Greenwich Theatre hopes its forthcoming children's festival can make theatre-goers out of children. Kerry Ann Eustice talks to companies involved to see how they plan to make plays as popular as films FOR far too many people, their first experience
Once upon a time Storytelling in Hope hosted events in Blackheath with the help of Arts Council grants. When this funding was cut the group had to find a new way of telling tales to its audiences. Kerry Ann Eustice gets the inside story IT MAY be
Drink 3/5 Decor 3/5 Price 3/5 Atmosphere 3/5 Staff 4/5 EVER since my recent visit to the Rose of Denmark, I expect every pub to have a fancy mirror in the toilets - especially those in Charlton. But this was not the case when I went to The Bugle
For its latest exhibition, Lewisham Arthouse asked female artists to submit drawings. Kerry Ann Eustice went along to the gallery to see their diverse response to the brief MOST people's earliest memories of drawing will date back to childhood. And
A TRUST and a university have been rewarded for helping to preserve the Cutty Sark. Experts at the University of Greenwich and charity the Cutty Sark Trust have given a regional Best Partnership for their work together. Dr Stoyan Stoyanov and Professor
THE grave of murdered teenager Ben Hitchcock from Penge was vandalised at the weekend. The cross was ripped from the ground, a guardian angel thrown from the grave, flower pots and lights smashed, flowers and photos torn down and scattered. The attack
WHEN Andy Ford released Omari Coleman from Welling United, the last thing he expected was the player to score two goals to sink his reconstructed side. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened at the weekend. Ford took his side to Bromley, who
Here’s a scenario for you (which you’ll be able to see for yourselves on BBC Two tonight). A farmer needs labour to help harvest his crops. He’s prepared to pay £7 an hour for workers to follow behind his tractor and collect the veg in his fields. It
AS A former midlander who came to the capital seeking, erm, fame and fortune (which I'm yet to find) I can appreciate jokes on the north/south divide from both sides of the Watford Gap. So I loved Manchester comic Danny Deegan's compere stint at Throgmorton
BOTH sweet and disconcerting, Japanese artist Toshie Takeuchi's work evokes the sinister fairy-tale realms of The Brothers Grimm. You can now see Toshie's large-scale digital montages at the Bearspace, Deptford but be prepared to leave feeling unsettled
CHILDREN have been attempting to break a world reading record. More than 260 pupils from Stone St Mary's School in Hayes Road, Greenhithe, tried to help break the Guiness world record for the most people reading out-loud at the same time. The youngsters
A BURGER chain will have to fight for its late-night opening in court because the police are not loving it. Bromley Council's licensing sub-committee gave McDonald's permission to open its restaurant in Market Square, Bromley, until 3am each day at
WHERE better to bring history to life than within Danson House's Georgian walls and grounds? The old house welcomes in its new season with its annual launch day which hosts an assortment of living history attractions. In the original kitchens a maid
AS IF Bach's work St John Passion wasn't arresting enough, Petts Wood Festival Chorus and Orchestra has drafted in Ben Thapa, a former fourth of the charismatic, classical man group G4. Ben will sing the piece's evangelist solo alongside Jonathan Davies
DARTFORD assistant manager Paul Sawyer does not think his team will be sidetracked after dropping two points at Bury Town last weekend. Brendon Cass struck in the 78th minute to cancel out Michael Steward's opener for Bury seven minutes earlier to
A VOLUNTEER group working to protect badgers is celebrating a cash boost from the national lottery. The West Kent Badger Group (WKBG), which consists of 30 volunteers, received a grant of £2,892 from the Lottery Awards for All scheme yesterday (Mar10
DOG owners can have their pets microchipped for free in a bid to cut the number of animals who go missing. Microchipping is a permanent ID that helps reunite owners with their four-legged friends if they are lost or stolen. Lewisham Council and the
COMMUTERS in Petts Wood were last night forced to make alternative travel arrangements after a power cut closed the train station - for the second time in four months. EDF Energy Network, which supplies electricity in the area, was unable to confirm
A HEALTH trust has been accused of "turning its back" on a patient for refusing to fund a treatment to stop her going blind. Sight-saving drugs are available for the treatment of wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) but Margaret Coates was told
YOUNGSTERS hopped down to a nature park for a day of fun to celebrate frogs. Frog quiz trails and treasure hunts were among the many themed activities at Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park, in John Harrison Way, on Sunday. Around 450 visitors attended
12861A: This youngster was on the 208 bus when it was etched on February 6. She got on at 4.46pm at Orpington High Street and got off at 5.20pm at Elmfield Road, Bromley.
12594B: Do you recognise this boy? He was on the 119 bus when it was etched on December 28. He boarded the bus at 2.55pm at West Wickham High Street and got off at 3.09pm at George Street, East Croydon.
12716B This boy was on the 208 bus when it was daubed with graffiti on January 25. He got on at 10.26pm at Masons Hill, Bromley and got off at 10.36pm at Queensway, Petts Wood.
12598: Do you know this boy? He was on a 119 bus when it was etched on December 31 last year. He got on at 2.15pm at Wickham Road and got off at Bromley High Street at 2.45pm.
12618: This boy was on the R2 bus when its emergency hammer box was smashed. He boarded the bus at 1.14pm at Keston Mark and got off at 1.21pm at Crofton Road on January 14.
10817: This youngster was on board a number 3 bus when it was daubed with graffiti. He got on at 2.56pm at Crystal Palace bus station and got off at South Croxted Road at 3.01pm on May 27 last year.
10773: This boy was on a 208 bus when it was etched on June 26 last year. He got on at 1.13pm at Bromley Common and got off at Bromley South.
12537: Do you recognise this boy? He was on a 61 bus when it was etched on January 1. He got on at 7.04pm at Station Road, Orpington and got off at 7.27pm at Bromley North bus station.
Vigo A 25-7 Bexley A AS an appetiser for the England v Scotland match later on television, it's hard to decide which was the better match as Vigo's A string got the better of their Bexley counterparts in a friendly on Saturday. The result for Vigo's
THE Mayor of London's office has denied the rumour that the congestion charge will be introduced to Bromley. It was reported in a national newspaper today that Mayor Ken Livingstone is planning much wider use of congestion charging in London's outlying
A BOROUGH'S first ever local assembly has attracted around 200 people. The Sydenham assembly was held at the Naborhood Centre (CORR), Sydenham Road, on March 6. It was the first of Lewisham's Local Assemblies, which are being introduced across the
SIMON Osborn was delighted with new signing Omari Coleman's perfect debut against former club Welling on Saturday. Coleman was picked up on a free transfer by Osborn in the week and repaid his faith in him with two goals for Bromley against the club
DESPITE the luscious tree-lined hills, panoramic views, majestic open spaces and collection of well-kept conservation areas, south east London lacks the charm of the inner city, but soon commuters will be flocking to the suburbs to bag themselves a home
11027A/B: Do you recognise these two boys? They were on the 401 bus when it was daubed with graffiti on July 15 last year. They boarded the bus at 4.16pm at Yarnton Road, Thamesmead and left it in Thamesmead Town Centre at 4.30pm.
11344: This youngster was on a 54 bus when it was etched. On August 11 last year he boarded in Croydon Road, Beckenham, at 5.44pm and got off in Charlton Way at 6.25pm.
WITH its array of independent shops, lively markets, diverse music and theatrical venues and the highest concentration of artists in the City, it is no wonder Deptford has been crowned as a cultural centre by the London Development Agency. Regeneration
12774A/B: These two youths were on a 161 bus on January 12 when it was daubed with graffiti. They got on the bus at 12.59pm in Court Road, Eltham, and got off at 1.05pm in Mottingham Road.
12650: Do you know this boy? He was on a 161 bus when it was daubed with graffiti using glue on January 12. He boarded the bus at 7.48pm in Eltham High Street and got off at Red Hill, Chislehurst, at 7.58pm.
PUBLIC NOTICE LONDON BOROUGH OF BROMLEY ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 AS AMENDED - Section 14 TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC OLD HILL CHISLEHURST NOTICE OF MAKING AN ORDER 1. The Council of the London Borough of Bromley HEREBY GIVE
SET UP in April of last year, the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) has safeguarded half a billion pounds in tenants' deposits, proving it has been a big success as it approaches its first anniversary. Run by The Dispute Service under Government legislation
RESIDENTS of Greenwich received the lowest council tax increase in the Capital, maintaining its record of setting the lowest almost anywhere in the country in the last 10 years. Set at 1.97 per cent, this year's increase equates to an extra 36p a week
LEWISHAM is set to be London's next top property hotspot according to developer St James Urban Living, thanks to a £250m regeneration project. The redevelopment of the town centre, dubbed Lewisham Gateway Development, is part of a wide-range investment
PUBLIC NOTICE LONDON BOROUGH OF BROMLEY NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURE) ORDER 1995 PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT AND REGULATIONS 1990 (Notices under
A ONE way system is to be brought in to allow traffic to flow easier around Poverest Primary School in Orpington. Bromley Council agreed to introduce the change after concerns about safety were raised by parents, pupils and staff at the school in Tillingbourne
THE Town and Country Planning Association addressed a committee of MPs at Westminster to push the case for eco-towns in the south east of England last week. It highlighted how the development of new homes in such towns must focus on issues such as winter
PAINTING your front door could make the difference between selling and not selling your home, according to the Co-operative Bank. The first thing buyers are faced with is the front door and garden, which is where first impressions are made. Fresh flowers
PROPERTY prices have risen by 4.2 per cent in the last 12 months. The typical UK property saw its value increase by 4.2 per cent in the 12 months leading up to February, according to the latest Halifax House Price Index. It revealed the average house
A HOUSE made out of newspapers was unveiled on Sunday. Members of the public were invited to help construct a house out of discarded newspapers as part of an artist's installation. The brain behind the project, which aims to raise awareness of the environmental
A CHILD safety campaign has been launched by a shopping centre to help keep young shoppers safe. The Child Safe scheme, organised by Bluewater Shopping Centre in Greenhithe, was launched yesterday (Mar10) with with the help of eight Year 2 pupils from
PUBLIC NOTICE LONDON BOROUGH OF BROMLEY TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended) TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURE) ORDER 1995 PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT AND REGULATIONS 1990 (Notices under
A PAIR of boxing stars of the future have triumphed at the national final of the Royal Navy ABA Golden Gloves Championships. Swanley's Albert Lee Junior and Adam Middleton from Belvedere won their final bouts to take the gold medals last weekend in
Aylesford Bulls 17-19 Gravesend GRAVESEND'S promotion drive is still on after Saturday's victory at Aylesford, but only after they survived a torrid second half to snatch a winning score in the final minutes of a bruising encounter. Bulls started
BROMLEY Boots, The Glades. 11am to 5pm. ORPINGTON Sainsbury's, Locksbottom, Farnborough. 10am to 4pm. PENGE Boots, 5 Colman House, Penge. Noon to 5pm. WEST WICKHAM Lloyds Pharmacy, 108 High Street. 10am to 4pm. BIGGIN HILL Waitrose, Main Road. 10am
PUBLIC NOTICE LONDON BOROUGH OF BROMLEY ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 AS AMENDED - SECTION 14 TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC NOTICE OF INTENTION VARIOUS ROADS WITHIN THE LONDON BOROUGH OF BROMLEY 1. THE Council of the London Borough
ZHENG Zhi faces another lengthy midweek trip later this month when he plays for China in a World Cup qualifier against Australia. The midfielder arrived back in SE7 from a game against Iraq in Dubai the day before last month's match against Crystal
BLACKHEATH, CHARLTON & GREENWICH Sainsbury's, Horn Link Lane, Greenwich. 11am to 5pm. Sainsbury's, 55 Bugsby Way, Greenwich. 11am to 5pm. ELTHAM, KIDBROOKE, MOTTINGHAM, LEE GREEN & NEW ELTHAM Boots, 96-104 High Street, Eltham. 10am to 4pm. Dickinson's
A TEDDY bear hunt which attracted more than a hundred parents and children has raised vital funds for a cash-strapped charity. The fundraiser at Oxleas Woods, Shooters Hill, last Sunday raised around £500 for Charlton Toy Library, which hires toys out
POLICE who raided a PCSO's home found illegal weapons and evidence to show he was a member of the British National Party (BNP). Ellis Hammond, aged 23, who was a PCSO for the Coldharbour and New Eltham Safer Neighbourhoods Team, appeared at Bexley Magistrates
A MUSEUM has held a day of Indian music and dance as part of an exhibition. Artists performed traditional music and dance from India at The Horniman Museum, London Road, Forest Hill, last Sunday as part of the Utsavam: Music From India exhibition.
BEXLEY AREA 7 Day Chemist, 175a Bellegrove Road, Welling. 9am to 11pm. Safeway, 2 Twin Tumps Way, Thamesmead. 10am to 4pm. NCC Chemist, CWS Store, 71-79 High Street, Welling. 10am to 4pm. Boots, 31 The Mall, Bexleyheath. 10am to 4pm. NHS DIRECT HELPLINE
YOUNGSTERS took part in a sponsored readathon to raise money for charity. More than 300 pupils from New Ash Green Primary School in Ash Road, Longfield, read as many books as they could from March 3 to March 7. The children, aged four to 11, were raising
RESIDENTS have been given green tips and advice at a seminar about household renewable energy sources. More than 60 people from Dartford attended the meeting at Princes Park Community Stadium in Grassbanks, on Saturday. The meeting was organised by
DARTFORD & GREENHITHE Asda, Station Road, Greenhithe. 10am to 4pm. Boots, South Mall, Bluewater Park. 11am to 5pm. Sainsbury's, Priory Centre, Dartford. 10am to 4pm. The Brent Pharmacy, 15 The Brent, Dartford. 10.30am to 1pm. Superdrug, Lower Rose
A BAN on free plastic bags is a step closer following an announcement by the Prime Minister. Gordon Brown has said the Government is ready to take the "necessary steps" to reduce plastic bag use in Britain, improving the environment and cutting pollution
BUSINESSES have been signing up to a scheme designed to make tourism environmentally-friendly. More than 600 organisations from the south east of England have applied to join The Green Tourism Board Scheme in the past year. They are all hoping to achieve
A father-of-two has recently returned from Barcelona after running a marathon, just 10 months after finishing cancer treatment. JEFF Howe found out he had cancer in December 2006. But, after successful treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, he is now
CHILDREN enjoyed visiting a secondary school to perform dances. Hextable School in Egerton Avenue, hosted 120 youngsters aged between five and 11 and from six primary schools on March 6. Students came from Hextable Primary School; Sutton-at-Hone CofE
YOUNG sports stars will receive awards from Britain's Strongest Man at an annual ceremony later this month. Dartford born Terry Hollands, the current holder of the Britain's Strongest Man title, will present awards recognising the achievements of Dartford's
A BENEFIT cheat has been ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work after failing to declare his wife's savings of £85,000. Nilesh Patel, from Greenwich, claimed incapacity benefit, Income Support, housing benefit and council tax benefit as he was unable
MOTORCYCLISTS from Kent who volunteer as donor blood transporters have helped to launch an Essex branch of their service. Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers (Serv) is a charity which delivers blood products to hospitals across southern England at
A COUNCIL is urging residents to help out with a museum exhibition by recalling memories of their visits to the attraction over the years. Dartford Borough Museum, in Market Street, is running a Home of Discoveries exhibition up until June 21 celebrating
A 30-YEAR-OLD man could escape jail by being sent on a drugs rehabilitation course. Scott MacDonald, aged 30, of Coltness Crescent, Abbey Wood, appeared at the Old Bailey last week. This was in connection with smashing a window at the Co-op Funeralcare
NEWS Shopper has discovered Kent police has lost track of known sex offenders. The force was responding to a Freedom of Information request submitted by News Shopper. It confirmed the whereabouts of nine registered sex offenders "became unknown" in
A BENEFIT cheat has been fined for failing to declare several bank accounts. Colin Anderson, of Bonney Way, Swanley, pleaded guilty to two charges of making false statements regarding capital holdings when he appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court
THE borough's worst housed school could get a new lease of life as a city academy. Bexley Council is pressing on with a Government-funded feasibility study for the future of Westwood College, The Green, Welling, after getting a commitment to sponsorship
A HEADTEACHER met the Prime Minister at Downing Street to celebrate his success as a school leader. Frank Green of the Leigh Technology Academy, Green Street Green Road, Dartford, was one of 90 headteachers invited to Number 10 last Thursday to recognise
COMPLAINTS the public consultation on the proposed reorganisation of hospital care in south east London is flawed have been rejected by the man overseeing the process. Michael Chuter, chairman of the joint committee of primary care trusts, which has
TWO hospitals are to benefit from having a major clean later this month. The hospitals, which are run by West Kent Primary Care Trust, will be cleaned as part of the Government's Deep Clean directive to help fight superbugs. Work will be carried out
OFFICERS investigating the death of a man last December are reappealing for witnesses. Ted Shaxted, 36, was attacked in his home in Wallis Park, Northfleet, on December 2. He died of his injuries two weeks later on December 16. The police want
A BUS operator has won a national transport award. Fastrack, which runs bus services throughout north Kent, won the Outstanding Success in Bus Priority award at the annual Bus Priority conference in Glasgow on February 27. Judges were impressed with
Street Pastors go out on the streets to help people. DAVID MILLS finds out about how they are helping make town centres a safer place to go at night. WHETHER it is finding the right bus to catch or just someone to talk to, Street Pastors provide a
POLICE presence is to increase on buses in a bid to cut crime. Eleven safer transport teams will be set up in inner London boroughs, including Lewisham, this year and last year. Each team has two sergeants, one PC and 18 PCSOs. Mayor of London Ken
A POLICE unit which has cracked down on burglaries and vehicle crimes has been honoured for its "outstanding work". Members of North Kent Tactical CID were given merit awards by Kent Chief Constable Michael Fuller last week. The unit has a 40 per cent
PEOPLE are being urged to have their say on proposed changes to healthcare in the area. Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock is writing to every household in the borough asking people to take part in consultations on A Picture of Health proposals. The
A FORMER mayor has found himself in court for the second time in two months - this time for causing criminal damage. Frank Gibson, of Windmill Street, Gravesend, brushed paint onto the wing of a driving instructor's car after the driver refused to move
TIME is running out to vote for your Young Volunteer of the Year. Residents in Swanley have up until March 31 to nominate young people, aged 14 to 18, whose voluntary work has made a difference in their community. Selected nominees will be invited to
A YOUTH leader has been recognised for his work with air cadets. Ken Hull has worked with the 40-strong 1921 (Lewisham) Squadron Air Training Corps for more than 40 years. He was nominated for the award by the squadron's cadets, for whom he runs a canteen
THE community in Welling has been learning more about Fairtrade, its principles and the goods it can supply. Fairtrade Fortnight spurred Welling Methodist Church in Bellegrove Road, Welling, a committed Fairtrade church, to stage a coffee morning in
SHOPPERS have enjoyed getting style tips at a shopping centre. The Style Clinic at Bluewater shopping centre in Greenhithe saw the centre's personal shopper Anna Moore, who gives advice to clients on what to buy, dispensing advice for free to male and
A MULTI-FAITH organisation has expressed fears a mini-town being built at Ebbsfleet Valley will exclude ethnic minorities. The huge development near Swanscombe will provide up to 10,000 new homes, but there are concerns a lack of churches will discourage
STUDENTS at a girls school will be dressing up to sing and dance their way through the musical Oliver! More than 60 pupils from The Grammar School for Girls Wilmington are taking part in the production of Lionel Bart's classic show. Year 7 student Chloe
A GROUP of 70 young people have enjoyed putting on an evening of dance and fashion. The event organised by members of Gravesend's Young Ethnic Girls Group was held at the Woodville Halls Civic Centre in Windmill Street on Friday. It included a fashion
FREE travel for the elderly to get to hospital is needed, according to a travel watchdog which deals with transport issues around the capital. London TravelWatch says it wants London Freedom Passes to be extended to north Kent so pensioners can access
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a bungalow fire in Biggin Hill after a neighbour spotted smoke coming out of the roof. Crews wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze in Jail Lane which damaged around a quarter of the property at 6.20pm last night
ELECTRICITY supplies to 250 homes were cut last night after a power cable was brought down by a tree in high winds last night (March 10). Firefighters set up a 10m exclusion zone at the incident in Redhill Road, New Ash Green, because there was a danger
On this day in... 753BC - Rome was founded. 1967 - The police started using helicopters. 1988 - The Bank of England replaced pound notes with pound coins. 1997 - An Athens taxi driver discovered his wife was cheating on him when a passenger asked
