London,
07
June
2010
|
23:00
Europe/London

‘Dalston Connected’ street party – Sunday’s street celebration in Dalston

Some great pictures to illustrate old and young enjoying summer fun in the capital

This Sunday (6 June) Hackney residents and visitors took part in a good old fashioned East End knees up to celebrate Dalston’s new transport connections.

Hackney Council’s free street party tempted in the crowds to enjoy a tea dance, world cooking and heaps of family fun in sunny Dalston.

Kids and grannies, teenagers and East London trendies all basked, barn danced, tea danced and got down in their own style to the sounds of local bands and dance acts. These included eccentric folk band, Katy Carr and the Aviators; crazy ceilidh makers, Cut a Shine; and Zong Zing All Stars – a Congolese dance band with sonic energy and winning way with a crowd.Cafe Otto saw some great business and the tea dancing was a whirl of party dresses and dancehall memories relived.

Dalston is seeing a new lease of life due to sustained investment in the town centre: transport links from Dalston Junction and the development of more than 500 new homes, including affordable homes, a new library and public archive and a new public square and space for shops and offices.

The area will also become better connected due to the opening of the new station at Dalston Junction.

Childrens theatre, jugglers, and stilt walking balloon sculpters all helped to make this a memorable day for residents and visitors, as well as the chefs who kept the Caribbean, West African and Vietnamese food coming fast.

Information stands gave residents the chance to find out about other opportunities in the borough, including a chance to talk to members of the Council’s 2012 Unit about jobs, training, volunteering and more related to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney, said: “Hackney’s new London Overground stations and improved North London line mean it’s now easier to get around the borough, and with our continued investment into Dalston town centre, there are now even more reasons to visit the area’s many cultural attractions and diverse restaurants.

“Hackney Council worked hard to secure improved transport for our borough and now we have the connections an inner London borough deserves. We would like to thank our residents for their patience during the works and to celebrate the opening of our new stations by inviting them to a free street party in the heart of Dalston.”

‘Dalston Connected’ was run by Hackney Council and supported by its partners Transport for London, the London Development Agency, Barratt Homes and the Arts Council England funded music project Global Local.

Ian Brown, Managing Director of TfL London Rail, which built the new railway, said: “This is what London Overground is all about – bringing people from London’s diverse communities together. Transport for London is proud to have played a part in the regeneration of Dalston and Hackney and in putting them both firmly on London’s Tube map.”

Peter Bishop, London Development Agency Deputy Chief Executive, said: “The London Development Agency’s partnership with Hackney is making the most of the opportunities brought to Dalston by Transport for London and the East London Line extension. The new homes, library, shops and restaurants will boost the heart of Dalston and the investment in Dalston’s public spaces will connect with its existing communities.”

Alastair Baird, Regional Managing Director of Barratt London, said:
“We are delighted to play our role in this fantastic event, which will give local people a chance to celebrate the exciting transformation of Dalston. The partnership between Barratt Homes, the LDA, TfL and Hackney Council is delivering positive change to Dalston and with the creation of Dalston Square - the largest new public square in the area for over 100 years - now underway, there is much to look forward to.”