Author: Neil Clasper

Get Together for the Great Charlton Cake Off and more on 24 June

Neil Clasper

June’s here, which means ParksFest season has started across Greenwich borough. Charlton Park will host the Great Get Together on 24 June, with a range of entertainment including World Cup-themed live music and workshops from Global Fusion Music and Arts, the Great Charlton Cake Off with Greenwich Clandestine Cake Club, and well-being activities organised by the Big Red Bus Club.

For more information – including how to enter the Cake Off – see the Friends of Charlton Park’s website.

The event runs from 11am to 2pm on Saturday 24 June (so you can squeeze a couple of hours in before the England v Panama match).

The Charlton Champion provides news and information about issues and events in London SE7. Help us by telling us your stories – or buy the author a coffee.

For those who held back the tide: Thames Barrier team unveils memorial

Neil Clasper
The new Thames Tidal Defences memorial

A memorial dedicated to those who worked on London, Kent and Essex’s flood defences has been unveiled today at the Thames Barrier.

The sculpture, at the entrance to the barrier’s control centre, was designed by a team led by senior technical advisor Jas Dhariwal, with materials coming from firms who already supply the barrier team.

It provides a permanent place for family and friends to remember and reflect on those who contributed to the work of the Thames tidal defences, but who have now passed away.

Work began on the Thames Barrier in 1974, following 1953’s catastrophic flooding from the North Sea. The barrier opened in 1984, but is one of only a series of defences along the Thames, including barriers on the River Roding at Barking and River Darent at Dartford.

“I think that everyone who has contributed in delivering this special memorial have done a wonderful job, in providing a lasting tribute to colleagues who are no longer with us,” Barrier engineering manager Steve East said.

Original Thames Barrier design engineer Dick Tappin speaking at the inauguration of the memorial today

The barrier’s visitor centre is due to reopen later this month after a major refurbishment, while a test closure is scheduled for this Monday (4 June) between 10.35am and 1.05pm. Tours are also available for small groups. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/the-thames-barrier.

The Charlton Champion provides news and information about issues and events in London SE7. Help us by telling us your stories – or buy the author a coffee.

Week-round swimming returns to Charlton Lido for the summer

Neil Clasper
Charlton Lido – not always this quiet in the summer…

Good news for swimmers: Charlton Lido’s summer timetable starts soon:

  • 7 day-a-week pool opening starts again on Tuesday 29th May:
    • Mondays 6.30am – 8pm
    • Tuesday-Friday 7am – 8pm
    • Saturday-Sunday 9am – 5pm.

In other lido news, the cafe will re-open Wednesday 23rd May, opening hours to be announced.

The start of summer opening hours should also mean it’ll be possible to fit in a swim before the Greenwich Book Festival event being held in the lido’s upstairs cafe on June 14th.

As ever, we recommend checking the website for the latest pool opening information.

The Charlton Champion provides news and information about issues and events in London SE7. Help us by telling us your stories – or buy the author a coffee.

Open Garden Squares Weekend: take a look around Charlton Manor school’s Secret Garden

Neil Clasper

News in from Charlton Manor school:

Tickets are now on sale for Charlton Manor primary school’s Secret Garden Open Day, part of Open Garden Squares Weekend.

Charlton Manor’s award-winning Secret Garden opens to the public on Saturday 9 June from 10am to 5pm with a farmer’s market, refreshments, school-made produce from the garden, pond-dipping, exploration of the school’s observation beehive and a tour of the garden with staff available to answer questions.

The Secret Garden at Charlton Manor is packed with learning opportunities and as well as having a chicken run and beehives, it also has a stag beetle environment, a composting area, flower beds, vegetables, fruit trees, vines, greenhouse, wildlife area and bird hide.

In 2012 Charlton Manor led schools from Greenwich on a learning journey into plant care, resulting in growing beautiful cut flowers, being awarded a silver-gilt medal at the Chelsea Flower Show and meeting Her Majesty the Queen. Every year since the school has been involved at Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows and Bexley in Bloom.

Now’s your chance to discover Charlton Manor’s Secret Garden. A number of years ago it was derelict. Today it’s a haven.

Entry to Charlton Manor’s Secret Garden Open Day and Farmers Market is just £4, there’s no need to book – just turn up on the day. Weekend tickets (to cover all gardens) £15 in advance / £20 over the weekend. Under 12s go free.

Open Garden Squares Weekend Tickets can also be booked online, visit www.opensquares.org.

To find out more about Charlton Manor Primary Schools Secret Garden, visit https://charltonmanorprimary.co.uk/learning/secret-garden.

 

PS. If you’re in the Charlton area and are opening your garden for Open Garden Squares weekend, let us know.

The Charlton Champion provides news and information about issues and events in London SE7. Help us by telling us your stories – or buy the author a coffee.

A Murder Is Announced: The Alexandra Players bring Miss Marple to Charlton

Neil Clasper

Alexandra Players poster - a murder is announced

The Alexandra Players are back at Bramshot Hall at the end of the month with their latest production, Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced:

“An announcement in the local paper states the time and place of a murder to occur. When the victim falls, Miss Marple is on hand to provide the final solution”. 

8pm, Wednesday 30th May – Saturday 2nd June 2018. Doors open at 7.30pm. 

Seats £9 Concessions £8.

Book online, by text, phone or email:

The Charlton Champion provides news and information about issues and events in London SE7. Help us by telling us your stories – or buy the author a coffee.

Beyond The Suffragettes: Exhibition launch at Charlton House this Friday

Neil Clasper

Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust are celebrating the centenary of women’s suffrage this Friday with ‘A musical journey through 500 years, featuring Emmeline Pankhurst’s March of the Women and a brand new song commissioned by the BBC‘.

The event takes place in The Old Library, Charlton House, from 3.30pm. Entry is free, RSVP to office [at] rght.org.uk.

The Charlton Champion provides news and information about issues and events in London SE7. Help us by telling us your stories – or buy the author a coffee.

Maryon Wilson Park Open Day: Meet the animals this Saturday

Neil Clasper

Maryon Wilson Park Open Day May 2018

Maryon Wilson Park’s Open Day is coming up this Saturday, 19th May: a chance to meet and feed the animals, plus a range of other family-friendly activities. The event takes place 11am-3pm, and you can keep up to date with Maryon Wilson Animal Park on Facebook.

The Charlton Champion provides news and information about issues and events in London SE7. Help us by telling us your stories – or buy the author a coffee.