Under a baking sun, thousands of people enjoyed a celebration of music, food and fun at the Bermondsey Carnival last weekend.
With the temperature in the high twenties, revellers couldn’t have asked for better weather for the big day, with 12,000 residents of all ages packing Southwark Park.
The highpoint of the day was a “homecoming” performance by Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, who delighted the crowd with classic hits including Make Me Smile (Come up and See Me).
Other musical highlights included south London group Nine Below Zero, ultra-cool Jo N’Gala and his Bantu Blues band, and an acoustic set by sixteen-year-old starlet Mancie Baker.
As well as these crowd pleasers there were international dance performances, fairground rides, bouncy castles and food and drink stalls – not to forget the opportunity to get your face on the front page of the Southwark News!
Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Dora Dixon-Fyle, said: “It was great to see so many people from the community out at the Bermondsey Carnival. Summer events in Southwark are always a real treat for our residents. I’m sure that everyone that attended had an amazing time.”
Philip Burkett of Bermondsey Beat, who organised the carnival’s musical entertainment, said: “What an amazing day! The sun shone, the crowds came, the people smiled and the music played. This was another fantastic and successful Bermondsey Carnival and a perfect example of the community working closely with the council to bring Southwark together for a day in one of London’s best parks. It was such an entertaining weekend. Southwark Park is truly the park with the spark.”