Minutes of the House Group Committee meeting 12 September 2016

The minutes of the House Group Committee meeting of 12 September are available here

Halloween in Shakespeare Tower

The residents of the 17 lucky Shakespeare Tower flats who signed up to be scared were visited by swarms of monsters who looked a bit like this.

Denis Ballard

Denis Ballard, one of the great characters of Shakespeare Tower died peacefully at home on 5th October.

Dennis was larger than life and didn't suffer fools. He was a highly respected chartered accountant and woe betide the house group committee when Denis was analysing the the service charge account.

He was the first  to ask a question and the first to call out "I can't hear you", even across the auditorium of the Barbican Centre.

He will be sadly missed.

Denis's funeral will be held at 1:30 pm at St Giles Cripplegate on Friday 21th October.

Minutes of the House group Committee

The minutes of the House Group Committee meeting of 11 July are available here

Steve Lawrence’s leaving presentation

You may know that Steve is leaving us. His last day is Monday 19^th and we will be organising a short celebration and presentation for him.  He's agreed that this should take place next Friday (23 September) in the 01 Recreation Room at 7PM.

Here's the shift pattern until Steve's last day, to help you schedule a visit to the lobby.

Date	Day	Night
15	Chris	Michele
16	Chris	Michele
17	Steve	Chris
18	Steve	Chris
19	Steve	Chris

Progress; Steps to the Sculpture Court

We've been waiting for some progress on the cordoned-off steps opposite our front door. Thing are now happening and here is a recent communication from Helen Davinson of the BEO.

As I’m sure you’ve noticed ouR contractors have been going round the estate to replace the white stair edge tiles that are slowly breaking and without suitable like for like replacement. It transpires that these tiles should never have been used in the first place as they’re internal swimming pool tiles and not durable enough for prolonged outdoor use. As part of the Beech gardens project a suitable replacement tile was agreed with Planning and this is what’s being used across the rest of the Estate.

When it came to the stairs from the front of Shakespeare Tower to Sculpture Court our contractors commenced work in the normal way. It quickly became apparent that all tiles were completely loose and came away in one large piece. This is because the original brick staircase had just been tiled over. Over the last 9 months, we have used 4 different companies to attempt to clean up/refurbish the original brick steps. Earlier this summer Structural Renovations completed a very successful trial area and we were very optimistic that we’d found the right solution. But when they came to do the larger area, this was sadly less successful. Out last attempt prior to tiling it all back over is for Structural Renovations to have one last go. This should have been in August but due to their holidays they’ve had to postpone this work until the beginning of September. Should this not work out then the stairs will sadly be tiled back over.

I appreciate that this has been a painfully long time but the brickwork was a complete surprise and we’ve tried really hard to bring it back to its former glory.

Bernard Morgan House

The developers have submitted a revised planning application for Bernard Morgan House . You can get full details here.
Helen Kay chair of the BA's planning committee has provided these two images from the application. They are both east elevations; the first as of now and the second for the completed development. It looks as if the elevation is from the Highwalk

If you have any comments or observations you should make them to Catherine Linford at CoL before 16 August.

PLNComments@cityoflondon.gov.uk

East Elevation now

East Elevation of completed development

This weekend; bike rides and road closures 30/31 July

It's Prudential Ride London Weekend on Saturday and Sunday  30/31 July.

On Saturday this means that there will be significant road closures in The City and Westminster. Around here it will be difficult to drive to the south, but the north and east will be OK See this map   The map shows how you can cross London Bridge, Southwark Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge. You need to scroll down a few pages.
The road closures will be from about 6 AM to 6 PM

On Sunday The route goes from The Tower down Upper and Lower Thames street under the Blackfriars onto Victoria Embankment. The roads will closed from about 04:00 to 11:00 

Logging lift problems

There have been various comments about the lift malfunctioning, things like;

•          Doors closing too quickly
•          Doors juddering
• ·        Lift not moving between floors.

It’s difficult to get a handle on this issue as these comments can get lost.

It’s probably a good idea to record such comments in the Residents’ Comments Book on the porters’ desk. Then we can get a good idea of what’s going on. If you are able to write a comment can you please identify the lift (A B or C).

If you prefer, you could comment via the Contact Us page here on the Blog

Thanks

Shakespeare House Group Committee

Updated external decoration programme

Our painters have issued an updated programme. Don't forget that our contact is Charlie Densen 07961 859 201

Minutes of the committee meeting of 9 May 2016

The minutes of the committee meeting of 9 May 2016 are now available here.

You may wonder why it takes so long to post the minutes.
Our committee meeting are held every two months and the committee has to approve them before before they can be published . Hence the two month lag.

Beech Street closed 23 July and 6 August

Don't forget that Beech Street will be completely closed to traffic for lighting maintenance on Saturday 23 July and Saturday 6 August. Residents will still be able to drive in and out of the Defoe car park.

Daleks Redecor Sample

A sample of the finish proposed for the daleks is now ready for inspection.
If you have any comments you could write them in the resident's comments book which now sits on the porters desk. Alternatively you can leave a comment on the Contact us page.

Future use of the 01 recreation room; results of the survey

     

Thanks to every one who responded to the survey, both online and through paper copies. The results are shown below.
The results of the survey and their implications will be discussed at the next house group committee meeting on 11 July.
One immediate point that can be addressed concerns access to the room. Currently, any resident of Shakespeare Tower can access the room, using their front door key.

Question	Yes	No	Yes %	No %
I would like the 01 recreation room to be restored to its former use.	34	3	94	6
I would like the 01 recreation room to continue to be used as a charity bookshop and a collection point for donations of books and bric-a-brac.	3	30	9	91
If you would like the recreation room to continue to be used as a collection point for donations of books and bric-a-brac, would you be prepared to manage this facility?	0	23	0	100

Residents suggestions for future use of the room

recreation room - table tennis

Bookshop only no bric a brac. We would be prepared to help, not manage.

Ensure space for informal/formal meetings

What was its previous use? It is not stated in either of your surveys.

Games and meeting room

Games room / Library with limited books on metal shelving.

Fine with the ping-pong, fuse ball, snooker table, a few kids toys,dvd's,music and books but not a dumping ground for the estate, nothing to do with any charities only to be used by the rsidents of Shakespeare Tower and their guests and if they want to swap dvd's music etc. that's fine. Also to be used for house group meetings which will be managed by the house officers nothing to do with the lobby porters taking care of this room.

none

The email proposes that the 'recreation room be returned to its former use', I presume this refers to its use of the table tennis? If so I would support this, as it is a good facility to have.

ping pong, yoga, or recreational space

Table games (such as table tennis, table footie); meeting room; potentially community hub for Shakespeare residents where activities could take place - but no junk to be left in the room

Leave empty so as to be available for recreation, meeting etc

Recreation room

Great as it is

More storage cupboards for residents or bike storage perhaps? I donthave a strong view.

Meeting place for residents. Children's sports activities

Meeting room, if it were spruced up a bit to look less like a bunker

At the moment it feels off limits and exclusive because I assume you have to get a key from the porter and the room's purpose is unclear unless you are in the know. Going forward it woudl be better to have a clear statement on the door that all residents are welcome, what the purpose of the room is and how to get the key/access. The room should be available for residents' meetings, use by youngsters for table tennis/football/pool/darts or whatever they'd like, or for hire for short children's parties assuming they clear up after themselves. If adult supervision were felt necessary, perhaps a Scout Group or other youth organisation should be encouraged to meet there. Provision of somewhere for youngsters to go when the weather is poor outside is important for the community as a whole.

Used only as a library with a table for residents' meetings. It needs to be made warmer and damp free. As there is no real community facility in the block or even in the estate, this could be a welcome start, especially as there is now a head of steam built up among residents for such a need. If a new facility is created elsewhere, the present library stock would be an essential ingredient so it needs to remain.

Meeting / function room available for residents to book in advance

How do you get access to the room?

Games room (i..e keep the table tennis table, and put the football table that's down at level 03 in there)

A Memorial Service for the Late Sir Gavyn Arthur

A Memorial Service for the Late Sir Gavyn Arthur

A memorial Service has been arranged to remember the Late Sir Gavyn Arthur who died on
16th May 2016.

The service will be held at The Temple Church, Temple, London EC4Y 7BB commencing at
2.45pm on Monday 17th October 2016.

All are welcome. Please pass this information on to anyone whom you consider will be
interested.

This notice will be posted again nearer the time of the service.

External Decorating Programme

Here's the programme for the external decorations. It here just in case you mislay the paper copy. You can zoom in to examine the details

The site agent's name and number is Charlie Densem 07961 859 201

Road Closures soon

Beech Street will be closed between Silk Street and Aldersgate Street on Saturdays 18 and 25 June 2016. This is to complete the annual tunnel maintenance (cleaning, lighting repairs etc.). which was postponed a few months ago.

Where does our waste go? Visit the Veolia Material Recovery Facility

Following Carolyn Dwyer's presentation on recycling levels in the Barbican at the AGM, the recycling team have arranged a visit for residents to the Veolia Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Southwark where the City's dry recyclables are sorted and it is also the collection centre for food waste which is then bulked up with other Borough's waste for processing at a site in Kent.

Having visited one of these facilities before it is a really interesting opportunity to see exactly what happens to our recycling. The itinerary is as follows:



Date of Visit 29 July 2016

10.00  - Presentation on the site/ H & S briefing
10.20  - Don Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
10.30  - Tour the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
11.00  - Tour the Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT)
11.20  - Tour the Recycling Discovery Centre (RDC)
11.35  - Remove PPE
11.40  - Q&A
12.00  - Depart

Veolia can accommodate up to 20 visitors - so if you or anyone from your house group would be interested in joining the trip please let me know. The site is easily reached by public transport - either via the Northern Line to Elephant and then a 172, 453 or 53 bus - or a 172 bus from Little Britain. The site visit is not suitable for anyone fitted with a pacemaker nor, unfortunately, for wheelchair users or those with walking aids.

If you would like to come please get in touch via the contact page

External decorations; Result of Poll... Oxford Blue

There were 40 votes recorded, either by survey monkey or paper survey.

The results were

Block	Votes
Oxford Blue	21	53.00%
Forest Green	9	22.00%
Grey	10	25.00%
Total	40	100.00%
Fire doors -
	Votes
Oxford Blue	17	43.00%
Forest Green	6	15.00%
Grey	5	12.00%
Cherry	6	15.00%
Red	6	15.00%
Total	40	100.00%

Sir Gavyn Arthur

Well known and much loved resident of Shakespeare Tower, Sir Gavyn Arthur died suddenly on May 16th at the age of 64.

He will be much missed as a former member of the Shakespeare Tower House Group and regular host of drinks and events for the Tower residents. Most recently he hosted us all after the AGM in March.

A more formal record of his amazing life follows:

His Honour Judge Sir Gavyn Farr Arthur was born on September 13, 1951, and died May 16, 2016. He was called to the Bar in 1975 and elected as a Bencher in 2001.  He was appointed as a Recorder in 2002 and a Circuit Judge in November 2007. In 2008 he was appointed the Designated Family Judge for Luton.

In addition, Gavyn was a prominent figure in the City of London. He served as Alderman for the Ward of Cripplegate in the City from his election in 1991 until 2005. He served as Aldermanic Sheriff during 1998-99 and as the 675th  Lord Mayor of the City of London (2002-2003), when he was ex-officio Chancellor of City University London; he received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from City University London.

Gavyn was a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners, the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers, the Guild of Public Relations Practitioners, and the Guild of Freemen of the City of London.

His funeral was a private and family commemoration but details of his memorial service will be issued in due course.

This post was kindly written by Alison Gowman

Exciting events nearby

The post below announces some road closures.
This post celebrates the events that will cause them.

• The London Nocturne celebrates its 10th year with a new race course around Cheapside and Guildhall area on 4 June. As in previous years a cycling expo area, food stalls and live music will fuel the festival atmosphere and races will take place between 4pm and 11pm.
  
  
• Vitality 10K race will take place on Monday 30 May. The Vitality London 10,000 course is ideal for spectators. Runners run along the Strand twice, at 1km and then again at 8km, making this a great place to watch the action. The course passes many of London’s famous sights including Admiralty Arch, Nelson’s Column, St Paul’s Cathedral, Mansion House, the Bank of England, the Old Bailey, Somerset House, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

Road Closures

News from the City's traffic management team


Moorgate will be closed to southbound traffic between 8pm on Saturday 28 May until 29 May 2016. So we can expect tailbacks in the Beech Street tunnel. It'll mainly be on Sunday so probably not so bad.  


On Monday 30 May The Vitality 10K race will reusult in closures in The City and Westminster. Nothing in our immediate area unless you count Cheapside. There's a map here




On  Saturday 4 June the London Nocturne will result in road closures for most of the day some of which might inconvenience residents. There's details here.

Minutes of the committee meeting of 11 April

The minutes of the Shakespeare Tower house group committee meeting held on 11 April have now been approved and can be found here
The minutes are also posted on the 01 notice board

External Decorations

Several residents of Shakespeare Tower, including Helen Goddard and Ted Reilly from the committee met representatives of the external decoration team (K&M McLoughlin)  on 19 May together with Sheila Delaney and Steven Murray of the estate office.
By now you will have received the survey monkey with the colour and finish options.
The painting work will start on June 13 and last for 12 weeks.
During this time you will be informed on a day to day basis when the decorators will be on your balcony. At some point you will need to be present to enable the painters to paint the edges that require doors or windows to be open. The doors or windows will need to be open for 8 hours for drying. The decorators are not able to use key permission.
The decoration team will keep us all informed through newsletters, which will include contact phone numbers and email addresses.
As soon as these are available they'll be posted on the useful numbers section of the blog

Fiona Shaw Helping Ann Bradley unveil Shakespeare plaque

On Friday Fiona Shaw  was at hand to help Shakespeare Tower's Ann Bradley unveil the Silver Street "Blue Plaque" commemorating Shakeapeare's residence in an earlier Mountjoy House

Don't knock that jug

Mr Shakespeare getting more attention than usual on the anniversary of his death

Photographic Exhibition Chance to Barbican from a new angle 13 - Extended to 20 April

You might be inerested in this free photographic exhibition which extends over this weekend.
In addition to looking at the images you get a chance to see the Barbican from a different angle.

I took the picture below when I went to the last exhibition there

WHERE: Finsbury Tower, 103 Bunhill Row, Islington, London EC1Y 8ND

WHEN: Wednesday 13th extended to 20th April 2016, open daily from 10am to 3pm

WHAT: Performance was conceived early in 2012 as British excitement grew in anticipation of hosting the Olympics. Local sporting events were photographed as communities played their part in preparing for the Games. Our sports photographers have captured some of the tension, excitement and sheer spectacle of a remarkable sporting year.

Other photographers concentrated on artistic events, from dance and theatre to street performance and music. Strong images were produced with costume, make up and photo editing software.

This exhibition highlights the transitory nature of action-orientated photography.

COST: Entry is free - No tickets required

WHO: Anyone who you think may enjoy a photographic exhibition!

WEBSITE: www.thephotographicangle.co.uk

External Decorations Briefing and Consultation 19 May 7 pm

Steven Murray of the Barbican Estate Office will be attending a briefing and consultation session on the 19 May at 7 pm in the Lilac room. 
We will be discussing the colour choices and how we, as residents can help to ensure that the work is carried out to a high standard. In addition Steve will explain how the contractors will liaise with residents to schedule the work.

Go and see Much Ado directed by Shakespeare Tower's  own Alex Pearson. You can get more details and book tickets here.

Meeting; Proposed Community Centre

7.00 pm Wednesday 30 March 

If you want an input into the proposals to establish a new community centre, potentially in Exhibition Hall 1 come along to the meeting in St Giles’s Church at 7.00 pm Wednesday 30 March.

There is some more detail here

Planters Survey

The results of the planters survey are now available

The tabulated results are here
and the comments of respondents are here

Beech Street and Aldersgate Street closures

Beech Street closed Saturday 12 March  all day

Aldersgate Street northbound closed  8 am to 6 pm starting Monday 14 March

More on both closures here

AGM Minutes

Over 40 residents attended the AGM on 7 March
The minutes are here

AGM Tonight

Underfloor Heating

We've produced a short note on the underfloor heating system. You can find it here

Shakespeare Tower AGM 19:30 7th March Frobisher Room 1 Level 4

The 2016 Annual General Meeting of the Shakespeare House Group will be held on Monday 7th March in Meeting Room 1 on level 4 of Frobisher Crescent. The Agenda will be posted here nearer the time.
The committee would  like to invite residents to join the committee
Some of the existing committee are now standing down after long service to make room for others. The committee is keen to recruit new members and wants to ensure that everyone feels able to volunteer to serve on the committee. You may have noticed a lot of new faces in the lifts over the last few years. There has been a significant change in the demographics in the Tower, particularly more residents with young children.
 
The nomination and election procedure is very simple and informal. This takes place at each AGM and we would like to invite you to put your name forward. You can nominate yourself at the AGM or before it. 

If you'd like to find out more about the committee and how you could get involved please leave your contact details on our Contact us page

Car Park Concrete Testing, Andrewes, Breton, Bunyan and Defoe Car Parks. Commencing 1st February 2016

From the BEO
Starting Monday 1st February 2016. Structural Renovations will be carrying out testing to Andrewes, Breton, Bunyan & Defoe Car Parks.

       The survey areas car parks being hammer tested and small samples of concrete will be taken for Chloride testing. There will be some drilling in order to take these samples but any disturbance is anticipated to be minimal.

     If any loose areas of concrete are found these will be safely removed by the contractors.

Structural Renovations Surveyors will not commence work on the buildings until after 09.00 and will work between Monday & Friday except in exceptional circumstances when you will be advised.

Should you have any initial queries please contact your House Officer in the first instance. For any further technical or other questions regarding the works you can also contact Oni Mazanzi from the Property Services Team, Onsmus.Mazanzi@cityoflondon.gov.uk  or by calling 0207 332 1813.

Frobisher Crescent - Drainage, New Windows and Roofing Works

You can find the original notice concerning these works here.

More up to date information on this is expected soon and it will be posted here as soon as it is available.

In the meantime core drilling is expected to start next week or so (i.e. any time from 8th February)

Concrete testing - Shakespeare Tower

From the BEO

Further to our letter of the 26^th November, please be aware that the concrete testing will begin on Shakespeare Tower on Monday 4^th January.

Please note that the concrete testing works for the tower blocks will only be carried out to areas that were not covered in the previous concrete testing such as the internal facings to the balconies and any other recessed areas.

·         The survey involves all areas of the balconies being hammer tested and small samples of concrete will be taken for Chloride testing. There will be some drilling in order to take these samples but any disturbance is anticipated to be minimal.

·         If any loose areas of concrete are found these will be safely removed by the contractors.

Access for the works will be along the balconies. Please note that contractor will buzz up before accessing balconies.

Structural Renovations Surveyors will not commence work on the buildings until after 09.00 and will work between Monday & Friday except in exceptional circumstances when you will be advised.

Should you have any initial queries please contact your House Officer in the first instance.