Another full on day
I am beginning to think that I should be up for an award/record for the most construction site inductions in the shortest space of time. At 8.30 I got inducted on the Wood Wharf Site. Although I had already been inducted at Bank Street and sat through a number of inductions as well as a tool box talk at Wood Wharf with Fiona it was necessary for me to get another full induction. Thankfully, by now, I am au fait with the multiple choice and so the answers were already firmly ingrained.
Another site hat sticker to add to my collection!
The Wood Wharf Site is massive with 30 buildings expected to be constructed over a period of 13 years. It is a very long, complex project but will also see the first residential accommodation on Canary Wharf.
View from the back of the Wood Wharf site
View from the front of the site
The site is surrounded by water and for some of the construction site workers this is the best way to get around.
Like many building sites today the construction has to be mindful a number of issues including ecological and environmental issues.
Here the site have bought a special platform for the resident Cormorants.
The Cormorant spreads its wings
They also have signs up to warn workers that they need to protect the nesting Crested Grebes
There are now several eggs on the nest waiting to be hatched...it's not pretty but spot the Grebe!
The re are plans to reclaim some of the land for a communities project with local schools to create a garden. I suggested that maybe some of the residency artists can help support the project...this is still pending approval so hopefully positive updates to follow.
Area for communities project
The first thing I noticed when I came back to canary Wharf this summer was a van selling coffee. It looked slightly out of place but I had recognised it from a programme I had watched this year about homeless people. I knew that I wanted to dig deeper as it's becoming apparent that there are many layers to this place and they are not all obvious.
Through an arranged meet up through Nick Bradley from Wood Wharf I had a chat with Cemal Ezel co-founder of a relatively new scheme, in conjunction with The Big Issue and Community officers at Canary Wharf. The scheme helps ex homeless get back on their feet through selling coffee from this mobile van. The coffee is of a premium quality to alleviate pity purchases and create a strong, competitive product. This scheme is still in its early stages but is already being rolled out in various locations over London and is starting to go National and talks about it going International to San Francisco.
The fantastic news is that there are now some members, ex homeless, who have moved on to further employment. But the word needs to spread and support is needed.
Great scheme for ex homeless.