Salmon smokery opens with event space overlooking Olympic stadium

One of the first signs of a 2012 legacy was official opened today by London Mayor Boris Johnson. H.Forman & Son's salmon smokery relocated to Fish Island in the Lea Valley after a compulsory purchase order, served by Boris's predecessor, forced it from its original site to make way for the Olympic stadium.

Following a four-year battle over land, H. Forman & Son's impressive new home now overlooks the development of the Olympic Stadium from the other side of the River Lea.

The multi-purpose factory will carry on the traditions of the 4th generation family owned salmon smoker, established in the East End in 1905. But it has now added an on-site restaurant and two event spaces with capacity for 200 and 600 respectively.

After my visit this morning to hear Boris's unveiling speech (embedded below) and to sample the smoked salmon delicacies on offer, I can testify that the new home of H.Forman & Son has unbeatable ringside views of the Olympic park. Excuse the pun, but it's a great leap forward for the regeneration of the East End and the first stage of what event organisers can expect from unique and unusual venues in the area. Former Mask managing director Arthur Somerset is handling event enquiries.

Pizza with Mad-on-a-Brink

One of my many resolutions for 2009 is to continue meeting interesting, creative and inspirational people. After all, that's what has largely kept me ambitious and focused throughout my journalistic career and it sure makes the world a more intriguing place in which to hang out.

I got off to a good start at the weekend at a pizza party hosted by Evelyne Brink. Regular readers of this blog will remember Evelyne as the Madonna impersonator who had a short-lived starring role on the BBC's The One and Only show back in January last year.

Her party guests included actor, magician and screenplay writer Leon Metcalfe and Angelina Joly look-a-like Sienna Taylor. Leon, as it turned out, has recently starred as the mentor character Terry in a stage-based version of Boy A, written by my mate Jonathan Trigell. Small world, full of coincidences eh?!

For the event organisers out there, both Evelyne and Sienna Taylor are available to hire as Madonna or Angelina-alikes. Check out Sienna's website here .

Evelyne's latest project is Mad-on-a-Brink . It sees the material girl writing comedy including a parody of Madonna's 1992 hit 'This used to be my Playground'. Check out the video for 'This used to be my Husband' below. I'm happy to pass on all comments and feedback.