Over 3,000 attend first Park It! event at Mile End Park

Sunday 12th June saw over 3,000 people come together to explore East London’s links to the countryside at the Town and Country Fair. Organised by the Friends of Mile End Park, this event featured a wide range of activities including a dog show, farmers’ market, live music, animal displays and much more.

Take a look at the event photos...

Lizzie Treip, of the Friends of Mile End Park said "it was a fantastic day. It was great to see thousands of people getting involved in the events and activities. The event really pulled the diversity and history of the area together."

All activities at the event were free and gave people a chance to explore aspects of rural life. One of the most popular activities of the afternoon was sheep shearing. People could then see how fleeces are woven into wool through spinning and weaving demonstrations. This rural history was also explored with small animal displays, donkey and cart rides and a farmers’ market. The more energetic were then able to try their luck on Dolly the Bucking Sheep.

Children and adults alike were able to take part in a variety of hands-on arts and crafts workshops. Willow bird feeders and model boats were created in the afternoon, while environmental and historical storytellers and face-painters kept everyone entertained.

Crowds were amazed with re-enactments of fight scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, played out with real venom. The history of the park and the area was also brought to life by local youth actors. Scenes from Dick Turpin’s adventures on the Essex Road, Queen Matilda opening Bow Bridge and a re-enactment of the peasants’ revolt led by Watt Tyler drew huge crowds.

An historical exhibition on hopping, rope-making and streets that have disappeared under the park, including maps and photos contributed by local people, Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives and the Island History Trust, triggered many memories and much interest.

People also enjoyed a range of live music throughout the afternoon, including performances from a local Bangladeshi band and a Country Rock group. The day was rounded off with a Barn Dance, which saw more than 100 people ‘dosey-doh’ as the event drew to a close.

After the dance, Michael Rowan, the Director of Mile End Park at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets expanded on the success of the event by saying: “Mile End Park is a wonderful park and an amazing resource for the people of the area. It’s their park and it’s great to see people using it as it should be.”

Mile End Park – www.mileendpark.co.uk