The local Conservatives in Hammersmith & Fulham, have been instrumental in bringing changes, I have previously been a staunch Labour supporter, even being a member of a trade union, I feel completely let down by a failed policy of crime prevention locally here in my Borough where I live, the national government under David Blunkett when he was Home Secretary set up the Safer Neighbourhood initiative, it was not enough to do this on it’s own, our Conservative local administration has pumped £Ms into propping this up, whilst at the same time decreasing our Council Tax every year since 2006, when they came into power, I wrote the below for our “Crime Summit 2010? set up by our Cabinet Member and Leader in 2007, it speaks volumes about what can be achieved by a Conservative local administration, I for one am looking seriously at what way to vote at the next election, going on what I have experienced locally, also speaks volumes of what we can expect nationally should a Conservative Government be elected.
The “Crime Summit” has been instrumental in dealing with inherent problems associated with our neighbourhoods and community in LBHF. Since 2006 we have seen a major drop in certain criminal activity, our streets are safer, our local businesses and public places are more vibrant, in my part of the borough W12, we have seen major reductions in street crime, especially street drinkers, and beggars, the borough’s investment in our SNTs is a glowing success that has shown interest from outside of LBHF, we have had other LAs visit, one Council Leader came to see how we tackled crime associated with small businesses, and how a partnership approach with local government and the community builds on this success story.
I am very pleased to be able to take part again in our Crime Summit 2010, and look forward to reporting more successes again next year, as last year and previous years since 2006, we should be congratulating all our 16 wards for their collective input into “Community Safety”, especially the successful NHW movement, now showing a phenomenal success in membership, I see all the signs that have gone up around our borough, growing from strength to strength, we should be congratulating our Cabinet Member for Crime and Leader of The Council, for leading the way in this benchmark LA we are privileged to live in – London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, also our Borough Commander Kevin Hurley has shown great leadership – his Teams of officers and staff, working with us as a community to deter crime and associated ASB, especially in areas that had previously blighted the lives of residents, some of them very vulnerable. Well done everyone.
I know we have a long way to go in the North of our Borough to bring it up to a standard of acceptance, I refer to our street market in shepherds bush, there are ongoing issues in a small area of concern, I am hoping this can now have a holistic approach in dealing with concerns of residents and traders, the successes of our SNT in Shepherds Bush needs to backed up with a more methodical approach particularly around drug dealers, and the reoccurrence of a particular problem once dealt with by the LA and MPS. I know we can achieve this; it is a matter of getting the right “Problem Solving “ approach by all concerned.
John Ryan
Local Resident LBHF
Beyond personal preferences, colors need to be selected in function of the target audience of a web site. Market assessment will imply cultural elements which will impact on the choice of colors.
Many cultures attribute special meanings or cult to colors. Here are some of the most common ones:
Red
China: Good luck, celebration, summoning Cherokees: Success, triumph India: Purity South Africa: Color of mourning Russia: Bolsheviks and Communism Eastern: Worn by brides Western: Excitement, danger, love, passion, stop, Christmas (with green)
The Nile Valley Community Group is increasingly becoming an
indispensible part of our local community and Charity.
Their centre in the heart of our local Shepherds Bush Market, serve
the immediate community and surrounding neighbourhood in many ways, in
particular for our venue and meetings of the following:
Business Watch & New Shepherds Bush Market Traders Association
(As a member organisation as well as host for meetings and seminars
especially with our partners from the Metropolitan Police, and British
Transport Police)
Market Community Centre Charity (as one of our core member organisations)
MCC relies on the support and resources of NVCG, without that
symbiotic relationship our members and Trustees would not have a venue
to meet, as we often are facilitated at very short notice in their
centre, to conduct meetings and discussion groups with many
politicians, council and police officers and other statutory
authorities.
Should any further information be required, please do not hesitate to
contact either myself or the Chairman of New Shepherds Bush Market
Traders Association on the following:
John Ryan
John Ryan
Chairman of Market community Centre
Charity Registration Number 1124421
Mr Raja Saeed
Mr Raja Saeed
Chairman of New Shepherds Bush Market Traders Association
After the Walkthrough and still in admiration of the achievements of the ancient Greeks you automatically wonder about the empty spaces and copies exposed on the third floor where the Parthenon Marbles are exposed.
British Colonial Barbarism
When in the 19th century the British Colonial power controlled Athens, many crimes were committed against what today is considered as a cultural heritage of humanity. Not only did they knock off all the sexes of male sculptures ( wonder what the colonials had to fear when having to stand comparison … :-)), but the famous Thomas Bruce Elgin decided to grab some of the most beautiful marbles from the Parthenon (main temple) and other monuments of the Acropolis and to ship them back to England. ( A whole shipload sank on the way and has never been recovered.)
“Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire from 1799–1803, had obtained a controversial permission from the Ottoman authorities to remove pieces from the Acropolis. From 1801 to 1812 Elgin’s agents removed about half of the surviving sculptures of the Parthenon, as well as architectural members and sculpture from the Propylaea and Erechtheum.
The Marbles were transported by sea to Britain. In Britain, Elgin was criticised for his actions, labeled by some as vandalism, and some contemporaries described him as a looter. However, following a public debate in Parliament and subsequent exoneration of Elgin’s actions, the marbles were purchased by the British Government in 1816 and placed on display in the British Museum, where they stand now on view in the purpose-built Duveen Gallery.
The legality of the removal has been questioned and the debate continues as to whether the Marbles should remain in the British Museum or be returned to Athens.” (Wikipedia)
Absent Turkish Prime Minister
In short: The Turks who at that time still occupied Greece authorized the English to loot Greek cultural heritage; no wonder the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan found a last minute excuse for not attending the opening ceremony of the Acropolis Museum yesterday.
To the Turks’ defense let’s note that during their 400 years of occupying Greece, they did not harm the cultural heritage from the 5th century BC until the vandals from Britain showed up.
Absent: British Government
No wonder either that no British government member showed up either amongst the over 400 guests from all over the world; the Brits sent down Bonnie Greer deputy chair of the British Museum’s board of trustees. The poor lady seems to be one of the last defenders of British colonial looting and barbarism, but then she has not much of a choice: if the Brits had to return all objects of theft to former colonies and war opponents they accumulate in their British Museum, the remains would most likely not justify her job.
Criminals usually like to return to the scene of crime but not for the reconstitution of the same.
Diplomatic Karamanlis at the Opening of the Acropolis Museum
The absence of the Turks and the Brits has been noticed even if Greek Prime Minister Karamanlis, diplomatically, didn’t express clearly what 10 million Greeks felt.
Greek Culture and theft of Artifacts
The Marbles exposed at the British Museum are the live testimonial of colonial robbery. The question is: why did colonial powers grab, steal and export artifacts?
It seems, that the colonials were aware of the power of art and culture the more that the Brits had never created anything comparable worth while envying them fore. Who had ever the idea to go and grab a few rocks from Stonehenge?
Greek Culture has spread all around the Mediterranean basin, throughout Europe and deep into Asia. Brits, Spanish, Portuguese and French brought it to the Americas.
What did we get back in exchange? Rock ‘n’ Roll and Hamburgers; not sure the Rock-Burger-Culture will last for 2500 years.
During 2000 years of occupancy by Romans, Turks, Venetians and many others, Greece and Greek culture has survived due to the strong roots, the cultural heritage and the Greek Orthodox Church.
Nevertheless, theft of art and artifacts has a long tradition. In recent years we have seen other acts of cultural barbarism in Afghanistan for example, where the Taliban destroyed systematically cultural heritage.
Second World War was another period where cultural goods were stolen (many have been handed back since). First the Germans looted Museums in conquered lands, then the occupants stole German Heritage as well as what the Germans had stolen first. Ask the Americans, Russians and French.
Further Back, Napoleon was another ace as well as his successors: the Louvre in Paris is a beautiful example of colonial looting. One day may be excuses will not be enough and objects will be returned to where they had been taken away from.
The Role of Museums
The Acropolis Museum is a showcase of ancient Greek Art and Culture. It’s purpose is, amongst others, to collect and preserve testimonials of a cultural past, of the roots of THE Culture which is at the base of Western, Jewish and Christian evolution.
The British Museum, as well as the Louvre are places where Governments have created showcases of political, colonial and strategic achievement. A showcase of conquest. A demonstration of power and submission of other people.
Museums of colonial powers have a similar role as the Roman tradition to bring back home riches, material signs of conquest … and slaves.
“Evolution” is when a woman of African origin becomes a Trustee of a collection representing British Colonial Power, Barbarism and Looting and claims that the Greek Marbles should remain in London.
After crossing the ground floor lobby towards the turn styles of the Museum, the first collection lies before the visitor.
An ascending, wide glass-floored gallery presents finds from the slopes of the Acropolis. On the left hand side, finds from some of the key sanctuaries of the slopes are exhibited. On the right hand side, finds from the smaller sanctuaries and the settlements that developed on the slopes of the Hill are displayed. Unique vases from the Sanctuary of Nymphe, the relief of Telemachos, theatrical masks and the treasure of Aphrodite amongst many other exhibits, provide a fascinating introduction to the larger sanctuaries and the ceremonies associated with them in antiquity.
The visitor is drawn up towards the monumental glass staircase at the end of the glass floored ramp by the large architectural sculptures of the pediment of the Hekatompedon, the first large temple of the Goddess Athena on the Acropolis.
First Floor
The visitor begins the tour of the first floor galleries at the northeast corner, where archaeological finds and a scale model make clear the significance of the Acropolis in the Mycanaean Period both as a residential area and as the seat of the local ruler. The shift in the status of the Acropolis to an important religious center is signaled by the finds from the Geometric period and in particular by the bronze decorative disc ? tour of the acropolis museum from a temple roof. This development is consolidated in the mind of the visitor, with the viewing of the Hekatompedon pediment sculptures at close range, where a scene of a lion entwined in battle with a bull is presented.
The visitor then moves to the south side of the Gallery where the richness and range of architectural sculptures, principally free standing votives stand. Depictions of young women (the Korai), the horse riders (the Ippeis) and many others provide a striking picture of the Acropolis in the Archaic Period.
Acropolis Museum Image 1
In the same Gallery, close to the exhibition of the Korai, the visitor is presented with the commanding sculptures of the pediment of the Ancient Temple of Athena Polias.
For the first time visitors to the Archaic Gallery are afforded the opportunity to view exhibits from all sides as three-dimensional exhibits. With the benefit of the changing natural light, visitors can discern and discover the delicate surface variations of the sculptures and select the antage point from which to observe the exhibits.
The visitor progresses to the close of the Archaic collection, with the display and narrative about the Persian disaster on the Acropolis, and is prepared for the next collection – that of the so-called Severe Style. Turning back to look at the Gallery the visitor is likely to be impressed with the beautiful view of the sculptures amongst the tall columns of the Archaic Gallery.
Second Floor
Visitors can then take the stairs, escalator or elevator to reach the second floor where the Museum restaurant operates but where they can also have panoramic views of the Archaic Gallery and the Gallery of the Slopes below from the public viewing balconies.
Third Floor
Another level up using the staircase, escalator or elevator and the visitor finds themselves in the atrium of the Parthenon Gallery.
Here the visitor can observe a video presentation about the Parthenon, before or after their visit to the Parthenon Gallery, and access other information about the sculptural decoration of the monument.
Acropolis Museum Image 2
The ancient marble inscriptions recording details of the construction of the statue of Athena Parthenos provide information on how democratic bodies in the 5th century BC functioned.
The installation of the frieze of the Parthenon on the rectangular cement core that has exactly the same dimensions as the cella of the Parthenon enables a comprehensive viewing of the details of the frieze as one takes the perimetric walk of the Gallery. The narrative of the story of the Panathenaic Procession is pieced together with a combination of the original blocks of the frieze and cast copies of the pieces in London. The metopes of the Parthenon are mounted in their correct order between the perimetric columns of the Gallery and the pediment sculptures, east and west, are displayed in their respective places.
Back to the First Floor
The descent of the visitor back to the first floor to the last gallery of the Museum, affords views of unique works that became prototypes for subsequent periods from antiquity to today. For the first time ever, it is possible to view to see the coffered ceiling of the Propylaia and the sculptures from the parapet of the Temple of Athena Nike, and finally the Caryatids – or Kores of the Erectheion at close proximity on the balcony overlooking the Slopes Gallery.
The exhibition concludes in this first floor gallery. Reliefs of Athenian decrees, impressive portraits, Roman copies of classical masterpieces and depictions of philosophers and historical figures are the exhibits covering a period from 5th century BC to 5th century AD. The visitor then descends the monumental staircase, crossing the Gallery of the Slopes once again towards the Museum exit.
Outlook
In the coming months visitors will be able to commence their tour of the Museum from the on-site archaeological excavation that lies within the Museum. When conservation of the remains within the excavation is completed and metal ramps above the excavation installed, visitors will be able to walk among – or rather above the remains of the ancient neighborhood. Assisted by key information points at selected vantage spots, visitors will be able to gain an understanding of life in the ancient neighborhood.
Acropolis Museum Image 3
Excavation
The excavation provides the opportunity to visitors to appreciate both the masterpieces of the Acropolis in the upper levels of the Museum against the remains of the day to day lives of the people that lived in the shadow of the Acropolis over various periods.
Visitor Services
Museum visitors have access to a range of visitor services including the ground floor cafe and second floor restaurant–cafe with its panoramic views of the Acropolis. A temporary exhibition gallery, auditorium, a virtual reality theater and two Museum shops assure a high standard of visitor experience in the Museum.
Author: Yorgo Nestoridis, Media Marketing & Publishing, Founder of YORGOO Publishing, YORGOO Press and Semiomantics.
This page is wiki editable click here to edit this page.
If you would like to help shape the Business Market Watch London in the future, we would like to hear from you. We are in the process of creating a list of local residents with an interest in BMWl issues. We will be sending out regular updates relating to BMWL as well as this you will receive a diary of local consultations and events, with an invitation to attend. If this interests you ……
We are planning a Business Watch MINI Summit for England, this will involve Business Market Watch, Neighbourhood Watch and any associated organisations targeting Anti Social Behaviour emphasising raising standards and social structure of their communities and neighbourhoods, we appeal to people of all walks of life to help us, suggest to us to organise this summit.
GLOBAL SPORTS 182 SHEPHERDS BUSH MARKET, LONDON W12 8DF
Internationally renowned and locally respected, West London’s essential retro-wear and super-exclusive apparel retailer features labels such as Ed Hardy, Bathing Ape, Christian Audigier, Nike, Ruthless Art, Avirex, True Religion, Ralph Lauren and Global’s own brand. Tailored to their customer’s needs they offer an in house airbrush service for shoe customisation, and after going from strength to strength, Global have opened a New York store in Manhattan. Whether you’re a seriouscollector or just a lover of fashion, they’ve got all you need.
Local street briefings give the public firsthand knowledge of how their Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team is addressing crime and disorder issues and they can find out how they can contribute and help influence the way their area is policed.
If local residents have any concerns, the policing team will be there to listen and act, helping make Shepherds Bush Green ward one of the safest boroughs in London.
Police Surgeries and Street Briefings give members of the local community an opportunity to meet their Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team (SNT). They can seek advice and voice their concerns about policing in the area where they live.
This also gives the local SNT the opportunity to demonstrate the “Policing Pledge” and also gives the SNT more coverage of the area, as well as helping with “Community Engagement and Reassurance”.The importance of these meetings is self evident, as the level of cooperation and commitment is growing as is the confidence in our SNT from Shepherds Bush Green ward.
Mr. Saeed helped us as a “Community” to launch business watch, after he successfully helped the traders start their first “Association” in the history of Shepherds Bush Market. Regular meetings are held, to discuss items of interest to all traders, and the landlord and management.
The traders in the market endearingly call him “Uncle”, he is always available to speak to his members, as well as anyone from outside the market to help with their problems, no matter how small or big. His recent successes include working with homeless and vulnerable adults, and starting a hospital visiting program with the local charity called Market Community Centre.
Anyone wishing to find our more information on how to volunteer, please call the above number or call in to the market, or send an email, volunteers are always needed, just to help in community engagement, as well as assisting with meetings, to include our partners from the Safer Neighbourhoods Teams, to help bring about community cohesion. We are also helping our partners in the Metropolitan Police Authority as members of the LBHF Community Police Engagement Group (through our Charity Market Community Centre ) – Community Monitoring Network Scrutiny Programme, looking at Stop & Search on behalf of our Community. For more information call the MPA Stop & Search Team contact details above.
