Ceroc Greenwich are performing dance displays in the Arlington Arch on Saturday 23 February, Saturday 28 June and Saturday 25 October.

Their website is www.cerocgreenwich.co.uk if you wish to learn more on their venue in Greenwich and classes.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, The Bow Quarter Summer Market and Party has been cancelled. Thank you to all of you who had shown interest in participating.

The Bow Quarter Events Team

bowquarterevents@gmail.com

David Browne our new Estate Manager started this week.

He brings a wealth of experience and expertise gained from his time at a diverse multicultural university and a major UK bank.

Please join the Board in welcoming him to his new role and the Estate.

The Board of Directors

The Bow Quarter Summer Party has now been rescheduled to Saturday 8 September. If you would like to participate in anyway or would like further information please email bowquarterevents@gmail.com

Our current Estate Manager, Janet McAvinnie, will be leaving her post at the Bow Quarter on Wednesday 11th July 2007.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Janet for all her hard work and dedication to the ever challenging role of Estate Manager at Bow Quarter.

Janet, we wish you every success in your career.

The board has sourced a prospective candidate and we are currently negotiating a start date, we will update as soon as we can officially confirm their appointment and start date

Maria Gierszewski
Chair
BQRM Ltd

As you will now be aware England becomes smokefree on Sunday 1 July 2007. In line with the new legisalation you will see no-smoking signs in the entrances of all buildings in The Bow Quarter. From Sunday it will be illegal to smoke in any enclosed public area or work place.

If you wish to learn more on this new legislation click on the following link www.smokefreeengland.co.uk

The date for The Bow Quarter Summer Party is set for Saturday 21st July 2007.

Watch out for exciting updates in the coming weeks.

Bow Quarter's new service charge accounts company, Rendall & Rittner have used the services of their utility broker, Utility Resource Management, to obtain drastically improved rates for the purchase of electricity and gas for the Bow Quarter's communal areas. Rates from 1 June will be as much as 30% lower than those currently being charged.

Says BQRM Chair Maria Gierszewski "We are delighted by this result, and see this added value as further vindication of our decision to award the contract to Rendall & Rittner. Bow Quarter consumed over £70,000 of electricity and gas in 2006, as much as small factory. We are already reducing consumption through our environmental programme, and this latest development should result in a double bonus for leaseholders."

As part of our on going commitment to reduce our carbon footprint, we have undertaken a survey of lighting levels and usage within the car-parking areas. It has been shown that we are able to reduce energy consumption by 60% during daylight hours and 30% at night while remaining within lighting guidelines for underground car park lighting*. We are currently experimenting with removing a number of fluorescent tubes , and would welcome your comments. Please contact the office. Fittings with tubes removed carry an identifying CARBON TRUST sticker.

The simple act of installing timers and removing surplus lights will prevent a staggering 24,000kg of C02 per annum from entering the atmosphere, as well as reducing by almost 50% the levels of mercury and other hazardous chemicals sent to landfill in redundant fluorescent tube.

DID YOU KNOW?
A SINGLE FLUORESCENT TUBE CONTAINS ENOUGH MERCURY TO CONTAMINATE 30,000 LITRES OF FRESH WATER, OR  6 MONTHS WORTH FOR A 2 PERSON HOUSEHOLD.

* The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers recommends a minimum light level in underground car parks of
50 lumens/m²,which was measured and achieved  in all circulation areas using 200 of the 298 tubes installed in the car park.

BQRM are pleased to announce that they recently invited Liz Aitken to rejoin the Board of the Company. Liz has been co-opted onto the board in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association. Shareholders will have the opportunity to confirm her appointment at the next Annual General Meeting.

I'd like to take this opportunity to formally welcome Liz back to the Board and thank her in advance for her commitment to work with us in the united aim of a better Bow Quarter.

Maria Gierszewski
7 June 2007

The board are pleased to announce that Maria Gierszewski has been voted by the board of directors to chair the Bow Quarter Resident's Management.

Please join the board in welcoming Maria into her new post as Chair of BQRM Ltd.
The Board of Directors

Response from Maria Gierszewski:
I would like to thank the board for giving me this opportunity and welcome this challenging position. With the support of the entire board I am positive we will work well together to work in the very best interests of the estate.
Maria Gierszewski

Following the AGM on 22 April 2007 Johnny Pau has subsequently decided not to take up his duties as a Director of BQRM Ltd.

Maria Gierszewski
Chair
Bow Quarter Resident's Management

The new directors are:
Vanessa Freeman
Robert McCarthy
Lucy Natarajan
Johnny Pau
Paul Skinner
Helen Wilkinson

The retiring directors are:
Liz Aitken
Paul Crowe
Peter Dixon
Luke Doonan
Terry Nicholls

We have received 54 responses to the Leisure Centre Questionnaire. A report is being created from the information received and will be made available on Monday 16 April.

Thank you to all who took the time to complete and return your questionnaire, your comments and views are very valuable to us.

Please note that the Estate Office will close at 8pm on Thursday 5 April and will reopen at 8.30am on Tuesday 10 April.

In case of an emergency please contact the Security Lodge on 020 8983 0052.

The Leisure Centre will operate normal opening times.

BOW QUARTER RESIDENTS’ MANAGEMENT LIMITED
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
that the
2007 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
of the company will be held at
The Skeel Lecture Theatre, Peoples Palace,
Queen Mary
University of London
Mile End Road
LONDON E1
at
11.00 a.m.
Sunday 22 April 2007

Full details of the meeting will be posted to all shareholders

Tower Hamlets paid a unscheduled visit to our Leisure Centre on Friday 23 March, we are proud to announce that no serious defects were found. However they did comment on some of our older equipment which we voluntered to take out of action until we were able to reinstate to their recommended standard, they are now fully operationally.

Lights to the Pond and Surrounding Pathways

As you are no doubt aware we are experiencing a problem with a number of lights along the pathway and pond area. Please be assured we are working to resolve this, we envisage that we will have the lights fully operational early next week.

To remind you Janet McAvinnie, Estate Manager will be available in the Leisure Centre at the following times.

7.00 pm – 7.30 pm Thursday 16 March 2007

10.00 am - 11.00 am Friday 17 March 2007

10.30 am – 11.30 am Saturday 18 March 2007

This is to allow you to put forward your views on the Leisure Centre management and facilities, those views given will be noted and collated along with the comments received from the completed questionnaire.

Once we have reached the closing date for responses to the questionnaire (25 March 2007) we will inform you when you may expect to see the results.

Regards

Janet McAvinnie

Ceroc Greenwich are performing a dance display in the Arlington Arch from 11am on Saturday 10 March 2007.

Their website is www.cerocgreenwich.co.uk if you wish to learn more on their venue in Greenwich and classes.

As you are aware Nuffield Proactive Health has issued Bow Quarter Residents’ Management with notice of their intention to end the contract for the management of the Leisure Centre. The initial notice was submitted on 5 January 2007 and it was first agreed that the contract would cease on 5 April 2007, however this date has now been extended to 23 April 2007. This delay is beneficial to us as it gives us a period to gather the views of you, our Leaseholders and Residents, on how the Leisure Centre should be managed by a new supplier.

To enable us to gather your views we have drawn up a User Evaluation Questionnaire, which is available in the Leisure Centre, Estate Office and by download from here. We urge you, particularly regular Leisure Centre users, to give us your views by completing the questionnaire and returning it to the Estate Office or Leisure Centre Team by 25 March 2007. The data gathered from the questionnaires will be used in the decision making process.

As with the refurbishment project, we will be holding open discussion forums in the Leisure Centre at 7.00 pm Thursday 15 March, 10.00 am Friday 16 March and 10.30 am Saturday 17 March 2007.

Regards

Janet McAvinnie
Estate Manager

The Board of BQRM are pleased to announce the next estate-wide open meeting.

Venue:Skeel Lecture Theatre in the Peoples Palace , Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road,
London E1 4NS

Date: Sunday April 1st 2007

Time: 10.30 to 12.30

The current Board is very aware of the importance of open communication and so in 2005 and 2006 we went outside our strict legal obligations to hold an AGM for shareholders only and held estate-wide meetings to which all stakeholders were invited. No previous Board had held such meetings, but the good turnout and lively debates at both events proved to us that the modest cost involved in hiring a large enough space is money well spent in providing an opportunity for residents to find out about the Board’s plans for the future of the estate and for the Board and Estate Team to hear first hand the views and suggestions of residents and other stakeholders.

Your invite to the meeting will be posted to you mail box along with a venue location map

We look forward to seeing you there.

The Chair
BQRM

Thursday
8 February 2007

The Annual General Meeting of the Company is provisionally booked for Sunday 22 April 2007. Further details will be sent to all eligible shareholders nearer the time.

During the course of the coming weeks recycle bins will be arriving in the bin stores, we hope you take this opportunity to help our environment by sorting your rubbish and recycling your cans, directories, brochures and catalogues, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, envelopes, junk mail and scrap paper, newspaper, cardboard and card packaging in fact most household rubbish.

Please ensure any food tins, bottles and jars have been rinsed before placing in the recycle. Further updates to follow on locations and guidelines.

Estate Management Team

During the next two weeks we will be posting, to all those who kindly completed the bike registration form, a small tag to place on your bike which will enable us to identify those bikes which have been abandoned. Once this has been completed we will begin to remove those bikes that appear to have been abandoned. If you have not completed a registration form please pop into the office to obtain one or alternatively forward your details to the link below .

cycle registration form

Due to high winds today, which are expected to continue through this evening, we must insist that you remove items stored on windowsills as we have experienced pots falling from sills during the course of today.

As previously stated to all residents, items stored on sills create a Health and Safety risk to all users of the Estate, therefore those items not removed from the sills the owners will be collected by our contractor over the coming weeks.

Thank you
Janet McAvinnie

I am writing to tell you that Nuffield Proactive Health have issued Bow Quarter Resident's Management with three months' notice of their intention to end their contract for the management of the Leisure Centre. The notice was submitted on 5th January so the contract will cease on 5th April 2007.

During the coming weeks, Janet McAvinnie, our Estate Manager, will present to the Board a range of options for the future management of the Leisure Centre. As part of the process, Janet will analyse residents' needs, investigate alternative specialist suppliers and look at the possibility of bringing the management of the centre into the central operation of the Estate. She will consider service delivery, the Health and Safety of users and staff, value and cost efficiency. The Board believe this situation offers us a real opportunity to find the best possible option for residents.

Further information will be made available in due course.

Yours sincerely

Liz Aitken
Chair
Bow Quarter Resident's Management Limited 

Leisure Centre opening times for the Festive period are being communicated to all residents, please look out for a postcard in your individual letter boxes.

For convenience they are repeated below:

24/12 - 7.00 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
25/12 - closed
26/12 - 3.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
27/12 - normal hours
28/12 - normal hours
29/12 - normal hours
30/12 - normal hours
31/12 - 7.00 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
01/01 - 3.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
02/01 - 6.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
03/01 - normal hours resume

We are please to announce that the Leisure Centre will open for business at 12 noon on Thursday December 21st. We realise that this is significantly later than we had originally planned, and apologise for this, but the delays were absolutely unavoidable. Once we started the work, we uncovered a great many problems, many going back to when the centre was first fitted out. Until we started removing tiles, lifting floor coverings and so on, we could not know what was beneath. Having found problems, we had to remedy them. It would have been irresponsible to have, literally, papered over the cracks. We are grateful that the vast majority of residents have understood our position and have been patient. A job worth doing is worth doing properly.

As you are aware from previous updates, many exciting developments have taken place during the closure of the Leisure Centre. These include a new layout for the reception area, a new spa pool and the redecoration of many areas of the club.

New Group Exercise Studio: In the New Year, the Fitness Team will launch a timetable of classes to be held in our new, purpose-built studio. At the same time, a new fitness programme will be launched. We now have three workout areas: Cardiovascular, Resistance and Studio.

New, top of the range Cardiovascular & Resistance equipment: Using new equipment is like driving an exciting new car: a challenge at first, but the rewards are soon obvious. We want to reduce uncertainty and make exercise fun from the start. Members of the Fitness Team are available for friendly induction sessions. Please book an appointment or pop in and speak to one of the team.

Audio-Visual Entertainment: Some of the Cardiovascular machines are enhanced with on-board audio-visual capabilities, including some sports, news and music and radio channels.

New Team Member: Please join us in welcoming our newest member of the Fitness Team: Minesh Shah, our new Centre Manager. Minesh has a wealth of experience in managing a customer–focused and motivated team.  He aims to promote fitness to a wider audience within Bow Quarter, providing tailored fitness regimes to suit your personal goals. His key priority is customer service.

Questions & Answers

Date of Opening:  During the refurbishment we uncovered a significant number of unforeseen maintenance issues and had no option but to resolve these while the Centre was closed.  Unfortunately this has resulted in the project over running our planned opening date. (see Introduction)

Temporary Entrance Door: We had originally planned to replace the main door in the Spring of 2007. However, the most cost-effective way of getting the old spa out, and the new one in, was through the front door, but it had to be completely removed to accomplish this. As a result, we brought our plans forward and the door is being completely replaced. An essential part of the new door is being made to measure and delivery has, unfortunately, been delayed; we expect it to be delivered early January. As we did not wish to delay the opening any further we have decided to open with the temporary door in place. We will start work on the new door once we have received delivery. When we do, we will be asking you to use an alternative entrance. We envisage this disruption will only be for a period of one to two days. We will give you as much notice as possible of these temporary arrangements.

Security: once the new door is in place, we will be re introducing our membership swipe system. Further details will follow shortly.

Budgets: The refurbishment and the studio extension outlined in the Bulletin Board Extra published earlier this year have been completed within budget. The essential maintenance work undertaken at the same time has been paid for out of the annual maintenance budget. A large part of the cost of replacing the spa was covered through a successful insurance claim on the old spa.

New Exercise Studio: As we are waiting for the final inspection by Tower Hamlets Building Controls for the New Exercise Studio which is scheduled for early January, we will introduce a new exciting exercise programme in the New Year.

Minor Snagging: Over the coming weeks we will need to work on minor snagging, however we will endeavour to ensure that this will not inconvenience your enjoyment of the enhanced Leisure Centre.

The refurbished Bow Quarter Leisure Centre will open from 12 noon to 10.30pm on Thursday 21 December 2006.

Leisure Centre opening times for the Christmas period are being communicated to all residents, please look out for a postcard in your individual letter boxes.

For convenience they are repeated below:

24/12 - 7.00 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
25/12 - closed
26/12 - 3.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
27/12 - normal hours
28/12 - normal hours
29/12 - normal hours
30/12 - normal hours
31/12 - 7.00 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
01/01 - 3.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
02/01 - 6.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
03/01 - normal hours resume

Monday 18 December 2006

We have organised temporary maintenance cover on the Satellite and Aerial System over the Christmas period, Friday 22nd December until Tuesday 2nd January.

Should you have a problem with your system, please contact Security, we will then contact Blakeglow on your behalf.

Please be aware that they will only respond to an emergency callout from authorised Estate Personnel, as there is an extremely high call out charge.

Blakeglow have confirmed that a call should be responded to within 24 hours of the telephone call being placed.

Should you have any queries regarding the above please contact the Estate Team.

Estate Management Team.

Unfortunately we are unable to open the Leisure Centre today as previously planned due to snagging issues and because we have been let down byour suppliers.

Once we have resolved these issues we will open as soon as we possibly can - We will keep you updated via this web site and on the notice board.

Thank you

Janet McAvinnie

As we are now nearing the festive period, and as expected, we are experiencing a very large volume of deliveries and post. To ensure you have the opportunity to collect your delivered items we are extending the opening hours of our post room as follows

Monday to Friday
8.00am to 9.00am
12.00pm to 1.00pm
6.30pm to 8.30pm
9.30pm 10.30pm

Saturday and Sunday
10.30am to 11.30am
6.30pm to 8.30pm

We will revert back to normal opening hours on Monday 25th December 2006.

Thank you

Janet McAvinnie
Estate Manager

Due to essential maintenance work to the steps to Arlington Arch we have had no alternative but to cordon the area off for Health and Safety reasons.  This will be removed with in 24 hours once the work has had time to dry out.

I thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during this period and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Resident's invitation to view the improved Leisure Centre Facilities

Dear Resident

The Board of Bow Quarter Resident's Management and I would like to invite you to a walk around the Leisure Centre and view the improvements. The viewing will take place on Thursday December 14 between 3.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. Members of the Board and I will be present to answer any questions.

As you are aware from previous updates, many exciting developments have taken place during the closure. These include a new layout for the reception area, a new spa pool and redecoration of many areas of the club.  As well as these aesthetic improvements we are excited to announce the following:

• New Group Exercise Studio - In the New Year, the Fitness Team will launch a timetable of classes to be held in our new, purpose-built studio. This area complements the Cardiovascular and Resistance areas so we now have three workout areas.

• New, top of the range Cardiovascular and Resistance equipment - We know that, whatever your ability and experience, using new equipment is like driving an exciting new car: a challenge at first, but the rewards are soon obvious. We want to reduce uncertainty and make exercise fun from the word go. The Fitness Team are available for friendly induction sessions. Please book an appointment or pop in and speak to one of the team.

• Introduction of Audio-Visual entertainment - Some of the Cardiovascular machines will soon be enhanced with on-board audio-visual capabilities, including some sports, news and music channels.

• New Entry System - A new entry system will be installed shortly.

• New Team Member - We would also like to welcome our newest member of the Fitness Team: Minesh Shah, our new Centre Manager. Minesh has a wealth of experience in managing a customer–focused and motivated team.  He aims to promote fitness to a wider audience within Bow Quarter, providing tailored fitness regimes to suit your personal goals. His key priority is customer service.

For any further comments regarding the Leisure Centre, please speak to a member of the Estate Management Team in the Estate Office on 020 8983 0947.  If you wish to make a Proactive Programme booking, a Personal Training enquiry, book an equipment induction, or simply seek some advice from one of our qualified trainers, please call 020 8983 4492 or email lesiureclub@thebowquarter.co.uk.

Kind regards

Janet McAvinnie
Estate Manager

You may have noticed that the Chandelier in the Arlington Arch has worked intermittently for a number of months.

The Chandelier is being removed for remedial work on Wednesday 6 December in an attempt to resolve the issue.

A Christmas Market is planned for Saturday 2 December, the venue is the Newark Bar, it starts at 2pm and is scheduled to end at 5pm.

There will be a selection of hand made Jewellery,
Leather Belts and Buckles, Organic Skin Care,
Home wares, Photography and Christmas Cards.

If you are interested in participating contact Maria by email intlmaria@hotmail.com or call on 89818281

The Leisure Centre Refurbishment and Extension is going well, the new spa is in place, the work to the changing area is progressing well, the decoration to the gym area is nearly complete, the build work to the extension is well underway and the new equipment will be delivered very soon.

However, there has been a number of maintenance issues that have been discovered during the course of the planned work which we have had no alternative but to resolve. Unfortunately this work was not included in the planned program of works and we have no option but to extend the period of closure.

Therefore, I would like to announce that the opening date of the Leisure Centre is now scheduled for week commencing Monday 11th December 2006.

I do understand that many of you will be disappointed that there is a delay to the opening but I am sure you will be very pleased with the changes and improvements when the facility reopens.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.

Janet McAvinnie
Estate Manager

10 November 2006

Contractor Guidelines and Large Rubbish Items Disposal

In order for us to comply with current Health and Safety Regulations, we need to be aware of all contractors who are working on site at all times. Therefore, if you plan to have contractors working in your apartment you must instruct them to sign in/out at the estate office.

Also, we are concerned by the amount of large items of rubbish e.g. refrigerators, laminate flooring, sofas etc. that are being left in the rubbish stores and in some cases the communal areas. This leaves the estate team with no option but to organise the removal of the items at a cost to the service charge fund. We endeavor to charge those individuals separately but only if we are able to establish who is responsible.

Please note that the council offers a free collection service for bulk items. Each household can call on this service twice per year, with up to five items per collection. There is only a charge if more than two collections are needed. Contact Street Services to arrange a collection by telephoning on 0207 364 5004, alternatively you can contact a company called We Clear Junk on 0800 075 4075 and they will clear any items of rubbish for a small fee.

As you may be aware JP (Duty Manager) has now left the team after deciding to return to South Africa.

We now have a new team member Helen McEvoy,her role is Building Services Co-ordinator and she will be assisting me in managing the maintenance of the estate and buildings

Helen joins us from a service provider and has experience in building and service management and has just completed her studies with the British Institute of Facilities Management.

Please join me in welcoming Helen to the team

Janet McAvinnie

Because of Health and Safety concerns regarding falling items, plant pots etc should not be placed / stored on the exterior windowsills. If  you have any items stored on the sills please remove immediately.

If you have any queries on this matter please contact the Estate Team.

Residential Work and Contractor Parking - New Regulations from Monday 2 October 2006

In line with our aim to make the common areas of Bow Quarter as vehicle free and open as possible and due to the damage caused to the cobbles by vehicles over the years, we are removing the availability for individual residential contractor parking in the common parts of the estate, namely the cobbled path areas.

The only vehicles allowed in these areas will be: - moving in / removal vehicles, delivery vehicles to individual’s apartments, the Shop and the Bar deliveries (subject to strict time limits) and finally contractors working for the Estate through the Estate Management. 

The alternatives for residential contractor parking requirements are listed below.

Contractor vehicles will be allowed onto the cobbled area to drop off tools and equipment or items (like kitchen / bathroom furniture etc) and anything needed to do the works for a limited period of no longer than 40 minutes. Your contractor will need to report to Security leaving their contact details for the drop off period. They will then have to leave the estate and park in Fairfield Road or Wick Lane.

If you own or rent a parking bay on the estate, then you are quite within your rights to let your contractor use your empty bay during the works, you will need to inform the Estate Office of this before work commences, giving the duration of the works and the contractor vehicle details and obtain a temp parking permit.

Daily Scratch Cards: You can buy residents scratch cards from the Tower hamlets parking shop; details of these are available by Telephoning 020 7364 5000. Each scratch card lasts five hours and currently costs 80p each. These must be changed every five hours; you cannot place two in the vehicle at once to last all day.

Longer Term Contractor Parking Permits: As the resident, you can go to the parking shop to inform them of your requirement for your contractors. You will need to take the following details with you. Two forms of proof of address / identity for you (driving licence, council tax / other bills). The name(s) of your contractors, the registration, make, model and colour of their vehicle and the total dates that they will be working and require parking.  The price of these longer-term permits is £3 per day, per vehicle. Tower Hamlets will then issue a permit that will need to be left in the vehicle for the duration of the period required.

BQRM have limited on site parking available for daily hire. The price of this is £12 per day per vehicle (£10 for shareholders) subject to availability.

The Tower Hamlets Parking Shop is Located at 333 Bethnal Green Road, Bethnal Green. It is just past the Tesco supermarket, nearest Tube, Bethnal Green and it is on the No 8 bus route.

Please note these new regulations will be implemented from Monday 2 October 2006.

While we understand that initially this may cause inconvenience to some individuals who may be having building or renovation works completed, we hope that you can understand and appreciate the reasons for this action.

We will continue to work towards ensuring that the estate is a special place to live and that our environment and grounds are protected for everyone to enjoy.

We are currently in the process of reviewing the cycle storage areas and cycles stored within The Bow Quarter and have discovered that there are a number which appear to have been abandoned in the cycle racks and in the car park areas.

To assist us in attempting to establish how many cycles are in use / owned by our residents please complete the slip being posted to you today. We can then start to remove those which are abandoned and in turn create space for our cyclists.

Barbara Windsor and a film crew spent a day in May filming at the area around the pond and by the Manhattan Building for the first episode of the new series of

Who Do You Think You Are?

which is being shown at 9pm on Wednesday 6 September,  Barbara ancestors had links with Bryant and May Match Factory – now know as The Bow Quarter.

As you may be aware we have been attempting to resolve a serious leak under the spa but because of its location (beneath the spa in the plant room – surrounded by a brick wall and cement) it is has proved impossible to repair, hence the need to now completely replace the spa.

However, please note that this is a large project and there will be some disruption to the poolside as we need to remove a window and door in this area to allow the new spa entrance.

Further updates will be given once there is a confirmed date for the installation.

Crossrail Meeting - Ham & Wick Sewer Proposed Diversion

An open meeting (organised by BQRA)was held last night with Councilor Marc Francis to discuss the Crossrail plans which could affect residents in The Bow Quarter.

Marc highlighted the potential problems in Crossrail’s proposals to reroute the Ham & Wick sewer from the east side of the River Lea to a new route alongside Bow Quarter and Fairfield Conservation Area, involving works outside Manhattan Building and on the site of Grove Hall Park.

At the meeting Mark asked that residents support Tower Hamlet in their petition against Crossrail.

If you wish to do so please sign the petition which is available in the Estate Office, the front gate to Bow Quarter, the post room, the gym, the bar and Hudsons.

Would like to learn more about the affects of Crossrail on Bow Quarter?

The RA have organised a CROSSRAIL Question and Answer session with Councilor Marc Francis.

Venue: New Ark Bar
Date: Wednesday 2 August 2006
Time: 8pm

Please put the 2nd & 3rd of September in your diary for The Bow Quarter Summer Party and Market. The proposal is for a sporting event organised by our Leisure Centre on Saturday 2nd September with a Market, Music, Refreshment and Food around the Pond area taking place on Sunday 3rd September from 10am through to 7pm.

Please watch out for further updates.

Some of you may have heard of streetcar, it is a pay as you go self-service car hire which allows you to rent by the hour, day, week or month with charges from as little as £4.95 an hour.

After discussions with Streetcar we have decided to offer this service from The Bow Quarter for a trial period of three month.

To use the car you will need to become a member of streetcar, to do so visit their website at www.streetcar.co.uk or call them on 0845 644 8475.

As an introduction offer from Streetcar, all residents who become a member will receive an initial free rental of 2 hours. To benefit from this offer quote Bow Quarter when joining and placing your booking.

As this service is for a trial period I would be very interested in your thoughts and comments on its introduction.

In line with our scheduled deep cleansing of the pool and wet side area to The Bow Quarter Leisure Centre, the Pool, Sauna and Steam Room will be closed from 1.30pm Tuesday 11 July and will open at 2.00pm Wednesday 12 July 2006.

We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you.

You may have noticed work being completed on the Estate, as mentioned in the Bulletin, this is the upgrade to the CCTV system, the work is now well underway with completion date at present estimated as 14 July.

Ted Jeory, Chief Reporter for the East London Advertiser is trying to gauge the level of consultation and awareness of the latest proposed changes to the Crossrail Project for an article he is writing. If you would like to discuss this with Ted he can be contacted on - tel 020 7791 7799, mob 07989 607433 email ted.jeory@archant.co.uk

Further to the earlier note on the development of Factsheets, a copy of the Factsheet entitled General Regulations may be downloaded here.

Unfortunately due to yesterdays adverse weather conditions a number of flats in Lexington and Manhattan Buildings experienced water damage.

If you did experience damage but have not already reported it to the Estate Office please do so immediately.

Once we were aware of the water damage issues we contacted our Insurers who have organised a visit by their Loss Adjuster for Thursday 16 June 2006 from 12 noon so they may address any issues as quickly as possible. If you have already reported water damage we will contact you direct to organise access.

If you have any queries or concerns that we have not already addressed please contact the Estate Office.

There is an intermittent fault with the key panel at the side of the Manhattan main entrance. The require parts to fix this will be with us tomorrow. If you experience problems entering the building please use the side entrance or the entrances of Lexington Building.

Please also report the problem to Security on 020 8983 0052.

Yesterday Crossrail published their hybrid bill that covers the Wick Lane sewer diversion and associated works.

Residents on Manhattan Building should take particular note of Chapter 5 of the PDF at the following link:

http://tinyurl.com/qk2y9

Further information about the Crossrail project and access to other documents can be accessed through www.crossrail.co.uk

Leaseholders will be aware that both BQRM and Ballymore arrange for buildings insurance fund them through the service charge account.

For Lexington, Manhattan, Staten, Arlington and the cottages there is a £2,500 policy excess for water damage. We are currently negotiating insurance cover for the 2006/07 service charge year and are hoping to bring the amount of this excess down.

Residents are reminded that BBQ's are not allowed anywhere within the communal grounds of the Bow Quarter.

It is disappointing that after a number of complaints to the office we find ourselves having to remind residents to clear up after their dogs.

Dog owners are reminded that their pet should be on a leash at all times whilst in the communal grounds, corridors and lifts.

Dog faeces can pose a significant health hazard and she be collected and disposed of in a hygienic manner.

In the run up to the May bank holiday a pump failed and it is now being repaired under warranty. This failure has left us with discoloured water. In the past we have remedied similar situations by performing backwashes of the pond on alternate days. This is where we lower the level of the pond removing some dirty water and introduce clean mains water.

We will still need to backwash occasionally. However we have chosen not to increase our water usage during the current shortages solely to improve the look of the pond.

Our pond suppliers are working on the pump and have assured us that the fish are fine and healthy. In fact the murkiness affords them more protection from the sun.

We are aiming to get the pump back in action as soon as possible. Until it is we are keeping a watchful eye on the situation.

Gross Fine have sent chaser letters to a number of leaseholders requesting that car park service charge accounts be brought up to date. We have become aware that there are a number of cases where people have remitted monies to their property account to cover this and it has not been taken into account. Please accept BQRM's apologies if this has happened to you. We are currently seeking more information and apologies from Gross Fine.

If you have a query on payments to your service charge account please contact Debra Soden at Gross Fine on 020 7685 9700. If you do not receive a satisfactory response please speak to the Estate Office.

This coming weekend we are changing the hosting company for the web site.

Apologies in advance if the site is temporarily unavailable.

Date: Saturday, 11th March 2006
Time 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Venue Drapers Lecture Theatre, Queen Mary College, Mile End

This second estate meeting was originally planned for September 2005. However, it was impractical to hold it at that time due to the dismissal of the then General Manager.

This meeting is open to everyone. Whether you rent, are a shareholder or a leaseholder you are welcome to attend.

The meeting is intended to give an overview of the structure of the estate, what BQRM and other parties do, discuss some broad plans and the future direction of the Bow Quarter as a whole.

This is an opportunity for all to join in the debate about our estate. Everyone's views are welcome and important to us.

Trevor Edwards
Acting Estate Manager
On behalf of the Board of BQRM

Full details and a commencement date will be published as soon as these formalities are completed.

You may like to know that the comprehensive recruitment process included all of the following:

* Multi-agency Search and Selection
* First and Second Round interviews
* Psychometric testing
* Half-day estate review with the Estate Team
* Project Based tasks
* Candidate Presentation to board
* Semi participation in Company board meeting.

The offer of employment was made on Wednesday 22nd February and was verbally accepted the same day (subject to the checks mentioned).

We really look forward to introducing the new Estate Manager to you all, as soon as her notice allows.

Trevor Edwards
Acting Estate Manager
On behalf of the Board of BQRM

BQRM recently invited Paul Crowe to join the Board of the Company. In doing so this extended the Boards' experience in the field of design and build. Paul has been working with other directors on plans to extend and upgrade the leisure centre.

An invitation has also been extended to Julian Davies to join the Board. Julian has long held an interest in the energy efficiency of the estate. He has recently been analysing data supplied by BQRM to identify potential efficiencies and savings. His professional buildings and facilities management experience will add additional weight to the experience of the Board.

These directors have been co-opted onto the board in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association. Shareholders will have the opportunity to confirm their appointments at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

I'd like to take this opportunity to formally welcome both to the Board and thank them in advance for their commitment to working with us for a better Bow Quarter.

Trevor Edwards - Company Secretary
18/01/2006

The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held on Sunday 9th April 2006. Further details will be sent to all eligible shareholders nearer the time.

The Estate Office will be closed at weekends and on public holidays over the festive period.

For genuine emergencies when the office is closed please contact Security via your intercom or on 020 8983 0052, they will assess the situation and contact an on-call manager if necessary.

1 - We have successfully renumbered all the keys in the security lodge so that they are not immediately identifiable to strangers / other residents. Security has an easy look up table to identify which flat they belong to.
2 - Residents who wish to have a set of keys kept at the lodge that have not previously done so, should drop them into the office where they will be coded prior to being placed in the key-holding cupboard.
3 - Residents finding any keys, or indeed other lost property on the estate, should pass them immediately to security or the estate office. We can often return keys to residents by checking who the gate fobs have been allocated to, or in the case of bank cards check against our database of residents.
4 - Shortly in the New Year security will be getting read only access to limited parts of the database so that we can more readily hold key holders and visitor data. This has involved writing new access to the database and this is currently being tested by the office team before going live some time in January.
5 - We are also implementing a standard form envelope for the deposit and collection of keys for visitors.
6 - Many residents will be aware that contract security guards are required to be licensed by the Securities Industry Authority during 2006 after completing suitable training. Whilst this requirement does not apply to our static guards, because we employ them in house, the Board of BQRM has agreed on the provision of an equivalent level of training and beyond. We are currently negotiating with training suppliers and will embark on this training in the first quarter of 2006.
7 - We have slightly amended our short term parking arrangements and those who have paid for parking must display a parking permit in common with all other car park users.
8 - All incidents reported to security by residents are given a sequential number in the estate Daily Occurrence Book (DOB), held at security. If any resident would like to follow up an incident they are welcome to request the DOB number and speak to one of the Duty Managers (020 8983 1060).
9 - Post room opening hours have been slightly extended in the run up to Christmas, please check notices around the Estate.

Leisure Centre opening time for the Christmas period are being communicated to all residents, please look out for a postcard in your individual letter boxes.

For convenience they are repeated below:

24/12 - 6.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
25/12 - closed
26/12 - 3.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
27/12 - 3.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
28/12 - normal hours
29/12 - normal hours
30/12 - normal hours
31/12 - 6.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
01/01 - 3.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
02/01 - 3.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
03/01 - normal hours resume

Rosemary will be familiar to the majority of our residents, and leaseholders, having held the position of estate administrator for more than seven years. During that time she has become an integral and valued part of our community.

I am sure all residents will wish to join with all the BQRM staff and directors in wishing Rosemary well as she embarks on a new life in the United States.

Rosemary's last day with us will be Friday 6th January 2006.

Current and past residents are invited to a farewell party for Rosemary. This is planned for Thursday 5th January, watch this space for further information."

Trevor Edwards
Acting Estate Manager

It has always been the case that if you are having any perishable food or unsealed parcels delivered; you need to be at home to receive them at the time of delivery.

In recent months this has not been rigorously enforced and the volume of these deliveries has been growing. Unfortunately, we are unable to continue to receive them at the main security lodge, due to the fact we do not have appropriate storage facilities (or room) for these items.

We regret that effective 30th November 2005, we will no longer be able to accept delivery of these items. Any deliveries of perishable food or unsealed goods prior to this date will be stored under the shelter by the gate, but not supervised by our staff and Bow Quarter cannot take safe custody of these items.

Wayne Baldacchino, familiar to a large number of residents, has rejoined the Bow Quarter Team with immediate effect.

Wayne was previously security team leader and a duty manager. He will now be working with the security team and management to enforce the standards required by BQRM throughout the estate. Wayne will be working a varied and irregular pattern of hours.

Residents are reminded that they can contact security on 020 8983 0052 (24hrs). Issues or queries relating to the management of the security team should still be directed to a duty manager on 020 8983 1060 (office hours).

Many residents have received a letter and leaflet from Tower Hamlets (LBTH) talking about door-to-door collections of recyclable material.

Unfortunately, despite LBTH sending out that letter, they have made no actual provision for recycling at Bow Quarter.

Their current advice does not provide for estates of more than 250 dwellings. They acknowledge they have made a mistake and have belatedly started discussions with us. LBTH has now accepted an invitation to come onto the estate to discuss the situation and what recycling options may be available.

Currently there is no recycling provision within the estate, this is something BQRM aims to rectify. We will be working with the council to see what workable provision may be available in the New Year.

Residents are reminded that facilities exist in Fairfield Road for the recycling of glass, paper and tin cans.

There are a great number of skills contained within the Bow Quarter community.

Are yours useful to the estate?

BQRM is looking to establish a database of skills. If you believe you can make a contribution to the estate please email us on community.skills@thebowquarter.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.

Over the coming months BQRM will be appointing a new Estate Manager following the departure of James Kirkwood from the Company. For the past few weeks directors of BQRM have been directly managing the estate and will continue to do so until the new appointment is made.

Your first point of contact will continue to be a member of the Estate Team.

Rosemary Poole & June Huckstepp for administration by e-mail at estate.administration@thebowquarter.co.uk

JP Rossouw & Tetteh Plahar, Duty Managers for maintenance and security by e-mail at duty.manager@thebowquarter.co.uk

You may continue to use maintenance@thebowquarter.co.uk and enquiries@thebowquarter.co.uk and they will be directed as appropriate.

Matters outside the day-to-day running of the estate, can be sent to Trevor Edwards at estate.manager@thebowquarter.co.uk. Trevor has been appointed by the board as Acting Estate Manager on an interim basis.

The office phone number is 020 8983 0947.

Security can of course be contacted through your intercom or on 020 8983 0052 (24hrs).

The Estate Office has now relocated back to the basement of Arlington Building following the recent refurbishment works. The telephone system is currently being upgraded and in order to contact the following staff members, please contact the following mobile telephones:

Duty Manager 07918084736/7 07918084733

Administration 07918084733

Any inconvenience is regretted whilst the current works remain ongoing.

The new directors are:
Mr Andrew Zealand and Miss Elizabeth Aitken.

The retiring directors are:
Mr Michael Thone and Mr Ruppert Gabriel