PAUL SAVIDENT: Press Release re Greenwich Ice Rink at the Old Royal Naval College

Following the enormous success of last year’s inaugural Christmas Season real-ice rink in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, PWR Events Ltd in association with the Greenwich Foundation are delighted to announce that the ice rink will return again this December bringing further festive glidings to the banks of the Thames at Greenwich. The six week season will run from Saturday 3^rd December 2005 through Sunday 15^th January 2006.

“The Greenwich Foundation is delighted that, following the enormous success of the 2004 ice rink at the Old Royal Naval College, it will be running the rink again for the next three consecutive years (2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 seasons). A decision to extend beyond that time will be taken in 2007. With 60,000 skaters, and a noticeable boost in business in Greenwich Town Centre throughout the period, the ice rink was a popular addition to the many attractions which Greenwich has to offer.” Helen Beioley – Director of Development, The Greenwich Foundation.

“Following the success of last year’s ice rink we are delighted to be working once again with the Old Royal Naval College, one of London’s most prestigious attractions. The key to the success of last year’s ice rink was the beautiful and majestic setting and this year we aim to build on that success with a bigger and even better rink. This year, and in the coming years, PWR Events is sure that the Greenwich ice rink at the Old Royal Naval college will become a ‘must do’ Christmas treat and a ‘much anticipated’ date in people’s diaries.” Jamie Wells – Director, PWR Events.

The Greenwich Ice Rink at the Old Royal Naval College is situated in landscaped grounds on the banks of the River Thames in the centre of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. It has magnificent views looking up to Queen’s House and the Royal Observatory Greenwich, and also across the Thames to the many lights and buildings of Canary Wharf.

From November through into January there will be a host of activities, special markets and events which will truly bring the fun and festive feel of the season to the streets of Greenwich – London’s Christmas Village. Christmas Markets will run every weekend throughout November and December when Greenwich Market feature an eclectic mix of festive stalls with unique gifts for all the family. On 25^th November, the Mayor, Father Christmas and the colourful cast from Aladdin, Greenwich Theatre’s traditional pantomime, will be throwing the switch on this year’s spectacular Christmas lights, exclusively designed by Zoe Brown to match the character of the Greenwich Christmas village. For more details of events at Greenwich over Christmas see piranhaKid contact details below.

The real-ice rink will measure approximately 900 square metres with a capacity of 245 per hourly session. The River Views Café alongside the ice rink (no entrance charge) will be serving warming refreshments and festive snacks for those wanting to take it easy and relax after their skate or whilst watching others take to the ice.

Booking for the ice-skating sessions (hourly sessions accommodating 245 people) is open by phone and internet from Ticketmaster and www.greenwichicerink.com or in person at the Greenwich Tourist Information Centre. The first year saw sessions at weekends and immediately around Christmas and New Year sell out extremely quickly so advance booking is strongly recommended.

Ice Rink Press Passes are available for the evening of Friday 2^nd December 2005. For more information on Greenwich Ice Rink at the Old Royal Naval College, Press Passes, imagery and information on PWR Events contact PAUL SAVIDENT on 020 8567 2089, or e-mail paul@savident.com.

PiranhaKid Communications - For further information about events happening at Greenwich – London’s Christmas Village – over the Festive period please contact Davinia Martin or Steve Strickland at piranahaKid on 020 7973 5938 or by email to davinia.martin@piranhakid.com or steve.strickland@piranhakid.com.

NOTES TO EDITORS

GREENWICH ICE RINK at the Old Royal Naval College

Saturday 3^rd December 2005 to Sunday 15^th January 2006 (not Christmas Day)

TICKET PRICES per session including skate hire

Adult: £9.50 • Children (under 16): £7.00 • Concessions: £8.00

Family ticket (1 Adult and 3 children or 2 adults and 2 children): £28.00

PLEASE NOTE that there is no entrance charge to the River Views Café and the café is open for people who wish to view others skating and skaters alike. Skates are not allowed to be worn inside the café.

TICKETS AND ADVANCE BOOKING

On-line: www.greenwichicerink.com, www.londonicerinks.com or www.ticketmaster.co.uk (booking fees apply)

In person: Greenwich Tourist Information Centre – 2 Cutty Sark Gardens, London, SE10 and from the ice rink itself after opening.

Telephone: Ticketmaster 0870 169 0101

Please note a service fee of £1.75 will be added to the total transaction value, no other booking fees apply.

For School Parties and Corporate bookings call PWR Events direct on 020 8241 9818 – please note there is no booking fee for group bookings.

TIMED SKATING SESSIONS

There will be 10 one hour skating session per day from 10.00am

10.00am – 11.00am • 11.00am – Noon • 12.15pm – 1.15pm • 1.30pm – 2.30pm

2.45pm – 3.45pm • 4.00pm – 5.00pm • 5.15pm – 6.15pm • 6.30pm – 7.30pm

7.45pm – 8.45pm • 9.00pm – 10.00pm

Minimum skate size: Children’s size 8 (eight) Maximum skate size: Adult size 13 (thirteen)

Web Address: www.greenwichicerink.com or www.londonicerinks.com

Directions

By DOCKLANDS LIGHT RAILWAY: From Bank, Tower Gateway, Stratford, Beckton and Lewisham to Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich.

By SOUTH EASTERN TRAINS: Frequent trains from Charing Cross, Waterloo East, Cannon Street or London Bridge reach Greenwich in less than 20 minutes.

By UNDERGROUND: Take the Jubilee Line to Canary Wharf and change for Docklands Light Railway.

By BUS: 177, 180, 199 and 286 pass near the College and Greenwich Ice Rink entrance.

By CAR: From the M25 via the A2 or M11/A12 Blackwall Tunnel. Car parking available at Park Row and Cutty Sark Gardens.

By RIVER: Greenwich is just four miles downstream from Tower Bridge. Regular riverboat services are now available from Westminster, Embankment and Tower Piers to Greenwich.