The annual Tower Hamlets Festival of Communities returns for 2018 exploring living and learning across our borough.
Hosted by Queen Mary University of London and Tower Hamlets’ organisations, the festival allows visitors to get hands on with research through games, sports, crafts and other family friendly activities and events.
The festival will run over two days starting on Saturday 12 May in Stepney Green Park with the second day on Sunday 13 May at Queen Mary’s Mile End Campus. Both days will run from 11.30am to 5pm and attendance is free.
Peter McOwan, Vice-Principal for Public Engagement and Student Enterprise at Queen Mary said: “The activities that take place are really special because they highlight the ground-breaking research from Queen Mary in a way that all ages can understand and get involved with. This year we have some excellent activities that link with our research in new and creative ways.”
Over the weekend, visitors will be able to get hands-on with Queen Mary research including trekking over a tooth using Virtual Reality and trying out an x-ray machine made of Lego.
Elsewhere you will be able to build a musical instrument out of paper, explore how trauma affects the body by designing the ultimate blood cell and play a life-size operation game.
The sporting enthusiasts can test their football skills, take part in the basketball hoop challenge or compete in the slime races.
The Festival of Communities aims to celebrate the extraordinary borough that is Tower Hamlets. A wishing tree will enable visitors to share a wish to contribute to the development of our unique community.
Wendy Watkins, from the Salvation Army, said: "The Salvation Army has been involved in the Festival of Communities for the last two years, it has been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the local people, community groups and university that make up Tower Hamlets.
“Throughout the festival we have learnt something new, built new relationships and had lots of fun. We are really looking forward to this year and celebrating the Festival of Communities with everyone."
Many local community organisations will be showcasing projects and initiatives for visitors to get involved in, including the London Air Ambulance, St Joseph’s Hospice and Cancer Research UK.
The festival is run in collaboration with Tower Hamlets Council, the Stifford Centre, Do Little, the Salvation Army, Tower Hamlets Homes and many more local organisations which will be showcasing their projects over the Festival weekend.
For more details on the festival head to the festival website.
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