This weekend's events 26-27 January

Friends of the Woodland Walk

The Woodland Walk is a long narrow strip of Ancient Woodland that runs for nearly a mile through the Downham estate.  It appears on old maps as the boundary of Shroffold Farm, and thankfully was retained when the houses were built in the 1920s.

The woodland is now part of the Green Chain Walk and contains some magnificent old oak and ash trees, as well as relatively rare wild service trees.  There are glades of bluebells in the spring, and several clumps of wood anemone. The wide variety of birds and insects there include woodpeckers, long tailed tits and stag beetles.

The Friends of the Woodland Walk were set up 13 years ago by a group of local residents who were concerned about the neglected state of the woodland.  It had become a target for flytipping, graffiti and vandalism. 

The Friends group arranged monthly work days to clear the accumulated rubbish and enlisted the help of Glendale to ensure that the bins were emptied and the gates locked at night.  They obtained various grants, including one from the local Assembly, and bought new benches and litter bins.  Bat and bird boxes were made by pupils at Bonus Pastor School, which borders the Woodland, and loggeries were created to encourage stag beetles and other insects.  Recently, large sections of the path have been resurfaced and Green Chain / Capital Ring signage improved.

Now, the woods are used by several schools as well as large numbers of local people, whether they are walking their dogs, taking a short cut to school or shops or just enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.  Our long term aim is to preserve the woodland as a local nature reserve by leaving dead wood as habitat for insects and fungus and brambles as shelter for birds and small mammals.  However we are aware that the public want a safe and attractive environment in which to walk, so we do cut back undergrowth close to the path and plant native bulbs to add some spring colour.

Our work days continue on the last Sunday of each month, and new volunteers are always welcome, regardless of age or fitness level.  We meet at one of the entrances to the woodland at 2pm for a couple of hours’ work.   Our next session is on Sunday 27 January 2013, meeting at the Haddington Road gate (near the junction with Oakshade Road).   Gloves, tools, refreshments and friendly company are provided!

Please ring Janet Hurst on 020 8698 6805 for any further information.

More information about local events and activities on the Downham Interagency website

New and upcoming events and activities at the community centre

Seasonal events in Downham

 

September in Downham, Whitefoot and Bellingham

Edible Open Gardens Day - 15th September 2012

As part of the Big Dig we will be opening the community garden from 11am - 4pm on Saturday 15 September. There will be herb and salad plants for sale that you can overwinter on a sunny windowsill, light refreshments will be available and you can see the Apothecary Garden in progress. On the same day we will be 'Looking at Nature in New Ways' with Ruth and Suriya, who host the Permaculture Kids Club at Grow Mayow Community Garden, Sydenham, and will be building a herb spiral.

Making Connections - Community Event 22nd September 2012

Please join us on Saturday 22 September from 12 noon onwards in the community garden for an event celebrating health and wellbeing and the conclusion of the hubbub
project

Summer fun in Downham, Bellingham, Whitefoot and Grove Park

Come rain or shine there is so much to do for children, families, young people and adults this summer! From cooking to composting, duckling adventures to diving, street dance to street chance cricket, arts and crafts, theatre, summer uni and trips to the cinema, seaside and skiing - to name but a few!

Let those fingers do the walking and get a fun packed summer organised! Many activities are low cost or free.  

LATEST: Sage Educational Trust are running a free bicycle project with Young Lewisham (Forest Hill) on Tuesday 24^th July 11am to 3pm for anyone ages 8-16. A bus will be picking up from New Cross Gate Sainsbury’s at 10:30am and from Bromley Road Retail Park at 10:30am to take children there should people require transport. Please contact Carly at cnewman19.209@lgflmail.org

 

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of Phoenix Community Housing, Limelight Family Learning Centre, Downderry Children's Centre, Downham Nutrition Partnership/Delicious Nutritious UK, Lewisham Green Scene, Downham Health and Leisure Centre, Sage Educational Trust, Whitefoot and Downham Assemblies and all participating venues and organisations.

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Summer Programme - Limelight Family Learning Centre

This year's Summer Activities will run from Monday 23rd July until Friday 24th August

Limelight Family Learning Centre

Castillon Road SE6 1QD [MAP]

Activities marked PRE-BOOK must be booked in advance as there are a limited number of spaces available. To book ring 020 8695 5955 option 3 or email jo.cooper@pre-school.org.uk

Office hours 10am-2pm Monday - Thursday

Please note we have moved to

Pre-School Learning Alliance - Lewisham

Concept House, Rear of 103 Boundfield Road, SE6 1PF

Get Limelight News first -  sign up for e-newsletter at our website

www.limelight flc.org.uk

 

Wednesday 1st August 11am-3pm

for children 0-11 years

Come and join us in the George Green Hall and Garden for a day of play  including:

Bouncy Castle

Making Mud Pies

Smoothie Bike

Bouncy Beats

and much, much more

 

Arts and Crafts

Arts and Crafts for 3-6 year olds  Mondays 1-2pm  
FULLY BOOKED ALL SESSIONS

23rd July – Olympics

30th July - One World

10.30 - 12noon

6th Aug - Messy with Paint

13th Aug - Chicken Craft

20th Aug - Natural Crafts

Arts and Crafts for 5-11 year olds Tuesdays 10-11.30am  
FULLY BOOKED ALL SESSIONS

24th July - Batik

31st July - Wire Sculptures

7th Aug - Puppet Making

14th Aug - Recycling old t-shirts

21st Aug - Bath Bombs

Under 1s
Sprouts for Under 1’s & Pre-walkers Mondays, 10-12
23rd July, 30th July, 6th Aug, 13th Aug, 20th Aug

Baby Messy Play for Under 1’s - PRE-BOOK

Tuesday 24th July, 1-2

Friday 3rd July, 10-11

Tuesday 7th Aug, 1-2

Bring a towel & a change of clothes

Cooking

Cooking in the Café for 3-8 year olds at 1-2.30pm 
FULLY BOOKED ALL SESSIONS

Thursday 26th July - Bread

Monday 6th Aug - Cakes

Monday 13th Aug - Pizza

Monday 20th Aug - Hummus & Pitta bread

Outdoor Cooking in the Earth Oven for 3-8 year olds 12-1.30pm

Wednesday 8th Aug

Wednesday 15th Aug

Outdoor Learning

Making a Bug Hotel for the Community Garden for 5-11 year olds PRE-BOOK

Friday 17th August 10am-2pm

Learn about where different bugs like to hang out, make designs and help to make the hotel.

Bring your lunch, other refreshments provided.

Outdoor Learning for 3-6 year olds

Tuesday 24th July, 12.30-2pm

Wednesday 25th July, 12.30-2pm

Thursday 2rd Aug, 10-11.30 & 1-2.30pm

Tuesday 7th Aug, 2.30-2pm

Thursday 9th Aug, 10-11.30 & 1-2.30pm

Tuesday 14th Aug, 12.30-2pm

Thursday 16th Aug, 10-11.30 & 1-2.30pm

Tuesday 21st Aug, 12.30-2pm

Thursday 23rd Aug, 10-11.30 & 1-2.30pm

 

Build an Earth Oven in the George Green Garden for 5-11 year olds PRE-BOOK

Monday 23rd July 10am-12noon  & 1pm-3pm

Thursday 26th July 10am-12noon  & 1pm-3pm

Monday 30th July 10am-12noon  & 1pm-3pm

BRING WELLIES

 

Summer Coach Trips PRE-BOOK

Friday 27th July Hastings

Friday 10th August Brighton

Friday 24th August  Broadstairs

Leaving Limelight at 8.45am - Leaving destinations at 4.30pm

Cost £12 per seat

To reserve your place please call 020 8695 5955

Seats are only secured after full payment is made to the office.

MULTI-SPORT SESSIONS PRE-BOOK

A fun way to develop agility, balance, co-ordination and speed through a range of games including soft play, mini hurdle races, mini tennis, balance challenges and Sports Day games to celebrate the Olympics.  Fridays 10am-12noon - 3rd Aug, 10th Aug,  17th Aug, 24th Aug

Caterpillars for 0-8 year olds on Wednesdays 9.30-11.30am

25th July, 8th Aug, 15th Aug, 22nd Aug

Ladybirds for 1-2 year olds on Tuesdays 10-11.30am

24th July, 31st July, 7th Aug, 14th Aug, 21st Aug

 

Bouncy Beats for under 5’s on Fridays,10-11.30am

Spaces are limited, so get there early.

27th July and 10th August

Breastfeeding Café Mondays 12.30 - 2.30pm - 23rd July, 30th July and 6th August
 

Messy Play for 3-6 year olds - Tuesday 31st July 12.30-2pm and Wednesday 22nd Aug 12.30-2pm

 

You may also be interested in:

Cooking Now and Then - for all ages

Summer Holiday Workshops