Greenwich Visitor THE


March 2017 Page 4


MILES HEDLEY’s pick of this month’s best events. Our unique 3-month listings begin on Page 18


GOOD DOG


Tiata Fahozdi, the country’s leading African theatre company, take to the stage at the Albany to present Arinze Kene’s hard-hitting tale about what it takes to make someone snap under the weight of injustices meted out to minority groups living in multi-cultural Britain in the 21st century. March 6-11


JON CULSHAW


Not only is he one of our best and most popular impressionists, he’s also an avid astronomy buff who knows his stuff and knows how to deliver it in a way that’s accessible, insightful, enthusiastic and hugely entertaining. Don’t miss his Guide To The Night Sky at the Royal Observatory. March 7


EMPRESS/SHAMAN


The love affair between the London Theatre in New Cross and Russian drama continues apace with two one-act pieces, the first about Ivan the Terrible’s wife and the second focusing on the fickle nature of fate and reversals of fortune. For added realism, both are performed in Russian. March 7-12


JON SHENOY


The reedsman, composer and arranger plays Oliver’s as part of a UK tour with his Draw By Four bandmates Sam Dunn (guitar), organist Will Bartlett and drummer Chris Draper to promote latest album Framework which encapsulates the eye-popping range of Shenoy’s musical influences. March 8


ST PATRICK’S DAY CEÍLÍ


It’s that time of the year again, so break out your dancing shoes and hot-foot it to Borough Hall for music, movement and merriment with live band Threepenny Bit and an expert caller to take you through your paces during a non-stop programme of traditional and original Irish tunes. March 11


KATHRYN TICKELL


Speaking of traditional music, check out this award-winning fiddler and Northumbrian piper, whose fans and collaborators include such luminaries as The Chieftains and fellow Geordie Sting. You can see her at Mycenae House when she’s joined by accordionist and clog-dancer Amy Thatcher. March 14


COMPANY CHAMELEON


A double bill at Laban theatre opens with Words Unspoken – six dancers work together in perfect and mesmerising synchronisation. Part Two is Witness, an unflinching exploration of how people deal with mental illness in loved ones. Challen- ging, yes, but also so relevant. March 16&17


FITZROVIA RADIO HOUR


This sounds absolutely delicious. St Michael’s in Blackheath is hosting an evening in which 1940s-style radio plays are reimagined, the atmosphere being enhanced with what the organisers describe as “vintage” fish and chips. The fun will raise funds for the church’s restoration appeal. March 25


EMILY PORTMAN


Brilliant singer-songwriter whose latest album Coracle earned rave reviews comes to Blackheath Halls with a band including vibes and electric harp among instruments more usually associated with folk such as pedal- steel guitar and assorted percussion. A must for lovers of all music. March 26


CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE


Bertolt Brecht’s epic political parable about a peasant girl who rescues a rich couple’s baby and ends up becoming a better mother than the tot’s real mum is brought to Greenwich Theatre by ever-innovative Lazarus theatre company. With an original score, this is a cultural must. March 28-April 1


ParkLife T


BY GREENWICH PARK MANAGER GRAHAM DEAR


O S


here was this amazing tree in the woods by our playground when I was a kid. We called it The Bun Tree and it was evil. On the trunk was a round, brown “bun”. If you touched the bun the branches swept down and caught you. There was no escape... We never actually saw it catch a child, but we all threw sticks at The Bun that we were too scared to touch. Today I know that it was actually a fungus called Ganoderma, which often infects Beech trees. Our game today would be classed as “natural play”. It’s fashionable these days to bring nature into the playground. It’s what we have been doing in Greenwich Park.


ince last June we have installed people counters in the playground to find out just how many people are using it. We always knew it was popular but in nine months the playground has hosted over 300,000 visits. That’s a big number and one that will only increase as the population of London continues to rise. Greenwich Park Revealed is considering the future demands on the Park – one of which will be need for more play space for children. One suggestion is to create informal natural play space for younger children in the Flower Garden, at the opposite end of the Park from the playground. This area, with the deer, ducks, flower beds and no dogs, is already very popular with young families. Last August we trialled a small catering kiosk here and it was overwhelmingly supported by visitors. Improving the facilities in the Flower Garden with accessible toilets, baby change facilities some informal natural play features, like the wooden sheep sculptures and willow tunnel in the playground are some of the ideas we are taking out to visitors at our open days in the Park to find out what you think.


G


etting the balance right in different areas of the Park is one of our biggest challenges. More visitors puts pressure on facilities and the wildlife that lives in it. With careful management we can achieve the right balance but we need your help. Please visit one of our open days or sign up to receive the Greenwich Park Revealed newsletter.


ver the last four years the playground has been refurbished. The old worn equipment has been replaced with new more challenging pieces that have greater play value and a natural wood finish that sits better in a heritage park. The use of plant material and willow sculptures has softened the hard edges of the playground and made a more creative space to play in. There is one more phase of refurbishment to come. This is aimed at younger children and will include bespoke equipment that integrates children with disabilities. Funding for this will be included in the Greenwich Park Revealed Heritage Lottery Fund bid.


IDYLLIC: Boating lake in summer


REVEALED


LAKE-ING


WE’RE famous for our maritime history – and not just on the Thames. Did you know 14,000 of us go boating in Greenwich Park


every year? The lake at the North of the Park was built in the 1930s at the same time as the children’s playground next to it , writes GEORGINA ROGERSON, of The Royal Parks. A 2015 study showed that eleven family boats and 50 smaller ones are hired every day during boating season, totalling an impressive 14,400 sailors each year.


The study also discovered that the lake is a real locals’ secret. Around 85 per cent of those who enjoy it live here – particularly young families also using the playground. But this historic community asset


is in a poor state of repair. Its concrete basin is full of cracks, and, despite recent restorations, it continues to leak badly.


It is only open for seven months –


from April to October – so it can’t be enjoyed for a large portion of the year. And during the winter months


THE REAL NEWSPAPER MADE IN GREENWICH


Help 1000s of families enjoy boats in Park all year round


when it is closed, water is drained from the lake, and the unattractive basin exposed. Dogs can’t enjoy their usual swimming spot. But more seriously it also affects the biodiversity of Greenwich Park, denying wildlife a valuable wetland habitat.


But as part of as part of Greenwich


Park Revealed – a multi-million pound plan to revitalise one of the world’s most historic parks – we are looking at ways to make the boating lake a place people can enjoy all year round. The Greenwich Park team’s ambition is to make the lake


10 TO DO MARCH


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