Winter festival makes Woodberry Down sparkle
Hundreds of residents joined a pint-sized Christmas choir to light up one of Hackney’s biggest communities this week as Woodberry Down marked the festive season with lights, music and a hearty lunch.
Talented youngsters from Woodberry Down Primary School kicked off the annual Winterfest celebrations with Christmas songs on Wednesday, 9 December, after the Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville, switched on the area’s festive lights.
Families enjoyed a free Christmas lunch with their neighbours, while children were entertained with face painting and music. Residents also got the opportunity to hear about jobs, training opportunities and local activities – and the chance to quiz Council officers about the area’s regeneration.
Woodberry Down is one of Europe’s biggest regeneration schemes, with more than 5,500 new modern, high-quality homes being built by a partnership of Hackney Council, Berkeley Homes, Genesis Housing Association and local residents.
The landmark project will also create three new public parks, two schools and a children’s centre, as well as a new library and community centre for local people.
Hundreds of new homes have been completed during the last year, while Sir David Attenborough opened the stunning Woodberry Wetlands wildlife haven – opening up 17 hectares of open water and green space to the public for the first time in nearly 200 years.
For more information on the regeneration of Woodberry Down, visit the Woodberry Down regeneration page.
It’s been an incredible year at Woodberry Down and I’m proud of the desperately needed new homes and jobs we’re delivering, as well as the new park, public spaces and shops we have seen open. It was fantastic to join local people to turn on the Christmas lights and hear from the wonderful Woodberry Down Primary School choir.
On behalf of everyone at Berkeley we would like to wish the community a wonderful festive period. Winterfest is always a brilliant opportunity for local residents, old and new, to come together and celebrate and we look forward to seeing everyone again for more events in 2017.