This week鈥檚 theme is 鈥檆aution鈥�. From a cash-happy economist, to pillow-throwing protestors, to the RICS鈥� attempts to cash in on water, my advice is: count to 10 before making hasty decisions
Feeling blue (period)
Noble Francis, economics director at the Construction Products Association, normally has a good head for numbers. But after perhaps just a few too many glasses of champagne at an industry bash last year, a blind auction of prints by Picasso caught his attention. Bidding while under the influence is risky at the best of times and he was shocked to discover a few days later that his bid on one of the prints had been successful. After getting over the initial surprise, his wallet was considerably lighter and living room wall much brighter.
The only way is East London
It seems like the east London borough of Walthamstow, hitherto best known for producing pop sensation East 17, has become something of a hotbed for anti-development activity. Before Christmas, consultation events for the planned redevelopment of the Walthamstow dog track were cancelled as (allegedly) staff feared for their safety. The latest weapon from the protesters is altogether more formidable: an organised pillow fight to protest against a proposed 14-storey hotel tower next to the station. The developer, Solum Regeneration, better be careful. It might not be pillows next time 鈥�
Water, water, everywhere
After awful floods devastated Brisbane, the residents must now go about the task of patching up their city. It is perhaps ironic, therefore, for the RICS to call for water to be given a monetary value, because: 鈥淧opulation growth and burgeoning levels of food production mean that the world鈥檚 water resources are becoming increasingly valuable鈥�. This is undoubtedly true, but this isn鈥檛 quite the week when a lack of water has been the problem.
Yellow Card
Whatever your views on the popularity of athletics, Spurs鈥� plan to dismantle the Olympic stadium like a giant Meccano set will come as a bit of a blow to the industry鈥檚 pride. Particularly galling is Tottenham FC鈥檚 rather token 拢25m offer to redevelop the athletics facilities at Crystal Palace stadium. After Wembley, it seems nigh on impossible to estimate how much stadiums cost to build. But would anyone honestly argue that the Olympic stadium would have cost just 拢25m less had it not needed to cater for track and field? A higher offer, please.
Let the festivities Flickr on
Our story featuring the best pictures from 黑洞社区鈥檚 Flickr group ended up being our most read (or looked at) article of the year. Ian Bramham鈥檚 picture of the Imperial War Museum got almost 1,800 votes, while Paul Galbraith鈥檚 picture of the Berlin TV Tower attracted 1,200 thumbs up. Our data shows that over 1,000 people from the Nikon DSLR Flickr group had responded to Ian鈥檚 call to vote. While not wanting to take anything away from Ian and Paul鈥檚 brilliant images, we want to reassure the other shortlisted photographers that a low number of votes is less a reflection of their photographic ability and more a commentary on their limited number of online friends.
Tour de force
If you struggled to travel through the snow and ice this winter, spare a thought for the cyclists training for this year鈥檚 Cycle 2 Cannes (C2C) charity bike ride. They鈥檝e had to face horrendous conditions to get fit for the start of the six-day charity ride in March. According to my man in the peleton there have been plenty of 鈥淏ambi on ice鈥� moments but no broken bones. This year the organisers are hoping to raise 拢200,000 for charity and exceed 拢1m for the total amount raised on C2C rides. As an extra incentive, Studio Four Four鈥檚 - and former winner of 黑洞社区鈥檚 Track Day - Justin Lomas is offering 鈥渁t least鈥� an iPod for the rider who raises the millionth pound. Generous.
To support C2C or ride the route go to www.cycle2cannes.org
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