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beefeater.pngWhat an amazingly busy few weeks we have had at St Katharine Docks! The Poppy installation commemorating WW1 at the Tower of London has attracted some four million visitors and at times it has seemed as if a large percentage of them have made their way into the Docks, certainly the restaurants and bars have been doing a roaring trade! Those members who were fortunate to be on our recent visit to the Tower of London for the Ceremony of the Keys and Supper in the Yeoman Warders Club, were hosted by Yeoman Warder Crawford Butler who had the privilege of planting the very first poppy in the moat. Apologies to those who were not able to join us, we will plan to repeat this popular visit to the Tower next year.

hippo.pngThe visit by Hippopothames during October as part of "Totally Thames" has also drawn a large crowd, especially during the recent family fun day – we will be sad to see him/her (?!) depart the Dock shortly.

I look forward to welcoming those of you who have booked to attend our Festive Dinner on the 1st December at the Guoman Tower Hotel, we have only two places left at this time, you are very welcome to put your names on a waiting list via the original booking form in case of cancellations.

Sue Hughes, Chairman, FOSKD

News from around the Dock

St Katharine Docks Medical Practice up-date

Good progress has been made with our campaign to save the Practice from closure due to NHS funding cutbacks. Tower Hamlets Clinical Commissioning Group agreed to the funding of a complete refurbishment of the existing Surgery premises. Internal walls will be moved to create an additional consulting room for another healthcare professional so that the patient list can be expanded thereby generating additional income for the Practice. Our campaign to grow the patient list has already resulted in an additional 150 people registering. In order to facilitate the necessary building works, FOSKD has arranged with Land Securities for the ground floor unit of 6 Thomas More Square to be available free of charge for the Surgery to relocate to temporarily until the end of the year. The move across the road took place on 30th October and Dr Patel was able to see patients at morning surgery in Nightingale House and then afternoon surgery was held in 6 Thomas More Square. Up until 20th November the unit can be accessed from Thomas More Street, after that, due to works taking place in the Square, patients will need to access the unit via Vaughan Way, then walking past the front of Fitness First into the square. In this temporary set-up the Practice only has one incoming telephone line with no call queuing system, so if you get the engaged tone you will need to call back - please bear with the staff who will be doing their best to provide a good service with less facilities at their disposal than usual.

In order to support Dr Patel and Alex Speight, the Practice Manager, through this period of moving and building works, FOSKD have assembled a volunteer project team including Philip Cook, Jo Sandhu and myself with Dr Jonnie Haigh, a member who recently retired as a GP, in an advisory role. FOSKD member Mike Hughes has advised on IT matters. Members Thom Fisher and Craig Thomas also assisted with the move to Thomas More Square. We are indebted to Jim Fitzpatrick MP for his assistance. The builders started work in Nightingale House on 3rd November and they have a six week period to complete the refurbishment. It is hoped that the move back will take place immediately prior to Christmas but certainly before 31st December.

Meeting with Blackstone, the new owners of St Katharine Docks

Following an introductory meeting with senior executives of Blackstone last month, your Executive Committee had their first working meeting with them on 31st October. The tone of the meeting was positive and we believe we have established what will be a good working relationship with them to enable us to discuss matters of interest for our members affecting all aspects of the management of the Dock. These meetings are scheduled to take place quarterly.

Tom's Kitchen - St Katharine's Day offer

To celebrate St. Katharine's Day and as a thank you to members for the great support since they opened, Tom's Kitchen would like to treat you to a home baked Cattern cookie from their deli on the 25th November. Please show your membership card to claim your free cookie.

Concessions

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Fitness First at 4 Thomas More Square (www.fitnessfirst.co.uk) has kindly offered the following concession to FOSKD members on the production of a valid membership card:-

  • No joining fee charged
  • £4.00 per month discount off selected membership scheme

FOSKD members who are already members of Fitness First will be eligible for the same discount. Please use Sean Bradley's name as a reference when applying.

Email: ThomasMoreSquare@fitnessfirst.com Tel: 020 7702 2777

AS A SPECIAL OFFER TO MEMBERS OF FOSKD YOU CAN HAVE FREE UNLIMITED ACCESS TO CLUB FACILITES AND CLASSES IN THOMAS MORE SQUARE FROM MONDAY 24TH – SUNDAY 30TH NOVEMBER ON PRODUCTION OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD, AS A TRIAL PERIOD.

Contact us

Should you require any further information, please feel free to contact us at contactus@foskd.org

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