Reach for the stars

To BM, the Shard is one of the most exciting, invigorating sights in the skyline over Bermondsey...my spies confirm that the concrete core has now reached its peak at 88 floors and from here upwards it will be steelworks and glass.  I am an unapologetic admirer...it speaks to me of optimism and confidence and SE1 showyoffiness.   This is a birdseye view and account of what its like to work there which will have to do until it opens in 2012 and we, the great unwashed can visit the viewing platforms on the 30th floor and possibly even the top floor (according to BH) although another source tells me that the penthouse flat (wraparound) has already been sold for a cool £20m...

(Picture:  Susannah Ireland)

Seed Cathedral update

Not only has the Seed Cathedral won the RIBA Lubetkin Prize 2010, it is also turning into one of the most popular of the pavilions at the Shanghai Expo 2010, passing the 2m visitor mark a few weeks ago.

This is a just another excuse for me to post more pictures of this beautiful construction/apparition on the landscape...

(click on this one for greater detail of the seed head)

I think it's inspiring that, at the end of the Expo, the rods will be distributed to schools throughout China and the UK...just like dandelion seeds.

I love the inter-tubes!

Let joy be unconfined!  Sometimes a plan comes to fruition and so it is with great delight that I can relay what BM has been hatching over the past couple of weeks.

Readers may recall that BM is Chair of Govs at a Nursery & Children's Centre and we are due to have our annual Bermondsey Summer Fete in July.  Sensible Footwear initially drew my attention to Old Town and their gorgeous fabric 'Bermondsey in Bloom' as a result of which and after some enquiries, we are now in a position to display that lovely fabric at the Centre during the Fete; along with the Pearly King & Queen sing-along, Punch & Judy show etc and in return we are sending to Old Town some fabric designed by the children when we re-opened as a Children's Centre in the heart of Bermondsey.  Roll on July 17th!