Last Saturday’s St Helier Festival saw its biggest turnout ever with an estimated 7 thousand local people attending for a day of family fun and entertainment.
The event’s organisers, SFTRA, have put this success partly down to the fact that the event provides a completely free day out for families in the borough.
The day included two free circus shows for children and a circus skills workshop giving the children a chance to try juggling, plate spinning and stilt walking.
Children got to try their hand at activities such as cup cake decorating, nail painting and badge making, whilst the Armed Forces were on hand to guide anyone brave enough through their army assault course.
The day was accompanied by non-stop music from Radio Marsden and a stage providing live entertainment including an Elvis tribute act.
As always the event promotes public services available for local people and this year, staff from Sutton’s new Credit Union, were on hand to offer advice and warn residents about the dangers of loan sharks operating in the borough. Sutton’s residents were also asked to give their views on how they would like to see Decent Homes money spent. This is funding that has been allocated to improve council homes in the borough.
The Sutton Federation of Tenant and Resident Associations led on organising the event with support from Sutton Housing Partnership and the London Borough of Sutton.
Frank Berry, an SHP resident and the Chair of SFTRA said: “This community event is a great day out for families in the borough and with so many people feeling the financial pinch these days we know that something like this is a big attraction for local people.”
“The funding for the event is raised through contractors who this year included Lakehouse, KNK Building Services and Smith and Byford and I would like to thank them and everyone else who may not have helped financially but gave their time, effort and donated other services to help make the festival such a great success.”
Posted on Thursday 16th June 2011