A community gathering on Mitcham Fair Green marked the finale to Merton’s ‘Week of Peace’ on Saturday.
David Churchill
A community gathering on Mitcham Fair Green marked the finale to Merton’s ‘Week of Peace’ on Saturday.
Hundreds flocked to the ‘Family Fun Day’ for a talent showcase celebrating the coming together of cultures and faiths.
Spectators were wowed with an eclectic mix of African drumming, Indian dancing, gospel choir, opera, rapping and drama acts.
Host, Councillor Nick Draper, hailed the performances saying: “Merton is probably the most talented borough in the whole of London if not the whole of the world.”
Singer Ruth Brown, 18, stunned crowds with a cover of ‘I Will Always Love You’ convincing onlookers Whitney Houston had descended upon Mitcham.
The young star performed for former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, at 10 Downing Street for Week of Peace 2009.
She is also a nominee for Best Female UK Based Afro/Caribbean Act in the Black Entertainment, Film, Fashion, Television and Arts Awards (BEFFTA).
BEFFTA honours the best UK and global entertainment personalities and has had illustrious nominees like Jay Z, Alicia Keys and Alexandra Burke competing in other categories.
“I do my best in all my performances,” said Miss Brown.
“But this one here is special because it brings everyone together and everyone’s having fun together.”
An African dance and drumming act was followed by a rapping masterclass from Escape Youth Group (EYG).
EYG was founded in 2006 after 16-year-old Eugene Attram was stabbed to death in Mitcham.
It runs rap, dance and drama workshops providing young people in the community with activities to keep them off the streets.
Merton Music Foundation provided gospel overtones before the audience began jiving to Connaught Opera’s jazzy West Side Story repertoire.
The afternoon was rounded off with classical Sri-Lankan Tamil dance and a final performance from EYG.
All acts were organised by local choreography group, The Platform, which scouts and promotes emerging talent on a wider stage.
Head of The Platform, Maxine Griffiths, has also been nominated for a BEFFTA award in the Best Fashion Choreographer category.
She said: “This is all about giving young people a chance. Today is for all to come together in peace and harmony.”
Diversity and Community Cohesion Officer, Evereth Willis, said: “Today was about promoting peace and social harmony. It’s all about coexistence and appreciating difference. It shows we’re all one.
“It was also about showcasing local talent and bringing the community together.
“It is a Saturday afternoon where people could come to a free event and meet people they probably don’t see or speak to all the time, and just sit down and watch talent.
“We were very deliberate with the programme, we tried to showcase talent from across the cultural divide to show the diversity of the borough and I think we achieved that this afternoon.”
She also paid tribute to the spirit of Merton’s volunteers who ensured Peace Week’s success.
