News on the Mews 2010

With a property of this age, problems do occur from time to time. Connaught Mews being a grade II listed building does sometimes require maintenance. We aim to ensure that problems are dealt with as quickly as possible before they get out of hand. Please let us know as soon as possible if you find a problem. Click here for contact details of Redwood Estates.

News from past years is also still available: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.

January 2010
Week ending 03/01/2010	The intercom at Lantern House has been fixed, as the speaker box was faulty. A drain at the front of Lantern House was cleared today which was blocked with fat. The drains on the Mews are narrow and are easily blocked. Please do not put fat and other solids down the drains. The door closer at the back of Artillery was not closing properly but has now been adjusted. For security the telephone number for the mail electronic gate was changed 4th Jan. If you have any problems please contact Redwood Estates but you will need to demonstrate that you are a resident.
Week ending 10/01/2010	We have ordered more salt, however there are shortages at the moment as Greenwich Council has bought up most of the available supplies in the area. We hope to take delivery this week of a mini salt spreader which will speed up putting salt down on the paths. The service charge letters will be sent out shortly. There has been a slight delay while we investigate the possibility of allowing the service charge to be paid in more than one instalment. Please ensure that all doors are closed and locked when you leave a building.
Week ending 17/01/2010	A repair has been made to resolve a leak from the roof at Nightingale House. Supply & fit new waste pipe & fittings to the rear of Nightingale House to replace the old pipe which had cracked. Supply & fit new carpet strips for Artillery and Lantern Houses. The door closer to rear of Artillery House is not always closing the door. Please ensure you close the door behind you.
Week ending 24/01/2010	A leaf guard has been made for a drain at the lower level of the front of Lantern House. Failed lights in the hallways of Lantern and Nightingale house have been reported to Redwood Estates. There have been reports that the pedestrian gates are not being kept locked at all times. For security all gates and doors must be closed behind you. A folding chair has been left in the bin area at the back of Artillery House. Please put everything in the bins otherwise it will not be removed.
Week ending 31/01/2010	The service charge letters are now being finalised. Further work has been done to the rear door of Artillery House that was not closeing properly. A car has been removed from the car park. The light at the main pedestrian gate is fixed
Febuary 2010
Week ending 07/02/2010	The service charge letters have now been sent. A problem with the pedestrian gate light bulb is being investigated as a new bulb was put in only last week. There have been changes to the bus routes through Woolwich with serveral bus routes now going down Grand Depot Road: Transport for London. Please park motor bikes in the car parking bays and not near to the blocks, as this can obstruct the road and can be a nuisance to other residents. Some wood chip has been put down in the flower beds to help suppress weeds.
Week ending 14/02/2010	We have finally received a letter from the Police which the insurance company needs regarding the whole in the wall. The two small planters have been moved from main electronic gate to Grand Depot Road pedestrian gate. Various light bulbs have been replace and a new light sensor fitted in the hall of Nightingale House. Various items have been removed from behind the Nightingale House bin area. The rear door of Artillery House has been adjusted as it had become warped and was not closing properly.
Week ending 21/02/2010	The pedestrian gate light has a new transformer fitted as bulbs kept failing. We are waiting for further quotes before work can begin on the hole in the wall. The entrance carpets are all shampooed as they had become stained by salt etc in the snowy weather. Some electrical cable attached to the wall in Nightingale House hall has been recessed into the plaster and an access hole made in the wall repaired.
Week ending 28/02/2010	The management team have had a walk round the Mews with Redwoods Estates to review progress and identify new works. The salt bins have now been topped up. Some of the hall carpets which were heavily soiled after the bad weather have been cleaned. Further cleaning is planned.
March 2010
Week ending 07/03/2010	Two dead trees and some dead branches need removing from the garden. New trees will be planted to replace any removed. Enquires are being made regarding the resurfacing of the tennis court. We are still awaiting the final go ahead from our insurers to enable us to start repairs to the wall at the back of Artillery House.
Week ending 14/03/2010	We finally have the go ahead from our insurers to commence repairs to the wall at the back of Artillery House. Work will be scheduled as soon as possible. The old 2CV car has been removed from the car park. The red Toyota should be removed soon. We now have a quote for tree work quote to reduce tree height of the conifers and to trim trees in the back of NH and by the main gate. The work on the wall is to begin this week weather permitting.
Week ending 21/03/2010	Wall started on the wall but had to be postponed as the bricks were very damp. Some black bags with cloth in them were left by Artillery House bin area for Council collection. However these were not taken. Please ensure that the Council/Clean Sweep knows exactly were to find items for collection and chase them up if they fail to come. Please crush all cardboard boxes and place in the recycling bins. Boxes left outside of the bins will not be collected. Please put your cigarette ends in a bin and do not leave them but the entrance doors.
Week ending 28/03/2010	Good news, our building insurance this year has gone down All the ground level drains have been checked and cleared. All the bin store gutters have been cleared, as have the roofs gullies. A new door closer has been fitted to the Nightingale House utility store room. Work has started on the hole in the wall at the back of Artillery House. We are investigating who and why trees were trimmed at the back of Artillery House. Due to technical problems the News on the Mews web page has not been updated for several weeks. This problem has now been resolved.
April 2010
Week ending 04/04/2010	All light bulbs on the estate have been checked and changed where necessary. A new light sensor switch has been installed in the hallway of Nightingale House. A repair has been made to faulty wiring in Nightingale House hall light. Pest control checks have been made in the roof of Lantern House. An adjustment has been made to the large inside bolt to back entrance door at Artillery House, as well as adjusting the door closer and gluing back the emergency exit signs.
Week ending 11/04/2010	A complaint has been made to Hyde Housing Association regarding the trimming of the conifers at the side of Artillery House. Repairs to the damaged wall at the back of Artillery House has been completed. The old red Toyota has been removed. The remaining conifers at the rear of the car at the back of Artillery House are to be trimmed to match the level of the other trees. Tree work will commence nest week at the back and side of Nightingale House.
Week ending 18/04/2010	The main drains at the back of all the buildings are being cleared as they have become blocked by residents putting food and fat waste down them. The gutters & gullies have been checked. The broken light shade at the top of Artillery House has been replaced. The railings are being worked on at the back of Nightingale house. The plan is to cover the whole estate as well as the original black down waste pipes. The barbed wire on the top of the Grand Depot Road is being re-secured. The basement exterior gully walls outside Nightingale House basement are to be repaired and redecorated.
Week ending 25/04/2010	Have you had any problems with lost post or no postal delivery? If so contact the royal mail. We have now had several quotes for the resurfacing of the tennis court. This will be a significant cost and the management team will need to decide on the best approach. Work has begun to scarifying all the lawns on the estate to encourage the lawns to grow thicker.
May 2010
Week ending 02/05/2010	Work has started to repair the front door of Lantern. Unfortunately some of the wood is rotten and will have to be replaced but this should be done next week. A bath has been left temporarily by the side of Artillery House bin area. We are aware of the problem and have contacted the resident, who has assured us it will be removed as soon as possible next week. Should you plan to do any work on your flat it is your responsibility to remove all building waste. Please note that the Council will only remove large household items and not building waste. If you are in any doubt contact Redwoods Estates who will be happy to give advice, and where possible help, but you should contact them before you begin any work to avoid any unnecessary complaints and costs. We plan to clear the area behind the tennis court to make it easier to walk amongst the tress.
Week ending 09/05/2010	For security the basement door locks in Lantern House have been changed so they can not be left on the latch. There was a small flood in the basement of Nightingale House due to a small waste drain in the hall becoming blocked. This has been cleared and the carpet will be cleaned. The Council has granter permission for the reduction of the conifers tress. However work has been postponed due to birds nesting. Spring has finally arrived in the Mews. If you have any nice photos please contact us and we will try to add these to website.
Week ending 16/05/2010	Work continues on Lantern House front door. The meter rooms in Nightingale and Lantern House are to be cleaned. For Fire, Health and Safety reasons, please do not leave any items, including cycles in the communal corridors. There is a bicycle sort at the rear of Artillery House. Please contact Redwoods if you need access. Some repairs have been made to the main electric car gate, the runners had to be adjusted and oiled.
Week ending 23/05/2010	We are unable to clear the dead moss away from the tennis court as the surface is so thin even brushing it firmly lifts the tarmac. We are continuing to investigate a cost effective solution to replace the surface. Work has started to repair the flaky paint work on the entrance to the rear of Artillery House. Cardboard boxes have been left in the Artillery House bin area. Please note that these will not be taken away by the Council unless they are in the recycle bins. If you leave items outside of the bins we have to pay for them to be removed and this increases you service charge. If you see anything left by the bins please be neighbourly and put it in the bin.
Week ending 30/05/2010	The repair the front door to Lantern House has been completed; removing all the rotten wood and painting it. The front door to NH has also been repaired; filling and repaired the damaged areas, undercoated and glossed. Repairs have been made to the tops of walls at the entrance of the rear Artillery House. Could new and old residents please remember that washing can not be left outside of the flats. Click here for more information.
June 2010
Week ending 06/06/2010	Repairs have been made to the walls at the entrance to Nightingale House, which have also been re-painted. Some rubbish has been removed from both meter rooms. Please remember that nothing should be stored in these rooms. A blocked drain at the basement of Nightingale House has been cleared and another at the front of Artillery House. All drains have been checked. Please contact Redwoods immediately if you see any blocked drains. We are continuing to re-painting the railings to the whole estate. The pedestrian gate to grand Depot Road is to be made the next priority.
Week ending 13/06/2010	The management team have had a walk round the Mews with Redwood Estates. The intercom at Nightingale House has been fixed, as has the lighting problem in the hall. Work has started on repainting the main pedestrian gate at Grand Depot Road. Please take care when using the gate as the paint may be wet. More plants have been put in the boarders. Please keep to the paths and avoid stepping over the plants as this is damaging them. Please respect your neighbours by not playing loud music now that the warmer weather is here and the windows are open. The Mews is looking very lovely at the moment but you can do your bit by picking up any litter that may have been blown in off the street.
Week ending 20/06/2010	Further sanding work will have to be done on main pedestrian gate at Grand Depot Road as the old paint is too flaky just to paint. A small tree in front of Nightingale House has been removed as it was damaging the driveway and blocking light. A tree will be planted to replace it elsewhere on the Mews. A step edge in Artillery House that had come away has been repaired. Plants growing out of the brickwork in Nightingale House have been removed. The two water butts at the back of Artillery House have been reconnected to the drainpipe.
Week ending 27/06/2010	If you find a 'missed delivery' card in the mail box on the gate please do the neighbourly thing and deliver it to the correct flat. If you need a key for the mail box please contact Redwood Estates. English Heritage will be visiting the Mews to take some photographs for a future publication on Woolwich. We all like to do a bit of gardening in the courtyards but please remember anything left out in the courtyard is for communal use and what might be your taste, may not be to someone else's liking. Anything felt not to be in keeping with the grounds and building is liable to be removed and for Fire Health and Safety Reasons nothing can be stored outside of your flat. If you are in any doubt refer to your lease and the information pages on this website. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) for flat owners and residents will be organised in the next few months. The painting of the pedestrian gate at Grand Depot Road has been completed. Please do not leave anything outside of the bins. We all like to do our bit to help others, for example recycling cloths, however the Council will not take anything left outside of the bins. There are recycle points around the borough please click here to access the recycle for London website. Work will commence on lopping the conifers at the back of Artillery House on Wednesday the 30th June. Could all residents please avoid parking in this area on that day.
July 2010
Week ending 04/07/2010	The badly cut conifers at the rear of Artillery House have now been cut properly. The Nightingale House basement fire door has been repaired to remove the old broken glass and rotten wood. Nightingale Hose upper landing shelf has been re-painted after pot plant leak stained the paintwork. Some of the fire exit signs have been reattached. The broken metal carpet strip in Nightingale House hall way entrance has been repaired. The main lock to the front of Lantern House has been replaced.
Week ending 11/07/2010	The water butts at the rear of Artillery House have been fixed as they were not filling up. An additional exterior light has been attached to the side of Artillery House. Please note that the Grand Depot Gate is for pedestrian use only and should not be used for vehicles except in an emergency. If you are having problems with the main electronic gate contact Redwood Estates.
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Current Task List Summary
	Further tree works Painting of railings Resurface the tennis court Path to the tennis court Repairs to the guttering

If there is anything that you have noticed that you would like us to look into that is not on the list, please do get in contact with us and let us know.

Site last updated : 6^th July 2010.
© Connaught Mews SE18 Management Company Limited 2004-2010.

Registered office: 20 Lantern House, Connaught Mews, Woolwich, London SE18 6SU. Registered in England. Number : 3408173.