Key Points
- Hackney Seventh Day Adventist Church organised a street fair in Haggerston on 13 September, which included health checkups, massage services, hot food, natural juices, and entertainment for children.
- The event was disrupted by heavy rains that led to the temporary relocation of the event inside until weather conditions were favourable to continue outdoors.
- There were some distinguished individuals from Hackney present at the event, most prominently Councillor Anntoinette Bramble, who is the leader of the Labour party and former deputy mayor of Hackney.
- Councillor Bramble gave a speech on behalf of Windrush campaigner and former Hackney councillor Sir Patrick Vernon about the migration history of the Haggerston Estate.
- Junior reporter Neriah Adewuyi, age 12, interviewed Councillor Bramble for the church newsletter.
Hackney (East London Times) September 16, 2026 – A community street fair organised by the Hackney Seventh-day Adventist Church brought together local residents in Haggerston on 13 September for a day focused on health, food, and neighbourhood cohesion, overcoming severe weather disruptions. Despite periodic heavy downpours that forced organisers to temporarily relocate operations indoors, the event maintained continuous attendance from local families, civic leaders, and church volunteers.
The gathering offered a range of complimentary services and recreational activities designed to appeal to multiple age demographics. Adult attendees were provided access to free health screenings, professional massages, freshly prepared healthy meals, and natural juices. For children, the church arranged a bouncy castle, face painting stations, and arts and crafts workshops. A dedicated stall also distributed free literature and books to visitors throughout the day. When the downpours began, event stewards shifted the scheduled activities inside the church building, resuming the outdoor setup as soon as the weather improved.
What Did Event Organisers Say About The Weather Disruptions?
Eileen Philip, a church member and key co-organiser of the event, stated that “The community came out and remained even when it rained.” She further explained that
“We sang songs, laughed, played, ate together and fellowshipped, with everyone commenting on how they had such a good day and are looking forward to the next one.”
The event also drew official attendance from members of Hackney Council, including Councillor Anntoinette Bramble, leader of the Labour group and former deputy mayor of Hackney. During her address to the attendees, Councillor Bramble formally expressed gratitude to the Hackney Seventh-day Adventist Church for orchestrating the event, highlighting the ongoing contribution of faith-based groups to local social stability. During the proceedings, 12-year-old junior reporter Neriah Adewuyi interviewed Councillor Bramble on behalf of the church’s official newsletter, discussing the role of youth engagement and local governance.
What Message Was Delivered On Behalf Of Sir Patrick Vernon?
During the event, Councillor Bramble read out a formal address written by Windrush campaigner and former Hackney councillor Sir Patrick Vernon. In the message, Sir Patrick Vernon stated that
“Haggerston holds particular memories for me. A number of years ago, I was involved in an oral history project on the old Haggerston Estate called Haggerston Routes, as part of Discover Hackney.”
Sir Patrick Vernon further detailed the historical context of the area, stating that “We captured the migration stories of people who had made Haggerston and Hackney their home, including people from the Caribbean, Vietnam, Africa and different parts of Europe.” He added that
“These stories helped us understand not simply where people came from, but why they came, what they contributed and how migration has shaped the identity of this part of London.”
Addressing the broader societal importance of neighborhood gatherings, Sir Patrick Vernon noted that
“They provide opportunities for people to meet their neighbours, build relationships across generations and cultures, support local organisations and businesses, and celebrate the places we call home.”
Background To The Haggerston Community Development
The Haggerston area within the London Borough of Hackney has a long-standing history shaped by post-war urban development and successive waves of international migration. The old Haggerston Estate, referenced by Sir Patrick Vernon, was originally built in the 1930s and expanded in the mid-20th century to provide social housing for working-class Londoners. Over the following decades, the neighbourhood became a primary settlement area for migrant communities arriving from the Caribbean during the Windrush era, as well as families from Vietnam, West Africa, and Eastern Europe.
In the early 2000s, local heritage initiatives such as the ‘Haggerston Routes’ oral history project were launched under the ‘Discover Hackney’ framework. These projects were established to archive the experiences of first- and second-generation migrants before the physical redevelopment of the estate took place. The estate subsequently underwent comprehensive urban regeneration, leading to the demolition of the original housing blocks and the construction of modernized mixed-tenure housing. Throughout these demographic and architectural transitions, local faith institutions, including the Hackney Seventh-day Adventist Church, have consistently acted as social anchors, providing public health outreach, youth initiatives, and community support services to bridge cultural and economic divides across the borough.
Predictions: How This Development Can Affect Haggerston Residents And Local Community Groups
The successful execution of the Haggerston street fair—and its high resilience in the face of adverse weather—is likely to strengthen community integration and influence future local outreach strategies in several ways:
- Increased Reliance on Faith-Based Community Services: As local councils face ongoing budgetary constraints, faith organisations like the Hackney Seventh-day Adventist Church will increasingly fill gaps in basic public health screenings, wellness provision, and intergenerational social activities.
- Greater Intercultural Cohesion: Events that explicitly celebrate local migration history foster stronger civic trust among diverse demographic groups, reducing social isolation across older generations and newly arrived residents in Hackney.
- Enhanced Youth Civic Engagement: Giving young residents visible roles—such as 12-year-old Neriah Adewuyi interviewing local politicians—creates direct pathways for youth participation in local governance and community journalism.
- Incentive for Future All-Weather Neighbourhood Initiatives: The effective adaptation from outdoor to indoor spaces during heavy rainfall sets a precedent for local event planners, proving that outdoor community programming can remain viable and well-attended in London regardless of unpredictable weather conditions.
