Charlton House is switching on its Christmas lights this Thursday, 28 November. It’s hosting a festive market too, with local traders selling gifts and Christmas decorations. It runs from 4pm to 6pm, and there are more details on its website.
As Greenwich Dance celebrate their first anniversary at Charlton House, Chief Exec Melanie Precious tells The Charlton Champion about their upcoming plans…
The organisation has changed a fair bit since its days at The Borough Hall in Greenwich, and slowly but surely we are putting down new roots and building new programmes from our beautiful new Jacobean base!
We are now a smaller team and no longer have our own dance studio, but as tenants of the Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust we do have access to Charlton House’s beautiful spaces and gardens, which we have been filling with movement and colour – and we have many more treats in store.
Youth dance class (Photo: Daniel Martin)
Here at Greenwich Dance we believe that everyone can dance regardless of age, experience or background. We run dance classes for adult beginners and improvers on a Wednesday evening, and attendance is growing steadily. In fact, you have already missed out on our very popular Adult Contemporary Ballet class – so do book for next term if you fancy it! But there are still spaces in our Adult Lindy Hop class, it is a joyous way to get fit – particularly if you have caught the Strictly Come Dancing bug!
Dancing to the Music of Time class (Photo: Rob Baker Ashton)
And if you think your dancing days are done, we can also prove you wrong! Every Friday we have the over 55’s creative dance class Dancing to the Music of Time led by Maria Ghoumrassi which is a pure joy to behold. This group of dancers are very close to our hearts – many have been dancing with us for over 10 years. Many of our attendees say how important dance is within their lives for well-being and friendship. Maria, who is much loved by the class, has a magical way of engaging and supporting the dancers, encouraging them to move as gently or as energetically as they feel on the day.
Our Dancing to the Music of Time class members also create and rehearse together in preparation for performances at festivals and events around the borough. You may have caught them at the Maryon Park Big Picnic in the summer and they are not to be missed!
Youth dance class (Photo: Daniel Martin)
We also have a free dance activity programme for young people aged 8-19, funded by Charlton Athletic Community Trust and the Royal Borough of Greenwich. This takes places at venues all over the borough, including Tramshed in Woolwich, LSEC Greenwich Park campus at Kings Place and Middle Park Community Centre. Young people have the opportunity to gain an Arts Award and also work towards auditioning for the Lotus Youth Dance Company. We will be adding more venues in April 2020 including Charlton House.
Part of our new vision as an organisation is to do more work within the community, and we will soon be launching our touring season Up My Street which will bring high quality, professional dance and social events to community centres around the borough. Our Spring 2020 season will take the form of relaxed cabarets: mixing community performances with professional artists against a backdrop of conversation, food and socialising. A great way to meet your neighbours!
Dance class at the Maryon Park Big Picnic (Photo: Ed Simmons)
Last but certainly not least, on the 9th of November we will be having a wine-tasting event at Charlton House. Hosted by Greenwich’s Theatre of Wine, and within the grandeur of the Old Library, the audience will be able to sample eight delicious wines paired with a smorgasbord of delectable dance. Do book your ticket and come along to support us, and bring a full purse for the raffle!
If you have any questions or want to know more about Greenwich Dance, do join our mailing list and follow us on social media, You are also welcome to pop in and see us – we will put the kettle on! See you soon!
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Twelve trees outside Charlton House are to be felled next week because inspectors have found rot and disease in them, the trust that runs the house has said.
Five of the trees have already died, while the others have rot, bark wound, decay or fungal disease, Greenwich Council’s tree inspectors found. Work is scheduled for 26 August.
Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust plans to plant at least one new tree to replace each one lost. Its chief executive, Tracy Stringfellow, said: “This is part of our active management of the Charlton House estate in partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich. We welcome the opportunity this provides to improve the gardens for the local community.”
Neighbours with questions can email the trust – info[at]rght.org.uk – if they have any questions.
The summer house before the theft (Photo: Neil Clasper)
Charlton House’s summer house has had lead stolen from its roof for the second year running, almost to the same day and time.
Staff at Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust, which runs the house, believe the theft occurred on Monday evening as team members noticed the lead was missing on Tuesday. Ladders are believed to have been used as marks were found on the ground beside the summer house.
The Grade I-listed summer house, which is believed to have been designed by Inigo Jones, has been undergoing restoration since 2017, and the theft combined with last week’s wet weather puts the ongoing work at risk.
The trust’s Helen Moon told The Charlton Champion: “We are currently seeking advice from Historic England in regards to the best way forward, as well as working with the roof specialist Peter Clover and the architectural firm Research Design.”
The theft has been reported to the police, but if you have any information, the trust has asked to be contacted at info[at]rght.org.uk.
July and August’s Friday Concert Programme sees recitals from a host of talented musicians including; Royal Greenwich Brass Band 12th July, the Ensemble of the Central Band of the Royal Air Force 2nd August and Duo Furioso 30th August. A firm favourite for audiences young and old Charlton House’s Friday Concert programme is free to attend from 1pm to 2pm every Friday in the Old Library, and only made possible by kind and generous donations.
Tickets are still available for an open-air performance, in association with Drama Impact, of the Shakespeare classic comedy ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ on Sunday 14th July, 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are available at £15.00 per head from the dramaimpact.com website.
Two very special outdoor screenings in association with the Extraordinary Travelling Film show are being held on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th July.
Watch the Oscar winning Bohemian Rhapsody on the big screen under the stars on Friday 19th 7.30pm, within the impressive grounds and gardens of Charlton House. A big night is expected so come along and make some noise to the classic hits of Queen. Tickets are available at £12 per adult, £9 per child and £35 per family.
Hidden Figures screens on the evening of Saturday 20th July, part of a series of events in association with the Moon Festival celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the moon landings. This heart-warming crowd pleaser film celebrates the crucial and often overlooked contribution of a group of women to space history, to critical acclaim and with a stellar cast. Tickets for this screening are now available at the discounted rate of £8 per adult, £6 per child and £25 per family.
For families and young children Holiday Histories returns to Charlton House every Wednesday from the 31st July to the 28th August, with activities centred on Jacobean fashion and embroidery, Honeybee making and dressing up. Suitable for children aged 4+, you can drop in on the day from 10am to 1pm, £1.50 per child, with younger children welcome to join with the help of a responsible adult.
More details and booking information on all the events coming up at Charlton House & Gardens can be found at greenwichheritage.org/whats-on or by calling 020 8856 3951.
Charlton House’s Friday Concert Programme, which takes place every Friday from 1pm to 2pm and free for all to attend, welcomes the Royal Academy and Royal College of Music students back to the Old Library, with recitals from the Brompton String Quartet and Academy Harp Department in June.
July sees the return of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and Royal Greenwich Brass Brand, a firm favourite for audiences young and old.
There are also a number of special events taking place in July, with an open-air performance in association with Drama Impact of the Shakespeare classic comedy ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ on the 14th July, 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are available at £15.00 per head from the dramaimpact.com website.
More open-air events are planned in July with two very special outdoor screenings in association with the Extraordinary Travelling Film show.
Watch the Oscar winning Bohemian Rhapsody on the big screen under the stars on Friday 19th July at 7.30pm, within the impressive grounds and gardens of Charlton House. A big night is expected so come along and make some noise to the classic hits of Queen.
Hidden Figures screens on the evening of Saturday 20th July, part of a series of events in association with the Moon Festival celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the moon landings, this heart-warming crowd pleaser film celebrates the crucial and often overlooked contribution of a group of women to space history, to critical acclaim and with a stellar cast.
Early bird tickets for both screenings are available until the 16th June after which they will go on general sale. Early bird prices are £9 for adults, £6 for children (3-12) and you can purchase a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) for £35.
More details and booking information on all the events coming up at Charlton House & Gardens can be found at greenwichheritage.org/whats-on or by calling 020 8856 3951.
The Charlton Champion‘s LARA RUFFLE COLES reviews the baby music classes held at Charlton House
I feel very passionate about music. It brings me great joy, occasionally sadness, but it always provokes an emotional reaction. And as a member of two choirs, I benefit greatly from the social interaction and continuous learning that comes with rehearsing and performing.
Given recent news stories on the state of musical education in Britain, I feel very fortunate to have had an extremely dedicated music teacher at my state secondary school. From the age of eleven I sang in the school choir, had weekly music lessons, and completed my GCSE in music. At university I studied music and ran a rock music society, before joining a choir when I moved back to London. All this stemmed from that teacher, so thank you Mrs Pamela Wright!
For my son, I want to involve him in music from a young age, and with any luck he might want to learn an instrument or join a choir when he is old enough to chose for himself.
Until fairly recently there was a sign advertising Greenwich Music School outside Charlton House, and after a quick Google I was excited to see that they ran baby music classes for expectant parents and those with children.
I was patient enough to wait until my child was actually born before booking a class, but I started taking him to their Family Music class at seven weeks. His level of interaction was (ahem) fairly limited, but it was great to get out of the house, meet other parents and carers, and spend time in Charlton Park after class.
Family Music is for 0 to 4 years and focuses learning through singing. The teacher leads the class through songs and melodies that use different volumes, speeds, and low and high notes. We sing and play using actions, scarves and cuddly toys, have instrument play time with shakers, drums and bells, and the babies and toddlers move around the room to music.
As my son has grown he has been able to participate at a greater level and now the trouble is keeping him still for more than two minutes! Thankfully, the classes are relaxed and welcoming, and even if we don’t have his full attention, he is still in a musical environment – and it isn’t as if he can turn his ears off.
You can also attend Family Music or Songs and Sounds (9 months to 2 years) at Mycenae House. I chose Family Music over Songs and Sounds due to its location, and because I love seeing him interact and learn from children who are significantly older than him. Another plus is that I’ll still be able to take him to Family Music for a good while if I have a second child. Eventually, I want to take him to the older classes offered by the school, so I am crossing my fingers that he likes music!
Greenwich Music School’s co-director Bethan Scolding tells The Charlton Champion why she set up the Early Years Music programme:
We started GMS to share our passion for music with people of all ages through teaching and education of the highest quality. Bringing together our team of specialist tutors and developing our bespoke curriculum, from babies and toddlers to professional musicians, has been fantastic – and it’s been a great privilege to see our first students progress and flourish at all levels.
The school offers a variety of courses for children and adults, and financial support is available. Please contact the school for further details.
For classes not based in Charlton itself, there are a myriad of options to choose from – Google ‘music classes for babies’ at your peril – so I’ve highlighted just a few nearby:
Blackheath Library has free Rhyme Time sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2pm
The Conservatoire in Blackheath also runs music classes for children and adults
Bach to Baby concerts are held regularly at Mycenae House. The concerts are great fun and the Christmas concert was particularly festive. But if a room of 40 to 50 children sounds terrifying, you might want to look elsewhere…
The Charlton Champion 