How Islington came together to celebrate the Jubilee

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The Harvist Estate community Jubilee party was a real success - here’s how it came together.

We’re still on a high from our Jubilee party on the Harvist Estate. We couldn’t have asked for more; lots of smiling faces, celebrating, dancing, reminiscing, and the rain even held out for us. The event was a real team effort, with organisations and individuals from across the local community working together to make it a success. Everyone we spoke to wanted to help us organise a day of festivities that would bring our neighbours together to enjoy the Diamond Jubilee in true Islington style.

Surrounded by bunting and posters designed by the students of Pakeman Primary School, guests got stuck into football with Arsenal in the Community, Martial Arts activities with the Sanjuro team, line dancing led by regulars from the Drovers Centre, bouncy castle bouncing, and face painting! All this with music from amazing local band Wolf Alice and Holloway’s very own DJ Semtek – and a sizzling barbeque on the go. There was something for everyone!

The party was rounded off with speeches from Highbury West Councillor Andy Hull and the Mayor of Islington, followed by a raffle full of prizes donated from Arsenal, the Sobell Leisure Centre, the Rowan Arts Project, Odeon Cinemas, and a local hair and beauty salon. Special thanks must go to Islington Council for providing funding to make the event possible, Emmanuel Church for invaluable support on the day, and Harvist resident Andreia Rola for manning the barbeque and keeping the food coming!

And of course, we couldn’t have done it without an amazing team of North London Cares volunteers who really got into the party spirit and worked tirelessly to make the event run smoothly; Tanya, Hector, Laura, Jan, Katie, Jess, Nick, Joe, Steve, James, Jan and Victoria – thank you!

As Councillor Andy Hull said on the day:

“We need to be not just a collection of individuals living in the same place, but a community sharing it. That’s what this event has shown is possible; this is about closing a gap between young and old, rich and poor, black and white, men and women, and being one united society.”

Let us know if you want to be involved in your local community through North London Cares, by emailing [email protected].

We're looking for volunteers who can donate a little bit of time to make a big difference to their neighbours.