Before Christmas, the Lenox Project joined its sister project Sayes Court Garden in a meeting at City Hall with Sir Edward Lister, Deputy Mayor of London. The meeting was organised by Lenox Project patron Dame Joan Ruddock and attended by the GLA’s planners.

The Lenox team agreed to adopt its second option for the siting of the ship’s construction – in the Olympia Shed – in order to present a joint vision for a cultural ‘Heart and Lungs’ heritage focus at the centre of the site.

This would require the original Great Basin to be reinstated – a proposal which English Heritage fully supports in principle – to create a functional marine space rather than the small, shallow ‘mirror’ pool proposed by the developer.

The Sayes Court Garden project proposed a stand-alone building to house the archaeological remains of John Evelyn’s Manor House (instead of being incorporated into a large residential block as on the current masterplan) and the extension of the garden space to link the Olympia building with the area of Sayes Court Garden remaining on the western boundary of the site.

The ideas were well received, but since this meeting there has been little progress, and we have now learned, as the new year begins, that the GLA planners are pursuing a contrary course with the developer.

Hutchison Whampoa claims that the slipways under the Olympia Shed are not capable of bearing the load of the Lenox under construction – a claim that has not been substantiated by a structural or geotechnical engineer, independent or otherwise. In addition, HW warns that the reinstatement of the basin poses a ‘high archaeological risk’, which the GLA have questioned but without requesting any independent assessment. Instead they have asked Hutchison Whampoa to report on the likely archaeological risks and issues, and the engineering challenges associated with the use of the Olympia shed and the reinstatement of the basin.

However more worryingly, they have asked the developer to produce a new assessment of how the Lenox could be constructed on the protected wharf – even though we have repeatedly explained that this is simply not an option we are prepared to consider. We have therefore written to the planners to reinforce our case:

“There are many practical issues with this location that we have already gone to great lengths to explain in writing to Hutchison Whampoa and Farrell’s. However we believe the most fundamental barrier to reaching any meaningful conclusion from HW’s ‘re-examination’ of this option, is the fact that we have never been invited to engage in any meaningful discussion with the developer over the detail of the project, nor has HW exhibited any real understanding of its ethos.

Given the applicant’s scant understanding of our plans, we contend that any opinion proffered by HW as to the practicalities or viability of constructing Lenox in any of the named locations would be unreliable, to say the least.

Another issue raised by the proposed use of the protected wharf is that in our recent meeting at City Hall, Sir Edward Lister stated that any decisions around the protected wharf would take “considerably longer than determination of the rest of the site, quite possibly years”.

We have already closely examined the viability of the developer’s proposal for use of the protected wharf, which is time-limited to five years and includes the expectation of the ship’s permanent departure once launched. We provided a detailed report of the difficulties to the developer, and subsequently to yourself.

The profitability and success of the Lenox Project, which includes its ability to provide training, education, jobs, and an appreciation of our heritage for all, depends on it being easily accessible to the public. Other uses for the protected wharf being proposed by the developer, GLA, and PLA would preclude this, even in the most beneficial circumstances.

The ship both under construction and afloat would be the focal point of a centre of excellence which would include specialist workshops, a Deptford-centric maritime museum space, along with conference and catering areas. Lenox will complement local attractions such as the National Maritime Museum and Cutty Sark and being such a natural fit with its World Heritage neighbour would command significant visitor numbers. If the Lenox was built in the Olympia Shed next to a restored Great Basin we believe this would be a realistic prospect.

Worldwide academic support for the project is extensive, but is dependent on the project’s evaluation and exploration of original methods. Most fundamental of these is her construction on a slipway such as the two remaining in the Olympia Shed.

A slipway also guarantees the continuation of training and employment programmes after the launch of Lenox as it enables re-fit or repair of other traditional vessels; again, not an option on the protected wharf for vessels of this size.

Our team is as keen and enthusiastic as ever and anxious to get started. If we have a deal we can start to raise meaningful funds and take on the challenges such a project will bring. However if all that is open to us is the protected wharf, then we feel our skills, time and effort will be better used elsewhere.”

We are also writing to the Mayor of London and his planners to formally state our disappointment at the extent to which two community-led heritage schemes – the Lenox Project and Sayes Court Garden – have been involved in the process, and our concern at the haste with which the decision-making process is being progressed.

LENOX AND DEPTFORD DOCKYARD MERCHANDISE – FREE UK SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER £20!

If you want to buy a christmas present that’s a little bit different, AND you want to help fund our cause, please consider buying merchandise from us or one of our supporters.

We have Lenox tote bags for sale at £8 each, or Deptford Dockyard 500 T-shirts at £15 – postage is £3 for a single item or FREE in the UK if you spend £20 or more. For full details of sizing and how to order, please see our previous post. We have all sizes available in the ladies t-shirts, but only L and XL in unisex/

Alternatively come along to the Deptford Lounge on Saturday 7th December where we will have our cannon on display, there will be a series of talks for adults and children, and we’ll have our bags and t-shirts on sale.

A NEW TALL SHIPS CALENDAR FOR 2014

Photographer Richard Sibley produces an A3 format calendar showcasing stunning images of tall ships along with extracts from classics of maritime literature, rigging plans, and details that create a thought-provoking celebration of the days of sail. Richard has kindly agreed to give a donation to the Lenox Project for any sales that are made through this website.

The calendar was created by Richard in partnership with designer Dick Davis, whose work includes Royal Mail Special Stamp issues for The Anniversary of Trafalgar, Lighthouses and Submarines. He was also part of the team for the refurbishment of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Richard Sibley has photographed Tall Ship racing since 2005. His work is recognised and hosted by the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. He regularly exhibits at arts and craft shows around the UK and has exhibited twice at the RUH Bath in their healing arts program. Their 2011 summer exhibition featuring Richard’s photographs of ships carver Andy Peters restoring the figurehead of HMS Chesapeake (1855), proved to be one of their most successful shows.

You can see the calendar via the link below – if you decide to order one, please let Richard know that you saw it on the Lenox website.

http://www.tallshipsgallery.co.uk/calendar-2014/

If you fancy a good old shouty, foot-stamping, bawdy singalong, why not join the Deptford shanty crew? The group had its first get-together last week and struck up some classic sea shanties about spending all your money on booze, beating up the Americans, and being sick in an alley, not necessarily in that order.

There are plenty of sea shanties that still survive in folk tradition – and many more for which the words survive but tunes have been lost. There’s even one about the Dog & Bell pub, which was put online by Deptford Misc a few years ago.

One of the songs we sang at the first shanty crew meeting was Santianna – which is rendered here somewhat more tunefully by the Young ‘uns.

You don’t need any singing experience to join – it’s all about having fun, singing and stamping your feet , not necessarily all at the same time! And we can’t think of any better way to celebrate Deptford’s maritime heritage – at least until we can get cracking with building this ship of ours.

For more information email deptfordshanty@gmail.com

The concerns that have been raised by local campaign group Deptford Is.. about the future of the former Royal Dockyard and the remains of Sayes Court Gardens were echoed this week when the World Monuments Fund placed the two sites on its 2014 ‘watch list’ of endangered sites.

Both sites are under threat from Hong Kong-based developer, Hutchison Whampoa, current owner of the majority of the land. HW has submitted plans for 3,500 new homes that will bury the landscape, which is of international historic significance, largely without trace. WMF Watch list status supports the Deptford Is.. campaign to build on rather than build over the rich history of the area.

“Deptford’s most imminent threat comes from the failure of existing proposals to fully acknowledge and respect the heritage assets that the site has to offer,” said Jonathan Foyle, chief executive of World Monuments Fund (WMF) Britain.

“Incorporating the extensive archaeology and combining this with unique public spaces has the potential to strengthen Deptford’s local identity while securing this lost piece of the Thames jigsaw. It would also improve awareness of the little-known existence and overlooked history of the dockyard and gardens on a national stage.”

This announcement underlines what Deptford Is.. and other local campaign groups have been saying for years – that the historical significance of the Convoys Wharf site is of the same status internationally as world-famous places such as the city of Venice and the Inca ruins. The burial of such remains would be a severe blow not only for the local area, but also from a national and international heritage point of view.

The WMF watch list announcement was covered extensively by the press around the world, with some UK coverage highlighting the plight of the dockyard specifically.

Read the WMF project page, where you can download the poster.

Article in This is local London

http://www.countrylife.co.uk/news/article/531602/Four-UK-landmarks-on-WMF-Watch-List-2014.html

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/top-london-sites-on-world-monuments-watch-list/5061902.article (behind paywall).

The anchor back at the top of the high street.

As part of the recent Deptford X contemporary arts festival, an art project called Deptford Is Forever took up the festival’s theme ‘Art makes people powerful’ by focusing on the removal of the Deptford High Street anchor by Lewisham Council.

They designed their own sailor’s tattoo and printed it on paper bags to give to Deptford High Street shops and market traders to give out with purchases. The design demanded the return of the anchor to the high street and also called on the council to save the Royal Dockyard. Deptford Is Forever printed t-shirts and reusable cotton shopping bags with the tattoo motif and commissioned High Street Flowers to make a ‘ghost anchor’ wreath to hang in the window.

On Friday 4th October there was a day of free tattooing at Kids Love Ink, the high street’s custom tattoo parlour. Those who took up the offer of a free anchor tattoo were encouraged to donate to Build The Lenox and Deptford Reach, and £280 was raised.

Deptford Is Forever’s ‘Anchor Fest’ culminated in a procession through the high street on Saturday 5th October, with musicians and supporters following a giant cardboard anchor made by Lewisham Arthouse artist Laura X Carlé.

The parade started at the Dog and Bell pub, next to the Convoys Wharf site where the anchor is currently in storage, and finished at the Arthouse on Lewisham Way, travelling via Deptford High Street and the market.

En route the parade stopped three times and the cardboard anchor was displayed at locations which have been suggested could be the real anchor’s permanent home; Deptford Station, Giffin Square and its previous location at the top of the high street.

The anchor was led through the streets by David Aylward (Rediscovered Urban Rituals) and anchor bearers included Bob Bagley from the Sayes Court Garden project and Kingston from Build The Lenox. Along the way they handed out Build The Lenox flyers to spectators. Needless to say, two of the artists involved (Sue Lawes and David Aylward) are members of the Build The Lenox project team!

The anchor in Giffin Square (photo by Angelique van Tuinen)

We are selling Lenox tote bags and Deptford 500 t-shirts to raise funds for the Lenox Project so that we can cover our ongoing admin and printing costs. All proceeds from sales will go to the project.

Build the Lenox tote bags are made of 100% natural cotton printed with the Lenox in a storm painting by Richard Endsor. They are 38cm wide by 43cm deep, and have good long handles so you can get them over your shoulder.

The bags cost £7 each plus £1 for second class postage and packing, £8 in total.

Delivery will take up to five days, depending on how soon we can get to the Post Office. If you live locally we may be able to arrange for you to collect from one of us, please email buildthelenox@gmail.com

We are also selling t-shirts printed with our specially-designed logo which celebrates the 500th anniversary of the Deptford Dockyard.

These are printed on 100% cotton Fruit of the Loom t-shirts and are available in ‘lady fit’ and regular unisex t-shirt cut. They sell for £10 plus £2 second class postage and packing, £12 in total. Again, we may be able to arrange collection for anyone living locally.

We can ship overseas by arrangement, and will advise shipping cost when you order.

Ladies sizes are S (10-12 UK size), M (12-14 UK size), L (14-16 UK size) and XL (16-18 UK size). Sorry we now only have the unisex in XL (46″ chest).

How to order

Please email buildthelenox@gmail.com with details of your order (number, type and size) and mailing address for delivery. Please also state how you wish to pay – by Paypal (we will then send an invoice to your email address), cheque or bank transfer. 

Two days of Open House passed rapidly at the Master Shipwrights House in Deptford, with the estimated 1200-1500 visitors enjoying the good weather, admiring the house, and learning a lot more about the Lenox Project and Deptford’s royal dockyard. It was fantastic to talk to so many people who lived close by, and to really feel the level of local support for our project.

Both days began with a queue – once the gates were open visitors were able to wander freely through the grounds and the house, and enjoy the ambiance created by the owners and the participating organisations and artists. We hope that it seemed to have been created effortlessly – in truth, of course, a lot of sweat and tears went into getting it right!

Before the open day, there was plenty of preparation. Laura X Carle had to reassemble her cardboard anchor, which took pride of place in front of the house when it was completed. As dusk fell each night, it was covered with plastic sheeting to protect it from rain – but none was forthcoming. You may see the anchor again soon on the high street – the cardboard one, that is.

Meanwhile our restored Saker cannon came out of the trailer for once, to be admired, patted and climbed on for the whole weekend. It pointed out to the river solemnly, keeping guard over the water for several days.

Early on the Saturday morning, we got some media coverage on BBC Radio London, with one of the Lenox team going to Broadcasting House at 7am to be interviewed live – the link is in the previous post, although it will only be available until the end of the day on Friday.

Inside the house we set up Richard Endsor’s model, paintings and drawings of the Lenox, and we also had ships carver Andy Peters present, who was talking about his work on other replica ships such as the Hermione.

Under the lime trees we set up our stall to tell visitors about the project, and to sell our merchandise.

A group of re-enactors from the Isle of Wight kept us entertained all day on Saturday by firing their cannon and guns, and generally seeming to enjoy the setting. They had a bit of a photo shoot too, making use of the very picturesque setting.

Guest of honour was Samuel Pepys, who vented his spleen during our press conference at the potential loss of the dockyard, and stated his opinion most forcefully that Britain needed the Lenox to be built. We were also honoured by a special appearance by Horrible Histories actors Ben Willbond and Larry Rickard, seen below, modelling our merchandise!

Photo courtesy Danni Gladston

Thank you to everyone who came, all those who helped out behind the scenes, all the other artists, crafts people, musicians, historians and other professionals and individuals who gave their own time and money to make this such a success.

We had a fantastic time, and hope that you did too!

This Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September we will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of Deptford Dockyard being granted its royal charter. As part of London Open House weekend, the historic Master Shipwrights House on Watergate Street, Deptford, will be open to the public free of charge. This is the house in which the master shipwright John Shish, who designed and built the Lenox, would have lived.

The house will be open from 10am till 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, and is situated at the end of Watergate Street, next to the Paynes & Borthwick development and across the road from Twinkle Park.

In addition to the opportunity to visit one of Deptford’s best-kept secrets, there will be plenty going on at the venue to entertain visitors. During the course of the weekend, the grounds and rooms of the house will host music, art, cannons, anchors and information about the Build the Lenox and Sayes Court Gardens projects.

On Saturday Build the Lenox has arranged for a ship’s cannon dating from 1630 to be fired at regular intervals throughout the day by a crew costumed in period dress – there will also be the chance to see the restored Saker cannon which also dates from the same era.

Actors Ben Willbond and Laurence Rickard from BBC’s Horrible Histories are coming along to support Build the Lenox, and you may be lucky enough to see them chatting to Henry VIII, Samuel Pepys and shipwright John Shish who will be discussing the 30 ships programme and the amazing history of Deptford’s royal dockyard.

Laura X Carle’s full-size cardboard replica of the Deptford anchor will be on show, for all those who didn’t see it at the South Bank Centre, with Sue Lawes‘ Old Blue & White in the grounds – as well as Hollie Paxton and her Deptford-inspired high street shop tins, and Ashton & Mollett’s Deptford Ship Biscuit.

Historians and authors Richard Endsor and David Davies will be giving impromptu talks throughout the day to bring the history of the Dockyard and her ships to life, and Richard will be displaying some of his wonderful paintings of the Lenox under construction at the Deptford Dockyard, as well as putting his model of the ship on show.

A model of Sayes Court Gardens will also be on show, with representatives from both this project and Build the Lenox on hand to answer any questions and find out what visitors think.

If you have a yearning to become a mudlark, take a tour along the foreshore via the historic Watergate; you will see the beautiful stone pavement leading to the former King’s Steps, the blocked-up entrance to the Double Dry Dock and other elements of the dockyard, and old ship’s timbers in the mud of the riverside. You can also see some of the fascinating things Chris has found during his regular trips along the low tide mark.

Visitors to Open House will be able to purchase t-shirts with the specially-designed Deptford 500 logo, as well as tote bags featuring the Lenox in a Storm painting by Richard Endsor. Both items are limited edition, and only available from the event, and all proceeds from sales will support the Lenox Project directly.

T-shirts are £15 each and we have men’s sizes M,L and XL, and ladies’ sizes S, M, L and XL. Tote bags are £8 each. They will be on sale throughout the Open House event at the Master Shipwright’s House.