Usually once a month.
Meet at the Blackheath Gate at 8am in spring and summer; 8.30am in the autumn and winter.
For dates and times, check the Current Events section of this web site or the notice boards in the Park office and in the Pavilion Tea House.
The Friends have organised an Annual Lecture in late winter or early spring since 1994. Topics are linked to Greenwich Park and related interests.
The 2007 Annual Lecture was given on 31 January 2007 in King William Building, University of Greenwich by young garden historian and writer Andrea Wulf. Her talk was based on her book This Other Eden: the English Obsession with Gardens, an investigation of seven important English gardens which reflect changing tastes and politics from the 1600s to the 1900s.
Past lecturers have included historian Dr David Starkey on the Tudors in Greenwich, architect Sir Terry Farrell on the need for a new Royal Park for the Thames Gateway, naval historian Dr Colin White on the importance of Lord Nelson’s management style at the Battle of Trafalgar and, in 2006, former politician and collector of 18th century political cartoons, Lord Kenneth Baker, on George IV, Cad or Catalyst?.
Assistant park manager Stuart Goldsworthy (Tel: 020 8858 2608 Ext 22) arranges guided walks in the Park or seasonal practical demonstrations on topics such as rose pruning, flower arranging or making seasonal decorations.
These events usually take place once a month all the year round. They are publicised on the Park notice boards, in the Friends Newsletter and on this web site under Current Events.
The Secret Garden Wildlife Centre is open regularly for a ‘Drop In’ on the last Wednesday of the month from 10am to 3pm (4pm in the summer). Members of the Friends of Greenwich Park Wildlife Group are there to promote an interest in wildlife in the Park, to answer questions and to exchange information with visitors. Wildlife-related children’s activities are provided. This summer (2007) the new Nature Trail and hide overlooking the Deer Park will be open for guided tours on ‘Drop In’ days.
The Centre is also opened for special events such as the annual Open Day (usually in the Easter school holidays) and the RSPB’s Big Garden Bird Watch at the end of January and Feed the Birds event in October. Events are publicised on the notice boards at the Blackheath Gate and in the Pavilion Tea House.
The Secret Garden Wildlife Centre can also be booked for children’s parties. Contact the Greenwich Park office (Tel: 020 8858 2608) for details.