Events and Initiatives
A huge thanks to all involved in the 2008 May Festival.
For a list of the organisations and businesses involved, please click here.
The WSCUG organises one annual event, the May Festival, as well as organising Carol Singing during December. We also raise funds for initiatives and projects which can benefit the common and it's users.
THE MAY FESTIVAL
FOR MORE INFO ON THE 2008 FESTIVAL CLICK HERE
The first festival was part of the millennium celebrations, and was such a success that WSCUG has carried on the tradition.
The Festival is usually held on the third weekend in May (either Saturday or Sunday).
Helpers are always needed to organize the event, run the festival fundraising stalls & games, and act as stewards, collect generators etc.
Some activities vary from year to year, some have become regular events.
Past attractions have been:
- Live music from Monserrat, local teenage bands, 60s to 80s rock music, Northumbrian bagpipes, steel band, school bands, early music.
- Family dog show.
- Community Group stalls, and craft and bricabrac stalls.
- Childrens activities: Hackney Playbus & Albion Kid’s Show, fancy dress workshops and competition.
- Five aside football tournament.
- Capoiera Demonstrations.
- Creative Workshops
- Fitness workouts and races
- Grass Track Cycle Racing
- Barbeque and teas.
- Games and coconut shy.
- Exhibitions of local history and photography.
- Bicycle rickshaws.
either through sponsorship or donation. Sponsorship can be for any activity taking place at the festival, or for the festival as a whole. All partner logos will be used on festival marketing flyers. If you’d like to get involved please contact us.
NEW DRINKING FOUNTAIN
A drinking fountain was installed on the Common in the 1890s by public request. It was in use until the mid 1970s when during drought it was turned off, and then vandalized. The plinth where it stood and the water supply still exist, right in the centre of the Common.
In autumn 2005, WSCUG commissioned a local sculptor, John Fortnum, to do sketch designs for a new drinking fountain –one that could be used by adults, children and dogs. John’s designs have since been exhibited for comments at WSCUG meetings, at the May Festival and at St John of Jerusalem Church.
In autumn 2006, Hackney Parks agreed to fund the new fountain with money received from the lottery.
Final budgets and drawings are now being prepared for agreement before work starts.
The design is a creative sculptural solution, a column based on the shape of a falling water droplet hitting a surface, captured by high speed photograph. It will be made of cast iron and cast concrete, set in a paved circle, and will be surrounded for protection by a ring of small bollards shaped like animals. The water will spout on pressure of a button, and will collect at ground level for dogs to drink. There will also be a concealed tap nearby for use filling containers to water young trees on the Common.
