NABORHOOD CENTRE

leenewham · Post by **leenewham** » 23 May 2013 15:07

I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned this. The Naborhood Centre has been covered in scaffolding and has undergone a paint job (finally). It looks as if the decorative brickwork that was on the building has been removed ready for the new, larger decorative element.

The mosaic is being attached to the building, part of it is already installed, which you can just see if you look closely.

I wonder what the final cost was? It's a few grand worth of scaffolding and another £500 to get permission from the council to put up the scaffolding of course. It's been a monumental effort to raise the considerable sum of money to produce this which should be applauded.

Whatever you think of it, it will be up soon. Images of the design are still in the Jill Hub if anyone is unsure what I'm talking about. I'm still not a fan by any stretch of the imagination, the money could have funded so much more than just one building, and I still think it's the wrong artwork on the wrong building, but, alas, it's a debate not worth having again because it cannot be changed!

I wonder what the users of the Naborhood Centre think of it and the name change?

Anyone know when the trees will be installed in front of the Naborhood Centre?

dickp · Post by **dickp** » 23 May 2013 16:09

I also wonder if the budget will stretch to new, or at least, clean and "well-hung" (f'narr f'narr) curtains.

Steveofsyd · Post by **Steveofsyd** » 23 May 2013 20:49

Maybe the curtain/blind shop opposite should donate some new window dressing. They could get the publicity in the local paper and in the centre etc.

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mosy · Post by **mosy** » 23 May 2013 21:46

I noticed today that "something was going on". Late to the party: What will be the new name? If I did know, I've forgotten... Ta. Can't wait to see the finished roundels fascia. At least I'll be able to crane my neck up to look at it without tripping over dodgy paving now that's been done

leenewham · Post by **leenewham** » 23 May 2013 21:57

It's a few grands worth of vertical blinds. It's a big ask of the curtain shop. But it would be nice.

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Steveofsyd · Post by **Steveofsyd** » 24 May 2013 19:00

You're probably right....
By the way are they removing the Parisian type of poster thing as I really like it. It could be used to promote what's happening in Sydenham and also a map of places of interest.

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Robin Orton · Post by **Robin Orton** » 5 Jun 2013 10:39

I'm told that it is hoped that the mosaic will be informally unveiled within the next few days. A formal unveiling is planned for later.

leenewham · Post by **leenewham** » 5 Jun 2013 16:10

When I spoke to Valerie & Bob I thought they said it would be in a few weeks.

marymck · Post by **marymck** » 5 Jun 2013 16:22

At the last night's assembly, I think Valerie said it would be unveiled in a few days. I may have misunderstood though.

goonerchamp · Post by **goonerchamp** » 5 Jun 2013 16:49

On the subject of the assembly - I was up wells park road yesterday evening to see a number of cars parked on wells park road obstructing the bus stop (I presume attending this meeting) - is this the way it's going to be going forward? - not ideal!

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Hissing Syd · Post by **Hissing Syd** » 9 Jun 2013 19:41

Passed it just now and I must say I thought it looked absolutely fantastic - light, bright, clean... I even liked the mosaic, which I'd not been sure about. All told I think it's a vast improvement and a credit to the high street.

Presumably now it has been rebranded "The Sydenham Centre", the plastic "Naborhood" sign can soon be consigned to the bin/history/the raging fires of Hell where it belongs? Other than that and giving the downstairs curtains a good wash, I really think that it's turned out very well.

scarpetta · Post by **scarpetta** » 10 Jun 2013 09:44

I agree with hissing syd. The Sydenham Centre building now looks far better than previously. I do however hope (and I know this sounds rather petty) that they remove the curtains on the ground floor they really don't do any favours to the building. I'd rather have no curtains/blinds than the horrible dirty and disgusting curtains which ruin the 'new look'.

Rachael · Post by **Rachael** » 10 Jun 2013 16:34

Well, I'll be the first dissenting voice - I don't like the mosaic, although it's not quite as twee as I thought it would be. It's lovely and shiny now but as soon as those tiles get grubby and the grouting goes grey it's going to be pretty dismal. The muted colours look quite subtle now. I don't think they will wear well.

I'll be happy if I'm proved wrong.

mikej · Post by **mikej** » 11 Jun 2013 08:30

You may be right Rachael, but right now the building is looking great - such an amazing improvement! Will all add to the improvement of this area.

(But not unless they put in some cycle parking AND SOON!)

Robin Orton · Post by **Robin Orton** » 13 Jul 2013 16:33

(Now 'Sydenham Centre'.) I was at the official unveiling of the mosaic - by Cllr Chris Best and one of the day centre users - this afternoon. There are guides to the individual roundels attached to the wall, but you can also read about them here. http://sydenhammosaic.weebly.com/roundel-history.html

coll · Post by **coll** » 13 Jul 2013 17:40

I overheard someone saying that this project was estimated at a cost of £15,000 but ended up costing £50,000. Is this true?
If so who paid for it?

Robin Orton · Post by **Robin Orton** » 13 Jul 2013 18:25

According to the website and the plaque on the wall -

The Sydenham Mosaic was made possible by generous support from: Chris Best; Hilary & John Jarrett; Valerie Kelly; Emma Jane Mallinder; Mann Estate Agents; Richard & Dan Crowley of Property World; The Shackleton Foundation; Robert Side; S.G. Smith Motor Group; Mr. & Mrs. L.A.P.Swann; Sydenham Assembly of London Borough of Lewisham;The Sydenham Society; Tesco; Whites Pet Centre; R.Woodfall, Opticians of London. We are also grateful for generous support and donations from many within our community

.

The cost was £50,000 which, we were told today, was precisely on budget.

Tim Lund · Post by **Tim Lund** » 13 Jul 2013 18:26

coll wrote:I overheard someone saying that this project was estimated at a cost of £15,000 but ended up costing £50,000. Is this true?
If so who paid for it?

No. The estimated cost was £50K, and £15K sounds like the amount contributed by the Sydenham Assembly (actually, a bit less than that), with the difference to be accounted by various bits of community fund raising, including one anonymous personal donation of £10K, I believe. Other donors include the Ernest Shackleton Trust, and sponsors such as Woodfall Opticians and Whites Pet stores. I don't know if final accounts are available, or estimates of on going maintenance costs.

biscuitman1978 · Post by **biscuitman1978** » 17 Jul 2013 18:16

Hissing Syd wrote:Passed it just now and I must say I thought it looked absolutely fantastic - light, bright, clean... I even liked the mosaic, which I'd not been sure about. All told I think it's a vast improvement and a credit to the high street.

Yep, I agree. I wasn't keen on the idea of a mosaic, but it looks much better than I expected, so well done to those who led and implemented the project.

Still not sure about that cat, though...

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