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Green Days 2006 proved a great success, from the moment Rageh Omaar – helped by his young son - opened the Festival to loud cheers and applause. Despite the rival attraction of England's first World Cup match on the Saturday afternoon and the total closure of the District and Piccadilly lines on both days, thousands of people soaked up the unbroken sunshine and the village green atmosphere.
"The atmosphere was terrific all weekend and Green Days just seems to get better and better" said Father Kevin Morris. With Rageh Omaar, he judged the children's fancy dress competition. This year there was a "green" theme – Endangered Species - reflecting the Festival's 'Keep Green Days Green' campaign, as part of London Sustainability Weeks.
For the first time, Father Kevin's own son, three-month-old Wilfred, took part and no one complained when he took second place, dressed as an all-black Kiwi – an endangered species when playing rugby against Wales!
The winners were:-
Ages 4 and under
1st Jennifer Critchlow (aged 2): Smoker/Tony Blair
2nd Wilfred Morris (3 months): Kiwi
3rd Isabella Thomas (2 and a half): Endangered Butterfly
Age 5 to 7
1st Charlotte Timmins (5): The Rhino Game Warden
2nd William C. Probert (7): Gorilla
3rd= Oliver Simkin (7): Tiger
3rd= Phoebe Rigden (7): Snow Leopard
Age 8 plus:
1st Stella Wharmby (8): African Elephant
2nd Maisie Preston (10): Smart Sack
3rd= James and Katie Stanbridge (8): Pandas
3rd= Clara de Montfort (9): Recycled Panda
Prizes were also presented for the Turnham Green Terrace Treasure Hunt, sponsored by Disney and the estate agent, Fletchers, and supported by 21 of the Terrace traders. Children had to spot pictures of endangered species in the shop windows and say which was their favourite and why.
The winner was Laurence Tritton (6) of Orchard House School. His favourite endangered species was the gorilla - "because my Daddy is like one and I love him!" He won a star prize Disney goody bag.
The entertainment began with big-sound jazz of the 18-piece BJO, all resplendent in Bedford Park Festival tee-shirts. They were followed at 2pm by the Vilensky String Quartet, playing during England's match against Paraguay, which substantially reduced the crowds on the green. Football fans were able to watch the match on TVs in the beer tent or under the trees, while others continued to watch the children's 5-a-side Football Competition, sponsored by the estate agents Bushells.
In the under-13s contest on the Saturday, the winners of the Bushells Cup were AC Terry's Homefield Legacy, who beat the Mighty Midgetsin the final, 2-0. The winners of the younger competition on the Sunday were Hounslow Borough 'B's who beat Turnham Green Rockers after a 0-0 draw and a penalty shootout.
After the World Cup match, there were two rock bands – The Bats, with Alan 'The Milkman' Perkins on drums, followed by the younger, louder sound of Uncle Joe, who attracted a large crowd of teenagers.
There were new attractions on the Green. A Win-a-Car contest, sponsored by Chiswick Honda, encouraged people to try to crack a safe with a seven-figure-combination lock in the hope of winning a "green" hybrid car. No one succeeded but it raised £500 at £1 a go.
The new-look High Roller Tombola proved particularly popular, with bigger and better prizes, including tickets for a QPR match, a Carluccios hamper and lots of vouchers generously donated by Chiswick firms. It raised over £2,000, as did the enlarged Win-a-Meal contest, sponsored by ChiswickW4.com – thanks to the 48 restaurants which gave free meals, including La Trompette, Sam's Brasserie and Le Vacherin.
The Park Club provided its Bouncy Castle on both days and Andreas Georghiou of Turnham Green Terrace ran his own stall on the Sunday, as well as donating all the strawberries and cream.
These innovations – and the hard work of dozens of people, from within and outside the St Michaels congregation - meant that despite a drop in takings at the beer and refreshments tents and the Mackens barbecue, we raised slightly more money on this Green Days weekend than last year.
On the Sunday, there was a good crowd for the Open Air Mass, supported by Off-Beat Brass, and for a spirited musical performance by the Arts Educational School. The ever-popular Pop Idol contest was a big hit again this year, hosted by actor Ian Pirie and judged by Natalie Bareham of the Arts Ed London, Kate Stevenson of the Guitar Institute, and Kasia Bialek of Sweaty Betty in Turnham Green Terrace, the event sponsor.
The solo section was won by the singer-guitarist George Morgan, age 13, from the Harrodian School, performing his own composition Standing Tall. Second was Imogen Wilson, age 12, from Latymer Upper School, who sang Electricity from Billy Elliot.
The group section was won by Sophie, Rosa, Imogen, Kiera, and Helena, all aged 11, from St Peter's Primary School, who performed the Sugababes' Red Dress. Second were Lydia, Izzy, Marie, Helena and Bethan, all 11, from Belmont Primary School, who performed Barbie Girl.
The dance section was won by Daniel and Hannah Pirie, aged 12 and almost 9, who are at school in High Wycombe and danced to Do Your Thing. Runner-up was last year's winner, 10-year-old Lewis Walker of Derwentwater School.
The final performer of the weekend was local singing star Helen Astrid, who performed a range of songs with her backing group, bringing Green Days to a rousing close.
Green Days photos by David Beresford and Torin Douglas.
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