FIREPOWER TO HOST BOOK LAUNCH CELEBRATING THREE CENTURIES OF WOOLWICH GUNNERS HISTORY

Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum is about to play host to the launch of the definitive book on the long-lasting relationship between the Royal Artillery – the Gunners - and Woolwich where the Regiment was founded in 1716.

The book entitled The Royal Artillery Woolwich – a celebration will be launched at Firepower on the evening of Thursday 20 November between 6.30 and 8.30pm and the media are invited to attend. Many Gunners both serving and retired will be present. The Royal Artillery Band Quintet and Fanfare Trumpeters will provide appropriate music for the auspicious occasion.

Woolwich is the place most closely identified with the traditions, skills and professionalism for which the Royal Artillery is renowned. The Regiment’s historic move from Woolwich to Larkhill in 2007 prompted this look back over more than two centuries of Gunner and Woolwich history which is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the history of South East London. The book's Consultant Editor is Brigadier Ken Timbers who has served four tours of duty with the Royal Artillery in Woolwich.

The 192 page 75,000 word volume has over 200 images in both colour and black and white and is available from the Museum Shop in person, by calling 020 8312 7134 or visiting www.firepower.org.uk/shop. Sales of the book which is priced £45 will directly benefit the Royal Artillery Museum.

Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum is based at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, the birthplace of the Royal Artillery which was founded there in 1716. The history of artillery is illustrated by Firepower’s world-class display of artillery from catapults to rockets, from the medieval battlefield to modern peacekeeping missions, the collections including uniforms, drawings, diaries and medals bring together 700 years of artillery and human history. Experiences at Firepower include the ground-shaking Field of Fire audio-visual show where visitors are put in the midst of battle as shells and aircraft fly overhead and guns roar, giving an insight into the experiences of an artillery gunner.

For more information about Firepower visit www.firepower.org.uk, call 020 8855 7755 or email info@firepower.org.uk. Firepower is located in the historic Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, London, between the A206 and the Thames.

VIEWFINDER TO SHOW FRESH PERSPECTIVES ON SOUTH ASIAN PEOPLE, PLACES & CULTURE

Greenwich's Viewfinder Photography Gallery announces a vibrant and eclectic exhibition that illustrates journeys to and from the Indian subcontinent – as well as showing the journeys that Asian culture has taken from its traditional homelands to contemporary, urban and multicultural contexts.

DestinAsian: Viewfinder is a group show featuring submissions from both professional and non-professional photographers of various ethnicities, from around the world. Some these include pictures taken from 'Indian Women: The Roles Revised', an expo organised by the Drik agency. Displaying a wide range of images including portraiture, landscapes and documentary-style photos – the show also reveals fascinating personal narratives around themes of identity and migration.

The exhibition, which runs from 6 to 16 November 2008, seeks to avoid clichéd representations of life in the Indian subcontinent and present images with a particularly original or different perspective. These pictures – many of which will be for sale -- also aim to address issues that matter to contemporary audiences, but in way that is honest, unpretentious and accessible.

The show is being guest-curated by Bombay Mix, which stages various events of contemporary Asian culture -- particularly for new audiences and venues. It is being held alongside other events at the Greenwich Picturehouse cinema and The National Maritime Museum, as part of Bombay Mix's annual DestinAsians festival. In keeping with the museum's remit, many of the images depict travel, transport and journeys -- in both literal and metaphorical senses.

For further details see www.bombaymix.org. DestinAsian is part of Photomonth, the largest photography festival in the UK: www.photomonth.org