General Change...
David's getting into a bit of a lather about the Wimpy Bar - and its surroundings.
is it true it is about to close and become a bloody chicken shop oh please say no and the video shop a pond shop oh please say no all the shops empty from the college what si happening to greenwich and could you please tell me what is going on where burger king was major works therealso the state of the st alfeges park the fences torn down the rubbish it s a mess.
Phew. The Phantom doesn't really know what to say except, perhaps, suggesting a cup of tea and a sit down before reading on...
I don't know about the Wimpy Bar per se. It wouldn't surprise me to see it go - it must be one of the few left standing...
It's certainly a marvellous throwback to the 1970s - when, standing proud in its Britishness, it may have served burgers - but you were never allowed to let it go to your head. You'd be forced to remember you were British, for God's sake. and you had some values... Waitress service - and you'll eat that burger with a knife and fork, young Phantom. And don't forget to ask permission before you leave the table...
I really don't know what's happening with that funny little shopping centre - it's getting sadder and sadder looking - we've been discussing it recently. I have indeed heard that the ex-video store will be a pound shop, but maybe better a pound shop than a dead shop? Personally, I'd like to see the whole lot flattened and rebuilt with something a bit less brutalist - they could still keep the Somerfield and the flats and the funny little shops - just in something that doesn't look so depressing. I was reading about the mass demolition of old places in the 70s last night - presumably that nasty shopping centre was one of the proud results.
While I may have issues with some of the things the Greenwich Society do these days, without them and their efforts in the 1970s, the whole of Greenwich would have looked like that. They prevented a four-lane motorway from driving straight through the Queen's House and developments like that monstrous shopping centre from replacing the market. And for that I doff my spectral cap.
I was rather surprised to find St Alfege's cemetery chained and locked yesterday - I don't know what's going on there. Anyone know how long it's been like that?
And David's question - what's happening to Greenwich?
I suspect Greenwich is happening to Greenwich.
I don't know. I got up all happy and cheery this sunny Tuesday morning and now on a right downer. Cheer me up with something good, eh, folks...
:-(
is it true it is about to close and become a bloody chicken shop oh please say no and the video shop a pond shop oh please say no all the shops empty from the college what si happening to greenwich and could you please tell me what is going on where burger king was major works therealso the state of the st alfeges park the fences torn down the rubbish it s a mess.
Phew. The Phantom doesn't really know what to say except, perhaps, suggesting a cup of tea and a sit down before reading on...
I don't know about the Wimpy Bar per se. It wouldn't surprise me to see it go - it must be one of the few left standing...
It's certainly a marvellous throwback to the 1970s - when, standing proud in its Britishness, it may have served burgers - but you were never allowed to let it go to your head. You'd be forced to remember you were British, for God's sake. and you had some values... Waitress service - and you'll eat that burger with a knife and fork, young Phantom. And don't forget to ask permission before you leave the table...
I really don't know what's happening with that funny little shopping centre - it's getting sadder and sadder looking - we've been discussing it recently. I have indeed heard that the ex-video store will be a pound shop, but maybe better a pound shop than a dead shop? Personally, I'd like to see the whole lot flattened and rebuilt with something a bit less brutalist - they could still keep the Somerfield and the flats and the funny little shops - just in something that doesn't look so depressing. I was reading about the mass demolition of old places in the 70s last night - presumably that nasty shopping centre was one of the proud results.
While I may have issues with some of the things the Greenwich Society do these days, without them and their efforts in the 1970s, the whole of Greenwich would have looked like that. They prevented a four-lane motorway from driving straight through the Queen's House and developments like that monstrous shopping centre from replacing the market. And for that I doff my spectral cap.
I was rather surprised to find St Alfege's cemetery chained and locked yesterday - I don't know what's going on there. Anyone know how long it's been like that?
And David's question - what's happening to Greenwich?
I suspect Greenwich is happening to Greenwich.
I don't know. I got up all happy and cheery this sunny Tuesday morning and now on a right downer. Cheer me up with something good, eh, folks...
:-(
Labels: Ask The Phantom
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
09:34
22 Comments:
Have you tried the pesto from the new Nevada Street Deli? That's at least one thing good to come to Greenwich in the last six months. Any news on that farmer's market btw? And look at the weather today - doesn't it make you glad to be alive? Gee up, Phantom!
Thanks, Donovan. I needed that. No news on the farmers' market yet - but I suspect these things take a while to put into action. And yes - the sunshine is wonderful. It's not even that cold.
And I have a nice cup of tea in my spectral mitt. I believe there are some hobnobs somewhere too. Not the evil chocolate-covered variety of course, the honest-to-god classic variety...
Ahhhhh....Pesto...
Poor old David, seems like youre having a "its all broken and horrid" day. I must admit that particular lot of shops can be distressing even on the rare occasion they have swept up the trash. Ah the Wimpey Bar, what a classic cultural icon. Do you remember when their only high street competion was the "Golden Egg" chain, tough decisions were argued out among many teenagers.
Good news on St Alfeges park, the gates are open today, I think parky must have been away snowboarding.
Suns out and my toad is taking his vest off.
Ah yes. The Golden Egg...
I'm beginning to think that Greenwich needs a new ceremony. All the elders of the town march round to your place, Benedict, wearing top hats and sashes, accompanied by the rousing sounds of the local brass band and various TV weather forecasters and lift your toad's stone. They then have to ask him very politely whether Spring is coming - and according to the number of irritated croaks you get in return you find out how many more weeks of winter you get.
Toadhog Day should do it...
Sounds Phantastic,what larks we shall have at Toadhog Day Fest all washed down with special "Spring Toad Ale" brewed (and supplied free to residents)by The Union. Prizes for the best Kid in a Toadsuit, Toad cakes and guess how many Toads will fit into Nelson's Barrel. Its gonna be great, I'm writing to my councilor forthwith on this monumentus matter.
On a more serious note my cats have started bringing in (and eating) baby spring mice, I guess much like Spring Lamb from Drings,thats two definate spring signs. The mice could run the Bring'n'buy stall on Toadhog Day.
Ha ha.
On St Alfege churchyard - I normally walk through every day on my way too and from the DLR, but over the past several weeks whoever is responsible for opening and closing the gates has clearly been in his/her cups, as the gates have been closed in the morning and still open when I come home, usually around 8-9pm.
I wouldn't normally worry about this but there are two important issues here. First, with the massive grafitti 'tagging' of the churchyard gravestones last year followed by the Council's/Cleansweep's infinitely more destructive sandblasting job to remove the grafitti, the open gates are an invitation to more destruction.
Perhaps even more worryingly, our lovely local teens do seem to love hiding in the churchyard before jumping out to assault witless passersby (including me). The local Met's response? Install CCTV on the corner of the Passage, but don't worry about the basic security measure of ensuring the gates are closed after dark.
Sigh...
Well, I for one am still working my way through your back catalogue of blogs and discovering all the fantastic shops and things in my new area. Maybe you need to refresh your mind with all the fabulous things that are still about: As Donovan said the Nevada St deli is quite nice and I'm sure the seats outside will be in high demand this summer, the Theatre of Wine is possibly the best wine store in London and La Salmeria hasn't gone anywhere (yet). Which is just as well, as the colourful Easter displays are coming into stock. If the weather is nice this weekend I have a list of your suggestions to explore in Blackheath. The list of fabulous things around here just goes on and on.....
Alfege's park's closing/opening times have been VERY haphazard over the last month or so... I feel it could be to do with the excessive amount of road works on Roan St and the 'gate unlocker' not being able to park! On the other hand the park is looking in quite a sorry state with 3 more grave stones pulled over by vandals in the last week. Barbed wire and rubbish all over the place.
I emailed the council/Cleansweep to do a litter pick there last week as it was looking so disgraceful, but I wasn't sure how to report the vandalism on the grave stones without spending hours on the phone to the police... any ideas?
I am also emailing the council today about the fences falling down and the barbed wire as it's a hazard!
Can you tell I feel rather strongly about the poor park?!!
PS - Knocking down all that area by the somerfield would have my vote!
Lula - I feel the same way, it is absolutely heartbreaking to see the vandalism and destruction of what could be such a lovely little park.
My only advice is to inform the local police, the council (including our three local councillors), and Cleansweep, and demand that they not only clean up the park but also put right the damage to the gravestones and tombs.
However, having done this myself I know what a hassle it is, and how unresponsive they can be. I haven't even been able to find out who's responsible for the gates! But perhaps if enough people complain...?
I reckon about 876 toads in Nelson's barrel but it would sort of depend on the size of the barrel and whether the toads are normal native ones or the scary bullfrog-type...
Native Toads in a Butt Barrel (108 gallons) I may need some help with that, although I could work it out with the toad water displacement equation if we cant catch enough. Roll up roll up who's next.
If 1 toad displaces half a pint (my toad is quite big) = 2 toads per pint.
8 pints per gallon = 16 toads per gallon.
Butt barrel = 108 gallons ;
108 times 16 = 1728.
Therefore 1 Butt Barrel will contain 1,728 (very irritated) Toads.
Phantom I think you must have used a Hogshead (half the size) so you would be pretty close.
Oh and David, in light of all the toads that will be wandering around Greenwich I think a "pond" shop will be needed.
Well David,
I do know that the owners of The old Burger King/Pizza Luna site are the developers responsible for all the building work behind. They bought it to secure access for their builders from Church Street. That explains why the food was always so dire as they had no interest in the restaurant ever being a restaurant! I also know that the barriers that have been erected to the front (which blocks off half the pavement) will be there for at least another 2 years before they even begin work on the actual Pizza Luna site. It appears that Greenwich Council don't have a problem with this. But then they are probably to busy enjoying the big fat bung they obviously received to care what we think.
David B
What happens if some of the toads are on a diet and/or they've lost a limb(s)?
Well, it could be down to bad packing in the barrel. But I don't think you could leave them out of the equation. Equal opportunities for all. Every toad has an equal right to be stuffed in a barrel for the annual Spring Toadhog Day.
Seriously, I'd heard rumour of this massive development going on behind ex-Pizza Luna. Two years of that bog-awful shredded plastic blowing around in the the wind? TWO YEARS? Greenwich really looks tatty at the moment what with the poor old Cutty Sark (hardly her fault) and all the dead shops. That scaffolding is a disgrace.
Any idea what it's going to be when it's finished, David B?
Talking of the area near Somerfield (which I think we were, somewhere!), I can't believe that wine shop is allowed to leave it's windows in such a state. I think the one at the back has been boarded up since we moved here, it is a total disgrace. I know it is not exactly an attractive area in the first place but a bit of tlc would be better than nothing...
Funny that Greenwich Coucil never seem to object to anything developers wish to do. The new tower block by the station that will tower over the 'World heritage site" for example. But beware any ordinary tax payer who wishes to build a small extension or heavan forbid knock down a couple of walls! Bent bent bent.
I can't believe the boards by Pizza Luna will be up for TWO years?!!
I have to push my way through that area EVERY night to get past the people hanging around for chips, generally hanging around or waiting for a bus... The extra space on the pavement would be welcome!
PS - I tried calling the council yesterday to speak to someone about St Alfege's park, but to no avail... I just talked to a high number of people with no common sense or 'people' skills. No one seemed to think the park even existed!
Re: St Alfeges. Gardeners in today doing a fine job of cleaning out the winter detritus.
Re:ex Pizza Luna. I did see some time back that the architects Russell Associates who do a lot of work in the area are planning a mixed use development of the site and I was sure that I saw it on the Phantoms blog but.....mysteriously it has disapeared , maybe it was a dream. Must be to pre occupied with Toads.
Good news folks. I spoke to Greenwich Council last week regarding the Pizza Luna site. I was informed that they were well aware of the situation and that they had told the developers to remove the barriers. I happened to be walking past last night and they have actually taken them down. Lets hope it stays that way.
David B
Yo! David! Well done!
However, in hastily removing the scaffolding the site workers forgot to comply with HSE Regs and failed to make a safe passage area for pedestrians. A potentially fatal accident was narrowly avoided (by less than a metre) when a pole lowered from above 'slipped' through the hands of a careless scaffolder and would have landed on my 2 year old daughter in her stroller had my wife not taken evasive action. The HSE have been informed.
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