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

Herbert Morrison: Eltham's "Cockney Socialist"

The National Portrait Gallery are currently showing an exhibition about a local boy. No, not Boy George, or Bob Hope, but Herbert Morrison:

"This display explores the portrait imagery associated with Herbert Morrison (1888-1965), one of the key political figures of the mid-twentieth century, who helped engineer the emergence of the Labour Party as a leading parliamentary force. Taking as its theme the idea that Morrison’s political character was defined by his reputation as an archetypal Londoner, the display looks at how his public profile and political persona were similarly shaped by his cockney identity....." Continue reading at NPG website.

The free display runs from 26 July 2011 - 18 March 2012, in Room 31 case display.

Herbert Morrison (1888–1965), born in Lambeth, was a  Labour Cabinet minister and leader of London County Council. He is often quoted now as being the "chief sponsor of the Festival of Britain," and of course the grandfather of Labour politician Peter Mandelson, ex-cabinet minister, made a peer in 2008.

The local connection is that in 1923 the then "rising politician Herbert Morrison moved to 272 Well Hall Road, now No. 352, where he stayed with his family until 1929 on removal to Archery Road, Eltham" until 1960. [credit: John Kennet]

There's some interesting British Pathe footage of "Herbert Morrison and Mrs Morrison posing for cameras at Eltham" and "coming out of Polling station" but I'm not sure where (or even which year?) .....

Art exhibition at the Woodnut Cafe

Image © Madu Batuwangala

News has reached me of an exhibition at the new-ish Woodnut Cafe on Westmount Road, Eltham.

Artist Bichelle Masrani is exhibiting at the Woodnut Cafe which is described by Spot on Art as "a contemporary, stylish place to relax in leafy Eltham". Sounds good to me. Not sure how long the exhibition is on for though.

We've not popped in yet - the children are desperate to try the cakes and hot chocolate at this cosy little place (which is a couple of doors away from Ayres the bakers).

You can see more of Masrani's work here.

Eltham Lights Up on 17 Nov 2011

The details are now out:

"On 17 November 2011, Eltham Lights Up will see Eltham town centre transformed with lights and colour to celebrate the start of the festive season.

Eltham High Street will be closed to traffic between 4pm and 8pm, with street performers and a live music stage providing entertainment from 4.30pm.

At 6pm the street's Christmas lights will be switched on, followed by a spectacular lantern-lit procession featuring hundreds of local school children, a giant mechanical character and other special effects....."
Read more... 

Related previous posts:
Eltham Lights Up 2010
Eltham Lights up 2009

Band playing charity gig in Eltham

I've not heard of them, but if you're in Eltham High Street this Saturday, here's a tweet about an event there, all for a good cause:

"BisonBass Tony Heasman
Skybluepink, doing Air Ambulance Charity gig at passey place Eltham London se9. England, on sat 8th October From 11 to 2pm. See you there."

Don't mention the war

Co-incidently, following on from my last post on Blitz archaeology in Eltham, this piece appeared in yesterday's Telegraph about a woman who:

"... lived in Sydenham – an area of south-east London severely damaged by Hitler's V1 and V2 rockets. Bombs had exploded around her childhood home. Many a long and terrifying night had been spent in the air-raid shelter."

It's a touching story by a son about how his mother came to terms with a nation which she had for so long perceived as the enemy.

Blitz archaeology in Eltham

A local twitterer has written about attending this Eltham event - @Lee SE12 tweeted yesterday:

"Pics from brill bit of local history, Blitz archaeology walk in Eltham Green, shame @BBCLondon949 for poor plug not giving the details, only 3 other people were at the 3pm tour. Starts opposite Macdonalds, follows detail road plan from recently unearthed records in the Greenwich Heritage Centre."

The event in question was an Archaeological survey (9.30am) and a walk (3pm) on the Page Estate in Eltham Green described as follows:

"We are launching a self guide map and fact sheet, put together with the support of the team at BBC Hands on History, on the ARP Service on the Page Estate. We will be carrying out a formal archaeological survey of the items on the map, recording and photographing those which are still there and looking for other evidence of the Blitz. We hope to the work will also lead to us meeting more local people with information about the period and people named in the map."  The BBC also put together this Hands on History guide. (extract right)

More photos by @Lee SE12 from the Blitz walk in Eltham Green this afternoon can be seen at twitpic.com/6tix5f   twitpic.com/6tiq1n  twitpic.com/6tit6u

This is certainly an event in which local schools might be interested - last year my daughter's primary school class was 'evacuated' via Eltham station for a couple of nights to a centre (in Herts) where they experienced the wartime life of evacuated children (all done in an age-appropriate way, of course!).

UPDATE:  I spoke too soon  - the organisers DO do work with local schools and had apparently done so that day - fab. And more: the item was plugged on BBC London in the morning with a reporter even talking to organisers onsite in Eltham, however they didn't have a chance to give all the details and also said Erith by accident. The 11am/1pm walks were well attended apparently (thanks for info @Lee SE12). It sounds a good project and it is great to have our local area's history mapped in this way, so well done.

Eltham and SE London Events for October 2011

Sun 2 Oct 2011
Italian Market, Passey Place, Eltham
Experience the sights, sounds & aromas of Italy & sample Continental produce when Italian traders visit Passey Place, Eltham.10am-4pm

2 October 2011–25 February 2012

Traders Unpacked Season
A new gallery at the National Maritime Museum explores the history and continuing relevance of Britain’s trade with Asia, looking at this compelling story through the lens of the East India Company. Traders: the East India Company and Asia examines the commodities that the Company traded, the people that shaped its tumultuous career and the conflicts and rebellions that were its ultimate undoing. Check out the fantastic range of events going on http://www.nmm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/traders/traders-unpacked/
at National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF


4 October 2011
Museum Gallery Tour, Hall Place and Gardens, Bexley
2.30pm.
Join the Bexley Heritage Trust curatorial team for a tour that explores the new Museum galleries at Hall Place. You can ask questions and find out what it takes to look after Museum objects. Charges apply. Tickets must be booked in advance on 01322 621 238.   


Sat 8 October 2011
10.30am to 4.30pm at Eltham United Reformed Church
Annual Meccano Model Show in Eltham by the South East London Meccano Club.
A great day out for all the family. The hall will be packed with working Meccano models - trains, planes, cranes and more. There will be a raffle with Meccano prizes. You can buy Meccano sets and parts from the Meccano dealer. Refreshments available all day.
Meccano Show 2011 website


Sat 8 October 2011

The Big Draw Face Station website

12noon to 4pm at The Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College

Experiment with ways to create faces surrounded by James Thornhill’s wonderful portraits in the Painted Hall. Led by freelance artist Caroline Dorset. Free event.

Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, London SE10 9LW

The Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, location map

Tel: 020 8169 4799 or boxoffice@ornc.org

Sun 9 October 2011
London Regatta 2011
10am to mid-afternoon, subject to weather conditions.
London's largest sailing event of the year at Greenwich Yacht Club.
The annual test closure of the Thames Barrier will create non-tidal conditions on the up-river side towards London. This temporary removal of the effects of the tide provides a rare occasion for dinghy sailors to compete in open water without needing qualifications or tidal water experience. Over 60 boats of various types representing sailing clubs across the capital will take part. The first race will start at 10am on four courses marked out between the Thames Barrier and the O2 Arena. Presentation of awards is expected to take place mid-afternoon. Directions foir spectators can be found at www.greenwichyachtclub.co.uk/directions. Public entry to Greenwich Yacht Club on the day is free.   Greenwich Yacht Club, Peartree Way, London SE10 0BW
More details can be found at www.greenwichyachtclub.co.uk


Sun 9 October 2011

Bird watching with the Friends of Greenwich Park

8am at Greenwich Park, Blackheath Gate entrance

Join the Friends of Greenwich Park on a guided walk to explore the park's birdlife. Bring binoculars and meet at Blackheath Gate. Free.  Bird Walk website

at Greenwich Park, London SE10 9NF

Greenwich Park, Blackheath Gate entrance location map
Tel 020 8858 2608


Throughout October
Black History Month -see Lewisham and Greenwich websites
various events including:

1.  Deacons For Defense
at Goldsmiths University of London Lewisham
Screening of a film which explores a little known but true aspect of the American civil rights movement. Starring Forest Whittaker and Ossie Davis.
(conflicting date information around - check with Goldsmiths Student Union)

2.  Alex Wheatle: Uprising
The Albany Centre and Theatre
11 Oct to 14 Oct, 7.30pm
Marking the 30th anniversary of the Brixton riots, award-winning author Alex Wheatle presents his autobiographical story of how he became a writer.



Thursday 13 Oct to 15 Oct 2011
Table Manners
Alan Ayckbourn's play by the Priory Players
8pm.  Progress Hall, Admiral Seymour Road
Tickets £7 (£6 conc)
Contact 07502 450 983


Fridays 14 October, 28 October, 25 November
Friday Night Curry and a Pint
19.30–21.30, £25
Discover the origins of the ‘Great British curry’, the story behind India Pale Ale and how the East India Company changed the eating and drinking habits of a nation. An evening of masala, manuscripts and migrations that is guaranteed to stimulate the imagination and the taste buds. Speaking on this series of unique learning and dining events, will be historian Rozina Visram, Shrabani Basu, author of Curry: The Story of the Nation’s Favourite Dish and the beer writer and convivial raconteur, Peter Haydon. Ticket price includes a delicious Indian meal and a pint of India Pale Ale.



16 Oct 2011
Passey Place Farmers' Market     
Support the farmers' market in Passey Place
The market is held on the third Sunday of each month between 10 am and 3 pm


starting Wed 19 October, for various dates
Hair
Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road, Eltham
The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical HAIR tells the story of the "tribe", a group of politically active, long-haired hippies of the "Age of Aquarius" living a bohemian life in New York City and fighting against conscription into the Vietnam War. Let the Sunshine in !!!!  7:30pm
Contact Details: www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk or 020 8850 3702 or http://www.eldoradomusicalproductions.co.uk/


Wednesday 19 October 2011
7.30pm
The Mayor of Lewisham is hosting a curry evening at the award-winning Babur restaurant, 119 Brockley Rise, Honor Oak, SE23 1JP. Tickets cost £25 per person and includes a superb three-course meal as well as a donation to the Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care. This is a popular annual event so booking is essential. To make your reservation contact Derek Johnson on 020 8314 8636.


Sunday 23 October
Apple Day, 11am-4pm, FREE ENTRY.
Woodlands Farm, Shooters Hill
All are welcome at the Woodlands Farm Trust Apple Day. Come and celebrate National Apple Day with a variety of activities, including crafts, a treasure hunt, archery, face-painting, and pressing apples to make juice. There will be stalls selling local produce, including farm honey and home-made jams and cakes. A great day out for all the family. Entry is free, but donations are welcome – all money raised helps us to care for our animals.


Tues 25-Fri 28 October
Education Activities for Half Term
Woodlands Farm, Shooters Hill
See their website: Woodlands Farm


25 - 29 October
The Circus is Coming to Town, Ruxley Manor Garden Centre, Sidcup
See the spectacular John Lawson Circus Company with fantastic acts such as acrobatics, Wild West knife throwers, trapeze artists, and comic chaos from clowns Kakehole and Popol. For show times or to book go to www.ruxley-manor.co.uk


Sat 29 Oct 11
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:
Marian Pashley, Juliet Stephens, Danny Ward. MC - Frank Casdy
Click here for location details.

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 - September 2011

5 to 11 September 2011:
Greenwich Comedy Festival
Old Royal Naval College Greenwich

9th-16th September 2011:
The Lewisham Literary Festival is happening 9th-16th September 2011, in venues across Lewisham and Hither Green. The events page has a growing list of confirmed guests and events. See website for the full programme, locations and times, and to advance book online.

Saturday, 10 September 2011:
Family fun day fete and dog show
12 noon
Eltham Park South, Glenesk Road, Eltham, London, SE9 1AG
A great day out for all of the family. Stalls, sideshows, dog show with celebrity judge. In aid of Demelza Childrens Hospice. Inflatables, Charlton football club, attractions, food and drink. Free Entry. 12 noon until 5pm. Dog registration 12noon for a 1pm start.

Saturday, 10 September 2011:
Cataclysm: The 1st Catford Festival. Ravensboure Arms. http://thejase.co.uk
“We have comedy from Dan March, Fliss Russell, Jane Deane, and probably more will be added by Saturday. Circus and burlesque performances. Also music from Jimmy Bongos, Enderby's Room, Minarcshe, Tini Houdini and a live band karaoke set from The Sweet Funkin' Association.  It's all kicking off around 2pm. There's a BBQ in the beer garden and entry is free.” from Brockley Central

Saturday, 10 September 2011:
Oxleas Wood Volunteer Workdays, 10am
Oxleas Café, Crownwoods Ln, SE18 3JA
Nearest train station: Falconwood
Meet at the café on the meadow and help the Shooters Hill Woodlands Working Party and park rangers with light woodland work. Duration: three hours.

Sunday 11 September 2011:
Oxleas Woods Ramble, 10am
Oxleas Café, Crownwoods Ln, SE18 3JA
Nearest train station: Falconwood
Meet at the café on the meadow and join the park rangers for a light, informative walk. Duration: 90 minutes.

10-11 September 2011:
Art Deco Fair at Eltham Palace
10am-5pm
This much-loved fair gives you the opportunity to buy original 1930s objects in the magnificent Art Deco surroundings of Eltham Palace. Browse everything Art Deco, from jewellery to furniture.
Nearest train stn: Eltham or Mottingham
£9.30 per adult, FREE for English Heritage Members

10 & 11 September 2011:
Thames festival celebrating London's iconic river
http://www.thamesfestival.org

Saturday 17 September 2011:
1pm to 5pm
The Big Draw
Chislehurst Common (between Manor Park Road and School Road, BR7 5PQ)
Get on your marks to come and join “Our World in Common” to celebrate the 2012 London Olympics. Get set with your passport to artistic adventure and then you’re off around the globe to create traditional crafts and art from each continent. On your journey you can listen to the beat of the African drums, shout with Punch and Judy or be enchanted with fairytales. You can sculpt an Indonesian shadow puppet or make a Hopi Indian kachina warrior, hide behind a Venetian mask or twirl a hand painted Chinese banner.  Go down under for Aborigine dream painting or stay closer to home with golden English brass rubbings of knights in armour. There will be  helium balloons, face painting, a Hog Roast, tea tent and creative adventures for travelers of all ages. Be sure to come early to have a go at everything.

17 and 18 September 2011:
Open House London
Open House London, London’s greatest architectural showcase, encourages the public to visit and tour some of the capitals most iconic buildings. Programme now available with over 760 buildings and events throughout London to choose from.

All are free but many sites have to be pre-booked.

Over 700 buildings are included in the event, including 11 in the Bexley borough. Amongst them:
Danson House, Erith Playhouse and Crossness Engines House.

Tours are being offered around Danson House in Welling on September 18, offering visitors the chance to view the house in its full restored glory.

Eltham sites include:
Eltham Lodge, Court Road: Sunday 10am to 12.30pm
St Saviours Church, Middle Park Avenue: Sat 10am to 4.30pm
Tudor Barn and Well Hall Pleasaunce: Sat/Sun 10am to 6pm

Visit areas of the Old Royal Naval College site not usually open to the public and join in one of the free talks and guided tours. Tours start from the information point on Lower Grand Square. 

Address: The Old Royal Naval College, Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich, London SE10 9LW.   

The Old Royal Naval College location map

Open House Weekend website

17 – 24 September 2011:
Herne Hill Festival
Classical, Jazz, and Light music are the staples of the new Herne Hill Festival, which takes place for the first time this year. It combines a number of free events with concerts at £5 each (£3 concessions).

21 September 2011:
Pack of Lies at The Bob Hope Theatre until Saturday 24th September
By Hugh Whitemore.

Thurs-Sat 7.30pm. Bar opens at 7pm
Thur-Fri Adults £8, conc. £7
Sat All £8

Box office open Tues-Sat 10am to 1pm

24 September 2011:
Chislehurst Rocks
11am till 9pm
Free entry
Music for all ages and workshops. Great food and drink, rides, stalls. They are looking for
volunteers + sponsors

Mon 26 Sep 2011:
Blackheath Goes Gospel
7:30PM - Blackheath Halls