NEWS WFree to 3e800 hsomest, in lcibrarieos and msome shops b e May 2020 No. 4

‘...the attributes of self-discipline, of quiet good-humoured resolve and of fellow-feeling still characterise this country.’ -HM The Queen THANKYOU!

re these words big enough? lating. Shopping is being done very will - AOf course not, we have so very ingly, prescriptions are being collected and much to be thankful for. someone is always available for a chat. We From the NHS and healthcare workers in are also fortunate that there are a number hospitals and residential homes, to volun - of volunteer groups in and around teers and those essential Westcombe Park with very and key workers who are willing members keen to all helping to support our help those with needs, that community. do not have a support net - Our doctors and nurses work, see below for contact are on the front line, sav - etails. They are at the end of the phone or email and will ing lives and tending to Photo: George Cracknell Wright/www.photogcw.com take details of what is need - very sick patients. his is a picture of one of our committee members, Patricia, carefully socially distanc - ed and arrange for its fulfil - Together with carers and ing herself whilst walking home through the park. Quite a famous person now as the ment. T others working with the vulnerable, they picture has appeared in the national press though not sure she has been asked for her And it doesn’t stop there! are working in very difficult and often dis - autograph as yet! tressing circumstances. We must support Our post is still being delivered, our bins are still being emptied What do you think the person with the megaphone is saying? Best answer wins a them by ensuring we all follow prize! Answers to [email protected]. Government advice and stay indoors and the milk is still on except for essential reasons: the doorstep. All things appreciate the positives that living in a -shopping for basic necessities, for that we have come to conservation area gives. A little further HELPING HANDS example food and medicine, which must take for granted. But in and we can enter Greenwich Park. We are be as infrequent as possible. the current climate all incredibly lucky to have this amenity on he food in the picture below is for -one form of exercise a day, for example take on an importance Tfrontline essential workers whose of their own. children are still at school. It is given free, a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with Issah a local Carer members of your household. Our chemist shops so that after a mentally and physically -any medical need, including to donate are under increasing pressure as prescrip - draining shift they don't have the added blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or tion requests increase due to the pandemic. pressure of queuing at shops, often being harm, or to provide care or to help a Our convenience stores are still open and facedwith empty shelves. vulnerable person. often offering deliveries or orders to help Mandeep Jhas says, ‘I just went firstly -travelling for work purposes, but only those who cannot get to the shops. Other to my local Sainsbury for a small shop for where you cannot work from home. key staff keep our supermarkets stocked Rachel McMillan Nursery and got a Comply-ing with this advice is the best and ensure that shoppers follow social dis - our doorstep courtesy of the ongoing care signed letter for free food. I expected to one way we can thank them for the work tancing rules. by park staff. Whilst we sometimes con - pay for it myself and asked for a 50% dis - they do and the risks they take for us. The Those travelling to work are thankfully sider this to be our back garden, it is now count. The letter from the school ensured numbers clapping for the NHS on finding trains, tubes and buses much qui - being enjoyed by those from slightly fur - free food! Thursdays show that eter but the ther afield who have little outdoor space. I then contacted Invicta Primary School we are not alone in service/s are Social distancing (or rather the lack of it) and they were very happy to receive help appreciating the work being main - was initially a problem but now seems to for families. I went to Waitrose Greenwich that they are doing. tained by other be being practiced. and, after some negotiations, got them on We are very fortunate essential work - We are also very grateful to the board too! They have been very support - to live in a truly sup - ers. ive. I have made three deliveries to Invicta portive community. How fortu - and Vicki Cuff, the headmistress, is my This has come to the nate we are that contact there. I feel very happy to be able fore during the current our exercise can to help in this way.” pandemic. Neighbours be taken in the are looking to the needs leafy roads of of their neighbours, Westcombe Park. We can admire the trees Steve delivers to and the many beautiful gardens as we pass Beaconsfield Road especially those that are ‘shielding’ or self iso - whilst following social distancing. We can hould you require assistance with shopping, medicines or just a friendly chat, the volunteers who are delivering the Sfollowing groups can help. Westcombe News as part of their daily Westcombe Society: [email protected] or 07908 400555 exercise. Blackheath Standard & Westcombe Park Community Support: The constraints forced upon us at this https://bit.ly/2WsCosy unprecedented time are very much St John’s Church: [email protected] or 020 8305 0520 softened by the joint efforts of the St George’s Church: [email protected] or 020 3633 5494 Westcombe Park Community and are very Royal Borough of Greenwich: [email protected] much appreciated. “In these days of strangeness, we or 0800 470 4831 -Marilyn Little are all learning” -Polly Halsey, Poet WESTCOMBE NEWS UPDATE e are aware that many of our readers < < Newsbriefs > > Wdo not have access to the internet and felt that it was important the Westcombe News reached as many as Greenwich Foodbank ing hard to make sure that is a Trains Covid-19 and MS possible. We have therefore produced our The foodbank is facing unprece - memorable and enjoyable event. Southeastern have/are closing tick - The MS Society is looking for usual paper version and arranged for it to dented demands. If anyone is able More information is available on et offices at 60 stations where there people with multiple sclerosis be counted and delivered by volunteers (as to donate, please do so. the Virgin London Marathon web - have been less than 20 transactions (MS) to provide vital information part of their daily exercise) using recom - Particularly needed: long-life milk site (https://www.virginmoneylon - a day. This includes Deptford, on how coronavirus is affecting mended guidelines for social distancing and fruit juice, potatoes (both donmarathon.com). Maze Hill and Westcombe Park. them. To take part, people with MS tinned and instant), tinned vegeta - As nobody is travelling anywhere can visit https://ukmsregister.org. and personal hygiene including hand bles and rice. Internet successes at the moment, this is perhaps not From: Neville Grant SE3 washing. Churches have reported signifi - surprising. A Royal Greenwich’s children’s I’m a bit of an amateur sinner, per - cantly larger than usual attendance Southeastern say that the closure home has been awarded an sonally, but serious sinners who THE WESTCOMBE SOCIETY since offering services on the is temporary. Let us hope so, and ‘Outstanding’ rating by Ofsted for find it hard to go to confession in ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING internet. this is something we will need to the fifth year in a row. these lockdown days should con - keep an eye on when things start to planned for May 15th will not now sider going to Chelmsford, where Congratulations get back to normal. take place due to the current Covid-19 New Marathon Date Father Brian Mahoney is offering a Happy Birthday to Gwendoline Best wishes situation. This year's London Marathon has drive-in confession service. Spencer, of Combe Avenue - 100 Mike Sparham, Convenor been postponed until Sunday, Only problem: it’s in Chelmsford, It will re-arranged and there will be an years old on 4th May 2020 (see Greenwich Line Users Group update in the June issue. October 4th. It will be the 40th Local News page). Massachusetts. race and the organisers are work - COMMUNITY

NOTICE FROM ST GEORGE’S CHURCH KINDNESS IN THE Westcombe FACE OF STRANGERS News he coronavirus emergency has dropped just 2 days following Easter Sunday. Tdown upon us like an invisible, heavy Viewers online are often in groups of two he Blackheath Standard & Westcombe blanket. It has brought anxiety, sickness or three, so the total number of viewers is TPark MutualAid group, along with 23 other neighbourhood groups in Greenwich, ALL EDITORIAL and death to our communities. It is a actually more than that. And our members came together to mobilise over 900 volun - CORRESPONDENCE TO : sobering and thought-provoking have been forwarding links to our services experience for all of us. But it has also to friends far away. teers who put themselves forward to help Anne Williams , Editor brought a sharpening vision of what is We miss the social aspect of coming the community with everything from gro - [email protected] really important in life. together, of the hugs, the handshakes, the cery shopping and food bank collections to St George’s Church has closed its build - smiles, the sharing of bread and wine at prescriptions and cashless payments. Our ALL MATERIAL TO BE SENT TO : ing during this crisis. We no longer gather the Eucharist. When we finally throw open neighbours and those needing any kind of [email protected] physically in it for the events we once the doors again, and the choir sings, and physical or emotional support started Deadline for the May issue: 16th thought were normal – worship, communi - the organ roars, and we come together reaching out to us almost immediately and May 2020 ty meetings and dinners, the Greenwich around the altar for communion, we will the volunteers dealt with each request with Advertising 10th May Winter Night Shelter, the community lec - celebrate with new appreciation. But we the spirit of neighbourly friendliness. ture series and spiritual film night. But in will do so with a new understanding that We had volunteers with experience in the Calais jungle, along with data protec - Environment Editor: closing, we have been reminded that the our connection to each other is more than tion experts, lawyers, doctors and thera - Maggie Gravelle building is not the church. The church is that. And we will have learned new ways the people who seek to follow the example of sharing our faith with our neighbours, pists who all jumped in to make the lives of our neighbours easier. While the Sub-editor: Annie Grey of Jesus, who express their faith in the way which will continue in the post-virus era. they live their lives, and in the way they St George’s Church is offering wor - Blackheath Standard & Westcombe Park Editorial Team love one another through service and care. ship services and study groups online. group supports around 60 streets, the Polly Morgan, Instead we meet electronically in front of Sunday worship services are live wider Greenwich Covid-19 group encom - Anastasia Panova small screens, through online gatherings, streamed from the vicarage at 11 am passes 24 community groups and a much conference calls on the phone, and through each week on the St George’s YouTube larger geographic area. We have regular ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE calls with the council to ensure our opera - Emily Norton All queries and simple live streaming our Sunday service Channel. For information on connecting tions are truly supporting those in need. comments to: 020 8853 2756 from the vicarage garden. And something with all the available services, please We work closely with our community [email protected] quite amazing has been happening. Our visit the church website: www.stge - average attendance at our 11 am worship orgeswestcombepark.org.uk partners, the Royal Borough of Emily Norton and DISTRIBUTION service in the building was in the mid-50’s. If you need pastoral care, contact the Greenwich, MumsAid, Greenwich volunteers. More volunteer distributors But we get twice that now at the same time Rev. Tim Yeager: 020 3633 5494 or Foodbank and MoreYoga to ensure we can needed, please phone 020 8853 2756 on YouTube. Our Easter Sunday service [email protected] effectively support the requesters. ADVERTISING MANAGER has been viewed more than 150 times in The MutualAid group has been a mag - Gavin Hose, 26 Webb Road, nificent example of a group of people who SE3 7PL PLANT SAVERS NOTICE came together with the common message All enquiries please to: of true resilience. None of this would have [email protected] ne of the disappointments with the e are very sorry to report the death been possible without the support of the temporary closure of many businesses 900 volunteers who signed up to help the Printed by: Trojan Press O Wof Richard Baglin on 22nd March. was the number of plants and sundry items Richard was an active member of the community. We thank every one of you Contact the Westcombe Society: that garden centres and nurseries would Greenwich Society and had previously who has helped out and has been a shining [email protected] have to throw away. served as their Chairman. presence in the lives of those who reached Publisher: The Westcombe Society To limit the loss, supply the community He was committed to our local area and out for support. We could not have hoped Chairman: Marilyn Little Tel. 020 8853 1312 and raise money for 'Meals for the NHS' we had jointly worked on many environ - for more. Plant Savers was initiated. mental initiatives and issues. [email protected] k The v iews expressed in the Using the link below, take a look at their Westcombe News are not necessarily His views were respected and he will A lot of people have taken to cycling for website, especially as they deliver to many those of the Westcombe Society or of be missed. exercise during lockdown, and the roads areas including SE postcodes or if you the Editor. do look empty, but, ‘Please Take Care!’. We take all reasonable precautions to have time and could support their cause. protect the interests of our readers by https://plantsavers.co.uk/ ensuring as far as possible the bona fides of our advertisers but cannot accept any A HEALTHY responsibility for them. Any complaints should be addressed to the advertiser. INVESTMENT To access back-numbers (in colour) go to: www.westcombesociety.org/west - FOR US ALL combe-news/ Westcombe Society’s he Royal Medical Benevolent Fund Blog: is a charity that raises money to http://westcombe.blogspot.com Tsupport healthcare workers facing Front page quote by HM The Queen psychological, physical and financial dis - tress due to the current COVID-19 pan - demic. In these difficult times medical professionals are working long hours, in complicated situations with limited resources. We want to make sure health - care workers on the front line have contin - ued support so they can stay healthy and continue to protect the general public. Westcombe society membership Subsequently, this fund has been set up to please send this membership form to: make sure that healthcare workers, and ate afternoon on Tuesday 14th there hospital. The area was sealed off, and traf - christine Legg, 69 mycenae road, their families, have the support they need, Lwas an accident at the junction fic was disrupted for upwards of three London, se3 7se when carrying out their life saving work. between Stratheden Road and the A2. A hours with four police officers remaining I have been campaigning as a volunteer Name...... small car collided with a cyclist, who sus - on the scene. for Medic Mentor, a non-profit national tained serious injuries and was taken to -Neville Grant Address...... medical organisation, who have set a goal ...... to raise £10,000 for the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund. We have set up spon - tel...... sored online chess games, movie nights email: ...... and “Pub Quizzes” on zoom. I believe this is one of the many ways to show health - Please enclose payment as appropriate: care workers our on going appreciation Family membership £12 [ ] and support. I understand that not every - individual membership £8 [ ] one will be able to make a donation but senior citizens/unwaged £4 [ ] you can still help us by sharing this infor - mation with friends and family, online. Membership cards This is link to use as it goes directly to the donation page. THANK YOU. A membership card is only issued https://www.gofundme.com/f/covid19- at the time you join the Westcombe testing-for-nhs-frontline- Society, and should be retained. staff?utm_source=customer&utm_medi - Should you require a replacement card, um=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+shar please contact the Membership Secretary, e-flow-1 as above. Roberta Dunn 2 Westcombe News May 2020 l LOCAL NEWS COVID-19 MYTHS THRILLER ON THE CONGRATULATIONS 100 YEARS OLD DEBUNKED HEATH BIRTHDAY GIRL he World Health Organisation says: istorically the green common of wendoline Edith Spencer celebrates trained as a dressmaker. She eventually T Blackheath has witnessed many dra - -Hand dryers are not effective in killing H her 100th birthday this month on 4th became a Court dressmaker, making matic events: the terminus of a national G COVID-19. May. Gwen will be celebrating this mile - romper suits for Prince Charles and the big rebellion; high-profile duels; international -Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over the stone with her family – two stores in the West End, as well marathons. But it has taken fiction to body won’t kill the virus. surviving children (sadly as blouses, dresses, etc. She reveal it as setting for a gun-blazing shoot- -Vaccines against pneumonia do not her eldest son recently suc - eventually gave up work in the out worthy of the OK Corral. Such, protect against COVID-19. combed to the coronavirus), 1980s. though, is the climax of Anthony Fowles’s -Regularly rinsing your nose with saline four grandchildren, eight During WW2 Gwen was just published thriller ‘Head On’. won’t act as a preventative…although great grandchildren and one bombed out five times, but has Beginning in 1970 local resident Fowles there is limited evidence that regular nose great, great grandchild. stayed in Greenwich since, resid - has published some thirty books ranging rinsing with saline can help people recov - The youngest of six chil - ing first in Charlton, then from a biography of Barbra Streisand; a er more quickly from the common cold. dren, her brother, Ernest, the Blackheath. The only time she co-authored with Garry Nelson account of -There is no evidence from the current second youngest died in his left the area is when she evacuat - life in the lower regions of the English outbreak that garlic has protected people early 30s as a War hero (in ed to Carlisle, where her chil - Football League; the historical novel from getting the virus. the RAF) and is buried in dren were born, but she returned ‘Necessary Things’ centred on Samuel -Antibiotics don’t work against viruses, Hither Green Cemetery in a to London before the end of the Pepys, and a only bacteria. War grave. War as she wanted to get "home". series of deter - -People of all ages can be infected . minedly non- Gwen started work at the age of 14 and HAPPY BIRTHDAY GWEN! -COVID-19 cannot be transmitted academic studies through mosquito bites. of Jane Austen, ‘DON’T BE DUPED.... SHOP SUPPORT -Taking hot baths will not prevent you Jean Rhys, John catching the virus. e have all seen in the press of those Dryden, Ford he shops below are offering to take -Cold weather and snow cannot kill who advertise masks, protective Maddox Ford W Torders on phone or online for local COVID-19. gowns, and hand sanitizers on the internet and, significant - delivery and or pickups: -Drinking alcohol cannot protect you and on the phone – who collect the money, ly, Raymond Avocado Garden against the virus. but don’t deliver. According to reports on Chandler. https://avocadogarden.co.uk/ -Being able to hold your breath for ten the BBC, there’s been a lot of that going The signifi - Sparkes Butchers (020 8355 8597) seconds or more without coughing or feel - on – and there are hospitals that have fall - cance is that over the years Fowles has Apple and Orange (07946475462). ing en victim. produced half a dozen thrillers on his own Selectric - https://www.selectric.co.uk/ discomfort does not mean you are free But for householders, the biggest threat account. Published by the pleasingly local Neal's Yard - https://www.nealsyardreme - from the virus. is the phoney volunteer who calls on the Greenwich Exchange imprint, ‘Head On’ dies.com/store?name=blackheath-store -Catching the virus does not mean you’ll vulnerable claiming to help out with the details the adventures of a tough-minded, Blackheath Locksmiths - have it for life. shopping. They need the money in Charlton-dwelling Art Student obliged to http://www.blackheathlocksmiths.co.uk/ -You can catch the virus no matter how advance of course to pay for the goods stand toe to life-threatening toe in a con - Boulangerie Jade - http://www.boulan - hot the weather, so exposing yourself to required – and again they collect the test with a gamey Jeremy Thorpesque MP. geriejade.com/locations the sun or temperatures higher than 25 money, but don’t deliver. In the course of its fast-paced and oddly Blackbird Boutique - http://blackbirdbou - degrees centigrade does not prevent you So if you have a caller at your door – jolly unfolding ‘Head On’ contrives to cast tique.co.uk/ catching the virus. even one with an official looking ID hang - a sardonic and cold eye on corrupt police - N&R News (0208 858 5163) And finally, according to the WebMD ing round his (or her) neck, take care. men and politicians alike. By the time the Pravin Supermarket (0208 858 2623) website, lemon juice cannot shield you Keep the door on a chain, ask for ID, and story concludes in the north eastern corner Brothers Bakery (020 8858 0206) from the virus. There’s no evidence that make that phone call to ensure they are of Blackheath, one is surprised to remem - trying to alkalize your body through genuine. And even if they appear to be ber that this is the work of an octogenari - lemon juice or anything else offers genuine, and the phone call seems reassur - an. Be careful where you walk your dog! protection. ing, only take up the offer if absolutely desperate. The best advice is only to A & A LANDSCAPES accept such offers from someone you Landscape Specialists know or from the groups listed on page one. Sad that this should be necessary. The good news is that in general, people are Free advice & Qualified good and trusting – if we didn’t mainly estimates horticulturalist trust each other, society would break All aspects of soft & hard landscaping down. But there are those who take advan - work carried out including tage of that trust and this is not the time to * Maintenance *Site clearance take that risk. * Turfing * Tree surgery Neville Grant Pic: Silvia Hanks * Fencing * Patios * Brickwork RECYCLE THIS! Tel. 020 8318 2530 Recycle, recycle, recycle has become the mantra for those wishing to do their bit to ADVERTISEMENT declutter the planet. WN dedicates this corner to share recycling news, so if you know of any opportunities, inspiration and advice on this subject please contact wnews@west - The Meaning of Education combe Society.org. Thanks - Ed It is not widely known that the meaning of the word ‘education’ changed in reenwich Council has asked resi - it up (called ‘turning’) to mix the green the 1980s to be the early (or late) learning of facts and processes the author - Gdents to keep our green waste to a and brown materials and to let in air to minimum during this time of crisis. So if help decomposition by microorganisms ities regarded as needed by young people in their adult lives. (Unfortunately you don’t have a compost heap now is and worms. Cover with a tarpaulin or ‘learning’ has been widely interpreted in schools as ‘memorising’, some - the perfect time to start one. Compost is old carpet to stop it getting very wet. thing which usually only lasts for a few weeks.) Before 1960, the word wonderful for enriching and condition - Decomposition needs moisture so don’t ‘education’ referred to something much more spirited, elusive and less pre - ing the soil and helps keep plants let it dry out. Ideally, two compost heaps cise: a life-transformative initiation into the disciplines and knowledge healthy and strong. Here are some tips:- are best – one is left to ‘mature’ and the which had sustained and grown the best culture of a country for countless Our Green waste: Compost is made second is for current use. For a deluxe decades. It was not, at that time, regarded as the same thing as ‘schooling’. from ‘GREEN’ materials (such as grass heap, make a bay by recycling three pal - In those days a school might be put down as being ‘just a cram factory’, and hedge clippings, weeds, lets, or a double bay with five pallets. meaning that it tried to bully its students into learning facts and processes. vegetable/fruit skins and peelings) and Using compost: It will take a few This was not ‘education’, because it only impinged superficially and tem - ‘BROWN’ materials (such as dried plant months to make good compost: it will be stems, twigs, straw, wood chippings, crumbly and smell earthy. Mix it into porarily onto the child’s psyche, and actually impeded the lifelong initiation dead leaves, torn-up cardboard). The soil or use as a mulch. into common values, standards, norms, insights and perspectives. brown matter prevents the heap from Home-composting is the most envi - Why did the authorities adopt this changed meaning of ‘education’? They getting slimy. Do not put diseased mate - ronmentally-friendly way of using our were at their wits’ end, because a so-called ‘reform’ of schooling in the rial into the heap, or persistent weeds garden and kitchen waste. Composting 1960s had taken over in many places and had produced school-leavers who like bindweed, or plate waste. Cooked can be done throughout the year. had been indulged, flattered, dumbed-down, radicalized against their own food, meat, oil etc. attract rats and other Compost bins keep the contents society, and encouraged to waste time. They and others who had been to vermin so never put these on the heap. warmer than an open heap and make genuine schools were tarred at the time as ‘Generation X’. Today we urgent - Making a compost heap : Choose a compost more quickly, but the con - ly need to resume genuine education. Make your voice heard! SEE shady corner. Make the heap on a patch tents still need turning and aerating. www.philosophyforeducation.moonfruit.com. of soil. As the heap becomes bigger, stir Ann Hill Westcombe News May 2020 3 FEATURES

MONTESSORI ADVICE: SPRINGTIME ON THE FARM LOOKING AFTER THE t’s not been a normal Spring for anyone Quite a lot of singletons this year amongst the ones who have decided it’s time for a YOUNG ONES Ior any business and that includes the main flock, while the Manx Laoghtans milk break. The numbers written on their hope that you are not trying too much to Woodlands Farm so, in line with PHE produced more twins. fleeces are there to help the humans, obvi - Ido ‘homeschooling’ - especially with guidance, we closed to the public in mid- This photo shows a snap of day to day ously not the sheep. The ewes are num - our smallest people. Taking a few months March. life at the farm. Our Manager has just bered in the order in which they gave birth, out of children’s usual routine will not Regardless though, of whether here we have 13, 14, and 15 and their have a lasting negative impact on their the farm is closed or open, our matching marked-up lambs. Green is education. animals are all still there and for twins, blue for singletons and red Some of our children are already ‘edgy’ need to be cared for every day. for triplets. We need to know who’s and unsure. The most important thing At this time of year it’s even who when checking the flock in the right now is to eat and sleep well, try to more critical on the sheep front field twice daily. exercise each day, play board games, card as the ewes are lambing. To We’re sorry that our Lambing Day in games, memory games, jigsaws and puz - make sure that the best care was April had to be cancelled and this year zles and lots of moulding, arts and crafts going to be there, day in and day the public are missing out on seeing the and of course you must read to your chil - out (and beyond) the volunteers lambs, not to mention the cows, pigs dren as often as possible – at times like withdrew and our very small and chickens (and Bob the pony). Of this it is more important that you read to staff team took responsibility for course this also means that Woodlands them, than they read to you. everything. Everything is in their Farm is missing out on income from Encourage your children to help you, capable hands. However, the vol - Lambing Day and regular school visits toddlers love to sweep stairs, load dish - unteers, who really look forward plus sales of our logs, honey and jam washers, sort laundry etc. - all the activi - to lambing time were disappoint - plus visitor donations. Our charity will ties of daily living (we call these Practical ed that they had to stay away, but be struggling, as will other charities and Life activities at school). it meant that the working team could work brought these three ewes and their lambs businesses throughout the country. Let us Dr Montessori wrote about the child and safely, alone on the farm. out of the nursery pens and is about to hope we can all survive for now and work the building of community, Now the child We started with 78 ewes resting in the walk them up the lane to the field called to catch up later. who manifests perseverance in his ‘work’ barns, our manager decided that ten of the Old Coals. As soon as they get outside the For up-to-date info on what’s happening as the first constructive act of his physical sheep weren’t in fact in lamb – there are barn the ewes stop for a nibble. Time to on the farm and when we may open, see life, builds upon this an internal order, always some empty ones. take advantage of the grass and plants after our website equilibrium and the growth of his person - Of our 68 ewes, 54 had lambed by 13 over a month in the barn eating our home www.thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org. Regular ality; and as he reveals this we see the true April and we have 75 lambs from our dif - grown and very nutritious silage plus sup - Tweets on day to day activities are shown manner in which the child renders himself ferent flocks of Dorset Downs, Lleyns, plementary feed. The lambs are just a few on there too, so you don’t need to be on valuable to his community. Manx Laoghtans and cross-breeds. days old and are looking around the big Twitter yourself to see them. Wendy Fidler, MEfA Academic Director/Founding There are still 10 ewes left to lamb. wide world with great interest, apart from - Maggie Jones Trustee MontDip(Hons) FRSA MEWI MCMI MIoD AI DMS APILExpert WE’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE...... GOOGLE CLASSROOMS How a mother and her son mastered the online classes . Scott Fitzgerald, during ensure we have a month’s Fhis quarantine in the worth of necessities. Zelda few weeks ago, when Invicta Primary messages for the children and keeping South of France on the and I have stocked up on ASchool said school would not be con - them busy with facts and riddles. I could - outbreak of Spanish Flu, red wine, whiskey, rum, tinuing and that we would be supported to n’t be happier with the provision and think 1920...... vermouth, absinthe, white homeschool, I was worried I wouldn’t be Invicta, Deptford have done a stellar job wine, sherry, gin, and lord, able to get anything done with my son. My throughout, even logging on once a day ‘It was a limpid dreary day, if we need it, brandy. friend talked about doing PE with Joe and providing the videoed readings for the hung as in a basket from a Please pray for us. You Wicks and setting up an hour by hour students through this Easter holiday. single dull star. I thank you should see the square, oh, schedule while I hadn’t done any of that. It keeps my son connected with the for your letter. Outside, I it is terrible. I weep for the Lucky for me, my son was ready to go on school and his friends and I think my one- perceive what may be a col - damned eventualities this Day 1 and said, “it’s a school day Mom, on-one time with him has even improved lection of fallen leaves tus - future brings. The long we have to do our work”. So, I logged on his English ability, or at least given him sling against a trash can. It rings like jazz afternoons rolling forward slowly on the to Google Classroom, not expecting much, more confidence in working with reading to my ears. The streets are that empty. It ever-slick bottomless highball. Z. says it’s only to find the school had prepared well, comprehension. An unexpected benefit in seems as though the bulk of the city has no excuse to drink, but I just can’t seem to and with a lot of work to do everyday, so this difficult time for so many. I’m so retreated to their quarters, rightfully so. At steady my hand. In the distance, from my much so, I couldn’t keep up with it all. thankful we have this online platform as I this time, it seems very poignant to avoid brooding perch, the shoreline is cloaked in They had English and Maths lessons and know some parents in other boroughs just all public spaces. Even the bars, as I told a dull haze where I can discern an unremit - the elective Science, Religious Education, received a stack of worksheets. So, I Hemingway, but to that, he punched me in ting penance that has been heading this Art, and Computing. They had two videos would just like to extend a warm thank the stomach, to which I asked if he had way for a long, long while. And yet, each day of teachers reading aloud to the you to all the staff at Invicta Primary washed his hands. He hadn’t. He is much amongst the cracked cloudline of an students, they had links to further educa - School for all their help and hard work. We the denier, that one. Why, he considers the evening’s cast, I focus on a single strain of tional websites and webcasts, they even parents appreciate it so much. virus to be just influenza. I’m curious of light, calling me forth to believe in a better had music and their own PE. All the school -Kathy Cullen his sources. The officials have alerted us to morrow.’ staff have been online, leaving positive

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4 Westcombe News May 2020 WHAT’S ONLINE POLLY’S PICKS s we g o to print, parts of the world, including the UK, are still in lockdown and in these unprecedented times all Aface-to-face events have been cancelled for now. Thank goodness, then, we live in the digital age. Never before has digital connectivity been so important. Many of us are now busy on WhatsApp groups with friends, virtual coffee or pub chats with other friends and video connections with family and loved ones. We’ve gathered some great experiences for you to get busy online at home, be it keeping fit, singing your heart out or watching a great play, lots to do with the kids, there’s so much to do and be entertained with, we are lucky – Enjoy! - Polly Morgan Come Dance with Me – Dance for ARTS COMEDY over 50s Dance and movement tutor Joanna Feast your eyes with a virtual tour The best stand up to stream at home Clare continues her dance class for Printing in Blackheath round some of the best museums and bought to you by Ticketmaster: over 50s on Fridays at 11am now since 1978 art galleries around the world – https://discover.ticketmaster.co.uk/com remotely via Zoom, plus her new From your ideas or Artwork Guggenheim New York anyone?! edy/the-best-stand-up-comedy-to- Gentle Keep Fit sessions for over 50s we can print at a https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.t stream-at-home-49858/ reasonable cost: launch on Tuesdays and Thursdays ravelandleisure.com/attractions/muse - 10am from 7 April. For more informa - ums-galleries/museums-with-virtual- SINGING • B USINESS CARDS • F LYERS tion about taking part contact Joanna • I NVOICES • L ETTERHEADS tours%3famp=true Join Local Musical Director Emma on [email protected] or • B OOKS • B ROCHURES The Royal Albert Hall is streaming Bond's The Singing Hour - choirs for [email protected] • C ALENDARS • F ORMS • I NVITES artists for free on their website while everyone on Zoom. 10-11am. wkdays: Theatretrain Greenwich continues its • O RDER OF SERVICES they are closed, see the Sea www.thesinginghour.co.uk theatre training online every Saturday • P ROGRAMMES Shambles on 17 May and many more TV choral conductor Gareth Malone, on Facebook Live at 10am, register top artists. They just ask you to con - who presented the acclaimed BBC via their website for access to all con - 1a Lizban st sider offering a donation after you series The Choir, has brought singers tent. www.facebook.com/Theatretrain- view: blackheath, London se3 8ss of all ages and nationalities together www.theatretrain.co.uk/greenwich https://www.royalalberthall.com/tick - with his innovative Great British Home Bach to Baby The music goes on with tel: 020 8853 2268 ets/series/royal-albert-home/ Chorus. Launched on the Decca Bach to Baby, join them live "in their email: [email protected] Records YouTube channel on March Bach Yard" Fridays at 11am. Just www.trojanpress.com EXERCISE 23, the first session included warm- £3.00 for the whole family! ups and a performance of ‘You are my www.bachtobaby.com GREENWICH THEATRE Joe Wicks online workouts are a hit sunshine’. Eight episodes in, the virtu - with millions of fans, including CONNECTS al choir is reaching an average of THEATRE toddlers, keeping entertained and fit 20,000 live viewers per rehearsal. An online-based programme from the safety of their homes for free! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2 The Royal Opera House designed to offer audiences, writ - Join in the internet sensation’s work - 78IKj0R4JBFb18Waw-tWA https://www.roh.org.uk/streaming ers, actors and theatre industry pro - outs he’s kindly offering for free and The Deutsche Opera Berlin fessionals opportunities to interact keep fit at home. It’s vital to stay fit MYCENAE HOUSE https://www.deutscheoperberlin.de/en_ with one another: and healthy so join in! EN/home Every Monday morning, a theme or https://www.youtube.com/user/the - The following are a selection of class - Berliner Philharmoniker a style is set and performers invited to bodycoach1 es/activities now running online. For https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/h send in self-taped monologues, all of the full programme: ome which will stream across their social CHILDREN & FAMILY www.mycenaehouse.co.uk/update.ht Curve Theatre https://www.curveon - media channels the following day. An ml line.co.uk/news/watch-our-archive- online monologue slam which anyone Life Drawing There are lots of online resources recording-of-the-importance-of-being- can watch for free. As well as publicis - Tune in to a Live Streamed YouTube about gardening and wildlife to keep earnest/ ing this mini-glimpse of work to every - session with The Renaissance the family busy. Musical Theatre - The Shows Must one who wants to check it out, they Workshop and follow a life drawing https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-l- Go On https://www.youtube.com/chan - will invite casting directors and agents session with guidance from Jon. 4544-hedgehogs-reading-comprehen - nel/UCdmPjhKMaXNNeCr1FjuMvag to take a look. www.youtube.com/channel/UC7HR4IlV sion Cirque du Soleil Every Wednesday, an expert from n3fVU178RypTueQ/videos https://kidsgardening.org/garden-activi - https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/cirque - the theatre world will take over our joining in. www.singtogether.org.uk ties-kitchen-scrap-gardening/ connect Instagram account for a Q&A session. Citizens of The World Choir https://hub.suttons.co.uk/childrens-cor - The Globe from Monday 6th April - Submit your questions via Instagram The COTW Choir is a choir for people ner/free-quizzes-for-children- https://globeplayer.tv/ and tune in every Wednesday for who are refugees, asylum seekers, this-easter The Hampstead Theatre some words of wisdom. migrants and friends. Whilst their ‘in- http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/gar - https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/ Watch some of Greenwich Theatre’s person’ rehearsals are on hold, they dening_with_children/ Cheek by Jowl, The Winter's Tale greatest past performances, including will rehearse online, perform online & Live Capture acclaimed productions of School for Ten fun things to do at home with the keep the #refugee community vitally https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z Scandal and The Duchess of Malfi. kids: connected at this time. If any refugee ULvQbgJy8&feature=youtu.be Tune in to Facebook every Friday for https://discover.ticketmaster.co.uk/spe - or migrant would like to join, please National Theatre https://www.nation - an evening show at 7.30pm. cial-events/10-fun-things-to-do-at- email [email protected] for fur - altheatre.org.uk/nt-at-home Have a production you’d like our home-with-the-kids-49994/ ther details. The Wind in the Willows followers to watch? Share your show www.citizensoftheworldchoir.org https://www.willowsmusical.com/ on social media or email it to market - Iyengar Yoga with Rosana Fiore. The Show Must Go Online: The Two [email protected] for the In Rosana’s Iyengar Yoga class, Gentlemen Of Verona - chance to share it with the Greenwich students are guided through a careful - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO Theatre community! ly-paced programme of postures. AHj4ANGKw&feature=emb_title Are you a budding writer? Every Follow her yoga tutorials on her The Schaubühne Theatre , Berlin - Sunday a theme for a piece of short YouTube channel or email her on https://www.schaubuehne.de/en/start/i writing is set, to be submitted by the [email protected] for details ndex.html following Sunday. The top picks will about her Zoom schedule.www.face - The Viral Monologues https://24hour - have the opportunity to be performed book.com/RosanaFioreYoga plays.com/ once the theatre is reopened in a shar - Barre Concept WESTCOMBE SOCIETY EVENTS ing event or even an online table read - Barre combines the precision of ing. Themes will range from connec - Pilates, technique of ballet, alignment Fri 25 Sept Macmillan Biggest Coffee tions to memories to kinship and of yoga and the strength from sports Morning (morning & lunchtime) should last no longer than 15 minutes. conditioning. Katie is hosting Zoom TBC - Macmillan Walk Email to: meetings on Monday 10am, Tuesday Oct 24th Quiz Night Mycenae House [email protected] 7.30pm, Wednesday 10am, Thursday at 10am. Visit Facebook for full details MAN & VAN about signing up and tuning in. www.facebook.com/BarreConceptScul Collections Deliveries ptandBurn & House Clearances MumsAid continue to provide support for new mums and mums-to-be with For a polite & prompt service online counselling and are also offer - please contact: ing two free groups to enhance cre - ativity, mindfulness and self-compas - sion: An Online Journaling Group and Edward on the Mama Tune Online Chorus. Please 0208 301 5303 or email [email protected] to secure 07906 169705 your place. www.mums-aid.org

Westcombe News May 2020 5 FEATURES

(continued from previous column)

THE FAMILY SPIRIT reasons. So here we are on a month-long KEEPING THE FAMILY ENTERTAINED IN TIMES OF cruise, dodging the coronavirus, Iranian LOCKDOWN, ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE Anastasia Panova mines, gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz, and Somali pirates in the Gulf of Oman. y first article in the April issue of My aim is not only to show you how I Friday, we live a strict routine. Each of us Quixotic, really: why would one pay a MWN had the ironic working title, survive, but also how I enjoy every day in has a daily schedule, which is painted in lot of money to spend a total of 60 hours ‘H ow to survive the Easter holidays with isolation. With my four children, a dog, a minutes. The key to my happiness in a dozen foreign cities? No, I can’t four children?’ Just a couple of weeks husband (who is losing his life’s dr eam appeared to be very prosaic! No vodka for answer that question . . . later, after submitting that first article, we project along with dealing with a failing lunch, but only a strict regime for all par - When cruise dining, one is expected to found ourselves in a survival situation with business due to the Covid-19 situation) and ticipants in this fascinating project - quar - sit at the same table for dinner every no irony. And life for every individual and with myself, the biggest drama queen in antine. evening – with the same company. It’s a family changed in an epic way. the world. Every day I thank the coron - It would be boring to list for you the bit of a lottery who you find yourself with. I had no idea what a drama queen I was! avirus and I feel very happy. schedules for the six of us. But here’s an In our case, our dinner companions were The scale of my inner depths appeared So how? idea for helping young children and older not objectionable (though our politics did three weeks ago, when the man of my The one-day of imprisonment occurred, folk talk to each in video calls. Here is my not mesh ). And it so happens that my wife, dreams, my Mr. Darcy, husband and father awakening the Samurai Spirit within. An idea: I ask them to read to the little ones, Jane, happens to have rather transparent of my children, asked me to self-isolate in ordinary person can express rage in a loud Stephy and Eva, let’s say ‘Room on the body language: so when she’s bored, she our already isolated house. I had a cough. voice or tears, or wrinkles on the face, or Broom’. Main characters of the story are: looks bored. I was transferred to a separate room. The in a state of anxiety and depression after - a cat, a dog, a bird, a frog and a witch. So So perhaps you’ve guessed it, I felt it feelings were mixed: first rage, then wards; but in a drama queen of Russian my mum tells the story and asks the girls necessary to compensate – well, OK, as it vengeance, and later - acceptance; that the origin, rage woke up the crystalline clarity to act like one of these characters. She happened, to over-compensate by increas - father of the family had acted like the will say: a dog is looking for a lost ing my EQ (‘Ebullience Quotient.’) And to Lion King, (father-hero), or as Bambi's bone. “Come on Stephy, go on, find maintain morale, I recounted some of my dad, in other words, as the leader of the it!” favourite stories. pack, and not the handsome prince on Stephanie will happily bark around This one for example: a shy young man a white horse, who must prove his and respond to the idea of being a called Simon Brown booked into a fly- nobility 50 times. dog. So almost immersive theatre cruise starting in Bridgetown, Barbados. I can’t say if I was sick, but, after online. On stepping off the plane he was greeted scrolling through two books that night, Great fun! by rather an attractive brunette. ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ and Keeping the home fires burning: “Hi, I’m Pearl!” she purred in a ‘Count of Monte Cristo’ I realised that Time is not the issue. Here are a few beautiful rich Bajun accent. “Welcome to being ‘sick’ for a couple of days would ideas, some I’ve tried, others I’m Barbados.” end in divorce. excited to try! ( Ma ybe my one day in He learnt that before embarking on the Urma Thurman in ‘Kill Bill’ The whole next day, I, as Uma ‘prison’ has had a good impact on my good ship Caribbean Star, he was invited Thurman’s character from the movie Kill of mind and the fighting spirit. I realized family life...?) to a cocktail party on the beach. Bill, was engaged in sports activities, ate a that I was not afraid of any virus, I literally A date in the car, the garden, or at least The rum punch and Prosecco flowed like kilogram of ginger and turmeric, and in the despise panic and, as a result - hasty deci - near your front door. water: Simon being Simon played it safe, evening got out of prison, declaring myself sions; all I want is to be with my family all As in role-playing with children, the and stuck with the Prosecco. After his sec - healthy and not contagious. (Here we together. I want to take care of my beloved devil is in the detail. Not every family has ond drink, Pearl came up to him. “I’m could enter into polemics and repeat all the ones if they are sick and I want them to a garden like we do. However, if you do very sorry, Mr Brown, but I have some most popular discussions of recent weeks take care of me if I feel bad. In situations have one, then nothing is easier than creat - bad news.” about what the virus is, what its symptoms of apocalyptic proportions, there are spe - ing a memorable romantic date. I don't “Bad news? I’m not double booked am are; we could accuse me of neglecting the cial genre rules, but in my genre (in my hesitate to ask my ‘older’ kids to assist me I?” asked Simon anxiously. family, but this article is more like a paro - universe), there is one law: the family must in the organisation of such an event. Say, “Oh no, no, nothing like that. But dy on an adult article, so let’s not split be inseparable. in one part of the garden we could organ - there’s been a bit of a computer mix-up. You booked a single cabin, and there isn’t details). It may seem that Uma Thurman’s beauty ise a table with the most exquisite, or the one available. You will have to share.” After leaving my prison, the family and Hercules’s health automatically come most simplistic type of pizza, and... “Oh no! But who with?” council decided to isolate all family mem - with a fighting spirit (Samurai spirit). Perhaps locate a spot for a bar? Put some “Well you see that blonde over there, by bers for two weeks, according to the proto - Unfortunately, no such thing. Therefore, electric lights on it and music. the bar...” replied Pearl. col given on the NHS website: what to do since I am again with my family, our Your appearance is a crucial feature that Simon, perked up. if you had symptoms. morning begins strictly with exercises. We, sets the mood for evening. I'll admit that I “I’ll introduce you,” said Pearl. I suddenly had a strong feeling that I like most people living in the UK, are do not necessarily have vigour to perform It so happened that Simon and his attrac - have to not just survive, with my children doing exercises with Joe Wicks. My ‘older the hair-dressing, make-up, to put on high tive new cabin companion hit it off quite first of all, but also with my partner, friend generation’ of children (Vasya ten and heels and glint with laughter, nevertheless amicably, and Simon, being a gentleman, and often the decisions maker. Maxi 12) are required to make a block for I sure can provide the same attitude with said, “Look, it’s a bit embarrassing, we This article continues the first. I will at least 30 minutes, younger ones perfume and a sudden cocktail dress. Or hardly know each other. I suggest that you touch lightly on what helps me with the (Stephanie three and Eva two) are playing, perhaps my enthusiasm will let me wear turn in first, and I’ll join you half an hour children but I would also like to share during workout, and watching us. heels. later.” some ideas about romance in isolation. Five days a week, from Monday to Another awesome place for a date is a car. Not every person would savour In due course, Simon rather nervously returning to such a nomadic romance, but entered the cabin. He didn’t know whether both the quiet music and awkward silence to be disappointed, or relieved, to see that deserve a chance. there wasn’t a double bed: but a bunk bed. Tabletop games: try playing with your On the bottom bunk, lay his travelling beloved a game of Sea battle, or, at worst, companion, her long blond hair sprayed chess. Focus on the rivalry and the thrill. out across the lily white pillow case. Meditating together. I consider that to be Simon managed to climb into his pyjamas quite intimate and, literally, essential expe - without mishap, and scaled the ladder onto rience of any couple. Besides, it can be the top bunk. great fun! Now we’ve all experienced those little Coaching sessions/online lessons. air jets pumping warm, or cold air. Well Anything as long as it’s together. The par - this one only pumped cold air, and Simon ticular discipline is not important, focus was soon shivering with cold. Finally he on something where both of you feel could bear it no longer. He leant over and equally incompetent. Overcoming your said shyness can become a very distinctive “Excuse me! Are you awake?” LUXURY CARE HOMES IN BLACKHEATH experience... “Yes,” the lady demurely replied. “Can I ask you a favour?” he asked. A CRUISE STORY WITH “Of course!” she replied softly.” “I’m so cold. Could you possibly pass Residential | Dementia* | Respite | Day Care NEVILLE AND JANE me up a blanket from the locker under . s

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www.cinnamoncc.com * holiday with them, and it so happened we this cabin for two weeks. I suggest we always had reasons for saying “Sorry, no.” imagine we are husband and wife.” Emerson Park Apartments & Emerson Grange Care Home But in the end, though we are not heavily “Oh, Yes,” said Simon, “Good idea!” Opening July 2018 in Hextable, Kent into what one might call ‘Cruise Culture’, “In that case,” said the lady “Get your we agreed. own bloody blanket.” And then our pals pulled out for health

6 Westcombe News May 2020 Planning applications can be viewed in the library, or at the Woolwich Library on the lower ground floor of the Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington St. They may also be viewed on www. ENVIRONMENT greenwich.gov.uk/planning

Maggie Gravelle KEEP MOVING ENJOYING THE GARDEN IN MAY Ann Hill

ay is one of the best months in the golden rod, aster. This involves shorten - Mgarden. It’s brimming with fresh - ing stems by one-third to encourage ness and beauty. I especially enjoy the side-shoots and a more compact plant. irises, peonies, aquilegia, and early roses Consider shortening just the front of the that burst into flower this month. The clump and leaving the back, to prolong longer, warmer days encourage rapid flowering. growth of seedlings and established Do not despair if you have no room plants, so there is always plenty to do at for a veg plot. Beetroot, chard, and let - this time of year. Here are a few jobs to tuce have attractive leaves and can be keep you busy: dotted in among flowers. They can also •Hoe to keep down weeds: choose a be grown in pots on a patio. Climbing warm, dry morning so that weeds left on French beans and runner beans take up the surface dry out and die. little room and can be grown up a wig - •Sow salad crops, beetroot and carrot. wam of sticks. They germinate and grow Sow small amounts in succession to pro - quickly and their seeds are big enough long the season and avoid gluts. even for young children to plant. •Sow peas, French beans and runner Tomatoes flourish outdoors in pots by a reenwich Park is one of eight advocate evening closure to through traf - beans. sunny wall. GLondon Royal Parks. In 2019 the fic at 6pm in both winter and summer. •Plant out courgettes. Enjoy all the delights that May has to Royal Parks began a consultation Families could then enjoy warm summer •Plant out tender annuals such as cos - offer, and make time to sit, relax, and process designed to investigate and plan evenings away from cars. Whatever mos, zinnias, nicotiana and tithonia. observe nature at work in even the for the increased pressure they will face changes are proposed must be trialled to Plant out cannas, dahlias and tiniest of spaces. in the light of expected rises in visitor monitor the effects on residential streets. chrysanthemums. numbers, increased use of cars, higher We are keen to encourage cycling as a •Stake tall-growing plants whilst pollution levels and possible reductions safe, healthy and enjoyable activity and they are still young. This avoids in income. A discussion paper about as an alternative form of transport. It is having to tie them up when they movement in and to the Parks was circu - unfortunate that a few inconsiderate start to flop, which would look lated and, following responses to this, a cyclists harm the reputation of all. The unnatural. strategy paper drawn up. main problems arise on east-west routes •Give container plants a liquid feed This suggests seven desired outcomes during rush hours. We would like to see every 2-4 weeks. Feed tomatoes with an outline of how each will be better signage to indicate where cycling weekly once they start to set. achieved. The Westcombe Society has is permitted. We also advocate a re-con - •Earth up potatoes to increase yield. submitted a response broadly supporting sideration of which paths are suitable for •Do the ‘Chelsea chop’ on l ate-flow - the principles behind the strategy but shared use - for example the path along - ering perennials such as phlox, with some concerns about ways of side the herbaceous border at the north sedum, helenium, achillea (yarrow), achieving them. Chief among these are side of the Park. Pic: Marilyn Little ways of reducing traffic through the park It might also be possible to re-design and ways of promoting considerate the barriers at the narrow gates on Maze GROW YOUR OWN Anne Robbins cycling. Hill so that cyclists have to dismount. At the moment(outside of coronavirus We suggest that more cycle racks be etting started might seem daunting ing instructional videos on YouTube and pandemic) the Avenue through the Park installed, for example near the children's Ggiven the circumstances. Most garden the BBC’s Gardeners’ World website. is open for commuter traffic in the morn - playground, to encourage families to centres have closed, so getting supplies is Seeds can be bought online, though ing and evening. In the summer months come by bike. difficult. And is it not too late to start? In some sellers are finding it difficult to get it stays open until 8.00 or 9.30pm when We all value the amenity of Greenwich fact, May is an excellent time to grow supplies themselves. Try Vital Seeds or the Park closes. Ideally we would like to Park and want to share it, so any seeds for many vegetables. The last frosts Real Seeds, both organic producers; stop all through traffic but appreciate improvements to access and movement have passed: many plants wither and die in Pennards and Franchi Seeds of Italy have a cold weather. Even if you only have a great range of herbs as well as beans, peas, that this could have an impact on con - within the Park are to be welcomed. patio or balcony, you can grow tomatoes. salad greens, and courgette seeds. gestion in surrounding streets. So we You only need a Grow Sainsbury’s too has a WORK PARTIES ON BLACKHEATH Joe Beale Bag, which has compost rack of vegetable seeds with the right mix of from good producers. So he Hyde Vale meeting went very well, were showing signs of nesting, but in nutrients, and a couple of you should be able to get Twe got a lot done (long overdue) and autumn we may cut back some areas. plants. Fresh herbs, started with ease, and helped keep the open areas open - this Thanks to the lovely volunteers for their lettuce and chili peppers enjoy the fruits – and veg- should benefit the many butterflies and help and Tony Bigwood from RBG for his are also great crops in etables – of your labours wildflowers that are found there. We left continuing support. No further work par - pots. later this summer. the brambles because it was well into early ties are planned until the autumn, assuming A good source is Alan’s If growing vegetables spring and the long-tailed tits and wrens the pandemic is under control by then. Plants and Garden inspires you, an allotment Centre, at the foot of Halstow Road, which might be an option, though our local space has stayed open throughout the lockdown. in Humber Road has closed its waiting list. At time of writing, they are asking cus- It can take years to attain a plot though. tomers to make appointments online using The Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Parks their Facebook page or by phone (07795 and Open Spaces Department may be able 342822) as they are practicing social dis- to find you a plot elsewhere, though the tancing and it’s a small space. Alan’s is department has closed for the time being. hoping to keep compost, grow bags, and a Its website says all plots are currently range of tomato, strawberry, and herb occupied, but once the council is back at plants in stock, as well as seeds alongside work you should be able to join a waiting the decorative plants. list for sites a little outside the immediate Online, there are many resources, includ- area.

‘LOVE IS LIKE A BUTTERFLY....’ harlton Community Gardens are plan - - the street/garden where you saw it Cning to create a Wildlife Friendly Area If you are lucky enough to see a cater - in the Sta tion Garden. They want to ensure pillar or even an egg or pupa they’d also their planting is butterfly- friendly. like to know about that. The plan is to add some new plants If you don't know the name of a that butterflies, spotted locally, like butterfly there are lots of websites to visit. to help e.g. https://butterfly-con - The Group have put together a servation.org/butterflies/identify- little survey and are asking The a-butterfly? Westcombe News readers for their Or if you can take a photo, help in answering the following: Google Photos may help with the - the sort of butterflies you see identification. - how many of each in a week Please send your findings to: charlton - - the plants each likes to visit [email protected]

Westcombe News May 2020 7 MARKET PLACE ACCOMMODATION/ROOMS MARK CHEESEMAN, LOCAL HOLIDAYS CARPENTER AND JOINER WITH BUY LOCAL! FOR HIRE OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE . WHITSTABLE WEEKENDS / WEEKS Discounts available on production All Aspects Of Carpentry and Construction Sea wall house between Oyster Warehouse and of your Westcombe Society FUNCTION ROOM FOR HIRE Executed Considerately and to a High arbour. Sleeps 5. Fantastic views. 8858 6578 or membership card . Blackheath area, up to 150 people, Bar, Standard. Both Traditional and 01304 367443 disabled access. Tel 07940 296290 Contemporary Design Joinery - BLACKHEATH VILLAGE: Cupboards, Wardrobes, Floating Shelves TUITION PARES FOOTWEAR HOST FAMILIES Etc. Sash Window Overhaul. If you have 10% OFF all shoes over £20, excluding sale stock Reliable and caring families required for Rotten Window Sills, Door Frames Etc. 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Offer excludes scuba diving equipment. ups, communal garden contracts, RHS Native Italian teacher offers lessons at all levels.Preparation for GCSE, A-LEVELS qualified. Call John 07746 121510 MALCOLM TIERNEY, CARPENTER HUMBER ROAD : Specialist in refurbishment, repair and courses, Grammar, Conversation Tel BODYWORKZ - THE FITNESS CLINIC DANIIL'S GARDENING SERVICES replacement of sash windows. 07788 743371 109 Humber Road.10% OFF all treatments costing Garden maintenance and design at very 07775 657371 £30 or more except Chiropody; exc.Saturdays. reasonable prices. Please contact 07419 MATHS & ENGLISH TUITION ROYAL NEPALESE RESTAURANT 338261 or [email protected] for more WINDOW CLEANING, GUTTER and preparation for 11+ and independent (Station Crescent) 20% OFF meals for two or more information. school selection tests by qualified and Sunday - Thursday. CLEANING, ROOF DEMOSS & CORIANDER RESTAURANT (Station Crescent) TREATMENT AND JET WASHING . experienced teacher.marystuition.com YVES’ TREES Mary Bauckham 07709089838 mary - 25% off Sunday to Thursday. Bookings only! Mike 07791 465052 bauckham@ gmail.com Are you lost in a maze of planning www.blackheath-window-cleaner.co.uk THE STANDARD: requirements? Trees in conservation areas RUSSIAN TUITION. COTON & HAMBLIN - OPTICIANS a speciality. Planning consent applications ELECTRICIAN / ALARM ENGINEER £65 off complete spectacles made accessible. Please call Yve on 07523 Russian-speaking university lecturer offers No job too small TMIET registered. lessons at all levels (including university, BLACKHEATH EYECARE OPTICIANS 588845 or email Call 07879 011792 20% off 2nd pair of spectacles. (Same prescrip - [email protected] business and conversation) in your tion). Not in conjunction with any other offer. HOMEWORKS home/office. Tel.: 07766 531401 (Complete glasses start from £49.95 with single COUNSELLING All-round handyman for those DIY’s you have vision lenses). 5% off contact lens solution and no time for! General repairs. Painting & SPANISH TUITION accessories. https://www.blackheatheyecare.co.uk/ BLACKHEATH COUNSELLING Decorating. General Carpentry and flooring. all ages and levels, GCSE, A levels , con - TROJAN PRESS 10% OFF all quotations SERVICE offers a professional, confiden - Flat-pack assembly. Patio and deck cleaning. No versation, literature, by Latin-American tial and caring service in a quiet setting. job too small. native speaker. Also lessons online. Please WESTCOMBE HILL contact Miguel at WESTCOMBE DRY CLEANERS We are trained as integrative counsellors Contact Matthew Barron 07903 388658 10% discount on Dry Cleaning only. Cannot be working with many models – including [email protected] or 07910 318513 used in conjunction with any other offers . CBT and Depth Psychology. 1 Hour TRAINED CHIMNEY SWEEP & A * DRIVING SCHOOL £5 discount on the price sessions £50/concessions are available. We STOVE INSTALLER 11+ TUITION of one x 2 hour lesson for WS members. offer online counselling. Please contact Fast, friendly Happy to work! Call THE WONDER WOMEN NETWORK 10% discount either Brenda – 020 8858 5969 Successful, qualified and experienced Anthony on 07772 649577 or email: DBS-certified tutor providing one-to-one e: [email protected] [email protected] WESTCOMBE PARK ROAD or Linda – 020 8858 1991 preparation of all eleven-plus exam com - KAREN STOREY OF HOMESPACE offers mem - e: [email protected] A MAN AND A VAN ponents (CEM, GL systems). Evenings, bers 10% discount on decluttering & homestaging w: www.bhhs.selondon.co.uk. Tel: 020 8858 3889 Mobile: 07885 917842 weekends available. services.Please note new number: 07951 191086 Remember no problem is too big or too Email: [email protected] www.home-space.biz small to share. WESTCOMBE CLEANERS PENINSULA I'm a friendly, hard-working & organised MATHS TUITION SHENDA FALVEY PERSONAL TRAINING & domestic cleaner. Regular or single serv - Qualified and experienced secondary BOOTCAMPS Free bootcamp session at SERVICES & TRADE teacher offers tuition to GCSE level. Greenwich Peninsula worth £10. Book to secure ices. Competitive rates. Additional tasks. I Call Miv Whitaker: 07745816338; place (excludes existing customers) REPAIRS & ALTERATIONS love my clients to be happy. or email [email protected] 25% off first personal training session plus free Hems. Darts in dresses, and Jackets relined etc. Phone 07746 291617 consultation M: 07887 727 335 Call 07904 880448 ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION Accent www.shendafalveypersonaltraining.com INTERIOR DECORATOR & Softening, Accents & Dialects, Voice and PHONE / BROADBAND SOCKETS. CARPENTER Public Speaking. Coaching from local Improved Broadband speed plates, Fault with over 20 years experience. A member Teacher and Actor. 25 years experience. Finding Repairs, New Extensions, Tidying of the guild of mastercraftsman. Free Contact David at david.bauckham55 of cables. 25 yrs BT, Insured. quotes & friendly advice on all your deco - @gmail.com. 07845 705900 rating requirements. Local references available. Tel. Ashley Greaves 8858 2981 www.davesvoicebox.com JEWELLERY AND WATCH REPAIRS LOCAL PRIVATE TUITION 1-1 or AND VALUATIONS TOM ELLIS BESPOKE CARPENTRY small group tutoring in English and from Michele Franklin. British Jewellers Alcove bookcases, cabinets, wardrobes Maths learning support GCSE by qualified Association accreditation 07809 502714 and window seats. M. 07510 869947 tutor. Call: 07904 880 448 [email protected] T.TA ELECTRICS. LOCAL CARPET / OVEN CLEANER NICEIC Approved Contractor, Quality Specialist in cleaning Carpets & Ovens, Tradesman. All electrical work undertaken, Upholstery & rugs. M: 07828 503132 Fully Insured & Guaranteed. 24HR WANT TO PLACE AN http://www.carpetcrew.co.uk EMERGENCY ELECTRICAL. Please call Tony on 07961 ADVERT? SUNSHINE WINDOW CLEANING 509403 OR 020 8488 7425 OR Email: Advertising@west- [email protected] Est. Over 15 years. Call Martin on combesociety.org 020 3488 3658 or 07821 403577

8 Westcombe News May 2020