Oh yes how could I forget?

Bikes in bus lanes

Soon (like really, really soon), motorbikes will be allowed to use bus lanes.

Transport for London will be starting an 18month trial on 5th January 2009 and it seems to open up a lot of bus lanes to us. About time too. The vast majority of my commute into London Village, I will see bus lane after bus lane empty and irate drivers stuck in single file. From experience, irate drivers = irate stupid driving and that can end up with drivers swerving to peer down the road or sudden U-turns. Hmmmm. Not good for a two wheeler filtering through traffic.

So let's use those bus lanes, but let's not abuse the privilege. This is a trial period and we must show that this is a correct, safe strategy.

Oh, and let's not let our guard down as we know many car drivers don't use their left wing mirrors and definitely won't be aware of this change.

Safe riding all.

Mary Dullea

This evening I had a spare 5 minutes so thought I'd browse around on t'internet.

I like to try and keep abreast of things so thought I'd find out the latest on Mary Dullea, the lady who made national news having been mauled by dogs [I still don't understand why dangerous dogs are the acceptable face of carry a dangerous weapon], on Plumstead Common. I used a popular search engine but couldn't find out anymore on this news item.

Happily though, I discovered that Ms Dullea has a website which gives some insight into her art. Seems very impressive indeed. I know a bit more about contemporary classical music than your average Joe, but I'm no connoisseur. I hope Ms Dullea is well on the way to a full recovery and I'll be interested if she ever plays The Devil's Staircase or Century Rolls. I'll be there.

Modern architecture

I've been eager to see the architect plans for the Plumstead Manor School tuck shop for a while and have been pointed in the direction of the school's own website. In place of the pub is a modern glass construction with contemporary topiary. Looks very generic suburban architecture [at this point, I'd like to invent a new word - genurbantecture] in the style of the sports centres in Beckenham and Crook Log, Bexleyheath.

This is modern architecture without being offensive, although some would protest that this glass proposal would be a carbuncle on the face of Plumstead Common. As an example of contemporary genurbantecture, I like it. Of course, it's not aping the classicism of the existing school building, but that's good. It's not sympathetic to the Victorian terraces, but I think it's sympathetic to the Common. Time moves on and design moves on.

I'd be interested to see how the building will eventually look.

new links

I've added a couple of links to blogs I visit in the right hand column.

They are Charlton Average and Arthur Pewtys Maggot Sandwich. I haven't a faintest idea who they are but they're a jolly good read.

Plumsteadshire.com

I had actually completely forgotten about Project X, codenamed Blackbriar; the design of a full Plumsteadshire website. This blog (codenamed Richard Briers), is OK, but has many limitations. I think I should run both side by side.

I'm am (slowly), collating useful local info but so far it mainly revolves around children's facilities. Note to Greenwich Council - the swing parks in Bexley Borough are far superior to all but the one in Greenwich Park. Shame on you.

I'm slightly dubious about including a section for 'recommended trades people'. It's definitely useful but I'll then be receiving emails from people who recommend themselves but signing 'anon'. Something which is certain is that I won't have adverts on my site. Banners and pop-up ads are such a turn off which is why I don't include them here. The focus must be on the Shire, to be an asset to the community and a vehicle for me to celebrate trivia, useless knowledge and custard tarts.

Comedy On The Common

As a special offer, print this leaflet off, bring it along to this Saturday's comedy night and you can claim a bucketful of laughs.

Comedy Saturday

I hardly have time to catch my breath from last Friday's brilliant jazz night that I have to prepare for this Saturday's Comedy on the Common extravaganza.

This time ladies and gentlemen, it's a bigger, bolder, bulging pre-Christmas night of comedy. My spies tell me that disco fever will be keeping us on our toes after the comedy, so I'll have to dig out the white flares and cuban heels for the occasion.

I've been to four Comedy on the Common nights and have been very impressed; really funny comedians apart from one who was SO risqué that I laughed but knew I really shouldn't.

Let's get together and support these live events. We are at the very beginning of a cultural life that Battersea, Clapham, Bow and Camden take for granted. The organisers work really hard to get great professional acts to perform on our doorsteps and if they feel you're not interested, then you can wave bye bye to these events.

Comedy. Saturday 13th December. Doors open 7pm

email comedyonthecommon@ntlworld.com for more info.

Board game

I'm working on a little project. It's for Christmas. It's for the good citizens of Plumsteadshire.

I'll keep you posted.

Warm your cockles with Friday night jaaaaaazzzzzzzz

Tomorrow night is jazz night on Plumstead Common. Ornette Coleman has had to pull out at the last moment as he is unable to remove bubble gum from his sax. Even better though, we have shampooed the red carpet for the great Enrico Pinna Jazz Trio - please ladies, don't throw your knickers on stage.

They say tall oaks from little acorns grow. Well, NYJO haven't a patch on the talented musicians coming from Plumstead Manor School. Stand aside Jamie Cullum, let's support the future of British jazz. Let's tap our feet to Chynna Maxius and Yolanta Boti!!!!

Friday 5th December. Doors open at 7.00pm