LANGUAGE LESSONS: Blackheath High School, Vanbrugh Park, Blackheath, introduced Mandarin as a GCSE subject when new term started in September. Pupils will be celebrating Chinese New Year with a show on Friday.

CUSTODY DEATH: A public meeting is being held today at the Glyndon Community Centre, Raglan Road, Plumstead, regarding the death of Paul Coker, who died on August 6 last year in police custody.

CANDIDATE: Lewisham Patient and Public Involvement Forum chairman Alan Hall will be standing as a councillor in the May elections for Labour in the Bellingham ward.