Posts Tagged london
Speak up for the future of your village
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on February 20, 2012
The City of Sydney is inviting residents to have their say on new plans for the city’s villages with a series of local workshops set to begin this month.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said 2030 in your Village was designed to give people the opportunity to have meaningful input into the future of their community.
“Our unique villages are as important for the culture and economy of our city as the city centre,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Other global cities with distinct villages like SoHo and Greenwich in New York and Notting Hill and Camden Town in London show the strength of local communities is a key attraction for people choosing where to visit, work and live.”?
Since 2005, the City of Sydney has been working with local communities to enhance villages with improvements that have included new community facilities, park upgrades and street landscaping.
All improvements were developed as part of Local Action Plans in consultation with the community. the City has undertaken or is currently completing more than 350 different improvements throughout the local government area.
The Lord Mayor said in 2007, Sustainable Sydney 2030 was created after extensive consultation to make Sydney environmentally, economically, socially and culturally sustainable.
“Many new residents and businesses have made Sydney their home since 2007. As the City develops new community-based projects we again invite residents and businesses to work with us. your ideas can help shape your neighbourhood,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We have prepared preliminary plans for each village which we hope will inspire discussion and comment. You can see them at 2030inyourvillage.com.au
“We will be holding local workshops so come along and help us make your village a place where the environment matters, the economy thrives, art and culture are encouraged and people feel at home.
“I look forward to seeing you and hearing your ideas.”
Local workshops:
Visit 2030inyourvillage.com.au
For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Leanne Lincoln, phone 02 9265 9617 or email llincoln@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP, contact Shehana Teixeira on 02 9265 9400 or steixeira@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
It pays to party
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on February 18, 2012
Fancy planning a killer night out with a group of friends but don’t have the time or aren’t “in the know”? A social concierge may be the answer to your problems.
Rachel Abbott is a senior manager in a large management consultancy firm. A New Yorker by birth who lived in London for six years, Abbott had been residing in Sydney for just under a year when it came time to organise her hen’s night in December 2011.
“I thought, ‘I don’t really know what I want to do’,” she says.
There were two main problems for Abbott. A busy job meant that her time was at a premium and she also wanted an experience for her hen’s night that was a bit out of the ordinary.
“I eat out a lot, so know where to find restaurant reviews but I didn’t want to just have a dinner for my hen’s,” Abbott says. “I wanted to do dinner and something a bit more special but so many things just seem touristy. Things like a harbour cruise can be an expensive gamble if you don’t know what you’re getting.”
For a $50 flat fee, Abbott engaged the services of More the Merrier, a new Sydney business that helps individuals plan group outings.
The self-described social concierge service, for groups of more than six, was established in August 2011 by friends Zae Greenwood and Chris Dair. Greenwood had worked for a decade with London’s Maybourne Hotel Group, which owns Claridge’s, The Berkeley and The Connaught, first organising society weddings and corporate events, then in public relations for the group.
Dair is studying for a commerce degree and is a former dancer in musical theatre productions. he got the idea for More the Merrier from organising wrap parties for his fellow cast members.
“I think we’re becoming a little bit time poor,” Dair says. “we can let our social occasions slip by without giving them the attention they deserve.”
So far More the Merrier’s customers have been split evenly between small and medium businesses without the internal resources to organise company outings and individuals who have a special occasion to mark, such as a hen’s night or 50th birthday, that they don’t have time to organise.
“we can fall in the trap of doing the same things all the time and becoming comfortable in our immediate surrounds,” Dair says. “[More the Merrier] is like a social intervention.”
Clients give a brief to More the Merrier and the company’s concierge manager, Cynthia Hanson, puts together some options to choose from. there are pre-packaged tours and Hanson also puts together custom group activities.
“I wrote her [Hanson] a paragraph describing me and my friends and what we were looking for,” Abbott says. “I wanted something a little bit silly, girly and fun but at the same time, we’re in our early 30s. we weren’t about to go to a strip club or something.”
From some options, Abbott chose a dinner and cabaret theatre harbour cruise for her and her 10 girlfriends. Hanson made the booking and Abbott paid More the Merrier for the tickets later by PayPal.
Dair says apart from the concierge fee, individuals won’t pay more than if they organised the reservation themselves because More the Merrier has “relationships” with venues. The duo plan to extend the service to Melbourne this year and Dair wants to be organising at least 30 parties a week to make the business financially successful.
Abbott says More the Merrier’s service solves the issues of time and complexity, when it comes to organising something special for a group of friends to do.
“I think the value that they’re adding is they’re bringing together reviews, recommendations and booking,” she says.
“I thought I could spend the rest of my time reading Time Out or I could go through More the Merrier.”
New Year Events
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on February 16, 2012
Waiting for the firecrackers to announce the New Year? Well, the New Year is here with a big bang. Your celebrations may begin with firecracker shows and various events every year, but the zeal for the festivity is new every time. The type of such festivity however may differ from place to place. New Year Events like those in London, New York and Asia are rated among the top events held for the occasion.
New Year celebrations
Preparations to welcome the New Year begin right from the previous year. at the stroke of the midnight, firecrackers announce the birth of a fresh New Year to the world. The celebrations begin with greetings for near and dear ones, followed by exchange of gifts. various events like musical concerts, plays and sport events are held to rejoice and welcome it. Watching movies, going out for dinners and picnics too are a part of its celebrations.
Events for the New Year
Events are an important part of the celebrations. The shows are held on this day and may also take place all through the month. Events such as, musical concerts, dance shows, sports shows, DJ Nights, beach and parades and cruise parties are some of the common ones to be held in some of the major cities of US, UK and other nations. Some of the well-known events held for this occasion are:
New Year parade in London
Tournament of Roses in United States
Sydney Harbor Cruise party
Celebration at Ramoji Film City, India
New Year Ideas
If you are wondering how to celebrate it, here are some ideas for you.
Wear a new dress on the this day. nothing feels better than a little self-pampering on an occasion like this.
Go for picnics along with your family or a fun trip to a nearby location, to begin the New Year with a family outing.
Make your resolutions and set your goals on the New Year day.
Start your New Year with a noble activity like, by giving a donation, or giving clothes, money and other necessities to poor people.
Canon Phil Ashey reports from London
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on October 31, 2011
Posted on October 29, 2011 Filed under Anglican Communion
In his weekly report, Canon Phil Ashey of the American Anglican Council writes from London –
“GAFCON was not just a moment; it is a movement. the purpose of the 2012 leadership conference will be to gather existing and emerging FCA leaders… to promote the ongoing renewal and reformation of the Anglican Communion.”
“Dear Friends in Christ,
I have been working this week from London in meetings of the global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA), which has just opened an office here under the able leadership of Bishop Martyn Minns. Next year, there will be a conference of about 200 leaders from the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans held in London in the spring.
The theme of the gathering will be “Jesus Christ: Unique and Supreme,” based on Colossians 1:15-20 –
“he is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation…and he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” Colossians 1:15, 18
The structures of the Anglican Communion have continued to deteriorate since the 2008 Lambeth Conference. That same year, the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) took place in Jerusalem, which gave birth to the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, a global movement committed to the renewal and reformation of the Anglican Communion around a common confession (The Jerusalem Declaration). GAFCON was not just a moment; it is a movement. the purpose of the 2012 leadership conference will be to gather existing and emerging FCA leaders – laity, clergy, theologians, youth, bishops, women and men – to promote the ongoing renewal and reformation of the Anglican Communion. these leaders will truly represent this global movement of Anglicans all over the world. we hope and pray this will set the stage for a larger “GAFCON II” meeting to be held in 2013.
The American Anglican Council will be helping the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans develop this conference. we are committed to supporting this global movement of biblical Anglicans and to the renewal and reformation of the Anglican Communion around a common confession. Be sure to monitor our website and emails for more news on these exciting events.
Last night, there was a reception for supporters and those interested in the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans. the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya and Chairmen of the FCA, Eliud Wabukala, was present, along with the Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, Peter Jensen, the retired Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Peter Akinola, as well as the former Bishop of Rochester, England, Michael Nazir-Ali.
Each of these men are exceptional Christian leaders who truly seek God’s will for the Anglican Communion.
While at the reception, two comments in particular stood out to me. the first was from Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, who described an article that a London newspaper published. It pointedly told the bishop three things: (1) Do not tell us what to do or not do in our bedrooms; (2) do not say that Jesus is unique for everyone as that offends people of other faiths; and (3) do not say that the Christian faith has anything to do with public policy.
This article illustrates the kind of hostility and discrimination that Christians are facing in the UK. It also heralds the same kind of hostility and discrimination many of us are beginning to face in North America. Even though the newspaper printed a letter from an Anglican priest the next day which stated that those three things are exactly what we expect of faithful bishops like Michael Nazir-Ali, the structures and leadership of the Church of England did very little at all to stand up against such hostility and discrimination.
This is one reason why the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans exists- to provide mutual support, encouragement and structures that enable Anglicans to be faithful to Jesus Christ and to “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:16-20).
The second comment came from Archbishop Eliud Wabukala. in response to the question, “is it worth continuing the battle within the present structures of the Church of England and the Anglican communion?,” Archbishop Wabukala reminded us of the East-African revival. like GAFCON and the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, it, too, was a movement and not just a moment. the East African Revival was a Holy Spirit-directed movement that cut across tribes and races from Rwanda to Tanzania. It was a revival within the Anglican church where the people involved in it spoke out against sin in the church, stood up for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and influenced each other. the East-African revival gave birth to a new generation of leaders who ultimately renewed those Anglican Churches so that millions of people could come to faith in Jesus Christ.
This is another reason why the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans exists – to faithfully point out sin in the Church, stand firm for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and renew the Anglican Communion. like that great revival, we are part of a Holy Spirit movement, empowering existing and emerging Anglican leaders who will renew and reform the Anglican Communion.
Please pray for the leadership of FCA and for Bishop Minns and his family as they take up their new assignment in London. please pray for the 2012 conference and that it will fulfill everything God is calling it to do. and please pray for the American Anglican Council as we support this vital work throughout the world!
Yours in Christ,
Come fly with me: Sydney shines
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on October 8, 2011
I checked into the four Seasons Sydney rather late on a Sunday and on a day that had suddenly become cold and windy. Looking out of the full-length windows from this iconic building on to the Opera House ahead of me and Harbour Bridge to my left and with only the rest of the evening left to explore, I took up James, a new friend who runs a chauffeur company get Chauffered, on his offer to whisk me around and show me the best of the city.
"I don’t want to do the usual sightseeing," I told him, getting into the car. He knew that, of course. So I knew I would get a feel of the pulse of the city, not just the postcard-coming-to-life version.
Just as London is associated with Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and red buses, New York with Statue of Liberty and Empire State, Sydney, in much the same way, is synonymous with the two monumental structures, and grand though they certainly are, there is much, much more. As we headed from the sumptuous four Seasons to the meandering streets of Darlinghurst, where charming leaf-ridden homes echoed European countryside yet reminded me of Notting Hill, and later the little boutiques in Double Bay (nicknamed Double Pay!), where homes were converted into boutique shops, looking like piccolo-perfect churches, I began to get a sense of what this "more" meant. I felt the gust of wind as we stepped out for a moment at Bondi Beach to watch powerful waves crash against the shore and then, within minutes, I was at the northern tip of South Head, catching a view of the city as the sun began to sink lower into the abyss below. a drive down Watsons Bay viewing the entrance into Sydney Harbour and passing striking million-dollar homes, we arrived at Camp Cove, protected by rocks on both sides, where I revelled in the rustling stillness, at odds with the wild waves of Bondi. a moment later I was passing through Rosebay with the Harbour on the right and the city lights twinkling through the trees in the distance, as we made our way back into the city.
And within this hour of daylight, a sunset and a few hours of evening, with dinner and gelato in Newtown (uncannily similar to London’s Camden), I had found those gems scattered over the city for which I would return. had it not been for James, I might have left with a somewhat lacklustre impression of this beautiful place.
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— for more from Meera Ashish log on to www.meera-ashish.com
Two-hour flights to Sydney could be the future
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on October 4, 2011
FLIGHTS to Sydney from the UK will take less than two hours when commercial space travel takes off.
Flying to Australia now takes about 24 hours, but a spaceship is being developed by an F1 tycoon and Dutch airline KLM which will slash flight times.
Michiel Mol, 42, who co-owns the Force India F1 team, said: “London to Sydney in an hour and 45 minutes, that is the future.” The flights could lift off in 15 to 20 years and cost about £6,200 for the cheapest seats – about the same as Concorde used to be.
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The venture still needs huge investment to get off the ground, but the first spaceship, the Lynx, will be unveiled next spring. mr Mol said: “where you’re going doesn’t make much difference.
“You need 10 minutes to get into space and 30 minutes to decelerate and land again and the rest of the time you’re flying at 12,000-13,750mph. Flying from London to Barcelona would still take an hour or so while London to Tokyo would be about 1hr 30mins.” Passengers would be able to call themselves astronauts if they fly higher than 100km, and will need to pass a physical.
But Anton Kreil, 32, the first Briton to pay Mol for a sub-orbital flight, said: “I believe we are only 20 years from this becoming a viable means of transportation.”
- EASYJET founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou plans to launch a transatlantic airline with his newly-formed company, Fastjet, to take on British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Guliver’s, nay, Selina’s Travels: Sydney, On the Pacific Ocean or the Tasman Sea? The map says Tasman, the locals say Pacific…mmmm
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on March 24, 2011
Three hours on an airoplane and I was in a different world…
The east coast of Australia. I should comment, that leaving the Red Centre took at least an hour and a half of the flight…
So, after nearly four months of being in isolation with nature, or in smaller cities, I found arriving in Sydney quite a shock… the landscape was green, the city was big, the sky was grey… it could have been London….only its about 23 hours flight away from London…
Arriving in Sydney brought the joy of seeing a most beloved friend. I dont think I have appreciated this joy before…and it only took four months of being away from all, and everyone I know!
The first evening was spent in the Harbour, enjoyng the sights of the Opera House and the bridge, which i sadly did not endeavour to climb, although I heard that harnesses were involved!
The second day, I raced off to see the Blue Mountains. On a sunny day, the mountains appear blue because of the way the light refracts off the oils the eucalyptus trees give off… on this thursday however, the sky was grey, again, and so there was no blue in sight. For most of the morning, the mist covered most of the view, but wiht some positive thinking, by the afternoon, the mist began to lift, and we were able to see some of the mountains magnificance!
We took a cable car down the mountain, and as we went below the mist, we were able to see the apparently famous three sisters formation, the orphan, and some others whose names I’ve forgotten. like Ayers rock, these formations all have aboriginal stories connected to them. We then took the steepest train in the world I think back up the mountain, and that is an experience not to be missed.. though I have to say, with no side and no seat belt, I did think i would fall out of the carriage!
We also went to an animal sanctuary, where I got to touch a koala, and see a wombat which was very exciting because I dont think I’ve ever even seen a picture of one!
The day finished with a ferry ride back into the harbour, so i got to see sydney harbour from the sea.
Friday was spent at the zoo, which prides itself of being the zoo with the best view in the world… and it is a fab view over sydney harbour.
Saturday, the sabbath, was spent with a family in Bondi.. where we all got wet by the rain which pelted down from friday afternoon til I left today… people think that coming from England I should be used to it, but Im not!!! that was some rain! at least I didnt feel too bad about having a shower!
Sunday was the jewish festival of purim, and amidst the festivities of the day, I was able to while away a few hours on the famous Bondi Beach with my friend… and the sun even came out to play with us for a bit!!
So, did I escape the bugs?? Predominantly yes, although I did have to share my room with a cockroach last night… but thank Gd not my bed… and I didn’t squeal!
And today, monday, I am here, in melbourne… so more from me top side of this tour that Im doing tomorrow along the Great Ocean Rd,… Im off to pack…..again
Australia Beats England by 2 Wickets in One-Day Cricket Match in Sydney
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on February 5, 2011
Australia defeated England by twowickets in their sixth one-day cricket international in Sydney,giving the hosts a 5-1 lead in the series with one matchremaining.
Australia needed 6 runs from the last over after captainMichael Clarke was run out on 82. John Hastings’s boundary wonthe match with four balls remaining, leaving Australia on 334-8.
England finished on 333-6. Jonathan Trott led the visitorswith 137.
The teams are preparing for the sport’s 50-over World Cup,co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, which runs fromFeb. 19 to April 2. Australia and England meet again in Perth onFeb. 6 to end the series.
To contact the reporter on this story:Chris Elser in London at celser@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story:Peter-Joseph Hegarty at phegarty@bloomberg.net
Australia Beats England by 2 Wickets in One-Day Cricket Match in Sydney
What is the cheapest way to book a flight from Sydney to London?
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on January 18, 2011
I need to fly back to the UK for friends weddings in March and beginning of August next year… I'm currently in the UK but will move to Sydney in October. Looking for the best way to get back to be with friends on their wedding days…
check out this website http://www.cheapoair.com/
simply do a search and see if this fits you. good luck
check out Lufthansa but you may have to go through the flight centre. Lufthansa has had some good prices compared to other airlines but has seats fill up that can change.
What is the cheapest way to book a flight from Sydney to London?
Sophisticated Penthouse in Sydney
Posted by Malcolm in Uncategorized on December 8, 2010
After London and Moscow Penthouses, I will present you a ultra luxurious pentouse in Sydney which offer 280 degree view of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.This penthouse feature an outstanding elegance, luxury and sophistication.furthermore there is a 20 metres pool for swiming and a home cinema.there are 5 bedrooms with spa and walk-in dressing room.Let’s the pictures speak.{via here}
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