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Greenwich news and information

What’s On This Week: July 6th – July 12th 2009

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The heat wave may be over but the joy of jazz is still worth getting out of doors for, with the Greenwich Beer & Jazz Festival at the Old Royal Naval College from Wednesday.  There are three live acts every day with a good mix of renowned jazz and blues experts, such as saxophonist Courteney Pine, with some emerging talent like the Hammond funk band Jezebel Sextet. This energetic troupe will no doubt have you dancing round the lawns in no time, especially if you’ve taken the challenge of sampling the 70 beers on offer seriously.  The ale is as much the star of the show as the music, with a focus on smaller brewing companies -local Meantime is heavily featured – and every variety of ale known to man. 

If you like your al fresco music a little less crowded The Wantage Brass Band are playing a mix of favourites and new arrangements at the bandstand in Greenwich Park on Sunday afternoon. 

Said the witches in Macbeth: “When shall we three meet again?” Well, this Tuesday onwards at Greenwich Playhouse, apparently, in Something Wicked This Way Comes.  I admire anyone who tries to do something new with the ubiquitous Shakespeare and writer/director David Hunt has risen to the challenge by making an entire play out of the bard’s best villains.  Check back to read my take on it later in the week on Greenwich.co.uk.  Along those literary lines there’s also a discussion of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis at St Alfege’s on Tuesday. 

A little further afield the Plumstead Harmonies are performing Music for a Midsummer Evening at St Mark and St Margaret Church on Saturday in Woolwich.  There’s instrumental music and singing with a programme covering baroque to present day and there’s also some poetry and light refreshments, so it should be a very pleasant affair.

Anything else happening in Greenwich this week? If so, post it below in the comments section…

“Henry Days” Draw Thousands to Greenwich

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A weekend of events to mark the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne attracted an audience of thousands.

The two day event, titled the “Henry Days”, was jointly organised by Greenwich Council and the Greenwich Foundation – the charity that looks after the Old Royal Naval College.

There was face painting, Tudor dancing, archery and demonstations of knights in combat. Probably the best time was had by the actor playing Henry VIII who got to lord it up round Greenwich as the most famous English king there has been.

Councillor John Fahy, Cabinet member for Culture and Olympics, said, “Henry VIII is undoubtedly one of the most significant figures in world history and his extensive links with Greenwich are a source of great pride in the borough. As well as being Greenwich-born, his chief residence was the former Greenwich Palace, which is now the Old Royal Naval College, and therefore was the most appropriate venue to commemorate such a special occasion. I was absolutely delighted to see so many people in attendance and I hope everyone enjoyed the occasion.”

Henry Days at the Old Royal Naval College

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Henry Days – Old Royal Naval College
June 13th/14th 2009

There will be a weekend of Tudor themed activities at the Old Royal Naval College to mark the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne.

Activities on show include:

  • A typical 15th century hunting parade
  • Knights battling each other in combat in the extensive grounds of the college
  • Archery try-out sessions
  • Face painting and flag making workshops
  • Tudor-themed games
  • Children’s entertainment
  • Tudor dancing

Saturday’s action will be from 12pm – 5pm whilst Sunday’s action will take place from 10am – 5pm.

Daily Photo 06/02/09: Snowy Greenwich Pictures Day Five

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I wasn’t planning to run any more snow pictures this week, but then Stephen sent me a batch of gorgeous photos taken in Greenwich Park this week, so I thought I’d share a couple here and save the rest for when the snow is but a distant memory.

Greenwich Park under Snow 
Wow, stunning blue sky and that cold white floor below.


One of the best views in London, but with a dusting of snow added.

Thanks Stephen, for sharing your excellent pictures.

Daily Photo 03/02/09: More Snowy Greenwich Pics

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Here’s a rather charming photo, taken in the courtyard of King William Court by Nick Davison from the University of Greenwich. The small snow animal in the foreground gives it certain Narnia-esque qualities?

And I’m dipping into DaveH48’s Flickr photostream with this one showing people trekking through a busy, but cold looking, Greenwich Park.

More snowy Greenwich pictures can be found here and here.