What’s On in Wimbledon This May Half-Term

Can You Spot a Corgi?

Take the kids on a hunt to find all five of our Jubilee-themed plinths across the town centre – there’s a corgi, a portrait of The Queen, a crown, a teacup, and an environmentally inspired design that was driven by the community. Can you find them all?

Head Outside to Play

When the sun’s in the sky, there’s no reason not to play outdoors. Make the most of the sunny weather with an awesome range of kids’ mud kitchens, sandpits, paddling pools, bubble machines and playhouses at The Entertainer. Guaranteed to entertain even the most active of kids!

Opt for sustainable toys from Elys, including a micro scooter that is made using discarded fishing nets that pollute our oceans. Plus pick up activity packs or colouring books to keep them occupied during picnics from Smiggle and The Works.

Get Creative and Arty

Take part in Jubilee-themed art and craft activities at FREE Platinum Jubilee Creative Family workshops in Wimbledon Library. Hosted by CityLit, parents and carers are invited to just turn up and join alongside their children (ages 3-10) on Wednesday 1st June from 10am – 12.30pm.

Whether you’re looking to inspire the kids or you’re looking for a West End experience, Wimbledon’s theatre scene is brimming this half-term! Watch Errol and sister Tia’s dream of creating a community garden at age 10, come to life in the interactive musical Errol’s Garden (30th May – 1st June). Or rock the night away at a performance of  We Will Rock You (30th May – 4th June), also at New Wimbledon Theatre.

Join a fresh new bite of the classic tale Snow White showing at Polka Theatre (27th May – 5th June) or take enjoy the return of The Paper Dolls – referred to as “a magical version of the best arts and crafts session you can imagine!” (20th May – 7th August).

Plus don’t miss the FREE book launch of Wilder than Midnight at Polka Theatre – a bold and evocative adventure centred around sisterhood and the power of myths and storytelling. Perfect for middle-grade readers aged 9 and above.  

Unleash their creativity at full-day art workshops from Art-K, and allow them to get messy exploring a range of mediums such as clay, watercolour, acrylics, and mixed media (30th May – 2nd June). Childcare vouchers are accepted.

Stay local and #LoveLocal this May half term.

Offering More Sustainable Deliveries

As part of the Clean Air Villages 4 (CAV4) programme, Love Wimbledon, London Borough of Merton, Cross River Partnership and cargo bike provider XeroE have launched a free cargo bike and delivery service for local businesses near Wimbledon Town Centre. This means that when you next order an item for delivery from businesses in town, local air pollution and carbon footprint is considered in the transportation of your delivery.

The official launch took place on Monday 9th May on The Piazza, with the partner organisations coming together to showcase the bike to local businesses, plus a visit from a very special guest – The Wombles! Orinoco came out of his burrow to support the scheme which aims to show businesses the ease of switching to cargo bikes for their deliveries and adopting a more sustainable future, whilst also saving costs.

Craig Hurring, CEO of Love Wimbledon, said:

“One of Love Wimbledon’s strategic priorities for the next five years is to work with business towards creating a greener, more sustainable town centre, with improved air quality. That’s why we’re delighted to be partnering with Cross River Partnership, Merton Council and XeroE to offer Wimbledon businesses this free cargo bike delivery service pilot. We will be closely monitoring the impact the cargo bike has on reducing emissions for business journeys, and hope to see it becoming a familiar local sight over the coming weeks.”

Watch the launch video here.

 

Shine Photography Showcase Coming To Elys

Shine Exhibition

An inspiring exhibition showcasing exceptional photography from the children of the Shine Camera Club will be showcased in Wimbledon this summer. Schoolchildren from the Merton community took part in a four-week course where they were taught the basic skills of photography and were encouraged to stop, look at and snap the world they live in through their own eyes. The best selection from each child will be exhibited this summer at landmark Wimbledon department store Elys, during the tennis championships from 24th June – 16th July, for the public to enjoy.

Founded by filmmaker and photographer Cindy Sasha, the Shine Camera Club inspires children between the ages of 8-10 years to dream big and pursue photography. Cindy is no stranger to bringing art to Wimbledon and collaborated with us at Love Wimbledon to bring our free ‘It’s Oh So Quiet’ bird mural to the high street.

“I never had the opportunity as a child to explore photography or to understand that it could be a career. Growing up in a working-class background to dream was impossible and opportunities didn’t present themselves like today. I want to make sure this camera club inspires and allow children to dream again.” 

Through Cindy’s trusting relationship with Kristina Burton, Project and Development Manager at Mitcham Town Community Trust, Shine Camera Club provides a safe learning space for children to feel inspired through creativity and to build their confidence to pursue photography in later life. During this Saturday club, children were encouraged to explore portraiture, still life and street photography, whilst learning about cameras, lighting, famous photographers and discussing the power of an image. Kristina Burton added:

“Shine Merton Saturday School is delighted to be working with Cindy Sasha on a series of highly imaginative photography workshops. Providing primary students with an opportunity to have a camera and take images under professional instruction is a true rarity. It is also a prime example of how children can thrive and shine.”

Jennie Ricketts, respected curator and former picture editor at The Observer Magazine, helped to select the images to be featured in the exhibition. She stated that her hope is for children to enjoy the experience of having their images displayed for an audience, but also that this experience may reveal a potential future talented photographer.

Be sure to pop into Elys during the tennis championships to see the full exhibition and enjoy the tennis events happening around town.