A dog beauty competition, army cadet recruiters and police recruiters took over Battersea Park last Sunday as part of five weekends of summer fun happening in Wandsworth.
The beauty contest for dogs ran from midday until 5:30pm and was opened by Wandsworth’s mayor while recruiters for The Army Cadets and the Met police engaged attendees as part of Armed Forces Day.
Wandsworth Council along with Enable, a non-for-profit health and leisure organisation, arranged the weekends which take place at various parks across the borough.
Enable Events Marketing Manager Emmaline Gordon said: “Most of the summer in Battersea Park is completely free to attend and so the idea is just providing and entertainment for people who live in the local area.
“We’ve been very blessed with good weather so there has been a strong attendance. It’s been very vibrant, buzzy and busy and the events will be back next year.”
Head of the Battersea Army Cadet Detachment, Leslie said: “We’re here just to share a little bit about what we do.
“We’ve got a first aid stand, a bit of field craft, people can wear a bit of camo, try on some of our gear and we got a bit of music as well.
“Our cadets have been going around, walking around with leaflets, talking to folks and then of course show casing what we do and if people ask questions, we give them a bit of information.
“There’s been a few people coming over.”
Metropolitan Police sergeant Sanghera said: “We talk to members of the public and we’ll engage with them.
“We’ll ask how they’re doing, get them to have a look at our police vehicles and if they’re interested invite them to a ride along which is pretty good and then we’ll start to talk to them about the roots into the police service.
“So far we’ve had a good five people that we will probably invite back.”
For the final weekend at Battersea Park, 9th – 10th July, there will be screenings of the Wimbledon finals, where visitors can join in the beer garden.
There will be free entry and live coverage from 14:00 with all ages welcome, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Wandsworth Park will host the final weekend of the summer with live theatre and art and fitness classes on the 23rd of July.
On Sunday 24th there will be performances of The Princess and the Frog, and The Princess and the Pea alongside art and fitness classes in Furzedown Recreation Ground.
