Blog Forman and Field

The 4 year process of relocating our smokehouse to make way for the Olympic stadium will be featured on a new BBC 2 documentary series charting the journey towards London 2012 starting tonight at 9pm. We will be featured as part of next week’s show, to be screened at 9pm on Wednesday the 11th March.

From the producers of the documentary:

London’s Olympic Park is to be built in the heart of the East End, on nearly 700 acres of neglected land, at a cost of over £9 billion.

The Stratford site is to become home to several world class stadia, a media centre and an Olympic village to accommodate 17,000 athletes.

But before construction begins the land must be cleared of businesses, homes and a century old allotment society, and – although not against the Olympics in principle – not everyone is happy about being moved from the site.

‘The pent up and potential value that’s in this land is basically being stolen from us now to be used for 2 weeks of sport.’ Lance Forman – businessman

‘Well, I am very sad about the fact that the place I live is going to be demolished. I think it’s completely unnecessary.’ Julian Cheyne – resident

‘This site’s been here for over 100 years. They – they – they can’t just – just sweep us away as though we don’t matter. It’s just not fair.’ Penny Lungley Allotment Holder

The man with the overall vision for the Olympic Park and in charge of the design is Jason Prior – the master planner.

‘I suppose it’s a piece of land that’s been everyone’s backdoor, backyard for years, you know. The rivers were the conveyors of sewage and waste, not really seen as rivers; the canals were for moving heavy transport, heavy goods, and the land was, in effect, it’s a landfill site. And most people involved could see that the Games were of huge benefit to London and to huge benefit to change but, of course, they’re sitting there saying – well, of course, I think this is a great idea, but that’s my allotment.’

This film charts the last months of those being evicted from the land and their attempts to stay and be incorporated into the plans for the park.

Inevitably there will be winners and losers as deals are struck with the London Development Agency – the body responsible for acquiring the land.

On the site of the main Olympic stadium is a family-owned fish factory which has provided smoked salmon to the luxury end of the market for the last 100 years.

‘I think we’re the only business operating now. It’s like the last stand at the Alamo. Oh, they hate me. They absolutely hate me. I think they must have thought – when they first moved into this area – that, you know, they’re a bunch of sleepy businessmen out there that will just keel over and – and go away the minute we Compulsory Purchase their land. I don’t think they expected the fight that they – they got. I’m not anti the Olympics…. But I believe in fair play.’ Lance Forman – businessman

And as the bulldozers start to close in, there is a sense that a part of the East End is being lost forever.

‘You’re fighting the government, aren’t you? You know, you put up a good fight, but you can’t beat them people. They’ve made their mind up. ….. it’s got to be flattened. Right down to the riverbank. All those beautiful trees on that riverbank. That’s what gets me, when I stop and look at that river and I look down….. you could go halfway around the world and you can’t see a beautiful picture like that.’ Tommy Norris – Plot Holder

But for the Olympic Authorities there is a mounting sense of excitement as the land is almost completely cleared and they can start to develop the Olympic Park of their dreams.

‘This is a challenging site to develop. Out with the old, in with the new, and into the construction phase.’

Lord Coe – Chairman LOCOG