GALA 2026

[Blah Blah]

Licensing application for 2026 has gone in and they want to extend the event from 4 to 7 days accross two weekends. 

There are some proposed significant changes to be aware of:

 

Event proposal moves to two separate weekends

Number of days of the festival moves from 4 to 7 meaning also a change in the original licence is required

Expected footfall in the park over the two weekends around 60,000. 

 

Dear Peckham Rye Park Stakeholder,

 

Re: STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION – event application: ‘GALA and On The Rye Festival 2026’ – ref: SWKEVE000935

 

We are writing to you because you have previously identified yourself as someone who wishes to be informed about event applications for Peckham Rye Park, or we think that you might have an interest in knowing about this particular event application.

 

Please be aware that the council are in receipt of an event application for: GALA and On The Rye Festival 2026’

 

In line with the council’s Outdoor Events Policy and events application process we are carrying out consultation regarding this application.

 

The following reference documents are attached to this email:

 

1. Consultation information
2. APPENDIX A – site plan weekend 1
3. APPENDIX B – site plan weekend 2
4. APPENDIX C – Production Schedule
5. APPENDIX D – 2025 Noise Management Plan

 

The consultation is open from Tuesday 4 November and will close at midnight on Tuesday 2 December 2025

 

Community engagement sessions will take place on Wednesday 19 November.

 

If you would like to comment on application: SWKEVE000935 and take part in the online consultation, please visit:

 

www.southwark.gov.uk/GALA2026

 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

 

 

Kind Regards,
Southwark Events Team

Environment and Leisure

PO Box 64529
London

SE1P 5LX

020 7525 3639

@SouthwarkEvents

APPENDIX A - SITE PLAN weekend 1.pdf APPENDIX B - SITE PLAN weekend 2.pdf APPENDIX C - PRODUCTION SCHEDULE.pdf

And just to add that councillor Renata Hamvas chairs the licensing committee. Worth contacting her with views on ammendments to the original license. I am fairly sure she won't grant any amendments, but just in case.....

[first mate]

Surprise, surprise. It didn't take them long, did it. This will be something of a test as to how much the council really care about parks and the environment. A footfall of 60,000. Are they mad? There is no way this park is designed for or can sustain that sort of use.

Just had a look at the schedule. If allowed to go ahead, this will involve a large slice of the park (not the common) sectioned off and out of use for three weeks of May and the first week of June.

Here's an idea, why not trial the festival in one of the other Southwark Parks, so the 'goodness' can be shared around the borough?

Edited November 5 by first mate

[Dulwichway]

Regardless of what the majority think, (although they never get a voice in any council matters) the council will go ahead with this regardless. Wonga! 

[Gooseygreeny]

I live right next to the Rye and literally never notice any negatives of Gala. Another week sounds lovely for the people that enjoy it. 

Also I have a PhD in ecology and can confirm that the rye is providing virtually no environmental benefits. It's almost entirely grass. 

[first mate]

There are lots of trees, shrubs, a pond and a large area of wild grass all of it which are habitat for a range of flora and fauna.

Do you mean the common- that is mostly grass, some of it laid over an old car park? However, the festival won't use that bit, they prefer to be "nestled" within the park (more aesthetically pleasing for festival goers, who like to be 'at one with nature' while they enjoy the booming bass, and great marketing for the festival owners who can also use the plentiful trees as a sound barrier- it saves them forking out to mitigate the noise.

[Blah Blah]

9 hours ago, first mate said:

Surprise, surprise. It didn't take them long, did it. This will be something of a test as to how much the council really care about parks and the environment. A footfall of 60,000. Are they mad? There is no way this park is designed for or can sustain that sort of use.

Just had a look at the schedule. If allowed to go ahead, this will involve a large slice of the park (not the common) sectioned off and out of use for three weeks of May and the first week of June.

Here's an idea, why not trial the festival in one of the other Southwark Parks, so the 'goodness' can be shared around the borough?

Every year they ask for more and every year it is an exhausting process pushing back on that for local residents and councillors. What annoys me is that at the post event consultation/ feedback this year, I specifically asked them if the rumours around applying for two weekends next year were true. They told me no. So that was a lie. Anyway, we go again. 

[first mate]

13 hours ago, Blah Blah said:

I specifically asked them if the rumours around applying for two weekends next year were true. They told me no. So that was a lie. Anyway, we go again. 

So that suggests the consultations with 'community' are just a tick box exercise where information given cannot be relied on. Not a good look.

I hope Renata Hamvas who is the local councillor, as well as licensing, finds a way to stop the wholesale, spreadingmonetisation of an important green space in summer. If they get this it'll end up like Brockwell Park before you know it.

[Peckham native]

On 05/11/2025 at 17:34, Gooseygreeny said:

I live right next to the Rye and literally never notice any negatives of Gala. Another week sounds lovely for the people that enjoy it. 

Also I have a PhD in ecology and can confirm that the rye is providing virtually no environmental benefits. It's almost entirely grass. 

This may be somewhat out of date but virtually no environmental benefit & almost entirely grass... really?

https://www.gigl.org.uk/sinc/sobi09/

Description

Peckham Rye was established as an open space in the late 19th century and includes several valuable habitat features spread across the park. The park is a Grade II Listed landscape, and has recently been restored with assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund. A small community garden within the site is managed by the Friends of Peckham Rye. Peckham Rye Park won a Green Flag Award again for 2022. The site is used by the Southwark Health Walks project as part of a Walking the Way to Health (WHI) scheme.

Wildlife

This large park has several valuable habitat features. The most important of these is the only remaining above-ground section of the River Peck and the most natural stream in the borough. The stream is heavily shaded by native, unmanaged wet woodland dominated by alder, ash and pedunculated oak with a ground cover of pendulous sedge and bramble. Alder dominated woodland is a rare habitat in Southwark. Although somewhat altered with weirs, other artificial structures and ornamental planting, some sections are still in their natural banks and includes yellow flag, watercress, water figwort and cuckooflower. The largest of three ponds supports marginal vegetation including hemp agrimony. A variety of waterfowl nest on the wooded island, including tufted duck, coot, Canada goose and mallard. Substantial flocks of gulls visit the park in winter and bats are likely to forage over the water. Small blocks of predominantly native woodland, mostly on the boundary between the Park and the Common, are dominated by oak and ash with a well-developed understory, but sparse ground flora. Spring bulbs have been planted in previous years. These and several dense shrubberies support a good bird population and small numbers of pipistrelle bats are present. Infrequently mown grassland is located in one large area and was seeded in 2009. It's composition includes giant fescue, ladies bedstraw, meadowsweet, black knapweed and wild carrot. The rest of the park consists of amenity grassland with some fine mature trees.

 

[kiera]

Perhaps Gooseygreeny was not familiar with the wildlife before Gala was imposed on the park, since when its value to wildlife has deteriorated. The Park had never been disturbed before, as the council had respected it as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, so only the Common was licensed by them as a site for events.

The first time Gala held their event, there was a tree with woodpeckers nesting in it right in the middle of the main field they used and thrushes, blackbirds and great tits nesting within the shrubs and trees immediately surrounding the field. The woodpeckers were thriving on ants from the anthills in the grass. To those of us who used to enjoy watching the wildlife, it was very obviously a Site of Importance for a variety of birds. Despite being accessed by the public and their dogs, it had been relatively undisturbed,  which was one of the main reasons why it was so special and why I have been opposed to the Gala festival being held during the bird nesting season.

[Blah Blah]

On 09/11/2025 at 21:18, kiera said:

Perhaps Gooseygreeny was not familiar with the wildlife before Gala was imposed on the park, since when its value to wildlife has deteriorated. The Park had never been disturbed before, as the council had respected it as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, so only the Common was licensed by them as a site for events.

The first time Gala held their event, there was a tree with woodpeckers nesting in it right in the middle of the main field they used and thrushes, blackbirds and great tits nesting within the shrubs and trees immediately surrounding the field. The woodpeckers were thriving on ants from the anthills in the grass. To those of us who used to enjoy watching the wildlife, it was very obviously a Site of Importance for a variety of birds. Despite being accessed by the public and their dogs, it had been relatively undisturbed,  which was one of the main reasons why it was so special and why I have been opposed to the Gala festival being held during the bird nesting season.

There is now reseach emerging into the impact of festivals on nesting birds and I will be collating that for the consultations this time round. That research is showing that walls of suddenly imposed sound can send birds away never to return to their nests. Some species are affected more than others. Starlings are particularly sensitive. 

[first mate]

There seem to be all sorts of blocks for this event being mounted on the Common, one is that it was 'designed especially' for the current site, though the organisers seem to have had absolutely no problem rejigging their plans to the original site footprint to expand the event to what we had last year- which I think really imposed on a large part of the park and spoilt the feel.

I would suggest pressing very hard for relocation to the Common ( also closer to transport links). There must be a way, surely? If not, then wholesale relocation to a more suitable venue. I just do not think the park should be subjected to a festival-goer footfall of 60,000 plus over the summer.

Edited Wednesday at 15:24 by first mate

[Angelina]

I completely agree with you . Its as if they have their foot in the door and are just pushing and pushing.

It's ridiculous. It's not the right space. they clearly do not give any regard to the environment or they would move it.

 

[fishboy]

It struck me last year that any dialogue with Gala themselves e.g. at the box-ticking "Community Engagement Sessions" is completely pointless, as they are just a business trying to do whatever is necessary to hold their event; the park is just a venue to them, a necessary facility, and they'll say anything to secure it. They don't care about it's welfare or upkeep, over and above making sure there's no complaints big enough to prevent them using it again. I've found that discussing issues with them has just led to them using that info to counteract that issue - effectively helping them strengthen their position.

What I find frustrating is that the council, despite being the body that decides on this, and should be representing local residents, takes no active part in any discussions or presentations, so there's no way to engage with them apart from an online consultation which is clearly also a box ticking exercise, bearing in mind for the last two years the overwhelming majority (97% of respondents) objected to the event. Why are Gala running the community meetings? Why do Gala run the issue hotline? If the council really care about the park and the surrounding community, and still allow this type of event, they should be way more hands on with taking responsibility for it's running, not just handing it all over to a profit making company. 

Sorry, probably tldr but so sad about the repeated negative impact on our (once beautiful & peaceful) park and just exasperated that there's so little that can be done to halt it. This is just the start, it WILL turn into another Brockwell Park, and Gala & the council just don't care.

[Penguin68]

17 hours ago, Angelina said:

It's ridiculous. It's not the right space. they clearly do not give any regard to the environment or they would move it.

No, because they are a business and their job is to make a profit. It is the local council, on our behalf, who should be giving regard to the environment. Gala, not unreasonably, might take the view that it is the council's role to protect the environment of Southwark, and if they have no objection to this scheme then frankly why shouldn't they (Gala) go ahead?

And the council also seems to take the view that they are focused on revenue and not the environment. Otherwise they might listen to the environmental pleas here. The mistake you are making is assuming that either party to this transaction (we are clearly only bystanders) gives a flying fig for the environment when there is money in the offing.

[Angelina]

They clearly don’t. 
I would expect better from the council. 
Rather dismally, it sounds like any complaints or requests just fall on deaf ears.

[fishboy]

A reminder that this is the post-festival litter I collected a week or so after the Council had signed off Gala's litter picking activity and reopened the park to the public. For clarity this was a result of just wandering around the stage, tent & toilet areas in the south of the site for about an hour. Not difficult to see, far from a focused, professional 'pick', and not comprehensive - there will have been loads more spread over the rest of the site, which is probably still there now. Apart from being unpleasant, there's a safety aspect here - kids & dogs picking up bits of glitter balls, shards of plastic cups, baggies containing white powder?? I collected a similar amount the previous year. 

I contacted Charlie Simm (Events Team) for her reaction (cc'd Renata Hamvas & Victoria Mills, Peckham Rye councillors) and received no response. When VM thankfully followed up as to all why the litter picking wasn't satisfactory, and what actions were planned to remedy this, CS just escalated it as an official complaint. This complaint was dismissed a few months later with the comment that, apart from the cable ties, there was no proof that the litter had come from the festival. RH has remained silent throughout all my correspondence.

I've considered doing a comprehensive litter survey before & after the event to categorically guage the impact of the festival, using metre squares and approved methodology, maybe even inviting relevant students as a project, but I feel whatever the results, they would just be ignored by the council - completely pointless.

[first mate]

My goodness, that is a shocking lack of care shown by the Council and individual Councillors. I had thought Cllr Hamvas would fight to preserve and protect Peckham Rye and the park environment. How can we now possibly trust this Council to do this?

Cllr Rose, who was the Cabinet Member in charge of all this has a lot to answer for.

[Jules-and-Boo]

the real question is what to do about it - who to hold accountable and who is actually willing to engage, or will it escalate to residents taking legal action, as with Brockwell Park last year?

it could be worth connecting with their group, although I think they are Lambeth, joint forces may be more powerful.

 

[CPR Dave]

Was the white powder any good?

[Blah Blah]

The other thing is that the money the council makes from the festival is not spent in the local area, whereas money made from events in other parks are. Renata Hamvas would have to approve any change to the premises licence before the events team can consider a license for the proposal in the current form. There needs to be an organised local pushback this time, to at least stop that second weekend being granted. I am thinking along the lines of a door to door petition. There are local elections next May. Lot's of opportunity to make this an election issue for impacted wards around the park. Just need to be orgaised. 

[first mate]

Blah Blah, great idea- we need a leader and organiser to get this started.