What makes London special for you?

Yesterday on Facebook, we asked for our friends to tell us about their favourite bits of London, especially any 'secret' places that make the City special.

Niki started us off by posting that Bankside, Postmans' Park and Borough Market all have a place in her heart, and that the Bobby Moore statue at Wembley Stadium makes her proud!

Andrew Kerr posted The Market Porter in Borough market, best pub in Britain...can almost see it from my office....hmmm getting thirsty!!

(That is a great pub and always busy!)

Amanda Bastow loves crossing the river at night in a taxi

Stephen McGrane is enamoured of the dolphin lamp posts on the South Bank and that white deco building with a clock on opposite bank

Praful Varsani added Golders Hill Park. Has small zoo, kids play park, tennis courts, and woodland. Great pubs around corner, Spaniards Inn and the Bull&Bush to our list.

Jon Harper professed to be a fan of HMS Belfast.

Niki asked if anyone had ever been on the river cruise from Westminster to Greenwich? It's a unique and brilliant way to see the sights, including hidden bits of London that you'd otherwise miss.

Nancy has been on the boat trip at night and says that London looks magical with all the bridges, Westminster and Canary Wharf lit up.

We'll carry this one on I think, there are some great suggestions coming through, and today we've asked our younger members to share what they love about London.

We'll keep you posted!

Considerate Constructors' Scheme Awards 2010

Bastows excel at the 2010 CCS Awards in London





We are proud to announce that we were the recipients of a Bronze award and a further Gold award at the ceremony on Thursday 6 May, held at Plaisterers Hall in the City of London.



The Bronze award was given in recognition of the outstanding performance of our project team working at 20-40 Ebury Bridge Road, SW1, led by the Site Manager Uzejir 'Chupo' Zecevic and assisted by Site Manager Vasil Lyutov. Both made their way to the stage and collected the award with pride in a job well done, knowing that they truly delighted the residents of the houses.





We were then presented with a Gold award for our work at 50-62 Eaton Square, SW1, encompassing repair and redecorations to 12 homes comprising several self-contained flats.


This award was received by Site Managers Elvis Caniparu and Almir Mujagic. Whilst they were on stage it as also announced that we were also the recipients of a highly prestigious National award for operating one of the Top 5 Most Considerate Sites in the UK for this project.





This is remarkable- the CCS attracts the participation of some of the 'big players' in our industry, and we were heartily applauded by all present for our clear sense of commitment to the wellbeing of residents, workforce and our environment as Elvis and Almir were presented with the trophy and certificate. The sense of something very special having happened was palpable, and despite the overcast day, the beautiful venue suddenly seemed very sunny indeed!




Understandably, we are delighted and so very proud of the efforts made by our Family. We are so proud that our planning, hard work and dedication to Making London Beautiful has been rewarded in this way; for a company of our size to achieve this is truly outstanding... but for a Family of our calibre, it's well deserved!



You can read more about our 2010 awards at www.bastows.co.uk/bastows/bastows_awards-2010.htm