Charlton – Page 115 – The Charlton Champion

Cruise ship passes in the night

August 6, 2013August 5, 2013robatgreenwichcouk2 Comments

Silver Cloud cruise ship goes through Thames Barrier at night

Rob Powell of Greenwich.co.uk has been keeping an eye on the river…

The cruise ship Silver Cloud passed Charlton on Sunday night on her outward bound journey after a one-day stay in the river’s Upper Pool by Tower Bridge.

With just a friendly security guard for company, I was at the the Thames Barrier at about 01:30 – just as it started raining – to see the 157m vessel pass Charlton and transit through London’s iconic flood protection gates.

The late night trip down the Thames was the beginning of a 10-night cruise of Northern Europe on the Silversea-operated ship with Leith the next scheduled stop on Tuesday afternoon.

Other cruise ships to sail past this year have included The World, Fram, Deutschland and Hamburg. Still to come in August and September are FTI Berlin, Seabourn Pride and MS Europa.

Cruise ships should become an even more common sight around these parts when the promised redevelopment of Enderby Wharf on the other side of Greenwich Peninsula eventually takes place.

There have been predictions that there could be 100 cruise ship arrivals at the proposed terminal every year, although restrictions on the size of ships coming through the barrier mean the world’s largest cruise ships won’t be able to make it to Enderby’s.

But despite recent announcements on progress, and suggestions cruise ships may start arriving there next year, it’s perhaps worth noting that there appears to be a lack of available cruises to book now which have the new terminal in their itinerary despite the fact cruises are commonly booked 1-2 years in advance.

Champion readers may be interested in a website I run with lots of photos from the river called ThamesPics.co.uk

Is the 380 bus getting a little too close for comfort?

July 31, 2013July 29, 2013Darryl Chamberlain6 Comments

380 bus

The 380 bus route, wiggling its way through the back streets of Charlton, is a lifeline for many residents. But for some, it’s been getting a bit too close for comfort. A couple of weeks ago, Clare dropped me a line to ask…

“A parked car was hit by a 380 bus this afternoon outside my house on Woodland Terrace, the back bumper was taken off the car and there is red paint all over the side of the car. The bus driver didnt stop so having spoken to the police its unlikely that they will be pursuing it any further.

“This is the third incident of a 380 hitting a parked car along my road so just thought it might be interesting to hear if other residents have had similar issues?”

Longer buses have been used on the route in recent years, including the five hybrids which now ply the route – but are some corners just too tight for them?

Fancy a green-fingered trip to Hatfield House?

July 30, 2013July 30, 2013Darryl Chamberlain

Free on Wednesday? Want to visit one of the country’s most impressive gardens? Here’s Aeron Allen with an offer you might be interested in…

I understand that some of your readers are probably interested in horticulture. With that in mind, I am chairman of a social group in Charlton Triangle Homes.

Because of a clerical mix-up, we have a number of spare tickets for a coach trip to Hatfield House & Gardens. The price includes entry & coach for £10. This trip leaves Marlborough Lane at 9am on 31st July, leaving Hatfield House at 4.30pm. If anyone is interested, please contact me – sorry, no children.

If you’re interested, give Aeron a call on 0789 110 0514.

Charlton fans act to protect The Valley – but what else in SE7 needs looking after?

July 19, 2013July 18, 2013Darryl Chamberlain2 Comments

Newspaper front page from The Royal Oak

The Charlton Athletic Supporters Trust has launched a petition to officially designate The Valley as an “asset of community value” to protect the historic ground from being sold for development.

There’s no suggestion that the stadium is in any immediate danger of being sold, and relations between the relatively new trust and the club are good.

Instead, it recognises the fact that almost every club in England outside the Premier League is in permanent financial peril – and given Charlton’s unhappy history of ground moves, it makes sense to safeguard the ground in case any new owners plan to sell up.

Even if Charlton are successful, this isn’t a totally unlikely scenario – Greenwich Council planning masterplans show a possible stadium on the west side of the Greenwich Peninsula, and it’s felt by some that this would be an option if the club were to return to the Premier League, given the natural restrictions on developing what used to be the biggest ground in the League.

Charlton moved to share Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park ground in 1985, returning in 1992 via a short spell at West Ham. Even earlier in the club’s history, it spent a disastrous year at a ground in Catford called The Mount (now Mountsfield Park) in the 1920s.

So what is an asset of community value? Quite simply, every council is now required to keep a register of places which are deemed valuable to their local communities. If the council approves this application, then if the property is ever sold, then a six-month block is placed on the sale to enable local community groups to bid. Nominations have to come from community groups, rather than individuals. Assets can include community centres, libraries, pubs, open spaces and more.

At present, Greenwich Council does not have an register of assets, but Lewisham has registered the Baring Hall Hotel pub in Grove Park and an artists’ studio in New Cross. So it’s easy to see where The Valley fits in – indeed, Manchester United fans are making similar moves to protect Old Trafford.

So, what else locally should be on this register? The Place Station allows anyone to list places they think could or should be on the list – in Charlton, I added the old St Austin’s sports field in Highcombe, and the summer house (ex-public toilets) outside Charlton House. That said, it’s possible neither would qualify because they’ve been out of use for so long, but just outside SE7, I added East Greenwich Library (due to be sold by the council) and Hervey Road Playing Field too.

But what else could go on there? The biggie’s Charlton House – itself due to be moved to a heritage trust soon. But where else? Charlton Assembly Rooms? The pet cemetery in Hornfair Park? The Old Cottage Cafe in Charlton Park?

These are just suggestions – where else do you think could benefit from special protection? Share it here – and The Place Station would also like to know, too.

This Saturday: Charlton Society plus Pound Park table sale

July 18, 2013July 18, 2013Darryl Chamberlain1 Comment

Here’s a note from Charlton Society chairman David Gardner…

Trees in our local parks is the focus of the talk at the Charlton Society this Saturday 20 July starting at 2.30pm at Charlton House. Local tree expert Jim Hedges will speak and there’s much more than you would think!

Good to shade us from the sun, great for the environment and very much part of Charlton’s look and feel as a green village. We will also have time for local news and discussion and, of course, a refreshing cup of tea.

On the subject of trees, we are making strong representations for the new Charlton Sainsbury’s/M&S landscaping. We have also been trying to urge quick resolution to widening the pavement by the new Sainsbury’s local store going in opposite the station. And on shops, you may have noticed Charlton Village has a brand new green grocers by The Baguette. Good quality and value with a wise range, give it a try.

There’s also a table sale earlier in the day at Pound Park Nursery, with painting and other fun for kids.

table_sale

Charlton Park footballers get Run to the Beat reprieve

July 10, 2013June 19, 2023Darryl Chamberlain

Run to the Beat final route, July 2013
Sunday footballers at Charlton Park and Meridian Sports Club won’t be cut off by September’s Run To The Beat half-marathon, organisers have revealed two months before the race.

Earlier this year, The Charlton Champion revealed plans for the controversial race to be diverted via Canberra Road and Charlton Park Lane, dividing the two green spaces which are packed with sports players every weekend.

But those plans have now been dropped, with the race now running via Charlton Village instead. To make up the lost mileage, the route will run alongside the Thames between Anchor & Hope Lane and Peartree Way, Greenwich, passing the Anchor & Hope pub and Angerstein Wharf.

Details are still sketchy, although some residents have received leaflets warning them of the new route. There’s a more general discussion about Run To The Beat over at 853, but if you’ve any views on how the route will specifically affect Charlton, feel free to share them here.