Happy 2009!
Morning folks. I'm trying to write this with a hangover - hope not too many of you are feeling as duff as me. Andrew tells me we had an extra second to enjoy last night but I confess that the state I was in I didn't notice it...
So. 2009. As far as I can tell, it's going to be a bit of a water-treading year. We're all going to be redundant and/or poor, and all the jolly projects planned for Greenwich will be works-in-progress, so half the place will be covered in scaffolding or in temporary accommodation.
The Cutty Sark is still looking poorly, though thanks to people who love her putting their hands in their pockets, she's on track for opening in 2010. The Pepys building is also boarded up at the moment, as it's being transformed into a 'Discovery Centre' (think school parties...) which, if memory serves, is also destined for 2010. I can't find any info for the re-created brewery, though given that the beer will need to mature for at least 12 months, if they finished it today, that would still make it - 2010.
Further afield, the Museum of London is also under wraps. I went there yesterday, and a very odd place it is just now. All the big-hitter exhibits are crammed into a tiny space - which just about does for now. I'm looking forward to the new galleries opening downstairs because there's something very specific and very Greenwich in there I want you to see. That's scheduled for - guess when...
So what's going on this year, then? To be perfectly honest, I don't really know. The Greenwich Theatre programme plopped onto my doormat yesterday; there looks like there might be one or two interesting-looking things there, and I guess there are the usual events at the usual places.
I get the feeling that this year we just get to hunker down and bide our time. We need to keep an eye on these major plans - the Olympics get ever-closer and costs spiral - as well as the smaller things - just what IS going on with that old hospital site?
But for now, it's a new year, a time for new plans, new personal goals and a fresh start.
I won't be with you all the time this year. I have some Real Work stuff that will get in the way of blogging daily. But I plan to be around for as much as possible.
Have a Happy and Healthy 2009, guys. Just think - from now on the days get longer...
So. 2009. As far as I can tell, it's going to be a bit of a water-treading year. We're all going to be redundant and/or poor, and all the jolly projects planned for Greenwich will be works-in-progress, so half the place will be covered in scaffolding or in temporary accommodation.
The Cutty Sark is still looking poorly, though thanks to people who love her putting their hands in their pockets, she's on track for opening in 2010. The Pepys building is also boarded up at the moment, as it's being transformed into a 'Discovery Centre' (think school parties...) which, if memory serves, is also destined for 2010. I can't find any info for the re-created brewery, though given that the beer will need to mature for at least 12 months, if they finished it today, that would still make it - 2010.
Further afield, the Museum of London is also under wraps. I went there yesterday, and a very odd place it is just now. All the big-hitter exhibits are crammed into a tiny space - which just about does for now. I'm looking forward to the new galleries opening downstairs because there's something very specific and very Greenwich in there I want you to see. That's scheduled for - guess when...
So what's going on this year, then? To be perfectly honest, I don't really know. The Greenwich Theatre programme plopped onto my doormat yesterday; there looks like there might be one or two interesting-looking things there, and I guess there are the usual events at the usual places.
I get the feeling that this year we just get to hunker down and bide our time. We need to keep an eye on these major plans - the Olympics get ever-closer and costs spiral - as well as the smaller things - just what IS going on with that old hospital site?
But for now, it's a new year, a time for new plans, new personal goals and a fresh start.
I won't be with you all the time this year. I have some Real Work stuff that will get in the way of blogging daily. But I plan to be around for as much as possible.
Have a Happy and Healthy 2009, guys. Just think - from now on the days get longer...
Labels: News
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
10:55
8 Comments:
..and a very happy and prosperous new year to you and yours, Phantom. May 2009 bring you all you desire and everything you deserve.
Happy New Year!
I was dragged kicking and screaming across London to a party in Belsize Park with talk of trains and buses running through the night.
My bloody eye, I said. It'll be a bloody fiasco, I opined.
Well we quit our do at about 2am and headed for the tube station -train right away! Got to London Bridge - train right away! Thence to Blackheath - bus right away!
Trains not too busy and everyone on best behaviour!
You could have knocked me down with a feather.
Let's not forget: it was Big Bad Ken that made us this possible. Take note, Boris!
Happy New Year Phantom. Thanks for an always fantastic read. Hope your posts won't be too irregular in 2009 :)
Happy New Year Phantom- and all the best for 2009.
Who knows now what intrigues, (mis)deeds and arcane knowledge will come our way this year?
Beer doesn't take a year to come into its own: three months maybe, if they're being kind to it. So maybe there is hope for seeing it this year.
And yes, a happy 2009.
Happy 2009, Phantom...we'll all miss your daily posts but good luck with the Real Work...
"Discover Greenwich" is the name of what will be in the Pepys building...aimed at all, I hear, scheduled to open Nov 2009 and will include a shop as well as the brewery + bar.
The Tourist Information Centre will also be moving back in early 2010.
Keep your eyes open for events marking the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's accession in June at the ORNC and Eltham Palace. It is also the international year of astronomy with various events at the Royal Observatory including photography competitions and visits from NASA scientists...
It's the International Year of Astronomy so I would expect some events at the observatory.
Happy new year to you too!
"Beer doesn't take a year to come into its own: three months maybe, if they're being kind to it. So maybe there is hope for seeing it this year."
Some of the beers that are going to be brewed in the new ORNC micro will be fermented and matured in oak casks, which have already been sourced from a distillery in the Highlands, for up to 18 months, as the original 18th century porters were. Other beers produced there will be available rather quicker than that!
""Discover Greenwich" is the name of what will be in the Pepys building...aimed at all, I hear, scheduled to open Nov 2009 and will include a shop as well as the brewery + bar."
This is about right so far as timescale is concerned - Meantime should have finished the microbrewery install by October. This being a world heritage site, things proceed at a very measured rate, and quite rightly so. Various beers (+ R & D) will be brewed at the new ORNC brewery, which is in the Phantom's favourite "skewed" building by the Pepys Building.
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