We have embraced the start of the new school year and all of the routine that comes with it. The long days of summer are but a distant memory as our attention returns to homework, swimming lessons, PTA cake sales and – for pupils entering Year 6 – secondary school open mornings! We did an early tour of a few of the local secondary schools in the area (our son has just started in Year 5) as we wanted to get a feel for them, but will go back again with him next September.

Anyway, back to the here and now! The Catford Gin Festival returns this month (5-8 October) at The Broadway Theatre. The 3-day festival is hosted by the Forest Hill Gin Club and Team Catford and sponsored by Fever Tree Premium Tonic Water. It will showcase local distillers such as Dulwich based Fatty’s Organic Gin alongside those from further afield.

The Herne Hill Music Festival is also back (5-14 October) and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever with events for everyone.

If you would like to meet others over tea, coffee and cake, then St John’s Church by Goose Green hosts a regular coffee morning every Wednesday with a guest speaker on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Well done to our esteemed Editor, Angela, for her very interesting talk in September.

Thirty of the best art students from The Charter School North Dulwich will get the opportunity to be exhibited and then sold alongside art greats at the Secret Charter Art Sale (15th October) at Dulwich Picture Gallery. It’s a lucky dip with an astonishing difference and for only £40 art lovers could walk away with an original Tracey Emin, Sir Antony Gormley, Julian Opie or Gary Hume.

With half-term then upon us (22-26 October), keep an eye out for various family-friendly activities in the area. This week also officially marks the end of British Summertime. As our evenings grow darker and longer, expect homes in and around Dulwich to take on a ghoulish makeover for Halloween (31 October). Troops of wizards, witches, and scary superheroes will storm the streets in search of treats. But, do they also have a few tricks up their spooky sleeves?

Next month, there are a few popular events that should definitely be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.

Lambeth Fireworks will light up Brockwell Park (3 November) with two dazzling fireworks displays. There will also be a myriad of street food traders and a funfair to offer something for everyone, families and adults alike, across the whole evening.

Following their sell-out UK tour, the Scummy Mummies are coming to Catford Broadway Theatre (9 November) with a brand new comedy show, which promises new songs, new sketches and new catsuits! Join Ellie and Helen as they celebrate the scummier side of parenting, from drinking wine at teatime to hiding from the PTA. I have already booked my ticket!

I’m also looking forward to the Link Age Southwark 25th Birthday Gala Dinner at Dulwich College with special guest speaker, Jo Brand. It should be a glorious evening of fine dining and entertainment including a raffle, auction and wonderful musical performances. All proceeds will go to help Link Age Southwark continue their inspirational work in supporting older people to thrive in later life.

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

This article first appeared in the October 2018 issue of SE22 magazine.