The London Symphony Orchestra is simply world class and they are here, right on our doorstep, in London. In all the years they've been performing, one of their latest works may be the one which reaches out to more audience members ever. I don't mind whether or not Candy Crush Soda Saga is a low brow introduction to orchestral music, but the music in this game is wonderfully lush - rather lost on tiny speakers in an iPhone, but you get the idea.

Here's an article on Johan Holmström, the composer.

Plumstead Live

Unfortunately for us, The Plumstead Common Colliery Band had to pull out of the Plumstead Live Festival today at the last minute. Such a shame, but it was an excellent day nonetheless.

In its' short existence, Plumstead Live has already taken root in the local cultural calendar and this primarily comes down to the strength of the organisers, but it also shows the strength of the community, that this event helps make The Shire a special corner of London.

I want Plumstead Live to grow, but actually I want it to grow really slowly as I think it should be about the music and not about convoys of food vans¹.

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footnote

1 - I am only assuming that attracting commercial businesses brings in a little money to help fund the event.

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

Watch your eyes

Friends, Romans, good people o' The Shire. Yesterday evening around 8pm, I noticed a green laser light shining around Plumstead Common.

It could be someone experimenting how they could bend light, or it could be a little herbert who thinks it's fun to annoy passers-by. Either way, a laser light can blind you.

Be careful.

Haven't noticed this before so could be a one off incident.

hello again

Now, where did I get up to?

Things change when you've been away. Logging in to Blogger, the whole interface has changed and I can't tell if I'm blogging or looking at my Orange mobile phone bill. This would be lost on you if you don't use Blogger, or own an Orange mobile phone for that matter.

In the broadest possible way, I sort of feel like I've just walked out of prison and civilians are dressed in hip and 'with it' fashions, whilst I scurry in the shadows with my bell bottom Farah's and paisley shirt.

As part of the Blogger interface, I'm offered the option to add an adsense functionality to Plumsteadshire. Tempting to earn tuppence every month, but I do hate visiting a website and being bombarded by advertisements. Inadvertently, I've already advertised a phone provider, but for the sake of balance, there are other providers available.

Now, let's get straight to the point.

This Saturday (10th December 2011), is the great Comedy On The Common Christmas Special. Plumstead Common's very own live comedy night. Acts LIVE in The Shire are Frank Sanazi, Hattie Hayridge, Fredrik Andersson and Dave Whitney.

I don't have my finger on the pulse of popular culture, so I can't tell you a thing about them, but that's what the internet's for.

It's a hot ticket so book right now and remember, if you snooze, you lose.

Plumstead Live!

I haven't had any time to write about the Plumstead Live! event last Sunday and don't really have time to do it now either, but just to say how much I enjoyed the music; every performance was top notch.

The Plumstead Sinfonia kicked things off in style and I was particularly pleased that they'd included some Philip Glass in their set. The kids from Plumstead Manor School were amazing, especially the acapella. Anyway, I could go on, but it would be a lot of repetition and sound like I'm patting everyone on the back for the sake of it. Not so. I genuinely thought all the music was brilliant. There was a group on at the end who were playing South African music (?). Really, really fab way to end the event.

Not Plumstead Live! but you get the idea.

A great pity the rain tipped down, but it didn't dampen the atmosphere at all. Fingers crossed that the weather will be good for next year's event.

I'm not too sure who were the event organisers, but Nick Day (of PCEG fame), seems to be a big player in this, so Nick thank you so much for putting on an incredible day of live music in The Shire.

The height of Summer

The weather is fright'ning,
the thunder and lightning,
seem to be having their way,
but as far as I'm concerned,
it's a lovely day.

Eat more veg.

I had a particularly brilliant Friday; I was introduced to a mobile grocer. He drives around The Shire selling organic fruit and vegetables from his van. I love to support local businesses, but the grocer was simply the most charming down to earth person you could meet. Quality of service was most notable. Now that's something we don't get enough of these days.

I don't actually know where his regular stops are, so it's a bit like pinning a tail on the donkey.

I bought quite a few bits and pieces including the most delicious juicy plums known to humankind. There is a downside. I bought a bottle of pear juice and the rest of the family quaffed it before I could get a taster. What's the World coming to? You slog your guts out to earn an honest penny etcetera....

I'd love to give more details, but this is as much as I know at the moment.

I'll have to tell you about another high quality van-based food seller, but it'll have to wait for another time. Have you heard of The German Baker?

Blog spam

I was really confused what had happened to some comments made on Plumsteadshire and found that there's a spam filter on Blogger and they ended up in there. I also found quite a few others there too.

Very sorry about about that Anonymous. I do value your comments, even though they're not favourable to me. You're interesting and put an excellent argument forward. Once again, apologies as it's technology getting the better of me.

Drumming

Loud party going on nearby. The people sound like their having fun, but it's keeping me wide awake. I'm sure I heard Indian drumming earlier, which I love but not at midnight. It's not an Asian festival today is it?

Steam train

A Crossness steam railway service coming in 2 years time. That's seriously exciting. Heard this on the wireless today.

The knuckle dragging continues

Our 'neighbour' is so unbelievable. The children and the obligatory staffordshire bull terrier need to be rescued from the thugs that call themselves parents.

Mr KD (Knuckle Dragger), has just had a whole minute shouting fest at one of his many kids. "I didn't bring you up to be f***ing nasty ......." blah blah
"you p"""ed me off..... and made me f***ing shout. I don't like shouting....." You could've fooled me, considering you do it every day.

The KDs haven't worked out that the poor children are a result of being brought up in such a vitriolic environment and one day, will shout louder than their parents. One day, they might show their fangs to them as well and bite their big fat heads off.

I'm all for social inclusion, but these effing & blinding, always angry, blood sucking, knuckle draggers contribute nothing but poison to our community. They are a failing social experiment and I can only hope the poor children are saved before they are ruined.

Madam Butterfly in Woolwich

General Gordon Square is THE cultural centre of Woolwich. Following on from Les Girafes on Saturday evening, tonight we have a live broadcast of Madam Butterfly direct from the Royal Opera House. Yes folks, we can watch a live performance from one of the top opera companies in the World and we don't have to pay £200 for the privilege.

Madam Butterfly is one of the most popular operas around, and would you believe it, you WILL know some tunes from it, so come along and hum along.

Monday 4th July. 7.30pm. General Gordon Square, Woolwich.

Les Girafes

There's a spectacular show,
which you all must know,
that is coming our way to Woolwich.
No you didn't hear wrong,
There'll be dances and songs,
and all sorts of theatrical carryings-on.

It ends the festival of performance arts,
in Greenwich and Docklands and nearby parts.
The shows (which are free), have already started,
so just click right here and you'll soon see,
that the shows are accessible,
yes, they're for you and for me.