Ward 81 residents connect through sports and outdoor activities at a Market Day in Bramley

Ward 81 community members came together for a vibrant day of connection, entertainment and local enterprise at the Ward 81 Market Day, an event dedicated to building relationships and fostering a stronger sense of community.

Hosted by Unity Vote, Ward 81 community activist Theo Lengwati said the purpose of the market day was to offer residents an opportunity to step away from the everyday challenges facing their neighbourhood and enjoy a day of fellowship, food and fun.

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The event featured a variety of stalls showcasing products and services available within the community, including clothing, food and other goods.

Residents had the opportunity to browse, support local vendors and discover the businesses and entrepreneurial initiatives operating on their doorstep.

For families, plenty was available to keep younger visitors entertained, with a dedicated kiddies’ area featuring jumping castles and video games.

Lengwati said the day was about much more than buying and selling. At its heart, the event was an opportunity for residents to meet one another in person, build friendships and create a stronger community spirit.

“This is all about fun, all about getting to know each other, all about becoming a family,” he said.

He explained that many residents interact through WhatsApp groups, often knowing one another only by name or phone number. The market day created an opportunity to put faces to those names and strengthen relationships beyond the digital space.

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“We want to be a family. We want to hug each other; we want to learn and see each other’s faces from WhatsApp groups, so that you don’t just see a person by name or by their phone number,” Lengwati said.

The day began at 07:30 with a 5km fun walk through the community, bringing residents together for a healthy and enjoyable start to the programme.

After returning from the walk, participants took part in stretching exercises before settling in for the market day’s activities.

Lengwati emphasised that the walk was intended to be a fun activity encouraging residents to get active and connect with their neighbours.

“Today we are having fun. We are not worried about potholes, street lights, and electricity issues. As a community, we’re getting to know each other. We said, ‘ Let’s come together, have a few drinks and something to eat.’”

By creating a platform for local vendors and entrepreneurs to showcase their offerings, the initiative helped promote community-based enterprise while providing residents with a relaxed space to socialise.

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