Tagged: present RSS

• hilly 5:36 pm on May 7, 2010 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: present   

  Election 

  The turnout for the local election was a fantastic 80.4%, almost double that of four years ago. The most interesting thing to come out of this is that decent voter turnout here appears to be very good for labour, and very bad for the tories, with a 7 point swing to labour (I’m not exactly sure if i calculated it right, but here goes):

  lab = sum(total lab vote 2010/total vote 2010)-sum(total lab vote 2006/total vote 2006) = 5% positive
  con = sum(total con vote 2010/total vote 2010)-sum(total con vote 2006/total vote 2006) = 9% negative
  diff/2 = 7%

  On the fringes, the greens got more votes (4%) than the bnp (3%) too, another reversal of national behaviour, so overall, and considering the extremely high turnout, it looks like the residents of Shooters Hill present a fairly socially progressive political outlook compared to the country as a whole.

  The lib dem share went down by 3%, which leads me to speculate that the downturn in con/lib fortunes is probably not for want of trying (the tories look to have spent a small fortune on glossy leaflets) but rather the mobilisation of the left. Certainly it is possible that some of the green/liberal vote went to labour, although it’s curious to note that the local green got more votes than their parliamentary candidate for eltham, who only got 419 votes, losing his deposit… Considering that, it looks like shooters hill greens probably did vote tactically nationally but possibly not locally…

  I haven’t really given much thought to the national election, but now that clive efford has successfully staved of the tories in their target seat #68 (based on the 68th smallest amount of swing needed – 4.1%), i’m looking forward to seeing what happens with his proposals for green flag paths and signs (and gym!) in eaglesfield park. simon emmett, who was very gracious in defeat, has announced that he will be watching labour in the proposed regeneration of swingate lane shops and in the opposition to the tetra mast (but not the other masts?) – i.e. can the emergency services have it moved somewhere else?

  2010 Council Election for Shooters Hill Ward (turnout 80.4%)
  Name	Party	Results
  Phillip Jonathan BECKER	Green Party	659
  Mo BURGESS	Conservative	1,881
  Richard John CHANDLER	Conservative	1,628
  Simon EMMETT	Conservative	1,777
  Edward OTTERY	Liberal Democrats	1,210
  Harry Drummond POTTER	Liberal Democrats	939
  Jagir Kaur SEKHON	Labour	2,917 – ELECTED
  Barry Ian TAYLOR	Labour	3,093 – ELECTED
  Danny Lee THORPE	Labour	2,788 – ELECTED
  Steven Thomas TOOLE	Liberal Democrats	1,009
  Eddie Herbert WHITE	British National Party	513

  For comparison, here’s the details from last time:

  2006 Council Election for Shooters Hill Ward (turnout 42%)
  Name	Party	Results
  Linda Susan Cunningham	Conservative	1409
  Sylvia Gladys Derrick-Reeve	Liberal Democrat	796
  Elizabeth Patricia Drury	Conservative	1393
  Denise Hyland	Labour	1527 – ELECTED
  John Kelly	Labour	1589 – ELECTED
  Edward Ottery	Liberal Democrats	736
  Simon Lester Tee	Conservative	1326
  Danny Thorpe	Labour	1540 – ELECTED
  Michael Westcombe	Liberal Democrats	660

   

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• hilly 10:47 pm on November 28, 2009 Permalink
  Tags: foraging (4), present, sheperdleas wood (4), shrewsbury park (3)   

  Too Sloe 

  Back in October when the sweet chestnut season was in full swing, I mentioned that I was looking forward to the first frost of the year, the seasonal cue to make sloe gin… however climate chaos (or cyclical warming as some would have it) appears to have put a kibosh on my plans, as whilst I patiently waited for jack frost to turn up and ice those berries near the duck pond, someone or something came along and snaffled the lot!

  My first thoughts were that some human(s) had picked them all, but considering how high up some had been, I began to wonder if perhaps those pesky parakeets had been at them?

  Anyway, today I was out testing the unofficial shortcut from Dot Hill to Cheriton Drive (very muddy), and I stumbled upon a whole load of blackthorns at the entrance to the old allotments! Luckily enough I still had a bit of gin left (which I’d been drowning my sorrows in after the loss of the other sloes), so I grabbed about 40 or so, plus a thorn, leaving plenty enough for any other foragers/birds in the area. There’s also a load of rosehips there too, at least that’s what I think they are.

  The home made recipe is totally straightforward, but superior to the shop-bought version, which apparently gets made with rough spirits and cordial. Essentially, you just use the sloes to double the amount of drink, and it makes a very pleasant winter warmer:

  Ingredients:

  • enough sloes to fill bottle of gin
  • one empty bottle of gin
  • one full bottle of gin
  • one thorn

  Method:

  • prick the berries with the thorn
  • drop them into the bottles with gin
  • shake gently every now and then
  • the colour and flavour is optimal after three months, but it rarely remains in the bottle that long
  • decant carefully for clarity

  hilly, and Plummy Mummy are discussing. Toggle Comments

   

  • Plummy Mummy 4:01 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink

    Hmmm. I am sad. I had to look up “sloes” in google image as I had no idea what they are. But I’m intrigued now. My favourite gin is Bombay Sapphire which glows rather prettily under UV lights. What colour does the sloe gin end up?

    • hilly 9:24 pm on December 4, 2009 Permalink

      hi plummy mummy, well, i poured a bit out today, and it looked liked rather cloudy, it needs more time i think – the ideal colour is a clear ruby red.

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• hilly 10:56 pm on November 25, 2009 Permalink
  Tags: falconwood (4), maps (6), present, transport (9)   

  Falconwood is on the TfL Map 

  

  Falconwood on the TfL Map

  Part x in an occasional series on maps. This little beauty came via the mighty 853, who reported on the forthcoming oysterisation of overground train fares in this neck of the woods. Local stations are now included on arguably one of the all time classic maps, the present day version of the London Underground map, a.k.a the integrated TfL map. As you can see we have the blue line (charing x and canon st), and the green line (victoria) – I would have preferred primary colours myself, but they were all spoken for… I’m not mad on the parallel lines either, as they look a bit hollow, but I’m guessing the designers were trying to differentiate the overground services by tapping in to how people visualise train tracks.

  In Mr 853′s post, the title of which contains the phrase the “great train robbery”, he also notes that fares are set to rise, let’s have a look:

  • Currently: A so called anytime single to London Terminals from zone 4 stations is £3.70, with peak/off-peak returns at £6.20/£4.70 respectively, (for all the confusing details about zone 1 connections, daily cap changes, changes to peak times etc see his pricing post) or the full proposed pricing document.
  • Presently: Comparative trips using oyster fares will cost £3.10/£2.30 (peak/off-peak) single, this is already significantly cheaper than £3.70!). Return prices will vary a bit depending on the time of travel (e.g. the dreaded afternoon peak from 4-7pm), but let’s consider a pleasant scenario for the sake of optimism: a nice little day trip to trafalgar square on a sunny weekend in january, with no onward connections from charing x: this will cost someone over 16 £4.60, which is actually cheaper than current fares by 10 pence.

  There are various catches that even out the price differences, such as the premium train users pay if they connect with other TfL services in Zone 1, and apparently season ticket holders are going to pay extra, and there are further criticisms of south eastern trains in particular for not going above and beyond the call of duty by making eco-friendly travel to bluewater more accessible (as has been done for lakeside), but overall, it’s good to welcome in these long overdue changes.

   
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• hilly 9:23 pm on October 9, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: conservation (2), past (17), present, safety (8), services   

  Fire Safety 

  

  The ex New Shooters Hill Fire Station ¹

  Recently I welcomed two huge firemen into my place as part of the free home safety visit² scheme, which is currently being carried out by London Fire Brigade – this includes the installation of smoke alarms. The visit itself was quite brief, and aside from setting up alarms, it includes an education in safety, also available on directgov which is organised under a series of headings:

  1. Smoke Alarms (tested weekly)
  2. Smoking
  3. Cooking
  4. Candles
  5. Portable Heaters
  6. Open Fires
  7. Electrical
  8. Escape Plans
  9. Before Bed Routine

  

  Eltham Fire Station ³

  I was reminded that, like lots of electrical items (batteries, toys etc), smoke alarms would contaminate landfill with lead/lithium/cadmium etc, and should be disposed of at nathan way.

  The other thing that happened is that I started to ask about the selling off of the fire station, the historical preservation of the doors, and where our new station is (Eltham High Street). As a result of the closure, the call out time for this area is around 3 minutes longer. This makes home safety all the more important, especially during icy winter when the hill becomes less accessible to traffic.

  1. Photo by kanshiketsu ↩
  2. You can also call to arrange a visit: ℡ 08000 28 44 28. ↩
  3. Photo by kpmarek ↩

  hilly is discussing. Toggle Comments

   

  • hilly 11:41 am on October 11, 2009 Permalink | Reply

    yes you’re right, plumstead is about a quarter of a mile closer than eltham, perhaps it’s just that the visits for this area are organised by eltham.

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• hilly 11:20 pm on October 7, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: artillery row, fauna (3), paget rise, present, streets (3)   

  Lost Cat 

  

  Lost Cat - Artillery Row

  The behaviour of dogs and their owners was recently considered, and now it’s time to think of the cats of the hill too. Paget Rise appears to have by far the most cats, and quite a few of them are very friendly and/or elegant too, but this story is about a cat on Artillery Row, a very muddy road, which, as an aside, is where Aphrodite had his studio (he is one of the pioneers of drum and bass, in fact this whole area played an important part in the foundation of this form of music on account of how far radio waves carry from here).

  Anyway, yesterday it was raining cats and dogs (groan), and so I found myself wondering how to get to the other side of the biggest, muddiest puddle of all the big muddy puddles on Artillery Row (a private road with no storm drains) and I noticed a lost cat sign, which is included here minus the contact details, as I did not, (and never do), approach sources.

  If you do have any information about where this cat is hiding from the terrifying tv repair man, then either email the webmin address at the foot of the page, or add a comment, and I will contact the household, or, if you’ve got welly boots, go to Artillery Row.

  Here is the message verbatim, I wonder why it’s written from the cat’s perspective?

  As you can see I am an adorable young female black cat, I ran out frightened of the tv repair man and haven’t been able to get back into my home as I am lost and confused.

  Please let my owners know if you see me, thank you very much.

  Bella
  xxx

   
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• hilly 11:34 pm on September 20, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: eaglesfield park (7), fauna (3), oxleas woods (7), present, shrewsbury park (3), streets (3), wimpey estate   

  Good Dog (Owner) 

  It might not quite be a banksy, but the council dog stencil does seem to be fairly effective at keeping the hill clean and safe, at least in the bits it appears; I certainly would tread carefully walking across the roundabout lawns on the wimpey estate, or certain parts of eaglesfield or shrewsbury park or the woods, although things are getting better.

  Anyway it seems to be a fairly serious initiative with its own enforcement officials being geared up to hit anti-social dog-owners where it hurts, i.e. the purse.

  I’m not sure what kind of dog the stencilhound is? I once saw a similar street painting in paris, and it was definitely a lapdog of some sort, you know the type that fits in a handbag, but the Greenwich version appears to be modelled on a cross between a Poodle and an Alsation, I call it a Poosation.

   
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• hilly 7:12 pm on September 1, 2009 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: audio (4), music (2), present, the bull (2)   

  Greenwich Youth Band at The Bull 

  Greenwich Youth Band

   
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• hilly 10:27 pm on July 10, 2009 Permalink
  Tags: air quality (5), future (2), present, traffic (4)   

  Traffic Modelling 

  

  Is Shooters Hill still safe from Ringway 2?

  On Tuesday June the 30th I was on the way to work and saw a police biker at the roadside pulling over drivers so they could be interviewed by traffic surveyors modelling journeys on behalf of tfl.

  According to the researchers, this particular survey is a routine exercise, and will provide London’s traffic managers with an insight into the toing and froing in this area. This sounds plausible and even sensible, however, it also transpired that similar ‘routine’ inspections are being carried out in east london. Perhaps I was wrong to infer the link, but the utterance of the words east london, south east london, and traffic modelling in one sentence immediately made me think of Ringway 2…

  Traffic designs linking the south/north twistulars completing an inner london ring road go back at least as far as the now infamous Ringway 2 blueprint of the 1960′s, and they seem here to stay, in design form at least. These plans were succesfully blocked by the people of south east london in 1973, 1993 and 2008. Things looked especially bad for Shooters Hill in the early nineties, but the area did ultimately fare better than Wanstead and Twyford Down…

  On past form at least, Shooters Hill does appear to be safe from the bulldozers for at least another ten years. However the surrounding area may not be, as attention has now shifted to Blackwall. Clive Efford is currently lobbying for a third blackwall crossing, which would include a doglands light rollercoaster to north greenwich and onwards to eltham. His campaign has its merits, primarily it doesn’t have ill intentions for the woods, secondly it makes use of pre-existing links to the south/north twistulars and A2 (which was the original justification for the oxleas woods bypass linking the A2 at falconwood to the crossing at woolwich), and thirdly, the inclusion of a public transport link is a very smart idea as it improves the image of what is, first and foremost, a road building scheme. There are probably some potential traffic problems to be worked out however, and this will be done with traffic modelling!!

  If the link at Blackwall gets improved, will it attract more traffic? Will the approach roads and residential areas on each side be able to accomodate extra through traffic?… Furthermore, Blackwall has never had a particularly good record on pollution, air quality measurements at woolwich flyover routinely fail to meet the air quality objectives, what will the building of new roads do for air quality? (Actually for balance it should be added that most of London fails to meet its pollution targets – not that that makes it alright for blackwall to be as bad as it is).

  On that note, here’s the survey debrief:

  TRANSPORT FOR LONDON: ROADSIDE INTERVIEW SURVEYS

  This survey has been commissioned by Transport for London (TfL). Colin Buchanan is conducting it at this site on their behalf.

  In order to address transport problems, we need to know more about current travel patterns and so are conducting the survey. It is taking place at a range of locations across the study area. It will last only one day at each location. Stopping vehicles in this way is the only effective way of establishing the volume and types of journeys being made on a typical day.

  Thank you for taking the time to provide TfL with this important information.

  We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the survey. Every effort has been made to minimise disruption and congestion, but it is not always possible to achieve this as successfully as we would like.

  The data you provide will only be used for transport planning purposes by TfL, its agents, London Boroughs and other agencies involved in transport planning.

  Should you require any further information about the survey please contact us using the details below. Phones are not continuously manned, but calls will be returned within 24 hours.

  Transport for London

  T: 02071261423 E: travelresearch@tfl.gov.uk

  Colin Buchanan

  E: surveys@cbuchanan.co.uk

  Three days ago I emailed the supplied contact details to enquire about the motivations for this survey, if I hear back, I will comment further…

   
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• hilly 10:50 pm on June 15, 2009 Permalink
  Tags: events (20), past (17), present   

  Digging Dad's Army 

  Digging Dad’s Army, a group of conflict archaeologists affiliated with birkbeck and negus are digging up various parts of eaglesfield park this week as part of their ongoing investigations into wartime archaeology in this part of london. they have chosen their digging spots based on some aerial photos and some geophysics, which indicated where wartime trenches might have been dug, and thus where they might find evidence of what was happening in the last two world wars. they also used geophysics to look for anomalous features relating to magnetic fields and other physical properties of the ground, and apart from using this to look for concrete and metal associated with military installations, they did on the dig for time team stumble on some late bronze age early iron age remnants of iron smelting activities, which was a bit odd considering that there’s no iron in the area, plus why would whoever was working with it wish to carry all the ore to the top of a hill? anyway, this was written up in a wessex archaeology report as the time team dig it was found on didn’t really have scope to include this in the program. significantly however, this discovery also gives shooters hill the interest of being one of the few if only parts of london with evidence of human activities stretching back to this epoch 2-3 thousand years ago.

  they can be approached all week, but they will probably have the most to talk about when then get to the end of their dig on saturday during the treasures of eaglesfield park day. this event is also being staged to support the refilling, fencing and educational use of the lilypond as a natural habitat for various local species and is not unrelated to the wild london scheme with its fondness for ponds, which are being promoted as being good for london and its inhabitants.

   
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