Library at the Forest Gate Street Festival, now in its 10th year. The festival sees thousands of local people strolling in the sun while enjoying the sights, smells and sounds of what can only be described as a fantastic cultural event. (See film clip below)Our display featured a magnificent tapestry produced by members of Age Concern Newham and many of the artists who worked on it popped along to see their handiwork on display.
T'was great to see their pride as they explained the process of making it to various members of the public, including the Mayor!
Thanks to Joan at Age Concern for her hard work in making this happen and it was indeed a pleasure to meet Joan C, Olive, Maggie and all the other wonderful ladies.
We also had a 'Wishing Table' (see above) - a great idea nicked from Annette at Spread the Word (credit where credit's due)- where we recorded nigh on a hundred wishes and poems from the day.
Those with eagle eyes and sharp minds may notice I keep saying "we". Well it certainly aint the Royal "We". The 'we' is actually poet, Nathalie, the new project manager in Newham and myself... welcome to Newham, Nat. Ho ho.
It also turned out to be a hard days' work for Library Facilitator Andrew and his assistant Genevieve who were kept busy all day signing up young people to the Summer Reading Challenge which effectively kicks off about... now.
I loved the talent contest (The first act was the winner in my eyes) and the young local band who covered Rolling Stones songs had a great vibe about them. However t'would've been great to see them do some original material. The jazz band really cleaned up though...
So one can confidently say the festival was a triumph for the organisers... well done. The only downside was that I didn't manage to get myself a festival T-shirt!
The 3-week Break into Freelance Journalism
course at East Ham Library with Jo Mears came to a successful end. An average of 11 people attended each session and the feedback was extremely complimentary about Jo and the camaraderie of the group. I'll be looking out to see the participants moving on in their careers.
Rock on till next year's festival, but while we're waiting, here's a snippet of some of the wishes written by the Newham public:
I wish I had a billion pounds to spend on improving the world and access to the money / I wish my cat could speak / I wish the world was chocolate / I wish I had a lap top (Ahmed, age 5) / I wish for a loo (Sara, age 5) / I wish we had Barack Obama for PM / I wish I had a normal family / I wish I was younger / I wish that I was a millionaire! BRAP! / I wish I could find my perfect soul-mate / I wish I could become a famous singer and actor / I wish to become a professional writer ( and lots of cake would be nice) / I wish that there was no cancer / I wish to be a princess / I wish I could be a in a rock and rowl gang / I wish I were happier /
I wish I were cleverer / I wish I were more approachable / I wish I was rich and could get a good job like something in law and speak like a policeman / I wish everyone had a job / I wish I could shake the Mayor of Newham’s hand / I wish for molecular manipulation / I wish everyone could make a small and positive difference / I wish I would never be dead / I wish for more sweets
Oh, I wish
Water was wine
Women were flowers
Songs were the rain
The air was wealth
And the sky was wisdom:
Oh, but a wish, wishes
Can only be a dream
Wrought from the dark
Reaches of troubled minds
Seeking restitution
from laboured lives, lives
Yet to be conquered
of themselves in time
Oh, I can but wish.
I wish Forest Gate festival was every day!
