Summer 2021
Thanks to everyone who got involved with Pollards Pop–Up last summer – those three weeks flew by!
The activities that took place were in response to local feedback and the most commonly suggested ideas for the future of the bus shelter (except a few activities that would need more space), and were operated in large by local people.
Here are a few highlights from the week!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_20cee0890f6c4aa282c44d5265d329e9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_98,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_20cee0890f6c4aa282c44d5265d329e9~mv2.jpg)
The main space to test activities at Pollards Pop–Up was the Green Room on one side of the bus shelter. Here is the drawing idea for the space:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_190273305dd34826bcfec46e24ec26af~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_92,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_190273305dd34826bcfec46e24ec26af~mv2.jpg)
An information point at the other side of the bus shelter provided a space to share information, discuss the project and leave ideas for the building
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_5b70299be95149c1b75c77fdfdbf902c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_104,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_5b70299be95149c1b75c77fdfdbf902c~mv2.jpg)
The spaces were all temporary and made with some help from local volunteers
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_d49b108128b44faa8ee78173b6a3bf3b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_d49b108128b44faa8ee78173b6a3bf3b~mv2.jpg)
The spaces were all temporary and made with some help from volunteers, including local residents Pat (left) and future Mayor of Merton, Joan Henry (right)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_5b4c255580c84486a0b3da5941fc285b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_98,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_5b4c255580c84486a0b3da5941fc285b~mv2.jpg)
As well as a launch event, we programmed a three week events programme as part of the pop-up. Here are some examples of activities hosted:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_47c72bb93eb64c17a56aeff4eb8ef839~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_104,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_47c72bb93eb64c17a56aeff4eb8ef839~mv2.jpg)
Pollards Pop-Up launched on a sunny August Saturday with free coffee, cup-cakes and Caribbean food with free tasters and in the evening, run by Unique Talent & Ja'Tasty
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_15214ec190514efe99bb90b54b5f2e1b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_98,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_15214ec190514efe99bb90b54b5f2e1b~mv2.jpg)
Shernette from Sherwood Park Hall held a screening of family-favourite E.T. on Donnelly Green (next to Pollards Hill Youth Club)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_0452d15ff4544d8ba84fd7bfd19b848b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_0452d15ff4544d8ba84fd7bfd19b848b~mv2.jpg)
Ja’Tasty brought their delicious pop-up Caribbean cafe with free tasters (with two more sessions to come later in the programme)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_92cdd66f5edc4d24b91ee6cbdec99f09~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_92cdd66f5edc4d24b91ee6cbdec99f09~mv2.jpg)
And Shernette opened a free coffee stall, working with a charity supporting homeless people and ex-offenders. After the event, the programme began...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_3c925676680449f9a13ab1243fd6dd86~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_3c925676680449f9a13ab1243fd6dd86~mv2.jpg)
Unique Talent provided personal training and nutrition consultations and Groundwork provided Head2Work careers advice
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_bc6675fa1ed2416d980bf9beb51e05fd~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_bc6675fa1ed2416d980bf9beb51e05fd~mv2.jpg)
Health check ups and support was given by OneYouMerton (NHS) and Age UK
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_7ac350697ae04983a24a3dc1c143049b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_7ac350697ae04983a24a3dc1c143049b~mv2.jpg)
Art teacher Susan Derbyshire provided arts and crafts classes, enjoyed by local youngsters
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_db31a483b4c5487ba6e9cdfab12ee552~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_db31a483b4c5487ba6e9cdfab12ee552~mv2.jpg)
Made in Merton ran a workshop to co-make a beautiful William Morris pattern banner celebrating Pollards Hill, shown below
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_f964b4bd5cc445adb0e17231edd2cf83~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_f964b4bd5cc445adb0e17231edd2cf83~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_12a78d7319984e679efaa539dd837ba0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_12a78d7319984e679efaa539dd837ba0~mv2.jpg)
The man with a spanner Dr Bike dropped in to the Pop-up on two occasions to fix up local bikes
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_af12018a255d4a1ab07ac5a31e0c46f7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_af12018a255d4a1ab07ac5a31e0c46f7~mv2.jpg)
And micro business from Mitcham, Treasures by Trimstastic, opened her first pop-up store
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_db3266be561b4ee4b753e3d0d20cabc2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_98,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_db3266be561b4ee4b753e3d0d20cabc2~mv2.jpg)
Local boxing coach Giz Chu gave two boxing training sessions and Active Sports Academy brought a range of sports to local kids
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/119c1b_e55cf7282575492991f1697887cbab3b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/119c1b_e55cf7282575492991f1697887cbab3b~mv2.jpg)
Roberta from Sherwood Hall brought relaxing Yoga to Donnelly Green, while the Friends of Mitcham Common gave a walking tour of the historic common