It is with a lump in my throat and a heartful of emotions I announce that I’m bowing out as manager of the Woodfield Pavilion.

It has been an amazing 6 years since I took over the role. Back at the beginning, when I started in September 2019, it was a mostly empty building and not quite sure of what it could be. I will leave at the end of the year knowing I have built the Pavilion into a thriving community centre, bustling with life, art, music, wellbeing classes, workshops, and such a variety of events. It is now a place where anything can be possible. Long may it continue.

It has been the most wonderful privilege to be the head of such a space, and to have met and worked alongside so many talented, creative, hardworking and interesting people. It has been hard work, but it’s amazing what can be achieved with a positive approach, some imagination and brilliant partnerships. From artists to storytellers, from cooks to yoga teachers, Rites for Girls to Tai Chi - the pavilion has filled up with creative possibilities that have kept the charity functioning and funded, and I can only thank ALL the people who have been part of this past six years from the bottom of my heart.

As a reflection of my time here, partly to write this goodbye, I’ve been looking at pictures, and I’m so proud of the many and varied things that this little building has played host to –

The Community lunches; Free Film Nights; Refugee days; Bolivia Day; Ukraine day; Youth days for young refugees. I’ve held Concerts from Jazz to string quartets; Performances from Shakespeare to Storytelling nights. There’s been Talks and Walks and a Political hustings; Lids on so many many things; Green events and a Community Orchard; the Sunday afternoon and silent discos. So many classes, Makers Markets and all the wonderful, beautiful exhibitions. (I even fitted the picture rail myself when I first started!).

The Woodfield survived lockdown as I was seconded to manage Lambeth’s Emergency food service for six months. It ran as a community food hub and even a cheeky takeout café for a while.

I’ve achieved funding for acoustic panels to improve the awful sound, for fabulous lighting and for an air source heat pump. I’ve run the amazing Open Mic nights for three years, and watch alongside the South London Storytelling team as the Festival of the Dead has reached its fourth fabulous year.

Some things have continued – and I hope always will. Some have moved on, as that’s the nature of volunteering sometimes. But all these events and the people that came with them, have brought life to this building, and been such a pleasure to help them all grow.

Leaving all this is difficult.

It really has been the best of experiences. I shall miss the views from my ‘office’ window very much. But I’m off to work for a big charity and the plan is to have Pavilions all over London…so watch out!

My last day is the 19th December. Please pop in before then and say bye if you can, it’ll be nice to see you.

And I’ll definitely be back – as an artist and a member.

Janet

Woodfield Pavilion Manager

for now.