Donated by Emily of mindfulmaps.com
From the initial meetings led by Space Makers Agency in 2011, it was clear the West Norwood Feast could be something spectacular. The skills already inherent within the community, combined with a deep seated passion to make the project a long-term success, set the core foundations of the Feast. The monthly market is a platform on which conversations can be had, friendships have been made, and skills can be shared. It is the outer shell, the projection of what truly lies at its heart – the Feast volunteers. Our aim is to make West Norwood a better place to live by encouraging the development of the town centre through social and economic interventions;
- Giving voices to various demographics within the community.
- Supporting and offering opportunities for locals to showcase their skills.
- Encouraging entrepreneurship.
Our aim is to do these things through a range of projects and interventions. The journey so far:
- January 2011 – Feast conceived with volunteers and Space Makers Agency.
- February 2011 – initial graphics for flyers and posters designed for the first Feast event.
- April 2011 – The first successful Feast event was held on 3rd April, with thousands of visitors.
- May – August 2011 – Logistics managed chiefly by Space Makers Agency and a cadre of volunteers.
- October 2011 – Steering Committee formed to manage Feast’s sustainability and strategy. The steering group is open to anybody and meets twice monthly.
- November 2011 – The Feast group wins a financial award from round one of the Outer London Fund.
- December 2011 – Feast runs a Christmas event, run exclusively by volunteers as the hand-over process begins from Space Makers to the local community.
- April 2012 – Handover complete – Feast now run by volunteers, with part-time coordinator.
- April 2012 – Feast launches the first market of the year and develops wider online promotion to explain the concept and aims (above).
- May 2012 – Awarded additional funds through OLF 2. The award is aimed at supporting additional neighbourhood events such as the Slow Food Festival and a Summer event timed to coincide with the opening of the Olympics.
- June 2012 – Feast holds a special event to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
- July 2012 – Special event to celebrate Olympic Opening Evening. Giant screen and picnicking on the grass at St Lukes Church.
- October 2012 – Feast day to support local Food Bank.
- December 2012 – Repeat of successful Winter Lights Christmas event.
- January – March 2013 – Winter break, to review and plan. Outreach work with local school and businesses.
- March 2013 – I Love Feast event to reach out to wider community, draw in more volunteers and lead up to first Feast of 2013 on 7 April.
- April 2013 first FEAST of the year launching the new design and signage.
- Sept 2013 – Feast’s first pop up cinema evening in partnership with Picturehouse
- Dec 2013 – Feast help organise the inaugural Small Business Saturday event promoting residents of West Norwood to shop local.
- Dec 2013 – Feast Winter Lights with 20 stalls trading inside the church.
- April 2014 – Feast kicks off again for another season. Steering group exploring setting Feast up with a charitable status.
- September 2014 – collaboration starts with the newly opened West Norwood Health & Leisure Centre to open a new marketplace for Feast; the Health & Wellbeing hub.
- December 2014 – opening of Feast’s fifth hub, Health & Wellbeing!
- August 2015 – Health & Wellbeing hub has a name change to Family Hub, where families can enjoy free Lambeth Play Partners activities and affordable kids lunchbags
