The Garden Party is Coming!

Ten years ago, all the way back in 1997, there was a garden party in the back green of Marchmont Crescent North. It was a huge success and so we thought we'd do it again. It was a fantastic way for people to meet the neighbours they'd probably never spoken to and it brought the community together in a way that so rarely happens these days.

It had all started from a rather inebriated conversation at the closing down party of Sue's shop over the road at the corner of Roseneath Place and Roseneath Terrace. I had accidently suggested what a fabulous idea it would be to have an enormous party like this and agreed to organise it with a few other people at Sue's party. The next day, feeling a little the worse for wear, I assumed that everyone would have as much trouble remembering what we'd agreed as I did. Not a chance, that evening a small committee of us formed and we started organising the event; I'm so glad we did.

Every day of that summer had been filled with glorious sunshine and the BBC promised brilliant weather for the Saturday we'd chosen. Of course, it turned out that it was the one day of torrential downpour! I was gutted. I thought the whole thing was going to be a disaster. From early morning it rained and was still raining by 2pm when we started the party. I was amazed, though, to see all the little children bravely taking part in their races (there were little prizes to be won and it seemed no amount of bad weather was going to keep them from competing). People were huddled under the awnings scoffing burgers from the grill. It looked a bit miserable but it was still ticking over. Then after just an hour, the rain dried up and the sun came out - people started dribbling out of their stairs and before long the day was in full swing.

We went on into the small hours. We had bands and music and food (supported by kind donations from some of the residents). The band was awful - the great band I had organised to come had 'accidentally' arranged another gig that day so our last minute replacement had never played in public before. The music was deafening and the swearing and death metal rock wasn't quite what the family sentiment needed. Fortunately, they were happy to be steered in the direction of some beer early to finish their set. Michael Wollaston jumped in a saved us with some excellent guitar work and songs that wouldn't make your grandmother faint. It all worked out ok.

It really is amazing how easy it is to live in these flats and not know your neighbours. I'm sure everyone has had times when you don't know someone to the left or right or up or down. It's a great shame really. After the party ten years ago, though, you could notice how many more people felt part of the community. It's something that it's high time we did again!

Last time we only invited Marchmont Crescent North. This time we're expanding to include all of the flats that share the back green; that's Marchmont Crescent North, Marchmont Road North and Warrender Park Road. Here's a graphic from Google Maps. If you live in one of the flats in the picture then, please, come along.



We're planning to have bouncy castles, bands, barbeques, races, movies, face painting and lots, lots more. I hope to see you all there! We'd love some help with all aspects - if you have any talents, ideas or resources, or you just would like to come and take part in the organising, please shoot one of us an email (there's a list in the top right).