Lambeth Country Show 2015, Sat 18th and Sun 19th July

[friendofdorothy]

What a great weekend, bona weather and very jolly crowds - everyone was smiling! had a lovely time.

I spent most of both days wearing a SAVE CRESSINGHAM GARDENS tea shirt, well me and the grlf were doing a time share on it - looked so much better on her and we had lots of conversations about the shit Lambeth are up to there, great response from people.

 

[Maharani]

Today's music was just perfect. Danced all day smiling in the sunshine .

 

[Maharani]

I had to go home when Kenyatta Hill came on cos my ears were getting crispy. i had this new expensive greasy sunblock that didn't seem to be working. the sun even got through my hair.
great day for music though.

((((((Ears))))))

 

[cuppa tee]

 

[Mr Moose]

Germany sausage stall recommended. Quick service and tasty meaty fare with sauerkraut.

And why not? What's the wurst that could happen?

 

[leanderman]

Had a phone call last night to collect the cash prizes and certificates for our daughters getting third places in the art competition. Not sure there were more than three entries in their age groups!

 

[Thimble Queen]

Hog roast bap on Sunday was amazing. Not normally that keen on pork but this was AMAZING. Lovely atmosphere on Sunday, lazing about in the sunshine with chuckles and friends. My favourite weekend of the year. Every year. x

 

[editor]

A final few pics taken yesterday.

http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2015/07/farewell-to-the-2015-lambeth-country-show-it-was-brilliant/

 

[gaijingirl]

Had a phone call last night to collect the cash prizes and certificates for our daughters getting third places in the art competition. Not sure there were more than three entries in their age groups!

If you remember next year and don't mind the competition - give me a nudge and I'll see if I can get my girls to put pen to paper. I felt bad when I saw the pictures this year and hadn't given them a go at it. Congratulations to your daughters!

 

[slightlytouched]

I only made it the Saturday, but I met someone a few urbanites will know...Dairy and his wife Kate. They were stood in the chuckle head queue waving at who I was with, but he totally didn't notice them until they stood right in front of us. We did sit there a while trying to spot urbans, but we just spotted each other! So we gave that up and started drawing people!

 

[Greebo]

If you remember next year and don't mind the competition - give me a nudge and I'll see if I can get my girls to put pen to paper. I felt bad when I saw the pictures this year and hadn't given them a go at it. Congratulations to your daughters!

Apparently there were quite a lot more entries in the domestic/craft categories this year, and when I turned up to collect my stuff, people were saying things like "Oh, I wouldn't have the nerve to enter, myself". All I can say is, go ahead and enter (free if you do it in advance), or encourage others to; it's great seeing other people's work as well as yours, and you don't know how what you might be able to do if you don't even try.

One thing I learnt about the veg sculptures and flower arrangements - a lot of people arrived at the tent and constructed their things once there, to avoid damage in transit.

BTW the West Norwood Horticultural Society has a flower show in September, it may be worth checking the schedule for that to see if any of it's child friendly.

 

[Thimble Queen]

I only made it the Saturday, but I met someone a few urbanites will know...Dairy and his wife Kate. They were stood in the chuckle head queue waving at who I was with, but he totally didn't notice them until they stood right in front of us. We did sit there a while trying to spot urbans, but we just spotted each other! So we gave that up and started drawing people!

I know Dairy and Kate. Lovely people. I was by Chuckles with a group of urbans and assorted hangerson from around half one until 4ish. Didn't see as many urbs in that spot as usual. It was a lot busier tho so I think easier to miss people.

 

[gaijingirl]

That's a good point Greebo - I seem to recall last year they did have some kids' stuff in that show so I'll keep an eye out for it.

 

[jimbarkanoodle]

Brilliant weekend. Nice and hot both days, even though it was supposed to piss it down on Sunday.

Music on the main stage wasn't that great compared to last year on the Saturday, but everyone had a good time by the looks of it. Reggae day was nice and loud!

Only issue I had was being sternly told off by a beast of a security guard for drunkenly climbing on the love Lambeth sign. He was one grumpy bastard. Oh and queues for the jerk chicken stalls were simply too much.

I can't see how it can be regarded as expensive? Free entry and you can bring in as much booze as you can carry.

 

[gaijingirl]

I spent nothing all weekend on myself at the show (I brought my own drink and food*) but it is really hard with kids. I told mine they were too young for the funfair (LIES) but I got them an icecream each (plus one for a friend) and one balloon between them - which has caused no end of fights. That was £11 (I was quite strict on which ice-creams they could have). So not bad really. I would have liked to say yes to the funfair and an extra balloon etc but it gets really, really expensive and if you buy food there for 4 people it's just too much. My kids are still young so I can get away with that just about - but it's quite stressful tbh.

I'm not complaining at all because it's a good weekend out but just explaining how it can be pricey for some. If I were kid-free it'd be much easier of course.

*actually on the Sunday I treated myself to an amazing roti in Herne Hill - not actually at the show - for a fiver.

 

[Greebo]

<snip> I'm not complaining at all because it's a good weekend out but just explaining how it can be pricey for some. If I were kid-free it'd be much easier of course.

*actually on the Sunday I treated myself to an amazing roti in Herne Hill - not actually at the show - for a fiver.

Come in or back via the Cressingham gate on the Saturday next year, and I'll see what can be done about affordable and childfriendly.

This year was a bit of a learning curve.

 

[leanderman]

I spent nothing all weekend on myself at the show (I brought my own drink and food*) but it is really hard with kids ...

Our three cost me £33 in food and rides and stuff.

So, like you, I decided to spend nothing on myself.

Which, with Chucklehead around, was a very good thing indeed.

It is hard with kids. A mother was telling me today she has never been - for this reason.

 

[Fingers]

It can be as cheap as you want to make it if you are going down with mates, but yeah, I took my ex and her six year old three years ago and it ended up rather costly.

 

[gaijingirl]

The thing is, I am much better-off than very many around here and even I find it a struggle. I know, very well, from friends and acquaintances that is is much harder for others.

leanderman - I was talking to a mum friend of mine and we did talk about not going and she said she won't go back next year. I find ways around it through talking to them and some bribery, being organised and bringing enough treats from home and actually, I think they need to know they can't just have whatever they want anyway - but it does rather take the joy out of the day if you're constantly bickering over stuff that they see other kids getting.

That being said, once they got the message they enjoyed dancing around in the sunshine with ribbons and garlands and it was fine.

 

[leanderman]

Yep, the bickering!

Mine certainly loved the jousting and owls and city farm and South London choir.

Will take a picnic next year. Saves queueing too.

 

[nagapie]

I'd never get our oldest to skip the fair but as he knows in advance he has a set number of rides and you can stay on some of the bouncy castles for as long as you like, it's not that bad. Then he needs ice cream, his dad and I always spend far more on ourselves, yep, need to bring own food next year.

 

[gaijingirl]

I'd never get our oldest to skip the fair but as he knows in advance he has a set number of rides and you can stay on some of the bouncy castles for as long as you like, it's not that bad. Then he needs ice cream, his dad and I always spend far more on ourselves, yep, need to bring own food next year.

It used to be easier when it was just one but now they both demand equal funfair rights it's just ridiculous!

 

[Greebo]

There's always the weird and wonderful to see without having to pay; it's not every day you see somebody dressed as a fish and stone cold sober.

 

[Thimble Queen]

Did anyone else see Mr Green near the owls? He was pretty fab. All dressed up like a radish fairy. No pics unfortunately.

 

[Nanker Phelge]

I bumped into Mr Green again later on in the day. He was a funny ol' fella....