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Greenwich news and information

Photos from the Thor 2 filming in Greenwich

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The film crew for Thor: The Dark World descended upon Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College on Sunday. The sequel to 2011’s Thor has the working title Thursday Mourning and sees stars Chris Hemsworth and  Natalie Portman return to their roles as Thor and Jane Foster.

Photographer Vickie Flores shared these photos with Greenwich.co.uk

The producers wrote to local residents recently  to let them know of their planned filming with a low flying helicopter.

The chopper with camera attached buzzed over the ORNC throughout yesterday morning as multiple scenes were shot where panic-stricken extras appeared to flee an airborne threat.

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As part of the filming, an array of cars were haphazardly parked in the Grand Square and a double decker bus lurked around the corner, with rumours online suggesting it may be part of a planned crash scene.

Thor: The Dark World will be released in 2013.

Thor 2 movie to be filmed in Greenwich

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FILMING for the sequel to the Marvel Comics Thor movie looks set to take place in Greenwich next month.

A letter has been distributed in the town centre from the production office for a film with the working title “Thursday Mourning.”

The letter advises that filming will take place at the Old Royal Naval College and the Thames on October 21st with the use of a helicopter at altitudes as low as 100ft.

“We are writing to let you know our plans as it’s not every day you see or hear a helicopter fly at low level in this area and we did not want anyone to be alarmed,” states the letter.

Internet speculation suggests that the working title is a cover for filming of Thor sequel, The Dark World, starring Chris Hemsworth.

Other movies to be filmed at the Old Royal Naval College this year include new James Bond film Skyfall and the new screen version of Les Miserables.

In search of Greenwich’s best… burgers

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Now Byron have finally opened in Greenwich, a search for the best burger in town was on the cards (tough gig, I know). Luckily, bars and restaurants in Greenwich offer a tasty burger indeed. Here are three of the top restaurants and a little look at how their cheeseburgers compare.

Byron

I’ve been not all that patiently waiting for them to open and I’m thrilled they have. My burger (pictured below) was very slightly overdone, as was the service – so keen were they to impress at their soft launch, they told my dining companion the dessert options while I was still eating my burger. The loitering got a little much after a while, but I’m hoping it’s just soft launch teething problems.

I do love their burgers. And I love the American cheese option. You can eat well for a little over a tenner and don’t even get me started on those courgette fries. They’re sprinkled with breadcrumbs and magic.

The Guildford Arms

This was actually my first trip to the Guildford Arms and it’s a cute, quiet place, tucked away in Guildford Grove. The hefty burger was made from chuck beef and very delicately flavoured with worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard and shallots

The burger itself was impressively sized for less than ten quid but came in a homemade bun that was a bit small for my liking.

I’m also never going to be convinced that tarragon mayo works with beef. Excellent pickle action, though – I’m all about slices, not wedges. But the fish and chips my companion had? That looked divine and was giving me serious pangs of lunch envy. Some of the best batter action this side of the river. I’ll go back for lunch (it’s £12 for two courses and £14 for three – just try and stop me), but the burger might not be my first choice.

The Old Brewery

Oh yes. This was a tasty, tasty burger. Probably my favourite, actually. It was pricy – £10.75 and an extra £1 for cheese. And erm… an extra quid for pulled pork as well. I couldn’t resist. I had to. The burger is a little soggy and difficult to eat, but I don’t care because it was perfectly cooked to medium and tasted fantastic.

Alas, there’s no photograph because they took ‘romantic’ lights to a whole new level. We basically ate in the dark. Still, that’s not going to stop me from coming back for a burger. I’ll just pop in during the day so I can actually see.

And the rest? Greenwich Union’s is tasty but very pricy once you factor in that they ask an extra £2.50 for cheddar (seriously GU dudes, that’s not cool). Rivington’s is always a fine option – the burger is tasty but it’s their chips and that smoky ketchup that will keep a smile on your face but they’ve got so much choice on the menu you’re likely to pick something else (probably roast potato based).

As for GBK… well they’re not entirely terrible are they? But with so many decent options locally, I can’t help think they’re punching above their weight a little now.

The verdict? If you fancy a pint with your burger, go to the Old Brewery. If you have kids or like milkshakes head to Byron. Lunchtime? Go to the Guildford Arms for their lunchtime menu.

What do you think? What’s the best burger you’ve had in Greenwich?

Greenwich Comedy Festival 2012

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THERE will be laughs aplenty when the Greenwich Comedy Festival returns this summer.

Part of the Greenwich Festivals season, the comedy spectacular will take place from 13th to 20th July. It’s the festival’s fourth year and it will again be held in the grounds of the spectacular Old Royal Naval College.

The line-up includes some of the biggest names in stand-up comedy such as Sean Hughes, Rufus Hound, John Shuttleworth and Stephen K Amos.

Also performing will be Reginald D Hunter, Arthur Smith, Dylan Moran, Jerry Sadowitz, Sean Lock, Andi Osho and Andy Parsons.

Full line up for Greenwich Comedy Festival

Friday 13th July

  • Stephen K Amos, Richard Herring, Arthur Smith MC –
  • Jerry Sadowitz –

Saturday 14th July

  • Comedy club for kids –
  • Sean Hughes –
  • John Shuttleworth –
  • Jerry Sadowitz –
  • Des Bishop / Josh Widdicombe / Andi Osho –

Sunday 15th July

  • Mark Watson / Seann Walsh / Elis James / David O’Doherty –

Monday 16th July

  • Milton Jones / Marcus Brigstocke / Glen Wool / Craig Campbell –

Tuesday 17th July

  • Sean Lock /  Danny Bhoy / Tony Law / Ed Gamble MC –

Wednesday 18th July

  • Robin Ince –
  • Andy Parsons / Shappi Khorsandi / Rufus Hound MC / Doc Brown –

Thursday 19th July

  • Isy Suttie –
  • Reginald D Hunter / Frisky & Mannish / Andrew Maxwell / Jarred Christmas –

Friday 20th July

  • Dylan Moran / Alun Cochrane / Nick Helm / Chris Ramsey MC –
  • Rich Hall’s Hoedown –

Large shot put sculpture proposed at ORNC for London 2012

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A GIANT shot put could be placed in the Old Royal Naval College this summer to mark the London 2012 Olympics.

The 3m sculpture would sit upon an “impact crater debris” plinth in front of the entrance to Discover Greenwich.

Planning permission for the public art has been applied for by Di Henry, the GLA Events and Cultural Campaigns Manager.

The huge shot put, also just known as the shot, would be there from July 1st until September 30th and would be “in honour of the Olympics,” says the planning application.

The  shot put would be part of a series of large sporting monuments titled “Gift of the Gods”. Other items to be placed across the capital include a 7m long javelin, a set of 3m long Union flag arrows and a 3m discus.

Update: 7th June 2012 – The sculpture’s planning application was approved by the council.

Scenes for next James Bond film shot in Greenwich

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FILMING took place in Greenwich today for the next James Bond film, which will be called ‘Skyfall’.

The ever-popular Old Royal Naval College has been chosen as a location for the Sam Mendes-directed movie which is slated for release in November this year.

Twitter user, @wiilassie, said she “saw five hearses with union flag-draped coffins being moved this morning”.

Neil Sinclair reports on Footprints of London website that the King William Undercroft, under the Painted Hall, became a “make-believe morgue” with “eight coffins draped in union jack flags and arranged in two neat rows.”

Daniel Craig returns for his third outing as James Bond and Javier Bardem is set to be the film’s villain.

007 was last seen in Greenwich falling onto the roof of the Millennium Dome after a high speed chase along the Thames in the pre-title sequence of ‘The World Is Not Enough.’

The filming of funeral scenes at the Old Royal Naval College coincide with the anniversary of Nelson’s funeral – his coffin was kept in the Painted Hall between January 5th – January 7th 1806.


This photo was posted to the official James Bond twitter account after they filmed in Greenwich.

Local independent tour guide, Neil Sinclair, is leading a walk in Greenwich this Sunday and the following Sunday where you can learn more about Greenwich’s starring part in many feature films.

Greenwich Comedy Festival 2011

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The Greenwich Comedy Festival returns to Greenwich later this summer.

The Festival, part of the Greenwich Festivals series, will pitch up its Big Top in the grounds of the historic Old Royal Naval College once more as some of the country’s top comedians entertain the crowds.

Greenwich Comedy Festival takes place from September 5th – September 11th and the confirmed comics include Arthur Smith, Sean Lock, Kevin Eldon, Tim Minchin, Phill Jupitus, Adam Buxton, Micky Flanagan and Seann Walsh.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS OF THE 2012 GREENWICH COMEDY FESTIVAL