Toast-tastic Event

Over 100 Thamesmead residents turned-out for Peabody’s toast-tastic event in Arnott Close on Saturday.

Peabody, who commissioned community-based arts organisation, The Brick Box to deliver the event started the day with their Toast Temple ‘Yes!’ workshop which encouraged residents to think about ways they could make positive changes to their lives over slices of toast. Pledges included taking-up cycling and saying yes to everything, all of which were written down and hung in a gallery.

A canal clean-up led by Gallions Housing Association which removed Pennywort and Duckweed, as well as a traffic cone, a scooter and several broom handles also took place, making way for the popular wish lanterns which residents launched on the canal at sunset.

Peabody’s Thamesmead Strategy Team’s Engagement and Programme Manager, Ellen Halstead said: “It was fantastic so many people turned-up to our event, which provided a fantastic way to get people talking and involved in their area. Peabody’s mission is to ensure that as many people as possible have a good home, a real sense of purpose and a strong feeling of belonging and we believe this event truly helped us to do that.”

One resident who had just returned from a funeral said she felt much more hopeful about the future after spending the day in such a positive atmosphere and with the arrival of Peabody in Thamesmead.
Gwen Mooney who attended the event with her eight-year-old son, Dylan Thomas wrote on her lantern: “I wish my family a happy and healthy future.”

Whilst Dylan said: “I wish for a brilliant holiday to Chessington.”

Residents also wished for;
• A new job
• A better life for their children
• That people in general had more hope
• To meet David Beckham
• That it would snow

The Brick Box’s Director, Rosie Freeman said: “We were delighted with the turnout to the Toast Temple which offered free toast just the way residents like it, with a friendly conversation.” Adding, “We have really enjoyed getting to know Thamesmead as an area and community, and are looking forward to our fourth and final event, The Light Fantastic, taking place this Saturday. We hope as many residents as possible join us for this grand summer finale.”

This Saturday’s Light Fantastic which will be taking place 6.00-10.00pm this Saturday at the A Bridge opposite The Link Thamesmead in Belvedere Road off Harrow Manor Way, will showcase music, dance, screenings and performances to round-off all the events Peabody’s ‘Garden of Dreams’ has been attending across Thamesmead over the summer, engaging with residents about their thoughts on the area and feeding in to Peabody’s Futures Plan which will be published in the new year.