Famous for its high-tech fountains, spectacular art deco, Grade II listed Town Hall and surrounding gardens, the London Borough of Waltham Forest invites everyone to ‘Discover your Summer’ in Fellowship Square this July and August.
As a borough rooted in cultural history with thriving new art, creative, entertainment and leisure hot spots, Fellowship Square is one of the highlights and a must-visit destination in London.
Fellowship Square is a venue that celebrates the power of public art, and they are delighted to have Henry Moore’s 6-metre-high fibreglass, monumental sculpture ‘The Arch’ within our grounds, which is widely considered ‘the culmination of Moore’s thoughts on the body as architecture.’ Originally inspired by a small piece of bone, the sculpture plays on the artist’s lifelong fascination with Stonehenge, the arches of classical architecture, and naturally occurring structures such as caves. Henry Moore (1898-1986) was one of the most important British artists of the twentieth century and arguably the most internationally celebrated sculptor of the period. He is renowned for his semi-abstract monumental sculptures, which can be seen all over the world. On a long-term loan for the next four years, The Arch is a major art piece for everyone to enjoy for FREE along with the existing permanent relief sculptures personifying Work, Education, Fellowship, Motherhood and Recreation by John Frances Kavanagh, carved into the façade of the buildings. Kavanagh studied under Henry Moore at the Royal College of Art, in 1925.
Several gardens surround Fellowship Square, including the new Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Garden that wraps around the north side of the town hall. The garden commemorates the 70-year reign of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and features a variety of plants including rosemary and lily of the valley – the queen’s favourite flower. Sitting closely is The Sensory Garden, a space designed to connect with nature, and increase awareness of our surroundings that promote wellbeing and stress reduction. It is specially designed for people with autism and dementia by stimulating the five basic senses. The design provides a series of zones to focus the senses, with seating for relaxation, reflection, and shelter from the sun.
The hugely popular Fellowship Square Fountains stand at the centre of the square, a public space larger than Trafalgar Square. In this go-to destination for the whole family, visitors can expect multi-coloured lights illuminating 144 water jets, bringing dramatic displays and performances to life. In the early morning and at the end of the day the fountains display a relaxing experience with the reflection pool. Throughout the rest of the day, it is programmed with gentle and active jet displays ensuring fun, laughter, and enjoyment for all ages on a hot day.
Some notable key events this summer include the unmissable Finals Weekend 13-14 July, for the Wimbledon Women’s and Men’s Singles Finals and of course the hotly anticipated UEFA Euro 2024 Cup Finals. The central lawn will be transformed into a buzzing fan zone, with entry free to all but booking is essential for each match. The multi-award-winning Pillars Brewery will be on site serving craft and alcohol-free beer, wine and Pimm’s cocktails, with local street food vendors providing a range of culinary delights. To book, visit Discover Your Summer at Waltham Forest.
The ever-popular Waltham Forest Pride returns on Saturday 27 July, another free entry event, with everyone invited to celebrate with local talents and the LGBTQIA+ community from 3 pm to 8 pm. East London Out Project will be hosting a full day of events and activities, which bring the whole community together, it will be filled with fantastic performances, talks from local speakers, delicious food, and refreshments, and of course, a lot of music and dancing! Stay tuned on Instagram @elop_lgbt to hear more about the lineup.
