Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No – its a canal barge silly!

A CWNN volunteer is combining a childhood hobby of making and painting plastic Airfix models with a home improvement project with a difference – by painting his narrow boat home in the colours of a World War Two Spitfire fighter plane!

Mike, a CWNN South London volunteer, lives on a narrow boat on the canal and has been busy restoring it. Having just had the boat back in the water after painting the hull in dry-dock, Mike was unsure how to paint the rest when inspiration struck.

Mike’s boat in dry dock

“I am moored near Uxbridge at the moment, which is the home to a famous World War Two Battle of Britain airfield,” says Mike. I was wandering through the town centre when I saw the Battle of Britain museum. In the window was a picture of the famous Spitfire fighter plane and I thought Bingo! Let’s paint it like that; complete with camouflage and identification markings.”

A Spitfire fighter plane in action

Because Mike can only paint in his spare time and when it is not raining, he reckons the project should take two to three months to complete. But when one side is finished, then what about the other side?

“I did think about painting it in the colours of a Meschersmitt 109, the Nazi fighter plane that the Spitfire competed against,” says Mike. “But that would mean floating about with a swastika painted on the other side of the boat, which may be misconstrued by people walking on the towpath, so that’s probably not a good idea.”

‘Life Goes On’ with the Spitfire camouflage painted and the decals half finished

All Together Now will follow Mike as he completes the project, so keep reading us if you want to find out how he gets on.

A Big Fat Cheque for the CWNN South London

Reality Check for the CWNN South London

The Choir With No Name South London were joined AT their rehearsal last Tuesday by a mystery temporary member bearing gifts.

                                                           Thanks Asda!

The special guest turned out to work for Asda on the Old Kent Road and she had come to present a cheque for £50 to help with the choir’s food and running costs.

In true CWNN style, the unexpected guest was soon joining in the Choir’s warm up excercises and then stayed to join in the singing.

 

 Cheque this out! says CWNN South London member Dean

Three standing ovations for the Choir With No Name South London

Choir With No Name South London raises the roof at Waterloo gig

The new  Choir With No Name South London recently sang to rapturous acclaim at a multi-choir gig at the Oasis Church in Waterloo.

The CWNN was one of six community choirs from south London who performed followed by a massive finale with all six choirs singing Amazing Grace together.

It was the first time on stage for many of the CWNN South London members and the adrenalin was buzzing as Sam, the choir director, lead the choir up on stage after the other five choirs had performed. The bar had already been set high by a beautiful version of a Fleet Foxes song by the Vauxhall Community Choir and many in the audience must have wondered how the CWNN could possibly match that.

As the initial polite introductory applause petered out, the South London choir immediately launched into a version of ‘Sit Down’  (which will soon be available on the CWNN 5TH birthday EP) followed by ‘Don’t Give Up’ (also available on the birthday EP). The audience was obviously blown away by the experience and each song received a standing ovation – the first ones of the night. Finally, after a very dodgy joke addressed to the audience from Sam, the CWNN south London choir launched into “She Loves You’ by the Beatles with the audience joining in for the last chorus.

When the audience had finally stopped jumping about, crying, yelling and throwing various items of underwear at the stage and sat down again, the other five choirs joined the south CWNN on stage to sing Amazing Grace. As the last notes died away, the final word went to CWNN member Rickie. “Oh yeah..Right!” he said.

Listen to ‘Amazing Grace’ South London style!

[audio http://www.oasischurchwaterloo.org/downloads/amazing_grace_20_3_13.mp3]