Greenwich news and information
There has been some raised eyebrows on Twitter about the toilets that are still not operational in Cutty Sark Gardens, weeks after the Queen officially declared the newly-redesigned Gardens open.
Luckily one local councillor has got to the bottom of it and tweeted today that they should be working by Friday.
HUNDREDS of people turned out this morning to witness the Queen’s visit to Greenwich.
Despite the down-pouring of rain which has become a characteristic of this drought, a large crowd gathered in Cutty Sark Gardens over an hour before the monarch’s arrival.
With no choice but to literally soak up the atmosphere, those gathered waved their flags while stirring tunes were played by Trinity Laban’s Symphony Orchestra
Trumpets sounded to announce the imminent arrival and as if by royal arrangement, the rain seemed to stop. Those reluctant to take down their umbrellas were quickly urged to do so by crowd members keen to catch sight of the Queen who had minutes earlier officially named the royal barge Gloriana at Greenland Pier.
At 11.26, a Range Rover pulled up, bearing the Royal Standard, from which HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh emerged to be greeted by the mayor of Greenwich, Jim Gillman, the Leader of the Council, Chris Roberts, and the Council’s Chief Executive, Mary Ney.
They were seated on a stage near the bow of the Cutty Sark where Councillor Roberts gave a short speech and Her Majesty was presented with a gift by the mayor. Prince Philip was given a framed certificate confirming the Freedom of the Royal Borough that he was awarded in March.
The Queen then unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the newly re-landscaped Cutty Sark Gardens.
After listening to a suite of music, composed for the Queen’s Jubilee and performed by children from across the borough, the royal guests received a bouquet (pictured top) and made their way in to the Cutty Sark as the crowd cheered. “Hello Queenie” was shouted from somewhere deep in the crowd.
The royal couple were then shown around the restored Cutty Sark. Prince Philip is the President of the Cutty Sark Trust and was instrumental in bringing the iconic tea clipper to Greenwich in the 1950s. The Queen unveiled a plaque to officially declare the Cutty Sark open, just as she first did in 1957.
The Queen is shown around the Cutty Sark by Lord Stirling. Photo: Tim Keeler
The Queen was then taken through the Old Royal Naval College, where she knighted Sir Francis Chichester in 1967, for an inspection of the King’s Troop which moved from St John’s Wood to Woolwich in February.
While the Queen was en route to the National Maritime Museum, a number of savvy onlookers lined the northern tip of the Greenwich Park, opposite the museum for a sighting that hadn’t been publicised before. The crowd was entertained by music from the Royal Hospital School marching band as they waited for Her Majesty to arrive.
Once inside the museum, almost seventy-five years to the day since she attended its opening ceremony, the Queen was shown around the new Royal River exhibition by guest curator, David Starkey.
After about twenty-five minutes, the couple emerged, smiling, to find sunlight had started to break out. Passing the newly-installed Ship in a Bottle, they returned to their car and left as the line of onlookers cheered, clapped and waved flags.
More photos from the Queen’s visit to Greenwich
Did you take any photos of the Queen? Tomorrow’s Daily Photo will be dedicated to your pictures of Her Majesty’s visit to Greenwich. Please send any contributions to rob@greenwich.co.uk
Greenwich councillors have approved plans to give Cutty Sark Gardens a makeover.
The designs from Dutch firm, OKRA, include 6,540 sq m of new stone covering, less steps to make it more pedestrian friendly, and an interactive “wet floor” feature designed to mirror the tide of the River Thames.
Five new green planting area will be established and there will be a clear route for cyclists.
The plans came in for sharp criticism from World Heritage Site Executive. They said the “soft landscaping” was at odds with their preferred “dockside” character and criticised the “flower beds” and “pond” for having no relationship with the river and its industrial setting.
The Planning Board gave their unanimous support to the new designs at a meeting on Thursday night at Woolwich Town Hall. The project is expected to be completed in time for London 2012 but a programme of archaeological work must take place on the site before the redevelopment can begin.
Darryl from 853 posted photos this week showing latest illustrations of how the restored Cutty Sark will look.
A planning application has been lodged for the revamp of Cutty Sark Gardens.
The proposals will make Cutty Sark Gardens an “attractive place to stay and a place to linger”, say Dutch designers, OKRA.
The designs include 6,540 sq m of new stone covering, less steps to a make it more pedestrian friendly, an interactive “wet floor” feature, clear cyclist route and green planters.
The interactive water element will be designed to mirror the tidal movements of the Thames – water flowing over the element when the tide is high and draining off when it is low.
A pre-application consultation on the plans was undertaken at the town centre pedestrianisation exhibition back in June of this year.
OKRA, who are partners on Croydon’s Wellesley Road and Parklane redevelopment project, describe as Cutty Sark Gardens as a “pioneering place with international allure” but go on to say, perhaps contradictorily, that “awareness that one of London’s most highest profile public squares is lacking in allure is becoming widespread”.
The “gardens” are part of the Mayor of London’s Great Spaces Initiative, and the council secured funding for the scheme as one of the key legacy projects for Greenwich resulting from being a Host Borough for London 2012.
Restoration work on the Cutty Sark itself – the centre piece of Cutty Sark Gardens – is due to complete sometime in 2011.
Easter Bonnet Parade, Cutty Sark Gardens, 12th April 1.30pm
An Easter bonnet parade will take place this Sunday in Cutty Sark Gardens, starting at 1.30pm.
Prizes on offer for the most creative bonnets include tickets to Greenwich Children’s Theatre Festival, books and easter eggs. Free workshops have already taken place this week to help young people get their bonnets ready.
Parade day will also feature the Gandini Jugglers, a Continental market and a showcase of greetings cars and pictures from Blackheath Arts Society, plus egg and spoon races for all ages.
If you’re stuck for ideas, have a look on Google Images for easter bonnets. Good luck!