GALA 2026

[Blah Blah]

Yes, that compromise is in not extending the event to two weekends, and keeping it to the one currently. 

5 hours ago, CWP said:

Has anybody else had trouble signing up to attend the community engagement event for GALA? (See screenshot)

Yes, I am getting that too, but just go anyway. I intend to. 

On 14/11/2025 at 18:59, first mate said:

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

I will talk to FOPR, and see if there is any interest for a petition from those going to the consultation tm. We just need some volunteers to get together and do the leg work. I've done political party canvassing before, and so can organise a ward by ward schedule. I think it's fair to say that any goodwill some of us had towards working with Gala has gone with this proposed expansion. They are not the same people that started the event with We Are the Fair. At least one of those people actually lived next to the park. The people running things now have no connection to the park or local area and quite frankly are taking the p*** now. Might be worth officially demanding to know where the money the council gets from the festival is actually spent as well. 

[PeckhamRose]

The consultation advertised as being last night Tuesday 18th, and to which our Councillor Renata Hamvas told me she was unable to attend, never happened because Events Team and Gala never showed up at Pod 1 Peckham Library. Cllr Hamvas is not supporting the 2nd weekend.  I then noticed in Southwark News the meeting is scheduled for tonight Wednesday 19th Nov 2025.  I can't attend. CllrVictoria Mills doesn't reply to my emails. Anyone able to go? I am unable to leave the house at this time. 

[Sue]

2 hours ago, PeckhamRose said:

The consultation advertised as being last night Tuesday 18th, and to which our Councillor Renata Hamvas told me she was unable to attend, never happened because Events Team and Gala never showed up at Pod 1 Peckham Library. Cllr Hamvas is not supporting the 2nd weekend.  I then noticed in Southwark News the meeting is scheduled for tonight Wednesday 19th Nov 2025.  I can't attend. CllrVictoria Mills doesn't reply to my emails. Anyone able to go? I am unable to leave the house at this time. 

That all seems really poor.

How could there be two different publicised dates for the consultation?

Hopefully not deliberate 🙄

[Blah Blah]

That explains why no-one was there when I went yesterday. Something else to complain about this evening then, and given that at least one adjacent ward is having their Labour Party branch AGM this evening (the one Renata Hamvas belongs to), may well be raised in passing conversation there😉 . 

[Penguin68]

2 hours ago, Sue said:

Hopefully not deliberate

You thinK?

[Blah Blah]

Trying to get to the bottom of the confusion. The events team email, the council website and the letter we all got through the door, says the consultations are this evening. I went along yesterday because it looks as though word of mouth had sent some people there on the wrong day (myself included). So not an error by the council on the date, but definitely a problem in letting people register their interest in attending. Hopefully that clears things up.

[fishboy]

A letter, you say - we haven't had one of those (again...).  Has anyone seen any blue notices on the park railings? Or an advert in a 'local paper'? All things that Gala are supposed to be doing as part of their application, according to the consultation document. And will there be any penalties if they don't? 😖

Is there any update from those who attended either the online or physical PR tick box events? Such ridiculous times and location, why not hybrid & local?

[Blah Blah]

I went and will post a summary in morning. It was a farce. But the good that came out of it was the start of a physical petition and I will get started on a strategy group for an orgnised opposition to the extention. So watch this space and if anyone is interested in being part of that strategy group, please DM me. 

[first mate]

7 hours ago, Blah Blah said:

I went and will post a summary in morning. It was a farce. But the good that came out of it was the start of a physical petition and I will get started on a strategy group for an orgnised opposition to the extention. So watch this space and if anyone is interested in being part of that strategy group, please DM me. 

Blah Blah, many of us are grateful to you for taking the first steps towards saving the park from further privatisation and exploitation. A truly valuable community service.

I do hope Cllrs Hamvas and Mills can find the time to advocate for the future of the park, rather than seemingly view it as a useful events space for private hire money-spinner for a cash-strapped council.

 

[oldermum]

I have written and complained about the 'consultation'. The notice given was not adequate. Placing the in person consultation in Peckham means that it was not really accessible to many people - e.g.older people, some women and people with some disabilities that might not want to travel some distance to this venue on a cold dark evening. They effectively excluded many local residents. The offer of one online consultation is also not adequate and would not be accessible to people without digital access or who work during the day.  I think that this breaches the council's duties under the Equality Act.

I did get a helpful response from Jon Hartley, Dulwich Hill. Sadly he has not been selected to stand in next year's elections. Our other councillor, Maggie Browning, is on maternity leave and there appears to be no cover. I also emailed the Leader and Ellie Reeves.

Happy to support an online petition. I assume that it needs to be on the Southwark website.

[Penguin68]

1 hour ago, oldermum said:

I assume that it needs to be on the Southwark website.

I wouldn't hold your breathe that it would be allowed. They are not there to facilitate protest. 

[fishboy]

4 hours ago, oldermum said:

I have written and complained about the 'consultation'.

My understanding is that the "Community engagement sessions" aren't technically part of the consultation per se, and are not a necessity. They are basically PR / tick box exercises held by Gala to give the impression that they have 'reached out' to the local community, rather than a required action by the council - hence why there was (I presume?) no council representation on them. And as Gala don't like awkward questions, confrontation or home truths, of course they won't make it easy for people to attend...!

The 'consultation' is the online recording of local residents views / objections by the council (which is a required action), so that they too can tick a box and then grant a licence anyway, irrespective of those overwhelming objections (as they've done for the past two years).

The bit I can't understand is how a valid consultation can be carried out when the details of the event are unknown. Even whether the first Sunday is going to be a "concert" or a "festival" is "TBC"! How can anyone be expected to make informed comments on something they have no information on?

@Blah BlahIf I can help with some kind of action I will, but tbh after spending a lot of time and effort over the last few years battling Gala & the council events team just for them carry on regardless, I am slightly out of motivation...