Mayor's blog

Welcome to my October Blog

Visit to School

I was delighted to cut a ceremonial ribbon to mark the launch of the well –being area of the Montessori Education for Autism Forest School on 1 October 2019.

The school supports children, young people and families with autism and special needs.  Delighted to see many people from the local community present as well, as the Westcombe Society and Mycenae House Community Centre.

Black History Month

The Mayoress and I attended a number of Black History Month events during October.  There was the Service of Thanksgiving at Southwark Cathedral on 5 October; an event at Woolwich Town Hall on 9 October, which celebrated the lives of our BAME residents, past, present and future; on 24 October, we visited the Ajoda Community Alliance at their event at the Clockhouse Community Centre; on 31 October,  I visited the event organised by the Black Female Entrepreneurs Greenwich, which was held in the Woolwich Library.  Lots of stalls to look round and an exhibition of African-Caribbean inspired art.

Silver Sunday

Silver Sunday celebrates the elderly in the community and brings everyone together to combat loneliness and isolation.  The Mayoress and I attended an event held at Time Court Nursing Home on 6 October and then we went on to Westcome Park Nursing Home. 

Greenwich Pensioners Forum

On 15 October, we attended the International Older Peoples Day organised by the Greenwich Pensioners Forum at Charlton.  Congratulation to the organisers.  I was asked to be a Magicians assistant – which is a first!

Fan Museum and Greenwich Performs

On 7 October, the Mayoress and I had wonderful evening attending two events in Greenwich

We attended the opening of The Fan Museum’s Autumn/Winter 2019 displays.  This Museum is wonderful and very much worth a visit.  The Museum first opened in 1991 and has over 7,000 fans in the collection.

We also attended an event organised by the community arts festival Greenwich Performs.  A concert by the Canticum Choir at The Queens House.  The quality of the performance and surroundings complimented each other wonderfully.

Irish Community Services – Dance Marathon

The Mayoress and I attended a Dance Marathon organised by the Irish Community Services on 12 October.  This was a fundraising event but was also great fun!

We went to start the Dance Marathon off at 11.00am and then had to go and support a relaunch of the Bright Horizons Nursery in Eltham and a Flytipping – Scrap it Campaign at Middle Park Community Centre.

However, we had time to return to see how the Dance Marathon was doing later in the day and they were still dancing!.   We had a wonderful time chatting to those taking part and  I was forced to get my dancing shoes on, first time in years.

National Hate Crime Week

The Mayoress and I attended a Service at St Paul’s Cathedral on 13 October 2019, which was an Act of Hope and Remembrance for those affected by Hate Crime.  It was a very emotional service.  Our compliments to the work of Mark Healey and his team for all the work they do to combat Hate Crime.

Welcome event for Syrian Families

We attended a welcome reception for Syrian families at Woolwich Town Hall on 22 October 2019.

The Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme was set up in January 2014 to help the most vulnerable Syrian refugees.  The Royal Borough of Greenwich responded positively to invitation from Central government to participate in this exercise and in 2016 we made a commitment to resettle 20 Syrian refugee families in the borough during a 5 year period.

100th Birthday of Len Jones

The Mayoress and I joined Len Jones and his family on his 100th Birthday!  The place was packed with so many family and friends at the party, to wish Len all the very best on his birthday.  Len is a World War II Veteran and a Member of the Royal British Legion (Eltham and Well Hall Branch).  Len will be on Parade as usual on Remembrance Sunday in November 2019. 

It was great to see such a wonderful celebration for Len.

Annual Starting Blocks Dinner

We attended the Annual Fundraising Dinner of Greenwich Starting Blocks on 24 October.  This would be the last fundraising dinner before the Tokyo Olympics for our Greenwich Athletes.  Hosted by Stephen Backley, OBE, the retired British javelin thrower. This was a great evening in support of our athletes.

Trafalgar Day – Act of Remembrance

The Mayoress and I attended the Trafalgar Day – Act of Remembrance at East Greenwich Pleasance on 19 October.

This is an annual event to remember those who died in the Battle of Trafalgar.  Some of those who died in this battle and later battles have their remains buried in the East Greenwich Pleasance.

In attendance were the Royal British Legion as well as the Greenwich Sea Cadets.  The ceremony involved wreathlaying and I had to inspect the cadets on parade.

Launch of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal

The Mayoress and I attended the launch of the Royal British Poppy Appeal organised by the Eltham and Well Hall Branch at the Woodcroft Club on 26 October.  It was good to have the chance to meet and personally thank all the volunteers and Poppy Appeal collectors.

We were presented with the first poppies of the 2019 Appeal.  Len Jones, our 100 year old war veteran was also present and also received his poppy.

The Charlton Society

On the same day, we attended the AGM of the Charlton Society at Charlton House, who are celebrating their 50 Year.  At the meeting, I congratulated the efforts of the society on behalf of the residents and this was evidenced by the Civic Awards presented to them and Roden Richardson earlier in 2019.

Diwali at Kidbrooke Village

We then went on to celebrate Diwali at Kidbrooke Village.  This was the first Diwali celebration in Kidbrooke Village. It was an all inclusive celebration of Diwali, the festival the light of humanity.

Thamesmead Christian Fellowship

I visited ISIS Prison, to see the results of a 6 week victim awareness course.  It was a pleasure to witness the work undertaken to help to rehabilitate young offenders.

Fundraising events

We attended a Charity Bike Ride organised by the Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice on 6th October and a Fundraising dinner organised by the Hospice on 11 October, which also celebrated the 25 Anniversary of the Hospice;  We organised a charity visit to the Cutty Sark and the Painted Hall on 7 October and a coffee morning on 9 October.

That’s it for now.  All the best