Meridian Magazine October 13

50,000 COPIES DELIVERED EVERY MONTH SINCE 1996

OCTOBER 2013

Food & Drink Special

Wine and dine with us this Autumn

er p m Bu n titio e p Com ue ! iss

One for the boys Groomed and fit

Lets Get Cosy...

Expert interiors advice HOMES

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FOOD

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BEAUTY

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FASHION

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INTERIORS

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SHOPPING

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EDUCATION 02/10/2013 13:44

Topic

020 8852 8383 joneslanglasalle.co.uk

Vanbrugh Hill, SE3 A beautifully presented four bedroom Victorian house situated in this popular residential road, close to Royal Greenwich Park and Maze Hill mainline station providing easy access to the City and West End. This property has over the past year undergone a major transformation incorporating a top to bottom refurbishment and should be viewed internally to fully appreciate what it has to offer. EPC = E

£1,150,000 FREEHOLD

The Paragon, Blackheath SE3 Set in one of Blackheath’s most prominent landmarks The Paragon is a substantial Grade I Listed crescent overlooking, three bedroom apartment overlooking the heath. The apartment is a large ground floor three bedroom property with direct access out to the vast communal grounds to the rear and comes to the market with no onward chain. EPC = D

£825,000

LEASEHOLD

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8 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath SE3 0TA

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020 8858 9986 joneslanglasalle.co.uk

Langdale Road, SE10 Located in the heart of West Greenwich is this substantial four/five bedroom Victorian end of terrace residence. The property is particularly well located for access to Greenwich main line and DLR stations, and the shops, bars and restaurants of central Greenwich are a short walk away. EPC = D

ÂŁ1,350,000 FREEHOLD

Maidenstone Hill, SE10 An utterly charming and much improved two bedroom period terrace house located in a sought after street in West Greenwich offering superb City views to the rear. The property is close to the fantastic green spaces of the Royal Greenwich Park and the Point and is well located for access to Greenwich main line and DLR stations. EPC = E

ÂŁ725,000 FREEHOLD

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CONTENTS OCTOBER 2013 50,000 COPIES DELIVERED EVERY MONTH SINCE 1996

OCTOBER 2013

6

LOCAL NEWS Win a meal at Greenwich Tavern

Food & Drink Special

Wine and dine with us this Autumn

10

FEATURE

15-19

INTERIORS

London from a village point of view per Bum ion petit Com ue ! iss

Transform your kitchen Retail round-up India Jane: style gets cosy

One for the boys Groomed and fit

Lets Get Cosy...

Expert interiors advice HOMES

✦

FOOD

✦

BEAUTY

✦

FASHION

✦

INTERIORS

✦

SHOPPING

✦

EDUCATION

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21-23

COVER: Courtesy of Silvia Murray, Mercure London Greenwich Hotel

DISTRIBUTOR :

25-29

31-37

FOOD & DRINK Heaps of sausages Win tickets to the Taste of Christmas Restaurant news & reviews

39-43

EVENTS & LISTINGS This months listings including: Greenwich Theatre’s ‘On Stage’ with Alexei Sayle Win family tickets for the Cutty Sark + lunch Win passes to the Early Music Festival Win a round of golf for four

mo

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.

ever y

EDUCATION Local schools’ news & views Thinking outside the box Parenthood: Yummy mummy ahoy!

London Letterbox 020 8940 0666

00 50,0 s ie cop ered D e l i v nth!

HEALTH & BEAUTY Making the most of your man Autumn hints and highlights

02/10/2013 13:44

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 : Adrian Humphrey Assistant Manager: Claire McKinson Display Sales: Cheryl Voller, Emma Forbes Classified Sales : Mia Tattan Contributors : Claire Allen, Michael Breese, Kabir Dev, Amanda Elias, Nanette Fielding, James Hadrell, Katherine Scarlett

Printing : Garnett Dickinson Distribution : London Letterbox Meridian’s chosen charity 2013

w w w. m e r i d i a n - m a g a z i n e . c o . u k facebook.com/meridianmagazine

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MeridianmagLDN

02/10/2013 13:56

Elegant and eminently wearable, Devernois brings genuine French style and cosmopolitan chic to your doorstep in Blackheath.

www.devernois.fr

Drop by today and experience something very differentâ&#x20AC;Ś

www.meridian-magazine.co.uk l 5 42 Tranquil Vale, Blackheath SE3 0BD (T) 020 8318 5998 Mon - Sat: 10am-6pm Sun: 11am - 4pm

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local N E W S All aboard!

This Halloween weekend, Greenwich Theatre are teaming up with acclaimed company The River People to produce a unique musical treat aboard the Cutty Sark – a dark and sumptuous treat called Rumculls and Ragwater. Set in the fictional harbour-side tavern The Gallows Glare, and featuring The Waggon Band Players as regulars and storytellers, the show promises to be a rip-roaring, jigging, macabre, yet beautiful and delicate show fusing the buzz of a music event with the theatricality of a Greenwich Theatre show.

Using music, puppetry and song The River People weave the stories inside the tavern, the loves, the losses, the happiness – and as it’s Halloween, the tragedy within…

Fri 1 & Sat 2 Nov at 8.30pm Box Office 020 8858 7755; www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk

equipment provided by the Kent Golf Partnership who were in attendance all day to promote golf in the county. There was also the opportunity for potential new members to have a look around Eltham Warren’s course, clubhouse and facilities.

Secretary David Mabbott commented: ‘The whole day was a great success and we hope to make it an annual event.’

Golf lessons with Gary Brett at Eltham Warren can be booked on 0208 850 4477.

Membership enquiries should also be made via the same number.

October 2013

Heart UK Charity Champion

HEART UK, the cholesterol charity, has recognised Greenwich-based Rufus Grantham (pictured) as one of its ‘Charity Champions’ for his inspiring fundraising of more than £20,000 for LAM Action.

His mother is one of only 100 people in the UK to suffer from LAM – a degenerative lung disease. Rufus owns and runs a cocktail bar, having recently worked in the city, and wanted to help the charity that helped his mother. Rufus, 39, said: ‘Since beginning my fundraising for LAM Action, I have participated several times in the London triathlon, the London Marathon and this year undertook five events that covered 468km of running, swimming and cycling.’

Walkies

After last years very successful sponsored dog walk in aid of Maryon Wilson Animal Park, it’s time to put on your walking shoes again. On Sunday 6 October join local dog walkers between 10am1pm. Come and enjoy an autumnal walk in the lovely Maryon Wilson Park and raise money at the same time. Starts at the Flamsteed Road entrance by the ponies’ enclosure.

Sponsor forms available from The Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Hut, Charlton Park SE7 8HY or from Meridian magazine, Charlton Village or call Alexandra Hamilton on 07734 101 813 for info. Email: Alexandra.e.l.hamilton@gmail.com.

Great Golfing Success

More than 100 would-be golfers attended a ‘Try golf for free’ coaching day at Eltham Warren Golf Club. The event, held to coincide with this year’s Open Championships, was designed to encourage local people interested in taking up the game of golf by offering a free taster lesson with PGA professional Gary Brett, using specialised

A meal for two with wine at The Greenwich Tavern With its charming location near Greenwich Park, friendly atmosphere and great food, The Greenwich Tavern has become the perfect place for any occasion.

The menu offers a fresh variety of British and European dishes. On the ground floor you can sit in plush sofas and enjoy a relaxed lunch after a walk in the park or take a wander up to the first floor dining room for spectacular views of the park. Greenwich Tavern, King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9JH. 020 8858 8791.

One lucky reader can win dinner for two and a bottle of wine! Simply send your name, address and daytime phone number to Meridian magazine (Greenwich Tavern), 8 The Village, Charlton, SE7 8UD. Or email competition@meridian-magazine.co.uk by 31 Oct

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We manufacture and install Timber Windows & Doors, specialising in box frames & sashes, casement windows and doors / frames. These can be made in both modern or traditional styles, double glazed to comply with current building regulations, or single glazed for renovation projects.

Please contact us for a non obligation quote.

We welcome your enquiry! www.greenwichjoinery.co.uk

enquiries@greenwichjoinery.co.uk

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Enjoy London from a Village perspective D New homes spur the progress of London’s new village. Valerie Breese takes a look…

eveloper Berkeley Homes has released a further collection of 85 high-specification one, two and three-bedroom apartments in Blackheath Quarter at the award-winning Kidbrooke Village, presenting further opportunities to snap up a home in the much-coveted scheme and spurring the progress of an already-established phase with exclusive resident’s facilities.

The release of the Wallace apartments at Blackheath Quarter follows the sell-out success of apartments previously released within the phase earlier this year. The success of sales is a testament to the growing desirability of a Kidbrooke Village address, providing homes that are only 15 minutes from London Bridge, surrounded by 136 acres of parkland and benefiting from access to excellent on-site conveniences including a Sainsbury’s Local store, schools, healthcare centre, cafes and sporting facilities.

John Anderson, Chairman of Berkeley Homes (East Thames), says: ‘The creation of Kidbrooke Village is without doubt one of the most ambitious new developments ever to be undertaken in London. From the outset our vision was to create a community that provides what people want in their

neighbourhoods - from good schools and parks, to restaurants and supermarkets. This is why we can say with absolute conviction that this is truly a ‘new village’ for London. As Kidbrooke Village progresses it is increasingly apparent that this development is ground-breaking. There has been a huge amount of progress over the past year and those who have not visited the development for some time will be amazed at the transformation.

A vibrant new community is now becoming a reality and each exciting milestone we achieve reflects the future shape of things to come even more.’

The four neighbourhoods that make up the established community of Kidbrooke Village in the Royal Borough of Greenwich are: City Point, Meridian Gate, Blackheath Quarter and the quintessential Kidbrooke Village Centre, which will act as the focal point of the scheme and provide much of the retail space and community facilities.

These four neighbourhoods are arranged around parkland, providing all Kidbrooke Village residents with valuable opportunities to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle – a rare commodity in urban locations.

In addition, residents of Blackheath Quarter will also enjoy a wealth of amenities and benefits

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Feature

exclusive to this phase. The Clubhouse includes a top-end management suite with a 24-hour concierge, a private cinema room and a business suite, as well as a ‘residents only’ gym and bespoke swimming pool.

Offering the convenience of a second office close to home, the Clubhouse provides an excellent platform for mixing business and pleasure, providing

a place where Blackheath Quarter residents can work and play.

Blackheath Quarter takes its name from the neighbouring village of Blackheath, whose special character comes from its elegant Georgian streets, village shops, restaurants and sports clubs that include the oldest rugby and hockey clubs in the country. The charm of Blackheath Village is

reflected in the exteriors and interiors that have been expertly crafted to create modern and contemporary residences. Landscaping is also a key feature of Blackheath Quarter, which will include wide, tree-lined avenues marking the routes through the residential areas and the connections to the community facilities. Green paths run between the buildings, featuring ponds and landscaped courtyards.

Kidbrooke Village benefits from superb transport links, offering easy access to the West End, City and Canary Wharf. Existing train services provide direct access to London Bridge in just 15 minutes, and onwards to Waterloo East and Charing Cross.

The same line also offers direct links to Victoria, as well as the London Underground network and DLR. The Wallace apartments are priced from £277,500. For more information about Kidbrooke Village, call 020 8150 5151 or visit www.kidbrookevillage.com.

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Your local design & build company

Extensions | Lofts | Basements Refurbishments | Design & build service Complete design & build service from initial conception through planning to final completion 67 Cressingham Road SE13 5AQ 020 8318 5001 / 08456 802 341 www.meridianconstructionservices.co.uk

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R.B. INTERIORS Kitchens Bathrooms Bedrooms Established 2004

From supplying a door to a complete installation including ďŹ&#x201A;ooring, plumbing, plastering & all electrical work FREE no-obligation planning & design service Visit our showroom at: 3 Church Road, Farnborough, Kent BR6 7DB Open Tuesday & Friday 9.30am to 3pm; Saturday 9.30am to 1pm. All other times by appointment

01689 862 417 sales@rbinteriors.co.uk www.rbinteriors.co.uk 14 l www.meridian-magazine.co.uk

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Give your kitchen a granite transformation

Interiors

Managing Director Gavin Whittaker tells us how…

SERVING CUSTOMERS in South East London is Granite Transformations, an owner-operated company offering the ultimate in Kitchen Makeover solutions. The multi-award winning company is celebrating its 10th year of business, with its unique offering of granite, quartz and glass worktops that fit directly over your existing kitchen surface. Our exclusive 6.5mm engineered stone means fitting is achieved in just one day and often includes the upgrade of appliances such as sinks, taps and ovens at the same time – offered at trade pricing.

In addition, we provide a complete kitchen door replacement service, from stripping back to the bare carcass and changing doors, panels, cornice and pelmets – giving you that truly new kitchen look for a fraction of the cost of a new kitchen without the mess and demolition.

With many styles of new and contemporary doors and more than thirty colours to chose from, the design possibilities are endless… and all fitted by our own long-serving professional fitting staff. Every item is made bespoke to your exact requirements and all the worktops are manufactured at our head office in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

As members of Checkatrade we also boast an impressive 500 reputation reports posted on line with an average score of 9.9 for remarkable service and attention to detail, providing the customer with a swift and hassle-free service with stunning results. To see the very latest on what our customers are saying about us visit: www.checkatrade.com/ granitetransformationstunbridgewells

We have showrooms in Tunbridge Wells, Sidcup and Polhill Garden Centre, Sevenoaks where you can see our product and speak to one of our staff to discuss your requirements. We offer free in-home consultations with one of our designers to show you exactly how we can transform your kitchen to suit your desired style and budget.

Alternatively, visit our website at www.granitetransformations.co.uk to see how our product and service can help you. Or simply call 0208 308 9286 for more information or to book an appointment.

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BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS DESIGNED, SUPPLIED, INSTALLED

Ce ar leb s o ra f b tin us g in es s!

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Computer Aided Design Supply Only or Installation Service Available 42 Whitehorse Hill Chislehurst BR7 6DL

020 8467 3100 www.aqueousdesign.net

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SP Window Ltd

first-aid for doors and windows FREE QUOTE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; NO CALL-OUT FEE Replace or Repair Misted Window Units Handles, Hinges and Door Locks Patio Door Wheels

We guarantee to beat all other genuine quotations!

All glass units guaranteed for 10 years

Call us on 0800 192 4144 or 0782 416 8044 Email: info@spwindow.co.uk

blackheath flooring studios ltd

local family run business 133 lee road blackheath SE3 9DS

classic & contemporary flooring carpets, rugs, sisal, coir, seagrass, wood solid & engineered boards, laminate, rubber, amtico, moduleo, vinyl. for a free estimate call today 0208 297 9600 blackheathinteriors.com blackheathinteriors@gmail.com

for all of your home, whatever you need we are here to help with our expert knowledge & experience.

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Interiors

Retail round-up Minding your own businesses If dirty water runs though it, we do it!

The Art of Drainage is celebrating its first birthday.

The family-owned business is so proud of what they have achieved this first year, they can’t wait to see what the next few years have in store for them. With their distinctive bright green vans travelling around London, Surrey, Essex and Kent saving the public from any drainage emergency, they pride themselves on offering a professional service.

Director Sadie Peeters said: ‘Despite only being a young company, we have already had customers recommending us, which is a testament to the level of service we provide and our staff are quite rightly very proud of this achievement.’

The Art of Drainage is able to carry out a number of emergency and preventative maintenance tasks,

including cleaning and jetting blockages, CCTV surveys, and maintenance and service contracts.

They specialise in providing drain tests for Building Regulation approval, digging new soakaways, laying new pipework and, where required, can carry out noninvasive repairs to cracked or broken pipework which causes minimal disruption to the area above ground.

They are also experts in clearing Saniflo blockages and installing new systems.

Stephanie Britnell, Business Development Director commented; ‘Our engineers ensure that they treat each job as if it was in their own home. We carry out all jobs to the best of our ability with minimum amount of disruption when on clients’ premises.

‘In this day and age we want to give excellent service without the large unnecessary bill at the end. This is why our value-for-money service has ensured we can carry out necessary works for several local residents, churches and schools – which may not have been able to afford it. The engineers and I are so happy to be celebrating our first year and we thank all our customers – from local resident to big corporate companies – for believing in us’.

Dovetail Joint – A bespoke service Are you looking to commission a bespoke kitchen?

Are you looking to get good value for your money?

Yes, it can be done, here in South London. The Dovetail Joint Company in Forest Hill has been manufacturing beautiful handmade kitchens since 1990, with each kitchen handcrafted to the customers’ own exacting requirements.

If you would like a beautiful, practical, hardwearing, competitively-priced bespoke kitchen in the style of your choice, or indeed any other built-in furniture, call The Dovetail Joint or visit the website at www.thedovetailjoint.co.uk where you can find out more about The Dovetail Joint and what we offer.

Tel: 020 8291 5578.

Just remember, if dirty water runs though it, we do it! For a free quote or advice, please contact the Art of Drainage directly on 0203 322 5544.

The Dovetail Joint Ltd

Bespoke Kitchens Bedrooms Studies

Wood

Steel

Paint

Corian

Glass

Granite

Tel 020 8291 5578 Unit 15, Forest Hill Business Centre, Clyde Vale, Forest Hill, London SE23 3JF www.thedovetailjoint.co.uk

info@thedovetailjoint.co.uk

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Your local legal experts…

Specialising in: All aspects of Family law • Litigation and Employment Law • Residential & commercial conveyancing •Lease extensions • Collective freehold purchases • Corporate work • Planning law • Wills and the administration of estates •Lasting powers of attorney

Beverley Morris

Geoff Cohen

Angela Stanton

Peter Anderson

Huw Jones

Christine Bolam

Martin Hopkins

Tony Stafford

Richard Hutson

Shirley O’Neill

Beverley Morris & Co.

35 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath Village SE3 0TJ

SOLICITORS incorporating Peter Egan & Co. T: 020 8852 4433 F: 020 8463 9494

62 High Street, Lewisham SE13 5JH

E: enquiries@beverleymorris.co.uk

Also at Hamilton House, 1 Temple Avenue EC4Y 0HA (By appointment only)

(ground floor offices –adjacent to Montpelier’s delicatessen )

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Interiors

Cosy up with India Jane Seasons change – but style never goes out of fashion, says Valerie Breese

A

s the season changes and we approach the winter, enticing displays at India Jane, Blackheath’s well loved furniture and home accessories store, have shifted towards cosy fireside nights, elegant candle lit dinners and glittering celebrations, to help make the most of longer evenings and all the opportunities (or excuses) to indulge ourselves and our loved ones at this special time of year.

If you are looking to update or renovate your home or simply seeking a personal gift, India Jane’s diverse collections provide many options. Furniture ranges that evolve around a theme of ‘ timeless elegance’, include painted French and Scandinavian inspired pieces, hand waxed oak, Colonial and Campaign style collections, along with more contemporary chrome, steel and interesting Chinese lacquered items. Using wood from renewable sources and where possible, incorporating elements of reclaimed or recycled wood, each piece of furniture is made by expert crafts people who continue to use skills passed down from generation to generation.

A wide range of feather filled cushions are available in both luminous, jewel-like colours as well as subtle, neutral shades in luxurious silks, taffetas and cottons, many adorned with intricate embroidery, crewelwork,

decorative bead and metal work, offering the perfect opportunity to make instant seasonal transformations with their rich textures. The addition of warm woollen, chenille and faux fur throws, along with tactile hand printed quilts, conjure up thoughts of relaxing evenings surrounded by the mellow glow of candlelight, adding sparkle and glamour to a comfortable, inviting and elegant home.

The shop is being prepared for the festive season with the addition of many new accessories and thoughtful gift ideas which include beautiful hand blown glass stemware and vases, decanters, marquetry photo frames which are handmade in Florence, natural horn boxes and desk accessories along with a smart new collection of table lamps. Delicate enamelled trinket boxes adorned with Austrian crystals are part of an extensive range of decorative pieces, while whimsical objects lend a playful note, in offering a visual feast that is a constant source of inspiration.

Don’t forget to pick up an unusual card and wrapping paper whilst in store, as the perfect finishing touch to your specially chosen gifts.

Visit India Jane Blackheath at; 3 Blackheath Village, London SE3 9LA. Opening times are 10am – 6pm Monday to Saturday and 11am – 5pm Sunday.

Telephone; 0203 137 5300. www.indiajane.co.uk

www.indiajane.co.uk

Furniture • Lighting • Accessories • Soft furnishings 3 BLACKHEATH VILLAGE BLACKHEATH LONDON SE3 9LA T +44 (0)20 3137 5300

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CHINBROOK MEDICAL COSMETIC CENTRE

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Free consultations

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Health & Beauty

One for the boys Claire Allen has your best interests at heart The early bird catches the problem Women know all too well that men avoiding health issues isn’t a modern problem. Could health MOTs be the answer?

The mañana, mañana attitude that many men (but not all) have towards their health is an age-old problem. It is well known that men are much less likely to pay a visit to their GP than women are, but they are more likely than women to be overweight, smoke and drink to risky levels, and for more serious conditions men tend to seek treatment at a later stage in a condition or illness. Logically, the longer you leave a condition the worse it may become, and the reality is that most men are pressured by their partner or other members of their families to get their health checked. So make sure you encourage the men in your life to get their health checked before the colder weather sets in this autumn.

Annual health ‘MOTs’ are a great indicator of how healthy you are and can highlight the areas you may need keep an eye on or conditions you may be prone to. They are especially important for older men, and especially men with busy careers who have stressful, mostly desk-bound jobs, who a have a sedentary lifestyle and are prone to over-indulge.

Health MOTs involve a number of tests, usually these will include: blood pressure and pulse, lung function, Body Mass Index, vision and hearing tests. Depending on how thorough you want to be you may also want to look at the health of your heart with an ECG, have a urine analysis, blood screening, renal and liver function tests, cholesterol check, prostate test (if you’re over 50), bowel and thyroid function checks. The results will be discussed with you and advice given on how best to maintain your health or lifestyle choice and what changes you can make to improve it.

Staying Healthy checklist Making simple changes to your lifestyle can make huge differences to your health and wellbeing: 1. Smoking can be the instigator of many diseases, not just cancers. Try cutting down or challenge yourself to stop smoking.

2. Limit your alcohol intake, or at least have alcohol-free days every week to give your liver a chance do its job.

3. Eat a healthy and varied diet; choose to eat fresh food over processed and fatty foods at every opportunity.

4. Keep active – if you’re not used to exercise don’t steam in, just start slowly and build up. Even moderate exercise, if it’s regular, will improve your fitness and make you look and feel great.

5. Look out for changes in your health, particularly unusual lumps and growths, tiredness, weight loss, lack of appetite, recurrent pain or blood in your stools, vomit or urine.

And remember, the best medicine is precaution.

Be pro-active and book yourself in for a Health MOT this autumn.

Men’s grooming ‘Prevention is better than cure’ – and the same is true with skincare. It’s much easier to use moisturisers in your twenties and thirties to slow down skin ageing, than it is trying to rectify the damage at forty.

The biggest contributor to wrinkles and other key signs of ageing is sun damage. Protect your skin against UV rays and extreme weather, even central heating can dehydrate skin.

Moisturisers are extremely hydrating and packed with ingredients that help your skin repair itself and stay healthy. If you want the best results you need lots of sleep, you need to drink lots of water, have a healthy balanced diet with lots of fruit and veg – and you certainly shouldn’t smoke.

If you’re looking to boost your fight against ageing, then consider a daily vitamin and mineral supplement, which are packed with everything you need to maintain healthy skin and a balanced lifestyle.

The best medicine is precaution

No ifs, no butts, no maybes!

The Royal Borough of Greenwich is getting behind the national campaign ‘Stoptober’ which challenges smokers to give up cigarettes for October, in order to increase their chances of staying smoke-free for life. If you give up smoking for 4 weeks, you are five times more likely to quit for good. The campaign gets under way with a local roadshow, which will tour the borough until 16 November offering free one-to-one sessions with trained advisors… as well as lung age tests and Carbon Monoxide (CO) tests. www.greenwichstopsmoking.org.uk or on Twitter @Royal_Greenwich or @CAFCTrust.

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Ask the Expert Autumn health & beauty tips and advice Happy Hands

This October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, put your pinny on, roll up your sleeves and show breast cancer what you’re made of! On 18 October an army of bakers will hold their own Great Pink Bake Off in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer - why not join in?

Every year, 50,000 UK women are diagnosed with breast cancer: 12,000 die. Breakthrough funds almost 25 per cent of the UK’s breast cancer research. They can only continue their life-saving work with your help.

Raise dough, save lives.

Sign up today to receive your FREE Great Pink Bake Off fundraising kit – it’s jam-packed with tips, tools and tasty recipes.

Visit pinkbakeoff.org or call 08080 100 200.

We all know winter weather plays havoc with our hands, often leading to dry, cracked and sore skin.

However, help is at hand from natural cosmetics company Benecos, who have launched a new Hand Cream for Happy Hands (£2.95 for 75ml). This non-greasy formula is packed full of 100% natural and organic ingredients, including calendula, to help soothe and protect the skin. Used as far back as Roman times, calendula flower extract contains anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to calm and heal sore skin.

Top tip: Apply lashings of lovely Benecos Hand Cream for Happy Hands at night and pop on some super-soft organic cotton gloves for an overnight intense rehydration that will leave skin deliciously silky-smooth and revitalised.

More details at www.benecos.co.uk.

Health’s Angels – Life Transforming Results Kent and South East London’s premier weight loss and wellness clinic, Health’s Angels has been established for 13 years and has helped thousands of clients achieve life transforming results in both eradicating health issues and achieving their difficult

weight and inch loss goals in as little as 28 days.

With their guarantee of 10-14lbs weight loss of toxic fat in 4 weeks or FREE treatments until you do, along with enjoying an explosion of vitality and amazing health benefits, what better way to start your new journey to a better and slimmer you?

Testimonial ‘I lost a remarkable 32 lbs and 31 inches in 4 weeks and am delighted to say I am a different person!

More energy, movement and flexibility, I could go on and on! I would recommend this course to anyone and thank the girls so much.

I will definitely be returning for other treatments!’ Sandra Brown (above) Consultations are free and include an intestinal scan.

Follow Health’s Angels on FB and Twitter for exciting exclusives! Facebook.com/healthsangels @HealthsAngels. 01322 555600.

Last month we quoted the prices for the Aquadetox treatment and not the RejuvaDetox in error.

We apologise for any confusion.

• Tan Truth & Lauren’s Way spray tan • NEW Tropical Truffle 60min spray tan • Anti-wrinkle injections (Botox) • Gelish & OPI gel colour 21-day • • • • • • • •

Manicures (from £15) OPI Manicures & pedicures 250 watt sunbeds retuned to 0.3 EU regulations Creative acrylic nails Swedish and aromatherapy-style body massage Dermalogica facials Waxing and eyelash extensions Unisex salon Free parking close-by

PACKAGES AVAILABLE FROM £19.50 SEE IN SALON FOR DETAILS

020 8293 3939 | www.b-brown.co.uk @BBrownSalon

Facebook.com/B-Brown

8 Old Dover Road, Blackheath SE3 7BT To check opening times please see website

15% off beauty treatments when mentioning MERIDIAN throughout October www.meridian-magazine.co.uk l 23

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Local schools

Education

Round-up

A very Colfeian Rugby experience Colfe’s rugby players have been able to meet and train with rugby League and Union Professionals as part of their pre-session training. Thirty three boys in year 10 volunteered for a tour of Yorkshire where, as part of the week, they played clubs and other schools; undertook training sessions with Bradford Bulls; had a motivational talk and Q&A session from International Rugby League Hero Keith Senior, and ended an action-packed day watching a professional match at the prestigious Headingley Stadium.

‘This was an innovative and exciting opportunity for the U15 boys; it was genuinely in a league of its own’ said Coach and Colfe’s Head of GCSE Performance, Andy Foster. 'It was a unique, perhaps even lifechanging weekend, much of which was down to our fantastic relationship with Old Colfeians RUFC who helped organise and support us. We are really grateful, as are the boys, whose skills and confidence have grown immeasurably.’

Wynter Innis from Blackheath became the hero of the hour when in the last minute of the very last game, he broke his wrist helping prevent a try that would have won the game for opponents Keighley.

Wynter said, ‘It was a great game which we won 33 – 29; I was just unlucky that my tackle in the last minute

turned into a ruck and my wrist got pushed back.’

Andy Foster added: 'It really provides opportunities for the children that they wouldn’t get anywhere else: like the summer training; these tours; and the invaluable advice they received from players and coaches and from Colfe’s unique Performance Psychology Tougher minds programme.

In Yorkshire, before this weekend, not one of the boys had ever stood on a terrace and watched a professional match of rugby, football or any sport before. The potential these boys have is incredible.’

Colfes, Horn Park Lane SE12 8AW. Tel: 020 8852 2283 www.colfes.com

John Ball students say hello to the Moon Exciting and rare samples of moon rocks and a collection of impressive meteorites have 'landed' at John Ball Primary School, for a weeks’ visit.

Students were able to enjoy a unique, interactive experience of astronomy during their lessons.

Highlights included getting up close and personal with some hand-sized meteorites, enabling students to touch a real piece of space. Included in the educational pack is a 1.2 billion year-old piece of Mars and a 4.3 billion year-old nickel meteorite.

The lunar samples, provided by the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) were collected in the late 1960s and early 1970s during some of NASA’s first manned space missions to the Moon. The STFC is dedicated to providing science outreach programmes to inspire young people and complement classroom studies.

John Ball Primary School, Southvale Road, Blackheath SE3 0TP Tel: 020 8852 1602

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OPEN DAYS Wednesday 9 October Wednesday 16 October 9am - 12pm Outstanding GCSE results for 2013. 90% of our students achieved 5+ A*-C grades with 73% including English & Maths.

You and your daughter are invited to our Open Days to find out more about coming to the school in September 2014.

9.00am: Registration & Coffee 9.30am: Presentation by the Principal • Tour of the school • An opportunity to meet students & staff • Prospective students are encouraged to participate in a range of workshops Eltham Hill, Eltham, London, SE9 5EE | 020 8859 2843 | www.elthamhill.com | info@elthamhill.greenwich.sch.uk 26 l www.meridian-magazine.co.uk

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Educating Girls for Success in a Changing World Lisa Laws Headteacher of Blackheath High School on 'thinking outside the box'

W

e are living in times of exponential growth and have the challenge of trying to educate young people for jobs that don’t yet exist and to solve problems not yet identified, with technology not yet invented. At Blackheath High School, we have been celebrating excellent A level results again this year – 91% of which were graded A*- C but, we realise that A* grades, on their own, are not sufficient to prepare students for working in a globalised work place with economic turbulence and rapid rate of change.

Here, we do our best to ensure that our girls have all the opportunities and encouragement needed to develop all of the qualities, skills and competencies that they will need to be successful and happy in the future.

Our girls enjoy school and make remarkably good progress in both their academic studies and personal development. We believe that our holistic approach to education, which delivers a broad, all-round education and is described by the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate as 'stimulating and and extraordinarily supportive, conducive to the highest standards of teaching and learning,' leaves students with not only excellent GCSE and A level grades but also with skills and personal qualities, such as confidence, enterprise, adaptability, resilience and courage, which will help them to make a success of their adult lives.

It is essential to instil qualities of resilience and enterprise in our young people. Even our youngest pupils have a mantra ‘be brave and strong, when little things go wrong’ and,

throughout their school life, our girls are taught to think outside of the box, try new things and face challenges that push them out of their comfort zone. Girls are encouraged to participate in a wide programme of extra-curricular activities including: Music, Sport, Drama, Dance, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Enterprise activities and Community Service.

We have inspirational teachers who deliver interesting and exciting lessons, with appropriately challenging tasks, pace, active pupil involvement and use of the latest technology. The innovative curriculum is broad and is enhanced by a programme of enrichment activities. All girls study at least one modern language, even in the Nursery where they start French. Mandarin is introduced from Y7 and all senior girls study two modern languages, plus Latin. They also study Philosophy and learn to cook. Pupils are prepared for the three separate sciences at GCSE and most sixth formers include either maths, or at least one science subject, in the four subjects that they study at Advanced level.

Each pupil is inspired to ‘aim high’ in all that they do, academically and otherwise. We look forward to meeting you and your daughter at one of our Autumn Open Mornings – come and see for yourself, what makes Blackheath High School so remarkable.

Lisa Laws, Headteacher Blackheath High School www.blackheathhighschool.gdst.net 020 8853 2929 Open Morning Events throughout October and November, check website for dates and times

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Op Mornen ing

9th N ov 10.00 2013 -12.0 0

Young Education Services Give your child a head start At YES we can help pupils fulfil themselves academically

Now booking for October Half Term Courses and new 11+ style test We are now a mock exam centre for 11+ exams.

Not sure of your child’s ability?

Worried about your child’s academic progress?

Book a formal assessment with us.

TUTORS & VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

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Parenthood

Parenting news and views

EGMONT

Top tips on becoming a Yummy Mummy with Minimal Effort by facial therapist, Bravura London founder (www.bravuralondon.com) and Mum of Three, Amanda Elias.

I know how difficult it can be to keep up with basic grooming during pregnancy and after your little bundle has arrived. Here are my top tips: Cleansing: if you use a cleansing wash, you may want to swap to a creamy cleanser. When I’m tired the last thing I want to do is wash my face; massaging a creamy cleanser onto the face and removing with a warm flannel is much quicker and easier for us timestricken mums.

Teeth: I found my electric toothbrush made me really gag during pregnancy, so you may want to swap to a manual brush for the time being.

You get free dental treatment during pregnancy and for a year after your baby has been born, so if you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, now is the time to go!

Stretch marks: Your skin is going to stretch throughout pregnancy and it can get very itchy. Mama Mio Tummy Rub Oil is great stuff on stretch marks and smells amazing! I also liked their Lucky Legs cooling serum, which really helped to soothe my aching legs in the evening.

Acne: If you suffer with breakouts you need to be careful with the products you use during pregnancy.

Many acne preparation products use salicylic acid which should be avoided, so opt for an alternative such as Bravura London’s Dermaflannel (www.bravuralondon.com); a fantastic 'Facial in a Flannel', quick to use and offering similar results to a chemical peel without the need for any chemicals.

Skin: You may notice some dark or yellow patches appearing on the skin during pregnancy. This is called chloasma and is caused by the change in your hormones. While it’s not harmful and fades post-natal, it can be unsightly. Use a glycolic acid based product to help this fading.

Hair: The last thing you want to do is sit and straighten or curl your hair when tiredness takes over - that’s where Sleep-In Rollers (www.sleepinrollers.com) were my saviours! Their large bun ring takes about 2 minutes to put in and is far more glamorous than just tying your hair back.

Wellbeing: Hormones and lack of sleep can make us very teary and emotional. A simple manicure can do wonders, or how about a pedicure if you can’t reach your feet? If you’re not a fan of the salon environment, take a few hours to pamper yourself; relax in the bath and apply a face masque.

Theatre tots: The Importance of Drama Theatre tots ltd specialises in drama sessions, shows, parties and books for under-6’s in schools, nurseries and weekly groups. All of their work is original and they have branches throughout the UK and across China in collaboration with IBest Education, Beijing. They also run Theatre tots Chronicles, which writes and produces works for places of interest (recent clients include Westminster Abbey and Westminster Archives) and Story seekers - using drama to write a story then turn it

BIG RED BUS CLUB

THEATRE TOTS

AMANDA ELIAS

Sound advice from Amanda Elias and more

into a picture book to keep. Theatre tots also publishes its original story books available on Amazon or www. theatretots.com. To book a workshop, show or party or to buy a book visit www.theatretots.com, email info@theatretots.com or call 07801072776.

Something Delicious A mischievous tale of the unexpected by Jill Lewis, which gently teaches that appearances can be deceptive. With a cast of unique characters imaginatively brought to life by Ali Pye’s illustrations, children will love poring over this delightful book and trying out the recipe for Nosh Biscuits at the end! £6.99 ISBN 978 1 4052 6238 5.

Volunteers lend a hand at the Big Red Bus Club Charlton’s Big Red Bus Club for under-fives got a special helping hand this weekend, from 16 young volunteers from the Challenge Network.

The 16 and 17-year-old volunteers gave up their Saturday to help out - sterilising toys, organising equipment and generally cleaning up the children’s play centre.

The day of volunteering was organised as part of The National Citizen programme delivered by The Challenge Network, who contacted Annie Keys, chair of the Big Red Bus Club, to offer the young people’s help.

Annie said: ‘This is the second year that we have had a National Citizen Service group. When they offered us the help of their volunteers we jumped at the chance.

These young people are giving up their summer to help us with projects, which we simply couldn’t complete without them. I have been so impressed by the commitment and dedication they have shown. They really are creating a legacy, not just in terms of their own personal development, but in helping us provide a better service for Charlton’s under-fives.’

For more information about the Big Red Bus Club call 0208 854 7262.

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Food & Drink

Zero Degrees re-opens in style A Blackheath institution shows off its new look for Christmas Blackheath restaurant, bar and micro brewery, Zerodegrees, will reopen its doors this October following a full renovation expanding both the micro brewery and restaurant. And we can’t wait to see what the Zerodegrees team have in store.

Owner Nick Desai has intrigued us further by saying: 'We’ve created our signature steel piping interior so that our fermenting tanks and brewery are exposed for all eyes to see the magic being created, including newly designed tanks for the beers from Holland too. As we are having the kitchen re-built and a custom hand-made wood-fired oven shipped over from Italy, and some really amazing design features made, we are very keen to see what everyone thinks.' Award-winning beers brewed on-site have caused quite a stir with the real beer buffs at CAMRA, especially their most recently awarded pale ale, while the restaurant has become favoured for its mind-blowing wood-fire pizzas and internationally inspired menu.

Christmas at Zerodegrees You can be one of the first to dine at the newly refurbished Zerodegrees, with Christmas bookings being taken now. The team have carefully selected a menu which includes lush seasonal produce so you can indulge in some seriously fresh gourmet dishes, especially designed for Christmas.

With a great choice of starters and traditional Christmas dinner, as well as some creative Zerodegrees dishes such as hearty lamb shanks, smoked mackerel and gnocchi to cater for all palates, their chefs have also designed a pizza to match any Christmas dinner for the non-Christmas dinner fan. Whether you top it off with cranberry sauce is, of course, optional.

If you’ve still got room for pudding, enjoy Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, decadent chocolate fudge cake and a mouth-watering fruit cheese cake.

Yummy! This rather exciting menu can be found on the

Zerodegrees website. Christmas Dinner is £28, while the Christmas Lunch is a snip at £25.

However, for an extra special twist that the beer lover or even the enthusiast will love, Zerodegrees also offer tours of their micro brewery, where you can watch Zerodegrees’ very own brew masters do what they do best. These experts have also been busy devising the perfect Christmas drinks menu, which will include their 2012 award-winning Pilsner, Pale Ale, Black Lager and Wheat beer, served cold and freshly brewed – just the way craft beer should be.

The grand re-opening of Zerodegrees will be announced soon, so keep an eye and an ear out… and in the meantime take a look at that fabulous Christmas menu.

Zerodegrees, 29 - 31 Montpelier Vale SE3 0TJ www.zerodegrees.co.uk. 020 852 5619

Bo okin

gN

ow

Make that lasting impression by booking your Christmas Party at Zerodegrees & let our little helpers take care of all the trimmings.

Indulge in gourmet Christmas dishes and tour our micro brewery and watch our brewers make magic happen.

Perfect for groups bookings or intimate celebrations.

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Restaurant and Bar Char-grilled Mediterranean & Seafood Specialities Serving fresh, best quality ingredients cooked to perfection Sizzle Grill's extensive menu offers healthy and delicious Steak, Lamb, Chicken and Fish Char-Grills, salads and classic international dishes.

Bringing a taste of the Mediterranean to Bromley Book your Christmas party NOW menus on website With the warmest wishes for a fantastic Christmas and a prosperous New Year, we look forward to welcoming you to our unique and comfortable restaurant to host your celebrations

020 8850 3332 | www.thesizzlegrill.com 747 Sidcup Road, New Eltham, London, SE9 3SA (on the Fiveways, A20)

Weddings & special occasions catered for.

Sunday roasts served all day Sunday Open Tuesday to Saturday - From 6pm Sunday - all day from 12 Noon

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.

LET’S DO LUNCH

COME DINE WITH US

STEAK NIGHT MONDAY NIGHTS

TRADITIONAL SUNDAY ROAST

Monday - Saturday Lunch Menu 2 Courses - £12 3 Courses - £15

50%

OFF ALL STEAKS

H EAP ’ S

SAU SAG E S

Artisan Sausage Purveyor & Sausage Café All sausages hand made on the premises

FROM OUR SELECTION: More than 15 varieties to choose from ‘Mr Heap’s No.1 Sausage’ with eggs, nutmeg, mace & ginger ‘Lucifer’ - sweet red peppers and bonnet chillies

‘Sweet Italian’ - lightly spiced with fennel & garlic ‘Pork, Apple & Wildflower Honey Sausage’

These products are ideal for home freezing

www.heapssausages.com

8 Nevada Street, Greenwich SE10 9JL • A selection of gourmet beef & lamb burgers and Scotch eggs • New! Air-dried dry cured smoked bacon • Fully Licensed• Open 7 days a week 7.30am-5pm

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

2 Courses - £15 3 Courses - £17

25% OFF

your food bill with this Voucher

Valid for a la carte menu only. Maximum 6 diners. Expires 10.11.13

Christmas Party Menus from 18.95 Christmas Day Lunch Menu £50 per person Boxing Day, 3 courses from £22.95 New Year’s Eve Gala Menu Dinner Dance with DJ ‘til late £60pp

New Blackheath restaurant coming soon!

Book your table now

020 8460 2346

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

www.aquabarandgrill.co.uk

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Food & Drink

Bonkers for bangers Claire Allen meets sausage guru Martin Heap

E

arly each morning the team at Heap’s Sausages are busy in their sausage kitchen preparing a daily selection of delicious handmade sausages.

They only use the finest ingredients for their glistening creations: lovingly weighing meats, fresh herbs, vegetables and even adding the odd dash of wine.

Which may explain why the cosy Greenwich café has queues round the corner on any given weekend, and why owner Martin Heap knows so many of his customers by their first names.

'The concept behind Heap’s is about creating good simple food that’s authentic, tasty and great value for money,' says Martin.

Heap’s prepare everything they sell behind a glass screen in full view of their customers. Something tells me they want you to watch, and to see for yourselves the quality that they put into each product.

Greenwich customers have high standards, so only the best will do for the sausage devotees who collect their evening meals or who BBQ with pure beef burgers and sausages from the range on display. Martin tells me that he also has 'junior' clients who insist their mums and dads pick them up a pack of the ‘three piggy’ brand especially for them: it's a low salt, pure pork recipe, especially developed by former chef Martin and always cheerfully served by his business partner Enzo

Carbonara. Enzo will also tempt you, with the pure charm that only the Italians have, with Heap’s butter pastry sausage rolls, filled with garnishes of venison, beef, pork and even vegetarian choices, to eat in their premises or to take home to scoff in secret. Fancy some sausage and mash? Or perhaps some dry-cured bacon sandwiches? Or homemade cake, washed down with a good wine, beer or, arguably, the best coffee in Greenwich? You know where to head…

Heap’s are delighting Greenwich locals and visitors from around the world who want to sample British food whilst embracing the quirky late Victorian café atmosphere. You can find Heap’s Sausages located in an old Georgian Coaching Inn, opposite Greenwich Theatre and close to St Mary’s Gate in Greenwich Park.

Heap’s Sausage Workshops Perhaps the most wonderful thing about Martin and Enzo is that they are willing to share the secret of their great sausages with you, in their wonderfully unique sausage-making workshops. The evening workshops are the perfect ‘hands-on’ gift for the family member who has everything!

From his beginnings as a chef at Smithfield Market and West End restaurants to his success with Simply Sausages and now the growing Heap’s empire, there certainly isn’t anyone more qualified to give a masterclass in the art of sausage making.

To book a place on the NOVEMBER workshop (29 November 6.30pm - 9pm) please see contact details below. Places are limited so book soon, £25 includes your masterclass, with hands-on sausage making, a three-course sausage supper and a welcome drink.

Heap’s Sausages, 8 Nevada Street, SE10 9JL www.heapssausages.com | 020 8293 9199

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Where can I find authentic Nepalese food in London?

‘It’s not a common cuisine, but that doesn’t mean it’s not available in London.

Try Panas Gurkha Restaurant.’

By Donald Starchan Sunday Telegraph travel writer and lifestyle journalist.

FREE DELIVERY WITHIN A 3-MILE RADIUS

FREE bottle of house wine for readers who book a table for 4 or more Panas Gurkhas Kitchen, 350 Baring Road, Grove Park SE12 0DU

020 8851 6728 Online ordering now available www.panasgurkhaskitchen.co.uk

All day Breakfast & New Grill Menu

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 34 l www.meridian-magazine.co.uk

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Food & Drink

Restaurant reviews

16" WEST BRASSERIE WITH NANETTE FIELDING ‘Thursdays Late’ is the perfect opportunity to catch the latest exhibition at the National Maritime Museum as they stay open until 7pm. It’s also a good reason to stop off for dinner at the stylish 16” West Brasserie, which sits above the Sammy Ofer wing with wonderful views of Greenwich Park during daylight or a more atmospheric feel in the autumn light. Tonight it’s some mother-daughter time.

We’ve tried the family Sunday lunch here and know how popular the restaurant is.

A new menu heralds the change of season and we can’t make up our minds, it all looks inviting. A glass of Prosecco helped us concentrate on the matter in hand.

Starters are easy as we both choose our favourite dishes, a London smoked salmon roulade – I wonder if the smoked salmon is from Forman’s Smokehouse at Fish Island near the Olympic stadium? – and Goats Cheese Tart, which arrives interestingly as a 'deconstructed' plateful, but the elements all disappeared rapidly.

My daughter opted for the steak from the specials board while I was drawn to the thought of the warming spices of the Traders Spice grilled chicken breast with cumin, turmeric, and cayenne in a mild coconut sauce, served with roasted peppers, courgette, aubergine, Basmati rice and a spiced flat bread.

My daughter, once a vegetarian teenager, has now made up for lost time and enjoys her steak rare. Quality beef, cooked well with a red wine and mustard jus, twice cooked chips, uncomplicated and faultless.

Our motto, ‘Always leave room for dessert ’ stands us in good stead as the waitress returns with the menu. The homemade lemon tart with strawberries glistened like a gem, the caramelised sugar topping not unlike a brulee was inventive. However the warm hazelnut and chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream was downright wicked and thankfully the perfect sized portion. Delicious!

CHAPTERS ALL-DAY DINING WITH MICHAEL BREESE Early Autumn, a glowing evening, and Chapters in Blackheath was building up for a full house.

They’ve had a Josper grill here for at least five years, and avoiding the steaks on the menu for once, my eye fell on Kentish double Barnsley Lamb chop, as the lamb fat would help baste the meat and make the flavour leap.

Oven, barbecue or grill, the Josper is all three, using very high-quality charcoal behind a closed door which keeps all the moisture in and boosts flavour.

My partner and I toured the Dordogne some years ago so Crottin, the beautiful goats’ cheese from the Perigord region jumped off the page and onto her plate. It was served with a vegetable ragu and a bright green pesto sauce: it looked small but beautiful.

To springboard my choice of lamb, I thought I would start with a charcuterie. This was a massive wooden board, occupied by several slices each of Coppa, Bresaola, Finocchio Salame, Felino, a coarse terrine, and deep-fried chicken amuse-bouches. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that these Italian specialities are made perfectly in Wales. With toasted soda bread dressed with honey, and pickled red cabbage it was wonderful mix of flavours.

The Josper grill gives amazing heat to sear the outside of my lamb chop allowing a 'rose' finish with outrageous depth of flavour. It was accompanied by a choice of sauces: I opted for creamy Béarnaise. With Portobello mushrooms I didn’t really need triple cooked chips, lovely as they were. A carafe of Rioja, more peppery than usual was a perfect match. I watched my partner and her pan-fried salmon with saffron cous-cous and Bok choi greens, and thought for once I had the better choice,

but she loved it, and the fish was cooked perfectly. She followed with a refreshing mango parfait, almond tuille, and kalamansi sorbet, which looked splendid as it arrived at the table.

Thoroughly sated, rather than a sweet, I had a glass of Royal Tokai 2007, 5 Puttonyas Aszu, from North East Hungary, richer than gold, a subtle taste of apricot and orange, a chilled foil to all else…

LOCALE WITH KATHERINE SCARLETT It’s been a while since we last visited Locale, but the memories of great evenings out came flooding back as I walked up the spiral staircase and into the buzzing atmosphere of Blackheath’s burgundy restaurant.

It’s Monday night, and here at Locale that means 50% off their delicious steaks, so before we even look at drinks or starters, our minds are made up for our main course.

We’re fans of cocktails, and Locale’s range is fantastic.

We choose the fragrant 'Elderflower Collins' and a wonderful apple martini with a kick of fresh mint to sip on as we inspect the menu.

Appetisers: my partner orders the gnocchi fritti – bitesized buffalo mozzarella-stuffed gnocchi, served with a tomato sauce, while I opt for my favourite, salumi misti – a charcuterie board of Italian meats, shaved fennel and focaccia. I’m not disappointed! The gnocci is served crisp and golden, while my olive wood board arrives at the table piled high with Italian goodies.

The appetiser portion size is just right, leaving us satisfied

yet ready for the main event. In comes our waitress, carrying our eight ounce sirloin steaks. Mine was wonderfully rare with a side of creamy mashed potato and a peppercorn sauce. The meat was tender and so easy to eat. My partner’s was cooked medium, just to his taste, with a sundried tomato sauce and roast potatoes.

Needless to say, we ate every scrap.

When asked if we would like to see the dessert menu, it was nods all round. Having checked the menu online earlier, I already knew what I was having, but it was a lengthy decision for my partner. Eventually he settled on the semifreddo with salted caramel sauce. It arrived beautifully presented and drizzled with the sweet, yet salty caramel. The base was a light cake and topped with the classic semifreddo velvety frozen cream. I had the panna cotta, a favourite of mine at Locale. Every time I visit they have a seasonal twist on the classic, and this time it was topped with beautiful fresh raspberries and coulis. Every mouthful dissolved on the tongue into smooth, creamy heaven. It was divine. Locale, we will be back.

CLAIRE ALLEN'S LATE NIGHT BITES It’s difficult to find something as simple as a decent burger, especially late into evening. But, the late night snack menu at The Admiral Hardy in Greenwich, with those criss-cross griddle marked burgers in soft, glazed, proper American diner style buns, pulls it off. Nicely.

We shared/fought over crispy chicken strips in a seasoned bubbly batter, along with onion rings. While the pulled pork burger packed a sweet and sticky BBQ punch, and came fully loaded with tender pork. As my husband delicately put it – you won’t go home feeling hungry.

There’s a range of burgers to choose from, the ‘Destroyer’ could potentially become infamous; there’s a choice of hot dogs, sharing plates or a platter – ideal for friends to tuck hungrily into. With a background of live music, and a relaxed atmosphere full of lively conversation – mid week or weekend, it’s a happy place to be.

The menu is concise, straightforward and tasty; something you need when you’ve had a few drinks, are out with friends and want good food without the formality.

The late night snack menu is available every night 6pm - 10pm.

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Food & Drink

magazine (TOC), 8 The Village, Charlton, SE7 8UD. Or email your details to competition@meridianmagazine.co.uk by 31 October.

Taste of Christmas: 21–24 November. Thurs 5–10pm, Fri 11am–4pm and 5-10pm, Sat 11am– 6pm & Sun 11am-5pm. For more information on Taste of Christmas or to buy tickets visit www. tasteofchristmas.com. Tobacco Dock, 50 Porters Walk, Wapping E1W 2SF

WIN TASTE OF CHRISTMAS TICKETS The Taste Of Christmas show at Tobacco Dock in Wapping, with its combination of indoor and outdoor space, will be transformed to create a festive celebration of the world’s finest food and drink including hot new chefs, brands and experiences.

Taste of Christmas 2013 will host a number of new London based and international restaurants as well as a show-stopping chef line-up allowing real foodie followers a chance to learn from and engage with the best in the industry.

Two lucky Meridian readers can win a pair of tickets each to Taste of Christmas. Simply send your name, address and daytime phone number to Meridian

RISTORANTE CAROLA WITH MICHAEL BREESE Opposite the Old Tiger’s Head in Lee, Carola is a traditional Italian restaurant in a modern setting with a lively bar and garden. We took our youngest daughter – something of an authority on pizza, or she ought to be, considering the amount of her experience in the field.

Gamberoni piri-piri, isn’t really Italian but it’s forgivable, because it was lovely, fresh and a good starter. Big prawns, not overcooked, light and full of flavour with mild red and green chilli slices and ginger shreds, romped off my starter plate.

My partner chose bread sticks, which actually were Carola’s fresh pizza base cooked with a butter coating.

The result was light, fluffy and very moreish. Tagliatelle alla carbonara is a marriage made in food heaven.

My partner has always loved the balance of pancetta, pecorino and parmesan cheese, creamy sauce and pasta, spaghetti, tagliatelle or whatever shape you like. I chose the same pasta to go with my scaloppina di vitello, a veal escalope, beaten out flat, coated in

DEVONPORT HOUSE

flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, lemon zest, parsley or sage and parmesan then fried. It may be flat, but it is filling, especially helped by Peroni beer.

While I stopped short of a sweet, my pizza queen daughter had an ice cream, the last half of which I inherited... it was good, though. Instead of a sweet, I had a Cognac.

Hennessy XO is one of the finest available. The aroma is rich and full bodied with dark, dried fruit, plums, sultana and dates. It was a little warm for my tastes, but I enjoyed the almost caramel, cocoa glow. It has been a long time. I didn’t notice the Banoffee pie disappearing behind my partner’s smile, but she was happy.

A large espresso went down very well with me.

Carola is the only Italian restaurant I know where they do not use Italian coffee. Portuguese is their choice, sugar, too. No bitterness, just good coffee.

CAROLA Ristorante / Pizzeria

A family-run restaurant, serving fresh, flavoursome Italian cuisine Now taking bookings for 2-23rd December and open Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Menus available on website

Tel: 020 8617 3544 Our celebrated chef has carefully created a menu inspired from his 25 year’s experience in an Italian kitchen and his time at the much-loved Pizzeria Castello (Elephant & Castle and Bermondsey) until 2010.

Celebrate Christmas with family and friends from just £34.95 per person!

Private and Joiner parties throughout December Devonport House, King William Walk, Greenwich, London SE10 9JW Tel: 0 208 269 5420 devenportsalesteam@deverevenues.co.uk

www.deverevenues.co.uk

LUNCH OFFER | Mon – Fri 12pm – 4.30pm 10% off your bill OPEN: Mon - Fri 12 noon until 11.00pm | Sat 5.00pm until 11.00pm Sunday open for private functions only www. ristorantecarola.co.uk | 151/157 Lee Road, Blackheath, SE3 9DJ OCTOBER OFFER | First drink FREE with your main meal for up to a table of four, with this advert (choose from the house selection).

Please present this advert before placing your order.

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CHRISTMAS PARTIES Friday 6th, 13th and 20th December 2013 £28.00pp – 3 course and 80’s disco Christmas Day: - 4 course festive lunch Noon-2pm £64.95 per adult £29.95 per child BOOK NOW T: 01959 522944 E: enquiries@dvgc.co.uk www.dvgc.co.uk

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This months 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.

This Summer holidays 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.

Sing it out. Stress-relieving singing group for local people. All abilities catered for. First session FREE. Evening sessions Wednesday 8pm. Mother & baby sessions Thursday 1.30pm. Maze Hill area.

E:toria@singitout.co.uk or call: 07747 794 321.

EVERY MON Rotary Club of Lewisham & Penge. Local businessmen and women giving help locally, nationally 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.

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. Come and join this happy choir and sing for fun! A community choir with no audition required. The aim is to sing together and have fun! Info: call Wendy 07812 477 775. £2 per week, refreshments provided. 6.30pm-8pm. The Clockhouse Community Centre, Defiance Walk, Woolwich Dockyard, Woolwich SE18 5QL.

EVERY THURS

On stage James Haddrell interviews comedian Alexei Sayle before his long-awaited return to comedy at Greenwich Theatre next month With venues as big as Wembley and the O2 regularly playing host to stand-up comedians, and TV schedules packed with panel game formats designed to showcase comics, stand-up has become a bigger industry than ever before - but for Alexei Sayle, godfather of alternative comedy, the past 17 years has been spent away from the microphone. Now a celebrated writer, at the age of 61 the comic famed for his political material and splenetic delivery is back on the road.

'Until this tour the last full-length comedy gig I performed was at a large theatre in Perth Western Australia in 1996,' he told me.

'At the time I didn’t realise it was going to be my last gig for 17 years. I didn’t make a big decision to deliberately stop - rather I simply failed to start again. Since the original Comedy Store opened in 1979 I’d been working more or less continuously and I believe that I was worn out, bereft of inspiration, and couldn’t see where there was left for me to go in terms of live performance.'

JH: Having found so much success as a writer, why come back now and face the daily grind of touring all over again?

AS: 'The pioneer of psychiatry Carl Jung wrote, “Man needs difficulties, they are necessary for health.” By this I don’t think he meant that you have to set yourself random difficulties that simply make your life more complicated - setting fire to your trousers for example or stealing a cow - rather he meant that no matter what age you are you need to set yourself challenges.'

JH: So, 17 years on, can we expect anything different from an Alexei Sayle gig?

AS: 'Well once I had decided to go back on stage the question did remain - what sort of performance would I give? Should I get out the old tight suits (now even tighter than ever) and do my hits, more or less the same as when I stopped nearly twenty years ago? If something worked in the past then why shouldn’t it work again now? Unfortunately life isn’t like that, time passes and tastes change and you have to accept that the world had moved on. So now my performance is different. I’m calmer, the audience is calmer, and there’s less danger of violence – either from me or them – although as soon as I get in front of an audience, the old manic energy possesses me and I realise that I’m still full of anger – so maybe not quite as serene as I planned!'

Alexei Sayle plays at Greenwich Theatre on Sunday 3 November Box Office 020 8858 7755 www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk

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. Charlton House, Charlton Rd; SE7 020 8856 3951.

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.

2ND SAT OF EVERY MONTH Forest Hill Farmers’ Market. 9.30am-2pm.

Forest Hill Pools, Dartmouth Road, SE23 3HZ.

EVERY SUN Blackheath Farmers’ Market. 10am-2pm. Blackheath Station Car Park; Blackheath SE3.

THIRD SUN OF EVERY MONTH Eltham Farmers’ Market. 10am-3pm. Passey Place.

Off Eltham High St, Eltham SE9.

EVERY SUN & 2ND TUES Blackheath Quakers. Meeting for worship.

10.30am-11.30am every Sunday, and 1pm-1.30pm 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 6 OCT Current Exhibition. Featured artists: Peter Luty (Until 22 Sept) Elaine Marshall (24 Sept-6 Oct).

Tues–Sun, 10am–5.30pm. 020 8858 1569.

Greenwich Printmakers Gallery, 1A The Market, SE10 9HZ.

UNTIL 28 OCT Exhibition: Oil Paintings, Pastels & Drawings of the Darenth Valley. Christiana Angelini will be showing a selection of work inspired by the River Darent in Kent. 020 8463 0100. Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ

UNTIL 1 NOV Impressions of Greenwich & Blackheath. Varied and exciting artwork from Blackheath Art Society artists in the Royal Borough. Work will be for sale.

10am-5pm. Free. Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre, King William Walk, Greenwich SE10

UNTIL 3 NOV Current Exhibition. Featured artists: Sandra Millar (Until 20 Oct), Michael Reid (22 Oct – 3 Nov). Tues– Sun, 10am–5.30pm. 020 8858 1569. Greenwich Printmakers Gallery, 1A The Market, SE10 9HZ.

UNTIL 31 DEC Globe Trotting: Ethnographic Fans. Drawing from The Fan Museum collections this exhibition offers fascinating insights into fan culture and fan production from a pan-global perspective. Tues-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 12noon-5pm. £4, £10 family. The Fan Museum, 12 Crooms Hill, Greenwich SE10 8ER.

Blackheath Morris Men. Practice 8.45-10pm.

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Listings continued UNTIL 27 APR 14 War Story: Supplying Frontline Afghanistan.

Brand new material recently collected in Afghanistan by the War Story team including photos, film, home videos and interviews reveals the challenges of supporting the armed forces on the frontline.

10am-6pm. 020 7416 5000. Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ.

MON 7 OCT Jazz. Mick Collins Modern Jazz Orchestra. 8.30 - 10.45pm. £6. 0208 466 1726. HG Wells Centre, St Marks Rd. Bromley High Street South, Bromley BR2 9HG.

THURS 10 OCT Lunchtime Recital. Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance. Lydia Hepworth & Petra Kahle, classical guitar, Maria Camino Carrion, violin.

1.10pm. Free. St Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ.

THURS 10, 11 & 12 OCT The Accrington Pals. Play by Peter Whelan, presented by the Priory Players set at the beginning of the Great War. 7.45pm. £7, £6 concs. 07502 450 983 or tickets@theprioryplayers.com. The Progress Hall, Admiral Seymour Road, Eltham SE9 1SL.

Win a family ticket for 4 at the Cutty Sark PLUS lunch at the Even Keel Café Come aboard one of the world’s most famous ships for a fun family day out. Walk along the decks in the footsteps of the merchant seamen who sailed her over a century ago. Explore the hold where precious cargo was stored on those epic voyages then marvel as you balance a 963-tonne national treasure on just one hand as you stand beneath the ship. A completely new visitor experience includes interactive displays that evoke the sights, smells and sounds of life at sea and tell the ship’s fascinating 144-year history. Cutty Sark has been raised more than three metres allowing visitors the unique experience of walking under a three-masted sailing ship and capturing a breath-taking view of the ship’s gleaming hull from beneath. Take part in a range of activities at Cutty Sark as part of your day out.

After exploring, pay a visit to the Even Keel Café and enjoy family friendly hot meals, warming soups and deli sandwiches. Sign the kids up to the ship’s apprentice lunch…

Family Fun Weekend Programme: Sat 2 Nov. Land Yachts: Experiment with wind and sails and make your own land yacht in this special family workshop to celebrate the ship's birthday.

Sun 3 Nov. Your Cutty Sark: Did you know 'cutty sark' is a Scottish word for an undershirt? Design your own souvenir paper t-shirt to celebrate Cutty Sark's birthday this month. She'll be 144!

For full details on family events visit rmg.co.uk/cuttysark/events

FRI 11 OCT

Local History: Steaming Day. A rare chance to see the world's largest working rotative beam engine working at the Grade 1 listed Crossness Pumping Station. 10.30 - 4pm. £5, children under 16 free. The Crossness Engine Trust, Crossness Sewage Treatment Works, Belvedere Road, Abbey Wood, SE2 9AQ.

TUES 15 OCT Greenwich Industrial History Society. Pieter Van der Merwve on ‘Artist and Thames Shipyards’.

7.30pm. Non-members £1. The Old Bakehouse, Bennett Park, Blackheath SE3.

After Hours with… Incognito.

Celebrating over 30 years in music, the everlasting British acid jazz band, the almighty Incognito.

7.45pm. £20. www.seetickets.com. East Wintergarden, 43 Bank Street, Canary Wharf E14..

Churchill Lecture Series. The Great Escaper.

Talk by author and Times journalist Simon Pearson, on the extraordinary story of Roger Bushell, a prisoner of war noted for masterminding the ‘Great Escape’ at Stalug Luft III camp. 7-9pm. £17, £13.60 concs. Advance booking required on www.lwm.org. uk. Churchill War Rooms, Clive Steps, King Charles Street SW1A 2AQ.

Pirates of Penzance. Sidcup Operatic Society presents the classic Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera. 7.45-10pm. Sat matinee 2.30pm. £12.50, £10.50 concs. 020 8301 2681. Group bookings 020 8300 1392. Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road, Eltham SE9 5TG.

SAT 12 OCT

SUN 13 OCT

London is the place for me. To celebrate Black History Month the British Music Experience is exploring how immigration changed our musical landscape forever. The national Jazz Archive explores how Jazz was the pop craze of teens in the 40s and 50s. 12noon – 4pm. Adult £13, Child £6.50, under 5s free. British Musical Experience, The O2 Bubble, The O2, Peninsula Square SE10 0DX.

THURS 17 - 19 OCT

Derek Nash (Sax). World class live jazz hosted

by Dave Silk (bass). Relaxed candlelit setting. Bar opens 8pm. £10 on the door. www.jazznights.co.uk.

Mycenae House, Mycenae Road Blackheath SE3.

Ramble. A 5.5-mile linear walk from Brookwood Station to Ash Vale Station along the Basingstoke Canal. Meet either at Waterloo mainline station under the clock at 10am, or at 11am at Brookwood station. Goldsmiths Rambling Club. Contact Rona Sullivan on 020 8850 4417 for details.

Come and Sing. Eltham Choral Society invites all local singers to join in with an instant performance of Mozart’s Coronation Mass. Registration 1pm, rehearsals from 1.30pm and performance at 7pm. £12 singers, £6 audience. Book email secretary@elthamchoral.org.uk, 020 8850 3532 or turn up on the day. Eltham Park Methodist Church, Westmount Road, Eltham SE9 1XX. Old McDonald & the Pigs Plus. Hubble Bubble pigs in trouble! Suitable for ages 4+. 3pm running time 45mins. £7. 020 8463 0100. Recital Room.

Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, Blackheath SE3 9RL. A Splendid Musical. Charity concert featuring The Royal Artillery Orchestra, The Royal Artillery Big Band and the Woolwich Military Wives Choir in aid of SSAFA, a charity which supports the military and their families & the Children’s Ward at Kings College Hospital. Doors 2.30pm, 3-6pm. £12 inc interval refreshments. Pre-book only on 020 8781 3251 or email librarian.raband@gmail.com. Woolwich Town Hall, Wellington Street, Woolwich SE18 6PW.

SUN 13, 20, & 27 OCT

FRI 18TH OCT One lucky reader can win a family ticket for four PLUS lunch. To enter send your name, address and daytime phone number to Meridian magazine (Cutty Sark), 8 The Village, Charlton SE7 8UD or email your details to competition@meridian-magazine.co.uk by 25th October.

T & C's apply. Image: National Maritime Museum.

Early Music Festival The Royal Greenwich International Early Music Festival and Exhibition is a worldfamous musical feast which this year will celebrate the 300th anniversary of Greenwich’s iconic architecture from 7-9 November – and you can win free tickets to the Exhibition. Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, the Early Music Shop and the Greenwich Foundation will host a baroque feast of music, workshops, exhibitions and masterclasses. Highlights include the 40th anniversary of the English Concert under its founder Trevor Pinnock. Events will be held in various venues across the Old Royal Naval College, a World Heritage Site and the architectural centrepiece of Maritime Greenwich.

Two lucky winners can each win a pair of three-day passes to the Exhibition. Simply name the instrument in the picture, and email j.harber@trinitylaban.ac.uk by 31 October. Winners will be announced on 1 November. More information and tickets to the Festival at www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/earlymusicfestival

Bach to baby: Flights of fantasy. 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. Blackheath Quaker Meetings. Monthly talks in celebration of their 50th Anniversary. Affluent city: austere times by Judith Moran, director Quaker Social Action. 7.30pm, light refreshments from 7pm.

Blackheath Quaker Meeting House, Lawn Terrace SE3 9LL. Harvest Hoedown Barn Dance. Hillbillies of all ages are invited to dance the night away. Whether you’re a complete novice or a do-si-do pro there will be a caller on hand to guide you through the steps, with live music and a bar. 8-11pm. £10, £7 concs.

20th Anniversary special offer: 20% off for groups of 10 or more. 020 8293 9741. www.greenwichdance. org.uk. Greenwich Dance, The Borough Hall, Royal Hill SE10 8RE.

FRI 18 & 20 OCT Opera: Verdi’s Otello. Midsummer Opera with full Symphony Orchestra & chorus plus Blackheath Choir conducted by David Roblou. Fri 7pm, Sun 4pm. www.midsummeropera.org.uk or 020 7652 0070. £24, £20. St John’s Church, Waterloo SE1 8TY.

SAT 19 OCT Lunchtime Recital. Catherine Leonard, piano.

1.10pm. Free. St Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ.

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Listings continued Charlton Society. AGM. Speaker TBA. 2.3-pm.

Charlton House, Charlton SE7.

Tea Dance. The beautiful 1930s Art Deco Borough Hall is the perfect setting for an afternoon of dancing. 2-4.30pm. £8, £6 concs. 020 8293 9741.

Greenwich Dance, The Borough Hall, Royal Hill SE10 8RE. Concert. Collegium Musicum, John Biggins.

7.30pm. £tba. www.st-alfege.org. St Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ.

Win a round of golf for you and 3 friends

SAT 19 & 20 OCT Drawing Masterclasses. Horrible Histories illustrator, Martin Brown shows how’s it done.

12noon–1pm & 3-4pm. £8. Book online on www.lwm.org.uk. IWM London, Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ.

SUN 20 OCT Kapow! Superstar Wrestling Show. Actionpacked, family friendly wrestling and lucha libre show. The show features lucha libre star Cassandro El Exotico, as well as international stars Jonny Storm, Chuck Cyrus and many more. 2.30-5.30pm. £8. 07837 742 830. Progress Hall, Admiral Seymour Road, Eltham SE9 1SL.

MON 21 OCT Charlton & Blackheath Amateur Horticultural Society. Fruit in the Garden. Talk by Brian Self.

7.45pm. £1 visitors. Charlton House, Charlton Road SE7 8RE.

WED 23 OCT Tea Dance. Come and spend a magical afternoon dancing in the friendly atmosphere of Blackheath Halls compered by Mr. Wonderful Dancing. 2pm4.30pm. £5 includes light refreshments. 020 8463 0100. Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ. Chamber Music. A performance of Prokofiev’s opera, The Fiery Angel Op 37 arranged by Ondrej Gima for three singers with piano. 6pm. £5. 020 8463 0100.

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

WED 23 - 26 OCT Godspell – the classic rock musical. Music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. 7.45pm. £13.50, Wed, Thurs & Sat matinee 2.30pm £11.50. www.bobhopetheatre.co.uk. Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road, Eltham SE9 5TG.

THURS 24 OCT Lunchtime Recital. Trinity Laban. Saxophone day with Michael Duke and Sarah Markham.

1.10pm. Free. St Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ. Blackheath Decorative and Fine Arts Society.

It is 14 years since Tracey Emin shocked the art world with My Bed. Since then her reputation has soared. Is she a much-maligned genius?

Or not? Hear what our lecturer Rosalind Whyte thinks. 2.30pm. £5 on the door. St Mary’s Church Hall, Cresswell Park, Blackheath SE3. www.artsinblackheath.org.uk.

FRI 25 OCT Family Disco. Love to Boogie? Come and strut your stuff at this fun family disco 5-6.30pm. £5.

020 8293 9741. Greenwich Dance, The Borough Hall, Royal Hill SE10 8RE.

Lullingstone Park Golf Course is located in more than 500 acres of the most attractive and picturesque Kentish countryside. The course is conveniently situated in the Darenth Valley in Kent, just outside London. Lullingstone offers both dedicated players and enthusiastic beginners a location unrivalled in the South East of England. One lucky winner will be able to enjoy a round at Lullingstone Park Golf Course on the par 72 championship length Castle Course with three friends (that’s a prize value of over £100). All you need to do is send your name, address and daytime phone number to Meridian magazine (Lullingstone competition) 8 The Village, Charlton SE7 8UD or email your details to competition@meridian-magazine.co.uk by 31 October 2013. *Course rules and dress code applies, round must be used by 31st March 2014, tee time must be booked with the pro-shop in advance and is subject to availability.

Gerald Moore Exhibition The Gerald Moore Gallery at Eltham College is displaying recent works of Helene Fesenmaier and David Hodgson; Spaniards and Maps. The exhibition continues every Saturday until the 2 November, 12-4pm and is free to visit. The two artists had worked alongside each other for more than 20 years as a husband and wife team, producing large-scale art, until Fesenmaier passed away earlier in 2013. She was a leading artist within the field of referential abstraction and has paintings and sculptures displayed which understandably dominate the exhibition. Abstraction is the departure from the reality of imagery and her work deals with her diagnosis of cancer, showing the emotions that she must have dealt with, through the striking nature of the colours used. Hodgson displays paintings and works on paper from two collections, paintings of distinctive figures and ancient maps from his collection, the magnus opus.

By Kabir Dev

Nelson, Navy, Nation Opening on Trafalgar Day (21 October) a major new permanent gallery at the National Maritime Museum looks at how the Royal Navy shaped individual lives and the course of British history over the tumultuous 18th century.

Nelson, Navy, Nation provides a setting for the museum's unrivalled collections relating to Admiral Lord Nelson.

Open 10am-5pm daily. National Maritime Museum, Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF. ©National Maritime Museum, London Greenwich Hospital Collection

SAT 26 OCT Ramble. A 5.5-mile level walk starts at London Bridge station, walking along the Thames and through parks, finishing at High Street Kensington underground. Meet at for 10.30am at London Bridge station ticket office. Goldsmiths Rambling Club. Contact Rona Sullivan on 020 8850 4417 for details.

Woolwich Antiquarians. Early Aviation in Kent.

Speaker John King. 2pm. Charlton House, Charlton Village SE7.

Family Cabaret. Magical family cabaret. Enjoy bite-size bits of dance, circus and music. 5pm, doors 4.30pm. £10, £7.50 concs. Haggle offer: Fancy booking a table? Call for prices 020 8293 9741. Greenwich Dance, The Borough Hall, Royal Hill SE10 8RE. Halloween Ball. Come in fancy dress for this thrilling evening. Cocktails on arrival and Halloween supper followed by dancing in the Old Library.

7.30pm. £30. In aid of the Maidstone and Lewisham Samaritans. Tickets 020 8856 3951 Email: halloweenball2013@gmail.com.

Charlton House, Charlton Road, SE7.

MON 28 OCT The Big Draw. Blackheath Art Society members will join ORNC staff in Discover Greenwich for the Big Draw Project. 11am. Discover Greenwich, Cutty Sark Gardens, SE10 9NN.

TUES 29 OCT Lunchtime Recital. Trinity Laban. 1.10pm. Free.

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

WED 30 OCT - 3 NOV We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. Little Angel Theatre brings Michael Rosen’s funny adventure to life in a new puppetry production. Wed-Fri 11am & 2pm, Sat-Sun 10am, 12.30pm & 3pm. £12.50, £7.50 concs. Family ticket £35. 020 8858 7755. www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk. Greenwich Theatre, Croom’s Hill SE10 8ES.

THURS 31 OCT Lunchtime Recital. Trinity Laban. Ryan Hume, tenor trombone and Joe Palmer, tuba. 1.10pm.

Free. St Alfege Church, Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BJ. Trinity Laban Symphony Orchestra. Howard Williams conducts the Trinity Laban Symphony Orchestra in this programme of music with an English theme. Celebrating Britten’s centenary year, the orchestra open the concert with his popular Sinfonia da Requiem and finish with a new composition by Trinity Laban’s own Andreas Papetrou.

7.30pm. £12, £8 concs. 020 8463 0100. Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, Blackheath, SE3 9RQ

THURS 31 OCT & 1 -2 NOV Good Things by Liz Lochhead. The Alexandra Players present a hilarious, poignant tale of love the second time around. 8pm. £8, £7 concs. 07867 627 987. The Alexandra Hall, Bramshot Avenue SE7 7HX.

FRI 1 NOV Quiz Night. Teams of 6 or make one up on the night. 7.30pm for 8pm. Members £5, non-members £6. Book: call Caroline Owens on 020 8853 0948.

Westcombe Society, Mycenae House, SE3.

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Classified NIGEL STRETTON-DOWNES SINCE 1972

SPECIALIST DECORATOR - CITY & GUILDS COLLEGE INSTRUCTOR - ASSESSOR Mobile: 079564668988 Telephone:020 8776 5649 Email: info@stretton-downes.co.uk Web: www.stretton-downes.co.uk 42 Cambridge Road London, SE20 7XL

To book your classified ad call 020 8319 0555

NATURE’S FEED 100% ORGANIC

HORSE MANURE COMPOST Also Rich Sieved Country Soil and Compost Mixed Instant Growth | Double Growth | Blooms Everything grows - just add water. £6 per bag (15 bags) 75 litres Compost/40 litres soil or 1/2 price loose - 2 tons - equal to £3 per bag Delivery included. No extras. London/home counties

020 7607 0689 | www.soil-compost.co.uk

R&D

Cleaning Services

✓ Domestic cleaning ✓ Business premises ✓ Office cleaning ✓ Ironing

Contact Ruth at: 0203 663 0151 0780 988 9272 ruth.onah@yahoo.co.uk

Daphne Graham?

John’s Roofing

MARRON ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Tiling • Slating • Flat roofs Guttering • Soffit fascia Friendly local guy, Competitive prices No job too small

Free quotes 020 8185 0288 or 07961 359 328 enquiries@marronelectrical.co.uk

FREE estimates

www.marronelectrical.co.uk

01322 431 685 07957 495 365

Complete bathroom and kitchen installations FULLY QUALIFIED

FREE QUOTES

07940 158 572

07702 983 627

info@expressplumbing.org

All major credit cards accepted

GARDEN SERVICES FENCING - TURFING - TREE WORK HEDGE CUTTING - PATIOS CLEARING OVERGROWN GARDENS GARAGE CLEARANCE GENERAL GARDEN MAINTENANCE Fully insured - Free estimates

Call: 07796 343 722

Glitz hair extensions specialist micro rings cold fusion methods

07852 871 979 glitzhairextensions.co.uk

Domestic Services

Just the way you want them!

Cleaning • Ironing • 1-off cleaning Office cleaning Vikana Cleaning Services Ltd Email: info@vikanacleaningservices.com www.vikanacleaningservices.com M: 0782 4535336 T: 0208 2940394

Contented Pets Personal & Friendly Pet Service Introductory Offer 50% off your first walk, visit or first day board.

Call to arrange a free consultation Dog walking • Dog boarding Puppy/Elderly Dog Home Visits Cat/Small Pet Home Visits 07967 722 763 contentedpets@ymail.com www.contented-pets.co.uk

RQH GARDENCARE Planning fo Autumn

Seasonal garden planning, preparation and maintenance: • Garden tidy up • Bulb planting • Border planning and preparation • Turfing and fencing

020 8856 7694 | 07909 661 806

TAYLOR MAINTENANCE

Painter & Decorator

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Interior & Exterior Very clean, tidy, friendly & reliable 15 years experience Very competitive prices Rooms from £80

Call Tim for a Free quote

020 8671 1425 I 07858 937 873

SHOWROOM:

257 Eltham High St Eltham, London SE9 1TY

0208 8850 4887

Extensions l Decorating Plumbing l Electrics l Carpentry No Job Too Small!

Professional and Reliable

The supply & replacement of drawers, doors, worktops, hinges, all fitted kitchen components/ appliances, door renowation & polishing

References Available l Free Quotes

Bedroom doors also available

07595 675 601 | 020 3648 3868

01689 850 000 | www.thekitchendoctor.com

www.taylormaintenance.co.uk info@taylormaintenance.co.uk

Serving London & the South-East since 1984

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Classified

To book your classified ad call 020 8319 0555

BRICKCLEAN www.brickcleanlondon.co.uk ‘The specialist brickwork restoration contractors’ • Cleaning • Paint Removal • Pointing • Repairs & Restoration • Cladding & Rendering Removal • Pebble Dash Removal Wandsworth Design Award 2011 “Commended Contractor”

020 8672 7715 07790 529427

Local Builder

Expert workmanship and friendly service • New and replacement roofs • Slating • Re-pointing • Flat roofs • Tiling • Small repairs including clearing out gutters • New UPVC facias, soffits and gutters

• All aspects of building work undertaken • Timber and double-glazed windows and doors, including sash windows overhauled, repaired and replaced • General roof repair, including slate, tile and felt • Gutters, soffits and fascias in traditional timber or uPVC • All aspects of decorating • Plumbing and carpentry

• All aspects of building trade undertaken

• Plasterboard ceilings and walls

Free estimates and a guaranteed personal service References and recommendations available on request

OAP discounts for all works John Franklin Building Maintenance & Property Development Telephone 01322 446 895 Mobile 07904 515 737

Commercial / Domestic Interior & Exterior Painters and Decorators

020 8650 3928 / 07958 436 343 www.edendecorating.co.uk FREE QUOTES - ALL WORK GUARANTEED

C elebrat

i ng 1 0

ye ar s

■ Draught proofing ■ Sash window refurbishment ■ Double glazing to existing sashes ■ New timber windows ■ Painting and decorating

Call Now 020 8778 1100 www.paxtonrestoration.co.uk

South East London based specialists in new and pre-owned upright pianos.

GREAT PIANOS. GREAT PRICES GREAT SERVICE For more information please contact Julian Barber on 020 3645 3930 or at julian@pianolobby.co.uk

✓ Regular Domestic cleaning & Ironing service ✓ Home Help service ✓ Vetted & insured cleaners ✓Affordable rates

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Absolutely Floored GAS ENGINEER

QUALITY WORKMANSHIP AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

• • • • •

Wood Flooring Specialists Sanding & Sealing Repairs & Restoration Free Consultation 90% Dust Free Sanding

Lilly Nails

BY SELVI

Mobile nail treatments in the comfort of your home ure anic • M dicure e P • olish ns el P • G xtensio E rt ail • N Nail A c, • ella

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Opi, roduc g in p Us sh D Geli IFIE

UAL RED U LY Q FUL LY INS FUL 966 6 0 o.uk

Tel: 020 8265 8138 Mob: 07957 906 080 www.absolutelyfloored.co.uk info@absolutelyfloored.co.uk

LOCAL BASED BUILDER • AWARDED ISO9001 •

Member of ABT

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MC TECHNICIANS LTD All domestic and commercial work undertaken including building, plumbing, electrical, decorating and carpentry.

Office refurbishments

Telephone: 020 8850 7216 Fax: 020 8331 2580 Mobile phone: 07771 788319 (Free estimates given)

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