Obviously due to the current coronavirus lockdown restrictions, many of our local heritage sites are not open at the moment and events are limited, however we will keep you posted regarding virtual online events plus events that can be managed whilst maintaining social distancing The Greenwich Industrial History SocietyGIHS has put together a fantastic programme of online events to be enjoyed in the next few months. They are hosting virtual discussions on the second Tuesday of the month throughout October, November and December. Subjects include the development of optical fibre technology, ie the internet, which originated in Woolwich to an assessment of the Greenwich Peninsula over the last 300 years by Charlton Society member Dr Mary Mills. For further information, please click here to go to the GIHS blog regarding the events. GARDENING EVENTS Whilst we have been spending a lot more time at home over the last few months, we have possibly been giving our gardens more attention than usual, here are several events to enjoy below for those who are green-fingered, or at least wish to be:Charlton and Blackheath Amateur Horticultural Society  The CABAHS plant sale held last month was very well attended. A very big thank you from CABAHS to all who participated either by donating plants, helping on the day, bought plants – or all three! A wonderful total of £1,070 was raised from the sale, of which 50% is going towards the Old Pond Garden (above) restoration project at Charlton House and the other 50% is being donated to the Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice appeal. A really amazing and enjoyable effort. Even if was a bit hot!For future events, CABAHS is still hoping to host the September Autumn Show, perhaps held in the Charlton Assembly Rooms, rather than Charlton House. For further information, please click here. In the meantime, carry on gardening! Virtual Open Gardens  This was a wonderful success, if you would like to see the participating gardeners’ green-fingered efforts and category winners, please click hereMany of you may know of, and even participated in, the Open Gardens project which due to the ongoing lockdown restrictions was not possible this year, however it was held virtually instead! Each participating gardener – there were over 40 participants – supplied a video, lasting about 2 minutes, which have been compiled and posted online.The gardens range from National Garden Scheme participants to allotments, from the manicured grounds of Morden College to small suburban gardens. Some have commentaries, some a musical accompaniment and some the sound of water or birdsong. Although the preponderance of the gardens are in (West) Greenwich and Blackheath there are gardens throughout the two Boroughs involved. The garden at the Hospice itself on Bostall Common took part.All proceeds go to the Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice Emergency Appeal. For further information of their work, please click here Access to the virtual gardens was from June 15th via the Hospice website, for further information, please click here. The event was organised by Hospital trustee Tim Barnes. Greenwich In Bloom The borough’s annual gardening competition is back! The Royal Borough Of Greenwich is inviting all residents to participate in the Greenwich in Bloom gardening competition, there are 5 categories, introducing the new Children’s category for all young aspiring horticulturalists, plus the previous categories of Front Garden, Back Garden, Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes or Pots, Communal Garden (please ensure you are adhering to social distancing guidelines). The competition opens on Friday 29th May. Winners for the four main categories will win £100 for first place, £50 for second and £25 for third in Coolings Garden Centre vouchers. The children’s category will win £15 voucher. The judges are Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities, Adel Khaireh, the Mayor Linda Bird and Deputy Mayor Denise Hyland. To enter, please click here if you are unable to fill in the online please contact RBG via email here Happy gardening! SEVERNDROOG LATES AT HOME Whilst Severndroog Castle itself is currently closed, the Severndroog Castle Society is hosting a season of musical events which you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Plus it is also also hosting a number of events throughout the summer, in the surrounding grounds of the Castle, including the Charlton & Woolwich Free Film Festival, Vintage Jazz nights, plus much more. For further information and how to get involved please click here SEVERNDROOG CASTLE Last year, Severndroog Castle embarked on an exciting new initiative, on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the year, arranging group visits to explore the Castle. Although in these current times, this is not available, we will keep you posted when the Castle is able to re-open according to Government guidelines.Details are: available for pre-booked groups of between 10 and 25 people for £5 per person. Visitors will have exclusive use of the Castle for the duration of the visit and will be hosted by experienced guides. THAMES-SIDE STUDIOS Thames-Side Studios is a provider of affordable studio space in Charlton.The studios are a permanent community for local professional artists and designers from fashion, jewellery, photography to graphic design, textiles and furniture. Set in a seven-acre riverside site overlooking the Thames Barrier, it houses over 500 studios. Although unable to be visited at the moment, we will keep you posted as to as and when the workshops and exhibitions will be back up and running.Thames-Side Studios: Harrington Way, Warspite Road, SE18 5NR For further information please call 0208 301 8844 |
