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News
Maritime Greenwich celebrates 'Cultural Olympiad'Special events run from Friday, September 26th to Sunday, September 28th The Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site in south east London will be celebrating the launch of the four year Cultural Olympiad with a free, early evening extravaganza on Friday 26 September followed by a weekend of special events as the town prepares to host equestrian events during the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Dance, theatre, music and street performers will combine to create a spectacular display between 7pm and 9.30pm organised by Greenwich + Docklands Festivals. Picking up the twin LOCOG themes of 'open up' and 'light up', the visually-stunning event will take audiences on a journey through the World Heritage Site. A flame-lit trail will lead from Grand Square at the Old Royal Naval College and along illuminated paths into Greenwich Park with five outdoor performances on the way. The journey will finish at the top of Observatory Hill in the Royal Park where an iconic illuminated image of Greenwich as a 2012 venue will be revealed accompanied by a new musical composition. This spectacular will be followed by a weekend of inspiring events and performances uniting sport and culture in celebration of the Olympic spirit. The National Maritime Museum will be running a series of workshops starting on Friday, 26 September when visitors to the Royal Observatory will be able to join 'Behind the Scenes' sessions (11.30am-4pm), which include a chance to ask an astronomer questions about the Universe and see the UK's largest refracting telescope. On Sunday 28th between 11.30am and 4pm, the National Maritime Museum will host a day of workshops, performances and demonstrations entitled, 'Greenwich Lives' exploring the history of local residents; everyone will have the chance to talk about their memories of the World Heritage Site, past and present. Those aged under six will also be able to take part in a mini-Olympics. And on Sunday evening from 7.30pm there will be a free, outdoor performance of Urban Dreams by the London Bubble Theatre in Cutty Sark Gardens with a large, inter-generational cast including residents of Greenwich, Lewisham and Southwark aged between 8 and 76 years. It will utilise spoken and sung words, instrumental music, projections, choral movement and puppetry to tell stories that draw on the reflections and experiences of new Londoners. Staying in Greenwich With so much to see and do within Maritime Greenwich over the Cultural Olympiad launch weekend, it deserves more than just a day trip. Visitors can stay in the heart of the World Heritage Site at Devonport House or Novotel London Greenwich, both graded four star, or a quality B&B, perfectly placed to explore the many attractions and eateries on their doorstep. The old marketplace and town centre with its historic 17th and 18th century buildings provides plenty for visitors to enjoy during the evening with thriving restaurants, bars, theatre and live entertainment. Travelling to Maritime Greenwich 26 - 28 September Maritime Greenwich is easily reached by South Eastern's train service from London Bridge to Greenwich or via the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) alighting at Cutty Sark. The DLR is currently carrying out improvements to the line which will allow greater capacity on the trains. There will be some closures this year which means travellers may need to seek an alternative route. Tower Gateway will be temporarily closed until spring 2009. On Friday 26 September there are currently no planned works and the DLR service should be operating as normal into Cutty Sark. But on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September most of the DLR will be closed except for services from Canning Town to Beckton and Canning Town to George V. Passengers are therefore recommended to take the South Eastern train service from London Bridge to Greenwich station. To check details before travelling either call DLR customer services on 020 7363 9700 or visit www.dlr.co.uk, where the journey planner might also be of assistance. Alternatively visitors can take a river cruise from a choice of piers and disembark at Greenwich, where the pier is under redevelopment to create a stylish, new waterside environment with restaurants and a café scheduled to open late summer 2009 (Greenwich Pier remains open throughout its redevelopment period). For details about travel to Greenwich, other events, places to visit and
accommodation suggestions, see www.greenwichwhs.org.uk or telephone the
Greenwich Tourist Information Centre on 0870 608 2000.
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