BLACKHEATH VILLAGE DAY 2018
Saturday, 1st December
Come and join the fun.
There will be a special trail of lights and bunting through the village. The main Christmas street lights will go on at 4.30pm. Join the Lantern procession from the Halls, leaving at 4.15pm through the Village to the ceremony at The Christmas Tree at the top of Tranquil Vale, kindly donated by Capital Christmas Trees of Greenwich Park.
PLEASE NOTE: The roads through the village will be closed to traffic from approximately 4.10 to 4.40.
Throughout the day, there will be special Christmas Events.
Blackheath Halls
Blackheath Halls opens its doors to the community after major restoration. Come and see the changes and join their Christmas programme:
11.00 Free family events.
HOMEMADE SAMBA PERCUSSION WORKSHOP.
Bring pots, pan, spoons and loads of energy to this fun-packed workshop led by percussionists from the Multi-Story Orchestra.
FAMILY GOSPEL SINGING WORKSHOP
Raise the roof in a family friendly gospel singing workshop led by our experienced gospel leaders
ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE HUNT
This is run by Jo Townshend Architects from the Conservatoire. However, please collect your question pack from the Halls. This will take you around the Village then return it to the Halls to collect a certificate and prize.
15.00 Festive family sing-a-long in the Great Hall. Tickets £8 /£6.
www.Blackheathhalls.com
The Blackheath Conservatoire
13.30 and 14.45 Lantern Making Workshops. Make a fabulous creation to parade with for the switching on of the Christmas lights. The lanterns are great to make together as a family – the adults can take care of the tricky bits, while the kids make it look great. Lanterns cost £10. Please book in advance.
The Age Exchange
13.00 – 14.30 We will be showing a popular Christmas film “ Elf ” the movie. Refreshments and then a surprise appearance of Father Christmas who will distribute small gifts. Tickets £5/£7 available in advance. Children must be accompanied by adults.
Selectric
The favourite Blackheath store SELECTRIC is having a grand re-opening in the new premises next to the Conservatoire. They will celebrate, come and see them.
Mary’s living and giving shop (Save the Children)
10.00 – 18.00 Christmas Market on the first floor of the shop. Festive treats.
Carols with Cambridge. Food and Drink
13.00 - 14.00 Puppet Show “Santa comes to Blackheath”. Tickets not needed but children must be accompanied.
Check with the shop directly for further details, Telephone 020 8463 9266
The Crown
(programme to be confirmed)
Enjoy a drink while listening and watching the live performances of:
1.00 Big Smoke Brass Band
1.40 Blackheath Morris Men
2.10 FSOR (Felix School of Rock)
2.30 Theo and Johnny
3.00 FSOR
3.15 Big Smoke Brass Band
3. 50 FSOR
4.10 Take Note Choir by The Christmas Tree in Tranquil Vale
4.30 Arrival of The Lantern Procession
Christmas Blessing from Father Nicholas and a well known surprise guest
4.35 Switching on the Christmas Lights.
4.40 Music continues at the Crown
8.00 The Crown’s House Band at The Crown
We’d like to thank Capital Christmas Trees in Greenwich Park for giving us a wonderful Christmas tree for everyone in Blackheath and around, to enjoy this festive season. Thank you also to Skanska for assisting the Blackheath Society volunteers in hanging the lights.
Thank you to all volunteers who have contributed to make Village Day a special event for the community.
Come and join us.
VILLAGE DAY LIGHTS UP REVIEWED
The village came together again this year to celebrate turning on the Christmas lights on Village Day, organised by the Blackheath Society.
As a rainy morning turned into a mild afternoon, traders laid on a wonderful trail of light through their window displays to the festive Christmas tree at the top of Tranquil Vale, seen in the photograph below.
The first Saturday in December was very busy in the Village, with music at the Crown, puppet shows at Mary’s Living and Giving Shop, the film Elf shown for children at Age Exchange and surprise appearances of Father Christmas. A full programme of family events also took place at Blackheath Halls, which celebrated their reopening after major refurbishment.
It was a festive occasion and many thanks to all who helped the day run smoothly, especially to DJB Property for their assistance in installing this year’s Christmas Village festive lighting.The lights came on gradually as the large crowd proceeded from the Halls to the Christmas tree, provided by Capitol Trees of Greenwich Park.
After the speeches, the tree lights also sparkled. In previous years our trusted volunteers turned the lights on but, due to a new Health and Safety decision by Lewisham Council, the Village Christmas street lights had to be turned by a representative from its agents Skanska.
Father Christmas leads the count down for the Christmas tree lights switch on.