Albert Square and St Stephen’s Association

THE FEAR

There was much checking of the weather forecast before and on the Saturday morning, but in the event, in a week that had swung from much sun and high temperatures to heavy rain and cold, everyone was grateful for the window of no rain that occurred from 3pm on Saturday.

THE STALLS

The Fair was wonderful. Everyone will have had their favourite stall. The most beautiful was certainly the plant stall. So much effort went into the sowing and growing on of fantastic plants, which were then beautifully presented by Aldebert Residents. This nurturing was then complemented by the most incredibly generous donation of stunning bouquets and wonderful plants from Alexander Collier Flowers of 127 St Georges Drive SW1V 4DA. The donation, beauty and generosity of a director who lives in the Square lifted all of our spirits.

The cake stall was well staffed but poorly supported in the provision of donated cakes by the neighbourhood. Many thanks to those who did provide merchandise. The bottle stall was a great success as always. The book stall was staffed wonderfully and with an abundance of great books. The tea area neglected by the organizers caught up belatedly with stalwarts being drafted into help and provide the teas – heating up cold and neglected urns that were sitting under the Garden’s planes. Sorry !

There was a rock shop selling dinosaur teeth and gem stones that some children were entranced by: the most fantastic toy stall and a hook a duck and panning for gold area; the children spent ages looking for “gold” to take home in velvet pouches and getting wet and sandy. The police were truly brilliant at their police stocks. Smiling and chatting away to locals while willing to be soaked by sponges in aid of charity. It just shows you what a wonderful community policing team we have in our locale.

Vauxhall City Farm brought a number of wonderful characters – including Lunch the Duck. Children adore the interaction with the pets and Vauxhall City Farm is a very precious commodity in our urban jungle.

Once again there was a fiendishly problematic local history/ photo competition which attracted a huge buzz and participants determined to win. Queues were developing.

The art competition themed “Happiness” sadly did not attract as many competitors as it did last year. Jennifer Miles a brilliantly creative and award winning children’s book illustrator very kindly judged the event.

ASSACAN had a store and British Gas with their environmental campaign generously supported them and the Fair itself. Further details can be found on this site but for those not yet aware AASACAN are doing a tremendous jobin making people aware of environmental issues and advising on improvements to people’s homes.

FOOD

BBQ The BBQ was again heroically staffed by one family with their three children. To run a smokey stall from 3pm to 10pm without any break at all is truly amazing. A fantastic effort thank you.

Crepes Another family after so many years of community effort should know better. Instead they kindly offered their machine abilities cheerfulness and services and did a terrific job.

GAMES

A wonderful resident ran the kiddies games- all of which were free of charge. The idea was predominatly for parents to relax while their children used up energy. The kids really loved it and after the last game of tug of war they spent a great deal of time running around the Garden Square.

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