FIESTA NUMBER FIVE

The centre of Elm Park was filled with music, entertainment and fun on Saturday (6th June) as the 2009 Elm Park Fiesta took to the streets.  It’s the fifth year that the Elm Park Regeneration Partnership - bringing together the businesses and community of Elm Park – have organised the day long extravaganza.  The centre of Elm Park was closed off with traffic replaced by steel bands, stilt walkers and majorettes.  The weather didn’t even dampen the spirits as heavy rain in the morning gave way to sunny spells for the lunchtime opening. 

The Deputy Mayor of Havering – Councillor Melvin Wallace - was on hand to welcome everyone and Hornchurch and Rainham MP James Brokenshire thanked the organisers and launched the countdown to mark the opening of the Fiesta.  The MP was presented with the new Elm Park tea towel - on sale at the event for the first time - highlighting the heritage of the area and how some of the finest rhubarb in London was grown in Elm Park prior to large scale house-building.

Commenting James Brokenshire said:

“The Elm Park Fiesta goes from strength to strength and it’s a great way of bringing the community together in a fun way and showcasing local shops and businesses.  Ingrid Brandon and the team have done another fantastic job and it was great to see the streets full of people enjoying themselves.  At a time when some local businesses are finding it hard with the downturn in the economy, an event like this really lift the spirits.

“The team are always really imaginative with the ideas they come up with.  First there were special Elm Park postage stamps which have become collector’s items and then there was the special Elm Park calendar. Now they’ve produced the Elm Park tea towel commemorating the history of the local area and I’m delighted to have been presented with one.  It seems pretty apt that the theme should be about rhubarb as many people think that’s what most politicians speak a lot of the time! 

“I’m only sorry that this was my final Fiesta as the MP for Elm Park.  It has been a real privilege to have supported the event over the years and I’m delighted that it has now become an established and successful fixture in the calendar.”

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