Mark B & Blade which, it is understood, is a popular singing combo, took over the restaurant car park on Thursday and Friday (15/16th March) in order to make a video film in support of their latest renditions.

Their previous record 'The Unknown' is "what you get when you mix together one of the country's most revered old skool MC's and one of the country's most venerated nu skool beatsmen." [Absolutely - Ed]

Pet Eats - Petite Shop on the Yard

If you are a fisherman or a pet lover you will find lots to buy in the new shop on the Yard. Pet Eats supplies fishing bait, fishing tackle, pet foods, dog collars, not to mention flea powder (True, let's not mention flea powder). 

And, best of all, treat your pet to a shampoo and set, a nail clip and a new hairdo. Photographing ladies at their toilette is never a good idea but here is "Tiny" being given a make-over by Kim. Now she can go to the ball. 

Glass Slippers?

The model standing in front of the car in the above picture was wearing interesting shoes - but can they be walked in?

Former Diplomat Joins Board

Malcolm Hilson, who has owned and occupied a property on Manchester Road since London Yard opened in 1985/6, has accepted an invitation to be co-opted to the Board of the London Yard Management Company. He is the second new director this year. 

Malcolm has spent the past 40 years or so in HM Diplomatic Service. Postings have included Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, India (twice Bombay and New Delhi), Nigeria and Vanuatu. He retired last year from Port Vila, Vanuatu in the South Pacific, where he had been British High Commissioner for three years. During Malcolm's, and his wife Marion's, overseas postings his house has been occupied by one or both of their sons. 

Following an expression of interest at the AGM in keeping an eye on the development's gardens, Malcolm was invited to join the Board. In addition to gardening, his interests include travel, cricket and golf. His diplomatic skills will prove invaluable to the smooth running of the development.

Decision Post(poned)

At its March meeting the Board decided that it needed more information on which to base a decision on whether or not to cut down the parking posts in Amsterdam Road.

This followed a request from most of the occupiers of the business premises in Amsterdam Road to have them removed due to a number of accidents resulting in damage to cars attempting to park.

Lighting Up 

the Way

A lamp has been erected to light up the walkway between Rembrandt Close and the pond. 

The idea for improving the lighting on the west side of the pond came from Julian Shute (Vermeer Court) who placed the suggestion on the web site Noticeboard last June. It has taken some time to get the project costed and arrange for a power supply.

The Board, after some debate, ducked the issue by agreeing to ask the Managing Agent to write to the petitioners requesting details of the accidents claimed.

Some Board members claim that without the posts motorists would park badly resulting in the loss of one or more spaces. Another point of view, however, is "so what" and believes them to be one of a very few bad design decisions made during the estate's construction. An error not repeated anywhere else in the country the alleged benefits of which are certainly not worth the damage caused to vehicles of residents and customers.

A Bridge Too Far Away

In good Queen Elizabeth's times, before the civil wars, it was enough to spend  a three day break in far off Wapping. Now, Jonathan Channing gets time off managing agenting and goes, with his girlfriend Caroline, to pose on Brooklyn Bridge - New York. What is the betting that if they ever have children one will be called Brooklyn?

Sweet Thames

Flow Softly

Not many readers will be old enough to remember the 50s and 60s folk and protest singer Ewan MacCall who had hits with such songs as The Travelling People. One of his most popular songs was Sweet Thames Flow Softly the fourth verse of which is:

At London Yard I held her hand
At Blackwall Point I faced her
At the Isle of Dogs I kissed her mouth
And tenderly embraced her

At the time, I suspect, London Yard, would have meant nothing to any of us but we can now acknowledge some small claim to fame for the development. At the time the song was written, London Yard would have looked much as it does in the 1936 photograph included in the "History of London Yard" - see Home Page.

Click here for the lyrics of 

Sweet Thames Flow Softly

Website of the Month

History of Tower Hamlets

You will find here a mixture of histories and descriptions of the Tower Hamlets taken from the Tower Hamlets' Local History Library and Archives.

You can use its search engine to search for something specific or go to the "List of Articles" to browse the contents of the site. "About this site" and "What's New?" are pretty much what you'd expect, while the "Links" section is a useful list of other websites of local interest.

www.davidric.dircon.co.uk

Light Experiment around Pond

The existing lights around the pond are only just visible above ground level and tend to become quickly overgrown by the plants. A new type of lamp, set on a taller plinth, has been installed near the bridge as an experiment. 

The present lighting is suffering from aging in as much as it is constantly shorting-out. Replacing all of the present lamps with this type would be very expensive but, if successful, it is hoped that a compromise, both in terms of price and numbers, can be reached.

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