Kevin Day, comedy writer, stand-up and Palace fan, will get the two-week-long South Norwood Arts Festival under way in earnest next Monday, July 7.

Comedian Kevin Day. Photograph by Steve Ullathorne

Day, who has written for the likes of Dave Allen and Jo Brand and been a presenter for the BBC’s “alternative” football show, MoTD2, for a decade, will be hosting a Comedy Night at the recently re-opened Stanley Halls at the start of the fortnight’s festivities organised by People for Portland Road.

This Saturday, July 5, will see a quieter beginning to the events, when local historian John Hickman, “the man who brings the dead to life”, leads a guided walk around Elmers End cemetery, where WG Grace, William Walker (the diver who saved Winchester Cathedral) and Thomas Crapper have their final resting places.

Tuesdays are Cinema Nights for the SNAF. On Tuesday, July 8, Harris Academy hosts a screening of Basically, Johnny Moped, the story of “punk rock’s lost legend”. Captain Sensible went to school at this very site, and the Captain’s son, film director Fred Burns, will be on hand to answer questions. Members of the group have also been invited to attend.

On Tuesday, July 15, SNAF is showing the classic Hammer version of The Hound of the Baskervilles in the Gothic splendour of the Stanley Halls. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, was a long-term Norwood resident.

There are a host of other, community events, including a special Musical Evening on Thursday, July 17, with a variety of local performers at the South Norwood Baptist Church and a Big Band Night at the Conservative Club.

The Festival culminates in the Grand Finale Fair on Sunday July 20 on Woodside Green.

There will be activities and fun for all ages, including a bungee run, a bouncy castle and a penalty shoot out, as well as an abundance of stalls offering everything from arts and crafts, jewellery and beauty treatments, to displays by community groups and face painting.

Football fun will be provided by Crystal Palace FC and even Woodside Fire Station will be on hand along with – of course – their fire engine. The stage will be managed by EdgeFM.

• More information about all the activities during SNAF is available in the online programme available here

Coming to Croydon

• David Lean Cinema: Calvary, July 3
• Coast to Capital business briefing, July 4
• Basically Johnny Moped at Stanley Tech, July 8
• David Lean Cinema: We Are The Best!, July 10
• Croydon Folk and Blues Festival, July 12
• David Lean Cinema: Half of a Yellow Sun, July 17
• David Lean Cinema: Pantani: Accidental Death of a Cyclist, July 21
• David Lean Cinema: Tracks, July 24
• Fragile, Spread Eagle Theatre, July 24-26
• CODA’s Midsummer Night’s Dream at Wandle Park, Jul 30-Aug 2
• David Lean Cinema: Locke, July 31
• Elm Tree Cottage garden open day, Aug 10
• Norwood Society Talk: War Memorials, Sep 18
• Norwood Society Talk: From Fire Station to Theatre, Oct 16
• Norwood Society Talk: Lambeth’s Archives, Nov 20

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