Peabody residents, and non-residents, came out to defy the dismal summer weather and enjoy the second Peabody-wide Picnic in the Park on Saturday 22 August.
Hyde Park was a buzz with close to 200 visitors, of all ages, enjoying the healthy living activities on offer.
The Activate Wellbeing Wagon was parked on the old football pitches where MOT health checks were being carried out.
Further activities included:
- tai-chi classes
- mini-gardening sessions
- football lessons
- swimming in the Serpentine Lido pool
- free bowling lessons
- tennis lessons
- free nature and history walks with interesting facts about Hyde Park
- free head massages
- story telling
- face painting in the Teddy Bears picnic
Gwenetta McFarlane, a visitor at the picnic, participated in the history walk with her four children. She said: "I never knew there was so much history in Hyde Park. My children really loved the Albert Memorial which represented four continents - Africa, Asia, Europe and America. It was very interesting."
Before the end of the day, residents danced to the beats of the Nostalgia Steel Pan band before manoeuvring their hands and feet under the watchful eye of Bollywood Dance Group, Akadami, where everyone was taught the basics of Bollywood dancing. The wave of movement from those who participated created the kind of excitement needed for the final activity of the day, the raffle draw.
All residents, who attended, were entered into a raffle and the lucky winner was Ayak Deng from Strawberry Vale, Finchley. She won a Nintendo Wii Fit for her family of six.
"This makes it all worthwhile, travelling all that way. Thank you very much. My children are going to enjoy this," said Ayak.
Emma Pearsons, a resident from Greenwich also commented,
"Thank you for a great day out. My family really enjoyed it and we look forward to next year’s picnic".
Stephen Burns, community services director said: "It was a fantastic day out and those residents who didn’t attend missed a really good event. It was great to see residents using London’s green spaces, meeting other residents and participating in the many activities available. I am looking forward to next year already."
Andrea Purslow, from Activate London said, "
Plan this event into your diaries for next year, definitely a day not to be missed."
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