The Island News

Island Crime Halved In First 2 Weeks Of Dispersal Orders

2005-06-02T13:05:00.000Z

Police say crime was halved within the first two weeks of an operation to tackle antisocial behaviour on the eastern side of the Isle of Dogs.

They say a fortnight after a dispersal zone was introduced on April 11 in an area bounded by Marsh Wall and East Ferry Road, the amount of offences had fallen by 50 per cent, compared to the same time last year.

Isle of Dogs Inspector Keiren Marwood said:

"The fantastic reduction in crime speaks for itself, and we are working with
schools and the council to ensure that there are plenty of positive activities
for young people to get involved with."

Source: wharf

Yet Another Jubilee Nightmare

2005-06-02T13:00:00.000Z

A signal failure that caused severe peak hour delays on the Jubilee Line on Wednesday, June 1st was blamed on an 'earthing' problem at St John's Wood station.

The train signals were triggered without the presence of a train, meaning London Underground had to close the line in both directions between St John's Wood and Waterloo stations at around 8am.

A spokeswoman for Westferry Circus-based Tube Lines, which maintains the Jubilee and Northern lines said:

"It is not a major problem but it is for passengers, if it happens at a peak time it disrupts a lot of passengers' journeys and we certainly endeavour not to do that.
"At the Canary Wharf end of the Jubilee line it is all lovely and new, but at the other end we have some of the oldest sections of tunnel."

The line was reopened as normalaround 9.44am.

Journeys for Wharf-bound workers on the Piccadilly line were also affected because of a defective train at Kings Cross station.

One Wharfer, who declined to be named, said she had to change three times to get from Canary Wharf from Kilburn, adding an hour to a normal 45-minute journey.

"I wish I had another way to get to work, but I have no options," she said.
"I always expect there to be delays - if it's actually working I'm surprised."

But Jane Allen, of Clapham, said that most of the time the Tube was absolutely fantastic.
"Maybe once a month you have a bad day, but it's a system that gets millions of people to work," she said.

"You can slag off London Underground, but the number of successful journeys is phenomenal given the age of the network"

Source: Renato Castello @ wharf

Keep your cool at Greenwich Park

2005-06-02T12:52:00.000Z

As the weather begins to hot up, take some time to cool off at Greenwich Park as it hosts a range of summer events.

The Hogweed's School of Wildlife Wizardry programme, which runs from today (June 2) until Saturday, June 4, will appeal to youngsters interested in owl-prowling and mini-beast magic.There is also a drop-in session for children aged five to 10.

For details call 020 7935 7430 or visit wildlifeforall@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Meanwhile, The London Green Lifestyle Show, to be held on Sunday, June 5, will show how new technology and modes of travel will make for a more environmentally friendly future. The event will run from 11am-7pm. For details visit the London.Gov website. The park also hosts guided walks and a variety of live music.

Sources: Alan Lodge & Lydia Baillie @ wharf

Further Surfing: Royal Parks Green Lifestyle London

Saddle Up & Visit Mudchute Farm

2005-06-02T12:48:00.000Z

Mudchute Park and Farm is a great place to soak up the sun, relax and enjoy getting close to nature.

Made up of grazing pastures, wildflower banks, woodland, hedgerows and ponds, it's the largest city farm in Europe.

The farm houses a wide range of animals, including goats, sheep, pigs, horses, cows, ducks, geese and llamas.

There is also a nature trail with numerous points of interest.

Try your hand at horseriding at the Equestrian Centre which caters for children and adults from beginners to advanced. Lessons start from £17 for adults and £8 for children.

For bookings phone 020 7515 0749

Sources: Alan Lodge & Lydia Baillie @ wharf

Further Surfing : www.mudchute.org

2005-06-02T12:37:00.000Z

Speed limits could be imposed on the southern tip of the Isle of Dogs following community concerns about boy racers using the area as a racetrack.

Tower Hamlets Council plans to make an area bounded by Spindrift Avenue, Westferry and East Ferry roads a 20mph zone by the end of the year.

It would cover Harbinger Primary School and the Chapel House Conservation area, which includes historic streets such as Thermopylae Gate, Macquarie Way and Hesperus Crescent.

Map Image To Be Posted

A council spokesperson said the move was initiated by residents' concerns about speeding vehicles, but would only be enforced with community support.

Residents have welcomed the move, Harbinger Road resident Tracey Murkett said:

"There are a lot of boy racers and motorbikes going up and down, and there are a lot who get their Christmas bonuses and whizz around in their new cars. There are loads of kids around here and there is a school just nearby."

Macquarie Way resident Carole Hayes supported a speed limit, but said it must be enforced with speed cameras, "Otherwise it is going to be a waste of time,'' she said. "A lot of the speeding happens after midnight."

In April the London Safety Camera Partnership installed two speed cameras at the intersection of Westferry and East Ferry roads.

The move followed a fatality and five serious injuries at the intersection in the past three years.

According to Transport for London, there were 991 traffic casualties in Tower Hamlets in 2004, a 6.2 per cent decrease on 2003.

Injuries to cyclists soared by 31.6 per cent to 104 over the same period.

Source: Renato Castello @ wharf

New Jubilee Carriage On Show At Canary Wharf Station

2005-06-02T12:35:00.000Z

Finishing touches are being added to new carriages that will boost the capacity of the Jubilee line services by 17 per cent in 2006.

London Underground announced last week that a seventh carriage will be added to all Jubilee line trains this Christmas, but services will not run for five days from December 25.

The closure will affect three working days.

To coincide with the news, Westferry Circus-based Underground maintenance firm Tube Lines will show off a new carriage outside the Canary Wharf station on Monday and Tuesday next week (June 6 and 7).

Staff from the company, responsible for maintaining the Jubilee and Northern lines, will be on hand to talk people through the seventh car project and further upgrades planned.

Picture To Follow

Source: Renato Castello @ wharf

Tolerance At School Once Known For Trouble

2005-06-02T12:29:00.000Z

It has undergone a major building upgrade, but the changes at George Green's School have been more than cosmetic.

The Manchester Road secondary school is making headlines, all for the right reasons.

Once dogged with racism, truancy, bullying and academic underachievement, it has become a model of student harmony and tolerance.

It is not a mean feat for a school that has almost doubled in size in nine years to 1,250 pupils, in the most racially diverse and deprived boroughs in London.

The antidote has been a groundbreaking project started four years ago that saw students sent to Northern Ireland to see first hand the devastating consequences of sectarianism.

Between 40 and 60 students, a third of them troublemakers, are divided into Big Brother-style dormitories at the holiday village in Fermanagh and must support each other through actitvities from mundane household chores to team-building exercises.

Principal Kenny Fredericks said:

"They came back shocked by the barriers and the entrenched views of the kids in Belfast. It becomes clear that they don't want to live in a divided community.
The students work with staff challenging their own racism and prejudices - they get to know each other."

The trips cost £10,000, funded through the school, community and police funds, but the results are priceless.

The school's attendance rate is up to 93 per cent, a six per cent improvement on 2001, and GCSE results are up, with 34 per cent of students gaining five A-C grades, up from 25 per cent five years ago.

Once troublemakers, the students return from Northern Ireland as friends and peermediators to ensure other school yard conflicts are nipped in the bud.

Mrs Fredericks said:

"Our aim is to give something back to the community and strengthen it because these kids are the parents of tomorrow, It is not about us as professionals, but it is about the kids doing something for themselves"

Source: Renato Castello @ wharf

Catford May Be Next Link In DLR Network

2005-06-02T12:19:00.000Z

The DLR is considering extending its network to the south east London suburb of Catford.

Analysts have been looking at which suburbs would bring the most value for money if they were added to the line.

A shortlist list of around 10 possible extensions has been put forward, and with further investigation DLR hopes to whittle that number down to three or four.

Development projects manager Nick O'Donnell confirmed extending the service to Catford was something they were looking at in the long term, but said nothing was set in stone.

He said:

"The proposed extensions all got a value for money scoring at the end, and Catford scores quite favourably.
Now we are looking to identify three or four schemes which we will take forward for further appraisal work."

The move would have the support of Lewisham Council. Deputy mayor Councillor Gavin Moore said:

"We have got a strong tradition of working closely with the DLR, which has brought very significant benefits to Lewisham.

We want to improve the transport corridor between Lewisham and Catford and we very much welcome the fact it has been put on the shortlist."

DLR could not reveal which other areas have made the shortlist.

The move follows hot on the heels of last year's go-ahead by the Government for DLR to convert the North London Line - known as Silverlink - between Canning Town and Stratford.

New DLR connections on the converted line will include the Jubilee, Central, District and Hammersmith & City Underground lines, as well as C2C, One Great Eastern and One Anglia national routes.

Source: Alan Lodge @ wharf

Offer The Terrors Some Helpful Advice

2005-06-02T12:13:00.000Z

I read your article with interest as I have a vested interest in trying to keep these bikes off the streets (Mini-Bike Maniacs, The Wharf, May 19).

I own and operate the largest outdoor karting circuit in Essex which is based just down the A13 next to Lakeside Shopping Centre.

Three times a month we allow these mini motorbikes to use our circuit so they can ride on a proper circuit, safely and without disturbing anyone.

Might I suggest that these kids, who obviously enjoy the thrill of riding their bikes, are advised of safe places they can enjoy their hobby and not get barracked by the police or locals.

I very much doubt they are ever given such advice, and probably just get their bikes taken away from them.

This is not going to encourage good behaviour among the youths involved; it will just make them more resentful and angry. Why don't people ever think of ways to help them?

Source: Giles Murray Essex Karting Raceways by email

Dome Renamed & Relaunched - The 02

2005-05-26T18:35:00.000Z

The Millennium Dome will be renamed The 02 under a multi-million pound transatlantic deal to transform the landmark into Europe's leading entertainment venue.

US-based Dome operator Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) has struck a £6million a year sponsorship deal with British mobile phone company O2 to rebadge the North Greenwich monument.

The start of the 'multi-year' partnership will coincide with the venue's expected opening in April 2007. Work has already started on transforming the embattled Dome into a multi-purpose entertainment hub costing £500m to develop, whose centrepiece will be an indoor arena for 23,000.

The venue - which is part of a £2bn regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula - will also feature an ice rink, a music club, a 1,800 seat Las Vegas-style theatre, eight bars, a British music Hall of Fame, a Jazz and Blues Street, a 10-screen cinema complex and exhibition space.

O2 customers will receive special concessions, including priority tickets to events and fast-track entry into shows.

Announcing the deal at the company's European headquarters in Canada Square's Citigroup tower, AEG Global CEO Tim Leiweke said the venue would "blow people away".

"We are absolutely confident that you are going to have the best arena in Europe," said the head of the world's largest owner of sports franchises, including the Los Angeles Lakers.
"The next best will be in Berlin and we are building that as well.
"We have long been fascinated with London, and Britain is the heart and soul of live music, but we are amazed that Britain does not have a world-class events facility."

He said the arena would attract up to 150 top music entertainment and sports events in the first year of opening.

AEG is the second largest concert promotion and tour company in the US and Mr Leiweke is confident it can attract artists of the calibre of Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John to the new Dome.

O2 UK CEO Matthew Key would not be drawn on the length of the deal with AEG, but said both parties were happy with the partnership. UK taxpayers will continue to pay maintenance costs on the Dome until it is opened in April 2007.

Once it opens, responsibility will pass from current owners, the Government's regeneration agency English Partnerships, to AEG and its regeneration partner Meridian Delta Ltd. MDL - a consortium between Lend Lease and Quintain Estates and Development - is transforming the Greenwich peninsula with 10,000 new homes, a hotel, health centre, school and improved transport links.

The Government has said the £2bn Greenwich regeneration will raise £550m for the public pursue over the next 25 years.

Source: Renato Castello

3D DLR Train Map for the 21st Century

2005-05-26T18:27:00.000Z

A frustrated commuter has come up with a revolutionary virtual reality way of viewing train information on the Docklands Light Railway. The system generates a 3D computer-based map of the DLR showing geographically correct station positions and real-time train progress.

Dan Flatters, a multimedia technology student at the University of Greenwich, designed the system as his final year degree project. Harry Beck, an engineering draughtsman, designed the familiar Tube map in 1932.

Dan said: "Harry Beck's Tube map is a design classic but as a London Underground user I've often found it misleading.
"When I've needed to make a quick decision about whether it's quicker to walk to my destination or wait for the next train, the geographically inaccurate map hasn't been much help."

His claim is backed up in Bill Bryson's book Notes from a Small Island, in which the author mocks the London Underground map. Bryson said:

"Here's an amusing trick you can play on people... Take them to Bank station and tell them to make their way to Mansion House.
"Using Beck's map, they will gamely take a Central line train to Liverpool Street, change to a Circle line train heading east and travel five more stops.
"When eventually they get to Mansion House they will emerge to find they have arrived at a point 200 feet further down the same street."

Dan, 22, said: "My real-time information display provides up-to-date service information to passengers - via screens on the platform or potentially via mobile phones.
"This would enable them to monitor the progress of the train that they are waiting for. They could then make an informed decision about what to do in the event of long delays, avoiding an unnecessarily long wait."

Dan's university tutor, Dr Ray Stoneham, said: "The project provides a real-time virtual reality environment where users can immediately see the flow of all the trains on the Docklands Light Railway.
"It clearly demonstrates how information visualisation is more effective than text when conveying complex spatial information.''

At present there are no plans to install Dan's technology on the DLR network.

Source: Alan Lodge

School Garden Cleared By Volunteers

2005-05-26T18:23:00.000Z

St Luke's School has been given a makeover thanks to students from George Green's School and staff from the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Sixty employees from across the bank's UK network converged on the primary school last Thursday (May 19) for a mammoth task of transforming the only patch of green space at St Luke's, in Manchester Road, Isle of Dogs, into an outdoor play and teaching area.

Volunteers were faced with bushes six feet high, but on hand to help were 14 students from George Green's who were taking part in the Princes Trust XL Award. The award is a two-year programme for students in Years 10 and 11 who are at risk of underachieving or disaffected with schooling.

George Green's alternative curriculum officer John Watson said the project was an excellent example of community spirit.

"This will help forge links with the school community - that's what it's all about around here," he said. St Luke's headteacher Ian Jones added:
"If you had seen this place before, you just couldn't come in here - there were stinging nettles shoulder high. This will make it a wonderful resource.
"It's been nice because former pupils have been involved in the job as well and everyone has worked really hard."

Source: Renato Castello

More Police After Attack

2005-05-26T18:18:00.000Z

A double stabbing at a Millwall housing estate has forced police and Tower Hamlets Council to increase resources in the area from the summer. They have said that they will pay greater attention to Timber Wharves estate after two people were stabbed on May 9, although they said it had been an isolated incident.

A man, 19, and a male youth, 17, were hospitalised with knife wounds in the attack. Police have remanded in custody a man, 18, and a male youth, 16, over the attack and two men aged 21 and 35 have been released on bail.

The stabbings happened two days after residents had found a stash of weapons on the estate, including knives, machetes and baseball bats with nails driven through them. The weapons find is not being linked with the stabbing attack, however.

Millwall Safer Neighbourhood Team police sergeant John Arnold said the alleged assailants in these assaults were known to police before the May 9 attack happened.

"There have been problems there before and so we will try and do more there with our resources in this area," he said.
"We will work now with Tower Hamlets Council and also with support services to concentrate on Timber Wharves."

He said police are also considering extending a dispersal zone from the Blackwall & Cubitt Town ward into Millwall in an attempt to curb anti-social behaviour and attacks in the area. The zone will give police the powers to break up groups of two or more people if they are seen to be harassing passers-by.

Tower Hamlets Council's lead member for crime reduction Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman said it was seeking anti-social behaviour orders against "a number'' of people in Timber Wharves and was targeting the area with more youth provision over summer.

"My thoughts are with those people who were injured in the attack and their families, with best wishes for a speedy recovery," he said.
"Thankfully, incidents such as this horrific attack are rare in Tower Hamlets and I congratulate the police on their swift response.
"We believe that a balance of patrolling, enforcement and preventative work is the most appropriate way forward in tackling the bad behaviour of a small number of individuals and one which will bring real benefits to the residents of the Isle
of Dogs."

Anyone with information on the attack should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: Renato Castello

2005-05-26T18:16:00.000Z

A man is helping police inquiries into an alleged serious sexual assault on a 21-year-old woman at Taeping Street, Clippers Quay, on Monday May 23rd.

The alleged assault happened at around 5.45pm.

Isle of Dogs Sapphire Unit Detective Sergeant Malcolm Davis says that a man was in custody assisting with inquiries.

Taeping Street was the location of a sexual assault in January but DS Davis did not link it with the latest alleged assault.

Source: Wharf

Three Tower Apartment Blocks Benefit Millwall Park

2005-05-26T18:13:00.000Z

Blackwall is to get another 437 apartments with three more towers to be built opposite the Dome. Developer Barratt homes has secured planning consent for its Elektron Building in Aspen Way, which will be built on the northern bend of the Thames at Blackwall.

The massive housing scheme will feature three towers ranging in height from 73m to 81m.
Twenty five per cent of the scheme will be "affordable housing" and all apartments in the development are one and two-bedroom.

Barratt will contribute £1.8million under the project towards community initiatives including:

£565,000 towards transport improvements, such as improvements to the East India DLR station and a new bus route through Blackwall Way;
£637,000 towards education;
£210,000 towards open space improvements, in Millwall Park & other improvements;

The new project follows an earlier scheme of 60 apartments at The Switch House - which has already sold out. In January the company won the environment category in the Hot Property Awards for The Switch House project.

Source: Renato Castello

Jubilee Line - Extra carriage on every train from Jan 2006

2005-05-26T18:08:00.000Z

An extra carriage will be added to all Jubilee line trains this Christmas, boosting capacity by 17 per cent. The move is bound to relieve some of the strain for Wharf commuters who find themselves squashed like sardines on their rush-hour journeys.

But the move will come at a cost - the whole line will be shut down for five days from Christmas Day, December 25 2005, which will include three regular working days.

Workers trying to travel from Wednesday, December 28, to Friday, December 30, will have to seek alternative routes into the Wharf as the new carriages are added to all trains on the line.

Four new entire trains will also be added to the fleet, taking thetotal number of trains on the line to 63. Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said:

"This extra seventh car will be a real boost to
all Jubilee line passengers, increasing capacity by nearly a fifth across the
whole line, or an extra 3,000 passengers every morning and evening
peak."

London Underground (LU) has said it will gradually reduce the existing Jubilee line six-carriage trains during December before closing the line completely for five days.

LU service director George McInulty said: "We ask passengers to understand that we need to reduce the Jubilee line service in December 2005, to help us ensure a smooth, safe and reliable delivery of the improved seven-carriage train service in January 2006.''

Replacement bus services will run when the line is closed.

Terry Morgan, chief executive of Westferry Circus-based Tube Lines, which maintains the Jubilee line and will carry out the improvements, said:

"With the growth of Canary Wharf and the regeneration of eastern parts of London, more people rely on the line and will enjoy the benefits of longer trains.
"We would also like to thank people in advance for their patience and understanding during the introduction of the new carriages and while they bed down.''

Source: Alan Lodge

Carjacking Warning For VW Drivers

2005-05-26T18:01:00.000Z

A Police team has been set up at the Isle of Dogs station to investigate a crew of carjackers targeting Volkswagen drivers in Tower Hamlets.

The Borough Major Incident Team is appealing for witnesses and information following three successful and two attempted car jackings between May 3 and 18 in the Bow and Bethnal Green areas.

In all but one of the incidents the offenders targeted Volkswagen drivers and brandished or threatened to brandish guns.Two drivers managed to get away from the carjackers, who police have described as being male, of Afro-Caribbean origin.

In all incidents they were wearing hooded tops and approached the cars on foot or on bicycles.

Two vehicles were recovered in Hackney but there was no damage to them, baffling police as to the motives of the attacks.

"There is no suggestion at this stage that these vehicles have been involved in other crimes," Det Insp Ian Corner said.
"It is a very unusual crime on this borough, but we are still at a loss as to why it is
happening."

The crimes have happened predominantly at night and in car parks and council estates.
Police have made two arrests in connection with the carjackings but inquiries are continuing.Anyone with information can phone DI Corner or Det Sgt Bird on 020 7275 4286.

Source: Renato Castello

2 Cups & a title for Millwall Albion Football Team

2005-05-26T17:55:00.000Z

Alan Hansen once said "You'll never win anything with kids.''

Not only did Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson force the BBC TV pundit to eat his words just a few months later, but now Millwall Albion boss Dave Cole can claim to have disproved the Scot's famous proclamation.

His senior team at the Isle of Dogs-based football club - players that he has coached since the age of 10 - this week completed the clean-sweepof league and two cups in the London City Airport Sunday Football League.

It is a particularly sweet achievement for Dave, who has dedicated more than 11 years service to see his team reach the top. And the proud coach has no doubt his side - with an average age of 21 - would be more than a match for the best of them.

"All of the lads in my team are good enough to play at the top level," he
said.

The League Cup trophy was secured by the team last week with a 3-0 win over Chelten United FC at Barkingside, Essex. A week before, his side had triumphed 3-2 over London Cranes to secure the Premier Cup, while at the beginning of the month the club won the league championship ending a stunning season that has seen Albion lose just one match.

"We're the Chelsea of the Isle of Dogs,'' joked Dave as he looked back at his team's success over this season.
"I'm so proud of all the lads. I feel almost like a father to most of them as I have coached them "They are all from the Isle of Dogs and are a great bunch of close-knit mates as well as fantastic football players.''

Dave's son Chris, who is the team's captain, scored the first goal in the League Cup Final against Chelten United.

"Chris doesn't understand the meaning of the word defeat,'' Dave said.
"He is a true captain and is always encouraging his team mates."

The club is sponsored by Canary Wharf Group, an arrangement that Dave said has greatly benefited Albion.

"The continued support of Canary Wharf Group has
been vital in getting where we are now, so we owe them a lot."

Source: Alan Lodge

Mini-Bike Maniacs

2005-05-26T17:48:00.000Z

They're known as 'monkey bikes' and each summer their high-pitched screeches can be heard across the Isle of Dogs. As the days get longer young racers jump on these mini-motorbikes, tear up streets and footpaths, shattering the peace for residents.

But now police, often criticised for not acting on the nuisance, have begun an assault on the monkey business in a bid to stamp it out once and for all. They have impounded six of the vehicles, charged the owners £150 to recover the bikes and are believed to have identified people selling them from flats.

It is illegal to ride the petrol-driven bikes on public roads and owners must have a licence, insurance, road tax and wear a helmet.

Tower Hamlets Councillor Brian Son said the vehicles drive everyone mad. He added:

"These are illegal to be ridden in the street and people aged under 16 just can't ride them.
"Police are now getting information on the individual young people who have got these bikes."

The mini-motorbikes are capable of high speeds and are usually used in competitions and off-road meets. But they have become a problem on the Island, with the vehicles driven across Millwall Park, along footpaths and around council estates.

Councillor Simon Rouse said he had been working with residents to try to identify the bikes.

"Its an incredible nuisance for everyone,'' he
said.
"There has been a really concerted effort with
the police and the council's anti-social behaviour team to tackle it and I'm
pleased we've made progress on that."

Source: Renato Castello

Smoking Ban - Bad for island pubs?

2005-05-26T17:35:00.000Z

Laws banning smoking from pubs will drive the nail in the coffin of Isle of Dogs boozers, say landlords already struggling to increase trade. Planned legislation to ban smoking from any restaurant that serves food would decimate business.

The ban, which would take effect at the end of 2008, is part of the Government's public health bill announced on Tuesday May 16 in the Queen's Speech. The law is expected to affect half of Tower Hamlets' 703 pubs.

Spencer Boor, of The Lord Nelson in Westferry Road, said the legislation was "driving the nail in the coffin" of the high street boozer.

"I don't think they want the old pubs anymore," he said.
"For us, beer takes
priority and we will just stop the food - the Government is being bullied into
making a decision.
"It's making it harder and harder to make a living. Food
is a good margin but people won't come down if we make this a non-smoking
establishment.''

He said the pub was "doing everything" to get people through the door as more people eat and drink at home or have their after work drinks in Canary Wharf.

Andy Garratt, a licensee of The Pier Tavern, in Manchester Road, said,

"The pub trade is hard enough without adding more rules and regulations.
"I think if they try and ban smoking you will still get pubs which will refuse to
adhere to the law.
"I think the non-smoking lobby is just trying to
force it through on health grounds, which I understand, but in the bigger
picture we have to look at what it's doing to people's business.''

After no-smoking laws were introduced in Ireland some 200 pubs shut. British Institute of Innkeepers chief executive John McNamara was disappointed the Government was not supporting self-regulation of smoking, as favoured by European countries.

"It is a pity that the new Government has decided push through a total ban
by 2008,'' he said.
"The licensed trade has made significant progress already by introducing no-smoking areas and improving ventilation.
"However, we believe each landlord should be allowed to consult with their
customers and base their smoking policy on that rather than a national ban"

Source: Renato Castello

Millwall Residents Living In Fear

2005-05-19T16:24:00.000Z

Families have vowed to move out of their Millwall estate as they fear for their children's safety following a horrific knife attack.

Timber Wharves estate mother-of-two Kim Salburg said violence and tension on the East Thames-managed site, off Spindrift Avenue, had been escalating over the past year.

She spoke out after police arrested and charged three men, all in their 20s, following the attack at Sherwood Gardens on Monday (May 9).

Three men, also in their 20s, were treated on sitebefore being rushed to an east London hospital, one with a broken arm, another with head injuries and one with a stab wound to the body.

None of the injuries are believed to be life threatening.

The attack happened two days after residents found weapons - including machetes, knives and baseball bats with knives driven through them - on the estate and in neighbouring Wheat Sheaf Close. Police are not linking this with the knife attack.

``You can ask other people, it was only a matter of time before it blew up,'' said Ms Salburg, a resident of 14 years.

``Once upon a time it was a nice place to live, there was never any arguing or fighting and you could letyour kids play outside, but not any more. I have had it around here; I want to move out by next year, I've got young children. It's sad because my children have only known living here, but when it's time to go we will pack up and get out of here.''

A close friend and neighbour of Ms Salburg, who does not wish to be named, tended to one of the injured men.

Also a mother, she said she had ``had enough'' of the area. ``I've had to change the route my children walk to school because everytime they went to school they were finding knives,'' she said.

Police converged on Sherwood Gardens at around 10.40pm and have since charged three men with grievous bodily harm and violent disorder. The menarrested near the site of the attack, were set to appear before Thames Magistrates Court yesterday (Wednesday, May 11). Tower Hamlets Councillor Simon Rouse, who lives nearby, said there had been shootings and stabbings in the area before.

``There have been quite a lot of incidents at Timber Wharves and last night is concerning,'' he said.

``The more we allow anti-social behaviour to prosper it will create an environment for more serious crime.

' ' I hope that this is an isolated incident, but I think it proves that we need more high visibility police on the island to ensure this is not a recurring problem.

Source: wharf
By: Reanto Castello

Stop Tower Blocks From Ruining The Island

2005-05-19T16:23:00.000Z

The current plans for the redevelopment of the St Luke's Church site demonstrate yet again that the planning process on the Isle of Dogs is crazy.

The proposal has been engineered to the limits of the planning guidelines to ensure the developers (who are not part of the church) can offload their quota of social housing away from their new development of luxury flats on another and different part of the island.

The plans flatten a historic building (the vicarage circa 1870s), which is one of a few buildings that miraculously survived the enemy bombing inWord War Two. The new block of flats will be built so close to two large mature London Plane trees that root damage will lead to them withering and dying, just as there is a call for more greenery in this area.

The proposed five-storey block (an uninspired 60s design) is too high density and will add to noise problems. Furthermore it will dwarf neighbouring properties, depriving them of light and privacy.

The new development has no on-site parking which will aggravate the existing problems with parking; the car-free requirement in other parts of theisland has been largely ineffective. Granted, the re-development of the St Luke's site is long overdue, but its price must not be the destruction of the historical past, the environment, and the amenity of the local area. The council must resist the urge to carpet the Island with tower blocks in order to meet central government imposed housing density targets. If you are concerned about what is happening with new developments on the Island, have your say and contact the Tower Hamlets Planning Department. Otherwise, these proposals will just get rubber stamped.

Peter Brouwer (by email)

Jim Fitzpatrick Still MP For Poplar & Canning Town

2005-05-19T16:18:00.000Z

I thank the voters of Poplar & Canning Town for their continued support.

I hope to work as hard as I have and be accessible to constituents should they have problems or concerns.

My contact details are

020 7219 6215 020 7219 5085 at The Houses Of Parliament, Westminister.

020 7536 0562 Local Constituency Office

The MP's advice surgeries will restart on Friday, May 27, in Trussler Hall, Grundy Street, Poplar, at 4pm.

Surgeries will then take place...

first Friday of every month at Community Links, Canning Town, and the
second and fourth Fridays of the month at Trussler Hall,

both between 3.30-6pm.

To make an appointment call 020 7536 0562

fitzpatrickj@parliament.uk

Speed Cameras Are Good

2005-05-19T16:17:00.000Z

I would like to respond to the attack of councillor Alan Amos on the London Safety Camera Partnership for putting up more speed cameras on Westferry Road (Backlash OverSpeed Camera, The Wharf, April 28). My property backs onto Westferry Road just before it meets East Ferry Road and I have to cross Westferry Road at least twice a day.

The best thing that happened for road safety in the area has been the arrival of the speed cameras. Before they cameras were introduced, young men high on testosterone and indifferent to their own and others' safety regularly gunned their vehicles down that section of Westferry Road at speeds of 50 to 60 miles per hour.

That now has stopped.

As far as I am concerned, the LSCP can put up speed cameras every hundred yards on Westferry Road and Manchester Road and double the fines.

Willem Buiter (by email)

No Excuse For Bad Behaviour

2005-05-19T16:14:00.000Z

While only being on the Isle of Dogs for 15 years, it appears to me that far from reducing the amount of open space that can be explored (as Lorraine Cavanagh writes, Almail, April 14) the very opposite is true.

The Millwall dock, Millharbour, and the riverside walk have all been opened up by development.

The park at Mudchute has been upgraded significantly and there areat least three or four artificial football pitches on the island.

Development has increased the places that young people can explore and play in.

It would seem that some of the kids like to hang around shops, ride scooters on Mudhcute Park or on path ways on the island.

Given the age of the riders it is unlikely that they have passed theappropriate licence (given they look 14 ). Admittedly it is a small number of kids, but they can easily lead other youngsters.

Imagine if you are walking down the street and you see 15 kids on bikes steaming towards you - imagine if you have a pram, or are an older person.

Not particularly appealing.

Making excuses for unacceptable behaviour shields the responsibility forthese actions. School may end at 3.30pm, but why say that young people do not need to be home by 9pm?

It's so important youths are given the leadership that is required. That means parents pulling their weight and being responsible. It also means that the media don't make excuses for what is bad behaviour.

Jon Taylor (by email)

Just Kids Having A Laugh?

2005-05-19T16:11:00.000Z

Having lived and worked on the Island for the past 27 years, it occurred to me that not enough is being done for our young people.

During the 80s and 90s the Island had nine youth clubs - now we have only three. The youth provision in Tower Hamlets has been slashed, the result being that these young people occupy themselves on the street.

I know a lot of these young people who have been branded `yobs', but I would say that 90 per cent are not.

Last week I witnessed two police officers trying to `capture' a group of youths hanging around the shops in the Good Behaviour Zone.

These are kids who know their neighbourhood well and were gonewithin seconds of being sighted. It's a great game for them now.

I continued along East Ferry Road and witnessed over 15 young people on bicycles jeering the two police officers on the beat to chase them. It was well orchestrated and at least the young people were having fun.

I do support the Zone in principal, but have some thought for the young people. Remember they finish school at 3.30pm and don't have to be home until 9pm.

It's a long time to be doing nothing and also remember that, thanks to development, they have very few areas left where they can play.

Lorraine Cavanagh (by email)

Give Island Kids More To Do

2005-05-19T16:07:00.000Z

Youths on the Island need more activities.

Diverting unsustainable levels of police to Blackwall's good behaviour zone is entertaining the kids, but surely this is just pushing the problems over the border into Millwall?

When I was at school I attended a different club every day before doing my homework.

Are there less post school activities as teachers' time is increasingly spent form filling, or is it down to attitude?

I worry about attitudes following a post marathon incident on Sunday (April 17). AsI sat in a pub on Westferry Road a couple of youngsters started frantically scrabbling through the abandoned water bottles outside.

Then suddenly a group of teenagers descended on them, taking the bottles and launching them as missiles, breaking the windows of nearby businesses.

Disappointed, and not willing to hear the excuse `oh well, they're probably broke and bored', I confronted them.

They scampered, leaving the two youngsters diligently continuing their task, politely telling me they'd done nothing wrong - they were merely collecting the sealed bottles before the road sweeper did. They saidthey planned to sell them on and go to the cinema on the proceeds.

I was so impressed with their manners and initiative that we struck a deal on the spot.

Broke and bored they may have been, but they behaved, while the other teenagers were capable of nothing but destruction for entertainment. As the sweeper arrived the teenagers returned to scavenge a few more missiles while the youngsters were off to the flicks.

The solution to this is a mixture of increasing youth provision and changing attitudes. The council must provide cash for the former and the two youngsters I met on Sunday give me hope.

Shirley Haughton (by email)

Island Youth urged to kick up a fuss

2005-05-05T22:00:00.000Z

The Isle of Dogs' football team is calling on all youngsters in the area to get the ball rolling with free evening clinics at its Millwall headquarters.

Millwall Albion, in partnership with EastEnd Homes, is running Wednesday evening football clinics from 6pm at its Stebondale Street grounds, next to Millwall Park.

Club chairman Ronnie Bender said the aim of the scheme was not about finding the next David Beckham, but to get kids away from anti-social behaviour and into a safe, supervised environment.

"This is about the social side of the football club," he said of the clinic that is targeting those aged 11 to 16, of both sexes.

"For an hour-and-a-half we're asking them to just come and enjoy themselves and play football.

"We're trying to attract kids from the housing area, those kids who are basically doing nothing.

"At the end of the day, if it is giving them something to do after school, then we think that's fantastic for the community."

He said the clinic was adaptable to the needs of the children.

But Mr Bender said the classes often started off with some skills sessions and ended with a football match.

He said he would like to expand the clinics, which have been running for the past five weeks, into a summer school.

EastEnd Homes is backing the clinic with £500 for equipment.

Consultation officer Mark Hyams said: "It's all part of the anti-social behaviour strategy.

" It's fine for the Government to say it will hand out anti-social behaviour orders and kick kids off the street. But at the end of the day it must givethem an alternative."

The club is also now looking for sponsors to help fund a new clubroom, as the outfit presently operates out of a 40ft graffiti covered brown cabin.

To volunteer, fundraise or sponsor Millwall Albion, or for more information about the clinics, phone secretary Harry Haley on 07967 395815

Source: wharf
By: Renato Castello

Charity HQ set for new building

2005-05-05T21:30:00.000Z

Dockland Settlements has revealed major plans for its East Ferry Road headquarters to boost community services on the Isle of Dogs and secure the future of the respected charity.

It aims to demolish the building that celebrates its 100th anniversary on May 15, and replace it with a modern structure that will double community space.

Under the plans revealed to The Wharf, the new building would retain existing services and include:

a health centre for up to eight GPs;
social housing for the elderly;
a hall and baptistry;
a cafe and pharmacy;
a sports hall and climbing wall;
a dance studio and music recording studio;
an arts and crafts room.

A sports pavilion looking onto Millwall Park is also being considered.

The building would be funded through the health centre and social housing provisions, with the charity aiming to raise more than £2.5million to realise the project without a bank loan. Dockland Settlements community settlements manager Steve Hill said the new building was needed to meet the growing demands from community groups for space, and because the existing building was falling into disrepair.

"We are almost running at full capacity in terms of the way we use the space but we are still not generating enough income," he said.

"People have got memories of the existing building but it is not listed and I don't think anyone particularly wants it to be listed.

"This building has served the community for 100 years and we are rebuilding it so it can serve the community for another 100."

Architects have beenselected to draw up the designs for the new building, with the successful modern design expected to be chosen before the end of the year.

The Isle of Dogs Dockland Settlements, along with those at Stratford and Rotherhithe, are the only three remaining settlements out of more than 30 that used to be open across London.

They organised social activities and provided facilities for recreation, physical, mental and moral training, with many sold off after the Second World War to pay off debts

Source: wharf
By: Reanto Castello

Neglected Castalia Square "Dying", claim traders

2005-05-05T20:30:00.000Z

In September 1992, Radio One DJ Bruno Brooks officially opened the refurbished Castalia Square.

But 13 years on, traders say the square, off East Ferry Road, has lost its star quality, with graffiti blighting shop fronts and trade dwindling from neglect.

"Before I first came here there was a baker and grocer. They attracted local people to come to the square; now there is nothing,"

said Tony Ward, who has run AJ's DIY for nearly a decade.

"The maintenance here is more or less non-existent; the drains block up on a regular basis and it takes a month for the council to come round and clear it.

"Very few people come around here. The council put up signs, but nobody sees them."

The neighbouring chippy has been shut for years and the blue shutter blocking its windows is covered in graffiti. Some of the stores have telephone numbers on their facades that no longer connect.

Reliable Dry Cleaning owner GaryCordery, whose business has been in the square for 18 years, was more direct in his assessment.

"The square is dying,'' he said.

"There is a lot of leasing going on. People work here for six months and then they disappear and you have to build your clients up again.

"Before the refurbishment was done it was really busy. I had three staff, now I have one - me.

"The greengrocer and baker have not been replaced and consequently people go to ASDA."

"I make a living - let's put it that way - but it's not like it used to be.'"

Councillor Brian Son said architecturally Castalia Square looked like a ``1950s Soviet square''.

"The design is bleak and uninviting. We need to do something about that," he said.

"It won't take much to improve that square; it needs a bit of investment. We asked two months ago to have the graffiti removed but nothing was done"

Source: Renato Castello

Bright Farm Idea

2005-05-05T20:00:00.000Z

Pottering around at Mudchute Park and Farm is not something usually in Sam Halls' job description.

But the volunteer at the farm's children's day nursery has planted the first sunflower seeds that will hopefully bloom in time for the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens (FCFCG), which Mudchute is hosting from September 9-11. Volunteers are planting 332 sunflowers to represent all the federation's members on the day.

The event will include a community fair on September 10 where guests and volunteers can join together to build a new animal shelter. Businesses can back the event.

To get involved or volunteer phone Mudchute coordinator,Tim Atkinson on 07940 781545 between 9am and 5pm or email info@mudchute.org

Source: wharf
Further Surfing: Mudchute Farm

Explosive Mystery

2005-05-05T19:30:00.000Z

Mystery surrounds an explosive incident at Island Gardens earlier this week.

Sun-worshippers who were making their way back from Greenwich Park through the Foot Tunnel found themselves stranded after police sealed off Island Gardens, on the southern tip of the Isle of Dogs, in the early evening on Bank Holiday Monday (May 2).

An eyewitness said:

"There were police cars everywhere and even some dog vans.

"Nobody seemed to know what was going on, but quite a few of us heard a very loud bang at one point."

Another added:

"A lot of people were stranded, particularly if they had bikes as they couldn't get back through the foot tunnel and people aren't allowed to take bikes onto the DLR."

Tower Hamlets Police did not provide details of the incident before going to press.

Source : Wharf

Hambone Cafe fears for its future

2005-05-05T19:00:00.000Z

The 102 year old Hambone Cafe, East London's oldest traditional English cafe could be serving up its last breakfast amid fears that it will be lost to developers.

Investors are eyeing the mother & son run East Ferry Road (Opposite Jack Dash House) cafe as relentless development threatens to erase yet another historic reminder of the Isle Of Dogs' industrial past.

Business Owner Ronnie Bristow said,

" Our Landlord was going to sell last year. Developers want the property, but that's all we know. We're in Limbo at the moment.

Its a shame. We get all the characters in here, they come and have a laugh & a joke for 10 minutes of their day, but that's goin to end

Property Developers are buying up every bit of small land & small businesses cannot survive anymore. "

He said Tower Hamlets Council hadn't helped by introducing paid parking permits on the street, denying him two parking bays outside the cafe & charging residential rates instead of business rates on the property.

The inconspicuous cafe, housed in a brown shed on the northern end of East Ferry Road, is the last traditional English cafe on the Isle Of Dogs. Formerly known as Georges, Ronnie's Family took over the cafe 32 years ago when there were dozens, serving the industrial workforce.

Now it is the last bastion of a bygone era, feeding former dockers, residents & labourers.

The cafe used to serve dinner & ham off the bone, hence its name, but now closes at 1pm and on weekends, and most of the fare is old fashioned, and includeds hearty & cheap fried breakfasts.

" You won't pay £11 for a bacon sandwich & tea like in Canary Wharf! "

A single dad, he runs the cafe with voluntary help from mum Irene & neighbour Harry Parish, and says without their help he would have to close.

A docker from 1953 to 1989, Harry has lent a hand for the past two years, to keep himself busy after the loss of his wife.

He recalled how no docker went without a meal if he really needed it.

The caffs were always open and no chap was too late to get a meal if he wanted one; they never turned anyone away.

" If a man was skint and the people who ran the cafe knew he was skint, they'd let his pay another day. Ronnie & Irene are good friends of mine- she feeds me with a golden spoon "

Source: Renato Castello

Election Day 2005

2005-05-05T18:30:00.000Z

Its 2005's General Election Day & there has been a high turnout on the Isle-Of-Dogs. Poling Stations were busiest between 1pm-6pm.

More News To Follow

Welcome to The Island News

2005-05-04T12:00:00.000Z

I have often wondered where I could www.surf to catch up with the news that affects my locality, Cubitt Town on the East side of the Isle-of-Dogs, E14.

Yes, there is 'The Wharf' free paper.
Yes, there is 'EastEndLife' free paper
Yes, there is 'East London Advertiser' priced 40p
Yes, there is 'Tower Hamlets Recorder' priced 25p
Yes, there is 'DLR News' free newsletter
Yes, there is 'Island History' subscription newsletter

But there is not one definitive collaborative news site covering local topics.

Well, there is now!

I'll be offering news from various sources right here every week.

A topic list is yet to be decided, but please leave comments if you have any ideas, or would like to be a local correspondant.

At this time I will only be covering news affecting Cubitt Town (from the bluebridge to Island Gardens, basically the length of Manchester Road bordered by the Thames on the East & South, and by East Ferry Road on the west)