South London communities gear up for Jubilee celebrations

Across every South London borough, people are getting ready to put up their Union Jack bunting and jubilee decorations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, writes Davina Hyde.

Communities are coming together to celebrate the historic extended Bank Holiday weekend between Thursday, June 2 and June 5.

Ahead of the weekend celebrations, Madame Tussauds London is displaying seven breath-taking gowns that have graced the Queen’s 24 figures created during her 70-year reign.

The Baker Street attraction is showing the dress collection from today for two weeks, which includes a 1953 Coronation dress which is a meticulous recreation of one of the Queen’s Coronation Tour gowns.

Castle Square and Elephant Park, near Elephant and Castle railway stations are putting on a packed programme of activities including street parties, live music, and dog show competitions.

Starting festivities on June 2, restaurant and bar Bobo Social in Sayer Street will be hosting their annual Welcome to the Gaybourhood party with a regal twist with the theme being “Hey Qween”!

The first street party takes place on June 3, hosted by the diverse foodie destination, Castle Square, from 11am to 5pm, where South Londoners can enjoy al-fresco dining and a day full of music, food, drinks and shows.

The Castle Square traders will be offering an exclusive Jubilee speciality dish priced at £5.50.

New cocktail bar Cherry Tiger will be offering the Pisco Sour as their special cocktail of the day.

Magician Paul Longhurst will be enthralling guests with his magic tricks in Castle Square, along with face painters who will be painting the faces of Jubilee party-goers free of charge.

Columbian Jazz musician Roberto Pia will be performing throughout the day with his live jazz band.

Elephant Park will be rounding off the weekend with a community street party on June 5.

Tables will be set up along Sayer Street for people to bring their own picnics, visit some of the independent restaurants and cafes of Elephant Park.

There will be free arts and crafts activities organised by Art in the Park, and the Blue Elephant Theatre will be performing their play about squirrels called Ana and Silly for children from ages two upwards.

Royal Arsenal Riverside in Woolwich is holding a One table, One street Jubilee event which starts at noon on Saturday June 4, which will centre around one long table stretching down Number One Street, where residents can sit for a drink and chat with their friends and neighbours to enjoy the festivities. There will be friendly tag rugby and an after-party at the Dial Arch pub.

There will be two entertainment stages, including one for local musicians. The live music line up will include performances from the Royal Arsenal School of Music choir, and the eight-piece Mish Mash Band playing between 4pm and 6pm.

There will be a Wellness Tent on Dial Arch Green with charity Blink, and Royal Arsenal Riverside’s The Yoga Space London, artist Caroline Hands, a community dog show along with an activity area for giant games along with storytellers, a face painter and bubble shows.

Down the road at Kidbrooke Village jubilee celebrations are taking place from noon in South Cator Park where there will be competitions and an egg and spoon race organised by business Royal Resistance Gym.

Greenwich council and the English Cricket Board will also be there to host a range of sporting activities.

The legendary Madness are having an all-day event in Brockwell Park to coincide with the Queen’s Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.

The all-ages event will take place on Thursday June 2, and will feature food stalls and a London brewer’s market.

Madness will be headlining the event along with a number of incredible live acts across three stages.