At the Heart of Community
Eat, Play, Love in Lower Edmonton.
Now that the summer months are here, the Hydeside Neighbourhood held its annual street party in celebration of community.
It all began five years ago when a charity, Street Play, put up the funds for the first event focusing on encouraging children to play outside safely. Since then it has become an annual event and for the second successive year, Kate Osamor, our MP joined in the fun.
Young
and not so old - every one participates in the preparations. Iliana
makes her "marshmallow rice Krispy's" and Michael or Geoffrey keeps the
Bar-B-Q-ed sausages, burgers and chicken flowing; Norma's homemade
gingerbeer is to live for.
Of course it's all made possible by the indefatigable Geraldine, Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator and organiser-in-chief, at the heart of it all.
"It's a wonderful thing when the immediate community can come together and share their cultural traditions" someone said, as the Turkish girls demonstrated how to do the Halay.
Bounded by three intersecting roads, Hydeside is a 'no throughway' neighbourhood. There's only one way in and out, which makes strangers highly visible. You will have no business here unless you are a resident, family, friend, a tradesperson, an agent of a utilities or delivery company, or accessing the rear entrance to the nearby primary school.
The average length of time anyone has lived here is about 24 years. Helen has lived here for over 50 years and refuses to move despite entreaties from her adult children. She says she feels safe and everyone is friendly. Sure, we have known burglary, vehicle theft and fly-tipping but we look out for one another.
I am a relative newcomer with nearly
five years residency and was made to feel immediately welcomed. Another
Michael, who lives across the road, leaves home grown ripe figs outside
my door, Dorothy planted pumpkins in my garden. I eat my fill from Albert's grapevine that cascades into my garden. Shush, don't tell him!
Hydeside is a mini united nations
community, a beautiful representation of the vibrant, multicultural beating heart of London. We are indigenous Brits or originally
hailed from or have ancestral links to Turkey, Ireland, Africa, various Caribbean islands, Greece, Cyprus, Malaysia. I'm pretty sure I've missed a region or two.
There is always a pleasant greeting, a smile and handwave. We
gossip over the fence or pause at the front gate for a prolonged 'how
are you' - as one person peels off, another passer by will join in.
A long time ago people lived like this. It's different today. Technological advance, and especially the rise of social media, has curtailed basic human interaction.
At a time when polarisation, divisiveness and loneliness in society contributes to poor mental health, there is something very special and precious about our Hydeside community that everyone who lives here has a vested interest in preserving.
Now that the summer months are here, the Hydeside Neighbourhood held its annual street party in celebration of community.
 |
| EAT Good Food |
It all began five years ago when a charity, Street Play, put up the funds for the first event focusing on encouraging children to play outside safely. Since then it has become an annual event and for the second successive year, Kate Osamor, our MP joined in the fun.
 |
| Safe Supervised PLAY |
  |
| The Three Legged and LOVE wins the Egg & Spoon |
 |
| Iliana Master Chef |
Of course it's all made possible by the indefatigable Geraldine, Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator and organiser-in-chief, at the heart of it all.
 |
| Michael on barbeque duty |
"It's a wonderful thing when the immediate community can come together and share their cultural traditions" someone said, as the Turkish girls demonstrated how to do the Halay.
 |
| And this is how you LIMBO guys |
Bounded by three intersecting roads, Hydeside is a 'no throughway' neighbourhood. There's only one way in and out, which makes strangers highly visible. You will have no business here unless you are a resident, family, friend, a tradesperson, an agent of a utilities or delivery company, or accessing the rear entrance to the nearby primary school.
The average length of time anyone has lived here is about 24 years. Helen has lived here for over 50 years and refuses to move despite entreaties from her adult children. She says she feels safe and everyone is friendly. Sure, we have known burglary, vehicle theft and fly-tipping but we look out for one another.
 |
The pumpkin Dorothy planted - obviously to feed a giant
|
A long time ago people lived like this. It's different today. Technological advance, and especially the rise of social media, has curtailed basic human interaction.
At a time when polarisation, divisiveness and loneliness in society contributes to poor mental health, there is something very special and precious about our Hydeside community that everyone who lives here has a vested interest in preserving.
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