Live entertainment

There's something really special happening this weekend (14th, 15th & 16th December). If you want to have an amazing time and just want to stay local to The Shire, you must go to the Greenwich Circus Festival down by the Thames Barrier.

If you do anything this weekend, go to this festival. It's a must-see event, in fact it's a must-do event as there are circus skills to try out too. On Saturday evening, there's a cabaret show called Midnight Circus which sounds intriguing followed by live music, drink, food, drink.... Man alive, I'm booking up now.

Click here to book online

Hangar Arts Trust
Unit 7a, Mellish House
Harrington Way
SE18 5NR

Plumstead Community Market

Are you :-

1. In the Plumstead area on Saturday 27th October 2012 between 10am - 2pm?
2. Looking for a gift?
3. Feeling the need for a gorgeous slice of cake?
4. Looking for a craft activity so your children don't smear Pritt Stick¹ all over your antimacassars at home?
5. Wanting to meet decent up-standing members of The Shire?

Well, why not pop up to St Mark's Hall on Plumstead Common and discover the newly (and perfectly formed), Plumstead Community Market?

This will be the second community market event and by jove, I'm sure there will be more, but why wait? "Come on down, the price is right", as Lesley Crowther used to say.

http://plumsteadcommunitymarket.wordpress.com

St Mark's Church is located in a picturesque corner of Old Mill Road. Look out for this building.

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footnotes

1 - Other adhesives are also available

It's an exciting Summer full of culture and it's started.

The excellent Greenwich & Docklands International Festival starts today and runs until 30th June. There's far too much to list here, but Prometheus Awakes looks like a very exciting free theatrical event. Check your diaries quick because it's happening tomorrow night by the Queen's House in Greenwich Park. It doesn't start until 10pm so too late for young children which is a shame as it looks pretty stunning.

This weekend, continue to bombard yourself with culture and entertainment and more Greenwichness as it's the Greenwich Fair. Every nook and cranny of the town centre will be taken over by street theatre and quirky performances. Should be great whether it rains or shines. Not sure which shows I'd pick out, but The Pig looks intriguing and worrying at the same time.

As if that's not enough, the Laban Dance Centre in Deptfordshire is hosting The Big Dance Picnic on 23rd June from 12pm. It's more about dance, circus arts and performance than picnic, but there should be enough movement for everyone's appetite. There will alos be a multi-sensory tent which sounds like a must-do.

Enough junk food already

Plumstead Common has its' fair share of greasy food outlets and we don't need another one. Here's a petition to give YOU, the good people o' the Shire a chance to stand up and be counted for. What the heck, I don't mind if you're from Guatemala or the South Sea Islands and never heard of Plumstead Common, you can sign and show your support too.

I want to live beyond 40 years old.

What a lot of people around The Shire want is a decent place serving decent food which won't block your arteries up as soon as you take your second mouthful. Of course, some people love such cuisine and well, I hope you're balancing out your diet with a ton of veg and exercise.

The fast food joint will be within spitting distance of Plumstead Manor School and I thought there are some sort of planning rules against lard in such close proximity to schools. Unfortunately, planning has been approved, but the owners are applying for planning permission for a shop sign which (considering it's a conservation area), is anything but subtle and, despite the name, lacks any sense of taste.

Here's the planning application.

Cinema

Cinema is returning to Woolwich. Brilliant.

Live entertainment

Down in the sleepy hamlet of Woolwich, there's an excitement buzzing around. Folk are chattering about the resurgence of the Woolwich Grand Theatre¹. I've not followed their developments too closely, but it seems they are aiming to bring cultural live entertainment to Woolwich once more, and what a great thing once this comes to fruition. Woolwich needs a place to focus the many creative minds and talents of this little settlement, especially so as it's perceived as a dour area. In years to come, Londinium will grow beyond Holborn and encompass rural communities like Woolwich and when that era cometh, art could easily be forgotten.

On the other hand, there is already a bubbling creative scene up the hill in Plumsteadshire. And what do such 'with-it' folk enjoy? Live comedy which is just as well because this Saturday is comedy night at The Pavilion. You'd be a fool to miss it.

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footnote
1 - or 'theater' as the dreaded spell checker prefers

Happy New Year

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone in The Shire, but I've just read about the Peninsula Restaurant in Charlton. They seem to have a hygiene record that could literally turn your stomach. Unfortunately, it's not the first time they've been caught out so I for one will be celebrating elsewhere.

I don't like to give negative news about a local business, but feel this could save people from praying to the porcelain alter all night long. And on that basis, I won't be investing in a meal there. I'm out [year of the dragon - ed.]

http://www.greenwich.co.uk/news/06970-chinese-restaurant-fined