Borough Market hosts residents' barbecue

Photo: Michael Price Thomas

The annual event, now in its third year, was organised by Borough Market Trustee Dorothy Bates, who is also a member of Southwark Street Tenants Association. She was assisted by Borough Market traders (who provided complimentary food) and the Trustees (who provided the venue as well as tables and chairs).

The atmosphere resembled a Jubilee street party with two long tables stretching along the length of the covered market, heaving with fabulous food. The feast included ostrich kebabs, sausages cooked in Chianti, pasta and plenty of cold salads, cheeses, cakes, breads and fruit, all courtesy of the traders.

Among the helpers were Peter Gott of Sillfield Farm and Sue Farr of Gamston Ostrich farm who manned the barbecue; Farmer Sharp who entertained the kids with beefburger making; Gary Greenland of Total Organics who manned the bar and George Nicholson, Chairman of the Trustees who helped set up. Vinopolis provided free wine for the adults and property firm Land Securities donated £300 towards the cost of the event.

Photo: Michael Price Thomas

Dorothy Bates said: "This event began when I contacted Peter Gott three years ago to see if I could buy some food off the traders for a Peabody party." He suggested we hold it for free at the Market. It's great that the traders who come here from all over the country want to give something back to our community."

Lois Austin, Chair of the Southwark Street Tenants Association, gave a rousing speech to the crowd of over 150 residents in which she declared, to spontaneous applause, that community spirit was not dead but alive and kicking in Bankside and Borough. She invited Sumner Buildings to join the Peabody Estate at their tenants meetings which take place every fourth Thursday of the month.

The next meeting takes place on 25 September at 7.30pm and is an opportunity to look at ways in which the two estates can work more closely together for mutual benefit. Interested residents should go to the tenants office in A block on the ground floor of the estate (and bring a chair!) or call Dorothy Bates on 020 7633 0703 for more information.