Greenwich news and information
HMS Ocean arrived at Greenwich on Thursday afternoon and can be seen moored up there until early on Monday morning.
The visit by HMS Ocean is her first since the two times she visited the capital during London 2012. Lucky ticket holders will be able to look around the recently refitted ship on Sunday. [Read more…]
After a six day visit to the capital, the Daring class destroyer HMS Defender sailed out of Greenwich yesterday. The Type 45 warship had been in London for a port visit which helped mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli and she also welcomed aboard visitors last weekend who all seemed to give it the thumbs up, judging by the reaction on social media. [Read more…]
IN the very early hours of this morning, HMS Defender arrived at Greenwich.
The Royal Navy’s state-of-the-art destroyer is making its first visit to the capital and will be moored at Greenwich until next Tuesday.
Her visit, and that of HMS Middleton which will be coming up the river to HMS President at Wapping on Friday, is timed to coincide with the centenary of the Battle of Gallipoli. [Read more…]
THE THAMES Barrier was closed for the 175th time to protect London on Saturday.
The closure was ordered to keep the capital safe from a very high tide that was predicted. The closure started at about 10.30 and by midday, all the gates were fully raised.
As high tide approached at about 2pm, water spilled across the path and on to grass at Barrier Gardens. [Read more…]
THE ROYAL Borough of Greenwich has submitted a bid to host the annual Tall Ships Race.
If successful, Woolwich would be a host port in the 2016 race, which is organised by Sail Training International.
The bid to host the race comes as the council tries to build a legacy from interest in this summer’s Sail Royal Greenwich event.
A report presented to councillors on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee last week says that “12,000 individuals and 1,500 corporate customers took the opportunity” to see London from Sail Royal Greenwich’s 14-ship fleet that sailed daily from Woolwich during this summer’s Olympics.
A five-person bid delegation including Councillor Chris Roberts, Councillor Peter Kotz, who has cabinet responsibility for Culture, the Chief Executive of Greenwich Council and two council officers travelled to Riga in Latvia two weeks ago for the Sail Training International and Tall Ships Conference.
A spokesperson for the Royal Borough of Greenwich commented:
“Developing the Royal Borough as the home for Tall Ships in London would provide an excellent boost to this sector of the economy. The conference is the only event of its kind, and presented a unique opportunity to promote the borough and its attractions to a global audience of Tall Ships Operators and to meet with other ports.
“It provided an opportunity to study and learn from other host ports the requirements of hosting regattas and races on a large scale. As a result of attendance at the conference, contact was made with Tall Ship Operators and the potential for further visits was discussed.”
Greenwich Council also says it is developing a proposal for a Tall Ship regatta at Woolwich in 2014.
The first Tall Ships Race took place in 1956 with twenty tall ships sailing from Torquay to Lisbon.
Dutch miltary vessel made her way up the Thames this morning where she will berth next to HMS Belfast until Monday.
Thanks to Daren, who tweets as Mister Greenwich, for these moody sunset photos of HMS Ocean. The Might O’ will again be open to the public this Bank Holiday Monday. Click here for more information.
Photo of the northern side of the Emirates Air Line cable car, taken from next to North Greenwich pier on Saturday evening.
HUNDREDS of people braved the rain to enjoy a Diamond Jubilee street party in the Old Royal Naval College this afternoon.
There was live entertainment and a large screen for spectators to watch the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant, despite the wet and miserable weather.
The pageant, the largest seen on the river for over three hundred years, formally ended at Tower Bridge but hundreds of boats dispersed along the Thames, passing Greenwich on their way.
Shortly before 5pm, the crowds that had gathered under umbrellas on the banks of the river cheered as the belfry came into sight carrying the Royal Jubilee Bells, followed by the Royal row-barge Gloriana.
Late on Sunday evening, the Spirit of Chartwell, which carried HM The Queen in today’s pageant, moored briefly at Greenwich Pier before docking for the night at the mouth of the Royal Docks.
Photos from the Royal Pageant
Belfry – carrying the Jubilee Bells
Click here for more photos from the Royal Pageant
Photos from the Big Lunch
Photo of Azamara Journey, currently moored at Greenwich Reach.
She was last moored at Greenwich in June 2010.