Meridian Magazine May 2014

50,000 COPIES DELIVERED EVERY MONTH SINCE 1996

MAY 2014

Your local magazine

Living beside the River Thames

Win

Tickets to Greenwich Music Time £500 off your wedding photo shoot

HOMES

F

FOOD

F

BEAUTY

F

FASHION

Dress Code for Summer How to get it right F

INTERIORS

F

SHOPPING

F

EDUCATION

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CONTENTS May 2014 4. LOCAL NEWS

Win a pair of tickets to see Jools Holland

7-9 FASHION

Dress Code – Get it right 11-13 RETAIL NEWS

Tower Bridge Antiques 14 INTERIORS COVER: Greenwich Music Time

15 GARDENING

00 50,0 s i p co e red e D e l i v nth! ever y

mo

DISTRIBUTOR : Meridian magazine is published monthly with a genuine distribution of 50,000 to selected residential properties and businesses within the borough of Greenwich and in Blackheath, Westcombe Park, Charlton, Eltham, Lee, Docklands, Canary Wharf, Bromley, Chislehurst, New Eltham, Hither Green and Kidbrooke. Copies also go to Greenwich Tourist Information Centre, libraries and leisure centres, pubs, restaurants and hotels. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part (including advertisement designs) without prior written permission will result in legal action. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily shared by the editor or the publisher.

Street Runners

Nautical Chic

Putting colour into your garden

20 BUSINESS

The Retirement Revolution

23 RETAIL – INTERVIEW

A look Intu Bromley

25 AREA FOCUS

Sundridge Park Village

27-29 WEDDING FEATURE

Pre-nuptial agreement

Smile – wedding photo competition Choosing a wedding venue

31-34 HEALTH & BEAUTY

The Menopause- a subject rarely spoken about Ask the Expert – Beauty tips

35 LEISURE

Taking to two wheels

37 EDUCATION NEWS ROUND UP 39 FOSTERING

Seeking new families

42-45 FOOD & DRINK

Restaurant News Interview with mixologist Joe Harper

46-49 ART

Interview with John Crossley Gallery News

53-57 LISTINGS

If it’s on it’s in 61 LIFESTYLE

Living along the river

Meridian Line Publishing Ltd 8 The Village, Charlton SE7 8UD Tel: 020 8319 0555 Fax: 020 8319 4555 Email: enquiries@meridian-magazine.co.uk Publisher: Joy Johnston Editor : Valerie Breese Art & Production Director : Paul McPherson Display Sales: Cheryl Voller, Emma Forbes Classified Sales : Laurie Monshall Contributors : Claire Allen, Nicola Berry, Nannette Fielding, John Malcolm, Rod Smith & Lesley Ward Printing : Polestar, www.polestar-group.com Distribution : Street Runners

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local N E W S Lewisham Peace Campaign

May 2014

Tall Ships Countdown

Lewisham’s ‘10,000 Hands’ peace campaign led by young people from every secondary school in the borough was announced as the latest winner of the Prime Minister’s Big Society Award by Prime Minister David Cameron in Downing Street. 36 young people representing thirteen secondary schools in Lewisham joined the Prime Minister, bringing with them the campaign’s 200 metre long ‘peace cloth’.

The 10,000 Hands campaign was launched in January 2013 by 17-year old Camilla Yahaya. The campaign gives young people across Lewisham opportunities to lead changes they want to see in their community and calls on members and supporters to commit to standing up against violence by adding their hand print to the campaign peace cloth. The target of 10,000 handprints has been smashed and the cloth now contains over 70,000 handprints including 16,000 from school pupils, 10,000 families, 800 police officers, the Mayor of London, the Home Secretary, MPs, councillors, faith groups, and youth organisations.

The ‘10,000 Hands’ campaign is supported by The Jimmy Mizen Foundation and Barry and Margaret Mizen joined the young people in Downing Street.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has officially launched the countdown to the Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festival. From the 5-9 September, the Royal Borough of Greenwich will be hosting the first Tall Ships Regatta London has seen in over 25 years. Up to 50 Tall Ships from around the world will be moored along the Greenwich shoreline with daily sails up the River Thames to London Bridge, in the biggest event in the capital since the 2012 Games.

Councillor Chris Roberts, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: ‘Building on the success of the Olympics, playing host to London’s first Tall Ships Festival for 25 years will provide

This year marks 20 years since the first people arrived at Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice in Bostall Hill, Abbey Wood for inpatient care.

Since then, the Hospice has grown in size and the services delivered by Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice have developed to meet the changing needs of local London people and their families.

Kate Heaps, Chief Executive at Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, says the Hospice has developed from a service which focused on providing care in the main Hospice building to one which cares for and supports people wherever they need care.

Building work has begun to provide purpose built rehabilitation facilities, improve access to the Hospice, new education and training facilities and a community hub. A new coordination centre will provide much-needed facilities for the community nursing team. The new extension is set to open early 2015.

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Some of the ships signed up so far for the Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festival include; the Lady of Avenel, a vessel with strong connections to Royal Greenwich. The former training ship was originally fitted out by Wilfred Dowman - owner of the celebrated Cutty Sark and Leila, built in Greenwich and returning for the first time. She is one of the five oldest sailing yachts still sailing in the UK, and is included on the National Register of Historic Vessels.

Win a Pair of Tickets to see Jools Holland in concert on Sat 23 August

Hospice Celebrates

Co-founders of the Hospice, Don Sturrock and Pat Jeavons, shared a vision that there would be a Hospice to care for the people of Greenwich and Bexley boroughs.After nearly 10 long years of fundraising and campaigning, they finally opened the doors to their Hospice in 1994.

us with a fantastic opportunity to boost the local economy even further as the ships sail past our historic maritime landmarks including the Old Royal Naval College and the Cutty Sark.’

Volunteers Needed

Join our team of friendly volunteers and be the public face of the Old Royal Naval College (ORNC). Get a lot more out of your free time and help us to engage our visitor with the fascinating history of the ORNC. The ORNC is one of London’s most popular riverside landmarks. Sir Christopher Wren’s twin domed masterpiece attracts over 1.8 million visitors a year and is in the top 15 visitor attractions in London. The iconic buildings stand on the site of Greenwich Palace, Henry VIII’s favourite royal residence, and include the Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre, magnificent Painted Hall and Chapel.

What will you experience? *Assist our visitor experience team in providing a warm welcome and enjoyable visit *Engage with visitors and learn about the history of the ORNC by delivering short talks and running handling sessions *Help us to raise donations to keep the ORNC free and secure its future *Depending on your interests, support our family events and Learning programmes, assist in our Fundraising department, or get involved in other back of house activities If you are interested in volunteering with us please email volunteer@ornc.org, call 020 8269 4794 or visit our website at www. ornc.org/support where you will find a full role descriptions and further contact details.

Get your hands on a pair of tickets to see Jools Holland perform live with his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and special guest stars Melanie C and Marc Almond at London’s newest outdoor concert, Greenwich Music Time at the Old Royal Naval College (ORNC) in Greenwich.

To be in with a chance of winning just answer the following question: In what part of London was Jools Holland born?

A. Hampstead B. Kensington C. Blackheath Simply send your answer and name, address and daytime telephone number to Meridian magazine (GMT), 8 The Village, Charlton, SE7 8UD. Or email your details to competition@meridian-magazine.co.uk by 31 May.

Diary of an estate agent Lots of buyers and not enough properties to go round!

The frantic sales market continues to steam ahead at the moment especially up to the £1,000,000 price level. As many of you who have been looking for properties will know it’s a challenging market at present as there are not enough good properties to go round and multiple bidders for the ones that do come to the market. What this has led to is pressure on prices going up at amazing rates. According to the Nationwide nationally prices are up 9.5%, with London up 18% year on year in Quarter1. They also quote that the gap between house prices in London and the rest of the UK is the widest it’s ever been both in cash and percentage terms.

So if you are looking to sell it’s certainly a good time and we would love to hear from you. From the Blackheath office we cover Charlton, Greenwich, Hither Green, Lewisham, Lee, Eltham and of course Blackheath. We have had great success recently and as mentioned have been exceeding our clients ‘expectations on the prices we have achieved. We are very happy to come around and give you a free valuation as well as discuss your moving plans with you. A client who has just sold through us very kindly wrote on our Post Sale Questionnaire - ‘Best estate agents I have ever had dealings with’ - (I promise it’s a genuine quote!)

Feel free to call into our office in Blackheath (the old sweet shop on the corner of Wemyss Road) for a chat. Claire H, Clare B, Josephine or I would be pleased to see you.

If you would like to chat through any these points feel free to contact me E: richard@jdmonline.com T: 020 8463 0091 All the best Richard

U O ND FF E ER R

Locally this is even more exaggerated with examples of prices going up by 20-25% since last autumn, in Blackheath and surrounding areas such as Hither Green and Lee. The big question is can it be sustained? Well certainly the demand at present would suggest it can, but obviously other factors come into play. What I don’t think helped was the government

introducing the help to buy scheme (or not in the south east at least) as it was a little like pouring petrol onto the fire.

Speaking to one ‘financial expert’ this week and asking for his view on the property market he quoted Edgar R Fiedler: “Ask five economists and you’ll get five different answers - six if one went to Harvard.”

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Chislehurst 020 8325 8000

Lettings 01689 838040

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Summer Fashion at Canary Wharf

Fashion

Celebrate Summer with Canary Wharf ’s annual Summer fashion event with fashion shows, live music, store offers, promotions and more.

With discounts of up to 20% in many of Canary Wharf ’s leading fashion and accessories stores, this two day shopping event provides the perfect opportunity for shoppers to refresh their summer wardrobe.

The programme of events will include fashion shows in Canada Place and Jubilee Place showcasing the latest styles and trends currently available from stores within Canary Wharf, as well as live music and entertainment.

What’s more, at weekends and Bank Holidays, you can enjoy 3 hours’ free parking in any of the public car parks when you spend £10 at any shop, café, bar or restaurant in Canary Wharf.

Fit & Flare Yellow Colourblock dress, £44.95, Gap, Canada Place

Robe Reptile, £249, Sandro Paris, Jubilee Placee

Kale Shift Dress, £145, L.K.Bennett, Jubilee Place

Spring / Summer 2014, Reiss, Jubilee Place

Floral Splash Scarf, Jaeger Womenswear, £120, Cabot Place

Spencer Riviera Striped Collar Polo Shirt, £115, OrlebarBrown, Jubilee Place

Kelly Bag in Silver, £265, L.K.Bennett, Jubilee Place

Marilyn Transparent, Vinyl Shoe in Patent, Lemon, £139, Pretty Ballerinas, Jubilee Place

Chaos Jacket, £299, Tiger of Sweden, Jubilee Place

Spring/Summer 2014, Orlebar Brown, Jubilee Place

Leather Bag Limited Collection, £335, Massimo Dutti, Cabot Place

Kelby Sand Otterproof, £285, Church’s English Shoes, Cabot Place

A list of store discounts will be available on canarywharf.com from mid May. www.meridian-magazine.co.uk | 7

www.devernois.fr

Celebrate the arrival of our Summer Collection with a special Champagne event from Friday 16th May to Saturday 17th May.

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42 Tranquil Vale, Blackheath SE3 0BD (T) 020 8318 5998 Mon - Sat: 10am-6pm Sun: 11am - 4pm

Dress Code Dressing up for an occasion, who doesn’t just love the idea of an invite to a wedding, summer ball or a day at the races. Any excuse to raid the wardrobe and if you have nothing to wear a little retail therapy may be needed.

As with any special occasion there are guidelines on what or more importantly what not to wear.

Invited to a wedding, but aren’t quite sure what to wear?

The ‘rules’ are different for different times of day, as well as different formalities (informal, formal, etc.)

Informal Daytime: Short dress or suit (business attire OK for morning weddings) Informal Evening: Cocktail dress (which is any dressier dress -- for example, a little black dress -that’s not full-length).

Semi-Formal Daytime: Short dress or suit

Fashion

Dos and Don’ts Don’t wear white because it competes with the bride. There are plenty of other colours available.

This rule may seem outdated, but it’s actually just good etiquette to not compete with the bride on her special day.

Don’t wear black or sequins during the daytime.

Anything too sparkly will make you look overdressed.

Don’t worry about wearing the same colours as the bridesmaids or mothers. You can’t possibly coordinate with everyone in the wedding party.

Do wear something feminine and appropriate, out of respect for your hosts. Clubwear, overtly sexy clothing (strapless, see-through, etc) doesn’t belong at a wedding. If you have to ask if it’s appropriate, it probably isn’t.

Semi-formal Evening: Cocktail dress Formal Daytime: Short dress or suit. Hats and gloves optional (although it’s rare to see hats and gloves at most weddings).

Formal Evening or Black-Tie: Long or dressy short cocktail (beading, glam accessories, wrap)

Don’t wear opera-length gloves (to top of arm) with anything but a full length dress.

Do use good judgment if the invitation doesn’t specify the formality of the event. A pastel suit or soft floral dress for daytime or a little black dress for evening (after 6 p.m.) will take you almost anywhere.

If you’re lucky enough to be going to Royal Ascot next month, read the Racegoers Guide – Dress Code for Ascot racedays, Royal Enclosure as a guide. Dresses and skirts should be of modest length defined as falling just above the knee or longer. Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or greater.

Jackets and pashminas may be worn, but the dresses and tops underneath should still comply with the above dress code.

Trousers suits are welcome. They should be full length and of matching material and colour.

Hats should be worn; a headpiece, which has a base of 10cm or more in diameter, is acceptable.

Fascinators are no longer permitted. And most importantly, midriffs must be covered!

Stick to the rules and have a ball.

Vallerie Breese

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Tower Bridge Antiques

Retail

Tower Bridge Antiques is a positive treasure trove of Art-Deco, Art Nouveau, Retro and Period furniture.

Tower Bridge Antiques is the last of the great Bermondsey antique warehouses; the rest were swept away by property developers a few years ago. The same fate almost befell TBA when Network Rail requisitioned their premises for redevelopment earlier this year, but like a phoenix from the ashes this venerable South East London business has risen again and can now be found at its new premises in Rollins Street, near The Old Kent Road.

Set over two floors and with over 25,000 sq. foot of space, Tower Bridge Antiques is a positive treasure trove of Art-Deco, Art Nouveau, Retro and Period furniture. Stock changes weekly and comes from both the UK and abroad - France, Belgium and Spain are favourite hunting grounds. Where necessary pieces are restored on-site by the company’s French polishers, and delivered straight to the customer’s house, whether that is at home or abroad.

Despite the vogue for modern, flat packed furniture, it would appear that many people are making a conscious decision to buy period furniture, encouraged perhaps by the fact that it has retained its value over the years. The immense popularity in London of large Edwardian and Victorian houses and flats is also fueling demand for larger pieces, and it would seem they are an increasingly popular choice with young couples. Perhaps they were inspired by some of the items on Downton Abbey - many of which were actually purchased from Tower Bridge Antiques to furnish the sets.

At Tower Bridge Antiques customers can pick up a beautiful, Victorian wardrobe big enough to store the whole family’s winter clothes for £2,000, whilst a substantial table and six upholstered chairs ranges from £1,500 - £4,000. A dainty Victorian writing desk is £500 and a chest of drawers starts from £700. Leather chesterfields are always popular, and ironically the genuine article is often much cheaper than a reproduction. Look out too for their eclectic range of accessories, many of which would make a highly original birthday gift. At £775 a lovingly restored, 1950s TV camera mounted on a wooden tripod is particularly eye catching.

Tower Bridge Antiques is outside the congestion zone and has plenty of free parking. Alternativley, take advantage of their shuttle service from nearby stations by giving them a ring when you’re on the train and they’ll come and collect you. The nearest station is South Bermondsey.

The largest Antique Furniture Warehouse in London where you will find furniture from Early Fine Antiques to Art-Deco taking in Georgian, Regency, William IV, Victorian and Edwardian

c h at n u a l e R Spr i ng m i s e s B e l ow Ne w P r e Guild House, Rollins Street, London SE15 1EW. Tel: 020 7403 3660 Email: towerba@btconnect.com www.towerbridgeantiques.co.uk OPEN SEVENS DAY A WEEK www.meridian-magazine.co.uk | 11

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New Introductions to the Rooms Portfolio

Retail News

Having traded for over 37 years there have been numerous changes and improvements over the years but we consider our two newest additions to our portfolio to be the most exciting and best yet.

In January we introduced `Rooms Bedrooms`-manufacturing it in our factory along a similar specification to our very successful kitchen range. This is a versatile range – normally made any size and heightcompetitively priced and from the orders and interest shown is proving to be a winner. We are doing a 4-week promotion on this new range with up to 50% introductory discount on selected door styles.

May 2014 will see the introduction of `Aisling Framed` and also the introduction of two exclusive door styles to Rooms known as `Bradwell` and `Cranmore`. We have dealt with this company for several years and their quality is outstanding and their prices extremely good value. Truly bespoke, truly beautiful, painted or woods. Our motto is-if we can draw it they can make it. May 2014 will see expansion to the range, which will make them the envy of most bespoke manufacturers.

Should you want any details (or your friends do) on any of the above please contact us on 020-8857-5699 or email us info@roomskitchens.co.uk

Love Blinds Unique, competitive and customer driven are a few words that describe who we are at Love Blinds! Offering a made-tomeasure blind and shutter service, we have a vast knowledge of the industry, and are fully committed to offering superior products at unbeatable prices. I started Love Blinds to offer a luxury item to a wider range of people, at a rate that suits all budgets. We provide a vast variety, which will give all our customers the choice they deserve. The company is motivated by our customer service, so please contact us today for a quick, personal quotation.

Bathroom Innovations As spring becomes established and we take stock of what we need to do to improve the look of our homes, Beautiful Bathrooms in Welling is doing much the same with their showrooms. To free up space for new displays and ideas from manufacturers, substantial savings are offered on many ex-display items.

Already in place, the new displays contain excellent quality, innovative items such as; mirrors that play music, the new Kinematic shower enclosure (as seen on TV!), a remote digitally controlled shower valve, a walk in bath, as well as many more traditional items.

Why not call in and see the Bathrooms Experts for yourself?

Beautiful Bathrooms, 76-78 Upper Wickham Lane, Welling DA16 3HQ. 0800 107 2111. www.beautifulbathrooms.net.

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Nautical Chic Get onboard with a Nautical Interior

The sea always has pleasant associations – the smell of salt water, soft sand, smooth stones from the beach, bringing back memories of good times with family or friends.

If there’s one style that never goes out of style, it’s the nautical, beach-inspired look. The characteristic features of nautical interior are the presence of textile, inexpensive wooden furniture and an abundance of white colour. The style can be applied to a bathroom, child’s bedroom, kitchen or sitting room.

When decorating, use colours that are reminiscent of the sea. This means sandy colours like beige and sand, coupled with light blues and greens and darker browns for a soothing effect. Navy blue and white is a popular colour combination for nautical rooms. When using these colours, add red accents for pops of brightness.

If you have a dark room, you can do this by using more whites and light colors in your home than darker colors, like navy. Also, do not be afraid to paint wood. Wood paneling that is painted white immediately brightens an otherwise dark room.

Once you have a blank canvas then the fun can start. You may already have several keepsakes from previous visits to the beach. Who can resist filling your pockets with shells and unusual pebbles. Or visit websites like www.nauticalia.com for instant seaside chic.

Textiles range from thick cottons, linen mix to wispy fine tulle curtains. Clean, white, highlighted with all shades from light blue to very dark, navy blue. Characterised by a classical stripe, and it can be very narrow or wide, on a white or neutral background. Take a plain sofa and cover it with themed cushions.

When you are trying to decide on nautical decor, it can be helpful to find one or two large pieces to create a focal point for your room. This could include a framed print of a seascape, or it could also include large pieces of furniture such as an old wooden trunk. Once you have created your focal point, you will be able to find smaller pieces that you can scatter throughout the room. It is not necessary to choose home decorations made from the same materials as long as you select colours that complement your primary pieces.

A nautically designed bedroom for a child will create the perfect hide away to curl up with a copy of Treasure Island. White walls make it light and airy, and a bunk bed will offer storage and the perfect retreat for a couple of pirates. Add stripy bed linen and some fishy cushions to complete the look. Cabinets or lampshades in woven wicker natural shades look simple and fresh.

Add a little seaside sunshine to your home this summer.

Nannette Fielding Images supplied by PR shots (M&Co, Paperchase,& Dunnes Stores)

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Back into the Garden

Gardening

Colourful Gardens – the meaning of colour If you are anything like I was when I first began gardening, you may be tempted to buy an assortment of flowering plants in the colours of the rainbow. Colour is after all, the mainstay of the flowerbed. However, the colour scheme you choose for your flowerbed affects the overall feel of your garden. Knowing how to use colour to create the ‘feel’ of your flower garden is an important step in garden design.

Warm colours: Shades of yellow, orange and red brighten the garden and draw the eye to your desired focal point. They appear closer and make large areas appear smaller. Warm colours sizzle with energy and are ideal for directing the gaze.

Use warm colours to liven dull gardens or pull the eye away from undesired features, such as buildings or the neighbour’s unsightly, junk pile.

Cool Colours: Violet, soft shades of pink, blue and green recede into the landscape making small areas appear larger than they are. These colours give a natural appearance to your garden and promote relaxation and peacefulness.

Complements: Try pairing colours on the opposite sides of the colour wheel to enhance the beauty of each. Pair shades of purple and violet with yellow or orange-yellow, blues with orange or red-orange, and greens with red to create a striking display of colour. Purple coneflower paired with bright blackeyed Susan creates a profusion of colour in midsummer.

Adjacent colours: To create a unified look to your garden, choose colours that are adjacent to others on the colour wheel. This includes three or more colours in shades of the same colour, such as lavender, pink-lavender and pink or red, red-orange and orange. Choose your predominant color first and then choose flowers in shades that fall on both sides of that colour. The predominant colour should be used for your largest or most abundant flowers. Use adjacent colours to broaden the field of colour and add interest to your flowerbed.

Neutral colours: Add earth tones - such as brown and olive - and foliage or flowers in shades of white, gray or black to highlight colours in your flowerbed. This includes large plants as backdrops for your bed, as well as, smaller ground covering plants in the foreground.

Remember, accidental combinations often inspire the gardener to try out something new on their own.

So, go for it.

Valerie Breese

Joules Garden Tools Range from Hintons – www.hintonshome.com

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Trading for 25 years

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Business

The Retirement Revolution

This year’s Budget has put forward plans to sweep away much of the complexity and to free retirees to make their own decisions about how and when to access their pension monies.

Low interest rates over recent times have meant low returns for savers. Many of those savers have also been retirees “forced” to buy annuities at historically low levels for the very same reason; an extremely unhappy double whammy. Annuities are lifetime incomes provided by insurance companies in exchange for a lump of money to provide pensions in retirement.

There have been well intentioned initiatives to provide more information to the general public about choice and access to the best rates on the open market.

Unfortunately, for many, saving for retirement and pensions policies have been seen as poor value and unnecessarily complex.

This year’s Budget has put forward plans to sweep away much of the complexity and to free retirees to make their own decisions about how and when to access their pension monies. The intentions are to implement these changes in April 2015 with interim measures to allow more flexibility in the meantime.

These changes are happening at the same time as other major plans to restructure both the pension from the state and those provided in the workplace.

All employers from the multinational corporation down to the market trader have to be part of the ongoing initiative to enrol all eligible employees in to an employer sponsored pension scheme.

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It can look a bit much, did I say less complicated?

Advice will be required from specialist regulated and qualified firms such as Lighthouse Financial Advice.

If and when the proposed changes come in to force, remember there is an election due a month after, pension policies will look much more like a general savings plan. As long as you are aged over 55, you can take what you like, when you like and how you like as long as you pay the tax due.

The investor will get a tax break on the money going in to the plan (up to 45% tax back as relief), tax advantaged growth for the duration of the plan and a quarter of the benefits taken at the end are tax free.

Suddenly retirees don’t have to rely on the prevailing rates for annuities. Pension policies become ways to plan to pay off debts such as mortgages and the means to enjoy the early years of retirement when people are most active.

Some firms can restrict themselves to giving advice on one or a limited number of companies. Others such as Lighthouse Financial Advice provide solutions and recommendations based on the wider market.

If you are an employer, employee, self employed or retired and are unsure or want to know more about what these changes mean for you then consult a professional specialist such as Lighthouse.

For more details contact Lighthouse Financial Advice on 0208 425 0852 or email rod.smith@lighthousefa.co.uk

The article is for general information only and is not intended to address your particular requirements. You should not act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice and after a thorough examination of your particular situation.

Lighthouse Financial Advice Limited is an appointed representative of Lighthouse Advisory Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority(FCA). Lighthouse Advisory Services Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lighthouse Group plc. Lighthouse Group plc, Company Registered No: 04042743. Registered in England. Registered Address: 26 Throgmorton Street, London, EC2N 2AN.

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22 | www.meridian-magazine.co.uk

A look intu Bromley

Retail Leisure

The new General Manager tells of exciting times ahead

There will be five screens with a maximum of 50 armchair seats in each.

It’s easy to see why Marc Myers was appointed General Manger of intu Bromley (that’s The Glades to you and me!). His enthusiasm for retail is infectious, as you would expect from a man who began his career with Marks and Spencer and has been running shopping centres for the last ten years. He openly admits to thriving on challenge, which is just as well since Bluewater is not that far away and there’s the little matter of the new Westfield Shopping Centre in Croydon to worry about.

However, Marc isn’t a man to be daunted by competition. In fact, he’s here to talk about intu’s plan to turn Bromley into a major shopping and leisure destination, following their recent announcement to invest £24 million into the Centre.

Meanwhile, planning permission has been applied for an ambitious new scheme to build a boutique cinema on the roof above where Regent’s Arcade now stands, plus ten additional restaurants. The cinema is plainly aimed at the more affluent customer. Marc sets the scene: “There will be five screens with a maximum of 50 armchair seats in each. Customers can push a button and a waitress will deliver drinks and a cheese platter to your seat”. I query the subsequent loss of over 100 parking spaces but he is confident that the cinema will merely spread demand as more people will visit later in the day. He adds that they are even planning to open a champagne bar so that customers can begin their visit in style.

Intu currently owns 19 shopping centres in the UK (intu Lakeside, intu Trafford Centre - you get the picture!) and Marc tells me there aren’t too many up and down the country with the pipeline development that intu is providing. “We should be proud in Bromley that we have a company who is willing to make that kind of investment” he says. “Shopping Centres have changed and need to become leisure destinations. Our research shows that currently Bromley is under represented in terms of the balance of shops to restaurants.” This is something Marc quickly intends to rectify.

On a practical note there will be a set of new, much needed toilets and the ones

by Boots will be upgraded. Comfortable seating is being introduced in the atrium and the whole centre will be visually upgraded. The recent opening of The White Company, which Marc views as something of a coup, is just the beginning and he tells me he is speaking to similar retailers on an almost weekly basis.

“People can shop via a tablet but they can’t eat out at home. Carluccio’s is opening this autumn and at the same time work will begin on the new terrace adjacent to the swimming pool and Queen’s Gardens.” Planning permission has already been granted for five family friendly restaurants, and plans show a very attractive, seated, wrap-around terrace overlooking the park. I raise the issue of some local opposition to the scheme, but Marc assures me that intu takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and that plenty of garden space will remain.

Marc is obviously a motivational boss; there are large photos of happy looking intu staff taken at a recent team building away-day together. Staff is one of his priorities: “I want us to offer a world-class service. For example, our security staff will engage rather than challenge groups of youngsters, for they are our customers of tomorrow. We also provide what I call “Joyful Interventions” such as handing out flowers to mothers on Mother’s Day. It’s just another reason for people to remember their experience here.”

Nicola Berry

www.meridian-magazine.co.uk | 23

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24 | www.meridian-magazine.co.uk

Sundridge Park Village

Area Focus

A regular feature on where to live and why -by Nicola Berry “Sundridge Park is a popular choice with families looking to move from Blackheath and Canary Wharf. It’s got great schools, good links to London and a real sense of community”. So says Nisha Cunliffe from Hillview Park Estates. It’s also near enough to walk into Bromley and is home to the highly regarded Sundridge Park Golf Club, which was founded in 1901 and boasts two superb, 18-hole courses.

Where to live? “Lively” is how Hillview’s Gregory Calladine-Smith describes the current property market, with 2/3 bed Victorian cottages in Plaistow Grove being snapped up for £350,000. Young professionals will find plenty of new-build one and two bed apartments near the station from between £250,000 - £300,000 (monthly rental £1,200) whilst families queue for the highly desirable Edwardian semis in Hawes Road - expect to pay £600,000 plus. Then there are the large, detached period houses in Edward and Garden Road, some of which overlook the beautiful grounds of the golf course. Locally, much excitement has been generated by the long awaited redevelopment of the Holy Trinity Convent site, now renamed Hampton Grange. Bellway Homes has just released 11 exclusive, new detached homes (£1.5 m) and 22 apartments set in 10 acres of glorious parkland; apartments in the old convent will be released later this year. Coincidentally another local landmark is also being redeveloped; in fact work has already begun at the site of the old Sundridge Park Management Centre and Manor House to turn it into a prestigious development of town houses and apartments (Millgate homes).

Schools: St. Joseph’s is a very popular Catholic primary school, as is the highly rated Parish C of E School. Both are oversubscribed but thankfully Scotts Park in Orchard Road is also in the catchment area, along with the popular Bullers Wood School for Girls (11+). Private schools abound: Breaside Prep, which boasts a high success rate with the local Kent Grammar Schools, is only a ten minute walk whilst Bickley Park Nursery and Prep (boys only from 5 – 13) is just a short drive away.

Bromley High School (3-18) is much sought after for girls whilst those looking for a co-educational school favour the family atmosphere of the Catholic Bishop Challoner (3-18) in nearby Shortlands.

Transport: Sundridge Park is just one stop from Grove Park. Change here for the 25 minute train journey to Charing Cross/Cannon Street, or hop on the bus to Grove Park (Zone 4) and take the train to New Cross which connects with Canary Wharf.

Where to shop? Florist Elliza Wade has recently opened a new shop selling fresh flowers, Belgium chocolates and rustic, french furniture. Those seeking classic and contemporary designs will love Sundridge Interiors; look out for their extensive selection of Swarovski crystal down lighters. Go to Chancery Interiors for high quality, soft furnishings or Sundridge Park Antiques for period furniture.

Where to eat? The upmarket Cinnamon Culture is a relative newcomer to the Village, but already features in the 2014 Michelin Guide. The Raj Moni is a Saturday night institution, serving a great selection of favourite Indian dishes at very reasonable prices. Go to the Lavender House for cream teas.

What’s New? The Pantry is already establishing a reputation for its Square Mile coffee and excellent sourdough, ham and cheese toasties. Artisan breads and pastries are delivered daily from London.

Local institutions: Sundridge Barbers. Queues form at the weekend for this legendary home of male grooming! Sundridge Garden Centre: small but select range of garden plants.

Next month our area focus will be on Hither Green.

If you haveany views on living in this area please let is know by emailing editor@meridian-magazine.co.uk before 16 May.

www.meridian-magazine.co.uk | 25

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We are getting married.

Weddings

Should we have a pre-nuptial agreement?

A pre-nuptial or pre-marital agreement is a contract entered into between a couple before they marry dealing usually with how money and other assets should be divided between them in the event that their marriage irretrievably breaks down.

Pre-nuptial agreements are becoming increasingly popular. A common reason for not having one is that it is unromantic, demonstrating a lack of trust between the couple and a lack of faith that their marriage will endure. Pre-nuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding under English Law, but can certainly be taken into consideration when deciding on how matrimonial assets and liabilities should be divided between the spouses in the event of a divorce. There has been a shift in recent times in the longstanding principle in English Law that pre-nuptial agreements are against public policy and therefore not legally binding here.

In order to maximise the prospect of a pre-nuptial agreement being influential, the considerations/ steps set out below are relevant.

1. Full and frank disclosure - both parties should provide full details of their financial circumstances and these should be attached by way of a schedule to the pre-nuptial agreement.

2. Neither party should feel forced into entering the agreement. Therefore, it is recommended that there should be a minimum period of 21 days between the marriage and the date on which the pre-nuptial agreement is entered into.

3. Both sides should take independent legal advice on the contents of the pre-nuptial agreement and the solicitors advising on both sides should ideally confirm that this has happened by signing a certificate to that effect which should be attached to the pre-nuptial agreement.

4. The prospects of a pre-nuptial agreement being valid may be improved by the provision of periodic reviews (e.g. on the 5th anniversary‌) whereby the level of provision increases with the duration of the marriage.

5. There might be a better chance of a pre-nuptial agreement being enforceable if it ring fences assets acquired before the marriage, but takes into account the fact that any increase in value of those assets during the marriage should be considered as a matrimonial asset and open to division between the spouses.

If a Court has to decide on the validity of a pre-nuptial agreement in the future upon the breakdown of a marriage, it would consider a number of factors when deciding on what a reasonable financial settlement should be. Under the present law, only one of these factors is the terms of the pre-nuptial agreement. The welfare of any children of the family under the age of 18 years would be the paramount consideration and other factors which would be taken into account are, for example, each spouse’s needs, contributions towards the marriage, standard of living enjoyed during the marriage and the duration of the marriage.

A pre-nuptial agreement which would leave a former spouse in a predicament of real need has been stated to be a factor in caselaw which would make it likely to be unfair to hold the parties to their prenuptial agreement.

It is not automatically the case that assets/money which have been brought into a marriage by one party should always remain that party’s sole property upon the dissolution of a marriage. If a Court were involved in resolving the terms of any financial settlement upon the breakdown of a marriage, it would look at all of the circumstances to decide what is fair and reasonable of which only one factor is any pre-nuptial agreement.

About the author; Mandeep Clair is a mediator, collaborative lawyer and experienced family solicitor at South East London solicitors Grant Saw. The practice offers friendly, professional family mediation and legal services including a free one hour consultation for legal advice. Please call 0208 858 6971 or email mclair@grantsaw.co.uk If you would like further advice regarding any other family or matrimonial matter it is important that you obtain independent legal advice.

For more visit: www.grantsaw.com

www.meridian-magazine.co.uk | 27

Photography competition

Smile….

Local photographer, Alison Gartshore, offers advice on wedding photography and an amazing prize Planning a wedding is something that most brides-to-be relish and enjoy - however, the pressure is on to get things right and provide a wonderful day to remember through the years to come. This is why choosing the right wedding photographer is so important - it’s vital to find a photographer who will give you excellent coverage, down to the smallest details and provide you with a beautiful set of images that capture the special moments and tells the story of your day.

All photographers have different ways of working - personally I’m a firm believer that your day should lead the photography and not the other way around. At Alison Gartshore Photography we work very hard to be as unobtrusive as possible, giving us the best chance of capturing moments as they happen in a natural and relaxed way, while making sure that we’re in the right place at the right time for all the key shots.

We pride ourselves on giving you a very long shoot day, excellent bespoke fine art editing and as many images as your day provides. We are not in favour of trying to sell our services to anyone, but we love to work for people who love our work!

Visit www.alisongartshore.com and take a look One lucky couple can win £500 off the cost of a shoot including images.

Simply send your wedding date, name, address and daytime telephone number to Meridian magazine (Alison Gartshore), 8 The Village, Charlton, SE7 8UD. Or email your wedding date to competition@meridian-magazine.co.uk by 31 May.

28 | www.meridian-magazine.co.uk

Weddings

Choosing a wedding venue A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the use of a stunning building

Some people plan their whole day around their dream wedding location, while others start with a blank page. Either way, choosing your wedding venue is one of the most important wedding planning decisions you’ll make.

The first thing to take into account when choosing a wedding location is that there are likely to be two parts of your wedding to organise – the wedding ceremony and the wedding reception. As regards the ceremony, a church wedding is still the favourite choice for many couples, and most have a particular church in mind. In this case, the reception must be planned around the ceremony location. Factors such as ease of transport from service to reception will be important when planning your church wedding. If, on the other hand, you’re thinking about a civil wedding, you have the option of choosing a venue that will host both your wedding ceremony and your wedding reception. If this is what you are hoping for, you will need to choose a venue that is licensed for marriage ceremonies. This may come with a higher price tag

than non-licensed wedding venues, but has the benefit of minimising the amount of travelling involved for you and your wedding guests.

How many guests? The type of wedding you have will depend partly on how big it will be, so here are some things to think about before approaching wedding venues: Venue capacity: It may sound obvious but many venues will not be able to magic up extra space from nowhere if you add 20 extra guests at the last minute. You should have a good idea of numbers before you start looking at venues.

A formal meal will obviously require more space than a stand-up buffet, so a venue whose seated capacity is 100 might well be able to accommodate 200 for a canapé reception.

Any number of buildings can make a perfect wedding reception venue, but here are some of the most popular options: Historic wedding reception venue.

Castles, country houses and stately homes are among the locations many dream of for their big day.

If your budget can stretch to it, this offers a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the use of a stunning building. There are so many different types of hotel that there’s likely to be something for everyone, from traditional to ultra-modern. Having accommodation on the spot is, of course, a big plus. If you have access to spacious gardens or other outdoor space, a marquee could be worth considering. Many people are surprised at how pricey it can be to hire a marquee for their wedding, but the plus side is that you can take control of wedding catering and could save a considerable amount by providing your own alcohol. Don’t forget we live next to the River Thames and some sailing or rowing clubs have picturesque waterside views, which would be perfect for a summer wedding and can often be hired at a reasonable price.

Do plenty of research and you will find the perfect venue in a stunning location for your wedding day.

N. Fielding

www.meridian-magazine.co.uk | 29

30 | www.meridian-magazine.co.uk

Health

The Menopause A subject that touches millions, but is rarely spoken about

A recent study has found that Women feel ‘invisible’ by the age of 50 plus. A detailed study of 2,000 women revealed a large percentage felt they no longer received the level of attention they once did after hitting 51. Many even went as far as to admit they felt ‘ignored’.

The women claimed their confidence plummeted after hitting 50 and blamed greying hair, having to wear glasses or even struggling to find fashionable clothes.The lifestyle study also found more than two-thirds of women over 45 had walked into a room and felt ‘completely unnoticed’ by the opposite sex.

More than half said they felt ‘left on the shelf’ and that they’d been ‘judged negatively’ because of their age. The study also found just 15 per cent of women over 45 could claim they had high or very high confidence while, sadly, nearly half described themselves as not very confident at all.

The biggest reason for a decline in self-belief was the feeling that their image had deteriorated.

A dejected four in ten said not getting attention from men like they used to was a factor, more than half had felt intimidated by the presence of younger women at a social event.

A concerned six in ten of the 2,000 studied felt modern life is geared toward a focus on younger women while 46 per cent thought that a lot of what older women go through wasn’t seen or spoken about.

The research also examined the effect the menopause has on women’s confidence as they age. The results showed around one in five who had experienced menopausal symptoms had difficulty in finding answers to the questions they had about the changes they were facing.

For women, the menopause is a time of profound change, both physically and emotionally. But what of the husbands and partners they share their lives with? How does this critical period in a woman’s life affect them?

It’s a subject that touches millions, but is rarely spoken about. In fact, only 13 per cent felt women were well supported in the lead up to the menopause. The research, which also involved 500 men, showed many have a ‘head in the sand’ approach to the menopause.

Health expert Eileen Durward, who provides advice and support to women through the A.Vogel (who conducted the study) website

and helpline, said: ‘The results show a worrying decline in confidence and self-worth in women when faced with the prospect of growing older.

‘The world can feel very geared toward appreciating younger women, leaving those of a certain age to feel neglected or less worthy.

These women are not invisible and neither are their concerns.

‘They are often the driving engine behind many a family, juggling careers, looking after older relatives and bringing up children.

‘All the while dealing with the ageing process and changes brought on by the menopause.’

Eileen, who is also an expert on menopause, added: ‘Women need to know they are not alone and there are things they can do to help themselves. ‘Hot flushes are a good example of something that can have a real impact on confidence, especially in social situations or at work. ‘Many women don’t realise that simple steps, like breathing slowly or taking a herbal remedy containing sage, can provide relief.’

There is help out there, use it and enjoy life! www.avogel.co.uk

www.meridian-magazine.co.uk | 31

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Ask the Expert

Health & Beauty

Health & beauty tips and advice Taking quick action can save a broken front tooth Finn Dental is one of Beckenham’s hidden gems, set in a leafy lane just five minutes minute from the High Street. It’s here that I meet Clinical Director and founder Greg Finn, who heads up a team of specialist dentists and a hygienist.

Greg has impecable credentials; since 1996 he’s been a lecturer in Restorative Dentistry at UCL’s Eastman Instute, Europe’s largest postgraduate dental school with a reputation as one of the world’s leading academic centres of Denstisty. Greg explains: “I love taking information from the research side and helping get it into practices.” Unsurprisingly, Finn Dental boasts the very latest in dental technology, which not all dentists have access to, and all work is carried out under a microscope.

So who comes to Finn Dental? Greg is actually a specialist prosthodontist, which means he specialises in rebuilding lost or badly damaged teeth. “ We are a specialist practice and many of our patients are referred to us by their dentist, often when their dental problems have become difficult to solve. We also have a loyal following of patients who come to us for ongoing care.”

Another example is the work Finn Dental does providing highly cosmetic repairs or replacement of front teeth when children and adults have lost or broken a tooth through boistorous play or sport.

Greg says that 1 in 2 boys are likely to break their front tooth before they reach 18, and 1 in 3 girls, so if this happens to your child remember the following: “Collect the broken pieces of tooth as the chances are we can glue the piece of tooth back on. If not, don’t worry, as we can rebuild the tooth so that it’s impossibe to tell the difference. If the tooth is knocked out altogether, rinse it in some milk and put it straight back in place, or keep it moist in milk or tucked inside the person’s cheek (not advisable for very young children) and get to your dentist as fast as possible. If the tooth can be put back in place within an hour, there’s a reasonable chance it will survive.”

Rebuilding a broken tooth is something of an art; in fact Greg likens the skill to that of an artist. “Teeth are never just one colour and the skill is to replicate all those different shades so that they look as natural as possible. “ He adds: “I hate discarding existing teeth unless absolutely necessary, as it condems the patient to an expensive maitenance cycle, so I will do every thing I can to save and rebuild.” Often the results are quite astounding, as many of his grateful patients will testify.

Finn Dental Specialists, Backwoods, Kelsey Lane, Beckenham BR3 3NE. www.finndentalspecialists.com

£3.8 million investment at your local private hospital

Work on BMI The Blackheath Hospital’s new £3.8 million theatre department is well underway. The project will deliver a new six bed recovery unit, and upgrades to the nursing station and three theatres. The development will also improve the theatre department’s staff areas, including offices, changing rooms, corridors and a rest room. Behind the scenes the infrastructure and support for the air handling units, which filters air coming into the operating theatres, and the medical gas infrastructure will be upgraded. Two of the hospital’s specialist orthopaedic theatres, which have air supplied through an ultra-clean ventilation (UCV) system, will also be improved to enhance the care of patients undergoing joint replacement surgery. Peter Harris, Executive Director at BMI The Blackheath Hospital, commented: ‘With phase one of the major upgrade works well underway we are excited to share our plans for the future of our hospital. BMI The Blackheath Hospital celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and the theatre investment will enhance the level of complexity, clinical expertise and quality care we are able to provide to our patients and our local community. I would like to thank our theatre manager, theatre nurses, wider hospital team, patients and consultants for their continued support ahead of the unveiling of the new department in the summer of 2014.’

Getting Fit Can Be Fun Before I became a fitness expert I was a size 18 gymaphobic, whose idea of exercise was pushing a trolley around the biscuit aisle in my local supermarket. It wasn’t until my 40s that I discovered the fantastic benefits of exercise and also that it could actually be fun.

Now I’m a Personal Trainer offering completely personalised one-onone experiences in the privacy of a private gym.

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www.meridian-magazine.co.uk | 33

Ask the Expert

The Ultimate detox What better time to be thinking about spring cleaning your body and melting away those unsightly fat pockets and lumps and bumps than now!

The Ultimate detoxing, slimming, weight loss and fat reduction programme, RejuvaDetox that guarantees you will lose bundles of inches from those unsightly places you now tuck away under jumpers is offering all Meridian readers extra free treatments up to £130 if you book a half or full course before 31 May. Owner and Kinesiologist Vanessa O’Sullivan states, ‘ In the unlikely event that clients do not lose between 10-14lbs on RejuvaDetox and at least the same in inches in 28 days we give free treatments until they do. Results are life changing. We continue to see astonishing results with clients with so many health conditions diminish and in some case disappear including hormonal problems, back and joint pain, migraines, skin conditions, ME, Fibromyalgia, diabetes and so much more.’

RejuvaDetox works by gently breaking down built up toxins in the body and intestinal plaque allowing better absorption and the body naturally restoring its own balance on so many levels.

Check out their newly launched website and book in now for a Free consultation and intestinal scan. Offer ends 31 May. Why not? You have nothing to lose but your weight! www.healths-angels.com. facebook.com/healthsangels @HealthsAngels

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Taking to two wheels

Leisure

It’s not as hard as you think with help and advice from Cycles UK You have purchased your first bike and you’ve started riding but after a few weeks you want to meet up with other cyclist in your area. One easy way is to take a look at the British Cycling website www.britishcycling.org.uk/clubfinder.

After the bike, the essential kit differs from person to person depending on your experience. If you’re a newbie to cycling the first pieces of the essential kit would be a helmet, shorts and mitts. The mitts and shorts will protect your contact points with the handlebars and saddle. The helmet these days is essential for the rider’s safety. As you become a more confident cyclist your next considered purchase may be a pair of cycling shoes and clip-in pedals. These will help you pedal more efficiently on hills along the flats. They do take a bit of getting used to, but once you have mastered them you will never look back.

Gadgets these days play an important part in the cyclist’s daily ride. We all have an iphone or android mobile phone; one of these is the best way to start recording your rides and being able to compare with others in your area. Apps like Strava and Map my Ride are two of the most popular. Most phones also give you mapping while you’re riding just in case you get lost or go off route. Later you could go one better and invest in a Garmin, Meo or Cat Eye handlebar mount GPS cycle computer which are all loaded with many different features from mapping, navigation, heat rate, pedal cadence, speed sensor. You are now entering a whole new world.

Bikes - some see them as exotica and some see them as a means from getting from A to B. Once you are bitten by the bug cost has no boundary. Italian brands such as Bianchi and Wilier have all the history that is needed, with over 125 years of experience.

Relatively new kids on the block are Trek bikes.

Founded in 1976, they may not have history, but what they do have is one of the most up-to-date R&D and are on the cutting edge. When it comes to producing bikes off the peg for different road conditions you have the day-to-day Madone range or the ‘kill it with comfort’ Domane, Both ranges are race bread producing both ladies and gents bikes at prices starting at £1400 upwards to ‘Project One’ where you build the bike, design the frame and choose the colour all on a PC with a near infinite experience available. Pop along to our Orpington store for the ‘Project One’ experience.

master

Upgrades to bikes are always a favourite subject among cyclists. The quickest and most effective upgrade, are the wheels. A new set of wheels with quality bearings and fresh tyres makes all the difference. A quality upgrade wheel set could set you back as much as your bike. Feel free to pop into one of our stores and discuss the options. We feel you will be pleasantly surprised how little you could spend to make your ride so much more pleasurable.

class in design, garment technology, fit options wise and which gives you great value for money. The Castelli clothing range caters for all abilities of riders from beginners to providing race clothing for the Garmin Sharp professional cycling team.

Pop into your local Cycles UK stores or online to view the range.

Happy cycling - John Malcolm

Cycle clothing is a very personal. Depending on your budget always aspire to the best you can afford.

In our opinion Castelli is one of the best, An Italian

Cycles UK with stores in Greenwich, Orpington Kent and Essex visit www.cyclesuk.com

Basildon Bow Lane EC4 Braintree Canterbury Chelmsford Leigh Maidstone Norwich Orpington Romford Southend Tonbridge Watford

www.meridian-magazine.co.uk | 35

36 | www.meridian-magazine.co.uk

Education News Round Up

Education

Sydenham High girls have a ball with charity challenge A group of 12 and 13 year-old Sydenham High schoolgirls are aiming to raise thousands of pounds for disabled mobility charity WhizzKidz by organising a grand charity ball as part of an Apprentice-style charity challenge.

WhizzKidz provides disabled children with the essential mobility equipment so they can lead fun and active childhoods. A wheelchair costs around £1,000 so fundraising needed to go beyond the usual cake sales.

Having secured the school’s main hall as the venue the girls hit phones and email to cajole everyone they could think of into helping them make their plan a reality. This included selling advertising space in their programme; arranging live music and collecting an array of desirable raffle prizes worthy of a professional charity fundraiser, from signed sports memorabilia to super-cool Beats headphones.

Everyone was amazed and impressed at the girls’ ingenuity and organisation – but then that’s the difference that a Sydenham High education can make.

‘Having a great idea takes inspiration but that’s just the start,’ said Headteacher Kathryn Pullen. ‘The difficult part is having the drive, determination and ability to work as a team in order to turn that idea into reality. Some might have thought that organising an event on this scale simply couldn’t be done but in true Sydenham High spirit the girls made it happen – and in style.’

Donations can still be made at: www.justgiving.com/lexie-webb1

New Director of HR

Forget the Skills Gap The UK Commission for Employment and Skills issued the latest Employer Skills Survey, which claims that although job vacancies are returning to prerecession levels many employers are still finding it hard to recruit people with the right skills.

University Technical Colleges are new schools developed to fill the skills gap by training young engineers who have the talent and skills industry demands. Engineering students at Royal Greenwich UTC are learning to build the railways of the future with Transport for London and Network Rail A new generation of GPs and Pharmacists are studying at the Liverpool Life Sciences UTC with the help of consultants from the Royal Liverpool Hospital and Redx Young motor racing engineers are learning their craft with the help of McClaren at the Silverstone UTC. Taylor Wimpey is working with the Bucks UTC to give students the skills they’ll need to build the homes of the future.

The Royal Greenwich UTC is a technical academy for 14 to 19 year-olds, which specialises in engineering and construction that need modern, technical, industry-standard equipment and are taught alongside business skills and the use of ICT. With the University of Greenwich and employer sponsors- Wates and Transport for London, practical and academic studies are successfully combined.

The new Director of Human Resources at the University of Greenwich is to be Frances Hewison, currently Deputy Director of HR at the University of Liverpool. She will take up her post on Monday 2 June.

Frances has substantial experience in higher education, having previously worked at Liverpool in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Planning & Development and other roles.

In her current position, Frances works in close partnership with the Director to provide leadership of the HR department and to develop and deliver HR strategy for the university. Her responsibilities include leading on policy, people and organisational development, diversity and equality, and employee engagement.

Professor David Maguire, Vice-Chancellor, says: ‘I am delighted that the university has been able to make such a strong appointment to this important post. Frances has an impressive track record in the sector and she brings us a great breadth of experience as a senior manager.’

Frances says: ‘I have been attracted by Greenwich’s ambition for its students, its employees and the organisation as a whole. Already a leading university in London, Greenwich has much to be proud of. Now it is set to build on its many achievements and HR will have a really important role to play in that.

I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues to help realise the university’s vision for the future.’

www.greenwichutc.com. admissions@greenwichutc.com .

Next Open Day - Saturday 7 June 10am – 12noon.

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Parenting Special

Fostering Agency Seeking new Families

It’s estimated that some 9,000 new foster families will be needed by the end of this year to cope with the number of children needing care

Vulnerable children in need of a loving home are the business of Lesley Ward who is on the lookout for good foster carers.

Miss Ward, 44, is director of the Next Step Fostering agency that was founded by her mum Maureen and dad Alb 25 years ago. ‘My parents fostered for some 15 years so that gave me a really good understanding of what’s required,’ says Miss Ward.

‘Fostering requires compassion and tolerance.

So experiencing that at firsthand helped my understanding of the support and protection these children need, and ensuring they are not discriminated against.’

Her agency has 68 fostering families who look after some 100 children. It also runs a separate service for vulnerable, expectant parents to be fostered in homes where they can learn helpful coping strategies.

‘We recruit our own foster parents and our greatest success in engaging them is through word of mouth.

We welcome carers who can offer a loving home and have a dedicated team to assess candidates.’

Foster carer Jo Sidney took in her first child nearly six years ago and that young girl is now staying permanently as part of the family.

‘She’s nearly 16, having come from a troubled London environment,” says Mrs. Sidney. “She has thrived and flourished and is well loved. She’s now part of us.’

Mrs. Sidney, from Lynsted, has three children in their 20s and is very active within the local community. She looks back with pride at the once vulnerable foster child who came into their lives.

‘She is not only a part of our family but also a member of the church youth, and part of the village community. I’m so proud of her. She’s doing well in school and has adapted to life in the country.

‘In the early days it was difficult integrating a total stranger into our home and getting the balance right with our own children. Both sides had to learn to adapt and consider each other’s feelings, because really you foster as a family, not as an individual.

‘We all had to share each other’s space and time.

Fostering is a big decision. It must be made as a family - it’s a group decision and the commitment is 24 hours a day. So they all needed to be on board.’

A key element is the excellent level of support Mrs. Sidney, 49, says she receives from the Next Step Fostering agency.

‘Their training, their advice, the support they give,

even their 24 hour on-call service, is all highly valuable. So my message to people considering fostering is to be with an organisation like Next Step that offers you good quality support. I have a wonderful relationship with my supervising social worker who is on-hand to assist me whenever I need help.’

The agency, which has its headquarters in Faversham, has expanded to sub offices in Chatham, Burnham in Buckinghamshire, Romford and Croydon.

It has 68 fostering families who look after 100 children and is always on the look out for good carers with a dedicated team of experts who will assess their suitability.

Its director is Lesley Ward, who herself has a deep insight into the service.

Her parents were foster parents, and she grew up alongside cared-for-children in the family home.

Contact Next Step Fostering: 01795-521739

www.meridian-magazine.co.uk | 39

Simply Clever

Motoring

The new ŠKODA Spaceback was launched in February this year, so we spoke to Grant Appleton, Dealer Principal at Motorline Škoda in Dartford to find out more about this latest addition to the award-winning Škoda range.

Based on the Škoda Rapid, the Spaceback is a hatchback that offers a lot more than just a roomier boot space. With an elegant silhouette, impressive engine line up and spec-levels that defy their price tag, it is no big surprise that the Spaceback is being particularly well received by car buyers.

So why is Grant especially impressed with the new Spaceback?

So is it well named? With a boot capacity of 415 litres (or an incredible 1,380 litres with the seats down), it would certainly seem to be. It manages this while still offering ample leg space for all passengers, whether in the front or the rear of the vehicle. A greater sense of space is also achieved because of the remarkable panoramic roof.

The Škoda Rapid Spaceback starts at just £14,340 OTR, with 0% APR representative available. However, Grant has advised us that Motorline Škoda in Dartford are currently offering £1000 off of the Rapid Spaceback, so monthly payments could be as little a £135 per month*.

The Rapid Spaceback is available with the three petrol and two diesel engine options.

The TSI petrol engines offer a great blend of power and torque combined with low CO2 and impressive fuel economy. The entry-level 1.2TSI 86PS engine returns up to 64mpg, whilst the diesel 1.6TDI 90PS delivers up to 83mpg and keeps emissions amazingly low at just 99g/km. The car actively wants you to drive as economically as possible, with gear change recommendation alerts on the dash display as well.

“I’d really be suggesting Meridian readers visit the showroom and test drive the Spaceback for themselves” says Grant. “We’re very proud of the Rapid Spaceback and the value it represents for our customers.”

“Not only is it an exceptionally well-performing car, it also has a good-looking, uncluttered appearance, with well considered features.” summarizes Grant.

Motorline Škoda in Dartford is located at 555 Princes Road, Dartford, DA2 6HH. To book a test drive, call the sales team on 01322 280545.

The cabin is packed with Škoda’s famous ‘Simply Clever’ comfort and safety features.

In the boot, you will find the floor cover is double sided, so the regular carpeted side can be flipped over to reveal a washable surface, suitable for transporting the mucky family hound, football kits or camping equipment.

Grant continues to point out some of the other ‘Simply Clever’ features that are in the Spaceback, such as the waste bin that is in the door, the additional cup-holders in the rear, plus the wonderfully ingenious ice-scraper that lives in the fuel filler flap!

40 | www.meridian-magazine.co.uk

*£135 monthly rate applies to the Rapid Spaceback S 1.2 TSI 86PS model based on 3 years/ 30,000 miles. OTR cash price £13,340.00. £3,950.98 deposit required to achieve monthly payment, optional final payment £4,664.02. Deposit shown may be higher than the minimum; a lower deposit will result in increased monthly payments. Indemnities may be required, subject to status. Over 18s in mainland UK only. Excludes Channel Islands. ŠKODA Finance, Freepost ŠKODA Finance. Terms and Conditions apply. Prices and specifications are accurate at time of print. Offers may be varied or withdrawn at any time and are not available in conjunction with any other offer. Retail sales only. Subject to availability on orders placed before 30th June 2014.

Run for Diabetes

Leisure

Around 10% of adults with diabetes suffer from Type 1. It develops by the time a person is 40 but it’s the most common type of diabetes found in childhood.

Did watching the thousands of runners running for charity in the London Marathon inspire you to think “I could do that?” If so, why not sign up for the Run for Diabetes 10K race taking place in beautiful Greenwich Park at 9.30 am on Saturday, 14th June?

If you’re new to running then a 10K race is a good place to start as its equal to two laps of the Park. It should be lots of fun with spot prizes and medals for every entrant.

The entry fee is £20 (affiliated £18 online entry with Runner’s World with a donation from each entry going directly to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Reseach Foundation), a global organisation dedicated to funding reseach into the cure, treatment and prevention of Type 1 diabetes.

Around 10% of adults with diabetes suffer from Type 1. It develops by the time a person is 40 but it’s the most common type of diabetes found in childhood. JDRF is a hard-working charity dedicated to providing vital information and support for the many children, adults and parents living with the condition.

The race is part sponsored by local, family run cab firm RoyalBorough Cars, who have been keeping the residents of Greenwich and the surrounding areas on the move for almost ten years. RBC is a keen supporter of local events and charities, and with close friends having recently been diagonosed with the condition, the Run for Diabetes Race has provided RBC with an ideal fund-raising opportunity.

Staff from RoyalBorough Cars are fully involved with the race; Mark Lazurus and partners Martin Thapa and Prashidha Pradan will be there along with their 17 strong admin team and over 50 drivers, many of whom will be staioned around key areas surrounding the Park. Cheer on some of the staff taking part in the race – they will be easy to spot in their distinctive RBC running gear!

Entering the race is easy. The race will be chip timed and entrants can collect their chip and number on the morning of the event. Organisers are providing a secure baggage area, water stations and even jelly babies, whilst a photographer will be on hand to record the triumphant moment when each runner crosses the finishing line. Don’t worry if you’ve never done anything like this before as the race organisers will support you with advice and training schedules to ensure you’re fully prepared for the big day. To find more information or to register for the event please go to www.pbcraceevents.co.uk.

RoyalBorough Cars, 23-25 Bramshot Avenue, Charlton SE7 7HY. Tel: 0208 858 7788. www.royalboroughcars.co.uk

RoyalBorough Cars In partnership with Station Cars and Arena Car Service

A family run mini cab company based at Blackheath standard, servicing the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Charlton, Blackheath and the surrounding areas, for all your transportation needs. ◆ Friendly, helpful drivers ◆ Clean comfortable cars ◆ PCO Registered New drivers required!

020 8858 8070 0800 876 6545 www.royalboroughcars.co.uk

Call us for a quote on your return holiday transfers Special offer Return journey discount when quoting RBC08M

For more information contact Mark Lazarus, Mananging Director

Established 2005 www.meridian-magazine.co.uk | 41

Food & Drink

Restaurant News

Pearson Room

Panas Gurkha

Meeting up for a ‘catch up’ with a friend is a perfect opportunity to try out the new menu at the 120-cover Pearson Room, which is located adjacent to the Reebok Sports Club in Canary Wharf. We weren’t the only ones, the restaurant was filling up and even though several parties were being catered for in a separate area near the bar, no one group overpowered the room. The space works well as a bar and still retains a private fee for smaller groups of diners. The restaurant has a fantastic location in Canary Wharf with views over Canada Square, on a golden-lit evening you can’t beat it. My dinner guest agreed, with a clink of cocktail glasses we studied the menu.

Healthy Nepalese Food

New head Chef Tim Tolley, formerly of Vong NYC and Vong London, has devised a menu of innovative international and American inspired dishes. My guest, having lived and studied in America, gave me the heads up on what I should try. So with her guidance, a starter of the Manhattan seafood chowder with crackers for me, while she chose the Veal and beef bone marrow meatballs. The chowder had just the right balance of saltiness and the crunch of the crackers, created a great start to the meal. The meatballs were perfectly cooked, with a nice balance of herbs and juicy meat, and the sauce was tangy but not sharp or too sweet. We’d asked the waiter to suggest wine to accompany the meal and he chose (by the glass) Picpoul de Pinet, followed by Malbec 1300, both a good match for each dish.

Staying with the American dishes we chose New Orleans Shrimp and grits and the Grilled hanger steak with kimchi fried rice. Succulent shrimp and creamy grits were offset by the punch of the chili oil but it didn’t overpower the flavour of the dish. The full flavoured steak, being thin was cooked rare and served with spicy fried rice, topped with a fried egg. Simple food cooked and presented well.

Sated, we declined dessert, but thankfully the waiter returned with a Chocolate fondant with salted caramel ice cream to share and two glasses of Tokaji, a legendary Hungarian dessert wine of golden colour to match the setting sun over Canary Wharf, and a perfect close to any equally perfect meal. Valerie Breese The Pearson Room is open Monday to Friday from 7am to midnight. It is closed on Saturday and Sunday but is available for private hire. For more information or to book a table visit www.thepearsonroom.co.uk or contact 020 7970 0920.

42 | www.meridian-magazine.co.uk

Panas Gurkha Restaurant is a Family run business established in 2011. Since then Panas Gurkha has been awarded the Toptable - Healthy Eating Award, and most recently appeared in a feature in the Sunday Telegraph by Donald Strachan.

Owner/Chef Sujan Katuwal who has trained under Michelin starred Chef Atul Kochher explains the healthy food ethos adopted by his restaurant, ‘Panas is devoted to healthful eating in its Indian and Nepalese cuisine, bursting with fresh flavors and using much less oil than you’d expect to find’.

We use freshly prepared hand picked ingredients in dishes made to absolutely authentic recipes.

Every customer receives complementary drinks after their meal.

For gorgeous, healty food, smiling and genuinely friendly waiting staff, with the world famous Gurkha warmth and hospitality, Panas Gurkha ticks all the boxes.

Party catering available for more information visit www.thepanas.co.uk

We do free Home Delivery with in 3 miles for take away orders.

318 Lee High Road, Lewisham SE13 5PJ Tel: 020 8852 9891 or 020 8297 8794

T

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ILLAG V HE

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Bringing a taste of Mediterranean to You From contemporary Greek to delicious Italian, Aqua Bar & Grill offers an exciting Fusion of modern Mediterranean cuisine and impressive cocktails in a relaxed and friendly environment.

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OPEN: Monday to Saturday 9am-7pm | Sunday 10-4pm 2 The Village, Charlton SE7 8UD | 020 8319 8611 info@fclcatering.co.uk Total food service available. Free delivery to local restaurants & pubs, hospitals, schools and carehomes.

Monday - Thursday Set Menu 2 Courses - £15 3 Courses - £18

TRADITIONAL SUNDAY ROAST 2 Courses - £15 3 Courses - £17

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your food bill with this voucher A la carte menu only. Sun-Thurs. Maximum 6 diners. Expires 06.06.14

All day Breakfast & New Grill Menu

Book now for Fathers Day BROMLEY

020 8460 2346

4-6 Market Parade, East Street, Bromley BR1 1QN

www.aquabarandgrill.co.uk

BLACKHEATH

0208 318 1143

3-5 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath SE3 0TA (Former Bella Vista location)

www.aquarestaurantblackheath.co.uk

Freshly ground coffee, sandwiches, omelettes, grilled meats, salads, desserts and much more.

Open 7 days a week Mon - Fri: 7am - 5pm Sat: 8pm - 5pm Sun: 8am - 3pm

2a The Village, Charlton SE7 8UD 0208 856 0771 www.meridian-magazine.co.uk | 43

44 | www.meridian-magazine.co.uk

Food & Drink

Straight Up With a Twist Claire Allen talks refreshments and refurbishments with Locale’s mixologist and assistant manager, Joe Harper: a chap who really does have the required artistry and alchemy to create the perfect cocktail.

I hear there are some exciting changes coming to Locale? Yes! Locale will be undergoing a refurbishment, which will be completed in time for summer. During the restaurant’s lifespan it has become something of a destination bar for the area, so the redevelopment will focus on making the bar area more spacious. The relaxing atmosphere and Locale charm will remain, it will just be roomier! Does that include the drinks menu too? ‘We will be taking a different approach, yes; but we’ll be keeping our firm favourites (and our happy hour). One category: ‘lost and found’, will be based around very old and possibly forgotten drinks. We’ve taken inspiration from Harry Craddock – industry legend and the bartending Jesus – for this too. My must try from the new menu is Craddock’sAviation, but we’ll be making it with jenever (the Dutch liquor which originally inspired gin).’ The team have been mindful of creating a menu that offers something for every kind of taste, so feedback from our guests has been crucial; they’ve been our collaborators and our soundboards.

You are very thorough when it comes to creating a cocktail. What makes a great one? The modern philosophy at all the leading bars I respect, and at Locale too, is that fresher is better. You should treat your bar as you would a kitchen. The problem is that there are no regulators when it comes to cocktails, so there are some awful ‘cocktails’ being served out there. The big faux pas are ready-made purees, lots of flavoured syrups, or adding anything artificial like pasteurised lime juice. We take time to understand and appreciate the nuances of every brand too, this includes visiting different distilleries (most recently Sipsmith in Hammersmith). Every brand has very different characteristics which need to be brought out in the right way. So it’s all about pairing the right products with the correct brand and making sure it goes to the right person. Creating a great atmosphere for your guests is hugely important too.

Is there a drink for everyone? One of my mantras is: there is no such thing as a spirit you don’t like, just a spirit you haven’t tried the right way. I literally have 100’s of recipes in my head, from the more accessible to the slightly off-piste, so I like to ask our guests to put their menu down and talk to me, tell me what kind of drinks they like and then create something. For guests who want to expand their palette, we can guide them out of their comfort zones and even help them enjoy a spirit they would normally dismiss. There are no limits at Locale.

Locale Restaurant 1 Lawn Terrace, Blackheath Village, London, SE3 9LJ Tel: 020 8852 0700 www.localerestaurants.com

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Local Art

Under the Greenwood Picturing British Trees – Present Open to the Public on Saturdays 12-4pm until 7 June 2014 Free Entry Under the Greenwood Picturing British Trees - Present, the new exhibition at Gerald Moore Gallery, South East London, looks at how artists working today are still drawing inspiration from the British tree.

This group exhibition features thirty two of the country’s leading contemporary artists and explores the iconography of the tree within contemporary British culture. From our collective habit to “instinctively venerate the Oak as the Heart of England” to the shattering ecological tragedy of ash die-back, edging “insidiously across Britain” , we owe so much of ourselves to the greenery around us.

The artists include Turner Prize 2011 nominee George Shaw and Old Elthamian Jemma Appleby.

David Nash, Ash Dome, 1997, Charcoal and pastel on paper Courtesy of Annely Juda Fine Art

Each of them has been invited to contribute a work which shows how trees figure in their art practice.

The exhibition examines their different approach from the digital manipulations of Dan Hays, Christiane Baumgartner and Katsutoshi Yuasa to the plein air paintings of Michelle Dovey.

David Nash’s Ash Dome takes on new meaning in the light of the latest fungal threat to our native trees; George Shaw revisits the childhood mysteries of a patch of urban woodland, while Ann Arnold, Graham Arnold and David Inshaw imbue the Wessex landscape with a sense of magic and wonder.

Hannah Maybank, Mick Moon, Anthony Whishaw and Paul Winstanley explore the threshold where, as the light fades, familiarity and reassurance meet otherworldliness and doubt.

Others artists bringing their own personal approach, technique and viewpoint to this fascinating subject include Jo Barry, Philippa Beale, John Blandy, Tim Craven, Abi Kremer, Ffiona Lewis, Elizabeth Magill, Fiona McIntyre, Paul Morrison, Howard Phipps, Michael Porter, Lisa Ryuter, John Salt, Nick Schlee, Celia de Serra, Lesley Slight, Alice Stepanek, Steven Maslin and Clare Woods.

The exhibition is open free of charge to the public until Saturday 7 June, 12-4pm. It was developed by St. Barbe Museum and Art Gallery and produced in partnership with Southampton City Art Gallery.

For more details visit www.geraldmooregallery.org

BEN OAKLEY GALLERY

The only Urban Contemporary Art Gallery in South London 9 TURNPIN LANE GREENWICH MARKET SE10 9JA WWW.BENOAKLEYGALLERY.COM HOURS Thurs - Sunday 11- 6pm 46 | www.meridian-magazine.co.uk

Making the right impression

Local Art

Printmaking is an art form dating back to the 8th century. Several different types of printmaking have been developed over time and these types of printmaking can be used on their own, or in combination with painting, drawing or other printing techniques.

Greenwich Printmakers Greenwich Printmakers Gallery is celebrating 35 fruitful years and is marking the occasion with this stunning new poster featuring scenes of Greenwich and London. At only £10 it’s a real arty bargain.

David Bowyer is the featured artist from 4th-18th May with his stunning landscape etchings. Having grown up in Birmingham, he finds an exotic appeal in the coastline and the progress of water to the sea.

Following is Kit Boyd until 1st June. with his enigmatic etchings such as The Blue NeoRomantic shown here. Inspired by artists such as Samuel Palmer, Kit follows in a particularly British tradition. Also on throughout May is Artists’ Impressions at University College Hospital, 235 Euston Road NW1 2BU. The Greenwich Market gallery overflows with original hand-made prints to suit every budget, and you can find out how an etching or a linocut is made from the different artist member sitting each day. www.greenwich-printmakers.co.uk.

1a Greenwich Market SE10 9HZ. 020 8858 1569.

Thames Barrier Printmaker With a wealth of in-house experience, a bright spacious studio filled with state of the art and traditional print making facilities, Thames Barrier Print Studio (TBPS) is more than your everyday print facility.

Art Hub We highly recommend that you head down to Art Hub Gallery, Creekside to the new exhibition IMPRINT by printmaker John Jones who has refined the reduction-block method to achieve a rich intensity and depth of colour in his seascapes and landscapes of the North. From 10 – 25 May, Thurs - Suns 1 - 5pm. Talk by the artist on the reductionblock technique Sat 24 May from 2.30 – 3.30pm.

Free. To ensure your booking please contact the Gallery Manager Lou Beer on 07970 628854 or email arthubgallery@gmail.com Art Hub gallery 5 – 9 Creekside, Deptford SE8 4SA. www.arthubgallery.squarespace.com

We opened in late 2011 as part of Second Floor Studios & Arts (SFSA). Founded by Matthew Wood in 1997, SFSA has grown and grown to become Europe’s largest single site affordable artist studio provider with a current membership of over 300 artists – many of whom are TBPS members.

We offer a variety of printmaking techniques covering etching, screenprinting, textiles, relief, offset litho, letterpress and digital. Experienced printmakers enjoy 24/7 unassisted access or open access session membership with a technician. We offer a plethora of courses for intermediates and absolute beginners.

Experienced friendly staff are able to offer detailed guidance and tuition to ensure individual printmakers/

galleries come away with the best effective results.

Editioning in all mediums for artists and galleries is one of our specialties; engaging artist and printers’ talent and expertise to explore the infinite possibilities with original printmaking. We provide a professional digital printing service using archival inks on a good selection of fine art papers. In addition we offer a superb range of prints for sale for collectors and buyers at exhibitions and open days with an online shop coming soon.

Come along to SFSA May 2014 Open Studios for a tour of Thames Barrier Print Studio, meet our qualified staff, have a first hand glance at works produced here and arrange a course or facility that works for you: all in a unique location in Woolwich with stunning views of the Thames.

SFSA Open Studios: Thurs 15 May 5-9pm Sat 17 & Sun 18 May 11am-6pm.

Maze Hill Pottery Est. 1994 — A working studio pottery and training workshop, unique now in London

On Our Streets - Season of Street Photography at The Greenwich Gallery... ..Including a competition open to all, now open.

From July 2014 onwards, The Greenwich Gallery will be holding a season of photography based on a single theme. For three months our walls will be made available to individual street photographers whose work will be seen to explore the varied aspects of this genre during their own two week shows.

During the season we will cover many different approaches of those who photograph on our streets.

Typically, these will include: urban landscapes, captured moments, purposeful messages, unusual cultural events, activism, and destruction and construction.

Alongside the work of some of this country’s leading exponents will be a chance for all photographers to take part. In the Gallery will be a 42inch Plasma screen on which we will show work submitted by anyone who enters the competition that will run during the season.

A judging panel made up of the curators and the exhibitors will award the prize for the best image.

For further details and to enter the competition, visit www.thegreenwichgallery.com/onourstreets

“Maze Hill Pottery is a wonderful example of the kind of thing we can’t afford to lose in Greenwich – a sweet little Victorian building turned into something that isn’t an estate agent’s office or another block of flats. It’s run by Lisa Hammond, an internationally-acclaimed artist whose stuff is not just beautiful, it’s useful too.” (TheGreenwichPhantom.co.uk) Lisa has worked in London all her life. ‘Most people think of potters in the country... but years ago many potters lived in London. In fact Woolwich produced the first examples in this country of salt glaze stoneware, so I feel right at home!’

The Pottery makes a large range of beautiful soda glazed functional ware that can be used for eating, drinking and cooking, and pots are shipped off all over the world. Lisa has trained some 10 apprentices over the last 20 years and runs weekly evening classes for local people.

For more information, see lisahammond-pottery.co.uk, mazehillpottery.co.uk for classes. Facebook: Maze Hill Pottery Ben Oakley Gallery Established in 2009 and specialising in Urban Contemporary Art and sculpture.

Working with established international artists along side exciting emerging artists. The gallery is a creative hub with a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that holds group and solo exhibitions with a strong identity, throughout the year.

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Art

From Seed to Flower Nicola Berry meets John Crossley at Clarendon Studios

It’s not often one gets the chance to experience the artist’s journey from conception to finished art work, but this is exactly the idea behind curator John Crossley’s latest exhibition entitled Drawing to Making, part two.

The show, which takes place at Clarendon Studios over the weekends of 21-22 and 28-29 June from 12 noon to 6.00pm, features the work of nine, professional artists who all either live or work in the area.

John explains: “There is a really vibrant, artistic scene in this part of London – something that is rarely recognised. One of my aims for the show is to increase the artists’ exposure and improve their recognition.” This is an aim that has already been achieved following a visit to Drawing and Making, part one, by Grace Teshima, who subsequently invited John to bring the two shows to her Paris gallery this autumn.

Those who feel intimidated by traditional art galleries will welcome the relaxed atmosphere of Clarendon Studios, largely because it’s based at John’s charming 1930s

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detached home on the boarders of Lee. The Studios are easy to spot – just look out for the arresting purple front door – and entry to the exhibition is free. John, who has a distinguished art career as both an artist and lecturer, will be on hand to talk through the exhibits and the artists themselves will be in conversation with John on the last Sunday at 4.00pm.

All are artists of national/international repute and include Rebecca Bergese, Tricia Gillman, Marilyn Halam, Bill Henderson, Eric Moody, Sue Kennington, David Redfern, Laurence Noga and, of course, John Crossley.

Paintings are for sale and flexible purchase options will be available.

Another aspect of John’s work are the very popular Drawing and Painting classes which he runs at Clarendon Studios for either small groups or on a one-to-one basis. John says: “My workshops are all about building confidence. Many of my students are complete beginners or, for various reasons, have not been able to take up

painting until later on in life. They are often surprised at how quickly they develop in a very short time.”

John also draws on his experience as the ex Director of Foundation at Chelsea School of Art to offer sixth form students advice on their portfolio preparation prior to applying for a Foundation course. He says that reduction in government funding has resulted in increasing pressure on places at art school and that there can be 2,000 students applying for just 300 places. With places offered solely on the strength of the student’s portfolio, John can advise on presentation, order, content and personal statement.

“Now is the perfect time for Lower Sixth students to start their preparation, as I often find it takes several months to get a portfolio ready for submission prior to the Janurary deadline.”

Clarendon Studios, 30 Clarendon Rise, SE13 5EG

Gallery News - whats on and where?

Greenwich from the other side © Beka Smith 2014

HOOKED & SMITTEN.

Until 10 May Fine art portraiture, bespoke furniture & other work by Mike Hookey and Beka Smith.

12noon-5pm Mon-Fri, Sat 10am-2.30pm.

The Paul McPherson Gallery, 22 Lassell Street, Greenwich SE10 9PJ.

SAFARI

12 – 24 May Marcus Davies. Working with paper collage the artist cuts and tears papers to create these extraordinary pieces that take countless man hours to achieve, and are a testimony to his eye, patience and research preparation which bring these works to life.

12noon-5pm Mon-Fri, Sat 10am-2.30pm.

The Paul McPherson Gallery, 22 Lassell Street, Greenwich SE10 9PJ.

SECOND FLOOR ARTS.

15, 17 & 18 May Over 600 pieces of original A5 artworks go on sale for £20 each as part of Second Floor Studio & Arts Open Studios event. The sale is anonymous until you have purchased the work. Thurs 5-9pm, Sat & Sun 11am-6pm. Harrington Way, Woolwich SE18 5NR.

INSPIRED BY…

20 May – 19 Jun An exhibition showcasing over 110 new works of art and craft inspired by the collections of the V&A South Kensington and the V&A Museum of Childhood. All exhibited works have been produced by adult learners from across the UK and have been selected by a panel of judges including V&A curators. Free. Times vary visit www.morleycollege.ac.uk/ gallery for details. Morley Gallery, 61 Westminister Bridge Road, SE1 7HT.

SCALE APPROPRIATE

Until 23 May Sculpture by Michael Lyons. A sculptor who works predominantly in metals, and reveals an essential sense of place in his sculpture, which comes through his travels and his visual and emotional response to his surroundings. Lobby of One Canada Square and in Jubilee Park, Canary Wharf.

GREENWICH PRINTMAKERS

Until 1 Jun Current Exhibition. Featured artists: David Bowyer (6 May-18 May), Kit Boyd (20 May-1 Jun). Tues-Sun, 10am-5.30pm. 020 8858 1569. Greenwich Printmakers Gallery, 1A The Market, SE10 9HZ.

UNDER THE GREENWOOD.

Until 7 June Picturing British Trees – Present. Many artists from all periods of art history have chosen trees as a primary subject for different reasons. Sat 12noon-4pm. Free. www.geraldmooregallery.org. Gerald Moore Gallery, Mottingham SE9 4QF.

QUENTIN BLAKE

Until 31 Aug As Large as Life. One of Britain’s best-loved and most successful illustrators. Presents work created for hospitals designed to have a therapeutic effect on their residents. Free with admission to Hall Place. Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne Road, Bexley DA5 1PQ. If you would like your exhibition promoted in this section please contact Cheryl on 020 8319 0555.

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Commissions undertaken

Maggie Osborn Studio 11, Nucleus Arts, Chatham

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This month’s listings ONGOING

»» Art, Drama, Music, Language & Wine courses. One-to-one instrumental & vocal tuition for all age groups, plus a range of courses. The Conservatoire, Lee Road Blackheath, SE3.

Info: 020 8852 0234 or info@conservatoire.org.uk »» Blackheath Decorative & Fine Arts Society.

Stimulating lectures and intriguing outings.

Fourth Thursday of the month except Aug and Dec 2.30pm. www.artsinblackheath.org.uk St Mary’s Hall, Cresswell Park, Blackeath SE3. »» Greenwich Decorative & Fine Arts Society.

Monthly lectures at King William Court, Room 315, University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, SE10. 8pm on 2nd Monday of the month, except April & August.

Refreshments from 7.15pm. 020 8852 6248 or www.gdfas.org »» Greenwich Market. Tues - Collectables & crafts. Weds - Food market with local producers & organic produce. Thurs & Fri - Antiques, collectables, arts & crafts. Weekends & Bank Hols - Arts & Crafts & Food. 10am-5.30pm, www.shopgreenwich.co.uk 020 8269 5096. Greenwich SE10. »» Guided Walk in Maryon Wilson Park. With an animal park & deer enclosure. 1.15pm & 3.30pm Animal tour every Mon Wed & Fri. Free. Maryon Wilson Park, Thorntree Road, Charlton, SE7. »» Kids Knitting & Crochet Workshops. Every Fri & Sat 11am-1pm. Special discount £8/2h session (quote:MERIDIAN) Book online at www.knitshop.co.uk or call 020 8144 4523, Boutique Outlet, 326 Lee High Road, Lee Green SE13 5PJ. »» Learn Tarot Cards. Develop your intuition and communication skills. Private tuition and workshops with an experienced reader. Email: marieclaire@tarotgift.com, www.tarotgift.com Tel: 07791 139 380, 020 8293 1737.

EVERY MON

»» Rotary Club of Lewisham & Penge. Local businessmen and women giving help locally, national and internationally. We meet at 7pm for a dinner, with speakers on a variety of subjects.

Contact Peter Earll 020 8303 3361 or Alan Davis 020 8467 2032. Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley. »» Live Music & Open Mic. Jive jazz hosted

by Dave Silk (bass) fusing legendary and experienced musos together with first time and amateur performers. In relaxed candlelit setting. Bar opens 8pm. £10 on the door. www. jazznights.co.uk. Mycenae Road, Blackheath SE3 7SE.

2ND TUES OF EVERY MONTH

»» The Blackheath & Greenwich Amnesty Group. Monthly meetings. 8pm. St. Margaret’s Church, Lee Terrace, Blackheath SE3.

EVERY WED

»» Keep Fit & In Shape + Line Dancing. 10am - 12 noon. Donation £5 to Cancer Research UK. 020 8852 7127. Kingswood Hall, Kingswood Place, off Dacre Park, Lewisham SE13. »» Woolwich Singers. A community choir. No audition required to join. The aim is to sing together and have fun!

Call Wendy 07812 477 778. £2 per week, refreshments provided. 6.30pm-8pm. The Clockhouse Community Centre, Defiance Walk, Woolwich Dockyard, Woolwich SE18 5QL.

On stage Greenwich Theatre’s Artistic Director, James Haddrell

With the first signs of sun emerging and a hint of the summer to come, most people’s thoughts are probably turning to their summer holidays, but for us it’s all about preparation for festival season – and the biggest festival of them all is certainly the Edinburgh Fringe.

For last year’s festival we co-produced a new show with a company from Los Angeles. We were nominated for three awards (winning the inaugural Primary Times Children’s Choice Award) and we transferred a selection of shows back to Greenwich and to the Southbank. For 2014 we are working on five productions, and this year our partners range from some of the newest theatre makers in the business to some who, between them, have decades of experience.

At one end of the scale we are working on a new play called RED TAP/BLUE TIGER with The Albion Company, a brand new theatre company formed by current students at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and therefore the youngest company we are supporting by far. However, whilst they may be young the company has already received a Scottish Daily Mail Award Special Commendation which has helped them with the costs of performing at the festival and the play, a jet-black comedy, is sure to attract a lot of attention.

At the same time we are working with acclaimed writer/director Patrick Wilde to co-produce KEEPING UP WITH THE JOANS, a new play by Philip Meeks, starring Susan Penhaligon (Bouquet of Barbed Wire) and Katy Manning (Doctor Who). With a team boasting so much experience and a razor-sharp script, this comedy with a twist was selected from last year’s The Band Plays On festival as the one show that audiences really shouldn’t miss.

Aqua Comp

The Edinburgh Festival is still a great leveller. Whether you have been working in this industry for years or are making your first tentative steps into a career in theatre, you have the same opportunity to fight for audiences, for reviews and to be seen by theatres and tour bookers from around the country. Whatever future success is achieved by RED TAP/ BLUE TIGER or KEEPING UP WITH THE JOANS, thanks to our work on the two shows audiences will once again be guaranteed the chance to see them here in Greenwich - RED TAP/BLUE TIGER will preview here before heading up to the festival, and KEEPING UP WITH THE JOANS will transfer after its festival run to open our autumn season.

Whether audiences are looking for some tried and tested talent or for something up-to-the-minute and new, our festival programme should have the answer.

EVERY THURS

»» Blackheath Morris Men. Practice 8.45-10pm.

St Marks Church Upper Hall, Greenwich South Street SE10. Free. Contact John on 020 8461 2440. www.blackheathmorris.com »» Rotary Club of Greenwich. For like-minded business people to meet & help the community.

Fred Nunn 020 8858 6410. Charlton Football Club, Floyd Rd; Charlton SE7 8BL.

EVERY FRI

»» Lunchtime Concert. 1pm – 2pm. Free 020 8856 3951.Charlton House, Charlton Rd; SE7 Tangoworkout. Classes connecting Tango with health and well being, for men and women.

7.15pm - 9.15pm. Beginners and intermediate classes. £7. West Greenwich Community Centre, 141 Greenwich High Road, SE10 8JA.

EVERY SUN & 2ND TUES

»» Blackheath Quakers. Meeting for worship.

10.30am-11.30am every Sunday, and 1pm1.30pm on 2nd Tues of each month. Visitors are welcome. For more details, including room hire on 07908 587 695 or email quakerhall@ aol.com. Quaker Meeting House, Lawn Terrace, Blackheath SE3 9LL.

UNTIL SUN 25 MAY

»» Earthquakes in London. Mike Bartlell’s play centres on a family of three sisters and their relationships with each other and their estranged father. Described as ‘the theatrical equivalent of a thrilling roller-coaster ride’. Weds – Sat 7.30pm, Sun 3pm. £8 to £14.50. 020 8690 0002. www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk. Broadway Studio, Catford, SE6 4RU.

UNTIL 12 JUN

»» Heart n Soul’s Allsorts. Creative sessions for adults with learning disabilities. Plus there’s Djing and the chance to take part in a live music jam with the Heart n Soul Soundlab.

Every Thursday until 12 June. www.heartnsoul. co.uk or 020 8694 1632. The Albany theatre, Deptford SE8.

MON 5 MAY

»» Jazz. Mick Collins Modern Jazz Orchestra.

8.30pm – 10.45pm. £6. 020 8466 1726.

H.G.Wells Centre, St Mark’s Road, Bromley High Street South, Bromley BR2 9HG.

WED 7 MAY

»» Lunchtime Recital. Trinity Laban Royal Greenwich Brass Band. Classical Brass: Music

by Shostakovich, Berlioz, Grieg, Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky. Featuring winner of the Charlton House Music Aware 2014, trumpeter Peter Athans. 1.05pm. Free. St. Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ. »» Let’s Build a Better Democracy. An evening exploring what’s wrong with our political system and how we might start to mend it. Evertbody welcome but free places limited. To book your place email info@mycenaehouse.co.uk. www.changetheconversation.co.uk. Mycenae House Community Centre, 90 Mycenae Road, Blackheath SE3 7SE.

SAT 10 MAY

»» Lunchtime Recital. Ingrid Cusido, violin.

1.05pm. Free. St Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ.

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Listings continued »» Charity Gala Dinner: In Memory of Charlotte.

Help ‘Beat Cancer Sooner’ by supporting the Charlotte Thredgle Gala dinner in aid of Cancer Research UK. Charlotte who died in 1998 from Neuroblastoma, a rare but aggressive form of childhood cancer. This would have been her 21st year so don your ball gown or black tie and enjoy the Gala dinner featuring a 3-course meal, disco, raffle & auction plus special guest Jim Davidson.

6.45pm-1am. £50 pp or £450 for 10. 07850 065 789 or email christinecunningham@hotmail. co.uk. The Valley, Home of Charlton Athletic FC, SE7 8BL. »» Jackson Live in Concert. Ben Bowman with his live band and dancers recreate the Michael Jackson experience with a mesmerizing, energetic and dynamic performance.

7.30pm. £15.90-£22.90. 08448 717 620. Churchill Theatre, Bromley. »» Phoenix Festival. Come and enjoy a fun filled day with; Sillmpyics, climbing wall, ballon modelling, animals from Surrey Docks Farm, Shed Theatre performances, puppet-making workshop and lots more. Free Entry. 11.30am4.30pm. Forster Memorial Park, off Whitefoot Labe BR1 5SD.

SAT 10 & 11 MAY

»» Canary Wharf Charity Abseil. Come along and support all those brave enough to take the plunge in aid of the English Federation of Disability Sport. 8am-5pm. 50 Bank Street, Canary Wharf. »» Havelock Walk Open Studios. The jewel of Forest Hill, a secluded cobbled mews that is home to a diverse artistic community of painters, printmakers, sculptors, cermicist, designers, filmmakers and photographers. The open studio event is a rare opportunity to see and talk to these artists in their working environments. www.havelockwalk.com. These Open House weekends are part of the Dulwich Festival www. dulwichfestival.co.uk/openhouse. 11am-6pm.

Havelock Walk, Forest Hill SE23 3HF.

The Hope Festival Celebrates 20 Wonderful Years

With just 1,000 festival-goers, The Hope Festival is small but perfectly formed. It has all the attractions of bigger festivals, great live music, a fully licensed bar, kids’ entertainment and campfires, but without the crowds or huge price tag.The Hope Festival was created by a group of musicians as a ‘musical get together’ 20 years ago to celebrate a friend’s wedding. It was so much fun that they’ve been getting together every year since and it has grown organically into a much-loved boutique festival.

There are four live music stages, as well as a late night Piano Tent for impulsive jamming sessions. Alongside over 60 live music performances, there is a dedicated set of events for children. These include a very entertaining talent show, face-painting, free bouncy castle, magic show, a costume workshop and an end-of-festival Childrens’ Parade.There are selected food stalls selling everything from Jamaican jerk chicken and burgers to home-made ice-cream.

Tickets for adults are an astonishingly reasonable £50 each. Children under 12 are £5, and teenagers just £20.

For tickets (sold in advance only), and further details as the 2014 line-up is finalised, visit www.hopefestival. co.uk. Friday 30th May to Sunday 1st June 2014 near Biggin Hill

A Rare Opportunity at Trinity Hospital

TUES 13 MAY

»» Blackheath Townswomen’s Guild. 5 HHHIt’s a Secret. Speaker Rod Leeming . 2pm. Boys Brigade Hall, Reynolds Place, Blackheath SE3.

WED 14, 21 & 28 MAY

»» Tapestry Group. Enjoy sewing and would like to get involved with this project at St.Alfege.

10am-1pm. Caton Room, St Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ.

WED 14 MAY – 31 AUG

»» Time Machines: Daniel Weil and the Art of Design. The exhibition focuses on the process of design, about how a designer thinks and works. Featuring clocks specially created for the exhibition as well as commissions for Swatch, United Airlines, Krug, Mothercare and the Pet Shop Boys. 10am-5.45 daily. Adults £12.40, Students £9.30 and under 6 Free.Design Museum, Shad Thames, SE1 2YD.

»» Lunchtime Recital. Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. 1.05pm. Free. St. Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ.

FRI 16 MAY

MON 12 MAY

»» Lunchtime Recital. The Friends of Blackheath Halls present Misako Osada, piano. Winner of the 2012, Oxford Music Festival Professional Recital Prize. 1.10pm. Free, with a retiring collection.

Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ. »» Happy Mondays Comedy Night. With Mark Watson & Holly Walsh. Edinburgh preview shows.

8pm. The Amersham Arms, New Cross SE14 6TY.

THURS 15 MAY

A piano recital in the Chapel at Trinity Hospital, Greenwich in aid of Cancer Research UK with pianist, Philip Enscot on Saturday 17 May, 2-4pm.

Enjoy a recital of popular classics and light music, including Beethoven, Chopin, Grieg, Scott Joplin, in the Chapel with Pimms and canapés served in the beautiful Fountain Court during the interval.

Tickets £12.50 per person, including glass of Pimms or fruit juice and canapés. Access via the riverside entrance only, no on site parking allowed. Contact Lesley on 020 8850 5901 or email info@cancerresearchuk-greenwich.co.uk.

Trinity Hospital, Garden and Riverside Almshouses, Old Woolwich Rd, Greenwich SE10 9AS

»» Blackheath Flower Club. Guest demonstrator will 5/6 designs, which can be won in a raffle.1.45pm-4pm. Mycenae House, Mycenae Road, Blackheath SE3 7SE. »» A Darker Shade of Fado. A cabaret evening with dancer, performer and Fado singer Nuno Silva with the support of Camoes Insitute.

Singers and guitarists from Portugal to join in the celebration of the music and song of Fado. 8pm.

25, £20. Greenwich Dance, The Borough Hall, Royal Hill SE10 8RE. »» Blackheath Scientific Society. Pharmacology of Natural & Synthetic Drugs. Talk by Dr. Ralph White, PPMLD Ltd. 7.45pm. Visitors £3. www. nss.btik.com Mycenae House, Mycenae Rd; Blackheath SE3 7SE. »» Channel’s 4 Comedy Gala live at The O2 in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Featuring: Adam Hills, Aisling Bea, Alan Carr, Jack Dee, Jason Byrne, Jason Manford, Jo Brand, John Bishop, Jon Richardson, Jonathan Ross, Josh Widdicombe, Kevin Bridges, Kerry Godliman, Lee Evans, Michael McIntyre, Paddy McGuinness, Paul Chowdhry, Rob Beckett, Sean Lock, Seann Walsh, Warwick Davis and many more. 7.30pm. £44.75- £165.75. The O2, Peninsula Square, Greenwich SE10 0DX.

SAT 17 MAY

»» Craft Fair. A chance to buy original work from local artists and craftpeople.Work includes glass, photography, wood turning, jewellery, textiles, decoupage, prints and cards. Refreshments available plus a lovely spacious garden. Free.

11am-4pm. Mycenae House Community Centre, 90 Mycenae Road, Blackheath SE3 7SE. »» Lunchtime Recital. Victoria Edge, mezzo soprano; Siobahn O’Higgins, piano. 1.05pm.

Free. St Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ. »» Piano Recital: In Aid of Cancer Research UK. Pianist Philip Enscot, will be entertaining with a recital of popular classics and light music.

2pm-4pm. £12.50 per person, including glass of Pimms or fruit juice and canapés. Contact Lesley on 020 8850 5901 or email info@ cancerresearchuk-greenwich.co.uk. Trinity Hospital, Old Woolwich Road, Greenwich SE10 9AS. Access via the riverside entrance only, no on site parking allowed. »» Charlton Society. How Greenwich became Royal. Speaker Matrina Delaney. 2.30pm.

Charlton House, Charlton SE7 8RE. »» Concert. London Concert Choir. Mark Forkgen, conductor; James Longford, organ. A celebration of English Choral Music in aid of Age UK, Bromley & Greenwich. 7.30pm. £12, under 18s £6. 020 8315 1850, info@ageukbandg.org. ukk or on the door. St. Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ. »» The Sound of Movies. Hulviz Amateur Musical Society presents a collection of songs from the movies including Seasons of Love (Rent), Science Fiction (Rocky Horror Show), Take My Breath Away (Top Gun) and many more. Suitable for all the family. 2.30pm & 7.30pm. £8, £6 concs, including refreshments.020 8858 9803. St Stephen’s Church Hall, Deepdene Road, Welling.

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Try your hand at market trading for just ÂŁ10 a day on 16 or 23 May

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Listings continued Blinda Carlisle.Heaven Is A Place On Earth skyrocketed Belinda Carlisle’s solo career worldwide and added yet another string to her bow. As lead singer of the Go-Gos, Belinda took centre stage in one of the most successful female bands of all time. 8pm. £38.25. IndigO2, Millennium Way, Peninsula Square SE10 0AX.

SUN 18 MAY

»» Marjories Hyland Memorial Ramble. An 8 1/2 mile walk through woods and parkland, with some hills and stiles. Meet at 10.30am in the booking hall at Sevenoaks Station. Contact R.Sullivan on 020 8850 4417 for more info. New members welcome. Goldsmiths Rambling Club. »» Piano Recital. Rie Kosaka. 1.05pm. Free.

St Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ.

MON 19 MAY

»» Charlton & Blackheath Amateur Horticultural Society. Talk on Perennial Plants for the Herbacious Border by Joe Woodcock.

7.45pm. Visitors £1 per meeting. Charlton House Community Centre, Charlton Village SE7 8RE.

THURS 22 MAY

»» Lunchtime Recital. Trinity Laban. 1.05pm.

Free. St. Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ. »» Blackheath Decorative and Fine Arts Society. TV star Ian Pickford, an expert on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow will lecture on the extraordinary life of his hero Paul de Lamerie, the man he reveres as ‘One of the greatest goldsmiths ever to work in England’. 2.30 pm, St Mary’s Church Hall, Cresswell Park, Blackheath SE3. Visitors £5. www.artsinblackheath.org.uk

FRI 23 MAY

»» Comedy Club. Featuring Kastherine Ryan, John Robbins and Tiernan Douieb. 8pm. £8.

Mycenae House Community Centre, 90 Mycenae Road, Blackheath SE3 7SE.

SUN 25 MAY – 1 JUN

»» Family Activities at HMS Belfast. Making Medals. Mark the 70th Anniversary of D-Day on board HMS Belfast and learn about the role it played on that day. Make your own medal to commemorate the servicemen that took part in Operation Overlord, the largest naval, air and land operation in history. 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm.

Free included in general admission price. Adults £15.50, £12.40 concs, children Free. HMS Belfast, The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2JH.

MON 26 MAY

»» Happy Mondays Comedy Night. Cardinal Burns & Angela Barnes. Edinburgh preview. 8pm.

The Amersham Arms, New Cross SE14 6TY.

TUES 27 MAY

»» Nature Explorers: Pond Dipping. Try your hand at pond dipping in our Nature Trail pond and discover the variety of life to be found in London during the summer. Please be aware that the Nature Trail is accessed via steps and the trail is approx. one mile in distance. 11am12noon, 1.15-2.15pm & 3-4pm. £2 per child, accompanying adults free. 020 8699 1872.

Horniman Public Museum & Public Park Trust, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ.

WED 28 MAY

»» University of Greenwich: History Papers. Part of a fascinating series of free talks by historians

Brockley Max 2014 Our community arts festival this summer is packed with an abundance of events ranging from gigs, comedy, film, poetry and kids.

Most of the events are free and take place in a variety of venues across Brockley, Ladywell, Crofton Park and Honor Oak, day and night. From quizzes to cocktails, walks to workshops there’s something for everyone – and all ages.

Brockley Max kicks off its opening night on Friday 30 May at 5pm with performances from a variety of local musicians outside Brockley train station. This vibrant, open-air concert will get the party started! Culminating in a funky, glitter-ball disco on the closing night (Saturday 7 June), courtesy of local club-night Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet!, this festival promises to bring people together to relish the creativity of local talent and swell community spirit.

Festival highlights include stand-up story-teller, Peter Searles, with his internationally-acclaimed comedy show, “Sex...with Pete Searles”. This inclusive festival also features up-andcoming talent from accomplished jazz saxophonist, 13-year old Sam Barnett, winner of the Mayor of London’s GIGS Big Busk, youth category, in 2013.

The full festival programme is available at www.brockleymax.co.uk.

Love Season Heart n Soul’s Allsorts is back with creative sessions for adults with learning disabilities. Get ready to go weak at the knees as we bring you the Love Season. Become a real-life heartthrob in the Unique Boutique or record your own love song. Plus there’s Djing and the chance to take part in a live music jam with the Heart n Soul Soundlab.

Every Thursday 12 June at The Albany in Deptford. For more information visit: www.heartnsoul.co.uk call: 020 8694 1632 or email info@heartnsoul.co.uk

Final Print Group A diverse group of London based photographers who, over the last 5 years have attended many of the great photography courses at Greenwich Community College.

The work they produce, using both black and white film and digital, is as diverse as the group itself, who range from full –time mum to lawyer! Greenwich Community College offers its amazing darkroom facilities to the community to join this dynamic group who organize exhibitions for themselves to promote both their b/w film and digital images.Whilst the group process and print their black and white images themselves at the college, they also produce equally outstanding digital images. Final Print Group have put on many exhibitions in the Greenwich borough over the last 5 years and this year they invite you to come to feast your eyes on their latest project, entitled “The River” at The Discovery Centre at The Greenwich Naval College. This exhibition runs until 18 May.

from the University of Greenwich. Lifting the Veil: Military expeditions and the performance of power on the Imperial Frontier. By Dr. Gavin Rand. Free.

6.30pm. Refreshments provided. Donations in support of Greenwich Heritage Centre and its future activities are welcomed. Greenwich Heritage Centre, Artillery Square, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich SE18 4DX. www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/heritagecentre.

020 8854 2452.

THURS 29 MAY

»» Lunchtime Recital. Trinity Laban. 1.05pm.

Free. St. Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ.

THURS 29 - 31 MAY

»» Afoot in the Door: by the Alexandra Players. A hilarious comedy by Richard Harris. 8pm. £8, £7 concs. 07867 627 987 or alexandraplayers@gmail.com.

Alexandra Hall, Bramshot Avenue, SE7 7HX.

FRI 30 MAY

»» Bach to Baby: classical concert series for baby and you. With award-winning concert pianist and founder of Classics with my Baby, Miaomiao Yu. 10am – 11.30am. Adults £10. For more info visit www.bachtobaby.com. St Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ.

FRI 30, 31 MAY & 5-7, 12-14 JUN

»» Space Invaders: New gallery space exhibition.

Geraldine Franklin, Shiroma Ratne and Artists take over an old pub and show dynamic paintings and prints. ‘ Confident celebration of contemporary art’, ‘Such colour and variety, a veritable feast’.

12noon-6pm. Noah’s Ark 229 Deptford High St. SE8 3NT.

MON 2 JUN

»» Lunchtime Recital. The Friends of Blackheath Halls present Yuka Ishizuka, violin and Maria Canyigueral, piano. 1.10pm. Free, with a retiring collection. Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, Blackheath SE3 9RQ. »» Jazz. Mick Collins Modern Jazz Orchestra.

8.30pm – 10.45pm. £6. 020 8466 1726. H.G.Wells Centre, St Mark’s Road, Bromley High Street South, Bromley BR2 9HG.

TUES 3 JUN

»» Trinty Laban: The Jubilee Quartet. Richard Carne Junior Fellows for String Quartet recipients 2013-2014. An evening recital of music from classical and romantic composers. 7.30pm.

Free. 020 8463 0100. www.trinitylaban.ac.uk.

Recital Room, Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, Blackheath SE3 9RL.

WED 4, 5 & 6 JUN

»» Transitions Dance Company: Mixed Bill. New progressive dance work specially commissioned from both established and upcoming choreographers. 7.30pm. £12, £8. Laban Theatre, Creekside, Deptford SE8 3DZ.

WED 4-8 JUN

»» Cirque du Soleil: Dralion. Fusing the 3000 year-old tradition of Chinese acrobatic arts with the multidisciplinary approach of Cirque du Soleil, Dralion (pronounced “Dra-lee-on”) draws its inspiration from Eastern philosophy and its neverending quest for harmony between humans and nature. See www.the2.co.uk for times and prices.

The O2, Peninsula Square, Greenwich SE10 0DX.

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Living along the river A river vista is still highly sought after

60 | www.meridian-magazine.co.uk

Property

‘Homes with a clear view of the Thames are worth up to 20 per cent more than those a few roads away.’

The River Thames will come alive this September with the Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festival. A fleet of up to 50 Tall Ships from around the world will be sailing from Falmouth in Cornwall to Royal Greenwich, in a breathtaking race concluding with an iconic Parade of Sail up the River Thames greeted by hundreds of thousands of people.

The ships will sail through the Thames Barrier to Greenwich, passing The O2 and taking in the magnificent views of the Old Royal Naval College, the Cutty Sark and Canary Wharf.

Living along the banks of the River Thames has never been so popular and homes are in great demand. One estate agent recently said that, ‘Homes with a clear view of the Thames are worth up to 20 per cent more than those a few roads away. A river vista is still highly sought after.’

With the amount of new builds along the river it’s plain to see the desirability to live close to the river.

Land that had been sitting neglected for years has come alive with new developments.

Formerly a mysterious white space on the A-Z maps, the Royal Arsenal has been transformed from a secret place into a thriving community with diverse leisure, commercial and residential facilities.

The area is steeped in military history. The first recorded building on the present Royal Arsenal site was a mansion called Tower House, built within an area known as The Warren in 1545. By 1671 Tower Place and 31 acres were bought by the Crown for use as ordnance stores and in 1696 the new Royal Laboratories were built.

Between 1715 and 1717 the Royal Brass Foundry was established and by that time The Warren was the largest gun repository in the country. During 1716 the first two permanent companies of The Royal Artillery were formed by Royal Warrant, and Tower Place became their headquarters. By 1720 the military academy was established and in 1805 George III visited The Warren and gave it the title of the Royal Arsenal, marking its prime significance in ordnance manufacturing.

The Royal Ordnance Factory closed its door for the last time with the loss of thousands of jobs in 1967.

The area, surrounded by a high wall, was all but forgotten about until in May 2001, when The Royal Artillery Museum opened to the public occupying buildings once part of the Royal Laboratory Department. The development of the Royal Artillery

Museum in these historic buildings has served as the catalyst to the regeneration of The Royal Arsenal.

Royal Arsenal Riverside is a superb riverside destination. With 5,000 new homes plus restaurants, bars, retail outlets and leisure facilities, all complemented by parks, beautiful riverside walks, and a rich history, it is truly is a sustainable new community.

Home to a forthcoming Crossrail station, residents will benefit from dramatically reduced journey times, including Canary Wharf in just 8 minutes.

Woolwich Arsenal Pier is the most easterly pier operated by London River Services, part of Transport for London. Several river transport companies and cruise operators offer services from here and during peak hours, to central London (Savoy Pier) seven days a week. Designed by Beckett Rankine in 2002, the pier is adjacent to the Royal Arsenal residential development.

Take a ferry from Woolwich pier to the O2 on the Greenwich Peninsula. From here you can get an ariel view of the Thames as you cross over to the Royal Docks by the Emirates Air Line cable car. At the same time you can see the Greenwich Millennium Village, the first residential project to be built on the land 14 years ago, and has set the standard for thoughtful architecture. The latest scheme there is the Überhaus Collection, comprising contemporary-design, three-bedroom duplex apartments with full-height glazing and big terraces to maximise the spectacular views and will be ready for occupation this summer.

The riverside between the Greenwich Peninsula and Greenwich has several projects underway.

Planning permission has been secured for the regeneration of Enderby Wharf for a mix of uses including 770 luxury townhouses and apartments, and quality hotel accommodation served by a new river bus service and set within an extensive array of public and private landscaped spaces. At the core of the approved scheme is the provision of the new London International Cruise Liner Terminal, which will create a further tourist destination in the maritime heartland of Greenwich. With over 200-metres of west facing river frontage, providing superb views towards Canary Wharf this exciting new development in Greenwich will offer studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses most with outdoor space. Creating a vibrant, waterside community located in zone 2

within easy reach of central London, Canary Wharf, London Bridge and the City.

The River Gardens residential development is a short distance from the heart of Greenwich, positioned on the infamous elbow of the River Thames. The development stretches 300m along the banks of the river offering contemporary luxury waterside living set within beautifully landscaped 12-acre site. Designed by internationally acclaimed award winning architects Squire & Partners and inspired by Sir Christopher Wren’s Old Royal Naval College and the famous squares of Belgravia.

From central Greenwich take the foot tunnel under the Thames or the DLR to Island Gardens where a new development is currently being marketed, Telford Parkside Quarter, situated just behind Island Garden Park with fantastic views of Canary Wharf and Greenwich waterfront.

A couple more stops on the DLR brings you to The Museum of London’s Docklands, which documents the history of the River Thames and London’s docks from it’s location in a 19th century warehouse on West India Quay.

London’s Docklands lie to the east of the City of London and are mostly north of the River Thames.

They stretch from Tower Bridge to Woolwich and are the legacy of the trading power of the British Empire.

The docks went into decline after the Second World War, but in the 1980s the regeneration of London’s docklands started. While most of the warehouses and wharves have been demolished many have been converted into apartments.

Convoys Wharf has created a major opportunity to regenerate Deptford and open up this key area of riverside for the first time in generations.

Over 2,000 jobs will be created by the completed development, alongside apprenticeships and further education and skills training for those people who need it most.Creating significant and sustainable economic opportunities for Deptford and the wider area, reconnecting the community with its river and offering an enriched public realm for local residents and visitors.

Change has come to the River Thames and you only have to take a ferry ride to see the difference it has made to this amazing city.

Valerie Bresse

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London River Bus Services on the Thames

Lifestyle

Travelling by river is a great way to get around London. You’ll beat the traffic and soak up some fantastic views along the way!

Thames river bus services are popular with commuters and visitors to London alike. They are faster and more frequent than other river tour services and some boats have refreshments and Wi-Fi. They also offer an opportunity to see London’s famous landmarks from the water; but unlike river tours, they generally do not offer commentary.

River buses are great value and serve six different routes with destinations between Putney and Woolwich Arsenal.

Thames Clippers operate the Hilton London Docklands Riverside to Canary Wharf ferry route as well as other river bus routes, including the popular Tate to Tate boat between Tate Britain and Tate Modern.

Popular stops include: Millbank Pier for Tate Britain Bankside Pier for Tate Modern London Bridge Pier for London Bridge and the Shard Tower Pier for Tower of London and Tower Bridge Hilton London Docklands Riverside Pier North Greenwich Pier for The O2 Greenwich Pier for Greenwich Thames River Bus Tickets and Timetables Generally, you need to get a ticket from a pier ticket office before boarding a boat.

However, some services require you to buy your ticket on board.

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Travelcard holders can get discounts on many standard riverboat routes, and pay-as-you-go Oyster cards are accepted on Thames Clippers, giving you a 10% discount on most single journeys. A Thames Clippers River Roamer (hop-on hopoff day ticket) is also available. Download your free River Bus Services and River Tours Services guides from Transport for London.

Accessibility Information All London’s piers are wheelchair accessible. Most river buses are accessible, and newer river craft have dedicated wheelchair spaces. You should check with individual service operators about the level of accessibility on their boats.

Staff are always on hand to offer help with boarding and disembarking from river craft. However, it is advisable for people with mobility impairments who are travelling as a group to provide advance notice to the operator concerned, to ensure a smooth journey.

River Cruises and Tours If you’re interested in river trips more suited for tourists, we have separate pages on Thames river cruises, speedboat tours and dinner cruises, which all have commentary on board.

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