GWEN ZAMMIT, who is putting the show together, writes…
We need, please:
3 older ladies to act and sing
3 older men to act and sing
Dancers/Singers 18 and over
3 younger ladies to act and sing
3 younger men to act and sing
Plus we also need to cover a few minor parts as well.
Candidates can sing an Abba song featured in the script and will be accompanied by our Musical Director.
We are a friendly bunch, so I am hoping whoever joins us will have a good time. Rehearsal times maybe a Friday, Monday or Tuesday evening or a Sunday pm. Depending on the availability of the hall and performers. The actual performances are: Friday 26th to Sunday 28th November 2021.
A compulsory dress rehearsal on Sunday, 21st November. Not everyone will need to attend all the rehearsals to start with as we will rehearse in sections.
If you’re one of those people for whom the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival always comes as a surprise each year, then you might be in for a bigger jolt this week – it’s coming to the back streets of Charlton this Thursday evening.
“Inspired by our increased awareness of nature, wildlife and birdsong during the long months of lockdown, this travelling installation in the form of a giant bird cage will roam the streets at dusk with a soundscape and video projections of birds, which will then be symbolically released to fly across the buildings, trees and landscapes of Charlton.”
“This eight-minute roaming show is primarily for local residents to view from their houses and streets.”
The Mystery Bird will be in Nigeria Road at 8.45pm, and Tallis Grove at 10pm.
We wouldn’t normally cover an event at such short notice, and nobody at GDIF thought to tell us about it. (Otherwise we’d have told you about Family Tree, which took place at Charlton House over the weekend.)
While it’s remarkable and welcome to see the venerable festival – whose Borealis installation is attracting crowds in Greenwich – reaching out into the community, it’d be all the more effective if somebody thought to tell the same community about it in the first place.
(Got a community event coming up in Charlton? Drop us an email at charltonchampion.se7[at]gmail.com. Thank you.)
The Addicks’ season finally cranked into life yesterday with a home win over Crewe. KEVIN NOLAN enjoyed a novel emotion at The Valley.
An unfamiliar sensation united players and crowd at a buoyant Valley on Saturday. It’s called the feel-good factor and it’s been a stranger during Charlton’s fumbling start to the season. But it was all the more keenly appreciated when it showed up.
It felt good that each member of Nigel Adkins’ 14-man squad contributed to this workmanlike victory over spirited Crewe; it felt good too that the Addicks scored for the first time at home; and it felt better than good to celebrate a win at last. It remains to be seen whether a corner has been turned, but as Adkins reminded us: “We’ve got good players and we’ve got a good team.”
And that, in itself, is something to feel good about.
This was a comfortable, but never easy, victory. As always, Crewe were well-schooled, bright on the ball and dangerous from time to time. In preserving his second clean sheet, Craig McGillivray was called upon to make a handful of saves, the pick of them his stunning reaction to prevent substitute Chris Porter’s point-blank certainty from crossing the goalline. McGillivray did his bit and had a case to be considered Charlton’s unofficial man-of-the match. That would, however, overlook the credentials of Diallang Jaiyesimi, who added an excellent goal to his best game in a Charlton shirt.
Making an aggressive, positive start, Adkins’ Addicks were quick out of the blocks. As early as the third minute, Jayden Stockley crossed from the left for Ryan Inniss to beat Luke Offord in the air and test Will Jaaskelainen at his near post. The homeboys’ intentions were already clear, with fullbacks Adam Matthews and Chris Gunter regularly crossing the halfway line to join up with their forwards, while Albie Morgan called the shots in central midfield.
The visitors buckled under the pressure but a goal eluded their tormentors; as the opening salvo abated, they emerged from their defensive ramparts and hit back; Callum McFadzean should, in fact, have done better than turn Callum Ainley’s cutely dinked cross tamely into McGillivray’s hands. Their chances were improving when they fell behind shortly after the half hour mark.
Picking up possession from Stockley on the left flank, Gunter’s centre seemed certain to be met by McFadzean until Jaiyesimi stole an important step on his marker and headed emphatically into the roof of Jasskalainen’s net. The winger’s repertoire of tricks and flicks provide his bread and butter; his newly-discovered aerial power adds jam to his tasty menu.
Shaken by their concession, the Railwaymen were hit by a second blow just five minutes later. Again Jaiyesimi was involved, his awareness of Connor Washington’s run into space matched by the swooping crossfield pass which arrived slightly behind its intended target. Superb control with the outside of his foot provided Washington with the time he needed to find Stockley in space inside him. Forced wide as he rounded Jasskalainen, the big striker finished into the bottom left corner from a dwindling angle.
Sandwiched between the goals, academy graduate Ainley had stung McGillivray’s palms with a fiercely-struck drive. But the second setback placed the outcome beyond them. The industry of Morgan was backed up by Ben Watson’s cool commonsense.
And when Inniss departed just past the hour, 17-year old Deji Elewere stepped up to prove again that if you’re good enough, you’re also old enough. This kid is, impressively, the business, but will be brought along cautiously and responsibly. We can only hope he doesn’t have an agent yet but that horse might already have bolted. Best enjoy him while we can.
Though conclusively two down, David Artell’s side refused to surrender. Kayne Ramsay’s blistering drive brought the best out of McGillivray, as did McFadzean’s effort from the edge of the penalty area. Charlton’s capable keeper was almost beaten by Akin Famewo’s panicky slice but survived at the expense of a corner. At the other end, Jaaskalainen foiled Washington in one-on-one confrontation, then saved magnificently from Stockley.
An entertaining encounter careered along until Adkins no doubt prescribed a course of game management. Gunter and Matthews duly curbed their attacking enthusiasm; Elewere and Famewo clamped down on excessive frills; Watson’s experience blended nicely with Morgan’s youthful flair and Washington and Stockley, as usual, chased everything.
The manager might also have noticed Charlie Kirk’s growing confidence – more will be expected from Charlie as the season develops. It didn’t harm the feelgood factor, meanwhile, to introduce Elliott Lee to an appreciative crowd.
The last word belongs, as it should, with Adkins. “All in all, we’ve got to be pleased with a 2-0 victory and a great atmosphere at The Valley”, he declared. Amen to that, Nigel, a heartfelt amen to that. Feels good, don’t it?
Referee: James Bell. Attendance: 13,167 (498 visiting).
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Boos rang around The Valley yesterday as an underwhelming Charlton side lost 2-0 to Wigan. KEVIN NOLAN rakes up the painful memories of an afternoon to forget.
There were just two minutes of regulation time left when Charlton snatched defeat from the jaws, to bend a phrase, of a more than useful draw. Thanks to the brilliance of goalkeeper Craig McGillivray, they were in touching distance of a precious point; just a little more mopping up was required before, deserved or not, scoreless equality was theirs.
Visitors Wigan, unfortunately, were less than satisfied with their share of the spoils and went looking for more. Picking up Ben Amos’ clearance near the halfway line, Max Power produced a devastating cross which his skipper Tendayi Darikwa bravely headed past McGillivray at the far post. The perfect fusion of deadly delivery and efficient finish were too much for even Charlton’s defiant goalkeeper. And despite the lateness of Darikwa’s decisive strike, it arrived in an atmosphere of palpable inevitability.
The Latics were not quite finished. There was still time for substitute James McLean, harnessing the kneejerk abuse he uses as motivation, to skip through the remnants of a bedraggled home defence, smoothly round McGillivray and finish into an empty net. To the Republic of Ireland stalwart belonged the last laugh.
Wigan’s late salvo obscured the uncomfortable fact that the Addicks were second best to a side which would undoubtedly have felt the rough side of manager Leam Richardson’s tongue had they not added goals to their superiority. Which makes Nigel Adkins’ assertion that “we were knocking on the door but didn’t work their goalkeeper enough” hard to credit. Truth is his popgun-wielding attack actually failed to work Amos at all. They produced only three efforts worthy of mention, none of them on target.
The first of them featured Diallang Jaiyesimi, who fired narrowly over the bar after cutting inside Kell Watts; shortly after Jaiyesimi’s effort, full debutant Charlie Kirk made painstaking space for a low, left-footed drive which caught a gentle deflection on its way wide of the right post; Kirk then made an unseemly mess of converting the chance created for him by the strength and persistence of Jayden Stockley on the right byline. Surrounded by a posse of brawny Latics, Stockley somehow improvised an inviting cutback which Kirk haplessly miskicked.
In the home goal, meanwhile, McGillivray was a hive of industry. His busy afternoon began as a helpless spectator when Jordan Jones headed Callum Lang’s cross against his crossbar but got underway in earnest with the plunging save he made to keep out Kells’ attempt to glance Jones’ whipped free kick inside the right post. McGillivray also distinguished himself by keeping out Tom Naylor’s point blank header from another of Jones’ dangerous deliveries. After the break, his trio of outstanding saves was completed by his gymnastic response to tip Charlie Wyke’s bullet header over the bar. But his finest moment was in reacting instinctively to parry Wyke’s three-yard sure thing. The fact that Wyke was ruled offside is immaterial.
Despite Adkins’ optimistic utterances that “there is obviously a lot for us to go and work on”, he must have noticed that his disjointed side is already in a deal of trouble. Following this second home game, the locals were mutinous and repeated the accusation made at MK Dons in midweek that his players “weren’t fit to wear the shirt”. A bit harsh, perhaps, but their anger needs to be addressed. These are admittedly early days but the Addicks are already looking downwards while they lose touch with the promotion contenders escaping above them.
While hoping that the likes of Jake Forster-Caskey and Alex Gilbey will soon be available to him, the beleaguered manager is entitled to some assistance before the transfer window slams shut. His new signings, notably Kirk and newest Addick Corey Blackett-Taylor were added to a squad clearly lacking cohesion and confidence; neither of them exactly hit the ground running. Comprehensively outclassed in midfield, where Power and Jones called the tune while Darikwa, Lang and Jones provided intelligent width on the flanks, the Addicks somehow took the issue into the late stages before capitulating. For that moderate success, look no further than McGillivray’s excellence.
Elsewhere, Jaiyesimi faded after a promising start (“We knew DJ wouldn’t last more than, probably, 45 minutes” was Adkins puzzling comment) and Albie Morgan, though he worked hard, lacks the tools to be the midfield organiser his No. 10 implies. George Dobson was again disappointing, maligned veteran Ben Watson and the irrepressible Stockley Charlton’s best outfield players. They were operating in a dull team, lacking spark and, crucially, leadership. A team which, without wishing to be unduly unkind, is spectacularly uninteresting.
Promises of a five year plan heading inexorably for the Premier League and Europe have been all heard before. And as before, they were treated with long-suffering scepticism. They’ve all been heard before. The only plan which appeals to Charlton fans is one which gets them out of this depressing division. Which looks ominously unlikely this season.
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I am putting on a concert in aid of Charlton House, in the Old Library at 7pm on Sunday 10 October (profits for repairs to the roof of the House). The tickets are £15, to include a glass of wine or fruit juice.
The programme consists of instrumental and vocal music performed by professional and amateur musicians. It contains music to suit all tastes from classical, jazz and musical comedy, etc.
It will be a “relaxed, enjoy yourself” evening.
Tickets can be obtained by telephoning 020 8856 7373 and payments can be made by bank transfer or cheque – details given when booking.
The listed block at 37 Bowater Road will have an extension placed on its roof
Revised plans for 374 homes on the site of the old Siemens factory on the Charlton-Woolwich border have been submitted – with only 15 flats available as “affordable” housing.
Developer U+I is behind the Faraday Works project to redevelop the former telecommunication works, which closed in 1968 and became an industrial estate three years later. It had originally planned to include 35 per cent “affordable” housing on the site – a catch-all term ranging from social rent to shared ownership.
But one of the buildings that was due to be demolished – 37 Bowater Road, a large block facing Barrier Gardens – has been listed by Historic England, a decision that has come at a heavy cost for the 23,000 households on Greenwich Council’s waiting list.
Now U+I says just 11 homes will be for social rent – this is more likely to be London Affordable Rent, about half of market rents and available to those on waiting lists – with only four for shared ownership; making a total of just four per cent “affordable” housing. If counted by rooms, the total rises to five per cent, as the rented and shared-ownership flats are two and three-bedroom homes.
U+I wants to turn Bowater Road into a walking and cycling areaThe site was a telecoms factory until 1968
The plans feature blocks of eight and ten storeys, retaining historic buildings like the currently-derelict wire factory to the north of the site, and turning Bowater Road into a pedestrian and cycle-friendly space. The saved 37 Bowater Road building will gain a roof extension and be turned into flats.
There will also be office, light industrial and community space. U+I has pointed to its Caxton Works development across the river in Canning Town, as well as the Old Vinyl Factory – the old EMI complex in Hayes, west London – as examples of what it wants to achieve.
U+I has built a similar development in Canning Town, Caxton Works
The extremely low levels of “affordable” housing are likely to make the scheme politically toxic unless funding can be found to include more subsidised housing in the development – with councillors forced to decide whether a showpiece development that will bring in employment and revitalise dilapidated historic buildings compensates for the lack of help in whittling down the waiting list.
Greenwich’s own planning policies call for 24.5 per cent of homes at London Affordable Rent, with a further 10.5 per cent of homes for shared ownership – making a total of 35 per cent “affordable” housing. In May, councillors backed the 801-home Woolwich Exchange scheme with just 19.7 per cent “affordable” housing – a proportion cut from 35 per cent to pay for the retention of Woolwich Public Market, which had also been due for demolition until Historic England stepped in to list it.
The resubmission of plans for Faraday Works is the latest step in the troubled plans to redevelop the Charlton Riverside – currently largely industrial land – into a thriving new neighbourhood with thousands of new homes. Greenwich Council’s own masterplan for the area calls for lower-rise, lower-density buildings compared with neighbouring sites on Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Arsenal.
The 37 Bowater Road block would become flats
All three major redevelopment plans for the Charlton Riverside have been refused so far – proposals for 771 homes off Anchor and Hope Lane, with 10-storey blocks, were thrown out in 2019 and later rejected by both London mayor Sadiq Khan and a planning inspector.
Our official opening is Friday 3rd September, when Dunkirk will be screening at St George’s Garrison Church on Woolwich Common. Master of ceremonies will be festival stalwart Steve Hunnisett, joined by fellow historian Clive Harris, who will give a short talk preceding the film.
I say “official” opening as the crew at Shrewsbury House, Shooters Hill have snuck in a double-bill on the same day! Youngsters can enjoy 1994 kids’ classic A Bugs Life from 4pm while bigger kids can re-live their own childhoods watching Liz Taylor in National Velvet (doors from 6.30pm).
Saturday 4th sees the festival staying in SE18 with a return to the big screen at General Gordon Square. Untouched by the memories of playing Rocky Horror Picture Show but with no sound to an audience of 100+ on our opening night back in 2016 (and let’s not talk about Sister Act), outdoor cinema aficionado Jo Brodie will be realising her long-held dream of screening the utterly brilliant Paddington 2 at 5pm.
As you can imagine, Covid still casts a shadow over the festival and there remain a few gaps in the schedule as we look to confirm various other events.
But definitely happening on Wednesday 8th at St Lukes’ Church, Charlton Village is Half of a Yellow Sun, the 2013 drama based on the award-winning novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton.
St Lukes’ is a new venue for the festival, and we welcome another new venue on Thursday 9th when Silent Running, a 1972 sci-fi epic with an environmental theme, will be screening at the Maryon Park Community Garden.
As well as a range of films, we at the Festival are always keen to showcase documentaries and this year we’re pleased to confirm two so far, with Crip Camp and Running for Good both showing at Charlton House on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th respectively.
Crip Camp is a 2020 documentary looking back at the fight for disability civil rights in the time of Woodstock, and the event will also stream online. Running for Good will be screened in the gardens of Charlton House and follows extreme marathon runner Fiona Oakes as she attempts to compete in “the toughest foot race on earth” the Marathon Des Sables (a mere 250km though the Sahara desert).
If you’ve never attended the festival before, all our events are absolutely free and availability is on a first-come-first-served basis. Many venues have refreshments which can be purchased, although at open venues you are welcome to bring your own.
And finally, as mentioned, we’ll be confirming further events right up until the last minute, and this year, more than ever, ALL events are subject to change, so please do keep a very close eye on our social media channels (and share them with your friends). You can find us on Facebook and Twitter.
The Charlton Champion 