Well, there you have it. Another (wet) summer is over and I am another year older! I used to hate having my birthday over the August bank holiday as nobody is ever around to celebrate with you, but I enjoy it much more now that I’m older and am very content to share my day with a large glass of rose and a bucket of crisps. Unfortunately, my son – whose birthday falls the day before mine – is still of an age where he expects the whole shebang and it’s a tricky time of year to get people together. This year, we both celebrated our actual birthdays with family in Spain and I have planned a bigger party for my newly turned 10-year old (TEN!!!) with some of his school friends for the first week of September… just before his classmates start to turn 11!

As the summer school holidays draw to a close, Dulwich welcomes an exciting line-up of markets, fetes, exhibitions and local fundraising events for all the family!

The West Norwood Feast community market returns (1 September). It is a farmer’s market, craft fair, flea market and a street food hub all rolled into one and is run almost entirely by local volunteers who organise a full programme of free children’s activities and live entertainment.

The Friends of Peckham Rye Park have been holding a traditional fete on Peckham Rye Common for over 12-years. This popular event (7 September) is for all ages and includes a children’s fancy dress, Dog Show, Punch & Judy, coconut shy and egg & spoon races. All profits go towards the funding and maintenance of the Community Wildlife Garden in Peckham Rye Park and supporting projects in the Park and Common.

Alleyn’s School Enterprises Ltd has launched Spanish and French beginner courses (16 September for 10-weeks) for anyone over the age of 18 who would like to learn a new language.

Put your general knowledge to the test at Link Age Southwark’s autumn pub quiz (19 September) at The Lordship pub. Tickets are £10 per person and money raised will help to support lonely and isolated older people in the community.

Green Rooms Market will be back to the renowned Dulwich Picture Gallery (21 September) for a day of plant shopping and botanical workshops for green fingers and plant novices alike.

Are you a small business on Instagram and want to explore the lesser-known features including IGTV and Instagram Live, and better understand the Instagram algorithm and audience insights? hellosocial.media is running an advanced Instagram strategies workshop (25 September) for business owners at Station Hall above Herne Hill station.

Clean Air for SE23 is a local environment group working with the Forest Hill Society who want to reduce air pollution by enabling cycling, promoting electric cars, School Streets, and mitigate emissions by planting trees and hedges. In their next meeting (28 September), they will be discussing tree planting along the A205, Citizen Science Air Monitoring collaboration with Cambridge University, Impact of ULEZ and ideas to improve walking and cycling. Open to all.

Details of all local events including ticket and booking information can be found on our events page and Instagram @arounddulwich.