Last month was possibly one of the most exciting in cinema history! Never before has a new film release been more eagerly anticipated… well in my household anyway! I was so excited that I walked into East Dulwich Picturehouse and pre-booked tickets just so I could see it before anyone else. I have watched the first 3 movies over and over again. I have followed the characters on their adventures and laughed and cried along with them. I have purchased all the film merchandise and spent far too many hours trying to locate a tiny cowboy hat before a 2-year old realised it was missing (I still sometimes wake up in a cold sweat shaking my husband and crying “Where’s Woody’s hat?!”). Yes, Woody and the toys are back for Toy Story 4 and I can’t wait to see what the old gang have been up to!

Meanwhile, School PTAs from the green to the hill have been busy planning their annual summer fairs.

Goose Green Primary School is hosting a summer carnival on Goose Green (6 July). There will be games, rides, performances, food stalls and a bar, as well as free activities for families and locals.

Fairlawn Primary School on Honor Oak Road will be holding a Caribbean extravaganza (13 July), which promises to be lots of fun for all the family. I’ll be manning the coconut shy from 1pm so do pop in and say hello!

Once again, The Brockley Potters will be exhibiting their work as part of the Sydenham Arts Trail. This year the exhibition will be hosted by Forest Hill School (6-7 July) with a focus on ceramic art.

Following the success of the Catford Vegan Festival last year, Catford Broadway will once again go car-free and meat-free (14 July). The festival will show that meat and dairy free doesn’t mean taste free. There’ll also be free kids’ activities, live music and an urban picnic area.

As the school summer term draws to a close, it is time to spare a thought for all the parents preparing to compete in – or avoid – sports day races! When my son was younger, he really wanted me to take part in the mums’ race, but now he is almost 10-years old he’d probably be mortified – have you ever seen the episode of FRIENDS where Phoebe runs? Well, Phoebe has nothing on me…

Now the nights are warmer, we’ll be spending a night camping with 60 of our son’s classmates at the South London Scout Centre in Dulwich. This is always such a fun day and night in the school social calendar, but all the required equipment and arguments over tent poles for 1 night around the campfire is exhausting!

Next month, Peter Frost will lead a 2-hour walk around Peckham (11 August) embracing what was the ‘Golden Mile’ of the 1930s with its five department stores and art deco architecture.

Green Rooms Market is returning to Peckham Springs (25 August) for a day of plant shopping, workshops, live music, food and drinks.

The countdown to summer is on!

Details of all local events, children’s activities and holiday summer clubs can be found on our events page and on Instagram @arounddulwich.