Issue #3 - January 2012
ROPEMAKER REVIEW
ROPEMAKER
The
Place
Welcome Welcome to the third edition of The Ropemaker Review. After what has been a busy autumn and an all-toobrief festive period, we’re now ready to hit the ground running in the New Year – London is an exciting place to be in 2012! Kicking off the review, a worthy cause and a personal sacrifice is the main topic of discussion on p. 2 as Stuart details his unique ‘No-Movember’ challenge, and documents his commendable success in raising funds for prostate and testicular cancer charities. Get updated with recent news on pp. 3-4 as we hear more about the Liberum Foundation charity abseil, the Anthony Nolan Trust stem cell charity fundraiser, visiting celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo, and Halloween occurrences here at Ropemaker Place. Pp. 5-6 continue our in-depth look at the theme of ‘sustainability’ at Ropemaker Place. This issue we take a closer look at some of the unique features of the green terraces that occupy our famous rooftops. And finally, p. 7 rounds up the review with a look back at the fundraising success of Jeans for Genes day. From everyone here at Ropemaker Place, we wish you a happy and prosperous new year.
www.ropemakerlondon.com
ROPEMAKER
No-MOVEMBER
Place
Stuart’s Charity Challenge Throughout the month of November, men across the UK are encouraged by the Movember charity to grow moustaches, in order to raise sponsorship funds for research into prostate and testicular cancer. Naturally Stuart wanted to take part but, as those who have met him will attest, Stuart already had a moustache. Not a particularly huge or bushy example but a moustache nonetheless. He was thus faced with a dilemma – how to grow a moustache while already having one? There followed much deliberation before an epiphany: he could shave off his moustache and then grow it back! Stuart also realised that offering not to shave at all for the month of November might raise more money. The following appeal was issued: “Have I got a deal for you! Although it is officially Movember, in the spirit of lateral thinking and in keeping with the fact that I like to do things differently, I have decided that in my case, it’s ‘NoMovember’. “Allow me to explain. Even those possessed of the most rudimentary observation skills are likely to have noticed that I already have a moustache. It’s not some humongous hairy flamboyant sub-nasal poodle, just a normal, basic, common or garden moustache. However, I’ve had it since 1983. My kids have never seen me without it. Heck, for that matter neither has my wife! I can’t even remember what my top lip looks like. “This being the case, instead of growing a moustache, I’m going to shave mine off! Today! “So what’s the deal, I hear you ask? Well, after much contemplation and market research (review of my competitors’ hitherto naked top lips), I have put together a special package exclusively for you. I will shave off my treasured moustache (which I have had for more than half my life), risking chilly draughts, the ridicule of my children and even possible rejection by my wife. But that’s not all. I will then re-grow my moustache during the month of ‘NoMovember’. That’s already 2 for the price of 1. “And as a special one-time only offer, if donations reach the £200 mark within the next two days, I will also refrain from shaving my entire visage for the month of ‘NoMovember’. This is no small offer folks, because as will become apparent, I look completely ridiculous with facial fuzz. It grows quite well in some places and not so well in others. I’ve heard it referred to as an “Apache” beard (a patchy here and a patchy there) or, by those less polite, a “Cricket” beard (you know - 11 a side). “And to top it all, I’m offering a special 5% discount. You may, at your discretion, decide on what you wish to donate, add the obligatory 20% VAT and then subtract 5%, thus providing you with entertainment, a saving and the warm fuzzy feeling that comes with knowing you’re supporting a good cause.” The appeal was very successful. Over £200 came in within the first two days and Stuart was obliged to make good on his promises. The picture tells the story. By the end of ‘NoMovember’, £250 had been raised and as a result of British Land’s match funding generosity, £500 was donated to the cause.
www.ropemakerlondon.com
ROPEMAKER
Recent
NEWS
Place
er The latest goings-on at Ropemak LIBERUM ABSEIL We reported in the last issue that the Liberum Foundation was planning to hold a charity abseil event in September, the benefactors of which were Tiny Tickers, St. Giles Trust and School Home Support. On 8 September, the plan became reality and the day saw a large number of intrepid and brave participants launching themselves off the twelfth floor terrace, descending to the ground at varying speeds and with varying facial expressions (ranging from supreme confidence to outright terror). Expressions on reaching terra firma were largely divided into two categories; pride (“I did it!”) to relief (“Thank goodness that’s over!”) – or some combination of the two. Among the brave were British Land’s Paul Burgess and Matt Pinsent. The day raised an incredible £150,000, which was a combination of funds raised by the individual abseilers and the donation by Liberum of the day’s trading commission as a celebration of their fourth birthday. Well done to the Liberum Foundation for a truly great event and to all those who took on gravity and won; hats off to you! STEM CELL CHARITY FUNDRAISER On 3 November in conjunction with MUSI, we hosted the Anthony Nolan trust in the main reception. The trust is a charity dedicated to saving the lives of people with blood cancer and their team spent the day taking swabs from a large number of occupier staff, in order to establish stem cell matches. In total, 107 new donors were registered and MUSI made a donation of £9,000 – an outstanding result.
www.ropemakerlondon.com
ROPEMAKER
Recent
NEWS
Place
er The latest goings-on at Ropemak GINO PULLS IN THE CROWDS Celebrity culture is big business in the UK and this was certainly reflected at Ropemaker Place on 8 November, when celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo was in residence, signing copies of his latest book. Gino has become a household name in recent years, boasting a number of his own restaurants, a regular TV slot on ITV’s This Morning, a radio show on LBC 97.3 called Live in Gino’s Kitchen, a fresh pasta range in Tesco, the launch of his latest book Gino’s Pasta and a new iPhone/iPad app called Eating Italian. We had a great response to Gino’s arrival at Ropemaker Place, with a very long queue stretching right across reception. Sales totalled £3,607, 10% of which was donated to the Poppy Appeal. In addition we sold poppies at the reception desk for the period leading up to Remembrance Day, which raised a further £400.
HALLOWEEN By all accounts this was a strange and mystical day in general, even more so for Ropemaker Place, where we experienced a rather unique pest control issue. Our reception planting displays were invaded by a host of Arachnida Plasticensis, who proceeded to set up home amongst the pumpkins and corncobs to spin ethereal webs. However, even more mysterious than their appearance was their disappearance, webs and all, by the first day of November... spooky!
www.ropemakerlondon.com
ROPEMAKER
BIODIVERSITY
Place
ive Ropemaker’s Green Terrace Initiat Ropemaker Place has boasted some of the most impressive green credentials in the City from day one, and the inclusion of outdoor features to boost local biodiversity and landscaped green areas are some of the more visible elements of their commitment. In addition, British Land are keen to promote environmental awareness and biodiversity across all of their managed properties, contributing to local City-wide targets for conservation.
GREEN SPACES Across the green terraces, various plants increase the diversity of the landscaping and the proportions of the native and naturalised species present, for the benefit of native wildlife. The selection includes Wildflower seed mixes, ground cover species (such as snowdrop and crocus) that will appear in spring, and additional shrubs, including dogwood and holly. Alongside improving conditions for local biodiversity, these plant selections have been made with aesthetic appeal in mind and make the terraces an inviting and relaxing place within Ropemaker Place.
BEE HOTELS There is a growing recognition that solitary bees are in decline across the wider countryside. The bee hotels have been specifically designed to accommodate these species, providing a wide range of different habitat types and conditions, both externally and internally within the structure. As with all aspects of design at Ropemaker Place, they also create a feature of visual interest as part of the well-maintained terrace areas.
INSECT BOXES These boxes provide a summertime home for a range of beneficial insect species and over-wintering shelter for species such as ladybirds and lacewings. To encourage their take up and optimal use, the boxes are best sited in sun and close to a nectar and pollen sources for the inhabiting insects.
www.ropemakerlondon.com
ROPEMAKER
BIODIVERSITY
Place
ive Ropemaker’s Green Terrace Initiat BIRD BOXES A range of lightweight wooden nest boxes have been provided for common urban bird species that are already likely to use the landscaped terrace areas. Whilst the landscaping provides these birds with a variety of food sources (plant seeds and insects), there is little opportunity for permanent shelter. The boxes will allow for nesting great and blue tit, house sparrow and wren.
BIRD BATHS Water is an essential requirement for all forms of biodiversity. Whilst the landscaped terraces provide opportunities for food, there is little or no permanent provision of water. The new bird baths, concealed within the terrace vegetation, will allow for the more permanent presence of biodiversity and/ or help to attract this in from elsewhere.
SOLAR PANELS Ropemaker’s hot water is used for two main purposes; heating and domestic consumption – i.e. washing. The water for washing is stored at 60OC, ready to be piped out to the taps. So the closer it is to 60OC initially, the less energy is used, meaning lower costs and lower carbon emissions. The solar panels feed energy directly into the hot water circuit. Under ideal conditions, the solar panels are able to pre-heat the water by around 30OC , so half of the energy required for hand washing is harnessed from the sun!
www.ropemakerlondon.com
ROPEMAKER
Jeans for
GENES
Place
for charity Comfort clothing makes money The need for formal business attire is a hotly debated issue in many parts of the world; some countries maintain the tradition for conventional business-wear, while others eschew any attempt at formality. The majority in the City have adopted a formal dresscode - but there has been some progress to a more casual style within specific industries and markets. Suffice to say that many of the ‘suit ‘n’ tie’ brigade relish the opportunity to don the denims on the odd occasion. Wearing the Wranglers or lounging in the Levis seems to impart a sense of freedom, a light heartedness, and a brief respite from the drudgery of the day. Friday 7 November saw a predominantly denim-clad occupancy at Ropemaker Place, during which approximately £150 was raised via the main reception. In addition, some occupiers did their own fundraising on the day with BTMU raising a whopping £741! Thanks to all for your generosity and hope you enjoyed ambling in Armani and zipping in Zara. (I couldn’t think of any other big brand names to play with but there were some prancing in Primark, moseying in Matalan, sashaying in Sports Direct, tottering in Tesco, gyrating in George... you get the idea).
www.ropemakerlondon.com