Viceroy's House: film about India-Pakistan 1947 partition

Really looking forward to 'Bend It Like Beckham' director Gurinder Chadha's next film, Viceroy's House, due out next year. It certainly has a cracking cast in Hugh Bonneville, Gillian Anderson, Simon Callow, Om Puri and Huma Qureshi :

Gurinder Chadha's films are always a treat especially to second-gen onwards Brit-Asians such as myself though they certainly have a wider appeal.  I also happen to hail from the director's same West London suburb and from a Sikh-Punjabi background so her material particularly resonates with me and it's always interesting to see what she's homing in on. Every Punjabi family has a partition story - I'm curious to see how she handles hers and how she mediates it within the grammar of film-making and the demands of commercial cinema.

In a more recent interview from this month, this time an event at America's Clark University, we learn that:

"Chadha is currently in the post-production phase of her film, “Viceroy’s House,” which will be released in 2017. The film chronicles the British partition of India and Pakistan, and the intertwining of many cultural perspectives during a controversial time in South Asian history. “I was very clear that this is a film made by a British Punjabi; it’s very much that perspective,” said Chadha. “No Indian could have made it, and no Pakistani could have made it, and no white British could have made it.”

“Viceroy’s House” tells Chadha’s family history. “When I was growing up I had come to understand that partition happened because it was our fault — that we Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims couldn’t get on with each other,” Chadha recalled. “There was violence and the British had no option but to divide the country. … As a result I had somehow felt that the loss of a homeland was a result of my ancestors’ fault.” Chadha said that when archived historical documents eventually became public, she and her family learned the partition was a political act."

Read more from this event here.

Arts Festival brings Opera to Eltham!

Eltham Park Baptist Church, Glenure Road, Eltham SE9 1JE

Saturday November 12th 2016, 7.30pm

In aid of Eltham Arts

Katy Batho ~ soprano

Elizabeth Key ~ mezzo soprano

Andrew Macnair ~ tenor

John Bernays ~ baritone

Michael Robinson ~ piano 

“A glamorous evening of entertainment to include well known opera arias and ensembles you know and love.”

 Tickets:  £12 (plus booking fee).  Email info@elthamarts.org

£15 at the door. Book Early

____________________________________

This fabulous event has been confirmed as part of the Eltham Arts Winter Festival 2016, running this year from Saturday 29 October to 20 November.  It's a real coup to bring this to Eltham's doorstep.

You can read more about Eltham resident Elizabeth Key (above), the mezzo soprano for this event, in an article in September's Greenwich Visitor, by Gaynor Wingham. Whether you love opera to bits, or are just a bit curious about the whole thing (that's me...), don't miss out - you'll need to book your tickets fast.

We had a blast at the first ever Eltham Arts Winter Festival last year (31 Oct - 22 Nov 2015). You can catch up with that on the Eltham Arts Facebook, website and watch videos of the 2015 festival on the Eltham Arts YouTube channel (very amateur film-making is turning into something of a hobby of mine!)

The 2016 Festival has even more arts events, this time over 150, taking place all over the SE9 area. From exhibitions, theatre, live music, heritage walks and talks, a packed programme brings together the creative talent of local people and groups in the 23-day artsfest.

Eltham Arts, led by its indefatigable Chair, Gaynor Wingham, has coordinated the events with community partners, supported by committee members, to bring this creative smorgasbord to the south-east of London.

So what's happening where? A special pull-out programme will be in the October issue of The Greenwich Visitor (free!) at the beginning of the month and I'm happy to be contributing to some of event articles which will also be in the supplement. A leaflet is already hitting the streets and display boards of Eltham - that gives a taster of what's to come. Get in touch via the Eltham Arts Facebook, website or twitter (hashtag: #ElthamWinFest2016).

New Eltham's Fiddler on the Roof

Musical theatre is not normally my thing. The final straw came a couple of decades ago when I had to walk out of Lloyd Webber’s never-ending show, Time, at the interval – I couldn't stand it anymore.

All that suspension of disbelief, all those excruciating looks on their faces as they emoted around tenuous plots – no. No more. I was done.

It may be surprising to hear this from a Brit-Asian bought up on a diet of Bollywood's musical films. In these films it was an unremarkable and frequent happening for 30, or more, backing singers and dancers to suddenly pop up and accompany the hero and heroine as they burst into song in some verdant scene.

Admittedly, the more excessive fantasy sequences went out with the 80s and 90s (I’m thinking demure Indian woman, with improbably blonde wig, with oversize silver puffball sleeves, swinging on a huge low-slung crescent moon amidst a smoke machine on full power…you get the picture). No, these days one is able to enjoy more ‘realism’ in Bollywood cinema, though it’s all relative of course. I mean, the highly-westernised, elite wealthy, light-skinned lives portrayed in many of today’s Indian blockbusters are a million miles away from the lives of ordinary Indians.

I was amazed then to find myself transfixed by last night’s production of Fiddler On The Roof by New Eltham Community Productions (NECP), a performing arts groups based at the New Eltham Methodist Church in the south-East of London. What had initially been a well-meaning booking to support some local artistic activity has now turned out to be a revelation.

From the Programme

The stunning quality of all the creative talent on show belied the fact that this was an amateur production. The spot-on choreography, the surprise live orchestral music, the period costumes, the track lighting and, of course, the acting, would not be out of place at a central London venue at a ticket four times the price. Instead, we were sitting in a small church community centre in a sleepy suburb (or ‘New Eltham Village’ if you please…)

‘Fiddler’ is of course a well-established musical play and film, a staple for amateur companies – the story of a life in Anatevka, pre-revolutionary Russian Jewish village, focussing on Tevye’, a dairyman and the ‘Papa’ trying to bring his daughters up according to the long-held traditions of the community. Modernity and love get in the way, as ever. The setting may seem obscure but its universal themes, and stonking tunes, have proved highly-appealing. Come to think of it, this IS every Bollywood film!

This NECP production is skilfully directed and choreographed by Hannah Bond.  The large cast challenged with many musical numbers and dances were brilliantly handled. The catchy opening whole-cast number ‘Tradition’ set the tone and was a refrain throughout. Later “If I was a Rich Man” was subtly done without giving into to hamming it up. The key lead Jewish father, Tevye is played brilliantly by Neil Stevens who, by all accounts, grew a beard especially for this part along with other male cast members. He struck just the right note with his combination of serious and comedic acting (“On the one hand…, on the other hand…, on the other hand, there is no hand”). For me, a large part of this production’s success was Neil Stevens’ ability to hold the audience for his solo pieces and to take us so convincingly with him on his journey. The acting was matched by his stage wife, Golde, played magnificently by Rachel King, with both of them excellent singers too.

A real and unexpected treat was the live orchestra and the entrancing 'fiddler' who started off playing in a small balcony above the stage and then descended later to interact with Tevye as he muses on life.

There was poignancy, comedy and romance in the portrayal of this little village but also the intrusion of the darker outside world. We see this Jewish community in Russia subjected to a progrom by anti-Semitic Czarist forces forcing our characters to flee and scatter, many setting off to emigrate to America as refugees, a sadly familiar scenario still with us though with different collection of communities, faiths and countries.

In short, I’d thoroughly recommend this production though it finishes its run tonight! However, I’m so glad to add the discovery of this gem to our list of local Eltham and SE London venues. We shall be looking out for the next NECP production.

See local professional photographer Robert Piwko's fabulous photographs of this production here.

Eltham Mini Club

It seems Eltham has its own Mini car club:

"Based In South East London Eltham, We Welcome all mini's from 1959 to present, Join Us For Meets, Cruises and mini events (London2Brighton, Ace cafe...etc)"

More here: www.facebook.com/ElthamMiniClub

Sounds fun. Can't help but think of the Italian Job film. Who knew its soundtrack film was composed by Quincy Jones...

The Colonial Eye: British Empire images of the Punjab, India - free event

Curious about film footage of life in India during British rule? This is a quick mention of a fab and free event this weekend, of public archive footage of this period in India, especially focusing on Punjab.

In “From the Archives: The Colonial Eye: British Empire images of the Punjab, India 1912 – 1947” artist Tajender Sagoo “has curated a series of short films produced during the British rule of India with a focus on the Punjab. The screening will bring together public information and travelogue films found in British public archives and rarely seen on the big screen.

The public information films selected are examples of state propaganda used to form public opinion, a practise still prevalent today in regions such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, even in this era of digital media. The travelogues selected are personal observations of places and people. Screened together they form a visual essay of Punjab as written by its rulers and administrators.“

The screening is going to be followed by a panel discussion with “four specialists on South Asian film, popular culture and history discussing what the films can tell modern day viewers and taking questions from the audience.”
 
Given my own family’s Punjabi background, it would be interesting to know more about how the Raj viewed the Punjab during my grandparents' time. Even for a south Londonist, this sounds well worth crossing the river for.

This event takes place Sunday 19 February at 14.00 at the Pheonix Cinema, 52 High Road, East Finchley N2 9PJ. It's free but booking is essential (Box Office 020 8444 6789)

Florence shakes it out at royal Eltham Palace

For those wanting a bit more on matters royal in Eltham ... did you catch up with the fact that Florence and the Machine shot a music video at Eltham Palace last year? The video for 'Shake it out', released in October 2011, was shot at the Palace and heavily features the 1930s art deco entrance hall and the surrounding rooms - a popular choice since you may remember that Cheryl Cole also shot the video to 'Parachute' there (my post here on that one).



Even if the music is not quite your cup of tea, it's a beautifully shot video and was directed by Dawn Shadforth. It's pretty stylised, with the mannequin-like, porcelain beauty of Florence Welch, the lead singer, at its heart. Welch described the video in Rolling Stone saying, "Think of a psychedelic 1920s dress party with a demonic twist. Possession meets The Great Gatsby"

Elsewhere, she talks about filming the video at Eltham Palace: "We were kind of going for a sort of 'Gatsby at West Egg'-style house party but with maybe slightly ritualistic and sort of satanic undertones and séances. That was such a fun video to shoot, for me especially, because I had all my friends down there, and they all came and we all got to dress up and do a casual séance in this beautiful art-deco mansion. It's basically a party house; there's one room which was purely just for cutting flowers. My best friend is sitting with me in the tree at the end of the video, and we just got to hang out in a tree for a while. It was really fun."

Eltham and SE London events - November 2011

Some local things happening this month...

to 30 Nov 2011       
Blackheath Art Society Exhibition
at Discover Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College                  
Maritime Greenwich is close to the hearts of the local artists who are members of Blackheath Art Society. Some artists have explored the Old Royal Naval College buildings and the people who inhabited them. Others have been inspired by the river Thames, its foreshore, industry, and maritime heritage. This exhibition celebrates their enthusiasm with a collection of paintings, textiles and ceramics.
Venue: Temporary Exhibition Gallery, Discover Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College
Greenwich SE10 9LW   

Friday 4 November 2011
Opening night of photography exhibition 

by Claire Swindale
at Tudor Barn, Well Hall Road, Eltham
4-6pm. As she says at @cswindale “WINE, FUN, ART SHOW!! Spread the word, bring a friend, it'll be lovely to see ya!”  www.claireswindale.com

Saturday 5 November 2011
Blackheath fireworks
8pm.  It’s still on. “Blackheath fireworks is a long standing highlight of Lewisham’s event calendar. An estimated 100,000 people attend South London’s biggest and best free firework display every year. Visitors can enjoy the funfair, food stalls and a fully licensed bar before and after the display.” Being funded this year by Lewisham Council, local businesses and your voluntary contributions. 

 
Saturday 5 November 2011:
50 years of Bromley on Film: 1930s- 1980s
Bromley Central Library, Bromley
Run by: London Borough of Bromley Archives
View recently re-discovered films together with a demonstration of film conservation from an expert.
An opportunity to view recently digitalised, film from Bromley and the surrounding area from the 1930s to 1980s from within the Bromley Archives collections for the first time in many decades. Viewing will be accompanied by commentary by local history experts. Preceded by a film conservation demonstration and question and answer session with a professional film archivist.
14:00–16:00. Suitable for any age

Sunday 6 November 2011:
Film at Hither Green
Pan's Labyrinth and The Watchers. £3. 7pm 6 Nov. Hither Green Hall, St Swithun's Rd. @HitherGreenFilm

Sunday 6 November 2011:
Pop-Up cinema in Sidcup
The Blues Brothers will be shown at Sidcup and Footscray United Services Club, in Main Road, on November 9. Doors will open at 7pm and the screening will begin at 8pm.
People over 18 are invited to the monthly event, which will screen new and classic movies for £4.50

Thursday 10 Nov 2011:
Reel History Film Show
Bexley Local Studies & Archive Centre, Bexleyheath
Run by: Bexley Local Studies and Archive Centre
A Century of Bexley on Film - Screening of rarely seen archive films dating from the early 20th Century to more recent times showing the people and places of the London Borough of Bexley. Archive film presentation with talk by Borough Archivist Simon McKeon.
19:15–20:30. Cost: £3.50. Suitable for any age.

Tuesday 8 November 2011:
Tudor Life tour
Time: 2.30pm (approx 1 hour)
Location: Hall Place Visitor Centre, Hall Place and Gardens, Bourne Road, Bexley DA5 1PQ
Description: Join a costumed guide to tour the historic house and lean about life in Tudor times for the rich, such as Sir John Champneys who built Hall Place - and the poor who would have worked on the estate surrounding Hall Place. Bexley.gov.uk
Admission: £6 per person
Tel: 01322 621238

11 November 2011
7.30pm
Blackheath Goes Gospel Performance
Blackheath Halls
Performance led by the London Community Gospel Choir with the ‘community chorus’ of workshop participants and pupils from local schools.

11 - 20 November 2011
GREENWICH Jazz Festival 

This festival returns featuring contemporary jazz, afrobeat, blues, funk and gospel performances across the borough. The event, running from November 11 to November 20, is part of The Greenwich Festivals, a series of events supported by Greenwich Council.
Artists like Soweto Kinch, Cleveland Watkiss, Empirical, Ian Shaw, Liane Carroll and Arun Ghosh, will perform at the National Maritime Museum, Blackheath Halls and Charlton House, along with jazz clubs and schools.
For more information visit greenwich.gov.uk/festivals

Friday 11 November 2011:
Jazz singer Liane Carroll
Part of Greenwich Jazz Festival (see above)
Tudor Barn, Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9
£15 from 0845 459 2351 or on the door

See www.lianecarroll.co.uk for more information on Liane Carroll

Saturday 12 November 2011
10.30am
Blackheath Holistic and Wellness Fayre
Event in support of Eltham Charity Demelza Hospice Care for Children
We are holding an inspiring local community Holistic & Wellness Fayre
at the Quaker House in Blackheath Village, Lawn Terrace, Blackheath, SE3 9LL
For a map click here.

Saturday 12 November 2011:
Christmas grotto and seasonal gifts
Times: These will vary and will be on display at the grotto or available from the fundraising office
Location: Broadway Shopping Centre, Broadway, Bexleyheath.
Admission: £2 per child to visit Santa (includes a gift)
Description: Grotto and Christmas shop with new gifts, cards and a Christmas present wrapping service
Runs until 24 December

Tel: 020 8319 9236.  Email: info@gbch.org.uk

Saturday 12 November 2011:
Christmas bazaar, on behalf of H.A.L.O. disabled club
St.Lukes Church Hall, Westmount Road, Eltham SE9
20p entry, children free
10.30am - 12.30pm  20p entry
Children free

Sunday 13 November 2011:
Remembrance Sunday Service, Eltham
Eltham War memorial Parade on high street from Conservative Club (10.30) to Memorial at St John's (11.00) - followed by service at St John's

Sunday 13 November 2011:
Remembrance Sunday Service, Mottingham
Mottingham War memorial starts 10.45am

Tuesday 15 November 2011:
Eltham Nature Club Talk
‘Fox: Friend or Foe?’ Illustrated talk  at 7.30pm by fox ecologist Terry Wood. St Mary’s Community Centre, Eltham High Street. £1.50 members, £3 non-members. Membership £5 p/a.

Thursday 17 November 2011:
Eltham Lights Up
Lantern-lit parade and entertainment. Theme is 'Eltham's heritage'. Streets close 4pm - Entertainment from Crown Woods band and gospel choir 4.15pm - Switch on and Parade 6 – 6.45pm - Eltham Choral Society 7pm
Related previous posts:  Eltham Lights Up 2010;    Eltham Lights up 2009

Sunday 20 November 2011:
Eltham Farmers Market
Passey Place (off the Eltham High Street, Eltham, London SE9)
The market sells a range of fresh produce including locally reared rare breed Saddleback Pig, traditionally made succulent sausages, free range organic eggs, fresh fruit and juices, vegetables, game, jams, sauces, cakes and freshly baked breads and pastries. 10am-3pm

Friday 25th November 2011:
Christmas market from 6-9pm
at the Sunfields Methodist Church. Expect many local crafts people with a variety of stalls selling handmade ceramics, jewellery, cards, childrens and adults clothes, bags, beauty products and homemade preserves and cakes. Entry is £1 and Children go free.
Sunfields Methodist Church Hall, Old Dover Road, Blackheath SE3 8SJ

25 November 2011:
History of Bellingham (Godfrey Smith).
All meetings on a Fri, at 7.45pm at the Methodist Church Hall, Albion Way, Lewisham. You don’t need to be a member to come to a meeting, but donation appreciated. Tea, coffee, biscuits at interval: 50p (a bargain!). “Please pass the prog on to anyone who might be interested, as we’re having problems updating the website”.

Sat 26 November 2011:
Comedy Night at The Pavilion
‘Comedy on the Common’, The Pavilion on Plumstead Common, London SE18 1QG
Doors open: 7pm. Show time: 8:15pm.
£8 on the door or book online
Licensed bar. Comedians include:
Adam Crow, Kate Lucas, Stephen Carlin. MC - Andy Davies
Click here for location details.

Saturday 26 November 2011:
Christmas Bazaar, 10.30am to 1.30pm
at St Luke's Church, Westmount Road, Eltham, London SE9
Christmas gifts, raffle, tombola, bric-a-brac, books, games, knitted gifts, food stalls
Entrance: 50p for adults; children free

Sunday 27 November 2011:
Christmas Fair, 11am-3pm, Free entry
Woodlands Farm, Shooters Hill
All are welcome at the Woodlands Farm Trust Christmas Fair. Sip mulled wine whilst browsing stalls of local produce and crafts for early Christmas present ideas, or relax in our café while the kids enjoy crafts and games. A great festive day out for all the family. Entry is free, but donations are welcome – all money raised helps us to care for our animals.
Woodlands Farm Trust, 331 Shooters Hill, DA16 3RP
Nearest train station: Falconwood or Welling

Blogging mojo fading and apolcalypse now

I've kind of lost my blogging mojo at the moment. It happens. Life is busy. The odd quick tweet is easier. Twitter just EATS time doesn't it? Much as I'd like to, I have had to stop trying to read every tweet in my timeline. How do people do that? I guess they have smartphones, which I don't. That would EAT even more of my time.

I happened to watch two movies recently of the 'apocalyptic' genre. Apocalyptic moves usually fall into either the biological or climate disaster category. You know, there's a crazy virus out there, we're all gonna die, or there's some crazy climate change, we're all gonna die.

I am, at the same time, both repelled and fascinated by apocalyptic films. I guess, as the directors intend, the themes in these films bring home the vulnerability and transience of the human race, as well as questioning what it means to be human. It's the themes around how society changes which interest me most - how the usual sociological rules change in the face of different dangers. This reaction in me has only really come on since becoming a parent. The thought of our young children being on their own after the mutated virus has got us, eugh, it's scary. It freezes my heart. I couldn't watch 28 Days Later after the first 15 minutes. Anyways...

I watched one of each of the biological or climate disaster films. In the former category, I Am Legend (2007), with Will Smith in which "Years after a plague kills most of humanity and transforms the rest into monsters, the sole survivor in New York City struggles valiantly to find a cure." [IMBD]. I watched most of the film with my heart in my mouth. It had huge holes in the logic no doubt but it was a powerful film with some poignant moments.

The other night we caught up with what is becoming a modern classic, Danny Boyle's Sunshine (2007) in which a team of astronauts set off on a last gasp mission to re-ignite the dying sun and save humanity on an earth which is darkening and freezing over. Fascinating and, occasionally, baffling. Is the earth worth saving, and is there a higher power? It also includes that common dilemma in such films - should you take a particular action which will save humanity but which will take away from yours personally?

I mention having watched these type of films because, listening to the news recently, it occurred to me that the more imminent threat to society and everything we are used to might lie in another direction. What would happen if the worldwide banking system, capitalism and the money system collapsed? Our usual financial priorities would be subverted and we would be forced to barter goods, food and produce on a different kind of E-Bay or swapping websites? Is there a film which covers such a subject?

Eltham and SE London events - August 2011

Here's some Eltham and other local-ish events for August (while I'm not getting on and writing other things...):

Saturday, 6th Aug 2011 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Crayford Town Archive open day
An exhibition of photos of Old Crayford including a continuous slide show, photos and artefacts from David Evans silk works, and albums of pictures to peruse. Free.
Please bring your old pictures of Crayford, Slade Green or Barnehurst for us to copy onto our data base.
Address: Crayford Town Hall, Crayford Road, Bexley, DA1 4ER

Sunday 7 August:
Tea in the Tarn

light refreshments, children's activities

Friends of The Tarn will be on hand to welcome visitors to The Tarn and provide teas, coffees, soft drinks, etc, along with children's activities such as wildlife identification sheets. Walk with Wildlife Photographer.

Address: The Tarn, Court Road, Eltham, London SE9 5AQ

The Tarn location map

Sunday 7 August:
2pm to 4pm
Live music on the Lawn
Enjoy the delights of live music on the Tudor Barn lawn every Sunday from 2.00pm to 4.00pm throughout July and August.
7 Aug:  Espree featuring Suzie Bailey
14 Aug: Espree featuring guest singer
21 Aug: Steve Mac
Address: Tudor Barn Eltham, Well Hall Pleasaunce, Well Hall Road, London SE9 6SZ

Sunday 7 August

Walk from Ladywell to Forest Hill

Meet at Ladywell station 10.30am

An easy four mile walk exploring Blythe Hill Fields, One Tree Hill and Forest Hill with the fascinating Horniman Museum. Suitable for people with young children. Dogs

are permitted on this walk. For enquiries email Des at des@desdemoor.com.

Sunday-Tuesday 7-9 August

11am-4pm

Knights & Princesses at Eltham Palace

Nearest train stn: Eltham or Mottingham

£9.30 per adult, £6.60 per child

Transform yourself into a noble lord in squire training, and even try on armour in the academy for budding knights and princesses. Children can take part in a hobby horse joust and children's battle.

Monday 8th August

Let There Be Drums! With Ali Clark & 3 drum kits

at Mycenae House Open Mic, Blackheath: £5/£4 (conc) 8.30pm

“Mycenae House, one of London's best kept musical secrets, is the perfect opportunity for you to perform on stage amongst respected musicians, no matter what your experience! Many legendary musicians and artists have been featured over the years.”

Event part of Jazz Nights.

Address: 90 Mycenae Rd, London SE3 7SE. Enquiries: Dave Silk 01689 875 683

Wed 10 Aug, Wed 17 Aug, Wed 24 Aug, Wed 31 Aug:
The Wednesday Fayre
The Wednesday Fayre every Wednesday in August (3rd, 10th,17th, 24th, 31st) – fun for parents and children at Greenwich Market. Cream teas for the parents in our pop-up English garden and fun for the kids on the bouncy castle, face painting and lots of children’s craft activities. Daily (10am?) or 12 noon to 5pm.
Greenwich Market, Greenwich  London SE10 9HZ10am- 5pm.

12-13 August 2011:

Leefest

LeeFest is a non-profit music festival held at the Highams Hill Farm. Winner of 'Best Grass Roots Festival' UK Festival Awards '09. LeeFest is held on a small, rural working farm, just on the outskirts of Bromley and Croydon (about 15 minutes from either town centre).  There is camping and the site is family-friendly. 2,000 capacity

Address: Highams Hill Farm, Sheepbarn Lane, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9PQ

(ok, not really that close to this blog’s territory but it sounds good...)

Saturday 13 August 2011:

The fifth Crystal Palace Overground Festival will take place on Saturday 13 August with several smaller events running in the week leading up to the big day. The festival will include live music, poetry, theatre, comedy, film, food and fashion around the Crystal Palace Triangle with another festival hub in Westow Park. The park will host arts workshops, sports and kids activities and entertainment for all the family.

Saturday 13 August 2011:

Life Of Brian Open Air Cinema at The Churchill

Cinema In The Park - Life Of Brian (Cert 15)   
An open-air event taking place in Bromley Amphitheatre, situated in Church House Gardens behind the Churchill Theatre. In partnership with Bromley Comedy, Where is the Nomad (pop up films) bring you one of the best British Comedies ever if not the best. Look out for surprise guests and do feel free to come dressed as a Roman or wearing some outlandish garb associated with the film - it will be a wonderful themed alfresco film experience. Check the website for performance times and prices. 

Address: Church House Gardens, foot access via Bromley High street beside the Churchill Theatre, BR1 1RH.

Saturday 13 August 2011:

Oxleas Wood Volunteer Workdays

10am-1pm. Oxleas Café, Crownwoods Ln, SE18 3JA

Nearest train station: Falconwood. Meet at the café on the meadow and help the ShootersHill Woodlands Working Party and park rangers with light woodland work.

Sunday 14 August 2011:

Oxleas Woods Ramble

10-11.30am. Oxleas Café, Crownwoods Ln, SE18 3JA

Nearest train station: Falconwood.  Meet at the café on the meadow and join the rangers for

a light, informative walk. 

Sunday 14 August 2011:

Ride a Model Steam or Electric Train

2.30-5pm.  Electricity Station, off Rochester Way

Nearest train station: Falconwood.  The nostalgia model railway at Falconwood Fields is a

real gem that few people know about. Train rides for children and adults, with the last ticket issued at  4:30pm. Refreshments are available in the clubhouse.  See www.wdmes.co.uk.

(repeated Sunday 28 August 2.30-5pm)

Sunday 14 August 2011:

Proms in the Park at The Churchill

An open-air event taking place in Bromley Amphitheatre, situated in Church House Gardens behind the Churchill Theatre. Proms In The Park – with fireworks This spectacular prom in the park is performed by the Kent Sinfonia, the foremost professional symphony orchestra for the County of Kent. Its members either live in Kent or have strong links with the County; many also play with major London orchestras such as the RPO. Here, in the gorgeous surroundings of Bromley Amphitheatre, the Kent Sinfonia delivers a wonderful evening of familiar and well-loved music, including Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Elgar's Nimrod and music by Vivaldi, Rossini, Strauss and others. The event is accompanied by a stunning finale of fireworks and FX show.

Check the website for performance times and prices. 

Address: Church House Gardens, foot access via Bromley High street beside the Churchill Theatre, BR1 1RH.

21 Aug 2011:

Farmers' Market in Passey Place, off Eltham High Street, SE9

Support the farmers' market in Passey Place.

The market is held on the third Sunday of each month between 10 am and 3 pm.

Sunday 21 August:

Columcille - Open Garden for NGS
Small garden featuring Japanese sanctuary, influenced by Zen tradition, incl water feature, lanterns, traditional Japanese plants and garden shed transformed into a tea house. Also cottage garden section with colourful display of roses, digitalis, lupins, peonies and delphiniums, especially in June; lilies July, dahlias Aug and Sept

Admission £3, Children free (share to St Nicholas Church). Times:1-5. Open for charity.Columcille, Chislehurst, London BR7 5RN

Friday 26 August to Monday 29 August 2011:

4 Day Music and Beer Festival

Four days of the finest music in the area in a variety of styles starts on Friday night with the rock band VOYD. Saturday starts 1330 with guest artists and open mic followed in the evening by Seven Stars Live with Jude Onyeaka and the Andy Smythe Band. Sunday 1100 - Heritage Walk from Water Lane, North Cray to the Seven Stars 1330 guest artists and open mic 2000 Blues Night (provisional) Monday 1230 - guest artists 2000 - 'Graham Corbould Presents' Guests include Ron Trueman-Border, Felix's Rock Choir, Missouri Gutts, Open House, Dave Kenningham, Mick Woods, Zahira Al-Zahira Throughout the festival there will be a good selection of Guest Real Ales that are not normally available at the Seven Stars and these will be varied as the weekend progresses. For details see website

No charge for entry but collections will be taken. Guest beers and Pub Grub available Good Car Parking or Buses. 

Website: www.sevenstarslive.co.uk/festival

Address:  Seven Stars, Foots Cray High Street, Sidcup, DA14 5HJ  London DA14 5HJ

Saturday 27 August 2011:

‘Jimmy Day'

11.30am

Eltham Park South, Glenesk Road, Eltham, London, SE9 1AG
Jimmy Mizen Foundation

Sunday 28 August:
Family Fun Day at Well Hall Pleasaunce website
10am to 6pm

Family activities, stalls, displays, activities and live music in the beautiful garden setting of Well Hall Pleasaunce. Stalls, inflatables, animal dispalys, craft demonstrations and live music and much more. (free)

Address: Well Hall Pleasaunce, Well Hall Road, Eltham, London SE9 6SF

Well Hall Pleasaunce location map