Cally Rd Festival

The Caledonian Road,

It’s not renowned for it’s glamour.  When people say ‘where shall we go for an exciting and dynamic time’ the Cally Rd doesn’t leap immediately to mind.  To one side Barnsbury – swish Islington terraced houses and well-maintained large gardens – the other side York Way, housing estates and cheap, suspect off licenses.

Imagine my surprise, then, to find that the Cally Rd was having a festival.  And not just any festival – a festival which shut down a large part of the road, filled it with tents, stalls and even a teepee, and invited the attendees to sample anything and everything from home made gluten-free cookies to samosas served three to a bag.  Face painting, story telling, boxing for the kids, the local fire engine to gawp at, training in CPR from the ambulance service, a grow-it-yourself service, learn how to tile club, stands selling clothes, ceramics, cakes, books, music, a band stand, helium balloons and crowds thick enough you had to push with your elbows to get past.  It’s just not the cliche of the Cally Rd that I’m used to… and this is probably a very good thing.