Sun 17th Sept – Afternoon – At Sea, Ships and Sailors, Greenwich & Woolwich
Walk Route – Woolwich
Description
Through the eyes of a Bengal Lascar, the ship’s cook, we explore life on board Cutty Sark, one of the finest trading vessels that sailed between London and Calcutta.
After the morning walk, we continue to Woolwich Arsenal to hear personal stories from the local community and listen to sea shanties before being drummed to the riverside to take the 6 scrolls over the river on the Woolwich Ferry.
Please book separately for the morning event if you would like to take part in the full day’s activities.
Technical difficulty of walk: Easy
Distance: 0.87 miles
Schedule
13.45 The afternoon session starts at Clock House Community Centre, Defiance Walk, Royal Arsenal, SE18 5QL
14.30 The scrolls depart for Gallions Hill (approx. 2 miles at a brisk pace along the Thames Path)
15.30 West Thamesmead festival welcomes the scrolls at the foot of Gallions Hill and we climb to the top together.
16.00 Scrolls return to Woolwich Arsenal
17.00-17.30 Drumming performance at James Clavell Square, Woolwich Arsenal
17.30 Wave farewell at Woolwich Arsenal to the scrolls which will cross the river on the Ferry.
The ten community walks (as above) are part of a series of longer ‘link’ walks that will see the flags carried from Kew to Southend using only boots or boats. These longer walks range from six miles to 23 miles. They have been planned with the London branch of the Long Distance Walkers Association, a Silk River partner, and are designed for experienced walkers only. For more information visit https://www.ldwa.org.uk/London/W/4662/2017.html
Please read the Disclaimer covering the walks HERE
Special thanks go to the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Woolwich, their staff and partners for the planning and facilitation of today’s walk.
The Royal Borough of Greenwich and Woolwich have worked with the following organisations for Silk River:
- The Woolwich Singers
- Greenwich Coalition for Equality and Human Rights (GCEHR)
- The Cutty Sark, Royal Museums Greenwich
With landmarks such as the Royal Naval College, Royal Arsenal, Artillery Barracks and the Cutty Sark both places are known for their maritime and military histories. With such close proximity to the Thames, they were prime locations for the training of soldiers, marines and sailors. Greenwich Mean Time is marked from the observatory here. The Culture, Tourism and Heritage service at Royal Greenwich develops, supports, and strives to provide all sections of our community with access to great arts and cultural activity.
Silk River is an exciting project that allows our community to come together through different activities and events to explore creativity, skills, trade, history and community.
Immigration from the Indian sub-continent to Plumstead and Woolwich has been important in reinvigorating and regenerating the area, economically and culturally. Stories of the Indian community’s settlement, have been an inspiration for our scroll. Our walk through Woolwich, including an encounter on top of Gallions Hill with the West Thamesmead Festival, will be a multi-cultural feast of fun.
By sharing and celebrating the similar histories and stories between Woolwich/Greenwich, London, and Barrackpore/Serampore, India, we hope through the Silk River Project to reimagine the celebration of our history, and engage our community along the journey of rediscovery.
Photos from the Silk River walk in Greenwich & Woolwich
by Mike Johnston.
