Inspired by the east London tradition of street parties, artists have created a community dining table that will become a permanent feature of the Walthamstow marshes.
The Table on the Marsh project was conceived by local artist, Alexandra Parry. She had the initial idea in 2007 in a conversation with friends about dinner parties and went on to take part in a number of successful public dining projects. It soon became clear that a combination of food and the outdoors was a great way to promote social interaction in communities.
Alexandra “saw the table’s potential to challenge people’s interactions in public space and with each other” and approached Lee Valley parks with a proposal for Walthamstow. After gaining approval and then funding from UnLtd – a charity that supports social entrepreneurs – she sent a brief to a number of local artists. Tabitha Pope, an architectural designer and Giles Thaxton, a carpenter, were eventually picked to design and construct a table for the project. The pair have since been in the process of creating the twenty-seater dining table in consultation with residents. Locals have throughout been encouraged to contribute their favourite tablecloth designs, which have then been carved into the oak table.
On October 17th, The Table on the Marsh team will hold a feast to mark the completion of the project that has been underway since January. The grand dining table will begin its long residency on Coppermill Fields in Walthamstow Marshes. Organisers hope that this will be the first of many occasions that the table brings friends, families and even strangers together, and that the table will ultimately go some way towards strengthening the community.
The event will take place from 12pm to 5pm and will feature workshops, followed by a feast and live folk music. People taking part in the day are being encouraged to bring along a homemade dish to share with everyone. A community board will also be available so those attending can post information about local projects and organisations they are involved with.
It is hoped the table will inspire others to think inventively about what they can do to help make the most of public open spaces. Moreover, the table is there to demonstrate that the city’s green spaces – increasingly under threat of being sold to developers – are of great value to local culture.
For more information on the project and the community feast, go to www.tableonthemarsh.co.uk.
