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is Blackheath, one of London's most famous open spaces, 89 acres
of which are within the Borough providing unsurpassed facilities
for games, sports and amusements. Excellent recreation grounds
serve the Charlton area for, as well as the Maryon and Charlton
Parks, there is the Greater London Council's Play Centre and
Lido with its well-equipped open-air swimming bath, tennis courts
and bowling greens. In addition to 65 acres at Sutcliffe Park allocated
for a variety of sports, and a beautiful natural lake at the
Tarn, Eltham, the Council has control of attractive formal gardens
and grounds at Well Hall Pleasaunce. Among other delightful
attributes Avery Hill grounds and nurseries serve as the headquarters
of the Education Authority's Nature Study Scheme
supplying "botany boxes" to the local schools. West of the Royal
Military Academy is Woolwich Common which has been the site
for military displays since the latter half of the 18th century, a
practice which is continued today with the Royal Regiment of
Artillery's Annual Tattoo.
Likely to add still further to the already compelling attractions
of the Borough is a scheme about to be launched to develop the
Cutty Sark Gardens/Greenwich Pier area in a manner worthy
of the Borough's historical associations.
Greenwich can boast of modern public baths. There are four
such establishments within the Borough, each of which has two
swimming pools. Moreover, at Eltham, the Council has provided
a hydrotherapy pool, and on the Abbey Estate, has introduced a
launderette. Warm baths for men and women are to be had at
Greenwich, Plumstead and Woolwich and, at the former two
premises, in addition to Turkish and Vapour Baths, public
laundries still operate. In winter, the large pools at Eltham, Greenwich
and Woolwich are covered and utilised for a wide range of
recreational pursuits such as roller skating, badminton, table tennis,
etc., and facilities are made available for indoor bowling and the
use of indoor cricket practice nets.
The Council has control of the five cemeteries located within the
Borough and, on behalf of the Woolwich, Greenwich and North
West Kent Crematorium Board, is responsible for the modern
crematorium at Eltham.
The unique position held by Greenwich in Britain's history has
its counterpart in the nation's industrial story. From earliest years
its residents have been closely linked with the sea and ships and
Britain's ascendency in respect of them for over 1,000 years. This
association, manifest since before the advent of the ancient
"wooden walls" until after the birth of the "ironclad" has, to a
very large extent, determined the pattern of industry in the
Borough.