Get out and about this weekend with our guide to the fun events going on from March 14 to 15, including some great Mother's Day plans.
ENTERTAINMENT - Derren Brown at the Orchard Theatre
When: 13 Mar 2015 Where: The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1ED Time: 7.30pm Cost: £25 and upwards To book tickets: orchardtheatre.co.uk
Little needs to be said about this celebrated magician. He is widely acknowledged to be nearly as powerful as Voldemort. Although apparently he doesn’t use his dark powers for evil, no-one can prove it. Who knows what he gets up to in his free time? I would say he might get tempted to drop the odd hex on the head of anyone who calls him Darren. But that’s just speculation. Come and see this fiendish enigma in person… if you dare!
FOOD - Crystal Palace Food Market
When: 14 Mar 2015 Where: Haynes Lane, Crystal Palace, SE19 3AP Time: 10am to 3pm Cost: Free
Just tucked away behind the south side of the Crystal Palace triangle you will find Haynes Lane. Each Saturday this non-profit, community run market is held, selling locally sourced food, organic veg, homemade muffins, chocolates and a huge amount of other tempting treats.
Profits go to supporting sustainable farming, helping local food producers, promoting local growing and various other noble causes. A great place to hang out and soak up the hubbub of the Crystal Palace community, indulge in gorgeous things daaarling, and ponder what it means to ‘eat yourself well’.
Also there’s Haynes Lane Market open all day, right next door. It’s a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of knick knacks, trinkets, records, books and clothes.
CLASSICAL MUSIC - Beckenham Chorale Spring Concert
When: 14 Mar 2015 Where: St George's Church, High Street, Beckenham BR3 1AX Time: 7.45pm Cost: £10 - £14
A night of Elgar and Handel conducted by the esteemed James Blair. Witness performances of Elgar’s ‘The Music Makers’ and ‘Sea Pictures’ and Handel’s seminal ‘Zadok the Priest’. Expect an impassioned performance from the 70 piece mixed voice choir who are now in their 55th season.
ARTS & CRAFTS - Pottery Painting and Craft
When: 14 Mar 2015 - 15 Mar 2015 Where: Unit F, 1a Howard Rd, Bromley, Kent, BR1 3QJ Time: 9.30am to noon Cost: £6 and upwards For more info call: Kathryn Zamar on 020 8313 0851 / 07949 253006
Have you got a hunch that your little ones haven’t clocked that it’s Mother’s Day this Sunday? Nudge your other half in the direction of this event. He can accompany the kids to this one while you take a well earned rest. And maybe come Mothering Sunday you will receive a beautiful handmade piece of pottery, folk art or fabric painting.
HOBBIES - Model Railway Exhibition
When: 14 Mar 2015 Where: Church Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0DJ Time: 10.30am to 4.30pm Cost: £3.50
Calling all model railway geeks! Spend the day in the company of railway anoraks who (unlike your wife and normal friends) are actively interested in your antique 1950s Hornby freightliner model.
HEALTH & WELL BEING - Shorne Park Run
When: 14 Mar 2015 Where: Brewers Road, Gravesend, DA12 3HX Time: 9am Cost: Free
For this weekly run at Shorne Park, they say ‘run at your own pace and for your own enjoyment’. But they also say it’s to a clock. So it’s a race.
There are winners… and more worryingly, there will be a loser! Don’t let it be you! Don’t get smashed on Friday night if you’re planning on doing this 5K run.
Have an early night with a cup of herbal tea and say a few prayers that there will be at least one person there who is more unfit than you. They go for coffee after the run, so visualise that croissant and double shot full-fat latte as your incentive to get round it.
BE CREATIVE - Spine Festival - The Great Catford Write-off
When: 14 Mar 2015 Where: Catford Library, Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, SE6 4RU Time: 10am to 5pm Cost: Free More info and booking: call Ralph Winkler on 020 83147707
Are you one of those people who say ‘I think I have a book in me’, and daydream about your first volume of short stories sitting on the shelves of Waterstones, while having never written a word? No? Oh right, no, no, neither am I… But if you do wish you could take up writing as a creative outlet but need some constructive direction, then get down to this full day of writing workshops at the Catford Library. It will be run by award winning spoken word artist, Adam Kammerling, and is open to all ages, families and abilities.
VINTAGE - Penge Vintage and Collectables Fair
When: 15 Mar 2015 Where: Royston Social Club, 85 Royston Road, Penge, SE20 7QW Time: 11am to 3pm Cost: Free
While away the hours this Sunday in the comfort of bygone eras. Hear the dulcet tones of classic records spinning, sip at a coffee, munch on some homemade cakes, and investigate the stunning range of vintage and antique treasures - including: clothing, jewellery, art glass, toys, kitchenalia, books, memorabilia, books, china and coins. All budgets catered for.
MOTHER’S DAY - Mother’s Day Carvery
When: 15 Mar 2015 Where: Holiday Inn Hotel, Southwold Road, Bexley DA5 1ND Time: noon to 2pm Cost: £19.95 per adult, £10 per child. For more info call: 01322 625586
Can’t cook? Can’t be bothered to cook? Then throw some money at the problem to make sure you do the right thing this Mothering Sunday.
A bespoke mothers day menu at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Bexley, consists of four starters, roast beef and roast pork with all the trimmings, vegetarian options, and four desserts to choose from.
Because remember, Father’s Day is the one the Americans invented for commercial reasons, but Mother’s Day goes back to Biblical times so it’s proper legit. Which means you can’t miss this one. Whichever way you look at it you’ll be spending a) the day with your Mum/Mother-in-Law and b) money.
JAZZ - Pete Corrigan and the Band of Hope
When: 15 Mar 2015 Where: Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, London RM11 1QT Time: 12:45 Cost: £4 To book tickets: queens-theatre.co.uk
Pete Crrigan’s Dixieland band plays a bunch of their own tunes and some standards by the likes of Gershwin and Sidney Bechet.
The charity run Queen’s Theatre is a thriving cultural hub. Pete Corrigan’s band are regulars, and local residents say there is no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than bopping along to this charming, easy going style of jazz.
MARKET – Gingham Goose Craft Market
When: 14 March Where: Hayes Village Hall Time: 10.30am to 4pm
Browse quality craft stalls, including: handmade jewelry, local produce, tapestry, flowers and much more. Visitors can also indulge on cakes and refreshments in the lovely tea room. Entry is free.
MUSIC - The Script
When: 14 March Where: The O2 Arena, Greenwich
Labrinth will join superstar band The Script live on stage. Go to axs.com
Joey Page
COMEDY - Bromley Comedy Club
When: 14 March Where: The Churchill Theatre, Bromley
Award-winning Martin Davis will compere the evening’s entertainment which includes performances from outstanding comedians Gerry K and Joey Page. Go to atgtickets.com/bromley
THEATRE - Nannie the Witch
When: 14 March Where: The Cutty Sark, Greenwich on Saturday
Join the famous tea clippers very own character, Nannie the Witch, on a singing and dancing adventure that navigates through stories about the famous ship. Full information: http://www.rmg.co.ukrmg.co.uk
MOTHER’S DAY - Mother’s Day at The Croft Tea Room
When: 15 March Where: The Croft Tea Room, St Mary Cray
Special brunches and afternoon teas will be available. Book at crofttearoom.co.uk
MARKET - Vintage Fair
Where: Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend When: 14 March Time: 11am to 3.30pm
Monica’s vintage fair returns offering retro clothing, accessories, homeware, a pop-up tea room and beauty parlor. Go to monicasvintagefair.com/
THEATRE - Dalloway
Where: Greenwich Theatre When: 14 March
It’s the summer of 1923 and World War One is over and celebrations are being prepared in London, however the aftermath of conflict bares a damaging effect. Go to greenwichtheatre.org.uk
THEATRE - The Producers
Where: The Churchill Theatre, Bromley When: 14 March
Catch the last performance of the Broadway smash-hit before it leaves Bromley this weekend, featuring comedian Jason Manford, Phill Jupitus and Louie Spence. Go to atgtickets.com/bromley
MARKET - Chislehurst Farmers Market
Where: Hornbrook House Car Park, Chislehurst When: 14 March Time: 10am to 2pm
Over 20 stalls packed with local produce will be available, offering jams, cakes, breads, wines and much more.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here