The sun is shining, we’re just over halfway through 2025, and this time last year we were welcoming people to Long Meadow for Gipsy Hill’s second ever Village Fete! We’re feeling all nostalgic as we take a look back at that lovely sunny Sunday in 2024, and everything else that happened in SE19 last year.
Sing-Along-A-Rock-Night
We kicked the year off with a night of classic rock songs, power ballads, indie anthems and more in a mass sing-a-long at Gipsy Hill Brewery, raising funds for community projects in the area. With a poptastic music quiz and retro gameshows, it was the ultimate interactive night out!
Greening on Gipsy Hill & Cleaning on Gipsy Road!
In May we brought some joy to a little unloved corner of Gipsy Hill with the help of a Cleaner Green Safer grant. Three planters, specially designed for the space next to the petrol garage, now welcome neighbours and their friends as they leave Gipsy Hill station, or make their way up the hill, and provide some much needed greenery! Huge thanks to Southwark Council for funding the project.
Gipsy Hill wasn’t the only street shown some love that month, as Gipsy Road welcomed it’s first litter picking station, thanks to The 2 Minute Foundation. The 2 Minute Litter Pick campaign encourages those to protect and nurture their local area, whether that is the street that they live on, their favourite park or woodland area. If you’re in the area, please spare 2 minutes (or more!) to help keeping Gipsy Road looking it’s best!
Gipsy Hill Village Fete
After a successful crowdfund, and with the support of local sponsors, July saw the Gipsy Hill Village Fete return to our very own Long Meadow. It was a day of fun (and sun!) in SE19, with the return of the Gipsy Hill dog show, live music from our talented community, traditional fete games, local food & drink, and more! As ever, we couldn’t have brought this incredible event to Gipsy Hill without the help of our wonderful community, and especially the many volunteers who gave up their time to help make sure the day was a success.
Oktoberfest
As October neared it was time to celebrate the end-of-summer harvest with the third annual Friends of Gipsy Hill Oktoberfest. With live music performances from local bands, beer from Gipsy Hill Brewing Co., and food from Gipsy Hill Smokehouse, it was a fabulous afternoon spent in the Gipsy Hill Station Garden, welcoming in the autumn months in true Bavarian style!
Fanny the Cat calendar & fundraiser
We honoured our favourite Gipsy Hill Station feline last year with the annual Fanny the Cat calendar! As thanks for all the joy Fanny the Cat brings to her neighbours travelling through Gipsy Hill station, the calendar raised funds to support her welfare. Featuring a photo for every month taken by Fanny’s many friends, the Fanny the Cat calendar is proving to be the purrfect Christmas gift for Fanny the Cat fans and loved ones!
Community Christmas Tree
Thanks to the generosity of our local businesses and wonderful community, we welcomed another fabulous festive season to Gipsy Hill in December, accompanied with a community Christmas tree dressed with neighbourhood-made decorations! Throughout the month Friends of Gipsy Hill hosted a programme of performances around the tree, with our talented local community bringing plenty of festive joy as we got ready to welcome in the new year.
Thank You!
Huge thanks as ever to everyone who helped us bring these events to Gipsy Hill last year, and all of the wonderful local volunteers who help keep the Gipsy Hill Station Garden, Gipsy Hill, and Gipsy Road looking their best for us all. This year is proving to be just as full of fun and community spirit as ever, and we can’t wait to continue to celebrate all the wonders of Gipsy Hill with our friends and neighbours!
Friends of Gipsy Hill 