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 DEALNew Docklands Environment And Leisure  In 1983 a a green pressure group called 'Wapping recycling Group', was formed by Ian sharpe to address growing public concern about the environment, their aims and objectives were to improve the quality of the local environment, their first success was to convince the local Council to introduce the first recycling units Borough-wide. There was also concern over the loss of important local heritage sites, 'Public rights of way', walkways, and Public stair access to the River, the massive construction program in Docklands had paid scant attention to local sensitivities and many historic sites had been bulldozed to make way for new development. Meetings were hurriedly initiated with community groups under the umbrella of 'Docklands Forum', (later known as the 'London Thames Gateway Forum'), then the leading Community group for the whole Thames Gateway region. By 1990 it was decided to widen and strengthen our local environment campaigns to include local heritage sites, to uphold the principals laid down in AGENDA 21 . In 1993 the newly renamed 'LEA Heritage Group' took over the green mantle for local heritage sites, one of their first campaigns was to try and save the historic 'first settlers Monument' at Leamouth from being bulldozed for development. In 1998, local Businessmen led by Reg Ward invited 'LEA Heritage' to support their idea for a 'waterscape city' they met with Council leaders to discuss their plans to stimulate tourism, enhance the environment, preserve english heritage, and create new facilities. Blackwall and the Lower Lea Valley area Blackwall Stairs had been used as the main embarkation and arrival point for migrants and immigrants right up to their closure in 1932, trod by England's most illustrious Seamen , Sir Francis Drake, Admiral Nelson, Frobisher, Captain Cook, Noblemen and Women, embarking on their epic voyages of discovery, yet these old stairs leading down to the Thames at Blackwall had been left rotting and in dis-repair. A 'Barratts' housing' development for residential development was due at Leamouth where a now decimated 'First Settler's Monument' stood, dedicated to 3 liitle ships of brave merchant seaman who crossed the Atlantic in 1607 to create the first successful English settlement of Jamestown in the New World. The original Memorial had been moved several times before it finally settled in its current location at Leamouth, This important monument to the early setttlers was vandalised and the site was now earmarked for a Barratts residential housing development. The 'Lea Heritage Group' hastily convened a meeting with the Director of Barratt's Housing Developers to try to save this historic site from being lost. When Barratts became aware of the significant history of this Monument they immediately responded positively, In late 1997 Virginia's leading Archaeological team APVA was invited to attend a meeting on the Leamouth site with 'Barratts' and 'LEA Heritage' Community Group. They all met to discuss a plan to save and restore this important monument. The group was confronted with a badly vandalised 'first settlers monument' it had been stripped of its original plinth Mermaid, and its plaque had been removed to the local museum for safe keeping, a burnt out Motor Cycle lay across the base of the Monument, it was sad to find such an important historic feature in such a neglected state. After this meeting Barratt's Director immediately decided to act to restore the 'first settlers monument' and the site at Leamouth was renamed 'Virginia Quay'. On September 23rd 1999, President Clinton's Ambassador to Britain, the Hon Philip Lader came to unveill a newly restored 'First Settler's' Monument at a special dedication ceremony.. CREDIT WHERE ITS DUE: Ordinary people from all walks of life had joind in a community campaign to save an important historic site which could have been lost forever to the excesses of development, the result showed what can be achieved if you care enough about the environment. The 'Docklands Forum' covered the 'London Thames Gateway' providing an umbrella for local communities to voice their concerns, often in the presence of visiting MPs, business people, and other important dignitaries. This was always beneficial in helping to reverse poor decisions taken by Government, local Authorities, planners, and developers, involving the community is the sensible way to achieve progress to a healthy economy and a better environment. Community volunteers merit our deepest gratitude and respect, their unselfish dedication has helped to regenerate a long deprived area of East London and the Thames Gateway. We dedicate this website to the sterling work of all volunteers World-wide and hope it can help make a positive contribution to peaceful change, the extraordinary efforts of ordinary people to help others have often made them extra-ordinary people. EDUCATION We first worked with our local Council in Wapping to launch an annual 'environment action Day' for local school kids, this event was taken up Borough-wide, and became an annual 'action week' for all local Schools in Tower Hamlets, we also helped 'Mudchute Farm' in the Isle of Dogs the biggest inner City Farm in Europe, to win a 'British Telecom' award of £23000 for a project we named 'the seedling project', a green education centre where local School Children could learn about the living Environment by taking part in various projects such as planting, growing and harvesting. FREE PENSIONERS BOAT TRIPS In 1995, on behalf of the Pensioners, Ian sharpe (environment) and Lt.Com. Len Crickmar R.N. a time-served Waterman, got together with other ex-servicemen and Pensioners to launch The 'Pensioner's Boat Project', they were aware that a large majority of elderly and retired people enjoyed river trips. This was proved when, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ending of World War Two, the heroic little Dunkirk ship 'Kingwood' was hired to give over 400 London Pensioners a splendid Day of free trips on the Thames, many were to describe this event as 'one of the happiest Days in years'. ONE OF THE HAPPIEST DAYS The campaign had worked tirelessly to raise money from leading Trusts, Businesses and local Authorities. including small donations from 'News International' and Richard Branson's 'Virgin group', who had recognised the importance of this event. Yet, many years on, affordable River travel for the elderly and disabled is still a dream, this despite an application to the lottery in 1996, supported by a majority of London Borough Leaders plus many significant organisations and Trusts to provide the funds for a permanent boat, the 'Millenium Board' failed it as being 'indistinct', what could have been more distinct then a Thames boat for the elderly Citizens and Disabled of London? RECENT LOCAL HISTORY: In recent years, concern has grown about the adverse effects on Public health of increasing levels of traffic pollution in our Cities, yet Local Authorities and Government are still failing to address these problems adequately, the lack of an efficient integrated Public Transport System means that more people are taking to their cars. and as more traffic lights and road humps are created causing snarl-ups, etc, increased dangerous levels of pollution result. Our Local Communities are working tirelessly to reverse these destructive effects on their environment, Our great City should be a place where people can safely access Walkways, Canals, visit Historic sites, Buildings and Monuments and be able to relax in surroundings free from traffic and noise. A HUGE SUCCESS In the 80s, the London Docklands Development Corporation was set up under Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Government to re-develop Docklands, Bob Mellish, an ex Labour MP from Rotherhithe, was appointed its Head acompanied by Reg Ward, who produced the vision for Docklands, within 8 remarkable years, they had transformed a barren wasteland into a massive commercial infrastructure which has since proved to be a huge economic success. FOCUS FOR INVESTORS Docklands is a focus for new City Businesses with with Canary Wharf dominating the skyline at its heart. the big names that have since moved to Docklands have helped to create many new jobs, there has also been a steep rise in property prices as many new luxury developments along the Thames are snapped up as quickly as they were built, SOCIAL INVESTMENT MAKES SENSE TOO Although credit must be given to Bob Mellish and Reg Ward for creating a successful Commercial and Business infra-structure in Docklands, Reg Ward privately admitted later that he had wanted to do more for local Communities and tourism, but the need for social investment under Margaret Thatcher's Government was not then considered a top priority. THE TRADITION: The London Docks survived the brunt of Hitler's blitz in World War Two and served the Country well until the early 70s. Before its closure the London Docks had provided full-time employment and bolstered local businesses, a diversity of trades flourished providing local people with plenty of work opportunities, ample spending money in their pockets, etc. it meant that the local economy could prosper, so theatres, cinemas, cafes, clubs, etc.were always full. THE DECLINE: Constant industrial disputes with Jack Dash the Dockers leader contributed to the eventual closure of London Docks, old industries along the River Lea and Thames that had provided work for years soon died out and local people were soon unemployed and queing up at the Labour Exchange. By 1971 East London had become a depressed and miserable place to live in, with high levels of unemployment, poor housing conditions, increased rents, etc. many able and skilled people left to seek their fortune elsewhere. About The LEA DID THE DOME REALLY FAIL?: In 1999, the Labour Government having introduced a new regeneration strategy for the Thames region, were determined to construct the Millennium dome, hoping to revive the fortunes of this area, so it was implemented despite many objections, the critics were equally determined to see it fail. The new Jubillee line extension, did not change negative attitudes even though big investors put millions of their money in, the early closure of the Dome was not good news, in our opinion it was premature despite its failings, the Dome had still managed a remarkable 6 million visitors in its first year, most of whom had enjoyed their visit. THE NEW VISION?' Despite this early closure of Greenwich's remarkable Dome, a new plan was devised to re-kindle it with new investment from Meridian Delta and AEG and thereby stimulate the local economy once more, there was little doubt that this huge investment would regenerate those parts of the economy which had missed out in the Docklands boom, the '02' was born. Many potential investors are now realising that there are still huge economic opportunities in East London, attitudes have changed regarding ethical investment, it is helping to preserve the local heritage while enhancing the environment for local Communities and visitors alike, the investors have helped to prepare the way for the Olympic Games 2012 having created visitor friendly facilities ready to welcome the many visitors, they are coming to see East London's remarkable City and heritage, there is no better way to help provide a sustainable and healthy future consistent with the principals of 'Agenda 21'. VISITORS Business is not the only potential for regeneration, Blackwall, Greenwich and the Tower of London attract visitors from around the World, so a visitor friendly environment would help to rekindle the local economy and help to regenerate the Thames Gateway, an area which has suffered some of the highest unemployment figures in the Country, the area also has a high proportion of disabled people, including poor and vulnerable elderly people, more visitors can ensure the economic well-being of this area into the future via the triangle of tourism that links the Tower of London, Greenwich, and the Isle Of Dogs. TRADITION: The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is unique amongst Boroughs having a magnetic appeal for overseas visitors, its past as a great International trading Port has made it a focus for World trade, it was once able to provide ample facilities for visitors from abroad and must do so again, there has always been a welcoming tradition here. LONDON IS THE MILLENNIUM CITY 2000: Today theTower of London still remains one of the greatest attractions on Earth, this multi-cultured Borough with its many diverse trades, eating places, and shops has an abundance of important historic sites, monuments, and buildings that attracts visitors from many Countries. The Millennium Commission is investing money in the heart of London, far too long this great historic City's remarkable links to the rest of the World have been neglected, the City of London has a unique experience of trading with the World its historic Commonwealth of Nations has links to a multi-cultural diversity across the Globe, an assett yet to be fully realised. TRADE GALORE, BUT....: The diversity of many small trades and businesses are one of the big attractions for visitors here, but to encourage them we must tackle the scourge of London traffic pollution which prevents many visitors from fully enjoying their shopping experience, there is a real need to seperate the pedestrian from the vehicle altogether. All big Cities are cursed with traffic and noise pollution, it damages health and destroys the quality of life for everyone, here is a challenge that must be addressed by new and adequate Public transport, more safe cycling lanes and traffic-free shopping precincts for the new Millennium, so that locals and visitors can relax and enjoy this exciting City even more in the 21st. Century. GOING GREEN: It is vital that Cities are visitor friendly and able to provide ample green open space, enhanced air quality and improving the local environment must be top priorities, more Public open space is needed in busy City centres, extra benches and seating, more greenery and trees, not only in Parks, but along Highways to consume C02 emissions, it would reduce road traffic pollution and replenish oxygen levels providing 'breathing lungs' for people. Local Authorities must ensure that shoppers and tourists are allowed easy traffic free access to our famous Street Markets like Petticoat Lane, Roman Road, etc. We ask the Local Authorities to start work promptly to improve inner-city shopping precincts in keeping with 'Agenda 21', London deserves to have facilities that compete with any City in the World. RIGHT FOR THE VISITOR: Tower Hamlets has always been a major International trading Borough, it needn't be one of the most deprived Boroughs in the Country, it has the resources to play a leading role in the regeneration of the Thames Gateway, most of its people should certainly expect to enjoy a large share of success and prosperity in this new Millennium.  |