Newsletter March 2008
OW2000 Committee 2008
The elections were held in late December 2008, and we have some new faces! Thanks is given for the long contributions of Adrian Hanstock, Iain Douglas, Colin Roxborough, and Eleanor & Keith Reading. The new people representing you and making decisions on everything here are:
- Chairman: Roger Griffin
- Secretary: Adam Spiers
Committee Members
- Adrian Hanstock
- Nick Terry
- Niall Murphy
- Simon Gowland
- Susan Redgrave
- Carol Brownson
- James Bromberger
- Kim de Haan
Email ctte@oceanwharf2000.com.
Moped Parking
Due to overcrowding in the Bike Shed, it is requested that mopeds and motor bikes, are not parked in the bicycle shed.
Bicycles
At the beginning of last summer, a number of bicycles were removed from the bike shed as they had not been claimed over the previous 12 months. This was done in order to create space for residents who continue to use their bicycles. We’re pleased to inform you that all bicycles which have been stored inside block A have been either collected or given away to charity.
Block A Soil Stacks
Work is well under way again on the soil stack repairs in Block A. Many flats have now had tradesmen work on the section of stack that runs through their domain, and it is hoped that all work will be completed shortly.
New Parking Rules
Ocean Wharf has been having more pressure on our parking over the last year. At certain times of the day unidentified vehicles are appearing in the car park. When the development was designed each flat was built with one parking bay. Over time some of these may have been sold or rented separately to the flat. In order to maintain a fair system, it is planned to implement parking rules. Parking stickers will be issued that identify the vehicle and associated flat. Visitor passes that identify which flat being visited will be available from the porter. Signage will be installed to indicate the hours of operation, and a set of guidelines will be posted on the notice boards
Parking restrictions will start at Ocean Wharf from the 1st of May 2008. The hours of regulation will be Monday – Friday, 8am to 6pm. Any vehicles during this time not displaying a valid ticket will be clamped at the owner's expense. This should not affect anyone using the car park fairly. People with more than one vehicle will have to, by private negotiation, organise to borrow their neighbours parking permit. Each sticker will be valid for a year, and is transferable between vehicles – clearly only one vehicle at any time may have the permit.
Explanations of the scheme will be posted to notice boards, put on the web site, and sent to the “Talk” mailing list (see below).
Removal of river-side access ramp
The committee has long been trying to negotiate with the borough for permission to remove the ramp on the river walk way. This was installed as part of required planning approval when Ocean Wharf was constructed and when there was no access between the water front, and Westferry Road. As Hutchings Street has been reopened, and as there were multiple security incidents during the time this was in use, it has remained locked for the last few years. It has been vandalised and fallen into disrepair, and written consent for its removal is being sought.
TV Antenna (Freeview)
A service was done in early March on the antennas in blocks A and B to improve the Freeview terrestrial TV reception. Hopefully people are now able to get a strong signal with less interference on their TVs!
SKY TV Satellite Dish
There have been serious problems with the SKY TV satellite installation in certain blocks recently. A temporary solution has been implemented. The SKY dish on the roof is to be replaced with a mesh antenna (less wind resistance than a solid reflector, and thus less likely to be blown out of alignment). Some amplifiers require an upgrade, and additional ports are being added so that tenants may, at their own expense, have a second satellite feed beside the primary location of your current feed to accommodate SKY+ and SKY HD systems! When more information is available we'll post it to the “Talk” email mailing list, and put up posters in foyers.
Old Clothes For Charity
As part of our efforts to help you spring clean, we're collecting old clothes you no longer need that are in a suitable state to be donated to charity. Please, no underwear! But if you have a coat, jumpers, shoes, etc, all of which are in reasonable shape but just no longer loved by you, then please consider dropping in the sack that will be in Block A with Kashif in the week commencing Monday 7th April 2008. After this week of collection here at Ocean Wharf, you'll have to drag your unwanted items to other external collection points.
Summer BBQ
The summer residents barbecue will be happening again this year on the grass area in front of Block A on Friday 4th of July from 7pm. Food will be supplied (burgers, sausages) by the Residents Association. Bring along any drinks to share with your neighbours.
Email mailing list
Want to talk with your neighbours about something? Not sure who to email? We have an automated email list; to subscription just send an empty email to talk-join@oceanwharf2000.com and follow the instructions. After that, email talk@ocneawharf2000.com to to have your say! If you have had enough, email talk-leave@oceanwharf2000.com to be taken off the list automatically. How easy is that? Well, if you're still having trouble, just email your committee: ctte@oceanwharf2000.com. Please remember this is open to anyone who chooses to join in.
The Ocean Wharf Library
Some minor improvements have been done to the reception of Block A, including a space for residents to exchange books. Please leave any unwanted books, magazines or board games here, and borrow anything you'd like.
Residents Association Membership
The OW2000 Residents Association is for everyone living at Ocean Wharf Phase 2. Rules of the constitution require a nominal membership fee of £10, which is paid once per flat. Membership forms are on the Ocean Wharf 2000 web site, or ask the Residents Association Committee.
New Arrivals @ OW
We've had a number of children born in the last few months here. Frank Saez and Claire Turley “christened” the new birthing centre at the Barkantine Medical Centre by having the first baby, Jake, on 7th January, while on the same day Dorothea and Jurgen had baby Michael. Within a fortnight, Simon and Gen Gowland welcomed baby Eliza, also at the new centre opposite Ocean Wharf. Congratulations to all the new parents.
Security
With the longer nights and warmer weather approaching, there any be increased problems with children around the complex. Please do not hesitate to call the police – even if they do not attend, every report helps bolster the data the police have, and helps them to provision more staff for the area. Limehouse Police station is 24 by 7 on 020 7515 1212, while the Isle of Dogs station is Monday to Friday noon to 8pm on 020 7515 1212.