Comedian Alexi Sayle opens Somers Town Festival of Cultures

EVEN comedian Alexei Sayle couldn’t keep the hordes away from the festivities on Saturday when he opened the Somers Town Festival of Cultures.

A crowd of barely 30 people pulled themselves away from the fun in Charlton Street long enough to listen to the stand-up, who joked: “It’s good to know I can still draw a crowd! I cycle through Somers Town most mornings, so this is a bid to stop my bike being stolen. As the area’s minor celebrity, I declare the festival open.” 

With so much going on, it was always going to be a challenge to keep people’s attention. There was live music, amusement rides, fun games, a whole host of stalls to rummage through and plenty of delicious food. 

The highlight of the afternoon saw the Maria Fidelis Convent School gospel choir entertain the crowds with a selection of soulful songs. Fittingly, pupils from the Somers Town school, which won the BBC Songs of Praise Senior School Choir of the Year Award for 2010, wrapped up their 40-minute set with Lovely Day.

Published: 14 July 2011
by STEVE BARNETT