ACTORS, ARTISTS AND TV STARS MINGLE WITH CROWDS
AT BEDFORD PARK'S ANNUAL GREEN DAYS FETE
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Thousands of people - including many celebrities - enjoyed the "Village Green" atmosphere last weekend at the 36th annual Green Days fete in Bedford Park, Chiswick - the opening event of the two-week Bedford Park Festival.
Among the local celebrities there with their families were actors Kevin McNally, Phyllis Logan, Colin Firth and Elizabeth McGovern, as well as the distinguished artist Peter Blake - celebrating a knighthood in Saturday morning's Queen's Jubilee Birthday Honours list. And on the Sunday, during the children's Pop Idol contest, there was a surprise appearance from one of the real Pop Idol judges, Nicky Chapman.
Kevin McNally - seen recently in Spooks and Shackleton - opened the Festival on Saturday morning, and then judged the Children's Fancy Dress Competition with the vicar of St Michael & All Angels Church, Father Kevin Morris.
This year's fancy dress theme was 'Jubilee' and there were many inspired costumes. The prizewinners were:
Infants
1st Stella Wharmby (4) - Flower Jubilee;
2nd Cy Copponex (4) - Jubilee Dinosaur
3rd Charlotte Timmons (1) - Fairy Princess
Juniors
1st Alex Timmons (6) - Jubilee King
2nd Zach High (6) - Edward VI
3rd Maisie Preston (6) - Jubilee Queen Elizabeth
Seniors
1st Jasmine Wharmby (10) - Jubilee Reminder
2nd Gus Halford (7) - Street Party
3rd Gus High (7) - George of Hanover
Prizes were also presented for the Turnham Green Terrace Treasure Hunt, also on the Jubilee theme. Children had to spot all the kings and queens in the shop windows and then say who was their favourite monarch and why. 19 children correctly spotted all the kings and queens and the most popular monarch was Henry VIII.
The winner of the first prize - a trip to the Children's BBC studios - was Olivia Shotton (7) of St Mary's School. Her favourite king was Edward VI "because he was only nine years old when he became king".
The runners-up were: Helena Bickley (10) from Southfield Primary School (Elizabeth I - because she defeated the Armada and made the country great.) Alex Gronmark, (8) from Latymer Prep School (Alfred - because he burnt the cakes like Mummy.) Arthur Lawrence (11) from Southfield Primary School (Henry VIII -because he married a lot and chopped his wives' heads off.) Emma Tritton (7) from Orchard House School (Elizabeth II - because she doesn't chop off heads.) Matthew Walsh (3) from Caterpillar Nursery School (Edward VII - because he had a nice suit on.)
Another highlight was the Junior 5-a-side Football Competition, sponsored by the estate agents Bushells. The winning team - for the fourth year in a row - were the White Devils, from Cathnor Park youth club in Shepherds Bush. In the final, they beat The Dark Warriors, from Belmont Primary School. The third place went to Lat-mer United, who beat the Ramillies Revengers in the play-off.
 Pop Idol joint winner - Imogen (6), who danced brilliantly to Staying Alive, with her prize, a Pop Stars doll |
There was live music from the Band Stand all Saturday afternoon, from Green Days regular local performers - Bassett & the All Sorts, a traditional Swing band, and then No. 1 Station, a ska, rocksteady and reggae band. Other attractions included a Funfair, with a selection of rides, including dodgems and Bouncy Castle; a Craft Marquee; the Fletchers beer tent ; and sideshows, including a Skittle Alley, Champagne lottery and Coconut Shy.
At Sunday lunchtime, children came to the fore again with the results of their Cake Decorating Competition, a performance by the young Chiswick rock band Shattered, and the Pop Idol contest on the Band Stand, hosted by BBC correspondent Torin Douglas. Almost a dozen kids took to the stage, performing a series of hits by stars ranging from Abba and Britney Spears to the Bee Gees.
The winners of the cake competition were Randall Lindsell and Alex Gronmark. The winners of Pop Idol were Imogen Wilson (8), who sang along to Have You Ever, and another Imogen (6), who danced to Staying Alive.
 Joint winner of Pop Idol, Imogen Wilson, aged 8, singing Have You Ever to the huge crowd |
Green Days marked the start of the annual two-week Bedford Park Festival, with its kaleidoscope of events from house concerts to 'open gardens'; from demonstrations to lectures, and the ever popular Summer Art Exhibition and Photographic Exhibition. All events are open to the public, though some require tickets to be bought in advance from the festival Box Office (8994 1380).
The Summer Exhibition continues in St Michael's church until Saturday, with works still for sale. Among highlights this week were a Poetry Evening on the theme of Childhood, with readings by actor John Rowe, and a varied programme of musical events.
This coming weekend sees two performances of the children's musical 'Oliver!' It will be performed at 8pm this Saturday (the 29th) in St Michael & All Angels' church, Bath Road, by the church's Junior Choir. There's also a matinee at 3pm on Sunday afternoon. Tickets will be on sale at the door, £6 for adults and £3 for children. The money raised from the Festival will go towards the £500,000 St Michael's Parish Hall Appeal and to the Upper Room homelessness project in Shepherd's Bush.
For more details and a full Festival programme, contact the parish office of St Michael & All Angels Church on 020 8994 1380, or visit the Festival Website
26th June 2007
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