Pandora’s Box Theatre present Burglar Bill at Blackheath Halls

Saturday 28 March at 3:00 PM/ £7


Who’s that creeping down the street? Who’s that climbing up the wall? Who’s that coming through the window?


Every night Burglar Bill has stolen fish and chips and a stolen cup of stolen tea for supper, then he swings a big stolen sack over his shoulder and goes off to work, stealing things. One night Burglar Bill steals a nice big brown box with little holes in it. He takes it home, but what he finds inside throws his nightly routine into hilarious chaos and ultimately changes his criminal life forever.

Charlton House Easter Party

Step back in time and re-live the 50s at Charlton House this Easter Sunday, April 11, 2009 @ 7.30pm

For more details, click here.

Handel's Messiah: King's College Choir Live

Sunday 5 April, 2009 @ 7.10pm

Greenwich Picturehouse present King's College Choir and the Academy of Ancient Music performing Handel's Messiah as part of the Royal Opera House Live season.

Handel died on 14 April 1759, exactly 250 years ago in April 2009. On Palm Sunday this year, the Choir of King's College under Stephen Cleobury will perform Handel's Messiah. It will be broadcast live from the magnificent surroundings of King's College Chapel, one of the jewels of Britain's cultural and architectural heritage. The Choir will be joined by soloists from Royal Opera House and the Academy of Ancient Music.

Ticket Prices:

Full Price £20, Concessions £19, Members £17.50, Children £5

To book tickets visit the cinema in person or call the Box Office on 0871 704 2059.

General info: 0871 704 2059

General bookings: 0871 704 2059

Book online: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema_home_date.aspx?venueId=gnw

The Greenwich Gazette WeekEnd Guide

Saturday 21 March, 2009

Meet Joe Brown: One of the Hospital's Pensioners tells you about his everyday life, along with tales of the Battle of Trafalgar. 12:30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm. Free. Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, SE10.

Silly Wigs and Hats: For 5-12 year-olds. 10.30am - 12 noon. Greenwich Heritage Centre, Royal Arsenal. SE18. Bookings: 020 8854 2452

Anne Frank: Her Legacy Today. A talk by Gillian Walnes, founder and director of the Anne Frank Trust. 2pm. £3.00 (includes light refreshments). Greenwich Heritage Centre, Royal Arsenal, SE18. Booking: 020 8854 2452

Frock Exchange Party: Recycled or Vintage. In partnership with the Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice. 12noon - 4pm. £5. Greenwich Community College, Royal Hill, SE10. Tel: 020 8858 2211

Poetry Recital: Alexander in India by Robert Wynne-Simmons. 1.10pm. Free. St Alfege's Greenwich Church St. SE10.

Mother's Day Lunch- 3 course family carvery luncheon with flowers for Mum. £20.00 adults - £12.50 children u12. Clarendon Hotel, Blackheath. For more info, click here.

Kuniyoshi Opens: The Royal Academy of Arts presents an exhibition on one of the greatest Japanese print artists, Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861). For more info, click here.

Sunday 22 March, 2009

Haffner Wind Ensemble: Blackheath Halls at 11am. The Haffner Wind Ensemble is one of Britain’s leading chamber ensembles and one of the most established wind quintets in Britain. Nicholas Daniel (oboe), Joy Farrall (clarinet), Michael Cox (flute), Sarah Burnett (bassoon), Stephen Bell (horn). For more info click here.

Tactile Tales: Storytelling session using tactile rug. Find out about Kings, Queens and monsters. For 3-7 year olds. 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm. Free. Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, SE10.

Portfolio Review: Join Louise Forrester (curator) and Britt Hatzius (London Independent Photography's Editor) for a 25-minute portfolio review. 1pm onwards. £20. Viewfinder Photography Gallery, Linear House, Peyton Place, off Royal Hill, Greenwich, SE10. Bookings: http://www.viewfindergallery.org.uk/

Organ Recital: by James Grainger on the 1789 Samuel Green Organ. 3pm. Free. Chapel of the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, SE10

Thomas Tallis Society Choir & Orchestra: 7pm. £8-£15. St Alfege, Greenwich Church Street, SE10. Tickets on door or in advance Greenwich Theatre 020 8858 7755

Saturday March 21 & Sunday March 22, 2009:

Nubian Weekend: The Equiano Society hosts an official from Nubia Museum in Aswan, Egypt who will lecture on Queen Nefertiti and other Nubian women. Also, poets, drummers, dances and more. 1-4pm. Museum of London Docklands, West India Quay, E14. Tel: 0870 444 3857/ For more info click here.

Florimania: Flowers for the King. Hampton Court Palace. Join us over Mothering Sunday weekend for our annual celebration of flowers.Created by members of the Surrey branch of NAFAS, the displays this year will be inspired by the Tudor period. This year, for the first time, the Tudor State Apartments and Cloisters will be displayed with a riot of colour and scent using flowers and plants of the period. For more info click here. Address: Hampton Court, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU

Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Sunday March 22, 2009

Treat Mum and yourself to a London Pass and enjoy visiting more than 55 tourist sites all at discounted prices. To know more, click here.





AfternoonTea.co.uk and The Park Lane Hotel present an exclusive afternoon of music, dancing and tea! Mother's Day - Sunday 22nd March 2009 at 3pm.
Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, London
Tickets £49 per person, including Traditional Afternoon Tea. For more info click here.





Best Mum Sash Nightdress, £5, ASDA





Clarendon Hotel Blackheath, MOTHERS DAY LUNCH - 3 course family carvery luncheon with flowers for Mum. £20.00 adults - £12.50 children u12.

Cafe Rouge are giving away £1.00 to Marie Curie Cancer Care every time a meal from the Mothers Day menu is ordered, so you can treat your mum to some French inspired food and do your bit for charity at the same time. For more info and bookings click here. The Special Menu is £15.95 for 2 courses or £19.95 for three courses.

Italian flavours suitable for all the family, and a glass of free prosecco for mums await at Carluccios across London.

Scissor & tape £4.99 each both Sainsbury's

St Alfege Recital

Trinity College of Music students will be providing a vocal recital at St Alfege Church in Greenwich tomorrow, March 19, 2009. The event is free and takes place at 1.10pm at St Alfege Street Church, St. Alfege Church Street, SE10.

Jazz for Free at Blackheath Halls Tonight

Kick back and soak up the atmosphere of Beats in the Bar as jazz students from Trinity College of Music perform at Blackheath Halls' Recital Room.

The popular series is a chance for you to enjoy a relaxed evening of jazz. Featuring critically acclaimed guest artists including Jean Toussaint, Julian Siegel, Chris Batchelor, Liam Noble, Andrea Vicary, Malcolm Earle-Smith, Martin Speake and Nick Weldon performing alongside the stars of tomorrow.

Admission FREE. Time: 7.30pm, Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3. Tel: 020 8463 0100 / www.blackheathhalls.com

Anne Frank: A History for Today Opens at Greenwich

Anne Frank: A History for Today opens today at the Greenwich Heritage Centre, Royal Arsenal, SE18. The exhibit is free and remains until March 28, 2009. Opening times: Tuesday - Saturday 9am - 5pm. Tel: 020 8854 2452

The Founder and Director of the Anne Frank Trust UK, Gillian Walnes to give a talk to compliment the exhibition. The title of Gillian's talk is "Anne Frank: Her Legacy Today" and will take place on Saturday 21 March at 2pm as part of Saturday lecture programme (£3 admission including light refreshments). Contact the Heritage Centre on 020 8854 2452 to reserve a place.

For more info click here and here.

The Greenwich Gazette Weekend Guide

Saturday, 14 March, 2009

Mazury Dance Company: The UK's largest Polish folk dance company celebrates its 60th anniversary with an evening of Polish dance, songs, costumes and music. Prices: £15. Time: 6.30pm. Southbank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall. For more info, click here.

The Affordable Art Fair: Take a stroll in the park as the Affordable Art Fair returns to Battersea with its Spring Collection from Thursday12- Sunday15 March. The fair provides a relaxed and fun atmosphere in which original contemporary art can be enjoyed by all. Thousands of paintings, sculpture, photography and original prints, priced between £50 and £3,000, and all the artists on show differ from the Autumn Collection. Tickets available on the door. Times: 11.00am - 6.00pm. Free entry for children under 16. Ticket prices: £12, (concessions, £10).The Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ. For more info, click here.

Pericles, Prince of Tyre: A play by William Shakespeare: Pimps and pirates, incestuous kings and congenial fishermen, reanimated wives and fairy-godmother goddesses all congregate in a weird and whimsical ancient world (runs until Sunday March 22, 2009). The Greenwich Playhouse. Tickets: £12, £10 (concs). Times: 7.30pm. Call: 020 8858 9256. For more info, click here.

Walk and Talk Saturdays: (Every Saturday in March). Meet Neptune, the king of the seven seas, and follow him through the galleries in this exciting performance. Find out how sailors tried to win his favour. Suitable for ages 6+. Times: 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00 at the National Maritime Museum, Level 1. Free event. For more info, click here.

Talks and Tours: Take a tour to find out about Hidden Trafalgar. Takes place on East and West Streets. Times: 12.15pm and 2.45pm. For more info, click here.

CHART art exhibition: Work by local artists. 10am - 5pm. Free. The Old Library, Charlton House, Charlton, SE7

Children's Nearly New Sale: 2-4pm. St Michael's Church Hall, Pond Road, Blackheath, SE3.

Aladdin's Cave. For 5-12 year olds. 10.30am -12 noon. Greenwich Heritage Centre, Royal Arsenal, SE18. Bookings: 020 8854 2452/ for more info, click here.

Anansi Tales & Tiger Tales: Pekko's Puppets. For 3-7 year olds. 3pm. £7. Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3. Tel: 020 8463 0100

Snowboy & the Latin Section: He is, without doubt, the country's best known Latin percussionist and his band is probably Europe's most travelled Latin Jazz act. Blackheath Halls, 8pm. Tickets: £16 (£14 concs). 23 Lee Road, London, SE3 9RQ. http://www.blackheathhalls.com/

The Blossom Street Singers: 7.30pm, £7+concs. St Alfege's, Greenwich Church St, SE10

Sunday, 15 March, 2009

Make and Do Sundays (Every Sunday through March): Families with kids all ages can enjoy making a magical mask or headdress based on the fantastic stories sailors created about sea monsters and mermaids. National Maritime Museum. Free event. Times: 11.30-13.30 & 14.00-16.00. Booking not required. National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. For more info, click here.

Tours and talks: Learn more about Francesco Caracciolo – “the man Nelson executed for treason” at Nelson’s Navy gallery at the Maritime Museum. Talk times are 12.00 noon & 3.00pm. Suitable for adults and children over 5 years. For more info click here.

Mini Marathon: Open to boys and girls aged 11-17. Sutcliffe Park, Eltham. Registration is at 12.45, start time is at 1.30pm. For more info, click here.

Archaeology Workshop: National Science and Engineering Week. Learn how to sort and identify archaeological objects on the foreshore of the Thames. Suitable for ages 7+. Wear wellington boots. £6 adults, £3 child. Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, SE10. Booking essential. Call 020 8269 4799

Organ Recital: Sean Farrell on the 1789 Samuel Green organ. 3pm. Free. Chapel of the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, SE10.

Show Your Support This Friday for the Docklands Sinfonia

This Friday, March 13, the Docklands Sinfonia holds its first concert since its formation in January 2009. Conducted and founded by Spencer Down it promises to be a 'major cultural force in London's Docklands'.

The show will feature stars such as saxophonist Christian Forshaw and soprano Elin Manahan Thomas in the orchestra's first-ever concert to be held at St. Anne's Church in Limehouse at 7.30pm on Friday, March 13, 2009.

Tickets are currently being sold online and by phone and they cost £10 and £6 (concs).

St. Anne's Limehouse

5 Newell Street

London, E14

Box office: 020 8763 2922 or info@docklandssinfonia.co.uk

Thames 21 Clean up is back

The environmental charity Thames21 is back and wants volunteers to help out with this year's Thames clean up which takes place today and tomorrow. The volunteers will meet up at Newcastle Draw Dock off Saunders Ness Road.

The Clean up times:

Today (Thursday, March 12, 2009): 8am

Tomorrow (Friday, March 13, 2009): 8:30am

Thames 21 will provide boots, health & safety briefing, rubbish bags and litter collection. For more information visit their website www.thames21.org.uk

A Chance to Represent Greenwich On London Marathon Day

This Sunday, March 15, 2009 there will be a mini-marathon open to boys and girls aged 11-17 who live or go to school in the borough. You could represent Greenwich on London Marathon day.

All you have to do is turn up at Sutcliffe Park, Eltham, at 12.45pm to register for 1.30pm start or call 020 8921 8301 for more details.

Sutcliffe Park

Meadowside

London SE9

For more info click here

Purses at the Ready as New Look Comes to Greenwich

This Thursday free your day, cancel those meetings and leave the kids at the in-laws. Leading fashion retailer, New Look launches its new store at Greenwich Shopping Park off Bugsby's Way in Charlton this Thursday, March 12, 2009. We know we'll be there for sure.

Why Not Be A Local Tourist?

Running From Monday, March 23 until Sunday, March 29 Greenwich Council is launching a new project which it is naming 'Be a Local Tourist in Greenwich' in accordance with British Tourism Week. During this exceptional week you get to enjoy visiting various landmarks in Greenwich, Eltham and Woolwich at reduced prices.

All you need to obtain your special vouchers is to visit Greenwich Council's website and print off the vouchers which will be available to download as of Saturday, March 21, 2009. You can also collect the vouchers from the Greenwich Tourist Information Centre on Saturday as well.

Here's what's on offer:

Eltham Palace: 25% discount
The Fan Museum: Two for one
Firepower, the Royal Artillery Museum: Two for one
Greenwich Heritage Centre (free admission): Free cup of tea or coffee
Peter Harrison Planetarium at the Royal Observatory Greenwich: 25% discount
'Romeo and Juliet' at Greenwich Theatre: Two for one
Thames Barrier Information Centre: Two for one.

To become a local tourist & obtain the vouchers:

The Greenwich Council website: www.greenwich.gov.uk/localtourist

Greenwich Information Centre: Note that this is a temporary location while the Pepys building in The Royal Naval College is being refurbished.

46 Greenwich Church Street

Greenwich

London

SE10 9BL

For the addresses and other contact details for the venues on offer go to:

http://thegreenwichgazetteaddressbook.blogspot.com/

No Smoking Day 2009

No Smoking Day is the UK's leading health campaign for smokers who want to stop. This website has all the information and resources you need to quit smoking, or to organise your own event on No Smoking Day: Wednesday 11 March 2009. For more info click here.

Today the campaign will be giving advice and tips at The O2 on the Peninsula, Woolwich Market, and Asda supermarket in Charlton.

Red Nose Day in Greenwich: How to do your bit!

TK Maxx:

Stella McCartney T-shirts, £9.99

You still have a chance to buy the Stella McCartney designed T-shirts (£9.99) from the TK Maxx website and you can also vote for the funniest T-shirt and win a shopping spree worth £500. Click here for more info.


Join hot@rrivals and be the first to know. Simply fill out the form to receive hot@rrivals emails from TK Maxx and they will donate 10p to Comic Relief on your behalf, as part of Red Nose Day fundraising. If just 10 people sign up, £1 could buy a hot meal for a young homeless person in the UK. Making a real difference is that easy.
With hot@rrivals from TK Maxx, you’ll be the first to know about our LATEST FASHION NEWS and SPECIAL DESIGNER DELIVERIES. As if that isn’t enough, you’ll go into a draw to win their monthly prize of a £200 TK Maxx gift card when you sign up. Click here to sign up.

Sainsbury's Greenwich:

Pick up your copy of Jamie's Red Nose recipes available at Sainsbury's Greenwich store now for just £3. It's packed with plenty really great recipes from sweet treats to brilliant meal ideas. What's more, when you buy your copy you'll be helping raise money for a good cause as £2.50 from each book goes to Comic Relief.

For every Sainsbury's strawberry 400g punnet sold between 25 February and 13 March 10p goes to Comic Relief.

Mark Your June Calendar

Eltham Palace will be holding a Tudor-style jousting tournament on June 20 and June 21. The event is part of a series of activities to celebrate the Mayor of London's Story of London festival in June.

Source: Newsshopper.co.uk

March at Greenwich Theatre

Tuesday 3 - Saturday 7 March, 2009
Eves, 7:30pm - all tickets £15
Mats, Wed & Sat 2:30 pm - all tickets £15 Concessions £2.50 off
Groups of 8 or more £10

Tuesday 10 - Saturday 14 March, 2009
Evenings 7:30pm - £20, £17.50 Mats, Wed & Sat 2:30pm - £15, £12.50
Concessions £2.50 off, Groups of 8 or more - Eves, £12.50 Mats, £10

Tuesday 17 - Saturday 21 March, 2009
Eves, 7:30pm - £17.50, £15, Mats, Wed & Sat, 2:30pm - £12.50
Concessions £2.50 off, Groups of 8 or more - Eves, £12.50, Mats, £10
All children's tickets half price
Thursday 19 March: Post-show discussion with members of the company

Click on images for full description of the events.

My First Time

I am dying. The whole of my body feels like it has been hit by a speeding train, thrown under a bus and then just trodden on by a pack of elephants for good measure. I have never ever ached so much in my life. Not even, really not even, when Ellen Mellon had a go at me and I had to have 15 stitches to seal up the oozing gash on my forehead. This is worse. This is pain.

I had had visions of sitting at my laptop boasting about what I had done, feeling oh so smug and full of myself. Satisfied, cocky and hearing a continuous round of applause going on and on in my head till I gave myself a bloody headache. But, it would have been worth it because I would have told about my first time and how great and marvellous it had been. How fantastic I had been, how gracefully my body had taken to it just like a fish to water, how lovely I had looked and how impressed (and surprised at my endurance) both of us had been.

Instead there was awkwardness, stickiness and sweat. There were uncoordinated moves and jerks. After an hour, thankfully (for both parties) it was over. Although my experienced partner was so empathetic, so encouraging with just the right words at just the right time. A nudge here, a shove there yet my body resisted and would not surrender. A look of doubt in both pair of eyes both wondering whether this should have happened at all. I had tried to warn him but he had seemed too cocky himself, so sure he could be the one to make it happen. Well, guess who was laughing now? Not laughing really but grimacing more likely and not out of victory but out of pain.

I am in so much pain. I cannot feel my legs. I wince whenever I move. Parting my legs starts a whole series of electric shocks running up and down my spine. Whoever said that some pains are good pains was an underachiever. This is unbearable and I just want it to go away. Now.

I know I am in pain and possibly delirious. Why? Because all I can think about is when we will meet again for I want more. I need more. I cannot stop now. I have had a taste of an apple that I thought had been forbidden to people like myself. I have drunk from the stream and now I want to bathe in the ocean. This was my first time yet. My body will find its rhythm, it will surrender, it will climax. I strongly feel the promise of a happy ending yet.

And so went my first run at the gym this morning.