A vibrant local event for over 50 years
We know that Major E Pedley organized a festival in 1950, with Walsworth Residents’ Community Association at St Faith’s Church. There was a procession from the church though the streets to Walsworth Common. The river was dammed opposite High Dane, causing it to rise, to permit boating. This did not go down well with the Council, as houses in Woolgrove Road were flooded.
The current Festival had its origins in 1973, on the initiative of the Rev. Colin Gay, with the first festival in 1974. It included a Festival Queen with two attendants, and was held on a Saturday. There was a fancy dress procession through Walsworth, ending on the Common. There were a few stalls, sideshows and competitions. There was a thanksgiving service held on the following day (Sunday) at St Faith’s Church. By 1977 the Festival was being described as the Spectacular! In the years 1977- 85 the activities last a whole week, culminating with the main event on the Common, now changed from Saturday to Sunday.
By the 1990s the Festival had reverted to a one day event on the Common, and visitor numbers reached the thousands. This annual event attracts people from far and wide. It is an opportunity for ex-Walsworthites to meet up and reminisce, and to welcome new residents to the area. On only one occasion has the Festival been postponed: in 1997 days of rain flooded the Common, and the event was deferred from 29 June until 13 July.
Due to lack of volunteers there was no Festival in 2000 and 2001, but a new group took up the challenge, and (those two years excepted) we are now in our 50th year. We acknowledge the hard work of all those people over the years who have given their time so freely to keep this popular event running.