15 Jul 2024
Hundreds of people flocked to Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre for Sopwell Residents’ Association’s annual celebratory festival.
Sunday’s Cottonmill Gathering featured live music, craft and community stalls, inflatables, toddlers’ play, a story tent, face-painting, and henna hand painting, as well as visits from St Albans police and fire and rescue.
Elaine Rainsford who led the team that organised the Cottonmill Gathering said she was very pleased with the results of this third summer festival in Sopwell: “What an amazing community we live in! Sunday was the highlight of the year. So many happy families and smiling faces. We loved it!”
Michelle Mackenzie, – the chair of the Cottonmill and Sopwell Hub group that campaigned to get the Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre built – was a key organiser with the events team helping with publicity, getting local stalls involved, and collecting raffle prizes.
She said: “This year’;s Cottonmill Gathering was the best yet! The sun shone and over 1,000 people from all over the district and surrounding towns, and of all ages came along to enjoy Sopwell’s fun, family festival. The Sopwell Residents Association would like to say a huge thanks to all our volunteers, our community, local businesses, and our councillors who all helped to make this event happen and to everyone who came along and made it such a wonderful day.”
The music stage featured 22 Alban City School musicians, 20 Sopwell Singers and 18 Purple All Stars. A group of 15 pre-school children took the stage, and there was a ukulele band, and a performance from the Maida Vales. The stage was hosted by Grae and Chris Blanch from St Albans Arts Team.
Chris Blanch said: “The Gathering stage rocked with an eclectic mix of sounds all afternoon – people of all ages, and a diverse range of musical backgrounds.”
Sharon Linney, a volunteer on the day, said: “ It was a real family orientated community event and is a great asset to have the CCCC and the Sopwell Residents Association bringing people together.”
Janet Charles, a key member of the Events Team, co-ordinated 40 volunteers on the day – working on the tokens stall, raffle, welcome area, first aid, health and safety, assault course, toddlers play, litter-picking, music stage, and more.
Gail Jackson, chair of the Sopwell Residents Association added: “This great event is a result of great energy, love and commitment from many individuals who have built strong partnerships and relationships across charities, schools, churches, youth groups and businesses across Sopwell. The SRA Events team have created community magic once again.
“The Cottonmill Gathering’s two litter-pickers, Edmund Jankowski, and Andy Wells did a fantastic job of clearing all the litter from the site – which was left spotless after the event!”
Photos: Matt Adams and Sopwell Residents Association Events Team.
