Festival of Communities at QMUL

posted in: Urban Regeneration | 0

Roman Road Trust had a great day attending Queen Mary University of London’s Festival of Communities on Sunday 13 May. Roman Road Trust invited children and their families to point out favourite places to eat, shop and visit on a map of Roman Road West (more commonly known as Globe Town.)

Festival of Communities is a two-day event which explores living and learning in east London, featuring activities showcasing exciting research, community initiatives, businesses and services based in east London. This was a great opportunity for Roman Road Trust to reach out to the local community and raise awareness of the projects happening very close to Queen Mary University.

The sun was shining meaning we could show off our lovely gazebo and soak up the spring weather on the front lawn of Queen Mary University. Children were given a Festival Trail booklet, encouraging them to complete activities at the stalls. Roman Road Trust’s activity involved asking visitors to place flags onto our map to pick out ‘places to eat/drink’, ‘places to shop’ and ‘green spaces/community spaces.’ We also asked visitors to suggest shops/spaces or facilities they would like to see in the area and add these to the map.

By the end of the day, our map of Roman Road West (the area between Regent’s Canal and Bethnal Green Tube) was packed with tiny-flags and suggestions. The most popular shops were Simply Fresh (an organic supermarket), The Larder and Recharge. The green space of choice was Meath Gardens. Other places of note were St. Margaret’s House, London Buddhist Centre and York Hall as well as Yoga Nest and the V&A Museum of Childhood.

As well as asking visitors to highlight the places they already know and use, we also asked what Roman Road West needs or what they would like to see there. We received a number of suggestions for more green spaces with activities for children such as an adventure playground, swimming pool, and football pitch. Visitors to the Roman Road Trust stall also commented on the range of shops on the high street and suggested that a wider variety of stores to include clothes for adults and children and a heath food shop is needed.

Roman Road Trust would like to say a big thank you to Queen Mary University, the Centre for Public Engagement, and the festival team for organising Festival of Communities 2018 and ensuring its smooth running on the day.

Watch the Festival of Communities video to find out what the festival means to staff at Queen Mary University of London.

 

 

London Borough of Tower Hamlets logo

 

Globe Town Common Vision is funded by London Borough of Tower Hamlets, working in partnership with Roman Road Trust to improve local governance and support the delivery of regeneration initiatives in the Globe Town area of Roman Road West.

 

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