Greenwich & Lewisham Weekender - June 7th 2023

GREENWICH DANCE

30TH BIRTHDAY APPEAL

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SUMMER SESSIONS

GRAB YOUR QUADS AND JOIN US FOR A ROLLERSKATING JAM!

CURATED WITH SUPPORT FROM FRANKIE J AND VIBES ON VIBES

GREENWICH PARK

FRIDAY 16 & 30 JUNE, FRIDAY 14 JULY, 16�00�19�00

PLUS PERFORMANCES FROM THE URBAN PLAYGROUND TEAM QWERIN SIMPLE CYPHER

CYGNET SQUARE

FRIDAY 23 JUNE, FRIDAY 7 & 21 JULY, 16�00�19�00

PLUS PERFORMANCES FROM ELEMENTZ

FIREFLY FITNESS UK JOSS ARNOTT DANCE

ENTRY IS FREE BUT SKATERS MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE AT GREENWICHDANCE.ORG.UK

PICNICS

AN AFTERNOON OF FREE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT!

MARYON PARK

SUNDAY 25 JUNE, 13�00�17�00

JOANNE CLIFTON THE MARY LOU REVUE

COSTA RICA IN THE UK FEET OFF THE GROUND TARU ARTS

UTOPIA CHEER GD COLLECTIVE SCHOOL OF SOS FIREFLY FITNESS UK BEEJA DANCE

GALLIONS PARK

SATURDAY 8 JULY, 13�00�17�00

NORVIL & JOSEPHINE COSTA RICA IN THE UK TARU ARTS

TRINITY LABAN UTOPIA CHEER KIDUKU RHYTHMS DYNAMIX DANCE ST MARY’S SCHOOL CHOIR GD COLLECTIVE ROYAL GREENWICH MUSIC SERVICE BEEJA DANCE

QUEENSCROFT PARK

SATURDAY 22 JULY, 13�00�17�00

HIKAPEE COSTA RICA IN THE UK TARUARTS

THE RCCG CHURCH CHOIR

TRACEWORKS JUNIORS KERRY ON DANCING

56 WOOLWICH SQUADRON RAF CADETS BAND

DANCINGTOTHEMUSICOFTIME WAGGLE DANCE CO.

PLUS GAMES, ICE�CREAM, STALLS, FACE�PAINTING AND MORE!

Holly O'Mahony

TheGreenwich & Lewisham Weekender is an independent weekly newspaper, covering the boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham.

We publish every Wednesday, covering every postcode sector of the borough, and boasting, by far, the highest weekly circulation in Greenwich. Each week, we deliver to homes in every Greenwich neighbourhood, with further copies stocked at convenient public stands. We are also the highest distribution newspaper in Lewisham.

You can also view each edition online, as well as daily news and events, on our website: www.weekender.co.uk

The Greenwich & Lewisham Weekender covers all aspects of life in the boroughs, including music, theatre, comedy, film, events, and food and drink, as well as all your community events and campaigns.

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Issue: GW314

Pick of the Week

By Holly O’Mahony

Jane Austen’s Emma gets the stage treatment

A riot of a good time in Charlton Park

Turning Jane Austen’s quaint, pastoral period novel Emma into a ‘riotous, Regency rom-com’ is Pantaloons Theatre Company. Expect the story as you know it, in which the rebellious matchmaker Emma attempts to play Cupid to those around her, but with lashings of the company’s signature funny chaos thrown in. Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ES. June 11, 7:30pm - 9:30pm. Admission: £17.50/£15 concessions. www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk/events/emma/

Lunch is served

Feeling uninspired by your usual packed lunch? Pootle over to the other side of the river on Thursday, where Canary Wharf’s weekly lunch market is hoping to entice foodies to Montgomery Square with street food from around the world. From Japanese dumplings to Spanish paella, hearty British baps to Greek souvlaki, you’ll be sure to find a dish to chow on whatever your mood. Montgomery Square Canary Wharf, London E14. Thursdays, 12pm - 2:30pm. Admission: FREE, price of dishes varies. www.canarywharf.com/whats-on/the-lunch-market/

Shakespeare’s Full Fathom Five explored through song

Hear the talented musicians from SongEasel’s Young Artist Programme as they present a concert exploring Shakespeare’s theme of Full Fathom Five from The Tempest through song. The recital

The Royal Borough of Greenwich is bringing a day of giddy celebrations to Charlton Park this Saturday. Called Together 23, the event is geared at local residents but inclusive of anyone who shows up, and features performances from local groups, family-friendly activities, DJs (including Norman Jay MBE), a funfair and some special guest appearances. This year, there’s also an LGBTQ+ Pride tent, street food, stalls selling locally-made goods and a chance to meet representatives from the council. Last year’s celebrations attracted 18,000 attendees and this year’s is likely to be just as popular, so head on over and join the party. Charlton Park, 21 Cemetery Lane, London SE7 8DZ. June 10, 12pm6pm. Admission: FREE. www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/ together-23

is part of a series being performed across south London this summer, and features works by Schubert, Debussy, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Britten and more. Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, Blackheath, London SE3 9RQ. June 10, 6pm. Admission: £10.

www.blackheathhalls.com/whats-on/ blackheath-presents-songeaselyoung-artist-programme/

Under the sea

A vibrant banner inspired by creatures of the sea as well as maps and monsters from the museum’s collections has gone on show at the National Maritime Museum. The banner has been created by pupils from special education school Willow Dene, with the help of artist Shermaine Slocombe. Named ‘Sea creatures: real and imagined’, it was made by the children over the course of a sensory session, with the resulting artworks patched together in a digital collage by Shermaine. Find it in the museum’s Sammy Ofer Wing. National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, London SE10 9NF. Daily, 10am - 5pm. Admission: FREE. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/ national-maritime-museum/sea-creatures-real-imagined

A night of queer celebrations at Eltham Palace for Pride

June is Pride Month in London. It’s an important time for the LGBTQ+ community, and a reminder that sexuality should be celebrated freely and openly. In central London, the annual Pride Parade falls on July 1 this year, and will see over 30,000 participants march in colourful solidarity. Elsewhere, al fresco stages across the West End will come alight with queerchampioning performances – with Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and the Soho Stage throwing the biggest bumper bashes. Closer to home, Eltham Palace’s annual Queer Walls event is taking guests back to the 1930s with a lavish cocktail party. While the night’s cabaret performances should prove a whoopworthy riot, the event is also a reminder that diverse sexual preferences are nothing new, even if we’ve only been able to celebrate them relatively recently, writes Holly O’Mahony…

With visitors encouraged to dress in their most glamorous, glittering attire, Eltham Palace’s Queer Walls event is dripping in Art Deco decadence. It’s a celebration of the ancient English Heritage site’s 1930s glow-up too, really; a cheers to finding one’s identity and being unafraid of growing a new skin (or, in the case of the palace, having an extension built).

Guests can expect entertainment of a 30s nature too. Hosting the event are leading drag king and queen Adam All and Apple Derrieres. The powercouple will strap on the personas of Stephen Courtauld and his wife Virginia, the couple who used to own the palace, hosting extravagant soirees there back in the day.

Together Adam and Apple could stake a strong claim to being south London’s favourite drag duo. The pair have been performing together for a decade now. Their work is playful, musical and

celebrates bodies in all their forms, in defiance of misogyny and gender binaries. They delivered a sung-through Ted Talk, ‘We are more than the sum of our parts’, in 2018, and continue to lead the way with bringing drag into heritage sites and cultural institutions. Through an array of dazzling acts of the cabaret persuasion, you’ll learn about LGBTQ+ histories while sipping on strong cocktails and getting to know your fellow revellers. Joining the drag royalty on stage is composer and cabaret performer Mark Bunyan; Ella the Great as Richard Melanin III; ‘madam of the avant-garde’ Mx Romeo De La Cruz; self-confessed diva Jade Love; and stage starlet Eliza DeLite.

By all accounts (okay, those of its organisers), Queer Walls promises to be a ‘truly wild and bohemian affair’. So shrug on your sequins and your highest heels, and head back to the 30s.

Eltham Palace, Eltham Palace Court Yard, London, England SE9 5QE. June 9, 7pm - 10pm.

Admission: £18/£14 concessions.

www.english-heritage.org. uk/visit/whats-on/elthampalace-lgbtq-histories/

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Head under the sea to mark World oceans day

It’s World Oceans Day on June 8 – a time to reflect on and celebrate the waters that make up around 70% of the Earth’s surface. From the icy Antarctic to the relatively balmy Indian Ocean, the National Maritime Museum is exploring the past, present and future of our blue planet, with a full day’s programme of events on Saturday June 10, featuring live performances, talks, scientific demonstrations, games and more, writes Holly O’Mahony…

“The National Maritime Museum is ideally suited to host World Oceans Day due to its collections, expertise and proximity to the River Thames –our gateway to the sea,” says Laura Boon, Lloyd’s Register Foundation Senior Curator of Contemporary Maritime. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to discover more about the ocean and the challenges it currently faces due to human activity.”

If that all sounds a bit serious though, don’t worry: the purpose of the day is to make learning about our oceans fun. “Primarily this is a celebration,” continues Laura. “We hope that visitors find out more about the ocean, from the importance of coral reefs to cutting edge science being done by the British Antarctic Survey. We hope that visitors are inspired to become ocean citizens and continue to learn more about the ocean and the positive impacts they can have as an individual.”

With this in mind, here are the highlights to look out for within the National Maritime Museum’s 2023 World Oceans Day programme…

Live performances

At the heart of the museum, the Great Map, a series of performances will mark the occasion. Look out for

new work from contemporary dance company Fiji, transporting viewers to the Pacific island through ancient stories and traditions; set sail with ShayShay, Sophie Brian and Mahatma Khandi as they embark on a watery treasure hunt; immerse your ears in the sounds of the Caribbean as steel band the Metronomes Steel Orchestra performs spirit-raising arrangements; and don’t miss an authentic showcase of Cook Island, Hula and Tahitian dances from the Beats of Polynesia.

Meet polar scientists

Wonder what life’s life living under extreme weather conditions without your usual home comforts? Stop and ask scientists from the British Antarctic Survey who will also be on site. They’ll be hosting a series of hands-on activities, plus showing off some samples brought back from the poles, and allowing visitors to try on their polar clothing or peer inside their Antarctic ration boxes.

Family fun

Got some little ones in tow? There will be sea-themed games and workshops all over the museum, including the chance to get their face painted like a scaly fish, meet some merfolk or even square up to the sea god Neptune. If yours are into their arts and

crafts,

Get arty in the coral corner

Did you know the National Maritime

enrol them in a printmaking workshop led by art-focused environmental group Ocean Rebellion.

Museum is growing a crochet coral reef? Lend them a hand to make it even bigger (no need to have any crocheting experience!) or work with science animator Hannah Whitman to create some 3D coral species using washed-up ocean plastics.

Immerse yourself in the ocean

Don a virtual reality headset and dive under the sea for a chance to experience life beneath the waves without returning with a soggy wetsuit.

© National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

Talks

In the lecture theatre, you can listen in on talks by marine scientists about deep sea creatures and underwater robots. Meanwhile outside the gallery, artists Fiona Compton (pictured) and Nicola Green will be discussing their pop-up, art-led globes, dubbed The World Reimagined, with artistic director Ashley Shaw Scott Adjaye.

Art for climate

Workshops inspired by the work of climate activities will be running

throughout the day, and visitors will also have the chance to take a tour of the museum’s ongoing exhibition Our Connection to Water, led by its curators The Collective Makers. Elsewhere, visitors of all ages can help the museum’s artistin-residence Nicole Mollett create a never-ending drawing of a wave.

National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, London SE10 9NF. June 10, 10am - 5pm. Admission: FREE.

www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/nationalmaritime-museum/world-oceans-day

SATURDAY 10 june

12pm TO 6pm | charlton park | free entry

Main stage

DJ Norman Jay MBE 5pm

Woolwich Singers 12 noon | C7 12.50pm

Lady Marga MC 1.30pm | Lewisland 2.20pm

Parklife 3pm | Groove 101 4.10pm

Kids stage

Plumcroft Primary School Choir

12.10pm | Boppin’ Bunnies 12.40pm and 2.40pm | Anna Fiorentini’s

Performing Arts School 1.30pm

Dynamix 2pm | Funky Immigrants 4.30pm | Epik Daiquan 5.20pm

Kids town

Chronos One Escape Rooms Face painting | astronomy telescope | Forest School

Mascot meet and greet

Drumming workshops | Crafts

Community Vill age

Community stalls | Soft Play | Trainmaster

Stella Page | Tilly Pantlin | Tony Smash

Bouncy castles | Funfair | Greenwich Get Active Sports Zone

LGBTQ+ Pride Tent | Bars and Street Food | Marketplace Meet the Council and more...

royalgreenwich.gov.uk/together-23

# Together23

Getting there

There is no on-site public parking. Please use public transport, walk or cycle to the event.

Charlton Park is easily accessible by public transport and is on many major bus routes – please visit Transport for London to plan your journey.

Secure bike parking is available within the festival site. Local streets will be patrolled by parking enforcement teams to prevent illegal and irresponsible parking.

There is limited disabled parking available in Charlton Park car park (next to Charlton Park Academy) on a first come, first served basis.

Accessibility

The event is held on a mown grass surface.

On site facilities/services include:

• accessible toilets

• wheelchair accessible benches

• raised viewing platform for the main stage

• baby change facilities

• limited blue badge parking (see above)

Food and drink

The event will have stalls selling a wide variety of food and drink for all dietary requirements. The event also has a range of bars and only alcohol purchased on site is allowed to be consumed.

Bring it with you

Feel free to bring your own picnic and picnic blankets. There are picnic benches at the event, available on a first come, first served basis.

Be prepared for the weather. Shade is limited on the event site so please bring sunscreen, sun hats and water. However, this is Britain so you may need raincoats, umbrellas and a jumper…

Leave it at home

Anything that could be considered as a weapon like knives, fireworks and glass containers.

Saturday 10 June

12 noon to 6pm Charlton Park, SE7

The event of the summer is back! Everyone’s invited to attend for free!

Alcohol should not be brought on site but can be purchased at the event bars.

Animals

Dogs, except official assistance dogs, are not allowed on the event site, but dog walkers are free to use the rest of Charlton Park.

We don’t allow animals to be used in performances, for entertainment or as prizes at Royal Borough of Greenwich events.

First aid

First aiders will be on site. In the event of accident or injury please inform the nearest member of event staff who will call for help.

Lost children and vulnerable people

If you find or lose a child or vulnerable person, please notify the nearest member of security staff immediately.

Find out more: royalgreenwich. gov.uk/together-23

Enjoy a free summer of fun with

royal greenwich festivals

This year’s programme of free Royal Greenwich Festival events kicks off this June.

From festivals and workshops to performances and activities, Royal Greenwich Festivals bring free, inclusive events to all corners of the borough.

Emergency Exit Arts | FoxPark

A giant walkabout fox puppet will be welcomed to fie locations across the borough, inviting residents to proudly introduce it to their community. Events will also include a host of creative making workshops, activities and interactive performances.

Friday 2 June | 10am to 4pm

Holiday Fun Friday, General Gordon Square

Saturday 10 June | 12 noon to 6pm Together 23, Charlton Park

Saturday 19 August | 11am to 4pm Abbey Wood Park Playground

Sunday 10 September | 1 to 5pm PARKSfest Southwood

Friday 22 September HI! Street Fest Woolwich

Festival.org | Greenwich+Docklands International Festival

The Greenwich+Docklands International festival will wow audiences with a two week programme of spectacular events. Bringing experiences and performances from across the globe

to Royal Greenwich, year after year, the festival entertains local residents as well as drawing visitors from across the UK.

Friday 25 August to Sunday 10 September Various locations to be announced

Greenwich Dance | Summer in the Park

Greenwich Dance will present a series of dance-themed outdoor summer sessions and picnic events for all the family

Summer Sessions | Greenwich Park

Friday 16 June, Friday 30 June and Friday 14 July, 4 to 7pm

Summer Sessions | Cygnet Square, SE2 9FA

Friday 23 June, Friday 7 July and Friday 21 July, 4 to 7pm

Maryon Park Picnic

Sunday 25 June, 1 to 5pm Maryon Park, Woodland Terrace, SE7 8EN

Gallions Park Picnic

Saturday 8 July, 1 to 5pm Gallions Park, Warepoint Drive, SE28 0DR

Queenscroft Park Picnic

Saturday 22 July, 1 to 5pm Queenscroft Park, Kingsground, SE9

TARU Arts | Woolwich

Carnival 2023

Woolwich Carnival is an annual celebration of community and culture in September, where residents come to celebrate the borough’s diversity. Expect music, dance and workshops throughout the day in General Gordon Square and a finale parade aound the town centre in Woolwich.

Holiday Fun Friday - Woolwich

Carnival Take Over!

Friday 28 July, 10am to 4pm General Gordon Square

Carnival decoration and prop making workshops

Thursday 24 August and 14 September, 4pm to 8pm

Tramshed

Thursday 31 August and Thursday 7 September, 4 to 8pm Woolwich Works

Woolwich Carnival 2023

Saturday 16 September, 12 noon to 8pm General Gordon Square and Royal Arsenal

Tramshed Arts | Greenwich Family Arts Festival

The Greenwich Family Arts Festival brings inclusive outdoor theatre, workshops, participatory experiences, cultural storytelling and dance activities to all corners of the borough.

Saturday 1 July

Circus Raj and The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band

2pm and 4pm

General Gordon Square

Story Walk Through Nature 2pm and 3pm ALL EARS: Bukky Leo Live 4 to 6pm

Greenwich Park Bandstand

Sunday 2 July

The Woolly Wonder! 12 noon, 1pm and 3.30pm

Story Walk Through Nature 12.30pm ,1.30pm and 4pm Avery Hill Park

Saturday 8 July

The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band 1.15pm and 3.15pm

Circus Raj 2pm and 4pm

Pegler Square & Cator Park North,

Sunday 9 July

The Woolly Wonder!

12 noon, 1.15pm and 2.30pm

Severndroog Castle

Saturday 15 July

Youth Takeover Day 1 to 5pm

Youth Music Showcase 5.30 to 7.30pm

Greenwich Park Grandstand

Sunday 16 July

Fish Out of Water 2pm and 4pm Bostall Gardens

Saturday 22 July

Anansi and the Lost Sun and Devious Dolphins

12 noon and 2pm

Tump 53, London SE28 8AS

Sunday 23 July

Loki: Lord of Mischief 12.30 to 3.15pm

Eltham Park South

Saturday 29 July

Family Pride Day 1 to 5pm

Royal Arsenal, Artillery Square

Sunday 30 July

Let’s Go Clubbing

12.30pm and 2pm

Mycenae House

Royalgreenwich.gov.uk/royal-greenwich-festivals

SUMMER HOLIDAY FUN FRIDAYS FUN

Holiday Fun Friday is back this half term. Come along for a free family day out on Friday 2 June in General Gordon Square in Woolwich from 10am to 4pm.

What’s On | Friday 2 June

• Free arts and crafts all day

• Me et the superheroes for story time, party games and crafts from 12 noon to 1pm

• Mu sic from violinist Stella, from 1 to 2pm

• Foo d market in nearby Beresford Square

• A ve ry special giant visitor

Plus food, drink and market stalls, funfair rides, a bouncy castle, face painting and glitter tattoos throughout the day!

Holiday Fun Fridays will continue throughout the summer holidays. Head to General Gordon Square, from 10am to 4pm on:

• Friday 28 July

• Fr iday 4 August

• Fr iday 11 August

• Fr iday 18 August

• Fr iday 25 August

• Fr iday 1 September

Find out more at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/holiday-fun-friday

CACT Coach helps form school’s first girls football team

In September, Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) Coach Ivan Donaldson held trials at Wingfield Primary School in Kidbrooke for all females in Key Stage 2 to try out for the new girls football team.

The 13 girls selected stood out during the trial and demonstrated a real talent for the sport. With regular training throughout the school year, the girls showed strong commitment to the team and improving as a group.

The girls, aged between 8-11, have been competing in matches at the Meridian Sports Ground and have shown a fantastic improvement from where they were at the start of the school year.

As the school’s first ever girls football team, the school is incredibly proud of their efforts and commitment.

Their parents have also expressed their support for the team and how being part of the team has

benefitted their daughter.

One parent, Lisa Dickson, said:

“Sienna is really enjoying being a part of the girls football team. Having the opportunity to play with other girls has improved her confidence and skill and she now wants to join a mixed team and play all the time.”

Another parent, Hyiam Evic, said:

“Safia is a very shy girl and typically lacks confidence. The football has been a good opportunity for her to come out of her shell and deal with other players who are more competitive and aggressive than her.

“The best lesson has been that

persevering and working as a team are more important than feeling embarrassed that her team lost.”

Ivan Donaldson, CACT’s Football & Sports Development Coach, said:

“At the start of the school term we had

trials for all KS2 girls and the girls that were selected for the team all stood out. The progression that they’ve shown has been exceptional, the chemistry, togetherness, and commitment every week has been outstanding.

“I am proud of and appreciate each

player, they all can look back and see what they’ve achieved. The foundation has been laid and they have all set a great example to the school.”

If you would like to find out more about CACT’s girls football sessions, please visit: cact.org.uk/girls-football

„ As Wingfield Primary School’s first ever girls football team, the girls have shown a strong commitment to working together and improving their game play.

„ CACT is proud to offer a variety of football sessions across Greenwich, Bexley and Kent, including girls only sessions.

Blackheath Vale, gravel pit accidents, windmills and seeking a talking parrot

Now, moving on in alphabetical order through ‘The Industrial Archaeology of South-east London ‘the next site that comes up is from their ‘Greenwich’ section of the booklet. Under ‘Basic Materials: Gravel pits’ It says ‘many disused gravel pits are found in this area, one of the most interesting examples is located at Blackheath Vale, SE3’.

Now there are a number of snags about me doing this site – although I agree it is ‘most interesting’. One of them is that Blackheath Vale, I’m pretty sure is in Lewisham Borough, although the bins and road signs all look like Greenwich ones. I think the Borough boundary follows the railway line up to the A2 over to the east so misses out this area. I also think that if it’s in Lewisham now it was in Lewisham in 1982 when SELIA was written. But I will forgive them that little error because it is such an interesting site. The other snag is that the only source of information I have - apart from a few bits and pieces in newspaper

reports - is from Neil Rhind’s wonderful book ‘Blackheath Village and its Environs. Volume 1. The Village and Blackheath Vale.’ Neil knows I am writing this and that I am to blame for any mistakes.

So this account is about a small, very quirky road, in the Borough of Lewisham. It really is a strange little area. It’s not easy to see and I guess most people outside Blackheath won’t know it’s there. Come out of the Blackheath oneway system on Tranquil Vale going towards Lewisham along Goffers Road. You will get to a cross roads with the Hare and Billet pub to the

left. Turn right up Duke Humphrey Road. You then have a choice of turning left again or carrying straight on. If you do carry on up Duke Humphrey Road, it eventually bends round and then again in what turns out to be a massive U shape and you end up back on Goffers Road having encircled round quite a large area. But, instead of carrying on Duke Humphrey Road, you take the only left turn, which is Blackheath Vale, you will go, quite steeply, down into a little ravine with terraces of houses on either side and with a school at the end. All hidden away. This is the site of an old pit and one of the things I wanted to say here is that by the mid-19th-century it was a small industrial area.

Blackheath Vale seems to have been a sandpit owned by the Earl of Dartmouth – despite three gravel pits close by being marked as such on 19th century maps. I don’t pretend to understand the geology here. Newspaper reports tell us about men who were digging in one of these pits in January 1754 ‘, the Ground that formed the Mouth, or

Edge of the Pit, being loosened by the Frost, gave way and fell in’. One man was found ‘with his Leg and Thigh fractured … and remained a long Time speech less, but after recovering a little, told the People that three other Men were Buried in the Pit …… People immediately went and dug for them, but found them all dead’. Once disused these pits became overgrown and, as Neil Rhind says, were hiding places for highwaymen and footpads, while respectable folk fell in them and broke their limbs. By the mid-19th Century various resident groups began to lobby for ‘improvement’ measures and in 1869 the legislation was passed to put London commons into public ownership. One of the important things about the Blackheath Vale pit, which made it a bit different, was that there were two windmills on the edge of it. I am not going to describe these mills here - I will save them for another article. The story of the Blackheath windmills is a bit complicated but the fact that these mills were alongside the pit meant that there

were people around in workplaces nearby and industrial sites very, very close to it. Along with mills were big houses for management and cottages for the workers.

Neil Rhind points out that such abandoned pits are often flooded but that this one has remained dry and that it may be there is some natural drainage below the pit bottom. It also seems likely that there was a well here which allowed the later brewery to be built. However a report of 1853 describes a “long, wide, shallow, stagnant ditch ... extending from one end of Blackheath-vale to the other. … receives all sorts of impurities, and after heavy rains overflows into the gardens and basements of the houses.”

At the west end of the pit – where the school is now – is a sheer cliff face which is now buttressed, there is a flight of steps down into this area from Goffers Road. At the east end is the entrance and a gentler slope. Here, before 1805, a livery stable and some cottages were built.

„ The two mills on Blackheath

Mary Mills

Down in the Vale itself were cottages occupied by local workers and it’s possible there was some accommodation –huts - for workers in the pit. There was a small row of cottages - now gone without trace - from around 1804, called ‘Union Vale’. This included a corn and coal dealing business run by a family with a bakery in Tranquil Vale.

One of the big houses built near the East Mill was occupied by millers, Michael and James Constable. They were related to the Lewisham based brewer, Abraham Constable, who had leased the Three Tuns in Tranquil Vale in 1791. I wrote a bit about Abraham Constable in Weekender last year, and in my book on Deptford Creek, about his possible involvement in the Anchor Brewery in Lewisham as well as in public houses in Eltham – and some scandal in his old age...

In 1824 a Mary Wheatley petitioned and was rejected for a pub licence. A year later an auction sale included “a compact Dwelling House - with an ale brewery, malt room, and three stores, house, stable, and appurtenances, household Furniture, including bedsteads and furniture’s tables and chairs, pier and other lasses and also a brewer’s dray.” It also mentions “a private road leading, thereto.” I note that Neil’s sketch map sites the brewery at the rear of buildings on the north side of the Vale. Does this mean that the short road which leads off the Vale to the north was this ‘private road’?

In 1826 a Paul Chitts appears to be the brewer here. He came from Deptford Church Street where he had been in a partnership – perhaps in a pub. By 1832 he had gone and the brewery was in the hands of a Thomas Ingle until his death in 1846. In 1838 Ingle was able to give £300 to a boy calling and on the basis of a – forged – note from the vicar. This was a phenomenal amount of money in 1838, and I am reading and re-reading the account in disbelief!

By 1840 the brewery was in the hands of a James Peacock who was an enthusiastic advertiser for his ‘fine ales, stout and porter’. He brewed a special beer for the summer holiday makers on the Heath. He also ran a ’beer shop’ called the British Queen and where in 1872 he was prosecuted for serving after hours. The brewery closed in 1875.

The main and longest lasting business in Blackheath Vale was the stables which were on the south side of the road. The stables were run by Thomas Wright and, along with his family and the Blow family, used much of the area – in fact the address is often given as Wright’s Pits. They employed many who lived in the Vale as carpenters and bricklayers and in the stables, sometimes as cab drivers. The stable seems to have been established around 1789 - or at least something resembling one. In 1830 it was run by a Thomas Pinnock, and then taken over by Thomas Wright. In 1838 it had 40 stalls for loose boxes and a 20 carriage coachhouse. In 1878 it was purchased by Mr Moore who already had a livery stable in Blackheath

Village. Advertisements for the stables talk about hiring ‘saddle’ horses to gentlemen, and children’s ponies. They supplied horses for weddings, funerals and all sorts of other events. Neil Rhind gives a long list of private buses running services to the City who used horses in the days before the railway was built, and later they provided a taxi service to commuters and visitors from the station to local areas. They eventually became part of the Tilling Bus empire and, of course, eventually motorised

By the 20th century the Vale was almost entirely residential although ‘The Blackheath Vale Laundry’ was in business in 1915 with a speciality in ‘Shirts, Collars, and Ladies Lingerie’. Throughout most of the 19th century there was a school

in the Vale, which for some time was a School of Industry for Girls and there is of course still now the Church of England primary school.

After the Second World War the stables were leased out for light engineering and eventually to Standard Telephones Ltd – and I suppose it is not impossible that this was part of the AEI run laboratories across the road in Grotes Place. This was the Joint Electronic Research Committee in which STC and AEI were both members working on an electronic telephone exchange system.

However- I began with quoting what SELIA said about a disused gravel pit and have hopefully finished by describing what was a small industrial village throughout most

of the 19th century. I leave you with one final advertisement from 1892 - which I think raises a simple question ‘why? “WANTED, healthy Grey Talking PARROT; moderate price. Send particulars and price, list words.—Francis, 9, Blackheath Vale”.

PS – A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the ‘hot houses’ at Avery Hill and about the statue of Galatea –and Colonel North. Well I was wrong about Galatea! Marion Kennett has told me something none of the books and web sites did – that Galatea has only been in Eltham since 1960. She was brought here from Waterlow Park in Highgate because they thought she would be safer – oh dear! Waterlow Park seems to be flourishing in a way Avery Hill isn’t. Anyway she is a North Londoner come to stay!

„ School playground showing cliff face behind

„ Steps into the vale and the school

„ Neil Rhind’s book

ROYAL BOROUGH Of GREENWICH

The Greenwich (free Parking Places, Loading Places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping Restrictions) (Amendment No. *) Order 202*

The Greenwich (Charged for-Parking Places) (Amendment No. *) Order 202*

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the Royal Borough of Greenwich (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”) proposes to make the above-mentioned Orders under sections 6, 45, 46, 49, 124 and Part IV of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2. The general effect of the Orders would be to:

a) Introduce double yellow line ‘at any time’ restrictions on Ripon Road, north-east side, from a point 3 metres north-west of the common boundary of Nos. 15/17 Ripon Road for 10 metres in a north-westerly direction.

b) update the map tiles attached to The Greenwich (Free Parking Places, Loading Places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping Restrictions) Order 2018 and The Greenwich (Charged-For Parking Places) Order 2018 so as to reflect the provisions referred to in sub-paragraph (a).

3. A copy of the proposed Orders and other documents can be viewed by emailing parking-design@royalgreenwich.gov.uk (quoting reference Ripon Road 23-06).

4. Further information may be obtained by emailing parking-design@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

5. Any person who wishes to object to or make other representations about the proposed Orders, should send a statement in writing by 28th June 2023, specifying the grounds on which any objection is made by email to parking-design@royalgreenwich.gov.uk (quoting reference Ripon Road 23-06).

6. Persons objecting to the proposed Orders should be aware that in view of current access to information legislation, this Council would be legally obliged to make any comments received in response to this notice, open to public inspection.

Assistant Director, Transport Communities, Environment and Central Royal Borough of Greenwich

Dated 7th June 2023

Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015

Notice Under Article 13 of Application for Planning Permission

This notice is served for the proposed development at Mast Quay, Jigger & Mizzen Mast House, Woolwich Church Street, SE18 5NH.

Notice is given that FR Consultants Ltd on behalf of Comer Property Management Ltd is applying to Greenwich Council to conduct works to all external wall insulated render system with new external wall insulated render system. Replacement of the spandrel panels containing EPS and MDF, the timber weatherboarding around the core entrance areas and the timber soffit and eaves to the perimeter of the car park ceiling. Replacement of timber balcony decking and handrails with non-combustible material.

Any owner* of the land or tenant** who wishes to make representations about this should write to the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Woolwich Centre, Fifth Floor, 35 Wellington Street, Woolwich, SE18 6HQ by 5th July 2023.

*”owner” means a person having a freehold interest or a leaseholder interest the unexpired term of which is not less than 7 years. ** “tenant” means a tenant of an agricultural holding any part of which is comprised in the land.

Royal Borough of Greenwich

Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (AS AMENDED)

Town & Country Planning (Development Management Procedure)(England) Order 2015 Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (AS AMENDED)

Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 (AS AMENDED)

Town & Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 (AS AMENDED)

Notice is hereby given that application(s) have been made to The Royal Borough of Greenwich in respect of the under mentioned premises sites. You can see the submissions and any plans at http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/planning.

If development proposals affect Conservation Areas and/or Statutorily Listed Buildings under the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Area) Act 1990 (As Amended) this will be shown within the item below.

Anyone who wishes to comment on these applications should be made in writing to Development Planning within 22 days of the date of this notice.

Please quote the appropriate reference number.

Date: 07/06/2023

Victoria Geoghegan

Assistant Director - Planning and Building Control

List of Press Advertisements - 07/06/2023

Publicity for Planning Applications.

Applicant: The National Maritime Museum 22/3793/F

Site Address: NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH, PARK ROW, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 9NF

Development: Installation of additional signage across the National Maritime Museum and Queen's House site, including all works associated with their installation and fixing, as follows:- 1no. 1550 x 800 x 30mm sign to railings at Queens House entrance Romney Road; 2no. additional pole-mounted banners 3500 x 1045mm at National Maritime Museum entrance Romney Road; 1no. pole-mounted banner 4700 x 1500mm and rotate existing at Jubilee Gate; 1no. 'Info Hub' 2000 x 2000 x 300mm at Jubilee Gate to replace existing; 1no. 'Info Hub' 2000 x 2000 x 300mm at Sterling Gate to replace existing; and 1no. 1550 x 800 x 30mm sign to railings at Sterling Gate. (This application affects the setting of the Grade I listed National Maritime Museum and Queen's House)

Conservation Area: GREENWICH PARK

Applicant: Rana & Willoughby Hainault House Ltd 23/1507/F

Site Address: HAINAULT HOUSE, HAINAULT STREET, NEW ELTHAM, LONDON, SE9 2EG

Development: Demolition of existing buildings on the site and construction of a two-storey mixed used building comprising of 1no. office (Use Class E) and 4no. residential units (Class C3) with associated landscaping, refuse and cycle storage.

Applicant: VDG Development Ltd. 23/1560/F

Site Address: 21 ROYDENE ROAD, PLUMSTEAD, LONDON, SE18 1PZ

Development: Change of use from dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to small HMO (Use Class C4)

Applicant: Mr Ravi Kiran 23/1570/HD

Site Address: 258 WELL HALL ROAD, ELTHAM, LONDON, SE9 6ST

Development: Construction of a double storey rear extension and associated works.

Conservation Area: PROGRESS ESTATE

Applicant: Mr Alan Ingram 23/1608/F

Site Address: THE BOB HOPE THEATRE, WYTHFIELD ROAD, ELTHAM, LONDON, SE9 5TG

Development: Demolition and replacement of existing garage for the purpose of storage with associated external alterations

Conservation Area: ELTHAM PALACE

Applicant: Mr. Y Schwartz 23/1653/F

Site Address: 179 PLUMSTEAD COMMON ROAD, PLUMSTEAD, LONDON, SE18 2UJ

Development: Ground floor rear extension, replacement of rear door with window, loft conversion including rear dormer window and two rooflights and all associated external works. Change of use of dwellinghouse from Use Class C3 (single family dwellinghouse) to Use Class C4 (small HMO) for 6 occupants, together with cycle storage and refuse provision.

Conservation Area: PLUMSTEAD COMMON

Applicant: Mr Cristian Nicolaescu 23/1714/HD

Site Address: 9 DOWNMAN ROAD, ELTHAM, LONDON, SE9 6RD

Development: Construction of a single storey rear extension, loft conversion with new rooflights and associated works.

Conservation Area: PROGRESS ESTATE

Applicant: Mr Adeil Qammar 23/1720/HD

Site Address: 9 WARWICK TERRACE, PLUMSTEAD, LONDON, SE18 1QJ

Development: Retrospective application, Single storey rear extension Conservation Area: PLUMSTEAD COMMON

Publicity for Listed Building Consent

Applicant: The National Maritime Museum 22/3794/L

Site Address: NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH, PARK ROW, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 9NF

Development: Installation of additional signage across the National Maritime Museum and Queen's House site, including all works associated with their installation and fixing, as follows:- 1no. 1550 x 800 x 30mm sign to railings at Queens House entrance Romney Road; 2no. additional pole-mounted banners 3500 x 1045mm at National Maritime Museum entrance Romney Road; 1no. pole-mounted banner 4700 x 1500mm and rotate existing at Jubilee Gate; 1no. 'Info Hub' 2000 x 2000 x 300mm at Jubilee Gate to replace existing; 1no. 'Info Hub' 2000 x 2000 x 300mm at Sterling Gate to replace existing; and 1no. 1550 x 800 x 30mm sign to railings at Sterling Gate. (This application affects the setting of the Grade listed National Maritime Museum and Queen's House)

Conservation Area: GREENWICH PARK

Listed Building: Grade 1

Applicant: The National Maritime Museum 22/3796/L

Site Address: THE CUTTY SARK, CUTTY SARK GARDENS, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 9HT

Development: Installation of three sets of vinyl signage to the access tower of The Cutty Sark. (This application affects the setting of the Grade I listed The Cutty Sark)

Conservation Area: GREENWICH PARK

Listed Building: Grade 1

Applicant: Mrs Helen Williams 23/1404/L

Site Address: 89 GENESTA ROAD, PLUMSTEAD, LONDON, SE18 3EX

Development: Replacement of window to first floor level at the front facade.

Listed Building: Grade 2*

Applicant: Lee Thomas 23/1488/L

Site Address: Dreadnought Building, University of Greenwich, Park Row, London, SE10 9NN

Development: Installation of two studwork partitions with doors on second floor to create new corridor separating two proposed teaching spaces.

Conservation Area: GREENWICH PARK

Listed Building: Grade 2

Publicity for Advertisements

Applicant: The National Maritime Museum 22/3797/A

Site Address: THE CUTTY SARK, CUTTY SARK GARDENS, GREENWICH, LONDON, SE10 9HT

Development: Installation of three sets of vinyl signage to the access tower of The Cutty Sark. (This application affects the setting of the Grade I listed The Cutty Sark)

Conservation Area: WEST GREENWICH

Local media reaches you in huge numbers. Local news brands now reach 40 million people every single month, which is 73% of the total GB population.

Local media reaches you in huge numbers. Local news brands now reach 40 million people every single month, which is 73% of the total GB population.

Local media reaches you in huge numbers.

Local news brands now reach 40 million people every single month, which is 73% of the total GB population.

ROYAL BOROUGH Of GREENWICH ROAD TRAffIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) HARGOOD ROAD PLANNED DIRECTIONAL ROAD CLOSURE (ORDER)

1. The Royal Borough of Greenwich make’s this Order in exercise of powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is to facilitate works by Thames Water who need to carry out maintenance works.

2. The Order will come into operation on 13th June 2023 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take 1 day. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.

3. The effect of the Order would be to temporarily prohibit vehicles from entering, proceeding, or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading or unloading), into Hargood Road from the junction of Holburne Road south bound.

4. Whilst the Order is in operation traffic will be diverted via Holburne Road and Dursley Road. Prohibitions remain in force; pedestrians are not affected, and vehicle access will be maintained wherever possible.

5. Nothing in this Notice will apply to anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or traffic warden, to emergency service vehicles, or to vehicles being used in connection with the works.

6. The restrictions described above will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by traffic signs as prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.

7. Queries concerning these works should be directed to the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Directorate of Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills on 020 8921 6340.

Ryan Nibbs Assistant Director, Transport.

The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ

Dated 25/05/23

(INTERNAL REF: PL/534/LA451725)

ROYAL BOROUGH Of GREENWICH

The Greenwich (Bus Lanes) (No. 20) Traffic Order 2023

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the Royal Borough of Greenwich (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”) has made the above-mentioned Order under sections 6 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended. The Order will come into operation on 8th June 2023.

2. The effect of the Order would be to replace the existing bus, cycle, coach and taxi lanes operational 7am-7pm Mondays to Sundays with bus, cycle, motorcycle, coach and taxi lanes operational 6am-10pm Mondays to Sundays on:

a) Blackwall Lane, east side, from a point 53.50 metres north of the northern kerb-line of vehicular accessway leading to Lawrence Trading Estate, Blackwall Lane to a point 14.00 metres north-east of a point opposite the northern wall of Greenwich Town Social Club, Blackwall Lane;

b) Blackwall Lane, west side, from a point 9.50 metres south-west of a point opposite the northern wall of Greenwich Town Social Club, Blackwall Lane to a point 73.00 metres north of the northern kerb-line of the vehicular accessway leading to Lawrence Trading Estate, Blackwall Lane.

3. The effect of the Order would be to introduce a bus, cycle, motorcycle, coach and taxi lane operational 6am-10pm Mondays to Sundays on Blackwall Lane, east side, from a point 53.50 metres north of the northern kerb-line of vehicular accessway leading to Lawrence Trading Estate, Blackwall Lane to a point 56 metres north of the northern kerb-line of vehicular accessway leading to Lawrence Trading Estate, Blackwall Lane.

4. Further information about the Order may be obtained by emailing traffic.team@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

5. The Order and other documents giving more detailed particulars of the Order can be viewed by emailing traffic.team@royalgreenwich.gov.uk requesting electronic copies.

6. If any person wishes to question the validity of the Order or of any of the provisions contained therein on the grounds that they are not within the powers conferred by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, or that any requirement of that Act or of any instrument made under that Act has not been complied with, that person may, within six weeks from the date on which the Order was made, apply for that purpose to the High Court.

Assistant Director, Transport Communities, Environment and Central Royal Borough of Greenwich

Dated 7th June 2023