Around 250 people joined in at the first Winterfest celebrations in Roehampton

Winterfest saw an estimated 250 people participate in the festivities, including pupils from nearby schools, the Over 60s Café, local businesses and residents.

Organisers ROAM (Roehampton Outdoor Art Movement) arranged lantern-making workshops in advance, with revellers gathering at the Alton Activity Centre for Christmas carol singing.

Drummers led the procession from the Ellisfield Drive-based centre up Harbridge Avenue and along to the green outside Roehampton Library, where a spectacular light and dance show transformed Allbrook House.

Pam Harris, who attended the event with her daughter and grandchildren, said:
“The children were so excited to see the dancers perform and loved that it all happened so close to home. The lantern parade was a lovely opportunity for young and old to get out together and the atmosphere was just great.”

Winterfest was organised by ROAM; CoDa Dance; Spare Tyre and Emergency Exit Arts, with grants from the Wimbledon Foundation Community Fund and the Big Lottery Fund.

Wandsworth Council financially supports ROAM as part of its Aspirations programme, which targets a range of support services including youth mentoring, employment and training initiatives, financial advice, cultural and sporting opportunities. The Aspirations programme works with the council’s housing estate regeneration plans so that as the homes where people live are improved, so do their life chances.

December 15, 2016