If you asked me in person what I’ve been doing the last few weeks, I would recall only the glorious sunshine and finding any excuse to be in it.

The lighter evenings have certainly brought Wimbledon out to play. Just as the birds wake me up with song at 6am, so have the sounds of laughter and beers clanking into the early hours.

Dinner at the Fire Stables in Wimbledon Village was the first evening I ventured out wearing the same morning summer dress I picked up from Elys the day before.  ‘Money where your mouth is’ was a ‘pay what you want’ event in aid of supporting the Mayor of Merton’s charities Mencap and Commonside Community Development Trust. Luckily I was ravenous and thus indulged in three courses with Karine Torr and the Mayor of Merton herself.  £350 was raised from the guests who enjoyed their new nostalgic summer menu. I personally recommend the pork belly and rhubarb crumble.

With the Wimbledon mini heat-wave in full swing, it was a great opportunity to meet Wimbledon Guild’s Marathon runner Flora Firth in Cannizaro gardens to see how she was anticipating the challenge of soaring temperatures. Flora didn’t look fazed and was taking the challenge of raising money for their charity as serious as completing the race. From selling flapjacks to months of training, Flora has already raised over £1,000. Pleased to say she completed the marathon and remains grateful to her friends and family and the support and the cheering of crowds carrying her to the finish line on that beautiful Sunday.

Rightly so, Wimbledon Guild was also the chosen charity of local artist and friend exhibiting at the Norman Plastow Gallery, Jo Holdsworth.
The solo art exhibition on until 29th April includes Jo’s contemporary paintings of Wimbledon, London and further afield.

“The response to my solo show “People & Places” has been fantastic with so many lovely visitors, including Norman Plastow himself,” says Jo. “It is important for me to support Wimbledon Guild by donating a percentage of sales because of all the wonderful help and support that it provides in Merton to people of all ages.” 

Indeed, it was a buzzing launch on Friday as guests from all over Wimbledon folk came to support and admire Jo’s stunning paintings set against the old wooden beams and faded blue walls of the gallery.

With our borough bursting with charity and culture, a sunny afternoon in leafy Morden Hall Park seemed the perfect venue for the Merton Culture film workshop. A stable within the park, became a hub of creative minds and talent, as those from within the film industry shared stories and networked with other passionate creatives in the borough about their vision for a year long festival of film, consisting of 24 short film seasons at pop-up locations across the Merton.

"We want to start this Film Festival well, by involving as many people in the vision as possible right from the outset”. Declared John Merriman, as I stepped in. Reflecting on the day, Merriman was pleased.

“One of the highlights was seeing the passion that Merton residents and businesses have for the bigger picture of the film festival; to create a hunger and opportunity for culture, arts and experiences in the less well resourced parts of our borough” Keen to include others who have a passion for film, John and his advisory board keep their door open.

However. As the last of these sunny days draw to a close, the new postcard of pink blossom and new life will remain in our streets and parks. I know my summer dresses will take a back step and the umbrella may be my main wardrobe staple but there are bank holidays heading our way and an abundance of fairs and cultural activity buzzing in every corner of our beloved home town.

@LadyWimbledon

LadyWimbledon.com

To find out more about film Merton: Email filmmerton19@gmail.com

To donate to Flora’s Wimbledon Guild fundraising: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/florafirth