Cally Festival 2018 picture special: ‘This party shows people how inspiring our community can be’

Cally Festival 2018: mayor of Islington Cllr Dave Poyser dancing, watched by Islington South and Finsbury MP Emily Thornberry, left. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival, in its eighth year, celebrated everything good about a neighbourhood which is sometimes blighted by an unfair reputation.

There were Borough Market-standard food stalls. There were music and poetry performances from Cally art groups. There were amazing, locally made, gifts to buy from stalls. Cally Pool even offered free swimming. Basically, there was enough to keep you occupied for the entire six-hour duration of the festival.

Russell Swallow, one of the organisers, told the Gazette: “This festival represents the community. That’s from Arsenal FC to the Institute of Physics, which is moving into the King’s Cross end of the Cally next year. We celebrate local talent, with Copenhagen Youth Project taking over our Youth Stage. It was really inspiring, seeing them show off their talent.

“I’ve seen so many people giving their time and energy, sorting out everything from kits and equipment to sponsorship. This festival has surprised London, showing people how colourful, energetic and inspiring this community can be.”

Cally Festival 2018: the N1 Women's Institute stall. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: hula hoops. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: tryouts with Times Amateur Boxing Club. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: Rainbow Creations stall. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: Steve Maxamillian on the Main Stage. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: Naughty Nineties on the World Stage. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: father and son. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: bobbies on the beat. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: story telling in Story Street. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: junior dancers. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: the Youth Stage. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: the parade. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: volunteers. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: the parade. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: the parade. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: dancing. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)

Cally Festival 2018: the Copenhagen Youth Project-sponsored Youth Stage. Picture: Siorna Ashby (Image: Archant)