1. Totally Thames
Totally Thames is a month-long festival that celebrates the river and its rich history with various events throughout the month.
One is The Great River Race - London’s annual river marathon, which brings together 300 boats and 1,500 people from around the world to raise money for charities.
Traditional-style boats race each other over the 21.6-mile course from Millwall to Ham, with many of the crews in fancy dress.
2. Barnes Bookfest
The mighty Barnes Book Fest 2024 returns with an impressive programme of talks by bestselling authors and leading specialist writers of all genres, including Barnes’ very own Bernard O’Keeffe, Hayley Mills in conversation with Michael Billington, Miriam Margolyes and fellow actress Patricia Hodge, and many more.
Sept 20-22, various venues; tickets £12-£18 from barnesbookfest.org or The Barnes Bookshop, 98 Church Road, SW13 ODQ.
3. Party in the Park
Expect an evening of blues, jazz, boogie-woogie and ragtime at The Holly Lodge Centre’s annual extravaganza at Pembroke Lodge.
Enjoy welcome drinks on the terrace followed by two hours of live music, a raffle and a buffet supper with wine, all in the beautiful surroundings of Richmond Park.
Proceeds go to the centre which specialises in connecting children and adults with special needs with nature.
Sept 11, 7 pm, £68.50pp; thehollylodgecentre.org.uk
4. Barnes Food Fair
Organised by the Barnes Community Association, Barnes Food Fair is a dazzling display of delicious things to eat, drink and buy, plus live music and entertainment.
New for this year is a programme of events, including a cooking demo by award-winning chef Vanessa Marx of Richmond’s Bingham Riverhouse.
Sept 14, 10 am-5 pm. Online advance tickets are £9 (£7 for BCA members) or £9.50 (for all) on the day, with a share of the proceeds going to the Barnes Foodbank; barnes-ca.org
5. Wheeler Dealers...
The hugely popular Barnes Charity Bike Sale takes place this month. If you happen to have two wheels that you no longer need (in good condition, although the team will give them some TLC), the event is accepting donations on Sept 5, 5-7 pm and Sept7, 10 am-12 pm at St Mary’s Church, Barnes.
This year’s sale takes place at the same venue on Sept 14, 9.30am-midday. Get there early!
6. It's good to talk...
Poppy Mardall and Natalie Charles of Modern Funeral Directors Poppy’s, are hosting a Death Café in Sheen this month.
Open to all, this worldwide concept is a discussion group(as opposed to a counselling session or grief support) that offers an inclusive, informal and friendly opportunity to gather together to drink tea and talk about death without any agenda or objective.
Sept 19, 10.30 am-12 pm at Boulangerie Jade, 313 Upper Richmond Rd, SW148QR.
Adults-only, guests can purchase their drinks and food from the café. Register at eventbrite.co.uk or show up on the day.
7. Teddington Talent
Awesome Studios, the creative dance and multi-disciplinary space in the former Lloyds Bank building on Teddington High Street, is hosting the Teddington Artists’ Contemporary Art Fair this month, featuring a varied selection of paintings, prints and drawings plus jewellery, sculpture, photography and more.
Sept 7 (10 am-6 pm) & 8 (11 am-4 pm), 23 High St, TW11 8ET. Entry £3; teddingtonartists.co.uk
