soon get to the bit where we stop talking and start doing!


"Plans for the proposed development of Deptford Town Centre are due to go on public display next Friday 8 and Saturday 9 February.

The plans aim to transform the area around Deptford High Street and create a new community focus. Features include a new public library and council access point, a modern café and a new home for Tidemill Primary School.

The exhibition, to be set in Giffin Square, will take place from 12-8pm on Friday 8 February and 10am-4pm on Saturday 9 February. Representatives from Lewisham Council and the project team will be available to help answer questions and record comments.

Central to the programme are planned improvements to Giffin Square, which under current proposals will see it extended and transformed to provide a focus for the town centre. The square will complement new homes, work units and parking facilities to create a dynamic area for local businesses and residents. All initiatives aim to further enhance the area’s existing reputation for artistic excellence."

Swimming pool consultation

If you would like to voice your opinions on the planned opening hours, etc, for the new pool at Wavelengths, click here to download the survey as a pdf.

You will need to print it out (only print the FIRST SIX pages, the rest are blank), fill it in and either hand it in at Wavelengths by the middle of February, or send it to Clare Motton, Centre Manager, Wavelengths Leisure Centre, Giffin Street, Deptford, London SE8 4RJ.

Deptford park redevelopment & farmer's market

This Sunday 27 January, get yourself down to Deptford Park for a chance to have your say on the council's future plans for the park.

It seems like only yesterday that they were planning to build houses on it, I trust that the new proposals represent an improvement on this idea!

Plans and drawings will be available to view in the Early Years Pavilion building from 12 till 4 on Sunday; apparently these are the result of 'intensive' consultation last November. They are intending to have the first phase completed by the end of March this year - that's pretty good going, although maybe not if the first phase involves planting some bulbs.

(Sorry I can't be more specific, I couldn't find any more information about these plans either on the council website or on the website of Groundwork, the environmental regeneration organisation that is involved.)

They also want your input regarding the long-term future of the park, so get down there and get your voice heard. After all, they've got £50k to spend so it might be worth a look if you've got any thoughts on what is needed.
More info here.

I'm not going to be able to make it this weekend, but I was excited to see that the event is planned to coincide with the first Deptford Farmers' Market! It will be great if this becomes a regular thing - I'm not sure what the plans are, perhaps one of my kind readers could enlighten me if they know, or if they manage to get down there this weekend. Sadly I'm going to be out of town this Sunday, but I hope to take advantage of the market if it becomes a regular thing.