Crabs in Canada Water

Hi everyone. I hope you’ve all been coping okay with the blustery weather.

Here’s a surprising video I just came across from someone called Fabio. It seems there’s more wildlife in and around Canada Water than you might have realised…

Oo-er. It almost looks like an alien life-form at the start.

Thanks for sharing, Fabio!

From Docks to Desktops

From Docks to Desktops

Here’s an interesting project about the local area that you may be interested in.

Shipra Ogra, Producer at the London Bubble Theatre Company, contacted me last week to say that she’s looking for local residents (current and past) to take part in what sounds like a rather nice project.

In Shipra’s words:

We are looking for local residents (current and past) to come forward and share their stories about what it was to work in this area – whether in the docks, in an office or a factory and how changes in technology have changed their working lives. There are also opportunities for people to volunteer as interviewers, transcribers and researchers.

From Docks to Desktops is London Bubble’s latest enquiry – exploring the subject of work from 1935 to the present day, asking questions about how work affects life, how it impacts on an area, on friendships, health and community.

In case you’re interested, here’s a bit more about it (a press release about the project):

LONDON BUBBLE LAUNCH NEW LOCAL HISTORY PROJECT

Following the success of their Grandchildren of the Blitz project, local theatre company London Bubble, have received a second grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

From Docks to Desktops will involve local people, including children and elders in exploring the history of Work in Bermondsey, Rotherhithe and Deptford. It will look at how the area has changed since the closure of the Surrey Commercial Docks and related industries. The project will also look more widely at how changes in employment have affected community life, friendships and health.

Director, Jonathan Petherbridge said:

“The Grandchildren of the Blitz was a fantastic process, involving hundreds of local people in exploring what happened locally in living memory and leading to a great show. Lots of the people we interviewed talked about the docks and how the area has changed. Bubble itself works out of a former sacking warehouse near the river, and the building retains some of its original features, including a small crane and loading doors. During the Blitz project one of the older participants told me she used to work here mending sacks and described the machinery in the buildings and the bustle of the surrounding streets. We want to find out more, and scratch beneath the surface.”

Bubble are asking for volunteers to help them develop the project. The aim is to collect personal testimonies from older people and members of South East London’s diverse international communities, talking about their working life and their reflections on how south London has changed in that time. These oral histories will then be developed into a play performed by an intergenerational community cast in the summer of 2013 to audiences in the area.

If you want to tell your story or would like to help Bubble – with interviews, local research, helping with events or simply want to find out more, register your interest with Claire Sexton on 0207 2374434 or email claire [at] londonbubble [dot] org [dot] uk

 

Jubilee Celebration Street Party in Russia Dock Woodland

If you’re a Surrey Quays local and around over the long weekend, you might like to head over to Russia Dock Woodland on Monday 4th June.

The Friends of Russia Dock Woodland are organising a celebration party with outdoor sound system from midday to 4pm.

You’re invited to bring your garden tables and chairs, plus food and drink, and to enjoy the music, plus numerous games for the kids.

Here’s the flyer advertising the festivities:

Flyer for Jubilee in the Park Celebration at Russia Dock Woodlands

 

Greenland Dock Defence

If you live in the area, you may know Greenland Dock. It’s a beautiful expanse of open water and one of the things I love most about the area. It’s also, potentially, under threat.

There’s a planning proposal to host 350 boats in the dock during the 2012 Olympics. Local residents are concerned that, if this goes ahead, it could be the precursor to a permanent development.

Personally, I think it would be a great loss if the dock was developed in this way. Walking by the dock and gazing out across the peaceful water in the evening is something I really enjoy and find surprisingly relaxing.

Concerned locals are urging anyone who enjoys the dock in its current form to write to the council’s planning department to voice your objections to the plans. They’ve set up a website where you can find out lots more about the proposal, the local concerns about it, and how to voice your objections. Visit it here.

 

London’s Docklands Past and Present

London's Docklands Past & Present
 If you’re interested in the Docklands area and its history, there’s a new blog that you might like to take a look at. Tony, the author of London’s Docklands Past and Present, promises to share historical material from his personal collection about Docklands.

He already has a fascinating aerial photo of the Russia Dock area, taken in 1983 when a huge area of it had been cleared for redevelopment.

Best of luck with the blog, Tony!

First Barber in Surrey Quays

First Barber price list

The price is right

A new barber shop has opened recently next to the Surrey Quays Overground station. Feeling a bit shaggy (and attracted by some keen pricing), I decided to try it out.

I was glad I did. The affable young owner of First Barber seems to know what he’s doing. The location’s handy and the service was excellent (me being the only customer at the time perhaps didn’t hurt). I was even offered a cup of tea at one point. I was very pleased with the finished cut and went on my way with that spring in your step that only comes from feeling duly smartened-up and ready for whatever exciting adventures are around the SE16 corner.

First Barber isn’t the first barber in Surrey Quays, but it’s certainly a good one to visit.

Mural Walk This Saturday

Flyer for South East London Mural Walk

This Saturday, the London Mural Preservation Society will be leading a walking tour of murals in Surrey Quays, Deptford and New Cross.

The free walk begins at Canada Water station (Jubilee and London Overground) – at the top of the escalators – at 1pm on Saturday 6th August, finishing at around 4pm in Deptford (ending with the obligatory visit to the pub).

More details here.

Sunshine O’Clock

Two joggers running past Greenland Dock on a sunny day

Enjoying the return of the summer!

What a scorcher! The sun was out in a big way today and I couldn’t resist going out with my camera to capture a bit of it.

Sun-soaked Greenland Dock was busy with joggers and fisherman competing in a local competition.

Late-Night Rush

Long Queue to Checkout at Surrey Quays TescoWhy did everyone in Rotherhithe decide they needed groceries at 10pm this evening? That’s something we may never know. What I can tell you is that the checkout queue at Tesco Surrey Quays was surprisingly huge! And I thought I’d be the only person stocking up on maple pecan plaits for tomorrow’s breakfast…