New Year's Eve in the Triangle

There'll be a party at the Ash on Saturday night to celebrate 2016 turning into 2017. 

And a free buffet is part of it. We've learnt from fireworks night that Pepi's sandwiches are worth a lot, so to have them for free…

Looks like the Ash is also turning a corner.

End of 2016 bin collections

Changes to collection days during the Christmas and New Year holidays

Usual collection day	Revised collection day
Monday 26 December 2016	Tuesday 27 December 2016
Tuesday 27 December 2016	Wednesday 28 December 2016
Wednesday 28 December 2016	Thursday 29 December 2016
Thursday 29 December 2016	Friday 30 December 2016
Friday 30 December 2016	Saturday 31 December 2016
Monday 2 January 2017	Tuesday 3 January 2017
Tuesday 3 January 2017	Wednesday 4 January 2017
Wednesday 4 January 2017	Thursday 5 January 2017
Thursday 5 January 2017	Friday 6 January 2017
Friday 6 January 2017	Saturday 7 January 2017
Monday 9 January 2017	Normal collection

If you don't know your usual collection day, use our kerbside collection day finder:

Find your usual kerbside bin collection days

Free collections for real Christmas trees

Royal Greenwich will recycle your real Christmas tree as part of your weekly collection. If you would like us to collect your tree:

• remove all decorations and the pot
• place the tree at the front of your property (not in your bin)
• make sure it is put out before 6am.

If you don't have a green-top bin you can still leave your tree at the front of your property.

If you live in a flat you should leave your real tree by the bin store.

There is no need to telephone for a special collection

ATA Carol Evening great fun and a great success

This year’s ATA Carol Evening proved to be not only great fun for all who took part but we also managed to raise a record amount, £362, for Shelter, the charity for the homeless.

Our thanks to Pepina and Andy at the Ashburnham Arms for the food and hospitality, to Hugo for the roast chestnuts, Barbara for the quiz, and Robin and Janet for their organisation and enthusiasm!

“We wish you a Merry Christmas”

Christmas in the Triangle

Take part in a local Christmas celebration. Come and sing carols in the Triangle streets - or be sung to. Munch mince pies and roast chestnuts beforehand, with mulled wine, and then cottage pie afterwards. And join in with the Christmas quiz. It's fun, and it's for charity.

Annual pantomime horse race

ATA Christmas Carol Singing Monday 19th December

Rare office space in the Triangle

The building at the Greenwich High Road end of Egerton Drive

There are two offices available to rent on the corner of Egerton Drive and Greenwich High Road, above the Deborah Ubee Trust.

One is 559m by 430m, large enough to take five large desks.

The other is 280m by 430m, with space for two large desks and several bookcases.

There is also a shared kitched, pictured below right. 

The office kitchen

The offices will be let unfurnished. They are bright and modern, with efficient heating and air conditioning.

Because they are in a purpose-built therapeutic charity, the offices have a staffed reception, mail collection, full disabled access, plus meeting rooms and a small conference space for optional use.

For further information please call Denise Hubble on Tel: 020 8305 6460.

Or email denise@thedeborahubeetrust.org.uk

The front door

Save 10% at Trip Advisor's highest-rated London restaurant with your ATA card

TripAdvisor reviewers have ignored London’s expensive dining hotspots to crown our local Greenwich fish and chip shop the best restaurant in town.
The Golden Chippy on Greenwich High Road hit number one spot on the website on Monday, with one breathless reviewer urging diners to “forget what you believed about fish and chips”.
With a string of similar comments commending the chippy the venue is currently ranked higher than more celebrated restaurants in town. Read more about Chris and his team in this Evening Standard article and don’t forget to show your Ashburnham Triangle Association card next time you order for a generous 10% reduction on your bill!

Save Royal Hill Community Garden

A petition has been created by local resident Tony Othen to save the Royal Hill Community Garden, which the Council is requesting be removed. If you want to add your voice to the hundreds who have already signed this petition, please follow the link below.

To: Cllr Denise Hyland, Leader of Greenwich Council

What: Allow the piece of land on Royal Hill to continue to be used as a Community Garden.

Why is this important: The Council are requesting to remove the Royal Hill community garden, despite there being no plans for redevelopment. More than 2,000 people have spoken to the board to say they like the use of this derelict space. The petition proposes that the Royal Hill Community Garden is recognised as a positive contribution to the environment and the community.  Sign the petition Read more...

Greenwich Advent Calendar 2016

Click to enlarge

Toby Dixon of Triangle Green?

Sighted in the Ash on Tuesday night, our own 1950s PC, aka Toby Moy, owner of the South Street Junk Shop.


The hat has a unique PC number in it, but the whistle lacks the unique number which many of them had.

You can buy jacket, hat and whistle from the Junk Shop.

Planning Application News

Land rear of Brant Houses, 89-91 Blackheath Road, Greenwich, SE10

We have been notified about a Planning Application which has recently been submitted in relation to a plot of land to the rear of Brant Houses, 89-91 Blackheath Road. The site is currently a landlocked site surrounded by residential properties and gardens, and an application has been submitted for the construction of two residential two storey dwellings. The development looks to require some significant soil removal to develop the properties with sunken basements and will also involve the loss of a number of Sycamore trees to towards the boundaries of properties at Admirals Gate, Sycamore Court and the Old Bakery.

Further information on the proposed development can be obtained from the Council’s planning website https://planning.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage using the reference 16/1843/F.

Anyone wishing to comment on the application in either support or objection may do so directly on the planning portal above or in writing to Sadia Nishu

Directorate of Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills, Woolwich Center, 5th Floor, 35 Wellington Street, London, SE18 6HQ sadia.nishu@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

Any questions on this matter please contact our Planning Hub Team directly Simon Barrs (si_barrs@hotmail.com) or Maureen Romeril (memromeril@gmail.com)

Weekend food at the Ash

Pepi's happy that the chef is starting

There's food at the Ash once more - at first just at weekends.

Friday and Saturday 6-10pm 
Traditional pub food like fish and chips, bangers and mash
(I don't know what else right now).

Sunday roast 1-4pm

These hours are experimental. It depends when we all want to eat.

The new chef started well last Saturday on fireworks night with brilliant rolls and sandwiches, which Pepi and Andy gave us for free!!

My Ride Along Experience…

...a day in the life of a Metropolitan Police First Response Officer

This little adventure all started whilst attending one of the Safer Neighbourhood Panel meetings which I attend on behalf of all you good Ashburnham Triangle residents.  

During the meeting, Inspector Diane Hill, asked if anyone would be interested in a “Ride Along”.  This is an adopted scheme from America which allows members of the public to join officers on the beat and experience exactly what a First Response Police Officer has to deal with.

“Would it involve driving fast with flashing blue lights” I asked.

“Oh, most definitely” said Inspector Hill.

“Done, sign me up” I said.

So, after a few forms were signed, diaries consulted, a date was fixed.  It was a balmy afternoon in September, one of the last really hot days of our summer - hard to believe since the clocks have gone back that summer ever existed! 

Did I say it was hot, very hot, on a Thursday afternoon.  I arrive promptly at Plumstead Police Station at 2pm, one of the few Police Stations within Greenwich Borough which is still open 24 hours a day and was introduced to Alex and Vicki, two female police officers who were letting me shadow them during their afternoon/evening shift.  

Brief introductions were made together with a small dilemma as to whether I should wear a police stab vest, which thankfully I didn’t as it was so hot and would have clashed with my outfit!  Joking aside, it was agreed that I shouldn’t wear the vest so members of the public didn't think that I was a police officer.  They were also keen not to wear their vest because of the weather but rules are rules so they had to remain on.

Within seconds of entering the car and starting the engine our officers accepted their first call to a domestic violence incident which was classified as an “I” call.

When officers receive calls they are graded either “I” (immediate) or “S” (significant) depending on the incident.

An “I” call is for a serious incident and the officer has to get there within 12 minutes of accepting the call.  Here are some examples of an “I” graded call:

• Danger to life
• Use, or immediate threat of use of violence
• Serious injury to a person
• Serious damage to property 

An “S” graded incident is also a priority call and the majority of calls requiring police response will attract this grade.  “S” graded necessitates a police officer at the scene within 0 - 60 minutes.  Some examples of an “S” graded call:

• Genuine concern for somebody’s safety
• An offender has been detained
• A witness or other evidence is likely to be lost
• A road collision

I just literally clicked my seat belt on and we were off, blue lights flashing, siren whirring and driving super fast and through red lights to a residential address in Woolwich Riverside.  Wow, I thought, what a thrilling and exciting job.  A passerby had made the call of expected domestic violence, which the police take very seriously.  

Domestic abuse will affect 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime. On average, two women will be murdered each week and 30 men per year.   Every minute police in the UK receive a domestic assistance call - yet only 35% of domestic violence incidents are reported to the police.  On average, a woman is assaulted 35 times before the first call to the police. 

We arrived at the given address, a community of several blocks of flats.  At first I wasn't sure if I should stay in the car but was kindly told to follow behind but not to get too close until they accessed the scene.  As we climbed the stairs to the first floor flat we could see the front door was smashed in half. Someone was determined to get into this property.  I stood well back as the officers called out and entered the flat.  They called her name repeatedly as they checked the whole property but then I just heard “All Clear”.  The owner was no where to be seen.  The officers then received another call saying a woman fitting the description of our missing lady was at some nearby shops in a distressed state and had threatened to kill herself.  She had to be found.  

As the property had no front door and was insecure we could not just leave.  “We have to secure the property” Vicki explained.  Another patrol car was brought in for the search of our missing lady. A call was then put into the control room asking if they could arrange for someone to come and board and secure the front door.  That is what you expect, police officers having back-up from a control room which will sort out contacting the council etc.  WRONG.  The officer was told if it was council property then she would have to contact the council direct.  The officer sighed, raised her eyebrows at me and got her little book of important numbers out and then made a call to the council on her own phone.  It turned out the property wasn’t owned by the council but by a housing association who also wasn’t very eager to help out.

We have now been at this property for a good 45 minutes.  Our lady is still missing.  The flat is a mess with not only a destroyed front door but broken glass strewn all down the hallway and papers thrown everywhere.  Finally, after many phone calls, someone at the housing association agreed to come and board the door.  During this time, the second patrol car found our missing lady and brought her back to the flat.  She was slightly in-coherent but said that was due to all her medication.  She didn’t know what had happened to the door and didn’t want to press any charges on her boyfriend.  They had had an argument, she said.  She had bruises to her face and the police wanted her checked out properly by a doctor so after nearly 2 hours an ambulance was called.  The police still needed her to make a statement.

Vicki showed me all the forms they needed to complete for this incident.  We all hear about the “paperwork” police officers have to deal with but I was still surprised at all the different forms that needed their input for this one incident.

This was the first job of the day and it could possibly last for the rest of the shift.  The other police officers offered to stay with her and go to the hospital and take the statement.  So what had started as “thrilling, exciting” soon turned into “exhausting, relentless, and surely the police could be doing something better with their time than this”, tune of thought.

It is really sad, but most of our police officers time is dealt with domestic violence and mental health issues. Vicki and Alex both said 90% of their time is dealing with these sorts of issues on a daily basis.

Back in the car and after 2 hours we were all due a comfort break.  We drove back to what looked like a giant warehouse in Woolwich and if it wasn’t for the fact that police cars were parked outside would I have realised it had anything to do with the police.  A quick loo break for all and within 10 minutes we were back in the car.  I asked if they ever got a proper break for lunch/dinner.  Laughter by the lady officers.  Vicki explained at first she tried to eat hot food for lunch but it was always a case that you just sit down to eat and then there would be an “I” call so the food just had to be left.  They eat on the job as and when they can but they easily go whole shifts without a proper break.

Back in the car and the time was just after 5pm.  Commuter traffic was starting to build up and we get our next call.   A teacher went home from work ill and the school tried to contact her later that afternoon to see if she was feeling any better.  The school was unable to get any response so the police were called and we had to go and check that she was OK.  This was an “S” call so no blue lights this time.

We arrive in a leafy backstreet and all the curtains on the house were closed.   Officer Alex knocks on the front door and was just assessing climbing over the fence to get into the back garden when the door opens.  The teacher, slightly alarmed at the presence of the two police officers and a third lady with a clipboard who were all standing on her front path.  Alex quickly explained our presence and the teacher, who was suffering with a migraine but otherwise fine, just felt embarrassed about wasting police time - which she wasn’t as there was a real concern for her welfare.  No further action required and we went on our merry way.

Back in the car we get another “I” call.  East Greenwich, serious motorbike accident, CPR may be required at the scene.  We are now travelling at speed along a busy A2.  Even though I was siting in the back of the police car, I found it quite frustrating that vehicles did not always swiftly get out of the way of our flashing blue lights.  Whilst driving along Vicki and Alex were discussing who would treat CPR if they arrived before the ambulance.  They were so calmly discussing this, similar to myself saying to a friend  “so where do fancy going for a drink later then”, but instead, “so do you mind doing the CPR”.  Amazing.  More info came through on the radio, an air ambulance had also been called.  

A team of paramedics were already treating the motorcyclists injuries when we arrived at the scene - which only took 10 minutes. The air ambulance with specialist doctors on board was also hovering above and preparing to land somewhere close by.  Vicki and Alex quickly stop the traffic going past and start to seal off the area.  Traffic in both directions along Woolwich Road has now come to a grinding halt.  Frustrated drivers are beeping their horns as if this will magically make the traffic start moving again and pedestrians keep trying to walk under the police yellow tape, all very annoying. 

I was at the scene for over an hour.  Vicki told me that they were going to follow the ambulance to the hospital so they could get a statement.  They would probably be there for a long time so it was decided my Ride Along experience would end here.  It was 5 hours into their shift, but Vicki and Alex still had a very long night at the hospital to get through.

I was grateful to both the ladies for welcoming me to their shift and not making me feel like an intruder on their daily routine.   It is quite easy to look at what the police do and pick holes but actually once you are alongside them on patrol and realise what they face, how they don't know what's coming next and how quickly they have to make decisions, it helps you understand the pressures they face.  Their daily shifts are long, with not many “thank you’s” at the end of if.   Domestic violence and mental health issues are predominantly what our police officers have to deal with every day.  Could you do this job?  I know I couldn’t.  

I therefore ask you, instead of complaining about what the Police haven’t done, lets respect our officers instead and make sure you say “Thank You” if they have assisted you in any way.

And if you have got to the end of this blog, well “Thank You” for reading.

Tina Pugh

Security Hub

Daffodil planting, Sunday 27th November

It’s time for another corner of the Triangle to have daffodils. In the last three years we've planted one area per year. This year it's the corner of Ashburnham Place and Egerton Drive, in the grounds of Lamley House.

We'll be gathering there at 11am on Sunday 27th November to plant the bulbs.

Alison Haworth says, 'If you are free, please come and join us.  

Bring a trowel and gloves if you have them, but we’ll have a few spares if not. Hope you can make it.'

Sara Emanuel says, 'If anyone has a very large plant container (80cm/2ft 6 ins diameter or more) to give to the Ashburnham home for people with learning difficulties, please contact me at saraemanuel@hotmail.co.uk'

Meet John Bangs with his latest paintings, 13th November

John Bangs of Blissett Street has a number of new drawings at his latest show
at the Made in Greenwich gallery
in Creek Road
from 11th to 20th November.

The Meet the Artist event is on Sunday November 13th between 2 and 5pm,
with wine, coffee and cakes on the house, and good company.

Sandwiches at the Ash on bonfire night

New landlord and landlady, Andy and Pepina, with barman Jack.

There'll be fireworks on Blackheath on Saturday, November 5th, 8pm. It's the biggest free display in London.

Afterwards there'll be sandwiches at the Ashburnham Arms, which will be delicious if they're like the ones we had at our AGM. New landlady Pepina makes an ace sandwich.

Wash it down with one of the Ash's four ales:

Spitfire

Late Red Autumn Ale

Masterbrew

Whitstable Bay.

Andy and Pepina have hired a chef now who will go into action the following Friday 11th, initially just for weekends.

Planning Update

Mecure’s Glass Box Addition

 

 

We reported back in January details of the Mecure Hotel’s latest planning application for another glass box to be constructed over their entrance to mimic the upper floors and creating a further two hotel rooms. The application was refused, but the hotel have lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate. The appellant (the Hotel) has requested the written representation method and the appeal is to be decided on the basis of an exchange of written statements by the parties and a site visit by the planning inspector.

 

Any comments you may have made in relation to the original planning application will be sent to the planning inspector for their consideration by the Council, if you wish to withdraw these comments you must notify the Inspector in writing by the 16^th November 2016. You may have additional comments to make on this matter, which you can also do. If so, you are asked to make them in writing in triplicate to:

 

Debbie Smith

3M Kite Wing

The Planning Inspectorate

Temple Quay House

2 The Square

Temple Quay

Bristol

BS1 6PN

 

Or alternatively you can submit electronically via https://www.gov.uk/appeal-planning-inspectorate  using the PIN Reference: APP/E5330/W/163157853

 

Any questions on this matter please contact either Simon Barrs (si_barrs@hotmail.com) or Maureen Romeril (memromeril@gmail.com)

Autumn Safer Neigbourhoods Update

At last week’s Safer Neighbourhoods Ward Panel meeting a small number of residential and motor vehicle burglaries were reported by the Police in the Triangle between July and October. There were five residential burglaries; one on Blackheath Road, two on Egerton Drive and two on Greenwich South Street. Although any burglary is one too many, these figures are encouraging in that they continue the downward trend compared to this time last year and since our Beat the Burglar leaflet was delivered to households in the Spring which you can refer to here. Beat the Burglar

Over the same period, there were two motor vehicle thefts around Devonshire Drive/Guildford Grove (probably mopeds) and one theft from a motor vehicle in the Catherine Grove area. Motor vehicle crime including the theft of mopeds, motorbikes and bicycles continues to be an ongoing issue throughout Greenwich.

Crime figures are listed on the met police website - select Text view for Greenwich West.

Unfortunately we have also been notified of some anti-social behaviour incidents. If you experience noise nuisance or behaviour which adversely affects your day-to-day living you can contact the Council’s anti social behaviour team on 020 8921 4411 or email community-safety@greenwich.gov.uk

We are also happy to pass on any concerns you may have to the Police and can do so anonymously, please feel free to get in touch via the contact us page on the website. 

We are very pleased to announce that our Beat the Burglar leaflet and the ATA Security Hub have been commended by the Police as an example of good practice and our details will be included in a welcome letter to all new Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators on the Borough.

David Scales/Tina Pugh

Security Hub

SSBC sponsored walk registration 22nd

How the front of the church looks now

The South Street Baptist Church says:
'If you'd like to join our sponsored walk on Saturday 29th October, you need to register your place by Saturday 22nd October at www.southstreetchurch.org.uk/about-us/support-us

'The walk is to raise money to provide access ramps and other facilities for wheelchairs, prams and pushchairs. All funds raised will go towards making the church safer and more accessible for people of all abilities.

'The walk will start at the church at 10am on 29th October, with a choice of two walking lengths - five and ten miles - along the river. All ages and abilities are welcome, and you don't have to be a member of SSBC to join in.

'There is an entry fee to go towards the day's costs: £10 for 12-year-olds and over, £6 for younger children. You will then get a free tee-shirt and access to a downloadable sponsorship form so you can collect donations. Or your sponsors can donate at www.mydonate.bt.com/events/ssbcwalk  Donations should be submitted within two weeks after the walk.

'Time to start collecting pledges and stretching those limbs!'

Hallowe'en in the Triangle

Want a say in the ATA? Say it on Tuesday 25th.

Chairman Chris Ward at an ATA event

You might want things to be different from the way they are. Or you may just want to know what's going along. 

Whatever your views, come and give them at the 

ATA's Annual General Meeting in the back room of the Ashburnham Arms at 8pm on Tuesday 25th October.


 

Any subjects for discussion can also be flagged up in advance to imogenerussell1@gmail.com


The Ash's new landlady Pepina will bring you sandwiches.

Street party credits

Happily occupied at the street party

STREET PARTY 2016 – CREDITS       Big thanks from all to all!

Food stall	Annabel Cowell,  Steve Cowell,  David Walker,  Imogene Russell,  Jo Hall,  Roz Weeks, Non Baker,  Stuart Mulholland,  Janet Stott,  Neil Bailey,  Tom Webb,  Graeme Elkington,  Adam Deal,  Chris Ward,  Andrew Laird,  Rebecca Wallace,  David Williams,  Emma Miller,  Cllr Aidan Smith, Cllr Maureen O’Mara,  Tara Veitch,  the Seventh Day Adventist Church,  Joe Curran of the Ashburnham Arms, and several unknown cake and quiche makers.  Let us know who you are, so we can thank you – and we might still have your plates!
Music	Ruth Currie and the Jazz Ashes,  the Seventh Day Adventist Church,  Jo Honey,  Kate Robinson
Dog show	Tina Pugh,  Adam Pugh,  Neil Bailey;  Emma and Martin from Dog Knows;  prizes from Pets at Home
Raffle prize sourcing	Neil Sinclair,  Barbara Reid,  Janet Stott,  Chris Ward
Raffle and guess-the-weight-of-the-cake stall	Barbara Reid,  Janet Stott,  Maureen Romeril,  Mary Carter,  Paddy Rodgers,  Robin Stott,  Tara Veitch,  Tina Pugh
Face painting	Frances Currie,  Lee Bamsey,  Anastasia Haydulina,  Emma Cole,  Liz Pratt McClean,  Jonathan Stringer,  Naomi Delap,  Ceri Rose
Spin painting	Caroline Elkington,  Jenny Bailey,  Lee Bamsey,  Ceri Rose; Miew-Cheng and Alain Stangroome with their daughters Kaitlin and Tania
Colouring-in tablecloth	Alison Haworth
Plant stall	Alison Haworth,  Peter Hulme,  Caroline Xiggins,  Sara Daoud
Biscuit decorating and balloon modelling	The South Street Baptist Church
Gate	Derek Fordham,  Robin Stott,  Chris Ward,  James Kellock,  Ben Turnbull,  Harriet Rodgers,  Jess Turnbull,  Alastair Currie,  Neil Sinclair,  Imogene Russell,  Tara Veitch,  Paddy Rodgers
Health check tent	Eunice Whyte Everyll and the Seventh Day Adventist Church
Furniture and equipment	The South Street Baptist Church,  St Mark’s Church
Infrastructure (street lay-out, set-up, take-down, PA, gazebos, etc)	Tom Webb,  Neil Sinclair,  Robin Stott,  Graeme Elkington,  Chris Ward,  David Walker,  Maureen Romeril,  Adam Deal, Imogene Russell,  Hugo Sands
Publicity and promotion	Andrew Steeds,  Imogene Russell,  Neil Sinclair,  Chris Ward,  Simon Barrs
Poster design	Jenny Bailey
Photography and videos	Mylie Kefford, Neil Bailey
Party production	Neil Sinclair,  Imogene Russell,  Tom Webb,  Frances Currie
Metropolitan Police Service	PC John Moody
London Fire Brigade	Fire engine and firemen from Blissett Street
Burgers and sausages	GG Sparkes
Bouncy castle	Highline Adventure
Climbing wall and baby bouldering wall	Highline Adventure
Sponsorship of climbing wall	Hamptons International

 

Raffle tickets at the ready!

STREET PARTY 2016 - RAFFLE PRIZES       Big thanks to all donors!

Meal for two with bottle of house wine	The Guildford Arms
Meal for two with bottle of house wine	Davy’s Wine Vaults
Meal for two with bottle of house wine	Zeytin Turkish restaurant
Meal for two with bottle of wine	Richard I pub
Meal for two with bottle of house wine	Prince of Greenwich pub
Dinner for two to the value of £40 (excluding drinks)	Kitcho
Meal and glass of wine for two	Baba’s Café & Bar
Dinner for two	The Hill, Royal Hill
3 x bottles of fine Italian wine	Davy’s Wine Shop
£30 voucher for Pilates	Ellie Brown
2 x fish and chip suppers for two	The Golden Chippy
2 x £10 dry cleaning vouchers	Vina Launderette & Dry Cleaners
2 x dry cleaning vouchers	Soma Dry Cleaning
2 x cream teas for two	Royal Teas
Afternoon tea for two	Mercure Hotel, Greenwich
Bottle of Argentinian red wine and jar of Dulce de Leche milk caramel spread	Buenos Aires Café
Family ticket for a forthcoming performance	Greenwich Theatre
2 x cinema tickets	Greenwich Picturehouse
Tea/coffee and cakes or pastries for two	Al Pancino deli and café
BaByliss professional hair stylers	Hane Services
10 x free digital prints	Snappie Studios, Nelson Road

We're above all that!