Greenwich Visitor THE


March 2017 Page 16


LIFE IN ELTHAM


with GAYNOR WINGHAM elthamarts@aol.co.uk @ElthamArts


Library attracted around 60 people to listen to hints about becoming a published author. I can remember as a child creating my own magazines, handwritten in coloured crayons with balloons on the cover and drawings of flowers and trees decorating pages of short stories and quizzes. My repertoire expanded to diary writing, poetry, fea- ture writing, a local history book and now even writing a monthly column, but never a novel!


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hat is why I always admire anyone who has the skill, imagination and determination to complete a whole novel and to go through the stages from idea to actually see that book for sale. Making that transi- tion from one type of writing to novel writing is Eltham author Lee Stuart Evans, who has recently published his first novel, Words Best Sung. No stranger to writing professionally as a comedy writer for TV and Radio, he had also been researching a novel based in the 1960s and calling on family memo- ries for details. You can buy a copy locally at Bookshop on The Heath in Blackheath Viilage and Halcyon Books in Lee High Road With such local interest in writing, Eltham Library is exploring the possibility of some workshops – watch this space for details.


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everyone can to join in. It is aimed to be an opportunity for members of our community, indi- viduals, schools and groups to join in with a project which encourages imagi- native and creative thinking. More on our website.


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warms up, July doesn’t seem far away now, which is great news – it will be Eltham Music Month this year. With events planned in Passey Place, Eltham High Street, parks, clubs, pubs and Eltham Palace there will be so much going on this Summer. I can’t wait!


A s the weather


This column is your chance to share your passion for the arts in Eltham. Tell me your news and views on


elthamarts@aol. co.uk


07976 355398 or email


emember the Winter Festival Song Chal- lenge? We invited local singer/songwriters to write songs with a culinary theme. Fif- teen original and different songs have now been recorded and an album – A Plateful of Songs – is being produced. We are sure you will find it tasty. We have such great local talent!


e are also planning an exciting new project called WALL. This will be mul- timedia


project and Chinipan EXCEPTIONAL INDIAN RESTAURANT


15 Old Dover Road, Blackheath SE3 7BT Open seven days including Bank Holidays Mon-Sat 5pm –11pm. Sunday 5pm-10.30pm


Indian Cuisine


020 8853 5800 www.chinipanrestaurant.co.uk Artwork ©Te Greenwich Visitor. Not for


publication elsewhere without permission. THE INDIAN CUISINE


Superb food. Outstanding value. Free delivery over £15. Book now!


GREENWICH CURRY CLUB AWARD WINNER


Superb food. Outstanding value. Free delivery on orders over £15.


020 8473 8222 or 07947 101162 Artwork ©Te Greenwich Visitor.


134 Lee High Road, Lewisham, SE13 5PR. Not for publication elsewhere without permission.


hy do people want to write? It seems lots of people in Eltham want to. A meeting for writers and would-be writers in Eltham


beginners to serious enthusiasts. With Mother’s Day coming up their no-expiry date gift vouchers from £25 could be the ticket.


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he Mitre Hotel in Greenwich has its own wine school – part of a network with tastings for


bees came out early and went back to the wrong hive slot. They never located the food left by the beekeeper. As a result the colony died and the hives were moved to the middle of the Orchard. Visit the orchard’s new blog – queensorchard. blogspot.co.uk – for updates, includ- ing news of an experiment: Plastic Modern v Classic Wooden hive.


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ees at the Queen’s Orchard in Greenwich Park are doing fine... unlike last year when the silly


March 4 and 5. Meet award-winning Riverford organic farmers, attend a wine-makers’ workshop (£10 a session), and sample cheese from urban British producer Philip Wilton who says: “The moon is made of cheese – Eat your way to the stars.”


pring is in the air. A good excuse to visit Greenwich Peninsula for a pop-up event called SAMPLE on


25,899 in 2008/09 to 1.1 million in 2015/16. Good Food in Greenwich has done a thorough local study – hear the results and what can be done on March 8 (9.30-1pm) at West Greenwich Library. Info: nicola.nzuza@royal greenwich.gov.uk or mel@gcda.org.uk


ood poverty is a long-standing problem. The Trussell Trust reports food bank visits up from


YOU might be surprised to know that here in urban south east London we have a great working farm. And this year it celebrates its 20th anniversary. Woodlands Farm Trust, at Shooters Hill, is 36-hectares of farming history. There’s been a farm on the site since 1750. And right now they’re getting ready for lambing.


That’s the helping process, when farmers assist ewes and make sure lambs suckle. This year the Farm is holding a Lambing Open Day – on April 9 (11-4) – when you can see a working farm close up.


BIRTHDAY B


Farming, of course, is not just about cooing at the lovely creatures. There’s a serious side. Between August and November the lambs will have grown to about 40kgs, when it’s time for them to be taken to slaughter. You can buy meat from


Woodlands Farm Trust , as well as plenty of other goodies. It’s well known for its eggs, honey and chutneys. You need to pre- order their lamb, pork and beef. The supply is seasonal and alerts are sent by email.


Contact them at admin@ the woodlandsfarmtrust.org or call 020 8319 8900.


Lambing Open Day April 9 (11-4)


WHERE WHEN


Mother’s Dayat The White Hart Pub


Carvery & Steakhouse One-course Carvery meal £9.95


Two-course Carvery meal (starter & main or main & dessert)...£15.95


Or enjoy our traditional three-course Carvery meal £19.95


SUNDAY MARCH 26 ...DON’T FORGET!


Your tips on places to relax


2 Eltham High Street SE9 1DA www.whiteharteltham.co.uk


0208 850 1562


shot up 30 per cent since 2013. So what is going on? People are spending more on eating out. In turn eating out has become an inclusive experience with restaurants and cafes more open to families – unlike pubs and bars. There is also a higher demand for food and drinks on the go and, coffee-shops have become social places with Wi-Fi accessibility. It’s also true to say that the quality of coffee on offer has risen hugely. Servng coffee in some outlets has become an artform. I have my own favourites But this column is all about you. So here are some of your own favourites. They have one thing in common, their uniqueness. West Greenwich: The Plumtree Cafe on Greenwich High Road doesn’t need any introduction. It’s an institution with its indoors tree-house and open from 7.30 for copious breakfasts. The Red Door on Turnpin Lane is a quirky cafe, shop and gallery with delicious hand made vegan cakes, Monmouth coffee, locally baked bread during the day and evenings music and tribute nights. East Greenwich: The new friendly Foodies on Vanbrugh


Hill, opposite the Greenwich Centre, is a little gem. Quality vegan and gluten free cakes, a culinary achievement, are great (after a fitness session, though!). A place to put your feet up and relax. Blackheath: The Village has its fair share of


coffee shops but only the Tea Hut on the heath is open 24/7 – bring your own chair though. Blackheath Standard: Moca in Old Dover Road


gets your vote with its custard pies and intense cups of espresso. Cakes at Mara are highly recommended. Woolwich: The award-winning Cornerstone Café at Royal Arsenal is a classic coffee


WITH changing shopping habits and business rate rises, some say the traditional British High Street will soon be obsolete. Already one in seven shops is boarded up. But – and this is a big but – the number of coffee shops has


Woodlands Farm Trust, DA16 3RP


FULLY LICENSED & AIR CONDITIONED


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