Thamesmead Arts Festival

More than 1,500 people attended the second ever Thamesmead Arts Festival over the weekend of 16-18 September, with over 20 events taking place to celebrate all things ‘Made in Thamesmead'.

This year's festival gave a platform to some of Thamesmead's best talent, including a premiere of Budgie, shown at an open air cinema in front of the stunning backdrop of Southmere Square. Budgie is a short film from award winning director James Slater set in Thamesmead and starring young Thamesmead actors, who received their own mini-Oscars at the event.

Other highlights included a special production of the play Johnny by Thamesmead writer, actor and director Kwame Augustine and readings from local poet and former Young Poet Laureate for London shortlistee Rachel Long.

The festival was also a showcase of some of Thamesmead most interesting places, from two packed out tours of the Grade I listed Crossness Pumping Station to the reinvention of garages into arts spaces for the Urban Room - a Thamesmead-themed exhibition - and the Garage Gala - an afternoon of activities and events taking place in garages in the Moorings area.

John Lewis, Peabody's Executive Director of Thamesmead, said: “It's been a fantastic weekend and a real demonstration of the amazing creative talent we have here in Thamesmead. The festival has been a great opportunity not just for the local community to celebrate Thamesmead but for us to showcase Thamesmead to a wider audience, from the beautiful attractions such as Crossness Pumping Station to the gifted artists and performers living and working here".