Harvest Festival Market

More than 200 Thamesmead residents joined 13 community groups and Erith and Thamesmead MP, Teresa Pearce, for an afternoon of fundraising and information giving, to inform residents of the local groups who meet in and around the Moorings area of Thamesmead and what projects and events they have lined up, in hope residents will join them to achieve their goals and take ownership of their area of Thamesmead.

“Saturday was the first time such a large event has been held in Arnott Close.” said Trust Thamesmead’s Research, Policy and Evaluation, Community Development Officer, Maria Kelly. “Everyone said how brilliant the day was and wanted to see more community events in the area, which Trust Thamesmead will work on with M. A. T. to achieve.”

Thirteen community groups each had a stall offering an array of typical fundraising goodies, including cakes, chutneys, fruit and veg, bric-a-brac, henna tattoos, drawing competitions and tombolas. There was also the chance for residents to donate non-perishable goods to Thamesmead Foodbank who work with residents in Thamesmead who are unable to put food on the table, as well as tours of the former Moorings Social Club, which is widely hoped will be transformed into a community hub that will benefit all residents.

It was also the launch of Trust Thamesmead’s European Integration Fund, Cultivating Communities project, with Groundwork rallying residents who want to become volunteers as part of their green team for their garden project.

M. A. T. Chairman, Don Tidey said, “The day was a huge success in raising awareness of different community groups and projects we are all working on in our area of Thamesmead. There was so much enthusiasm from people wanting to find out more. It really was a great, fun, community event and M. A. T. alone had eight people signing up to volunteer and work on our upcoming projects and events.”