Gala music festival given a permanent home at Peckham Rye Park
A dance music festival was so loud nearby residents could sing along to the songs.
Now it’s been given a permanent home at a South London Park.
Gala, a three-day rave for almost 10,000 people, will be able to be held yearly on Peckham Rye.
Southwark council approved events company We Are The Fair’s request to use either the Rye or neighbouring Common for the summer festival in the coming years.
Gala has been held on Peckham Rye since 2018.
Speaking at the meeting on May 19, resident Renata Hamvas, and councillor for Peckham Rye, said music at previous events could be heard far away from the park.
She said: “I think it’s quite loud. A significant distance away you could actually sing aloud to the songs. Seriously, I wasn’t that concerned by it but residents have been complaining.
“I think it’s to do with the hills. There are acoustic issues with this location that mean further away locations are having the same sound levels as in the immediate vicinity of the premises.”
A total of 29 people objected to the council about application for a permanent home for the festival, which until 2018 was held in Brockwell Park.
In April, an event held on Blackheath Common was temporarily cancelled after crowds of youths descended on the park causing trouble.
Andrew Grimsey, representing We Are the Fair, said the festival had run smoothly in previous years.
Speaking at the meeting on May 19, he said: “Antisocial behaviour – there’s very little evidence of that. We’ve never had to call the police to attend a criminal act or antisocial act at the site since we started. There’s a very friendly crowd there.
“People feel part of something. It’s putting Peckham on the map. There’s something for the younger people and most importantly it’s safe.”
The 2022 edition of the festival is due to be hosted over the Queen’s Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend from June 2 to June 4.
Top DJs including Giles Peterson, Horse Meat Disco and Courtesy will play to crowds of thousands over the three day event.
Tickets for each day of the festival start at £40 and go up to £70.
Picture: A previous Gala festival
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
