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 exhibit unique photography processes

Peculiar Processes, a series of works by Natalia Skobeeva which runs from 22 November to 4 January, rails against the 'picture-perfect' attitudes of the digital age.

In it, the intricate statues of Easter Island are photographed with Polaroid instant film; film of London is buried in coffee; and expired film is used to reveal unpredictable results. Other projects include photographing the life of London's Central St Martin's building using pinhole cameras with exposure times of up to 40 minutes.Another sees models photographed in cyanotype, a 19th century printing process that gives a cyan-blue tint.

Natalia Shobeeva said: "This, my first solo show, brings together different aspects of my research into alternative techniques, some of which are unique and will be exhibited here for the first time. "I am looking forward to seeing how each piece will interact with the viewer – I hope to surprise every viewer at least once."

Viewfinder director and curator Louise Forrester said: "I'm delighted to be exhibiting Natalia Skobeeva's work – her photographic experiments are unpredictable but always striking. "It's wonderful to see handcrafted prints in this increasingly digital environment. I hope that visitors will be intrigued and inspired by this work."

For more information, call 020 8858 8351, ext. 4 or email gallery@viewfinder.org.uk

MUSEUM TO HOST SOUTH EAST LONDON’S ANNUAL MULTI FAITH ACT OF REMEMBRANCE

South-East London’s annual Community Multi Faith Act of Remembrance will be held at Firepower, the Royal Artillery Museum in the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich on Sunday 9 November at 3pm. The ceremony, which is open to the public and is free of charge, will remember the sacrifices made by all nations and faiths in times of war.

Faiths represented from the south east London community will include Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Quaker and Sikh. “This event proved very popular with the community when it was launched in 2007 so the Museum is delighted to host it again this year.” Says Eileen Noon from Firepower.

“Our Museum is located in an area peopled by residents of many faiths and this is an opportunity for all to pay their respects and remember together as one. “ Local Lewisham College has been invited to provide projected displays on a remembrance theme for the event which will close with The Last Post being sounded, followed by a two minute silence. At the end the Reveille will sound led by a local Army Cadet Band. Deputy Lieutenant for Greenwich Dr Cyril Young will be present as will representatives of the London Assembly and the Metropolitan Police.

A representative from each faith and other community representatives will come forward and may light a candle, and then give a short reading or prayer or meditation. War veterans of the Second World War and more recent conflicts will also be present. His Worship the Mayor of Greenwich, Councillor Steve Offord, will light a candle and say a few words on behalf of Greenwich Council and the wider community. The Mayor will then place a wreath in front of the Museum’s memorial to the fallen of the First World War and the book recalling soldiers of the Royal Artillery who have died in recent conflicts.

The Community Multi Faith Act of Remembrance will be held on Sunday 9 November and will start at 3.00pm and finish at 4.00pm. Refreshments will be served after the Act of Remembrance and all are invited to attend. Admission to the ceremony is free of charge.

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

Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, London, SE18 6ST.

New art competition launches for Woolwich schools

Woolwich primary schools have this week been invited by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to take part in an exciting new art competition that celebrates the opening of the station at Woolwich Arsenal in early 2009.


School children have been tasked with creating a piece of art under the title ‘Ways to cross the Thames’. The winning school will receive £1,000 of art supplies and their poster will be displayed at the new Woolwich station.


The art competition is just one of the community based initiatives the DLR is undertaking to involve the local community in the new station opening.


The idea for an art competition links with the unique piece of public art by a renowned London artist, which will be on permanent display in the Woolwich station. The competition’s theme of ‘Ways to cross the Thames’ ties in with the DLR’s new advertising campaign strapline “Soon there will be a better way to cross the Thames”.


Simon Dobson, DLR, comments: “We have received some great feedback from the local schools who are really excited about this project. The new station will mean a lot to Woolwich residents of all ages, but for children in particular it will open up many opportunities now more accessible in London and beyond.”


The competition will be judged by a panel of art enthusiasts from the DLR and local council.


The £180 million extension to the DLR network will link with North Woolwich, providing easy access to the City and Central London. The new high-spec station will be an architectural first for the DLR and it is expected that the new link will bring Woolwich as many opportunities as were achieved in North Woolwich when the DLR opened there in December 2005.


Further information about the new DLR link from Woolwich is now available by visiting www.dlr.co.uk/woolwicharsenal.