Friday Photo: Gas Holder
Gas holder at Sury Basin, opposite Sainsbury’s.
Friday Photo: The Bentall Centre
I took this photo in the Bentall Centre a few fridays ago at about 5pm. I didn’t know until being told by security about five seconds after I took this that photography is not allowed in the Bentall Centre – you learn something new every day.
If you’ve taken a nice photo around Kingston that you’d like to share, do please email it to rob@kingston.hyperlocal.co.uk
New Vietnamese supermarket opens in Kingston
A new supermarket opened in Kingston town centre on Saturday morning offering “a new taste of the orient.”
Longdan, which already has branches in Leyton and Shoreditch, had its grand opening in Wood Street, over the road from Bentalls, with music, dancing and freshly cooked food samples – the spring rolls were the best I’ve tasted in a long time!
If you didn’t manage to pop in for the opening, here’s some pictures from the opening and a taster of the music.
Friday Photo: Kingston swans
I’ll try and post a nice Kingston picture every Friday – this week’s is of some swans down at the river that think some food may be on the cards. If you’ve taken a nice photo around Kingston lately, I’d love to post it here. You can email it to rob@kingston.hyperlocal.co.uk
Cyclists to race through Kingston at London 2012
Kingston town centre will play a part in the cycling time trials event at London 2012, it has been announced.
The 44km route for men, and 29km for women, will start and end at Hampton Court Palace and take participants through the boroughs of Kingston, Richmond and Elmbridge.
As the cyclists hit Kingston, they will head into the town centre, through the market place and then over Kingston Bridge.
London 2012 organisers announced last month that the road race event – 250km long for men and 140m long for women – will also pass through Kingston.
Councillor Simon James, Executive Member for Sport at Kingston Council, said:
“To have both the Road Race and Time Trial visiting the streets of our borough in 2012 is fantastic news. South West London and North Surrey will become a focal point for cycling fans from across the world as they come to watch these two wonderful events. The whole region will benefit culturally and economically and we look forward to welcoming them and showing what Kingston has to offer.
Pictures from French Market
There was a French Market going on at the marketplace on Saturday selling all kinds of bits and pieces from across the channel including breads and pastries, cheeses, biscuits, music, garlic prawns, laces and soaps. Here’s a few pictures that I took…
I’ve been trying to find if there’s a list of dates of when the French Market is on but haven’t had any success… maybe someone who reads this might know?
Three men found guilty of Bentall Centre smash and grab
Three man, all from North London, were found guilty last week at Kingston Crown Court of a smash and grab robbery at a jewellers in the Bentall Centre.
The gang forced their way into the Bentall Centre just after midnight on the 4th August 2010, before smashing the windows of Fraser Hart and making off with £60,000 worth of watches.
James Smith, aged 26, and Robert O’Connor, aged 23, had previously pleaded guilty to the offence and were both sentenced to three years and six months imprisonment.
Rocky Goldsmith, aged 32, had previously pleaded not guilty and received six years imprisonment.
DS Tony Skinner of MPS Kingston’s burglary and robbery squad paid tribute to the council’s CCTV operators for the evidence they gathered and commented:
“There can be no doubt that this organised criminal network posed a significant threat to high class jewellers and their staff and to members of the public in general.”
Having a royal wedding street party?
The council has announced its guidance for anyone wishing to celebrate the royal wedding with a street party.
A simple form can be downloaded from this page on the council’s website.
Anyone wishing to hold a street party over the weekend of April 29th to celebrate the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William will need get their form returned to the council no later than Friday 25th March.
The Sury Basin Skateboard Park
Is it me or is the Sainsbury’s at Sury Basin increasingly resembling a skate board park?
It’s been going on for quite a while but the numbers of kids on boards performing dangerous looking stunts has surely increased of late. They don’t actually do any harm but the raucous sound of skate boards charging around you and the sight of lads tumbling onto hard concrete floors is not the most welcoming of experiences.
What do you think… let the kids have their fun or should there be a better spot for them to go and practice their slides and grinds?
Review: Moka, Bentall Centre
I’d been meaning to try Moka on the top floor of the Bentall Centre for quite a while but the place always looked jam packed when I walked past. After a fantastic brunch at the Wimbledon Moka, I decided I had to give the Kingston one a try too.
Unfortunately, my first reaction wasn’t great. I arrived mid morning on a Sunday and there was no clear instruction as to whether to just take a seat or wait to be seated. Eventually a nod and a pointed finger from a staff member guided my companion and I to a table. Another couple came in, took a seat, went unnoticed for five minutes and left – awkward for all concerned and easily avoided if things are a bit clearer or better organised.
The Croque Madam I had had at the Wimbledon Moka just a few weeks previous was so good that I had to plump it for again – not very adventurous, I know. Sadly, it was a crushing disappointment – the toast was burnt and the egg yolk was dry and crumbly. The salad leaves on the plate looked pretty sorry for themselves too.
My friend had a burger and fries was generally a lot happier with the food than I was so maybe I was just unlucky. Service wasn’t too bad after the initial hiccup, but really it was an underwhelming experience although I’d be happy to try it again another time though to see if it was just an off day when I went in.