What’s on this Weekend and soon
Whistle for the Somme – 7:15am 1 July
A number of War Memorials around the borough will be the poignant setting for a short service around 7:15am on 1 July to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme. Each service will begin with an explanation of the importance of 1 July 1916, leading up to the blowing of a whistle at 7:30am followed by a one-minute silence and prayers. Three short whistle blasts will be blown to commemorate the precise moment 100,000 British and Commonwealth troops went over the top as part of the big push designed to shorten World War One. War Memorials in the borough where Whistle for the Somme is due to take place are.
- Beckenham, junction of High Street/Croydon Road, BR3 1BN
- Bickley St Georges, Bickley Park Road, BR1 2BE
- Biggin Hill War Memorial, Main Road, TN16 3DY
- Bromley War Memorial, Martins Hill, Church Road, BR2 0EG
- Chislehurst War Memorial, Bromley Road, BR7 5PH
- Keston War Memorial, Heathfield Road, BR2 6HU
- Orpington War Memorial, High Street, BR6 0NQ
- Penge War Memorial, High Street, SE20 7HB
- St Mark’s Church, Bromley, Westmoreland Road, BR2 0TB
- St Mary’s Church Shortlands, Kingswood Road, BR2 0HG
- West Wickham War Memorial, Corkscrew Hill, BR4 9QT
- St. Mary’s Church, St. Mary Cray High Street, BR5 3NL.
Royal Academy Burlington Gardens Festival – Saturday 2 July – 12 noon
A whole afternoon of fun street entertainment at the Royal Academy, with activities to amuse all ages. A Yinka Shonibare-designed wrap is now covering the venue while it undergoes building works; so many of the activities are inspired by the artist and his work. Try a Nigerian-inspired menu in the pop-up Artist’s Dining Room, make your mark on the silver ink wall, join an interactive Samba parade through the RA’s hidden spaces and create a colourful family portrait in a textiles and print workshop. There’ll also be food stalls, craft beer, smoothies and ice cream on sale
Formula E – Battersea Park, Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 July
One of our prettiest south London parks doesn’t seem a very sensible place for motor racing, except that the cars in this race are different. They’re still fast (up to 150 mph) and they’re still loud (80 decibels at high speed) but they’re run on electricity, which means zero emissions. Alongside the racing there will also be live music, driver autograph sessions and a children’s zone.
Transport by Design – Sunday 3 July – Regent Street – 12 noon
Experience the past, present and future of transport design in London at this free afternoon of family-friendly fun that’s taking over Regent Street. Visitors will see a horse-drawn bus and vintage posters; a showcase of moquette, which is the fabric used across the London Transport network; TED-style talks on technology and design and plenty more.
Festa Julina, Hornimans Museum, Forest Hill – Sunday 3 July
The Horniman Festival of Brazil opens with a family-friendly party featuring live music, a Brazilian square dance, street performances, games, workshops and much, much more.
Hampton Court Flower Show 5 to 10 July
If you are taking part in the summer project this event could give you a few ideas.
Explore the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion – now and until Sunday 9 October
The annual unveiling of the Serpentine’s temporary pavilion is another welcome sign that the London summer season is fully up and running. This time it’s Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) behind the design: an “unzipped wall” constructed from 1,802 pultruded fibreglass frames stacked on top of each other. The pavilion will be a focal point for events throughout the summer, and visitors who make the effort to explore it should also set aside some time to visit the four temporary summer houses that have also been erected. Grouped around Queen Caroline’s Temple (staff will tell you how to get there), they are designed by other notable architects and provide additional spaces in which to relax in warm weather. Free.
