Things to do in Deptford this weekend

Apologies for the intermittent service of late; various family matters have required the Dame's attention and will undoubtedly continue to do so over the next few weeks.

Hopefully I'll find time to get out and about in Deptford this weekend though - there's plenty going on and if the weather keeps fine, it could be a great opportunity for exploring all those other parts of Deptford you've always meant to seek out.

I'm particularly looking forward to trying out a free ride on the big wheel that is apparently going to be up and running in Margaret McMillan park on Saturday from 10-7, it's always interesting to see familiar places from a different angle.

Get your bike checked over for free at the bicycle maintenance stand on Douglas Way between 11 and 3 on Saturday, where apparently you can also experience a 'smoothie bike'. I've kindly done the Googling for you on this one - apparently it's a pedal-powered blender which allows you to get some exercise and then ingest a few of your 'five a day' afterwards.

As well as free bike-powered rickshaws for getting between New Cross and Deptford market, there will be information stalls where you can find out about local walking and cycling initiatives.

You might be sensing a theme by now - and indeed you'd be right. Many of the activities are intended to promote the improvements that have been made on cycle and pedestrian links between New Cross and Deptford.

A kids' christmas tree decorations workshop in Giffin Square from 1.30 to 3pm will be followed by the christmas tree lights being switched on from the Albany Theatre. And if it's music you're looking for then there will be some oompah in Giffin Square around lunchtime from a brass band.

Stroll a bit further to Tanners Hill and you wil find an 'artisan market', morris dancing barbeque, mulled wine and music from 11 - 6.

Meanwhile there's an exhibition of photography by Anita Strasser taking place at St Nicholas Church in Deptford Green. Billed as 'A photographic and textual journey into life on Deptford High Street' it runs from 7-21 December and is open Tue/Wed/Fri 9am-1pm; Sat 10am-3pm.

If it's evening entertainment you are after, how about a traditional Christmas panto? The Bear Church is proud to present...

A Lad in Deptford; Join Aladdin on a magical carpet ride to the best pie shop in town

Saturday 11 Dec 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Sunday 12 Dec 2.30pm

At The Shaftesbury Christian Centre, Frankham Street, Deptford, London, SE8 4RN
Tickets are FREE by must be reserved in advance via info@thebear.tv or calling
020 8692 6480

The Bear Church’s much loved panto returns with a reworking of the classic
Aladdin story, set firmly in SE8. With a cast of adults and young people from
the local area and a hilarious original script by local writer Tracy Jones, the
production will delight children and grown-ups alike.

The cast includes the customary pantomime dame (WELL REALLY!), hero, princess and villain as well as a monkey, Loch Ness monster and two genies.
Before each show refreshments and gifts will be on sale with all proceeds going towards the Church youth’s trip to Uganda to work with children orphaned by conflict and HIV/Aids.

Not interested in Christmas? Celebrate the winter solstice instead at the Twinkle Park Winter Festival on Saturday in this small-but-perfectly-formed park tucked down at the end of Watergate Street. There's free lantern-making workshops at the Charlotte Turner Centre from 10.30 to 12.30, you can help out with some pond clearing from 12-1 in the park, and at 3pm gather for a lantern procession through the streets followed by food and entertainment till about 6.
(Thanks to Anon in the comments for tipping me off about this one!)

And finally if all that is a bit too pedestrian for you, why not pop down to our local tattoo shop Kids Love Ink and get yourself a free tattoo?! The tattoo studio moved premises recently - albeit only a couple of doors closer to the station - and is having a grand reopening this weekend, offering free tattoos from a number of standard designs to customers on a first come, first served basis. The only thing to remember is that you need to bring one of the flyers along that staff have been distributing around Deptford and New Cross over the last few weeks. Donations are invited and will be going to charities Lewisham Autism Support and ME Research UK.