Mayor's blog

Welcome to my November Blog!  Where do I start, there is so much to tell you about!!

Celebration of Achievement Awards

The Mayoress and I attended the Celebration of Achievement awards of the Royal Borough of Greenwich Virtual School for Children in Care on the evening of 1 November.  This was held on the Cutty Sark Clipper Ship and I was asked to wear my robes.

It was a pleasure to be present and see so many children and young people make a success of their education.  It was great to hear about the achievements of such a talented group of youngsters.

Association of Chinese Women

We attended the AGM of the Association of Chinese Women on 4 November at the Woolwich Common Community Centre. This Association is run by volunteers and there are many activities, such as Tai Chi, Line Dancing classes and a Social Gathering Club. They also celebrate Chinese New Year, International Women Month, Dragon Boat Festival and Mild Moon Festival, to name a few!

Royal Greenwich Safeguarding Adults Board.

The Mayoress and I have attended a number of events in November organised by the Royal Greenwich Safeguarding Adults Board.  On 5 November, we attended a launch of a safeguarding easy read leaflet which promoted safeguarding awareness  to support people with learning disabilities staying safe while at home and in the community; We attended a performing arts project on 21 November at Charlton Assembly rooms, which is part of Greenwich Day Opportunities, working with adults with learning and physical disabilities . We called in on the Annual Conference held on 27 November, which was looking at transitions and various aspects between services in community learning disabilities.

We were invited to a Greenwich Day Opportunities Xmas Coffee morning for users and carers at Sherard Road Centre on 6 December.

Remembrance Weekend

This was a very busy weekend, laying wreaths and attending Remembrance Services around the Borough.

We first represented the Council at the Annual Service of Remembrance at London City Hall on 8 November.  We then went to Memorial Hospital, Shooters Hill, SE18 and Greenwich Cemetery, Well Hall Road, SE9, to lay wreaths at the War Memorials.

On Saturday 9 November, together with the Leader and the Royal British Legion (Charlton and Blackheath Branch) we laid wreaths at the War Memorials at the top of Maze Hill, SE10; St. John’s Church, Stratheden Parade, SE3; St Luke’s Church, Charlton Village, SE7 and Charlton Cemetery

On Sunday 10 November, together with the Leader, we watched the Veteran and Cadet Parade in the morning in Eltham, which was followed by a wreathlaying at the War Memorial in Eltham High Street and Remembrance service at St. John’s The Baptist.  This event was organised by the Royal British Legion (Eltham and Well Hall Branch).

We then had the pleasure afterwards of meeting the veterans in person at the CIU and Woodcroft Clubs.

On Monday 11 November, the Leader and I observed the two minutes silence at 11.00am for Armistice Day at Woolwich Town Hall and unveiled a memorial bench at Halton Court, SE3.

My thanks to the Deputy Mayor and Past Mayors for attending the other wreathlaying ceremonies in the Borough, held in Thamesmead, AbbeyWood, Plumstead and Woolwich.  A lot of these had been organised by the Royal British Legion (Thamesmead and AbbeyWood Branch).

Riverston School

We visited Riverston School on 12 November to formally open the new Senior School Playground.  All the students were very excited in using the new playground !   Got invited back to attend their Carol Concert on 13th December.

Diwali Reception

I hosted a Diwali Reception at Woolwich Town Hall on 15 November, 2019.  Thanks for all the Gurdwaras and Temples in the Borough being presented on the evening.  Thank you for being involved with the programme on the evening, which included many young people.

Voice of Mauritius

I was pleased to attend a fund raising event by the Voice of Mauritius held on 17 November at Charlton Hub.   As part of the programme there was a very thought provoking talk on Dementia.

Celebrate Royal Greenwich, Instrumental Gala

The Mayoress and I attended a concert held on 19 November in Blackheath Halls, SE3.  This evening showcased the wealth of music talent within the Borough.  We absolutely loved the evening.  The quality and level of musical achievement is raised every year.

Cutty Sark – Kids in Museums Takeover Day

We attended the Cutty Sark – the world famous Clipper Ship on 20 November, for Kids in Museums Takeover Day.  This was great fun!  The children were given meaningful roles, working alongside staff and volunteers to participate in the life of the museum.

Christmas Lights Up!

I attended all the Christmas Light Up events during November/December.  At Greenwich Town Centre on 20 November; Eltham on 21 November; Thamesmead on 29 November; Kidbrooke on 30 November and Woolwich on 7 December.

Clockhouse Community Centre

The Mayoress and I visited Clockhouse Community Centre a number of times these past weeks to see all the amazing being carried out there.  On 22 November, a free community meal took place. Working together with GCDA, it provides fresh hot food free of charge to local residents.  This is an anniversary celebration.  More to follow in the December Blog.

Book Launch – What a Life!

We had the pleasure of attending the Book Launch – What a Life! By Charles Roper Medhurst on the evening of 22 November at The Forum at Greenwich.

Some incredible things have happened to Charles during his lifetime and are still happening to this day.

School Visits

We have enjoyed lots and lots of School visits and the week beginning 25 November, we had school visits to the Town Hall from  Rockcliffe Manor; Fossdene  and Cherry Orchard Primary Schools.  We also visited that week Cardwell Primary School and St. Joseph’s Primary School.  We run out of “I meet the Mayor Badges” and had to reorder!!

Mayor’s Charity Appeal

The Mayoress and I supported the Light Up a Life Service at the Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice on 23 November.  This is a service for the local community to get together and remember those we have loved who are no longer with us.  Lights on the tree are dedicated to loved ones  and the tree switched on as the service.

With regards to fund raising, we were delighted to receive a visit from the member ladies of the Ramgarhia Gurdwara, based in Woolwich, who presented the Appeal with a marvellous donation of £1,100.  The ladies have been invited to visit the Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice in the new year, to be shown round the services provided.

We attended the 175 year celebrations of the Pelton Arms in Greenwich on 29 November.  This evening was in aid of the Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice and the Pearly Kings and Queens of London were present , including the Pearly Queen of Greenwich, Gwen Jones.

Well as you can see, the Mayoress and I have been very busy!  It gets even busier in December!  So look out for the December Blog.

Bye for now.