You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I’m telling you why… Santa Claus is coming to town!
I can’t promise I’ll make it through the entire merry season without crying (almost certainly not without pouting) and after 9-years of Santa Claus, I am starting to wonder whether this will be the year my son decides he no longer requires me to pretend that Santa does even come to town at all *sobs*
Until then, I am throwing myself into the festivities with as much Christmas spirit as I can muster! I am all over the Winter fairs, elbow-deep in mince pies, and my cup runneth over with mulled wine.
The Link Age Southwark 25th Birthday Gala at Dulwich College last month promised a night of glitz and glamour and it did not disappoint! Over £20,000 was raised for this wonderful charity to support their work in helping older people maintain active lives in the community.
Meanwhile, there were gold catsuits, pink catsuits and jokes galore at the Scummy Mummies live comedy show at the Catford Broadway Theatre. Tickets are now on sale for their special Christmas show at The Ivy House in Nunhead.
I was honoured and delighted to have been asked to join the judging panel of the Love East Dulwich photo competition. The competition was launched to celebrate everything that’s great about East Dulwich. Local residents were asked to submit their favourite snaps capturing the spirit of SE22 and the 15 winning photos will form an outdoor exhibition stretching from East Dulwich station down to Lordship Lane. This project was funded by a grant from the London Borough of Southwark.
There’s so much to look forward to this month too! The East Dulwich Christmas Cracker (1 December) returns with an exciting array of entertainment from choirs and performance groups, exclusive offers from local traders, a wonderfully seasonal North Cross Road market and the return of the delightful Children’s Christmas Treasure Hunt.
The Handmade Collective – a group of South London artists, designers and makers – will be celebrating and promoting art and creativity in the local area with their pop-up shop at 57 North Cross Road (1 December).
Peckham Springs has prepared for the colder months with a stunning Winter Garden adorned with plants and beautiful lighting so that al fresco drinking and dining can continue into the chillier months. A jam-packed events programme features everything from screenings to comedy, DJ nights to markets, improv nights and workshops – all under the safety of a heated canopy!
Join the Dulwich Village Christmas Stocking (2 December) for a fun-filled and free event for all the family in Dulwich Village. Highlights include carol singing, children’s theatre, art and craft workshops, storytelling, children’s disco and performances from local musical groups.
The 17th Dulwich Luncheon Club Charity lunch will take place at The Palmerston again this year (6 December) and will raise much-needed funds for Link Age Southwark. Tickets are just £33 for two courses including wine and a £5 donation from each ticket sold will go straight to the charity.
School winter fairs are a fantastic way to get a big dollop of Christmas cheer! The 8th of December is a popular date with Fairlawn, St John’s and Heber schools all hosting a day of festive family fun.
Details of these local events and so many more can be found on our events page and on Instagram @arounddulwich.
Bring on the twinkling lights, the sequin dresses and the sparkling wine! I’ll see you on the other side…
This article first appeared in the December 2018 issue of SE22 magazine.