Even the most committed urbanite can feel a pang of envy for village life – all that fresh air, greenery and a unique sense of togetherness.
Now Londoners can enjoy that in the middle of the city. This Sunday's Urban Village Fete, at Greenwich Peninsula, offers all the traditional pleasures of a British country fair but with an "alternative and contemporary" spin.
The fete is the brainchild of Wayne and Geraldine Hemingway, the former Red or Dead designers who now run Hemingway Design agency The inaugural event, held in May 2015, promised "design hubs", "quirky events" and "unique pop-ups" to mark the opening of a public garden at the Peninsula, a once neglected corner of the city that is now a budding cultural district. Visitors were greeted with stalls of modern crafts, art and design displays, theatre and dance performers, live music and some of the city's best street food vendors. There was even a "pooch parade".
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This year's participants include Charity Shop DJ, street artists Spray Skool and Caravan Gallery, a photography gallery that exhibits from a caravan. There will also be street food from Taco Truck and Anna Mae's - one of the top mac 'n' cheese chefs in the capital, according to the London Evening Standard – and Restaurant Craft and M Wines will be on hand for something a little fancier.
In addition, BBC Radio London’s Robert Elms will interview five highly influential women working in the arts, including Bafta award-winning film director Daisy May Hudson and acclaimed architect Alison Brooks.
"We're thrilled to have Robert on board again for the Urban Village Fete Talks Series," Wayne told The Week Portfolio. "We spotlight a roster of truly inspirational women who are also changing the face London landscape in their respective fields. These women are aspirational role models who have great stories to tell on how the cultural landscape is evolving and how they see it changing for the future.”
Urban Village Fete on Greenwich Peninsula, London, Sunday 21 May, 12 – 7pm, Free Entry. weareurbanvillage.co.uk
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