In September 2014 your correspondent visited Bermondsey Road in East York, Toronto – home of the Peek Freans biscuit factory (and cookie outlet shop).
Peek Freans may have long disappeared from its original home in ‘our’ Bermondsey (and British supermarket shelves) but the brand lives on in Canada as part of the same Mondelez International conglomerate that owns Cadbury’s
At the end of last year British Land held a series of events to seek feedback on the draft Canada Water masterplan covering the redevelopment of Surrey Quays Shopping Centre and the Harmsworth Quays printworks site.
There is a lot of information to digest and the exhibition panels are available to download. The online feedback form is available until Sunday 4 January.
Anyone who cares about the future of the area is well advised to read the documents carefully and send their comments to British Land.
Last month the Government granted listed building status (at grade II) to the former Swedish Seamen’s Church in Lower Road.
The church – which dates from 1964 – closed in 2012 and was put up for sale.
In 2013 the Twentieth Century Society asked English Heritage to recommend to the Government that the building be listed.
Henrietta Billings from the 20th Century Society said: “We are delighted by this decision to celebrate and protect the Swedish Seamen’s Mission building. It is a rare and remarkably intact piece of authentic post war Swedish architecture in England.
“Not only are the interiors a showcase for Swedish design, it also tells an interesting story of Anglo-Swedish links in architecture as well as trade. We are confident that this diverse building can be successfully re-used and its fascinating history celebrated.”
In the summer of 2012 the complex hosted a drop-in Swedish cafe during the Olympic Games. More recently the premises has been used by the London Bubble theatre company while its permanent home in Elephant Lane was being refurbished.
Read the full text of the building’s entry on the list of buildings of historical and architectural interest.
London Bubble says that its drama group for adults is fun, friendly and a great way to meet new people and burn off imaginative calories!
“It’s the one time in the week when you can forget you’re an adult and go crazy like a kid, you can scream and shout and laugh so hard your tummy hurts.”
Local residents are invited to try a taster class.
Sessions are every Wednesday from 14 January, 7pm-9pm, at London Bubble, 5 Elephant Lane, SE16 4JD.
To find out more contact Lucy on [email protected] or 020 7237 4434
The year 2020 will mark 400 years since the Mayflower sailed from Rotherhithe.
In Harwich – the Mayflower‘s home port – they are building a replica of the ship.
There’s a great unofficial blog which is recording the progress of the project.
On Christmas Eve, the BBC reported on the completion of the frame of the keel of the ship.
Local theatre company London Bubble run weekly drama classes for all ages and abilities.
Its theatre groups are friendly, fun and creative, and include games and exercises which will help to develop confidence and a range of performance skills.
The new term starts week commencing 12 January
Classes for 6-8yrs / 9-11yrs / Youth Theatre for ages 12+
All classes held at 5 Elephant Lane, Rotherhithe, SE16 4JD
To find out more or book for a taster class contact Lucy
[email protected] 020 7237 4434
Lib Dem London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon recently asked the Mayor of London Boris Johnson about capacity and reliability concerns on the C10 and 381 bus routes.
He replied:
TfL will be introducing a new schedule to improve reliability on route 381 on 11 January 2015. This will give buses more time to complete the journeys, better reflecting current traffic conditions.
TfL is discussing with the operator a reliability scheme for route C10 and is confident that this will be in place early in the New Year.
A child was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg after they were hit by a car in Salter Road.
Police were called by London Ambulance Service just before 6pm on Wednesday evening.
The child was taken to a south London hospital with a suspected broken leg.
Police are continuing to investigate the incident and no-one has been arrested.
Holders of Decathlon cards registered to the Surrey Quays branch have received this email from the manager as preparatory works for the redevelopment of the site get under way.
Hello Decathlon Surrey Quays Customers,
We are going through changes over the next few years as part of the regeneration of the Canada Water area. Unfortunately, it means we lose our lovely cafe.
We remain open as a store but our cafe will close on the 14th of December for the last time.
The pictures show you how the store and area should look in 2017/2018. During this time, we will go through various changes including moving into one store in March 2015 but we promise to always keep you updated.
Thank you,
Danny
Decathlon Surrey Quays Store Manager
Southwark’s cabinet has endorsed plans for a £12 million redevelopment of Albion Primary School as part of a wider programme of developments in and around Albion Street.
“The regeneration of Albion Street is a priority for this council and we recognise the concern of local residents about the future of this street as a commercial and retail centre,” said Cllr Mark Williams, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport.
“It is key that neighbouring regeneration schemes, in particular at Canada Water and Surrey Quays, complement and enhance our plans for Albion Street.
“We will re-invigorate Albion Street by looking at several connected areas, including Albion Primary School; the former Library and improving the public realm.”
He added: We will continue to work with members of the local community, local residents and businesses as we now move forward to drawing up detailed plans and designs for each of these schemes. This is an exciting time for this part of Rotherhithe and the schemes set out in this report will better connect Albion Street with both the River Thames and Canada Water.”
Listen to the audio of the cabinet discussion on Albion Street:
