SARAH FOORD-DIVERS has news of a concert taking place next weekend at St Luke’s Church in Charlton Village…
On Saturday April 8 at 7pm, Arise will be an evening of music celebrating new beginnings, from upbeat gospel to heart-stirring classics, and many more. The line-up includes accomplished jazz and gospel pianist Dominic Barlow, musical theatre singer Ella Griffiths and singer-songwriter Owen Morgan, plus St Luke’s Community Choir.
Last year’s event drew 18,000 people to Charlton Park
Greenwich Council’s Together 23 festival will be back in Charlton Park on Saturday June 10th, with organisers looking for performers, traders and activity providers to take part.
It’ll be the third festival to be held in the park, with the event now settling into early June after being held to mark Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee at the beginning of last summer.
Last year’s performers included Tyber and Pete from the Dualers and the House and Garage Orchestra, with 18,000 people attending across the day. This year’s event will bring more live music and performances, arts and crafts, community stalls, marketplace and street food, ‘have a go’ sports and kids’ activities and funfair rides.
Adel Khaireh, the council’s cabinet member for culture, said: “Every year, our summer event brings local communities together and showcases the borough’s diverse range of arts and culture, voluntary organisations and local businesses.
“The rising cost of living is putting pressure on all of us, so providing free family events for local people from all backgrounds to enjoy is more important than ever. Last year over 18,000 of you enjoyed Together 22. I hope to see many of you again in Charlton Park this June.”
Performers, traders, or anyone who wants to provide an activity at the event should move quickly and fill in the form at www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/take-part-T23 by Friday.
Looking for a treat this Mother’s Day? SARAH FOORD-DIVERS brings news of a concert at St Thomas Church on Woodland Terrace on Sunday…
A concert of beautiful and varied music for Mothering Sunday: from classical favourites to afternoon jazz, performed by the Charlton Ensemble featuring talented musicians such as Joseph Spooner on cello, Anna Salmi on violin and classical tenor James Kinsella.
Tickets are £10 and can be reserved in advance on 07989 740252. Proceeds will go towards a community defibrillator and church funds.
The concert starts at 5pm on Sunday 19th March – there will be limited availability on the door.
This Saturday’s Charlton Society talk – held at St Luke’s Church – is from Julian Watson and covers the life of Abraham Colfe, whose eponymous school in Lee is one of the best-known in SE London.
Julian Watson was local history librarian for the borough of Greenwich from 1969 until he retired in 2003. He worked in the Local History Room at the old Blackheath Library in St John’s Park, then at Woodlands in Mycenae Road and finally at the Greenwich Heritage Centre in Woolwich.
In retirement Julian researches and writes about the history of Greenwich and Lewisham and edits the Greenwich Historical Society Journal. He is a trustee and former chair of the Lewisham Almshouse Charity of William Hatcliffe and Abraham Colfe. He has been churchwarden and lay chair of St Mary’s Church, Lewisham – Abraham Colfe’s church. Julian has written a history of St Mary’s and continues to research its fascinating past.
Abraham Colfe’s name is well known as the founder of Colfe’s School – the only grammar school to be founded during Oliver Cromwell’s Protectorate. It was founded in Lewisham but admitted boys from the whole of the Hundred of Blackheath, which included Charlton. The school was just one of his achievements. He also founded an elementary school, a public library and left money for the building of almshouses in Lewisham. An extraordinary achievement was an intense year-long battle against James I to save 500 acres of woodland in Lewisham from destruction. His wife, Margaret, provided free medical services to all in Lewisham, rich and poor.
The talk is at 2.30pm on Saturday – admission is £3 (£2 for Charlton Society members).
SOUTH EAST LONDON SLINGERS is a voluntary group that aims to help parents carry their children safely and comfortably. They have a pop-up market at Charlton Assembly Rooms on Sunday, February 5…
We are running an expectant parent and new family event on Sunday 5th February from 1-3.30pm in Charlton Assembly Rooms.
It is free to attend and we will have stalls with information for expectant parents and those with children under free.
There will be some items available to buy on the day including bargain slings, refreshments and other child related items.
For any queries about a stall, contact us on southeastlondonslingers[at]gmail.com, via our Facebook page or our website selphub.com.
The group also runs a sling library most Thursdays at Woolwich Library from 10am to noon – contact them for more details.
Back in the days before the pandemic, the Old Cottage Coffee Shop in Charlton Park used to invite older people around on Christmas Day for a festive meal. Then Covid struck, and they had to switch to deliveries.
This year, the Christmas meal is back. But with a month to go, café bosses Mimi and Michael need your help.
– Firstly, do you know any older people that would appreciate a meal and some company on Christmas Day? If so, drop Mimi a note via m.speak9[at]icloud.com. There’s no charge for the meal.
– Secondly, can you help donate gifts to hand out to their guests, such as toiletries or things to help them keep warm? Or can you make a cash donation towards the project? Email m.speak9[at]icloud.com if you can help.
– Finally, Mimi and Michael are thinking of keeping the deliveries going as well. If you’d like to help out on Christmas morning, then drop them a line.
Need to know more? Drop in at the café between 9am and 4pm Wednesdays to Mondays – they’ll be delighted to hear from you.
Parents at Windrush Primary School on Woolwich Road have launched a crowdfunding appeal to help revamp their school’s playground.
They are already a third of the way to their £10,000 target, and are appealing to their neighbours in the Charlton community to help back the appeal.
“This project is important. The school is fantastic – our children love it – but the playground is currently lacking, both in terms of play equipment and greenery,” said Anna Salmi, one of the organisers.
“We have almost 600 pupils, so improving the playground is vital for the wellbeing of a large number of local children, for many of whom the school playground is the only outside space they regularly get to enjoy and spend time in.
“We are fundraising in a variety of ways, but we really need all the help we can get. A successful campaign is crucial for making the playground revamp a reality by the end of the school year, rather than years down the line.”
The Charlton Champion 