Meet Fireman Sam at Greenwich This Easter Sunday

Meet the local fire brigade and Fireman Sam character who will be making an appearance at Greenwich on Sunday, April 8, 2007 at 11-11:40 am, 12-12:40pm, 2-2:40pm and 3-3:40pm

Easter Celebrations at Greenwich

Exciting events are planned all around the borough this Easter. Here's a run down of what out's there to keep you all busy especially with a four day holiday coming up.

Easter Egg Hunt In Maritime Greenwich (now running up to Sunday 8th April 2007)

You can enter the FREE Easter Egg Hunt with the chance to win great prizes. Your quest is to find 8 Easter Eggs hiding in different shop windows around Greenwich Town Centre. Start your search within Greenwich Market where you will find 4 eggs displayed. Leave the market by the main entrance (by the Dress Circle shop), where en route you will find one more egg. Turn right and use the pedestrian crossing to visit the shopping parade by Cutty Sark DLR station. Finally pass by Waterstones to walk down by Greenwich Church Street where you can find the last two eggs. Then walk past the Cutty Sark ship to deliver your completed competition entry form to The Greenwich Tourist Information Centre, Pepys House, 2 Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich, London, SE10. until Sunday 8th April 2007 until 2pm. You can get forms for the competition from the Maritime Museum and any of the mentioned shops above.

Greenwich Village: Saturday 7th April, 2007 & Sunday 8th April, 2007 (11 a.m - 5.00 p.m)

Fantastic Food/Craft Market

Easter Egg Hunt (See above for details)

Ceroc Jive Dance Display (on Saturday)

Manor Majorettes Team (on Sunday)

Free Children's Arts & Crafts activities

Free face painting

Meeting members of the Fire Brigade.

For more information, contact Greenwich Town Centre Management on 020-8921 4464

Old Royal Naval College: Friday 6th April - Monday 9th April: A Treasure Hunt for all the family!
Find and follow the animals and creatures of the College this Easter for a tasty Easter surprise at the end! £1 per child (which you use to buy your treasure map at the Visitor's Centre). Trail begins at the Visitor Center and ends at the Painted Hall. (tel: 020- 8269 4799). This is a self-guided tour.

Every Sunday At Greenwich

What? House for a Queen

Why? Enter the 17th century and Queen Henrietta Maria's "House of Delights" in this actor-led introduction to the Queen's House. Suitable for ages 5+

Where? National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

Zippos Circus Is Back In Town

I hadn't been to the circus since I was a junior myself. So, when I heard of Zippos circus coming back to town, I was probably the first one to buy tickets. My childhood memories of the circus are affectionately recalled with over sized, wobbly and later messy cotton candy, soft melting ice cream, peeling laughter at the clowns, and wondrous amazement at the sight and smells of the animals. I wanted ChiChi junior to experience the same. And So we went.

Zippos Circus, with a large tent occupying most of the heath in Blackheath is an inviting scene. With the colorful banners, ice cream stalls, and Zippos smiling face painted everywhere, I doubt any child (or adult) would resist going in. There is always something intriguing and mystical about a travelling circus; gypsy life comes to mind with passionate dancers whirling round an open fire, inflamed love affairs and living on the edge kind of life. But those are just my thoughts running away with me.

Zippos Circus at Blackheath is themed this year around the Wild West (with beautiful show girls to add to the glamour). All the performers are clad in Western gear, even the memorabilia center around the same thing (Western hats) and of course other shiny bits and bobs that had the children wailing, pleading and dealing with their parents.

The circus performance in itself, although quite long (it's a two-hour show) was captivating. Pure old-fashioned fun. The acrobats were fantastic and received squeals of delight from the audience. Truly memorable performances are the tight-rope acrobats, the female flying acrobat and the Mohicans.

I personally thought the horse show was quite boring (although the horses so majestic) and the kids seemed to shift in place at the bird performance. But all in all it was a diverse show with something for everyone. But, prepare to be picked or have water sprayed at you if you choose to sit in the Ring Side seats. We chose the Side View seats which were just fine.

The kids can also enjoy having their face painted by the clowns, and birthday parties can be booked at the premises. Tickets can be bought at the site or online (you get discounted tickets which we did and you just present them at the door without having to queue at the box office) at www.zipposcircus.co.uk. As the ring leader concluded "You're never too old, too young or too cool to visit the circus". So what are you waiting for? The tent calls!

The Circus runs until April 10
Official Website: http://www.zipposcircus.co.uk/

On Weekends, in addition to the circus, kids can also enjoy the donkey rides in Blackheath.