Local non-profit The Community Brain is hosting three weekend festivals next month, starting with a sardine-themed celebration on Sunday, 5 May.

Running from 12pm to 5pm, the organisers say the Seething Freshwater Sardine Festival seeks to "celebrate the ancient tradition of sardine fishing in the River Thames in Surbiton".

The Community Brain says the festival celebrates the reintroduction of sardines to the Thames in 2005 with entertainment, live music, and fresh street food throughout the day.

The headline of the festival is a colourful procession which takes attendees down to the Thames to watch a haul of sardines being brought in for the event's finale: a community barbecue.

Schedule

• 12pm to 5pm: Food, stalls, entertainment & charity bar at Claremont Gardens
• 2pm: Procession from Claremont Gardens
• 2:30pm: The famous sardine catch at Queen's Promenade by Raven's Ait island
• 3:30pm: Sardine procession from Queen's Promenade to Claremont Gardens
• 4.00pm: Sardine BBQ at Claremont Gardens

The Community Brain has also organised two more community events next month on subsequent weekends.

Seething Village Fete & Community Sports Day – 11 May

Part of the Surbiton Food Festival, this village fete at Victoria Recreation Ground will feature classic sports day events like egg and spoon or sack races, as well as a dog show.

Mini Moments Festival – 18 May

This one-off event is part of The Community Brain's celebration of the borough's place in automotive history, including its instrumental role in John Cooper's designing of the original Mini.

https://twitter.com/LordScroley/status/1753462544981704715

Over 150 Minis will gather along Hollyfield Road, including the famous winning car of the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally.

There will also be tours of John Cooper's old garage to help bring the area's history to life, an obligatory screening of The Italian Job, and more.