events – Page 22 – a spark in your veins

29th April 2012

Plumstead Make Merry Call for Volunteers and Stallholders

Conway School Maypole Dancers from the Plumstead Makes Merry website

Plumstead make Merry are looking for volunteer event stewards and stall holders for this year’s event which will be held on Saturday 2nd June on Plumstead Common. They already have a brilliant set of acts lined up for their main stage and tea tent, with more to be announced. They are also looking for teams of no more than 10 adults to compete in their ‘Alternative Games‘ – an it’s-a-knockout style series of inflatable obstacle courses, funny and giant costumes, old-school style sports day races, and much more.

The organisers wrote:

The committee for the Plumstead Make Merry are pleased to announce that we are still taking stallholder bookings for the forthcoming Plumstead Make Merry on Saturday 2nd June from 12-6pm. We are continuing the ‘Best Dressed Stall’ award at this year’s event. Stalls will be judged on general display and promotion of yourself or organisation. We would like to encourage all stallholders to bring their own creative and artistic flair to the event. Previous events have shown a diverse representation of stalls, from community groups, local individuals and businesses, who all take part in the success of the event. You may wish to consider fundraising or promotion for your group through this medium. The lucky winner will be offered a free stall space for the 2013 event, a trophy, and the chance to be photographed for inclusion in press and publicity material. The deadline for applications is the 15th May 2012. More information and application forms can be found on our website, www.plumsteadmakemerry.co.uk or call Holly on 07889 598343.

Additionally, we are currently looking for volunteers to help with the event. Being an Event Steward can be a great addition to you CV. If you would like to get involved we would love to hear from you. Please email Wendy at plumsteadmakemerry@yahoo.co.uk or call her on 07818 236871.

About the Plumstead Make Merry
The Plumstead Make Merry is the longest running festival in the London Borough of Greenwich. From the very first recorded festival in 1978 on Plumstead Common, the festival has grown in size, amenities and diversity. This festival has continued annually, with one exception, in 2011. Due to a lack of funding from the London Borough of Greenwich as a result of government cuts, the festival was replaced with a scaled down event called ‘Not the Plumstead Make Merry’.

The Plumstead Make Merry Association are a voluntary community initiative that provides an annual festival of music, arts and activities for all of the local community. The festival provides a celebration of the history of Plumstead and a celebration of our diverse community. We are committed to celebrating our community.

26th April 2012

Edge of the City Gala on Saturday

Plumstead Integration Project‘s (PiP) second Edge of the City Short Film Festival culminates on Saturday (28th April) at 12.30pm with their Gala and Awards Ceremony at the Tramshed Theatre in Woolwich. As their e-mail says:

On this special day we will celebrate the achievements of filmmakers, musicians, photographers, and other artists who have been participating in our project since November 2011.

Our project was then enabled by a small funding from Team London, Mayor of London and Reuben Foundation, which sponsored filmmaking workshops and regular film screenings, offered to the local community free of charge.

After five months of hard work we are going to celebrate all shortlisted films and announce the winners of the Second Edge of the City Film Festival 2012, alongside other shows from the local artists.

There is a packed programme for the event which includes a photographic exhibition, a jazz act and a fashion show as well as a chance to see all the shortlisted films. The judges, film lecturer Prof. John Smith and independent film maker Jill Daniels will reveal the winning films at the awards ceremony at 9.20pm.

Tickets cost £6 or £3 for PiP members and are available from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/155818.

21st March 2012

Woodlands Farm Lambing Day 15th April

It’s coming up to a busy time at Woodlands Farm, with the lambing season about to start. The pregnant ewes have been brought in to the barn, and volunteers who have been trained in lambing techniques are preparing themselves for early mornings and late nights as part of the lambing rota. This year I’d imagine there are additional worries about the possible effect of the Schmallenberg virus.

There will be a chance to see the newborn lambs, and to enjoy the stalls and other activities at Lambing Day on Sunday 15th April. Maureen from the farm e-mailed their poster, above, and said:

All are welcome at the Woodlands Farm Trust Lambing Day. Come and see our newborn lambs, and enjoy the chance to buy quality local produce at reasonable prices, including homemade preserves, cakes and honey. Relax in our Café, enjoy the treasure hunt or get involved in craft activities.
Entry is £1 for adults and 50p for children, and all proceeds go towards caring for our animals. A great family day out!”

Nearest tube: North Greenwich
Nearest BR: Welling
Buses: 486 and 89

We are a farm so sensible shoes and clothing are recommended! We do allow dogs, but please note that these must be kept on a lead and not taken into any farm buildings.

If you can’t wait until the 15th to see the baby lambs, here are some pictures from last year’s Lambing Day.

19th March 2012

Olympic Torch Route

London 2012 have announced the street-by-street route that the Olympic Torch Relay will follow in the weeks leading up to the games. They will be in Greenwich on Saturday 21st July, starting at 07:21, passing the Royal Observatory and Meridian Time Line at 07:42 and getting to the Woolwich ferry by 10.10. As can be seen on the snippet from London 2012’s map above, the route near Shooters Hill takes them along Eltham High Street, Westmount Road, Well Hall Road, Academy Road, Woolwich Common, Grand Depot Road, John Wilson Street and Wellington Street.

London 2012 have also named 7,300 of the 8000 torch bearers, including 23 people ranging in age from 11 to 81 years old who will carry the torch through Greenwich on the 21st. There will be an average of 115 torch bearers a day carrying the flame. London 2012 also revealed the uniforms that the torch bearers would wear, which they described as follows:

The primary colour is white with gold shards accenting the energy of the Olympic Flame at the shoulder and neckline. Multiple gold shards are used at the elbow to focus the eye on the arm, with a final shard continuing down to the cuff and the hand holding the Torch.

One of London 2012’s photographs showing the uniform is included below.

I’m sure there will be lots of people lining the road as the torch passes on the morning of 21st July.

16th March 2012

Easter Holiday Activities at Woodlands Farm

Bluebell the Saddleback pig at Woodlands Farm

Hannah, the Education Officer at Woodlands Farm, sent me details of their Easter Holiday activities for children. I’ve added them to the e-shootershill calendar.

1st April – 9th April
Animal Egg Spotting trail
Not only chickens lay eggs – come and explore the farm and find the hidden animals which lay eggs – you may be surprised what you find!
Self guided trail available when farm open – Free!

Tuesday 10th April
Spring on the Farm
10am-12pm
£1 per child, accompanying adults free
Spring is here and this is the chance to meet the baby animals on the farm. We will be doing crafts, games and seeing the new animals.
Booking is essential, call 0208 319 8900.

Wednesday 11th April
Marvellous Minibeasts
10am -12pm
£1 per child, accompanying adults free
What is crawling around in the leaves and what is hiding under those logs? Join us as we go exploring in the woods to find what minibeasts are lurking about.
Booking is essential, call 0208 319 8900

Thursday 12th April
Toddler Club
10am-12pm
£2 per adult, children free
Meet the animals, enjoy some crafts or just play.

For more information, see our website or contact Hannah Forshaw on education@thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org

Woodlands Farm is located on the borders of the London boroughs of Bexley and Greenwich. At 89 acres, it is the largest city farm in the UK. Our priorities are education and conservation, and we are part of the Natural England Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. Our education programme attracts visitors from pre-school to third-age groups. The Trust aims to involve local community groups, schools, volunteers and businesses in farming and conservation, helping to bridge the current town-country divide.

We are open 9.30am-4.30pm, Tuesday-Sunday (except Christmas Day). There is no entry charge except for special events, though donations are always welcome.

Nearest tube: North Greenwich
Nearest BR: Welling
Buses: 486 and 89

We are a farm so sensible shoes and clothing are recommended! We do allow dogs, but please note that these must be kept on a lead and not taken into any farm buildings.

There are more pictures of animals at Woodlands farm here.

15th March 2012

Infrared Photography Exhibition at Queen Elizabeth Hospital

My first solo exhibition — Andy Linden’s Exhibition Poster

I wandered up to the elixir Gallery run by Verve Arts at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital while waiting for an appointment this morning, and was totally (but pleasantly) gob-smacked by the exhibition of infrared photography by Andy Linden that is currently on display there. A poster by the exhibition describes it:

Andy Linden is a member of the Aperture Woolwich Photographic Society, he has lived in the local area all his life and been a photographer for 30 years. He is also a member of the Royal Photographic Society and gained the distinction of Licentiateship (LRPS) in 2009.

All the pictures in the exhibition were taken using an SLR digital camera that has been converted so that it is sensitive to the infrared (non-visible) part of the spectrum.

Leaves and foliage strongly reflect infrared radiation, so they usually appear bright in an infrared photograph. The majority of these pictures were taken in and Greenwich Park and the surrounding areas. They have been post-processed in Photoshop to produce the tones that appear in the final prints.

There are more infrared photographs by Andy Linden on his Flickr site.

The exhibition is well worth a visit. It ‘s free and it runs until 13th May.

1857 The Royal Observatory by Andy Linden

12th March 2012

Tarts & Crafts at Shrewsbury House on 1st April

The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the Lady Mayoress will open the Tarts & Crafts fête at Shrewsbury House at 11 O’Clock on Sunday 1st April. The last Tarts & Crafts in November was very successful – some 800 people attended, visiting 34 stalls spread over both floors of Shrewsbury House selling a wide range of arts, crafts and foodstuffs. They will be adopting the same, successful format this time.

The Mayor will also be presenting Shrewsbury House with a Commemorative Certificate representing the Royal Warrant recently issued to the Royal Borough.

Shrewsbury House Community Centre is in Bushmoor Crescent, Shooters Hill SE18 3EG. The entry fee to the fête is 50p which includes a raffle ticket. The fête runs from 11.00am to 4.00pm.

Contact the Shrewsbury House Community Centre for more information or stall bookings, telephone: 0208 854 3895

Shrewsbury House on Google Maps

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16th February 2012

Shrewsbury Park 2012 Events

The latest Friends of Shrewsbury Park events e-mail was forwarded to me – details below and also on the Friends’ Information and Events page:

ACTIVITIES

Where to meet

19^thFeb 12

1.30 – 2.30pm

Cut back brambles through old allotments. Bring stout gloves and loppers

Junction of Green Chain Walk and Dothill

25^thMarch 12

1.30 – 2.30pm

Spring walk – follow the Green Chain Walk and more. Wear appropriate clothing. Keep dogs on leads.

Entrance gate at Mereworth

19^thApril 12

1.30 – 2.30pm

Clear rubbish at woods opposite Rowton Road . Bring stout gloves (we will supply rubbish bags).

Bat walk on a Friday evening in either April or May. Watch this space

Allotment gate at end of Rowton Road

20^thMay 121.30 – 2.30pm

Clear ivy from trees. Bring stout gloves and loppers/secateurs

Junction of Green Chain Walk and Dothill

10^thJune 12

1.30 – 2.30pm

Clear path through nature reserve. Bring stout gloves and loppers/secateurs

Junction of Green Chain Walk and Dothill

July

Summer walk with Eaglesfield/ Plumstead Common.To be arranged, watch this space

19^thAug 12

1.30 – 2.30pm

Orienteering for children. More information later

Car park

22^ndSept 12

1.30 – 2.30pm

Clear woods in Dothill. Bring stout gloves

Garland Road entrance

20^thOct12

2 – 3pm

AGM – to be arranged. Watch this space

Pity there’s no Summer Festival, with its marvellous dog show.

15th February 2012

Grand Gig Friday

The Woolwich Grand hosts another evening of music next Friday, 17th February. If it’s anything like the last one it will be well worth dropping in to.

Friday’s line-up is Katy Carr, Nigel of Bermondsey, Bromide and Joey Herzfeld & his so-called friends. Katy Carr, who has been described as evoking Kate Bush and P.J. Harvey (and even Edith Piaf), has had three CDs – Screwing Lies, Passion Play and Coquette, with a fourth, Pazsport, in the pipeline. Coquette includes the track Kommandant’s Car which is about the escape of Kazimierz ‘Kazik’ Piechowsk from Auschwitz, where he was interred by the Nazis in1940 for being a boy scout. Katy later met Kazik in Poland and recorded a documentary about the meeting. As she says in this interview, she:

“… has since then through an Arts Council grant been able to bring Kazik to England to elaborate further on his experiences. At one event in March at the Polish Embassy in London he made an official address and the film was screened, and at another at Baden Powell House he was presented with a special letter of honour from the Chief Scout, Bear Grylls.”

Nigel of Bermondseydescribes his work as:

Psycho-geographical songs and stories from Bermondsey, South London. Also songs and tales of Wapping, Rotherhithe, Walworth. Now incorporating Covent Garden and Bloomsbury. Soon to be adding The Strand.

Nigel also has three CDs: Nigel of Bermondsey, London Dream Time and Bermondsey Folk.

One of Nigel’s psycho-geographical interests is the Cross Bones graveyard on Red Cross Way in Southwark, in the shadow of the Shard, which I used to walk past regularly on my way to work. It’s not normally accessible to the public, but the large double gates are festooned with ribbons and messages commemorating the outcasts who were buried there. Perhaps Nigel will talk on Friday about the prositutes, known as the Bishop of Winchester’s Geese whose bones are there.

Bromide:

is london-based, essex-born, capri-owning, cat-worshiping, singer-songwriter simon berridge and anyone he can con into playing with him.

bromide plays mid-fi acoustic/electric folk pop. people have likened his music to elvis costello, american music club, ray davies, the only ones, lloyd cole, robyn hitchcock and kevin ayers. bromide has no idea so will take their word for it.

Bromide’s CDs are iscariot heart, no.space.anymore.even.inbetween.words and ‘the trouble with.. bromide’.

Joey Herzfeld is, I think, this guy:

After 5 years writhing and screaming in cabaret/rock band Hooverville (myspace.com/joeyherzfeldandhooverville) Mr Joey Herzfeld has strapped on an accordion to deliver his mix dark humour and psychosis on mainly acoustic instruments. Formed at the end of 2010, Joey Herzfeld and The Haunted have been gigging regularly and have already recorded most of an album. Storytelling songs of murder, lechery and insanity are interspersed with the odd instrumental – spooky waltzes, toe-tapping blue-grass, and gypsy stomps.

Though I guess that will be confirmed on Friday, and also whether his so-called friends are the Haunted.

Sounds like another great evening at the Grand.

1st February 2012

Half Term Activities at Woodlands Farm

Carrier bag chicken — One of the items you can make during half-term week!

Thanks to Woodlands farm for sending in news of their forthcoming half term events.

As spring approaches the birds are starting to look for somewhere to nest. Although there is normally plenty of food available during this time, there are increasingly less natural nesting areas. This is why it is so important to put up nest boxes.

During half-term we are running a ‘Bird Box Day’ where you can come and make a special box to put up in your own garden and support the birds as they set up home during nesting season. We will be building open fronted bird boxes, which are a favourite for robins and wrens, and can also be used by pied wagtails and spotted flycatchers. To build your very own nest box, come along to Woodlands Farm on 14th February between 10am-2pm to build your box. It costs just £3 and all materials are provided.

On Wednesday 15th February from 10am-3pm we are running the ‘Carrier Bag Creatures’ activity (see picture). Pop in any time to create your creature using just carrier bags and newspaper. You can make anything from a chicken, to an ant or whatever creature you can imagine. This event is free, so just pop by and see what you can create.

On Thursday 176th February we are holding our regular Toddler club event, which runs from 10am to midday and the cost if £2 for adults.

On Friday 17th February between 10am and 2pm we are getting ‘Wild in the Woods’. This will be a chance to come along and explore our woodland at The Woodlands Farm. With a variety of activities including scavenger hunts, woodland art and shelter building there will be plenty of things to ‘get wild’ at! This activity is free so come along anytime between 10am-2pm and join in the woodland fun! We will be out whatever the weather so warm, waterproof clothing is recommended.