Southmead Fes�val

BY: SAM GARBETT, OPERATIONS MANAGER, SOUTHMEAD DEVELOPMENT TRUST

Southmead Fes�val is special. It has a great history and is one of the stand-out days in the calendar. In recent years, the Trust has had the pleasure of hos�ng and coordina�ng the Fes�val – an honour and responsibility. Even more so in this year as we returned cau�ously from Covid and we felt an addi�onal drive to put on a really good day.

And how it did return! Under the blazing summer sun we had a magnificent day. It was a joy to see so many people from all around the community come and enjoy themselves. To play, to relax, to dance, to eat, to sit, to laugh: together. Being together again was a favourite part of the fes�val for many people who a�ended.

It is a truly community-run day and wouldn’t come together without the support and ‘can-do’ spirit of so many people. It was a pleasure to be a part of and I really want to thank everyone below who truly made Southmead Fes�val: � The staff and legion of volunteers from the Trust, including the Greenway Centre team, the Ranch Youth and Play team, the Greenway Gym and with special men�ons for Karen Green and Stephen Haddow. •Our brilliant photographers Mark Holbrook and Mar�n Twomey � Deana Perry, Mike Murch and the crew for their fundraising throughout the year. This allowed us to provide free kids’ rides on the day - a wonderful gi�. � Everyone who donated and contributed to the raffle – some amazing prizes this year, £945 raised for future fes�vals and projects locally! � Southmead Rugby Club, Café des Amis, Raised in Bristol Nursery, and our stallholders in the pre-loved and cra� fair � The full diversity of performing ar�sts and entertainers � All our lovely partners and community groups: Bristol Bears Founda�on, Bristol Libraries, Bristol Rovers Community Trust, SS Great Britain, Travelling Kitchen, Avon Fire & Rescue

Service, Bristol Waste, Travelling Teapot, and Southmead Churches Together. � Giuseppe and his Ice Cream van – thought to be his 25th Southmead Fes�val, at least! And finally, a huge thank you to everyone for coming! Here’s to next year. Do get in touch if you would like to lend a hand pu�ng the next one together or if you or your group want to play a part in the day itself. There is always room for more!

Tel: 0117 950 3335 Email: info@southmead.org

WHAT YOU SAID

“Everyone says bad stuff about Southmead but there’s no trouble here!” - David H “Great to get together and see people you know from the past” - Danny “Really surprised it’s so big with so much variety” - Sue “Really good but I’d like to see more stuff for men” - David C “Love seeing everyone back together” - Carol “Free stuff for kids good, funfair too pricey though. More shade please!” - Alicia

A FESTIVAL REVIEW BY DAWN PAYNE

What a scorcher, the weather was the best ever. Plenty to entertain everyone. The children all were happy with the rides. Travelling Kitchen gave out lovely fresh fruit. Churches Together gave out lovely cups of tea. Well appreciated. Line dancing wow! How did they do that with the heat, well done! Food by Glenn, a lovely chilli and salads. Bill was on top form again playing the organ. He was on fire, matching his shirt! All the tables consis�ng of toys, homemade cards and cra�s - a very good selec�on. Janet made coconut ice, very yummy. I had a table for the awareness of sepsis, people were interested. Bring it on for next year. Thank you to everyone who made all this possible.