Manor House Gardens Festival
The Manor House Gardens Festival takes over the entire park once a year. It is a family friendly festival of culture, celebrating the incredible range of local arts and cultural talent in the area, it celebrates the work of the different community groups who work tirelessly to support a range of local needs and cause’s and it shines alight on the diversity of cultures in the area.
Come and join us, bring friends and family to experience the Book Tent, the Main Stage for bands and performances, children’s' funfair, the Community Village, delicious Food Stalls, a Bar and displays of Arts & Crafts. There is something for everyone!
Festival Schedule 2024
The Manor House Gardens Festival is back bigger and better. Check out this year’s line up and schedule to plan your day.
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1. 11:50–12:30 DANCING W/IZZY DANCE
2. 12:40–13:10 L C N DANCING/SINGING
3. 13:20–13:50 CHINESE ELVIS SINGER
4. 14:00–14:30 GOLDSMITH’S CONFUCIUS PERFORMERS
5. 14:40–15:10 STEEDTONE BAND
6. 15:20–15:50 HAVEN’T STOPPED DANCING YET! DANCE
7. 16:00–16:30 TON 50 BAND
8. 16:40–17:10 LONDON SOUL CHOIRS SINGING
9. 17:20–17:50 SHIMMY STARS BELLY DANCERS
10. 18:00–18:30 DR ELIAS & THE SOUL SURGEONS BAND
11. 18:40–19:10 FLAKY JAKE & SIR “EDDIE” REAL DUO
12. 19:20–19:50 THE QUAGGY RIVER STRING BAND BAND
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Fun activities, slides, rides and all the fun of the fair for children between the ages of 5 and 15.
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Come and Join the Conversation. Curated by local author Garry Jenkins.
12.30
The Write Stuff - Local Writers Share their Trade Secrets
Featuring Amelia Kyazze, Bea Thomas, Julia Silk, John Biggins and Garry Jenkins
1.15
Readings in the Park -
A local writers group shares their work. Led by publisher and writer Cherry Potts.
2pm
Love is in the Air -
Why Romance in Fiction is Definitely Not Dead
Featuring authors Kirsty Eyre , Sophie Ranald and Amelia Kyazze
2.45pm
Story Crafting With Allison -
Fun and inclusive children’s Event with Allison Parkinson. Suitable for all ages.
3.30pm
Jay Flynn’s Prize Family Book Quiz -
BBC Radio 2 quiz master and author Jay Flynn hosts a literary quiz for all the family.
4.15pm
More Murders in the Neighbourhood - Local Crime Writers on their Deadly Craft
Featuring Garry Jenkins, Katherine Black, Angela Sweeney, Melanie Pennant.
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A selection of craft beer and ciders from our favourite local pub
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Toy Mania - Children's toy stall (Toy Mania) selling croc charms, pin badges, Lego, pop it games, children’s bracelets, sensory toys, balls on key fobs.
Natural Elements - Soy wax candles, wax melts, reed diffusers, scents created with essential oils. All products are natural ingrediants, cruetly free and vegan.
Tutor Doctor Greenwich - We are a local tutoring company who provide tutoring services to local families and schools.
Colfe’s Leisure Centre - IWe are a local community leisure centre based in Colfe’s School
Me On The Map - Personalised typographic street and area map prints of South London including Lee and Hither Green
South East London Community Energy - We collaborate with residents, businesses, and organisations to develop projects that help us achieve this vision. Currently our work focuses on four main strands: community owned solar, LED retrofit for community buildings; energy Advice for people struggling to pay their bills; practical advice and support for people who want to make their homes more energy efficient. We're working closely with Lewisham council on this final point to support homeowners in conservation areas overcome the hurdles they face in making their homes fit for the future so it would be a great opportunity to meet and speak with members of the Lee Manor community.
Blissful Thinking - Wellness clinic in Lewisham. Stall will be offering taster sessions of seated massage and possibly reflexology.
HH Garden Landscapes - selling a mixture of evergreen and herbaceous ornamental outdoor plants and herbs. All plants sourced from a trusted local plant nurseries in Kent and Norfolk. We welcome open conversation with customers about plant care and advice on‘right plant, right place’. As local Hither Green gardeners and garden designers, we mainly wish to enhance our presence and services within the community, put faces to our good name and reputation, and to reach out to prospective clients. We are also especially keen to direct all houseplant and community garden enquires on to Jay from the MHG Flowerbed, who’s stall we support annually, and from where our business began
Messy.LDN - Hand embroidered clothing, sock, cards and accessories. Tie dyed socks and shirts.
Cate Castleton Photography - Greenwich photograpahy studio selling vegan sweets and cakes to raise money for charity.
The Find Store - We will take customer’s pottery away once they have painted it, glaze and fire it and then they will need to collect from our studio approx. 10 days later.
Nonki Store - A local children's shop: handmade products, toys, clothes etc
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Pistachios Cafe - Festival BBQ, coffee, tea, soft drinks and ice cream.
Carty's Caribbean Catering -Jerk Chicken, BBQ & other Caribbean specialities. https://www.instagram.com/cartycaribbeancatering/
Phat Waffles - Waffles. https://www.instagram.com/phatwaffletrulywafflicious/
Sweet Treasures - Sweets
SLATE N’ CRUMB - Brownies & blondies. This will be of various flavours and varieties to cater for all, including Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten free. https://www.instagram.com/slatencrumb/
Yviescupkakes - The stall will provide a variety of cupcakes and Jamaican Fruit cake. Children can also get creative and decorate their own cupcakes. https://www.instagram.com/y_cupkakes1/
LikeMamma - Italian steak sandwiches mac cheese. https://www.instagram.com/likemamma19/
Hog Roast ( by LikeMamma )- A hog roast
Tandoori Tadkaa - Indian street food. https://www.instagram.com/tandooritadkaalondon/
Miss J's signature flavours - Non alcoholic drinks ( Mocktails ) Fruit flavoured ice-poles instagram -@missjssignature_flavours_ www.missjsflavours.co.uk
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Friends of Manor House Gardens - Friends of Manor House Gardens is a group of volunteers who work to improve the park for users and wildlife. Our work includes planting and maintaining community flower beds, litter picks and fundraising. We regularly meet with the council and Glendales park management team to provide feedback and support the Green Flag management plan.
MHG Flower Garden community group - Volunteers from the community flower bed group will be highlighting the wildlife sustained by the bed – now in its tenth year -, composting etc., and selling garden and house plant plants, gardening related books and bric-a-brac to raise money for next year’s planting, new tools, gloves etc.
MHG Park Angels - Helping keep the park free of litter and looking great. New volunteers needed
Lee Green Open Studios - Lee Green Open Studios is an annual arts trail run to promote the work of local artists in and around the area . It is self funded and we will be using the festival to recruit artists to the event in November and to promote and advertise the event to a wider audience
Lee Green Women's Institute - Selling there famous home made cakes and promoting the interesting events they organise.
Grandmentors (Volunteering Matters) - Newly funded by Lewisham council, Grandmentors is an award-winning, inter-generational mentoring project, where older volunteers use their lifetime of skills and experience to support and mentor young people leaving the care system. Our stall will showcase this community programme taking place in the borough, provide visitors with information and enable those who may wish to enquire and register their interest to volunteer.
Manor Park Friends - Manor Park Friends is a voluntary group set up to support and enhance a small urban park in Lewisham, SE London.Our aims:– To improve, enhance and protect the quality of Manor Park for everyone to enjoy and feel welcome in.– To provide information on, and promote, the diverse species and natural habitat found in our park.– To run events; social, education and fundraising.– To set up community working groups.– To seek funding for projects
SE12 Woodworks - Information and examples of their work in the community
Lee Green Lives - Come and meet the team who run the community Centre in the Leegate centre. Providing a warm and welcoming space at the Community Centre on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11am – 3pm. Homemade soup will be available, as well as tea and coffee and the other Centre facilities.
GRACE (Greenwich Refugee Aid and Community Enterprise) - Community information stall to promote GRACE’s work, encourage donations, recruit volunteers
Lee South Guides - A group who run activities for girls and young women aged 4-18 through Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers across Lewisham but mainly around Lee and Hither Green. Looking to recruit more volunteers and members to our charity through some fun activities
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This event is organised by Friends of Manor House Gardens volunteers and we welcome donations to help us keep this event FREE.
Please come to the Friends of MHG stall if you'd like to make a contribution.
All profits from the event go back into the park to support volunteer activities and make improvement.
Recent successes include:
- New lake fountain
- Litter pick station
- Outdoor Gym
- Cafe flower bed planting
- Manor Lane flower bed planting
- New playground equipment
Festival Schedule 2023
The Manor House Gardens Festival is back bigger and better. Check out this year’s line up and schedule to plan your day.
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With such an array of local talent, there is really something for everyone on the main stage this year.
Festival • Stage Running Order • Sat 24th June 2023
1. 12:00-12:30 Dancing with Izzy
2. 12:40-13:10 Goldsmith’s Chinese Performers
3. 13:20-13:50 LCN
4. 14:00-14:30 Hootini
5. 14:40-15:10 Entourage
6. 15:20-15:50 Kerry on Dancing
7. 16:00-16:30 Mahogany Soulz
8. 16:40-17:10 Ukadelix
9. 17:20-17:50 Shimmy Stars
10. 18:00-18:30 Dr Elias/Soul Surgeons
11. 18:40-19:10 Green Chain Quartet
12. 19:20-19:50 Magic City Trio
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Fun activities, slides, rides and all the fun of the fair for children between the ages of 5 and 15.
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Come and Join the Conversation. Curated by local author Gary Jenkins.
1PM AI: Author Intelligence. How to Survive & Thrive in Modern Publishing. With agent Julia Silk, festival and awards organiser Maureen Stapleton, author and founder of Ink Academy, Marina Kemp, publisher Cherry Potts and author Claire Seeber. Chair: Amelia Kyazze.
1.45PM Children's Corner. Local children’s author Enomwoyi Damali reads from her popular and inspirational Nzingha books.
2.30PM And Then It Came To Me. How Writers Find Ideas and Inspiration. With authors Amelia Kyazze, Sophie Ranald, Katie Lumsden, Andrew Heavens, Kirsty Eyre and Garry Jenkins. Chair: Katherine Black.
3.15PM Children's Story Crafting. Children’s author and illustrator Allison Parkinson hosts a thirty minute reading and story ideas workshop for 7-11 year olds. Younger children welcome with accompanying adults.
4PM. Only Murders in the Neighbourhood - Local Crime Writers on How Lewisham Inspires Them. With authors Claire Seeber, Sheila Bugler, Katherine Black and Nadine Matheson. Chair: Garry Jenkins.
4.45PM - 5.30PM. 'Meet the Authors: sales and signings. Our brilliant line-up of authors will be selling and signing copies of their books.
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Our very own brewery and tap room based round the corner from the park supplying beer, wine and more to keep you refreshed all day long!
Brockley Brewery was founded in 2013 by seven partners, coming from a range of backgrounds, but with common ground:
We all live in South East London, in or around Brockley.
We want to positively contribute to the local community.
We want to run our business “the right way” - we have strong ethics.
We want to make great beer as part of London’s vibrant craft beer scene.
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School of Frock - Promoting Cilene Jenkins’ local children’s classes at School of Frock. The stall will feature items of clothing and other accessories made by the young pupils and Cilene herself.
Angelicapoems - Wood bracelets, wood necklaces, wood earrings, wood coasters, wall art hangings, art prints and poetry books.
Jewellery by Peaches - I make and sell gemstone and mixed media jewellery
Tutor Doctor Greenwich - We are a local tutoring company who provide tutoring services to local families and schools.
Pilates & barre classes - I am a local Barre, Pilates, Dance and Strength training coach/instructor in Hither Green.
Me On The Map - Personalised typographic street and area map prints of South London including Lee and Hither Green
Messy.LDN - Hand embroidered clothing, sock, cards and accessories. Tie dyed socks and shirts.
Woodworks - We are a small woodwork business based in Lee Green South-East London where we make and teach. We have a collaborative approach to making where our clients’ priorities come first, be they design, practicality, affordability, aesthetics or sustainability. When teaching we have a learner centred approach. Sale of class passes and gift cards with MHG discount. Sale of small goods including chopping boards made from tables salvaged from the Edmund Halley.
Found Hope - The stall will be a representation of our store on Hither Green lane, selling a range of our house made jams, pickles, kimchis, sauces as well as our pasties, cakes and sandwiches.
Cate Castleton Photography - Greenwich photograpahy studio selling vegan sweets and cakes to raise money for charity.
The Find Store - We will take customer’s pottery away once they have painted it, glaze and fire it and then they will need to collect from our studio approx. 10 days later.
Bloktec - Promoting after-school robotics classes (starting September in Hither Green area) workshops, team-building sessions, events. Robots are Lego compatible. I will have some demo robots on the stall. A small number of robots will be offered for sale (10 to 20).
Pebble - A new platform for booking activities and childcare for children - making it easy to book activities and nursery sessions in one place. We will bring a roll up banner and some leaflets to let parents know about our platform. As part of the event we will potentially let parents sign up for a raffle and give them some discounts.
Nonki Store - A local children's shop: handmade products, toys, clothes etc
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Pistachios Cafe - Festival BBQ, coffee, tea, soft drinks and ice cream.
Carty's Caribbean Catering -Jerk Chicken, BBQ & other Caribbean specialities. https://www.instagram.com/cartycaribbeancatering/
Perinelli Deli -Italian, filled rolls ( porchetta ) and street food. https://www.instagram.com/perinellideli/
Phat Waffles - Waffles. https://www.instagram.com/phatwaffletrulywafflicious/
Sweet Treasures - Sweets
SLATE N’ CRUMB - Brownies & blondies. This will be of various flavours and varieties to cater for all, including Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten free. https://www.instagram.com/slatencrumb/
Yviescupkakes - The stall will provide a variety of cupcakes and Jamaican Fruit cake. Children can also get creative and decorate their own cupcakes. https://www.instagram.com/y_cupkakes1/
LikeMamma - Italian steak sandwiches mac cheese. https://www.instagram.com/likemamma19/
Tandoori Tadkaa - Indian street food. https://www.instagram.com/tandooritadkaalondon/
Caribbean Jerk - Caribbean / Jerk Chicken. https://www.instagram.com/caribbeanjerk/
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Friends of Manor House Gardens - Friends of Manor House Gardens is a group of volunteers who work to improve the park for users and wildlife. Our work includes planting and maintaining community flower beds, litter picks and fundraising. We regularly meet with the council and Glendales park management team to provide feedback and support the Green Flag management plan.
MHG Flower Garden community group - Volunteers from the community flower bed group will be highlighting the wildlife sustained by the bed – now in its tenth year -, composting etc., and selling garden and house plant plants, gardening related books and bric-a-brac to raise money for next year’s planting, new tools, gloves etc.
Lee Forum - Forum for the promotion and improvement of the area.
Lee Green Open Studios - Lee Green Open Studios is an annual arts trail run to promote the work of local artists in and around the area . It is self funded and we will be using the festival to recruit artists to the event in November and to promote and advertise the event to a wider audience
Lee Green Women's Institute - Selling there famous home made cakes and promoting the interesting events they organise.
Trinity Lewisham School - Offering games led by their pupils.
QWAG - Discover your local river, the River Quaggy, which flows through Manor House Gardens, with the award winning Quaggy Waterways Action Group (QWAG). Find out: - How local rivers have been improved and restored thanks to community action - How restoring rivers brings nature back, cuts flood risk and makes places and space better for everyone - How you events you can join in, from river clean ups and water sampling to practical restoration of the river and its banks - About the latest plans to restore local rivers including improving public access - How you can help reduce the risk of flooding and QWAG’s project on the great flood of 1968 for Lewisham 2002 year as London Borough of Culture.
Church of the Good Shepherd - The stall will have information about the church’s activities e.g. foodbank for vulnerable migrants, English classes for Ukrainians, bereavement course etc. Some interactive activities that enable people to learn about these things.
Grandmentors (Volunteering Matters) - Newly funded by Lewisham council, Grandmentors is an award-winning, inter-generational mentoring project, where older volunteers use their lifetime of skills and experience to support and mentor young people leaving the care system. Our stall will showcase this community programme taking place in the borough, provide visitors with information and enable those who may wish to enquire and register their interest to volunteer.
Lee Green Assembly - Meet your local councillors.
Lee Green Lives - Come and meet the team who run the community Centre in the Leegate centre. Providing a warm and welcoming space at the Community Centre on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11am – 3pm. Homemade soup will be available, as well as tea and coffee and the other Centre facilities.
GRACE (Greenwich Refugee Aid and Community Enterprise) - Community information stall to promote GRACE’s work, encourage donations, recruit volunteers
Goldsmiths Confucius Institute - Specialist Chinese crafts for all ages – We will be offering a range of practical art and craft activities suitable for adults and children of all ages. Learn about Chinese culture through art with Chinese calligraphy, Chinese blow-painting and Chinese papercutting workshops. Goldsmiths Confucius Institute for Dance and Performing Arts explores all facets of Chinese studies, from language to history and dance. Goldsmiths Confucius Institute strives to bring Chinese language and culture to a wider audience. As the first and only Confucius Institute to specialise in dance, performance and the arts, we run a diverse spectrum of extracurricular activities and one-off events for schools, enterprises, charities and local organisations. We also run a variety of short courses in Chinese language, dance, music and martial arts to the local community.
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Win great prizes while supporting Friends of Manor House Gardens efforts in improving your local park
Festival Schedule 2022
The Manor House Gardens Festival is back bigger and better for 2022. Check out this year’s line up and schedule to plan your day.
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With such an array of local talent, there is really something for everyone on the main stage this year. From children’s performances to our newly formed MHGF All Stars Band featuring local legends Winston Blissett, bass with Massive Attack, Tunday Akintan, Charlie Hart, Jim Russell who plays drums with Bob Geldoff and Scottie Moore, Jade Ruby Foreman, Rowan McKinnon and Baz Golin. Back by popular demand are Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet, new comer Sam Wilkinson who won The Voice Kids in 2019 will wow the crowd and local musicians in Django Rhinestone, Dull Invalid and Ton50 will finish the set. Have your dancing shoes ready!
Festival • Stage Running Order • Sat 18 Jun 2022
1. 12:00-12:45 Act 1: LCN (kids)
2. 12:55-13:25 Act 2: Oren Marshall & Friends (kids)
3. 13:35-13:55 Act 3: Dancing with Izzy (kids)
4. 14:05-14:45 Act 4: MHGF All-Stars (band)
5. 14:55-15:20 Act 5: Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet!
6. 15:30-16:00 Act 6: Sam Wilkinson (The Voice Kids Winner)
7. 16:10-16:40 Act 7: The Early Swerve (band)
8. 16:50-17:15 Act 8: Shimmy Dancers (belly dancers)
9. 17:25-17:55 Act 9: Django Rhinestone (band)
10. 18:05-18:30 Act 10: Kerry On Dancing
11. 18:40-19:10 Act 11: Dull Invalid (band)
12. 19:20-20:00 Act 12: Ton50 (band)
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Fun activities, performances and play areas come and bring your little ones into a quieter space with facepainters, dancing, tattoo artists and lego workshops on offer!
KIDS STAGE:
12:00 Eee presents!
13:00 Georgina Thompson - Tap Dance
14:00 Diddi Dance
15:00 Dancing with Izzy
15:45 Tinibox
16:30 Kerry on Dance
GAZEBO:
12:45 Engineering Minds / Lego Robotics - Gazebo
13:15 Engineering Minds / Lego Robotics - Gazebo
14:30 Singalong Sally - Gazebo
17:00 Fun Teeth Hygiene - Gazebo
MUGA
12.00 - 17:00 Sportacus
Little Kickers TBC
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Come and Join the Conversation. Curated by Tessa Marchington
3pm
Co-exchange between young people in Lewisham and Professionals around Culture & Placemaking
Chair - Emma Halstead - The Albany
Rosanna Campbell - Young Mayor of Lewisham
Sasha Hylton-Burgess - Fine Art Graduate
Mark Davy - Director of FutureCity
Tunday Akintan - Musician and Lagos Bar Founder tbc
3.45pm
Arts, Health & Disability
Exploring an inclusive approach to programming and participation
Chair- Linda Rocco, Lead Curator and Creative Producer, Liberty Festival
Cevanne Horrocks-Hopayian - British Composer and Lead Artist in Cap O’Rushes - Based on the story of Cap O’Rushes from Suffolk, three inclusive ensembles BSO Resound, Ensemble Juvenil de Setúbal, and HeadSpace Ensemble have each performed and filmed part of this piece by Cevanne Horrocks-Hopayian and UNIT dance. Created in lockdown, this premiere provides a timely and extraordinary audio and visual reflection of one daughter’s journey towards reconciliation. This production has been made possible by Arts & Health South West with support by Stitching Horizon.
David Johnson- Blind Artist and Phd Student
Himani Weir - Artist & Teacher
4.30pm
Community: How do we manage our response to pain?
Chair-Tessa Marchington
Margaret Mizen MBE, Speaker and Founder of the Mizen Foundation
Barry Mizen MBE, Speaker and Founder of the Mizen Foundation
Sistah Stella Headley - Community Food Activist and Co-Founder of RMUK Wellbeing CIC
Sinéad Browne - Founder, Compliments of the House
Laurence Smith - Founder, Lewisham Donation Hub
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The Wellness Sessions curated by The Botanical Pharmacist
1pm - Yoga taster with Priya Ferreira Yoga and Meditation
1.30pm - Pilates taster with Pilates and Tara
2pm - Health benefits of eating locally sourced seasonal veg with Lee Greens
2.30pm (time tbc) - Tea blending with mindfulness [Time TBC} with A Little Cup Tea
3pm - DIY hand massage with Agnes Zsebo-Ferenczi Neals Yard Remedies Independent Consultant
3.30pm - Seasonal forage with Fawz Farhan
4pm - Personal training taster with Base13 Fitness
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Log Circle:
12pm - late
Local forest teacher James, from Forries Education will be offering drop-in sessions from 12pm by the log circle. There will be the rope swing up for those dropping by and some bark rubbing set up for children to have a go.
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We have a variety of local foodies selling their treats for us this year. Phat Waffles which speak for themselves, yummy! And Sweets Delite - a sweets for adults and children to enjoy, including a lucky dip. Locanda Badin will have some Sardinian dishes for us which look delicious… Pistachios Cafe will be putting on a BBQ and selling icecream.
MHGF 2017
John Payne was the main sponsor of Manor House Gardens Festival 2017. The team had a great time giving out bags and balloons to the local community, as well as enjoying the food, music and other events of the day. Here is some great footage from the event.
Manor House Gardens Festival 2017 Gallery
MHGF 2016
Footage from the 2016 festival taken by Thomas Anthony .