End of an era

Early days in the garden – Kay (Deputy Manager), Janet, Ed, Cliona, Sara, Imogene and Audrey 

Sadly, the home for people with learning disabilities at 75 Ashburnham Grove is about to close. However all the residents have had a choice of places to move to and Harry will be able to come back to The Ash regularly as he will only be a bus ride away.
The home is owned and run by the Council. They have decided to close it because the building is dilapidated and would be very expensive to repair. In any case the layout is no longer fit for purpose especially because some of the residents are elderly and many need a lot of physical help. The managers and staff were sad about the decision but felt it was the right one as it had become hard to care for the residents in the building.
The residents have already started moving out, they will all have left by early January. The staff will get jobs in other homes. The Council is considering what to do with the site and will be consulting local residents in due course.
Us gardeners will miss our monthly get together with residents Harry and George. The garden is looking good after nine years of our efforts and it has produced some fine fruit and veg. We will continue to look after more visible green patches in the triangle, especially the planter on the play street.

If anyone needs plants or gardening equipment, we may be able to retrieve some for you before the home closes and the diggers move in. Please email sjemanuel21@gmail.com
Sara Emanuel and Janet Stott

Carol singing and much more in the Triangle

It was raining on Thursday 20th of December but by 6pm it had stopped so the carol singers, some children dressed as elves, some in sparkly hats, all enthusiastic, kept their song sheets dry as they strolled and sang around the Ashburnham Triangle streets collecting for Shelter (charity for the homeless). We finished at the Ashburnham Arms for roast chestnuts and inside there was shepherds pie provided by Pepina at cost with the profit going to Shelter. Competition can be both fierce and friendly. Our Christmas Quiz (devised by Barbara) was just that and a very jolly end to the evening.
Together with the collection, food and quiz we raised £400. It is not hard to imagine the pain of being on the streets with no home to go to, so it is very satisfying to be able to have such fun while helping to make some lives a little easier.
Thank you to everybody who contributed to the evening.

Janet and Robin Stott

Saxon Wharf and Deptford Creek latest

Planning update from Mick Delap: as 2018 ends, three quick bits of news about what's happening along Deptford Creek.
First, thanks to all who joined me in objecting to allowing the Saxon Wharf application by the latest Creekside developer to be approved without some changes. The developers are promising public access to the Creek, and a Creekside path along their proposed frontage. But similar promises by previous developers still haven't been met. So we are objecting against full approval, until Greenwich Planning can formulate stronger guarantees that Saxon Wharf's pathway promises will be enforced more effectively. Our objections were due to be discussed on 19th December, when Planning Board were to consider the application. But at that Planning Board meeting, they decided to defer the hearing until the New Year - so they could try and make the housing mix more socially inclusive. We will be there!
Looking ahead to the New Year, the Thames Tideway Tunnel constructors are preparing to start digging out the big drop shaft that is the next step in creating Greenwich's own bit of their super sewer. This will generate significantly increased lorry traffic on Greenwich South Street, Greenwich High Road, and Norman Road, from February, for three months. TTT have announced they will hold a public meeting on 15th Jan, in the West Greenwich Community Centre, on Greenwich High Road, to discuss their traffic management plans for this next construction phase. All welcome - more details in the New Year. (But if you want to see the full Traffic Management Plan, that will be discussed on 15th Jan, and considered by Greenwich Planning Board on 22nd Jan, enter Planning Application No. 18/3473/G into the Greenwich Planning Simple Search web page).
Finally, Mick is inviting any ATA members who would like to help him generate a 2019 Creekside Pathway Campaign to come to the Ash on 24th Jan to discuss ideas and ways forward. Full details in the New Year - but Mick welcomes suggestions or questions: mick@delap.plus.com

The junction of Greenwich South Street, Blissett Street and Devonshire Drive

We have been advised that the Royal Borough of Greenwich are undertaking a public consultation for a walking, cycling, and public realm scheme which they are proposing to deliver at the junction of Greenwich South Street, Blissett Street and Devonshire Drive.
You may have received consultation documents (attached) which have been distributed to over 800 addresses around the junction, however, any resident or business can respond to this consultation by visiting: www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/haveyoursay     
The scheme’s objectives are to:

• Improve the facilities for pedestrians and cyclists wishing to cross Greenwich South Street
• Reduce the speed of vehicles travelling through the junction to improve safety
• Improve the public realm with addition of trees, wider footways, and use of high quality materials

What are the proposed improvements?

• Relocation of existing zebra crossing on Greenwich South Street. The crossing will be closer to the junction and therefore the desire line of pedestrians
• Addition of a parallel crossing allowing cyclists to cross safely too
• Raised entries on Blissett Street and Devonshire Drive to reduce vehicle speeds and improve crossing facilities for pedestrians walking along Greenwich South Street
• Addition of new trees to landscape the area and create an attractive space for users
• Wider footways around the junction to improve the walking environment

The consultation will be open until Friday 25th January 2019 so we would be grateful to receive consultation responses by this date.
Council Officers will also host a drop-in session on Tuesday 8th January, 6-8pm @ Jubilee Hall, Blissett Street, SE10 8UU to answer any questions you may have about the proposals.
Consultation document and questions are here. Detailed drawing is here.

Please note that this proposal is not a traffic management scheme and does not propose any changes to local access for vehicles

Do you know this person?

Do you recognise this person? Police are interested in talking to this individual in connection with a few recent incidents. He has been spotted acting suspiciously along Langdale Road.  If you have any information as to the identity please either contact me here or call our Safer Neighbourhood Police Team. Thank you for your co-operation.

Telephone: (020) 8284 5494 (not 24 hour service)

Email: westgreenwichsnt@met.police.uk

Tina Pugh

Security

More crime to report

It is with regret to announce there was another burglary in Ashburnham Grove on the evening / early hours of the morning on 13th/14th December. Entry was again through the bottom sash window.

Today, there has been various crimes around the Triangle, including damage and theft from a car in Catherine Grove and an attempted house break-in, again in Catherine Grove.

During the last few days there has been a rapid increase in the theft from cars, particularly Ashburnham Place and the theft of a motor vehicle has also been reported.

I cannot emphasise the importance that you action all security advice offered over the last few weeks.

• Don't leave anything on show in your vehicle - cars have been broken into for as little as 50p.
• For keyless cars, don't leave your car key fob near the front door or window. For added security put your keys in a metal tin or signal blocking pouch.
• Make sure all windows and doors have sufficient locks.
• Make your property visible from the pavement - cut back tall hedges.
• Install security lighting - the darker and more concealed your property is the more of a target you will be.

Tina Pugh
Security 

Christmas songs at the Ash

New Security Sign for the Triangle

Over the next week you will see a new security sign displayed throughout the Triangle. These signs have been made to try and deter the increase in crime. HOWEVER, these new signs will only work if we, as residents, all work together.

Car Key Signal Blocking Pouch

ENSURE YOUR PROPERTY IS FULLY PROTECTED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD

• fit window locks - especially basement sash windows
• double lock your front door at night and when you leave the property 
• cut down all those high bushes/trees so your property is visible
• don’t leave keys near your front door or window especially car keys. Keyless car crime is particularly high. Criminals scout the area for high spec vehicles. Keep your keys in a metal tin or a Faraday pouch so the key signal cannot be tampered with from outside on a remote terminal.

BE VIGILANT

• don’t ignore your neighbours house or car alarm if it goes off
• if someone looks suspicious, report it.  If you see someone tampering with a car/bike or acting suspicious outside a house call 999.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY

I’m requesting for more volunteers to join our expanding security representative team. With more reps we can keep a proper lookout around the Triangle. We currently have reps in:

• Ashburnham Place
• Ashburnham Grove
• Devonshire Drive Plymouth House
• Devonshire Drive Barnstaple House
• Egerton Drive
• Blackheath Road

We just need you to keep watch on your particular road or block of flats. You don’t need to be at home all the time to join this team. Our aim is to have a rep on every road and block of flats within the Triangle. Can you help? For more details please email: ata.secureteam@gmail.com

Tina Pugh

Security

Saturday Christmas Singalong

Our New Capital Quay neighbours have kindly invited Ashburnham Triangle residents to join them for a Christmas Singalong on Saturday, December 15th outside the Costa next to Waitrose at 5pm.

London Pantomime Horse Race

The ever-popular London Pantomime Horse Race hits Greenwich on Sunday, December 16th, raising money for charity with a few entries from triangle residents.
The pre-race ceremony and subsequent race is always a great fun spectacle and is raising money this year for 'YouCan - Youth Cancer Support' - the team at ‘YouCan’ provide essential support and care for children and young adults with cancer and those who are in remission.
Full  details of the event can be found at https://www.pantohorserace.org.

Christmas Late Market

Greenwich Market's Late Night Wednesday Arts & Crafts Gift Market will take place on 5th, 12th and 19th December from 11am to 8pm. It's the perfect place to find those unique gifts together with delicious street food, music and mulled wine.

And don't forget Santa's Grotto at the Market, every weekend in December plus Thursday 20th, Friday 21st and Christmas Eve. Visiting Santa costs £5 per child, raising funds for Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice. 

Christmas at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Residents of the Ashburnham Triangle are invited to the annual Christmas Carol Service and Nativity play on Saturday 22nd December 2018 at 4.30pm at the Greenwich Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Devonshire Drive, Greenwich.

This year the service will feature the children's choir who will be giving a special rendition of "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen. The church is also inviting the children from in and around the Triangle to join the choir in performing this song (practice dates are:Saturday 15th December 2018 4.30pm and Friday, 21st December 2018 at 5pm).

The Nativity play will explore the deeper meaning behind Christmas and will showcase talented individuals from among our congregation. There will be canapé’s and other refreshments available before and after the programme. For further information please email info@greenwichadventist.org.uk or call Dariann on 07956 699901.

Opening up Deptford Creek

Mick Delap needs the help of as many ATA members as possible to persuade Greenwich Planning authorities to do more to open up Deptford Creek to public access. Please support Mick by lodging an objection to the current planning application for a new block of flats on the Creek at Saxon Wharf - by this Friday, 7th December. Look up Planning Application 18/1594/F on the Greenwich Planning Search site, and follow instructions re making a comment. The developers promise they will create a Creekside pathway that's open to the public (and that what they build will enhance the historic and listed 19th century Greenwich Railway Bridge). Three other Creekside developments have already been completed. Not one of them has lived up to similar promises to open up their Creekside sites to the public, or enhance the Creek's historic heritage. Why should we believe this set of promises will be any different? For more information, see Mick's full note here. And if you can, let Mick know you have lodged an objection: mick@delap.plus.com

This year's ATA Carols Party Night will be on Thursday, 20th December