Saturday 2 June saw the first annual Community Festival for Dunkirk and Lenton, organised by the Dunkirk and Lenton Partnership Forum.

Saturday 2 June saw the first annual Community Festival for Dunkirk and Lenton, organised by the Dunkirk and Lenton Partnership Forum. 

Held on Lenton Recreation Ground, in Holy Trinity Church and at Unity House, the Festival was enjoyed by all ages. Lenton Local History Society’s display was a big hit in Holy Trinity Church, accompanied by bell ringing and tours of the area. In Unity House, people enjoyed refreshments and browsed through displays and stalls.

On the park, a wild time was had by all, with a bouncy castle, face painting, and a chance to try circus skills such as plate spinning and stilt walking. Local Councillors and others got soaked in the stocks, and Lenton Community Shop’s plate smashing stall proved popular. There were stalls from many local organisations, with games and items for sale, and plenty to keep everyone busy.

The Festival was opened by Hilda Dearn, who at 94 is thought to be the area’s oldest resident. Local business Ralph Horsley Wedding Cars provided a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce so that Hilda arrived in style, and after she had cut the ribbon to open the Festival she was presented with bouquets of flowers donated by Lorna’s Florists.

Hilda said, ‘It was the thrill of a lifetime. I felt like royalty. I want to thank everyone who made the whole thing possible.’

Hilda attends Lunch Clubs run by Lenton Care Link, and stayed to help out at the Lenton Care Link stall. Lenton Care Link also ran a Volunteer’s Week stall, celebrating volunteers’ contributions to the area.

Other groups who helped make the day a success included Lenton Churches Together, Unity House, Lenton Community Association, Lenton Local History Society and the Police. The Forum would like to thank everyone who put so much work into the Festival, on the day itself and in the weeks leading up to the event.

The Forum has lots of photos of the day, and a display of these will be at the Forum public meeting at Lenton Community Centre on Wednesday 18 July at 7pm. More photos will be available in the Forum office, and we will order extra prints for people as a memento of the day.

Next year, the Forum plans to hold a bigger and better Festival on Lenton Recreation Ground, and to start the ball rolling in Dunkirk with an event on Highfields Park. If you would like to get involved in organising either of these, or have any suggestions or comments following this year’s Festival, please contact the Forum office on 9419525.