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Her Royal Highness,The Duchess
of Gloucester, paid a visit to Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice this autumn.
The visit to Abbey Wood on Monday 10 October, coincided with the start of Hospice Care week, an annual celebration to raise awareness of the important role of hospice care nationwide. The Duchess met patients, long-serving staff and volunteers, plus took the opportunity to thank staff for their commitment to the hospice, speaking to some of the specialist doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and rehabilitation staff who provide expert, around the clock care to 3,000 patients every year. The Duchess also spoke to patients on the inpatient ward and their families, hearing their stories about the care and support they have received from the hospice team.
ROYAL VISIT
to Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice during Hospice Care Week
A MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE
There was a moment of remembrance during the visit when The Duchess of Gloucester planted a tree in the hospice’s grounds in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy Project, which aims to improve our shared environment by planting trees across the globe. Hospice Chief Executive Kate Heaps, said: “We were incredibly honoured to be visited by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester. It made us all feel so proud that The Duchess recognised the huge difference our amazing team makes to the people of Royal Greenwich and Bexley at an incredibly difficult time in their lives. “The planting of a tree in our beautiful gardens as part of The Queen's Green Canopy project added an extra special element to an already wonderful occasion.”
A VIBRANT VENUE for the whole community
Following all the disruption of the past couple of years, Blackheath Halls is back to enjoying a full season packed with live events for the whole community and beyond.
The 19th Century
listed building underwent a major refurbishment in 2018 thanks to Arts Council England, The Hearn Foundation and other generous donors, providing a much-needed modernized re-fit of the stunning Great Hall as well as the foyer and bar areas.
before the pandemic hit and the doors were forced to close with events moving online. Post pandemic and busier than ever, with some of the best acoustics in the country, the Great Hall has since been host to renowned ensembles such as the English National Opera, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Philharmonia are regular visitors for both rehearsals and recording. As well as regular events, the demand for group musicmaking through community projects has been greater than ever and the popular Community Opera enjoyed some fantastic reviews this year for the Autumn performances of Candide by Leonard Bernstein; Fiona Maddox from The Guardian awarding the production 4 stars citing If heart, soul and inspirational music-making are more your thing, this is the place’. For the past 2 years the Community Opera project has not been supported by Arts Council England and has only been possible through the generosity of individual supporters, meaning that it is even more centred at the heart of the community since so many have invested into the project, which brings together an intergenerational cast of both amateur and professional singers and musicians. From performances by some of the biggest names on the comedy circuit, to large scale children’s theatre shows and classical recitals by some of the best in the business as well as students from parent company Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Blackheath Halls seeks to be a multi-purpose creative hub serving the local community and beyond…long may it continue to be so!
www.blackheathhalls.com
L to R: Prof Sir Les Ebdon, Helen McIntosh, Mayor Jason Perry and Seidel Abel Boanerges
One of the UK’s leading Christian
Colleges, and a Strategic Partner of the Chamber, Spurgeon’s College hosted the recent Executive Lunch with the Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, SELCC.
The lunch marked a fantastic opportunity for the College, local politicians and business representatives to hear from the elected Mayor and discuss plans to support economic growth and educational opportunity in Croydon for its local community. During the lunch, the College was pleased to update attendees that Spurgeon's was awarded Full Degree Awarding Powers by the Office for Students (OfS), earlier this year. This exciting development marks a further step in Spurgeon’s mission to become Croydon's first ‘home grown’ university. SELCC President, Helen McIntosh thanked the College for hosting the Executive Lunch, saying: “Spurgeon’s is one of the SELCC’s key Strategic Partners and we are delighted that it is on course to become Croydon’s first home grown university.” The College is continuing to play an important role in supporting underrepresented groups within Croydon into higher education – with 38% of its student body identify as Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) – and delivers courses flexibly as weekday, evening or weekend courses in a range of subjects. The decision by the OfS to award Full Degree Awarding Powers will further enable the College to offer higher education opportunities to more people within the Borough. In securing Degree Awarding Powers, the College has shown itself to be “an emerging self-critical, cohesive academic community with a clear commitment to the assurance of standards supported by effective (in prospect) quality systems.” The Principal of Spurgeon’s College, Rev Professor Philip McCormack said: “Securing degree-awarding powers marks a critical step in the College’s journey towards becoming Croydon’s first home-grown university, and we are incredibly proud to have secured approval from the OfS. This decision is the result of many years of work at the College to provide high-quality teaching and develop a strong community of students and are looking forward to awarding degrees to our students in the College’s name.”
