The Roehampton 'Kings and Queens banquet' and 'Feel Good Festival'
The two annual, free, council-funded events take place on Danebury Avenue Green in the afternoon, featuring food and music, attracting hundreds of people from the area on 2 and 3 July.
Volunteers are needed to help with setting up, catering and hospitality, transport, and clearing away afterwards.
The festival weekend starts on the Saturday with the Kings and Queens event, which provides free food and musical entertainment for older residents, and is organised by Mo Smith of local charity Regenerate-RISE.
Mo said: “It’s a free banquet for older people in Roehampton, and SW15, to say thank you for all your contributions to the community throughout the years. People wanted to treat them like kings and queens, so we gave it that name.”
She added that the idea for the event, which has been running for more than 10 years, came from former resident Grant Gigg who felt that the community should do something to honour older people in the local area. Sponsors over the years include the Miles Trust, Wandsworth Council, Roehampton Trust and Young’s brewery, with older residents from Putney and Southfields also attending. Free transport is provided for anyone who needs it.
This year a card will be signed by all those who come along to congratulate the Queen on her recent 90th birthday, and which will be sent to Buckingham Palace.
The Feel Good Festival takes place from 12noon-7pm on the Sunday, is organised by Andy Smith of local charity Regenerate, and in previous years has featured a mini funfair, facepainting, a variety of food and drinks, arts activities, and stages featuring music from local residents. If you’d like to help out at the Feel Good Festival, please contact Mari@regenerateuk.co.uk
Attendance at the Kings and Queens event is free, but booking a ticket in advance is required. To volunteer, or book a ticket, write to Mo Smith, Regenerate-RISE, The Platt Christian Centre, 22 Felsham Road, Putney, London SW15 1DA or telephone 07774116972.