Now in the final frantic week of ensuring everything goes according to as much of a plan as these things can, the Magdalen Street Celebration has captured local imaginations and a truly astonishing amount of traders, volunteers, charities, performers, artists and more have emerged to take part over the last three months.
Stacia Briggs took up the story in a double page spread in the Eastern Daily Press last Thursday...
"Magdalen Street - famous for rebels, royals and regrets - it was stormed by Robert Kett's army, visited by Queens Elizabeth I and II and subject to some of the least sympathetic town planning decisions ever made in Norwich.
Now the street is hoping to create its own history with a magnificent street festival on October 2, which will see the area transformed into a vibrant celebration of the most diverse neighbourhood in the city.
Visitors will be able to learn more about the incredible history of the area, sample the unique collection of shops, meet other residents and an array of activities including performances by local musicians and artists, workshops, art exhibitions and a fashion parade starring vintage and second hand clothes shops sourced on Magdalen Street itself."
(from the EDP2 article on 23 September 2010)Founding organiser Helen Simpson-Slapp said: “We are creating a street festival to bring the community together to have fun, but also we would like to see a long lasting effect. There's no reason why this festival should not continue and grow over the years, and help connect people in this area of the City”.
Rachel Lalchan joined the organising group after arriving in Norwich from South London where she had helped set up a Transition group: “Having moved to a new city, I was keen to be involved in local community life and taking part in this group event enables me to do just that. It also means I get to know my local area really well and Magdalen Street is a wonderful place that seems to be continuously evolving”.
So come and witness the transformation of Magdalen Street on Saturday and in the meantime check out some of the blog posts from some of the organisers this week on This Low Carbon Life, and get a complete programme of events on http://www.magdalenstreet.blogspot
There is still opportunity for you to get involved on the day by:
· being a steward – helping people who may be lost or need help finding an activity
· decorating the street – putting up bunting, blowing up balloons!
Please contact Helen or Karen (click on the links to email) for more information on volunteering. (Andy Croft/NR3)
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