On Sunday 2nd July, 850 Fishermead residents took part in a celebration of the estate’s history, diversity and positivity. There was dancing, singing, a portrait photo booth, sports competition, games, an array of cultural dress and abundant world food stalls supported by donations from local businesses.

In the first screening of a new film, hosted by Fishermead Mosque, residents talked about their pride in the estate. The children of Jubilee Wood School sang a new song about Fishermead (hear song in film below).

A scale model of the original 1970s plan for the area was also exhibited at the Mosque.

Visiting dignitaries including MK’s Mayor and Mayoress, the Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, and the MP for MK North, said how impressed they were with the friendliness and creativity of residents.

Xtrim Hair & Beauty Salon won Gold in the Fishermead Business Olympics, with Freestyle Cosmetics running a close second for Silver, and Testimony Ghanaian Cuisine taking Bronze. The Cooperative Convenience Store won a special award for Services to the Community as did outgoing Chair of Campbell Park Parish Council, Terry Baines.

“We will do this again next year!” said MC Joey Acheampong (above).

“Everyone wanted to say something positive as they were leaving,” said Ruth Legh-Smith, one of the volunteers managing the road closure (seated in photo below). “As someone who hasn’t lived here very long, I can’t help thinking that these are all competent, sensible, lovely people, and maybe this is isn’t recognised much.”

Some residents’ comments:

• “What a day for Fishermead!”
• “It brought the community together”
• “It was great to have the police there”

• “Amazing food. The queues for food didn’t get any shorter.”

• “So good for the kids. The games were good.”

• “Any kid who comes to this will grow up knowing Fishermead as a good place “

• “The event was spectacular in an area known for a lack of affluence.”

• “All the litter was collected during the event (by volunteers from the Seventh Day Adventist Church) and removed soon afterwards.”

The Organising team thanks everyone who helped to make the event happen, including MK Community Foundation and Campbell Park Parish Council for a small grant and help with road closures, Fishermead Trinity Centre for looking after the volunteers, Return MK for delivering quality sound from the stage, Samaritans MK and Neighbourhood Watch volunteers for running advice stands, MK Police for being part of the party, New Bradwell SEN Dept for baking the Pirate Ship cake, Chinese Overseas Church Mission for running a Chinese Calligraphy stall, Pebbles Children’s Centre and Acorn Nursery for running children’s play activities, The Co-op and Fishermead Mosque for allowing use of their car parking spaces, The Seventh-day Adventist Church for hosting planning meetings and printing,

and The Living Archive for making the new film. Thanks too, to the local shops who donated food and drink: Convenience Store & Off Licence, Evergreen Foods, Sabeeh Mini Market, Testimony Ghanaian Cuisine, The Co-op and XLN Take Away.

This event, and the wider Fishermead Citizens project, was supported by funding from MK Community Foundation, Campbell Park Parish Council and donations from Councillors Donna Fuller, Sue and Val Dixon.

Photos by Zdenka Mgbolu & Tom Bulman