GALA 2026

[MrsR]

Ellie Reeves was there with other Labour Councillors and candidates - They were only meeting there before going off to canvas locally. I went and spoke briefly to Tori Griffiths who told me that Renata and Victoria (Dulwich Hill Councillors) were aware of the issue and intend to vote again expansion of the gala.  She said I could contact her and/or them regarding concerns.

[fishboy]

On 11/12/2025 at 10:23, Gooseygreeny said:

People seem to think the rye is shut for at least a month. Here's me running around the south end of the park two days before Gala this year. No problem running around the gardens at all.

There's quite a difference between going for a run around the footpaths and trying to sit quietly for an afternoon in a wide, grassy area and enjoying the peace & nature. The other two grassy areas in the park are used for sports, and both had barriered trackway running through them. The Parkrun had to be cancelled for at least three weeks, iirc.

I'm concerned by your continued reference to "the rye" - the event is held in the park, not on the rye (common). There is a big difference, despite the organisers and council artificially amalgamating the whole area when trying to convince everyone that it's only a small area that is closed off. The railings & gates enclosing the park are a big clue...

[first mate]

I would add that the significantly increased event structure of last year, with trackway everywhere as well as the huge metal barriers, completely changes the feel of the park.

I agree with Fishboy that there is a convenient blending of park with the Common, to give the impression that only a small section is used. 
 

I still do not understand why this event cannot be moved wholesale to the Common. It would be closer to transport hubs and all other events seem to take place on the Common.

[CPR Dave]

Perhaps they would run into the issue that Lambeth had if they put it on the  Rye - maybe they would need planning permission for change of use if more than 28 days of permitted development are used up for all the other events plus this. So perhaps emphasising that the two areas are distinct from each other actually helps the council.

[first mate]

It says on the Southwark site that the decision on extending the event to two weekends, with a large slice of park inaccessible to the public for over a month, is imminent ( publication due 31January). Does anyone know the decision?

Edited yesterday at 07:59 by first mate

[Tori Griffiths]

Hello! My understanding is that the second weekend will NOT be happening this year. The first weekend will go ahead, as in previous years. Tori Griffiths (Labour councillor candidate)

[first mate]

Hi Tori, thanks for that welcome news. Do you know when this decision will be reported/ confirmed on the official Southwark site?

[Angelina]

2 hours ago, Tori Griffiths said:

Hello! My understanding is that the second weekend will NOT be happening this year.

While good news in itself, does this indicate that the council have listened to the residents and decided that the second weekend will not be going ahead at all?
or that there is an appetite for the 2nd weekend but the council have deferred it to next year?  

[Tori Griffiths]

Hi Angelina - whilst I’m not close enough to this decision (as a candidate not a councillor), I would hope there will be public consultation if this situation arises again next year. As a local resident, I will push for this, if I do become a councillor.

2 hours ago, first mate said:

Hi Tori, thanks for that welcome news. Do you know when this decision will be reported/ confirmed on the official Southwark site?

Hello - I will ask for this to be updated as soon as possible, as I appreciate people will be looking for this info!

[first mate]

 

Timely confirmation that Gala 2026 will be limited to one weekend is needed. The Gala website indicates the extension is still in the offing.

GALA will return in 2026 on the following dates:

Friday 22nd May
Saturday 23rd May
Sunday 24th May

 

In addition, the following event days are also planned to be hosted on the event site in 2026:

Bank Holiday Monday 25th May – On the Rye Festival – a free to attend, community event

Friday 29th May – Afrobeats Festival
Saturday 30th May – Mahrajan Festival
Sunday 31st May – Festival show or Concert show

*subject to licence

[Sue]

A free community event is good, isn't it?

[first mate]

In it's own right a free event is potentially a nice idea- although reports from last year were not that positive. But, a free event in this case is not in my view worth the price of continued expansion of this event and privatisation of park space over the summer months. 

It will be interesting to see if Southwark has declined to licence the further three days (meaning 7 in all over 2 concecutive weekends). The decision is meant to be in but I cannot find it.